Maya prepares to accompany Kyojuro to the dinner that will be held in just a few hours.
She is distressed, wants to get ready, but doesn't know where to start.
She's thought away at the same time, looking at the outfit she intends to wear, she has carefully separated, Kyojuro won't see her in uniform tonight.
Maya's outfit is a beautiful Chinese dress, which she got for her old work, a friend had given her.
It was a satin red dress, the ends in the short sleeve and the collar and hem, it was in black, there was a beautiful embroidery on the breast towards the shoulder.
She was for a moment contemplating and imagining what the magical moment she had been waiting for so long would be like.
Arisu enters the room and sees Maya with her head in the clouds, she smiles, as the warmth feeling of seeing the friend happy as this take her.
Maya confesses to being lost.
"- Don't worry, I'll help you. Come on, let's get to work." Says Arisu.
Arisu starts with her hair, with light and delicate movements, doing a fancy hairstyle and then a makeup to highlight Maya's beautiful features.
When finished, the two look in the mirror.
The lips are smiling to the reflexion.
Maya for the first time looks insecure and asks. " - Do you think he'll like it?"
Arisu, thinking how adorable all the situation is, tell her... "- Maya my dear, you are as beautiful as a night with a full moon, stunning, of course he will like it."
Maya laughs and says. "- If he doesn't like, can I blame you?"
"- haha...oh well...I don't think that's possible, after all, if he invited you to be with him, it's because he liked you, right?"
"- Yes." Maya's eyes are shining.
Aoi entered the room, supraised by Maya's beauty, and with har hands on the face she says. "- Maya, how beautiful you are!"
Maya smiles by Aoi's compliment, sure it's going to be quite a night.
Aoi is excited too, because tonight, not only will the pillars but also the swordsmen, so Inosuke will be present.
"- What will you wear Arisu?" Aoi asked.
"- What do you mean what am I going to wear? She says with an intrigued expression."
"- Oh yes, I forgot to mention it, but this is a dinner for everyone. And we're even going to participate, we're not just going to serve today." Said Aoi.
"- Oh my, I didn't know we could join the pillars sometimes." Said Arisu.
"- Yes, sometimes we receive the invitation, it is a form of thanks for our work too." Aoi said.
Arisu suddenly has an even greater expectation, not only for her friend Maya, but also now for herself.
So, she decides to choose her clothes, she chooses with care and affection her favorite dress... made of light and delicate fabric, the color is black with small white flowers, the print reminds Sakura's delicate flowers, the sleeves are long and the neckline is light makes the dress even more feminine. It is waisted with an understated twirl on her skirt that is thigh-length. It's a beautiful dress. She finishes arranging her hair leaving the light waves highlighted and highlights her big, pretty eyes with delicate makeup.
Although her object of affection cannot see her, she dresses as if he could.
Arisu struggles, but can't contain the thoughts in her mind that keep bringing Himejima to the fore, she thinks of him all the time, in his strong and gentle tone of voice, in his angelic face in his chiseled silhouette, she just doesn't can avoid it, she becomes aware at this moment that she is struggling unsuccessfully against the charms of the charming Gyomei.
She perfumes herself, and rejoins her friends.
It's almost time.
The girls set the table and while they are still finishing they hear the pillars arriving and causing a stir as usual.
Uzui loudly saying he could easily beat Kyojuro in a sake competition, Kyojuro snickering in response to his friend, saying Uzui couldn't make it to the third round.
Sanemi is with his brother Genya and the two talk about how hungry they feel before the dinner.
Shinobu stands beside Gyuu in silence as she talks about how beautiful the night is.
Mitsuri and Obanai are smiling at having the opportunity to meet, normally they just exchange cards but today they can be side by side.
And Himejima hesitantly walks into the room where everyone is.
Tanjiro arrives with the other swordsmen and greets everyone and speaks loud and clear. "- Hello Himejima-San!" Himejima responds with a shy "hello."
Everyone sits down and dinner begins to be served.
Upon entering the room are all the main hashiras and swordsmen, Tanjiro, Zenitsu, Inosuke, Genya and even the master Ubuyashiki who provided the meal is present, and he kindly thanks everyone for coming.
It is a rare occasion for everyone to be like this, but Ubuyashiki found it necessary to give encouragement to his warriors.
So dinner starts to be served, the girls enter the room with plates in hand, but this time the reception is different.
The first one to enter is Maya.
Kyojuro doesn't hide his reaction of surprise, he never saw her in any clothes except the uniform, he stares at her for a moment, and all the hashira who knew what was going on at that moment were watching in silence.
They noticed that Maya didn't skimp on preparing her look for the occasion, they could see that she was showing how much this was not a simple dinner, but a special occasion to her.
Kyojuro finally breaks the silence.
"- Maya, I must say you look beautiful, a sight to take the breath away."
Maya stares at him with her eyes wide open, she wonders if she's really living what's going on in front of her.
"- Thank you Rengoku." She answers.
Maya doesn't look like it, but her hands and legs are giving way, she's practically losing her strength.
After all, Kyojuro praised her in front of everyone.
The girls then reaffirm Kyojuro's words.
"- Ah, I agree with Rengoku- San. You look wonderful Maya." Said Mitsuri.
The girls compliment each other, making the mood softer.
The other girls enter the room. Arisu and Aoi are also noticed.
Aoi was wearing a beautiful blue dress, which perfectly matched her blue eyes. Upon entering the swordsman Inosuke stares at her with his mouth open, full of food, he started to eat before everyone else, despite Zenitsu's hair pulling trying to contain the voracious boar boy.
Tanjiro in all his kindness says.
"- Let me say, you all look beautiful, Maya, Aoi, Arisu, Mitsuri, Shinobu and especially you, Kanao-Chan."
Kanao responds with a smile, but everyone can see her face is totally flushed.
Arisu smiles and responds shyly.
" - Thank you Tanjiro, you and everyone else are great too."
At this point Uzui who has already had a few good doses of sake goes to Himejima.
"- Himejima-Kun, I must say the girls are extravagantly dressed tonight, they all look beautiful...
I want to describe Arisu's outfit especially... She is wearing a beautiful black dress with white flowers, her hair is extravagantly beautiful, the color refers to her light brown eyes, she has a beautiful cherry color on her lips, it's a beautiful sight. I thought you should know hahahaha."
Uzui is no longer responsible for himself.
Everyone is surprised, Uzui didn't make a point of being discreet, he never is, but he put Arisu in a bad situation.
Everyone then looks at each other, as only the Hashiras know of Arisu's affection for Himejima due to the hot springs episode, so the swordsmen and others are about to understand what is going on, hoping for an explanation.
But nobody dares to say anything.
"- Ahmm, it's kind from you, Uzui- Kun, I'm dressed normally, but thanks for the kind words."
Answers Arisu with a smile, but her inner feelings are different...
ARISU POV
"I can't believe this is happening to me. Why did he say that, and only to Himejima? I want to stick my head in a hole, I want to run away but I can't, I feel my face burning like an ember, breathe...Breathe..."
Arisu was disconcerted, and her concern increased every second that Himejima didn't show a reaction, after Uzui's description.
But he finally says a few words.
"- I'm sure so, Uzui."
Himejima said and calmly he starts to eat his meal.
Arisu takes a breath, and everyone stares at her.
Everyone notices that Arisu is embarrassed, some start to hide it so as not to increase her discomfort.
So some start talking as if nothing had happened.
She continues to set some dishes on the table, and soon finishes.
She looks around, as she still hasn't found a place to sit, at this point when heading to a vacant spot next to Sanemi she is interrupted by Uzui.
He says. " - Arisu!!!"
She thinks - "What will he say now my God?"
"- You're not going to sit next to Shinazugawa, you're going to sit in my seat hahahaha."
Told Uzui that he was conveniently on Himejima's side.
Kyojuro was more sober, and realizing Arisu's shyness, he came to her rescue.
"-Uzui, that's right, get out of there, now is the time for our duel. Put Arisu in her place and come face me."
Kyojuro did this to take Arisu's attention away, and everyone could see that she was already in shock from Uzui's onslaught.
She went and walked towards the place of Uzui, who delivered his final blow before withdrawing.
"- Arisu, take good care of my friend Himejima, he doesn't know how to drink hahaha"
"- Stop talking and come Uzui." Said Kyojuro still trying to save Arisu from the indiscreet Uzui. But the blow had been fatal.
Himejima didn't say a word.
Arisu then sat beside him.
He was apparently calm, he ate slowly, and didn't interact with Arisu, she in turn started to help herself since she was trying to act as naturally as possible, although she was feeling like a kamikaze for inside.
The girls were looking at Arisu wondering what was on her mind right now, after this episode.
Maya and Aoi were worried, because they knew about their friend's shyness, that was definitely a blow.
Arisu suddenly felt a hand on top of hers, and as she looked to her side it was Shinobu's hand, that looked her in the eye and smiled, but didn't say anything.
But Arisu understood exactly.
She was trying to calm her down...
Those who noticed that Arisu was disconcerted around Himejima felt somehow a fondness for her.
He is loved by his friends, but they could never see anything like this before.
The prospect that Himejima was liked by someone in a romantic sense somehow warmed the hearts of those united by this bond of friendship.
Shinobu starts a conversation with Himejima. Arisu is sitting between them.
"- Tell me about your last mission Himejima- Kun, was it too hard?" Shinobu asked.
Himejima turns to Shinobu's direction which was also Arisu's direction and give some details about it.
Arisu remains quiet, eating and paying attention.
"- It was a bit challenging Shinobu - Kun, the oni I encountered was extremely fast, it made it difficult for me to hit him accurately on my first strikes, but after analyzing his movements by the sound of my chains I could see an opening, I had some injuries, but nothing fatal."
Arisu was absorbing Himejima's every word, she above all was savoring something else besides her meal, she was enjoying the pleasure of hearing Himejima's voice so close to her ear, for her... Himejima's speaking sounded like an angelic chant , a beautiful melody.
He spoke in a low tone without fanfare, and yet his voice sounded strong, but he didn't raise his tone.
When he turned to talk to Shinobu, Himejima was very close to Arisu.
She was tempted, she wanted so badly to look at his face, and admire him as a whole, but just thinking about it lost her breath.
She continued to eat and look around, and everyone was having fun and talking.
Maya looked at her smiling. Apparently Maya had already lost her dear Kyojuro to sake, he was totally inebriated, and Uzui even more, the two didn't budge, there were still 3 final doses of sake to decide who would be the big "champion."
"- Maya, if I win you will give me a kiss." Kyojuro said laughing, not realizing what he had said out loud.
"- So you won't kiss anyone tonight, because I'm the one who's going to win extravagantly as usual." said Uzui, patting his chest like a gorilla.
Even Master Ubuyashiki joined the others in laughing at the situation.
Uzui and Kyojuro guaranteed fun at dinners.
Arisu also laughed a few times, which eased her tension a little, and while she was drinking some juice she heard a question towards her, on the right side.
"- May do you drink sake, Arisu-Kun?"
Himejima asked her.
She nearly spit out what she had in her mouth. But she tries with all her being to respond like as someone who isn't about to have a fit.
"- Rarely." She replied, trying not to lose what little composure she had left.
"- May I serve you a shot?"
He asked.
"- Of course, please."
Arisu had no idea. Himejima needed a superhuman effort to talk.
Himejima was normally very sure of himself, wise and confident, but for some reason he felt vulnerable in front of her.
For the days that followed after the sources episode. Himejima meditated a lot on the sweet words he heard about himself from her lips.
Normally, he heard from others that he was strong, the best warrior, skilled fighter, every possible reference to his performance as a demon hunter and his physical strength.... But for the first time Himejima knew that someone had noticed him that way or that he could be seen as a man who could move a woman's heart.
He wondered what he would do from now on. And at dinner offering sake to Arisu, Himejima was trying to relieve himself, so that he could dialogue and learn more about this mysterious person who for no apparent reason, showed interest in him.
When asking if she wanted the dose of the miraculous drink, Arisu had his long-awaited opportunity to look directly into Himejima's face. Looking at him, she felt it all come to the fore at the same time, it was even hard to concentrate on what he was saying, she was mesmerized.
Her eyes roam every millimeter of his face, admiring him as she would do with beautiful painting by Michelangelo... She observes his eyes that although they can't see are still very beautiful, his rough and delicate features at the same time make Arisu travel to another dimension.
She doesn't notice her blatantly looking at Himejima, she's sure he doesn't see her, but she forgets that others in the room are watching what's going on.
Those few seconds for Arisu pass in slow motion.
Himejima taking a small glass, and precisely he pours a dose of sake for her.
She watches every detail and continues to stare at Himejima, her eyes roam his hair, neck, arms, he is a whole feast for Arisu's eyes.
Himejima doesn't know any of this. But that doesn't mean he didn't realize she's vulnerable...
Himejima could make a careful reading of Arisu, while he served her, he does it silently, with his keen senses he realizes, what she unconsciously does, she approaches him, trying more and more to reduce the distance, she is naturally attracted to Himejima, just like a firefly by a lamp in a dark night.
He caught everything, he noted, as he addressed her for the first time, the rhythm of her breathing that was rapid, like the breath of prey fleeing its predator, he felt exactly how she moved around him. She, without realizing it, reveals everything to him, through her gestures.
Himejima was having restless thoughts...
Himejima POV...
"She quickened her heart rate as soon as I spoke to her, and she also came closer... She's having trouble swallowing, I can hear it... Maybe it's not nice of me to use this to know how she feels, I believe I've been invasive since I knew what she thinks about me. But, anyway... I like it."...
Himejima still didn't realize, he thought he had absolute control of everything, as usual, like the natural leader he is, besides, Arisu gave all the signs that she was madly in love.
Himejima wondered what to do with that situation.
Apparently Himejima was like a predator.
Himejima without realizing it, liked to spend the rest of the dinner time testing Arisu, he wanted to know what reactions he could cause in her.
Love was like a discovery for Himejima, like a boy exploring an unknown territory for the first time... And that's what he did, after a few doses he became more relaxed, but in no time he lost his serious posture, unlike the other boys who were already delivered on their mats on the floor, and yes, Uzui won from Kyojuro, to the sadness of Maya who would very much like to have won the so dreamed kiss of her Kyojuro.
Himejima was excited, but he didn't even want to admit to himself that he liked the idea of someone being in love with him.
He had never dealt with these emotions before.
He turned to Arisu and got close to her, put his arm behind her, but when Arisu realized, he was actually "looking" for a soy sauce that was on the left side of the table.
Arisu, realizing that Himejima wanted the sauce, placed it in his hands.
With a simple touch, she felt shivers running up and down her body.
Himejima realized what with little effort he could do to her.
So he thanked her and returned to his previous position.
Arisu had her thoughts running through her mind like a runaway train...
Arisu POV...
Which? Is he putting his arm around me??? I think I'm going to pass out... Ah... He wants the sauce... I can feel the heat he emanates from his body. I can feel it, it's so nice.
Alright... I'll help you get this shoyo... I'll put it in your hands. .. He touched me... His hands are warm, steady... I'm all goose bumps.... Breathe... Breathe...
He noticed every shiver, every inspiration and everything else that caused Arisu.
In a way he was amused by it, he didn't know he had such power over her before.
Himejima was going from a gentle sheep to a wolf, discovering the destructive power his jaw could have.
Arisu had no barriers left to defend against him.
She could only think about how to be by his side, it was everything she wanted most, she argued with herself, saying that she should hold back, but he was not an easy enemy to win...
But as for Himejima, what exactly did he want?...