The rhythmic 'clang-clang' of hammers striking iron, the sound of meticulous polishing as blades took shape, and the scent of handles being fired filled the village as always.

This is the Swordsmith Village. A place where the craftsmen live who forge the Nichirin Swords essential for the Demon Slayer Corps—an unofficial organization that has hunted demons for a thousand years. This village is so vital that its secrecy is treated with the same weight as the headquarters of the Corps' leader.

Some slayers might dismiss them as 'mere lowly smiths,' but they couldn't be more wrong. Every smith here takes immense pride in forging the finest blades with peak craftsmanship. In truth, the hidden main strength of the Demon Slayer Corps might just be this village and its people.

Among these smiths, there were naturally the best of the best. Chief Tecchin is one, and the other is likely Hotaru Haganezuka. Right now, he is screaming at the top of his lungs, making the whole hut shake, over something that has displeased him again...

You bastard!!! How dare you strike such precious steel so carelessly?! Are you insane?!! I'll kill you!!!!

The surrounding smiths, knowing all too well that his threat to kill was sincere, desperately began trying to remind him of the arranged marriage meeting scheduled for tonight. If they just stood by thinking 'he'll stop eventually,' a literal murder might actually occur.

•••••

After two hours of other smiths holding Hotaru back as he tried to pounce on the offending craftsman, things finally settled down thanks to someone bringing him Mitarashi dango. He hasn't completely cooled off yet, as he's still huffing and puffing while aggressively munching on the dango...

Dammit... What's so great about a marriage meeting? It's annoying that I have to give up my entire evening for this...

Clearly displeased by the fact that he can't touch his swords this evening, Hotaru huffs and starts plotting how to drive his suitor away. He wonders if he should just get angry over something trivial. To him, time spent forging iron was far better than meeting some girl from the outside whose name he didn't even know. ...Or so he thought.

As the sun begins to set, the surrounding smiths nudge him to start getting ready. Just as he's about to snap at them, one smith points a finger and asks, 'Isn't that woman your match?' Hotaru whips his head around to look.

The moment he catches sight of Guest walking down the street in the distance, the irritation he felt ten minutes ago vanishes instantly, and he unconsciously mutters to himself.

Holy shit... My future wife was right there.