After have been acknowledgment by his Master, the albino begins working out every day, in order to gain more fighting techniques and to sharper his skills. Day by day, he can felt that he can hold the wooden sword more reasonably than the first time he did it. No more gingerly nor shaking. He and the wooden sword were now one.

There's the time when his master, Glutamine taking a little few of his times to explain to him about the demon and the secret squad which has been responsible to wiped out those unknown creatures.

As how much Glutamine attempted to elucidate, it's always ended up become unclear considering his way of talk full of longiloquence. The length was too great. Despite that, the albino can still be able to highlight the important part of the information mostly about the secret squad. No doubt that he got curious about it until his curiosity has been taking over most of his attention and thoughts rather than those fighting things.

"Demon slayer squad referring to the squad that out of number. A secret organization that isn't acknowledgment by the government. They are unknown, still, and forever will be. No one knows who's leading them for sure. However, they still exist somewhere to kill the demon in shadow, still shrouded in mystery", He said, his eyes landed on the albino as he nodded in understanding.

"Eh then, if they are mystery how could Master know about them, unless-"

"Yea, I'm used to be one of them. A long time ago but now I only training those who want to join the squad", he elucidated in the simple shortness. The 'ouh' noises escaped from his lips.

Glutamine pursued his lips, rubbed his arm self-consciously. Thinking a bit before shaking his head and gestures toward the albino. Sighing, he said in the not really pleasure tone.

"Back then, I've found so many things that are beyond my imagination. No matter how much I want unseen it or every time I want to takes it as nothing other than a nightmare but I know what I've seen was real. Those demons are real, still crawling outside and live among us in reality", he put his fingers between his eyebrows and press it a bit.

Mafumafu just can only stare at his Master in concern. He is quite sure that his Master was that kind of reclusive type. So chatting with him in a friendly way was a big no since he just getting a nescious as a reply but seeing his Master in this kind of state really bothers him and struck him as odd.

"Demon—", he continued but an unsure tone undercurrent his deep voice. The albino just fell silent, decide not to cut him off.

"They're multiple types of demon. Some were given to have an incredible ability to change their body's structure while some are not. They have amazing physical abilities that even when they're injured, they can simply healing themselves or when their body's parts got hacked off, they can be able to grow the new ones.

Mafumafu nodded, put his fingers on his chin as he hummed. The thought occurred to him. That explains why when Sou got stabbed before he didn't get any scar, not even the single scratch.

Mafumafu mind flew back to reality when Glutamine got up and made his way to the outside. "Now come, let's training more. If you have a desire to be a part of the demon slayer squad, the first things you need to do is to pass and survive in the final section of Fujikasenayama", he told him before trotted outside. Mafumafu clenched his fists, determination showed on his eyes before stroked along toward the wooden door, prepare himself for the next practice.

"I'm coming"

——————————

Mafumafu put down his notebook and place down his butt at the edge of the futon. Finally finishing the last page of his diary today. "I need a new notebook", he thought.

He forgot since when he unexpectedly writing a diary but it was for no one other than his brother of course. His mind flew away, replaced with a memorable memory since he coming here a few months ago.

"Time sure flew fast, funny how it felt like I just coming here for a few minutes and yet again it's already passed half of the year since I live here", he mumbled to himself, stroke nicely his brother's hair who's still sleeping peacefully on the futon.

"It also has been half of the year since Sou lost his unconsciousness...with the facts that he keeps sleeping without any sign to wake up really showing something was off and yet-", he bites his tongue, trying to hold that tears that threatened to leave.

"And yet again, I'm afraid, that if he would ever wake up one day only to get himself killed. I already almost losing you, I can't let the same thing happen again", he softly ranting, his chin started to tremble. There was a static in his head once again of what he thought was the side effects of his fear and tension he needs to live with.

But he can give up yet, there's still a long journey, waiting for him. With the remaining dried energy, he peeled off his haori and left it in the pile of his other clothes. He fell down on the futon beside his brother, hugged him. Hiding his red face on the Sou's fluffy hair before dozing off into the short sleep.

——————————

Today, on the ordinary snow day. They were having a small wrestling contest. Well, it was not really wrestling, to begin with since Glutamine only fights with his bare hands while the albino on the other hand still glued his palm on the wooden sword.

He stood up, drew his sword forward, swinging it for a little test before forcing himself to went forward, targeting to hit the head part. One swing was supposed to end him quickly and efficiently but of course, this was Glutamine he was trying to take down, there's no way it's going to end as he wanted to, flawlessly and smoothly. Yes, there's none definition for that.

He darted towards the black-haired guy with his sharp blade swing. With all his might, he pushed and drainage his energy to the holder so his attack would be faster but the man was fast with only two fingers he stopped the wooden blade, put it between those fingers. He surprisingly didn't move from his place, not even a single step was taken.

His eyebrows goes higher, the surely judging one. "Seriously? That's all you got? Training for half of the year just only brings you this far?", he smug, mocking the boy who's greeted his teeth in frustration.

"Seriously?"

"No, I can do better", he screamed, released his sword, and jumped to the side.

The smile was replaced under his smile. He sticks out his hand then those fingers dancing before he turned it out into fists, ready to take the better attack.

"Then, show me your power. You shouldn't disappoint me again this time".

The albino moves forward. Switch his sword hand from the other to the other one. "I won't" he replied, excitement tone truly echoed along before striking again.

He tried to swing in the same place again but this time he acted more reasonable and reused back the tricky trap and techniques as how much as he could.  Leaping his feet among the trees or the small tricky snow trap but that's all was pointless. Every attack he sends, Glutamine would smack his hand hard enough before the sword could ever touch his body. Those smashes were beneficial enough to weaker his holder on the sword as he lifted up the boy and smash him into the ground.

"Is this all you got-"

"No", he cut him off. "Let me try again"

And there how he goes the third tries, fourth, fifth one until he losing his count. Still fail on his task, plus no progress, and he can't even surprise his expected as the albino threw his tired body to the not really fluffy grass. The sound of the wind when it tickling through the small gap of the grass ringing all over his eardrums, such a piece of natural music for him.

Still washed in the sweats from top of his head to the tip of his toes. The albino using his haori to rip out the sweat away from his forehead.

"Uwaaa today is really such an unlucky day. I can't even touch Master, not even a bit".

He sighed.

"Yep, that's right. I need to train more".

"But it's such a pain, aww man I want to take a bath now"

He pouted, folded his arms. Complaining about his current life in such a childish tone.

"But sadly, Master won't give me any chance to shower, hmph!", mockingly, he sticks out his tongue.

"Such a cruel old man"

"Wow with the thought that you are brave enough to mock Sensei was already impressed me", said the soft voice, out of nowhere.

Mafumafu widened his eyes, automatically made his body sat up back, he peeked over his shoulder and stiff stunningly upon seeing the girl figure behind him, slowly approached towards his way. One by one pace she took until she made out beside the albino. A pleasant smile never leaves her face, still carved in her thin lips.

Where does she come from?

Why the albino never sense her presence before?

She had long white hair that has been combed into the ponytails style. The pink ribbon was tied around, matching well with her pink and white haori combination.

Mafumafu still gestures on the girl, refused to take even the single blink, and instead just simply stare at her before she cut the awkwardness that started to build up.

"How long are you planning to stare at me?", she inserts the typical gross heroine expression. Mafumafu nervously only rubbed the back of his neck, sheepishly. Shuffle his gestures back to the front, politely replied.

"Sorry, never thought that someone would leave near this area other than Master hehe", he winked.

"Oh, is it so?", she asked, curiously as he nodded.

"Yes, so it shocks me a bit. I thought you are a ghost or something. Walking silently like that".

"Well I'm the real ghost though"

"aww, www no way, a nice joke you got there", he tried to deny it but once she gave him the blank expression, it made him shiver and the slight light pounding in his heart.

"R-right?"

There was a long deep silence. She said nothing and remain silent before swinging her long hair and fixed the ribbon that a little bit off. Dascrassify the dirt away from her haori, she spoke.

"So I saw that you are being beaten up earlier, that must be hurt huh"

"Eh, you saw that? Yes, that's a bit embarrassing", He covers up his blush using his palm as the girl chuckled.

"Your movement is perfect though. Just needs more practice for your speed. If you're a bit faster earlier, you might get a chance to hit him", the albino eyes sparkled brightly upon listened to her opinion.

"Really?"

She nodded lightly. "And also", she clapped her hand, gazed toward the albino who still smiles happily upon the small compliments he got as she unconsciously felt something joy inside.

"But there is this one other thing that holds you back from winning over him", She said, grabbing both sides of the boy's shoulders and shake it.

"Mafumafu"

"Yes? Wait how can you know my name-"

She waved away the question, her expression was grave. "You-"

"Me?"

"You are scared to hurt him, aren't you? That's why you always miss hitting at the right place".

"I-"

She grabbed the boy's cheeks and pulled it. "You are scared to hurt him, aren't you?", she repeated.

"Aren't you?"

His pupils drifted to the ground, unable to speak back. The big sighed escaped from the girl's lips. "Mafu, don't let the fear of striking back hold you, understand?". She jolted from her seat as their faces were so close with only the small gap that dissolve them away. Made the anxiety inside of the albino crawling roughly.

He gulped and nodded several times until he was sure the girl was satisfied as she sat back to her place. "Um, you're right. I might a little be scared to hurt him", he mumbled.

"I knew it, but well it's understandable"

"It is?"

"Yea it's normal actually so don't worry okay? Now what you need to do is to practice more not only physically but also your mentality", she suggested. Finally, both of them sharing a soft smile. From her small pocket, she pulled out the white napkin along with the long red ribbon.

Mafumafu just looked at her who was started to do some random DIY out of the blue as he soon realized she's actually trying to do the small teru teru bōzu. From what he saw, she did it pretty well. She made the adorable face at the top of the napkin, plus adding the mouth drooling for the rain charm to bring more cuteness for the rain charm.

"Then I will practice more, thank you umm. Wait what should I call you?" he asked as the white-haired girl only send him the half-smiled. The sadness showed a clear reflection on her eyes. She fixed the last tied on the teru teru bōzu, finishing the self-made popular rain charm.

She shook her head. "I'm sorry but I can't tell you, at least not now", she tried to fold the boy into the embrace once she realized he dropped his smile but stop her action halfway.

"I see, it's okay", the blooming smile glued back, perfectly fit on his face.

"But...I will tell you one day though.

"E-eh?"

"But for now let's just keeps our first meet as a secret, okay? I will tell you my name on our second meets, I promise you", she pushed out her pinky finger as the albino lingering with his own as well.

Even still bewildered he nodded.

"Oh yes before I forgot", she grabbed Mafumafu's hand and placed the teru teru bōzu on top of his palm.

"Keep it for me, Okay~?", she winked as the albino sheepishly laughed and replaced with the light nodded.

"Okay, I will keep it"

The girl smiled before stood up and made her way back to the thick forest. She shared the last gazed with him who's swinging his hand as a sign of goodbye as she responds with the exact one.

"But for now", she yelled and she knew it's audible enough for the albino as he screamed the 'yes' word back.

"For now, you can call me as a missing child", and that was the last line from her before disappeared along the way to the thick forest, for who knows nowhere.

A/n: please don't mind me, insert this ugly art of mine here. Anyway, I'm sorry if this really taking such a long time to update ;-; I'm too busy with all those school stuff but I promise to still update as fast as my mind could handle (my ape brain cells slowly dying right here
wwww okay don't mind me, bye-bye guys!)