I Don’t Want to Be a Heroic Spirit

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"Come here. Let me help you with your hair."

In the middle of the room, Kiichi Hougen sat cross-legged and patted the red cushion in front of her.

"Since you've already changed into a new outfit, how about a hairstyle to match?"

"I… I…"

Sara covered her mouth, momentarily flustered, but she quickly calmed herself and took small, hesitant steps forward.

"If this is Master's wish… then… I shall oblige."

After adjusting her kimono, Sara slowly knelt on the cushion, sitting in a seiza position. With a quiet breath, she gathered her hair behind her.

"If you weren't so formal, I might actually enjoy this even more."

Kiichi Hougen teased, her tone lighthearted. She raised a hand, and from the small wooden table in the corner of the room, a dark brown comb floated into the air and landed gracefully in her palm.

"This is the one thing I must refuse."

Sara's lips curled into a faint smile, and though her voice was soft, it carried an unyielding determination, a strength as steadfast as stone weathering the ages.

The room grew quiet, so silent that the sound of hair passing through the teeth of the wooden comb seemed almost melodic.

"Before meeting Master, my world was so small…"

Sara's murmurs didn't disrupt the peace; they simply wove into the stillness. Kiichi Hougen continued to comb her hair, listening intently.

"Master saved me when I was on the brink of death, taught me skills, and guided my growth…"

"I've received so much from you, Master, so much more than I could ever repay. I want to stay by your side, to return this kindness… but the more I try, the more I find myself in your debt."

"Every moment with you, every second, is a treasure I hold dear… When I think back on it, my heart feels so warm, so full… so happy."

"Master, to me, you are irreplaceable. No, it's more than that… much more…"

"More vast than the sky, deeper than the sea—the weight of your presence in my heart is even more… even greater…"

"Words, no matter how poetic, feel dull and inadequate in the face of these feelings."

"Master once said that my future is long and will hold countless experiences… encounters, partings, joys, sorrows, choices, regrets…"

"I will grow, change, and become someone different from who I am now. But… I want to hold onto myself, to protect what's most important to me."

And what was that most important thing?

There was no need to spell it out.

Sometimes, words aren't necessary when both sides already understand.

To live is to believe in something, to hold onto something. Without that, one cannot survive in this world.

"All done. Take a look and see if you like it… Let me find you a mirror."

Only now did Kiichi Hougen realize there wasn't a mirror in the room. With a wave of her hand, a full-length mirror made of water materialized before Sara, reflecting her image with crystalline clarity.

Sara's once free-flowing hair was now tied with a violet ribbon, revealing her smooth, porcelain-like nape.

Staring at her reflection, Sara felt a fleeting sense of disbelief.

She tilted her head slightly and stole a glance at Kiichi Hougen standing nearby.

"Should I… grow my hair out a bit?"

"Hmm? Why?" Kiichi Hougen tilted her head at Sara's self-directed musings. "Didn't you say long hair is a nuisance on the battlefield? That you didn't like keeping it long?"

Sara held her gaze on Kiichi Hougen for a long moment before turning back to the mirror.

"It's just… a thought that came to me."

She lifted a hand to brush her hair, though the gesture seemed more an attempt to hide her slightly flushed cheeks and the soft smile tugging at her lips.

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Meanwhile, the haoris prepared for Itto and Gorou remained neatly folded on the table. They hadn't been handed over yet because—

"Have Itto and Gorou not finished today's training yet?"

Kiichi Hougen lay lazily on the floor, half-opening her eyes to glance at Sara.

"Master, even if you ask me, I don't have an answer for that."

Sara sighed in exasperation. "After all, you're the one who sent them into that training dimension, right? No one but you knows what's happening inside, least of all me."

To train Itto and Gorou, Kiichi Hougen had created a dedicated pocket dimension.

The training itself was straightforward: run fifty laps around the dimension… while being chased by a horde of monsters she had summoned.

Of course, if they could defeat all the monsters instead of running, the laps wouldn't be necessary. But when Kiichi Hougen had first explained this rule, Itto, in his single-mindedness, had immediately charged headlong into the monsters, ignoring Gorou's protests.

It hadn't taken long for the training dimension to eject Itto—not because he defeated the monsters, but because the monsters had almost defeated him.

After that, Itto and Gorou obediently began running their laps.

As the laps increased, Kiichi Hougen occasionally raised the difficulty. She added traps, empowered the monsters with abilities like teleportation and fire breath, and more.

"This is all for their own good. Bleed a little now, and you'll shed fewer tears later."

"…Why does that sound so ominous?"

Sara's retort went ignored. Kiichi Hougen rolled onto her side, lazily glancing at the darkening sky outside.

"Hm… It's already this late? Tsk, tsk, not up to par. If it were Ushiwakamaru, she'd have finished long ago. Oh well, let's pull them out—they still have other tasks tonight. It's going to be a busy evening."

"Are you sure?"

Sara was taken aback. Her master, so strict about training, was letting them off early?

Kiichi Hougen's response was simple:

"Don't worry. Whatever they skip today, I'll double tomorrow."

Hearing that, Sara relaxed.

That's more like the Master I know.

However, as Kiichi Hougen raised her hand, Sara hesitated.

"Master, wouldn't Itto and Gorou be filthy by now? Letting them back into the house like that seems… unwise."

Kiichi Hougen blinked, considering her words.

"Huh, you're right. Okay, I'll head outside and toss those two mutts onto the lawn. They can come back in after they've cleaned themselves—actually, never mind, I'll just use a spell to tidy them up. Easier that way."

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T/N: I COULDNT PULL GILLY ITS OVER ITS SO OVERRRR

Greetings, esteemed Readers,

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As my time here concludes, may the strength of stone guide you forward. Until we meet again.

With utmost sincerity,

— Zhongli