鬼と鬼切り
The Oni and the Oni Slayer


Uzuki-san's brother believed in Kei-kun and saved him, and Yumei-san and Sakuya-san believed in him, entrusting him with this task now... so I'm going to believe in him, too.
And, above all, I promised to believe in Uzuki-san.
It is a step worthy to be called "the speed of the gods."
In the force of that step, all the power from the tips of his feet to the tips of his fingers is poured upon his swing without wasting a fragment, and the secret sword shines.
Beyond the far gap, the edge doesn't reach. By itself, it is a nothing more than a swing through empty air.
But...
Through Kei-kun's eye, I can see the unseen power that reaches from the edge and departs for Uzuki-san.
Bound in that single stroke is not just the sum of Kei-kun's bodily force, but something born of everything inside him, his energy and his spirit.
As proof of that, an incredible feeling of exhaustion - and to a freeloader like myself, a feeling of release - follows in turn.
Even so, Kei-kun remains with both legs planted on the ground, and addresses Uzuki-san, her movement stopped the moment before letting Ito fall.

Kei: Depending on the user's ability, it's also possible to sever the taint of possessed souls - in other words, you can slay only the oni.

Ito falls from her hands as Uzuki-san collapses to her knees, and forward.
Her face is painted with the earth, yet she musters her strength... lifting her face to look this way.
Her eyes are neither pools of emptiness, nor do they burn with flames of hatred...
They are the eyes of the Uzuki-san I've come to love, housing a strong and honest light.

Uzuki: That's...

Facing that Uzuki-san, he smiles slightly and gives a nod.

Kei: This is...... Onikiri...... khu!

Continue...