The Red String of Fate [ S. Todoroki x FEM oc ]

Chapter 1: Where am I?

My thoughts were interrupted when something surfaced nearby with a loud yell.

"You pesky human!"

I turned my gaze to a bluish-green demon glaring at me with seething anger.

"You stabbed my hand with your sword! It hurts! You'll pay for that!" it screeched.

I remained impassive, tilting my head slightly. "Of course, it was supposed to hurt. Are you stupid?"

The demon's eye twitched. "You little!" It paused as realization dawned. "Wait... you're a demon slayer, aren't you?"

I blinked at it before responding dryly, "Are you blind?"

"Don't you dare lie to me!" it shouted.

I ignored its anger. "And here I thought you were just stupid. Turns out you're blind, too."

Steam practically burst from the demon's ears.

"You!"

I had already begun swimming away.

"HEY! STOP SWIMMING AWAY FROM ME!"

"I'm not," I responded smoothly. "It's probably just the waves."

"WHAT WAVES?! THERE ARE NO WAVES HERE!"

Suddenly, the demon raised its hand, and slimy green algae surged toward me, wrapping around my arms and legs. My movements were immediately restricted.

The algae extended, forming a solid path for the demon as it approached.

I observed the ground it created beneath itself.

How convenient.

Then...

"Argh!"

The demon screeched as it slipped on its own algae, crashing into the water.

I blinked.

"Oh," I murmured. "How careless. You should be more careful."

The demon thrashed violently. "SHUT UP, YOU PUNY HUMAN!"

"Why are you so angry?" I asked, tilting my head again.

"BECAUSE YOU-!"

It cut itself off, suddenly staring at my face.

Then, a wicked grin spread across its features.

"I knew it! You're a demon slayer!"

I raised an eyebrow. "So, what did you think I was in the first place? A rock?"

The demon visibly trembled with rage. "Can you just shut up for TEN SECONDS?!"

I fell silent.

One

Two

Three

The demon squinted. "Why did you suddenly go quiet? Did you die?"

Six

Seven

Eight

It stared at me. "Why are you looking at me like that?!"

Nine

Ten

I exhaled. "What are you talking about? Didn't you tell me to shut up for ten seconds?"

The demon's eye twitched. "YOU!"

"So you're not only blind and stupid, but also forgetful? And old? Sorry, grandpa."

The demon completely lost it.

"SHUT UP, YOU SHITTY HUMAN! I'LL KILL YOU!"

Before it could lunge, I raised my sword, my breath steady.

"Eclipse Breathing, First Form: Solar Lunar Unison."

With a single, fluid motion, I spun midair and delivered a precise, horizontal slash.

The demon's head separated cleanly from its body.

A few seconds passed before it registered what had happened.

"YOU DAMN DEMON SLAYER, COME BACK HERE!"

I ignored it, swimming toward the shore.

Once I emerged from the water, Kanamaru landed on my shoulder, nuzzling against me.

I returned my sword to its sheath and ran a hand through my wet hair. Thankfully, my uniform was waterproof. My hair, however, was not.

Just as I was about to leave, something shifted beneath me.

I glanced down.

A purple portal had begun to materialize.

Before I could react, I felt the force pulling me in.

Kanamaru let out a sharp shriek, startled. The distraction caused my grip on a nearby branch to slip.

In an instant, I was swallowed by the portal.

...

Still Kaori's POV

When I opened my eyes, I found myself staring at a man with disheveled black hair and dark eyes.

I took a moment to assess him.

His black outfit looked worn. Despite his rough appearance, I sensed no hostility from him.

We stared at each other in silence until he finally spoke.

"Hey, kid, you alright?"

I blinked. "Yes."

He extended a hand. I accepted, standing up.

After a pause, he eyed my sword. "Kid, you know bringing sharp weapons is against the rules, right?"

I ignored his statement, glancing around.

This place...was unfamiliar.

I turned back to him.

"Where am I?"

...

Taisho Secret:

Muichiro is forgetful, but for some reason, he remembers Kaori clearly. He enjoys it when she calls him "Big Brother" or "Mui-nii." He even taught her how to irritate demons.

Kaori once thought Aizawa was a beggar, but she recalled Shinobu's words: "Don't judge a book by its cover."