The awaited moment has arrived, all the hashiras are gathered for the arrival of two more new members of the squad.
Ubuyashiki gathered his loyal warriors to inform them of new instructions.
All are before the master in his mansion and look forward to the presentation.
In respect as usual, they are positioned on their knees to welcome their master, for whom they have great affection. The meeting is being held in the afternoon, so the temperature is pleasant. All while waiting are contemplating the surroundings of the Ubuyashiki mansion.
The master approaches accompanied by his daughters who guide him by the hand to the front of the pillars.
"- Good afternoon people." He greets Ubuyashiki with a voice that is pleasant to the ears.
Some of the hashiras mention to Ubuyashiki how they wish him to get better from his illness, wishing him good health. He thanks you kindly with a smile on his face.
"- I believe they imagine the reason for being here." Says Ubuyashiki.
The pillars babble a "uhm" in agreement.
"- My dear children, today we will have two new members who will be part of our family. They come from a distant land but have been recommended for a long time, so I'm happy to introduce them to you.
Appearing slowly behind Master Ubuyashiki, the pillars watch the two new hunters walk towards them. Their walk is incredibly graceful, they are really different from a hunter in the region.
When welcoming a new member, everyone is called, not only the hashiras, but also swordsmen and all other support team members, so everyone can know who the new members are.
Arisu, Aoi and Maya are at a greater distance on the left side, under a large tree, which from time to time greets them with the fall of its small leaves, the girls continue to carefully observe who the newcomers will be.
When only a few appear, they leave everyone intrigued.
The pillars are silent and just watch them.
They bow before the pillars and introduce themselves.
"- It's a pleasure to meet you, where we come from you have a lot of fame, I really want to share and learn with you. My name is Kaito, I'm at your disposal." Says the boy with a half smile on his face, handsome enough to make Kanroji blush.
While watching the performance, Arisu who is with the girls next door whispers.
"- I can't believe it, this is the same guy who gave me the essence at the store yesterday, is it him, Kaito, what does he do here, or what did he do there?" says Arisu.
"- Are you sure Arisu?" Ask Aoi.
"- Yes, it's him, this outfit is unmistakable, it couldn't be someone else." Answer Arisu.
Aoi looks at Kaito warily.
"- Arisu... you lied, you said he was handsome, but handsome is not enough for this monumental man, he's perfect hahaha!!!" Maya says in a fully audible whisper, covering her mouth as she laughs.
"- Lucky for you, Kyojuro is kind of deaf, Maya, imagine if he hears that. And if you're going to whisper like this, you'd better speak, it might even be quieter" Says Aoi
"- Quiet Aoi, I just paid the lad a compliment, that was no big deal." Maya answers.
Aoi gestures with her head disapprovingly at Maya, at the same time she crosses her arms.
They turn their attention to the presentation that continues with the second pillar.
"- I'm Hina, I make Kaito's words mine, I hope we can fight side by side while I'm here."
The girls try to hide it but are terribly intimidated, Hina is really a beautiful woman.
"- Look Arisu, I'll tell you just one thing... you're lucky that Himejima-San is blind... I would give anything for Kyojuro to be blind right now." Maya says looking Hina up and down like a tape measure.
"- I can't believe you said that Maya, for God's sake, stop talking nonsense." Answers Arisu with her hand on her face in a legitimate facepalm...
"- I repeat what Aoi said... Good thing Kyojuro is kind of deaf, look how much zucchini you say!" Says Arisu.
"- Are you going to tell me that you didn't think the same as me? Just look at him!" Says Maya insisting.
"- Shhh, stop whispering." Says one of the support team members who was listening in on the conversation.
The girls look at him and are silent.
The presentation ends with the master, letting the pillars exchange experiences.
"- Great, I'm glad you can get to know each other from now on, I ask you pillars to please make you feel welcomed among us." Says Ubuyashiki.
"- Of course master, we will do them, don't worry." Shinobu answers.
Kaito and Hina descend from the step where they were next to the master so they can interact with the rest of the elite squad.
Some of the pillars go to meet the two, Uzui asks to see Kaito's sword, who happily gives it to Uzui, soon others of the boys join in and they to talk about Kaito's uniform and its accessories that were new to everyone, for the origin was from a different region.
Shinobu and Kanroji were previously feeling a sense of joy to have another female member in the group, as there were only the two of them until now. Hina was talking and looking around at the same time.
While Kaito was talking to the boys he looked into their eyes from a distance and noticed the presence of Arisu, who was looking at him suspiciously.
"- HEY, ARISU!!!" Kaito spoke in a loud voice, waving hi hand to her.
Everyone looked at Arisu, who by this point was swathed in scarlet color on her cheeks.
"-What is this guy doing?..." She thought, Arisu who remained where she was.
Not satisfied, Kaito, left the other pillars he was talking to and ran towards her.
When approaching Arisu did not know what to do.
"- Haha what a coincidence to find you here Miss Arisu."
"- Hello Kaito, coincidence?" Answer Arisu.
"- Oh that, I'm sorry. I don't actually work as an apothecary, I was just taking care of the place while the owner got some supplies, but I gave you good service, didn't I?" Said Kaito.
"- Kaito but what about the item I bought, you didn't receive payment for it." Said Arisu.
"- Don't worry, the owner didn't have any damage, I made it up to him. I'm happy to be here, so I can see you more often." Said Kaito smiling.
"- Hi." Said Gyomei, who was situated right behind Kaito, who turned around startled.
"- Kaito, let me introduce you to my boyfriend, this is Himejima Gyomei, pillar of the stone, I think you will get along very well." Said Arisu.
"- Oh, boyfriend!? Said Kaito looking fearful... It's a pleasure Himejima-Kun, to meet the strongest of pillars, his fame precedes him." Said Kaito extending his hand to Himejima, who shook him with a certain measure of force beyond what was necessary.
"- The pleasure is totally mine, Kaito, welcome to our squad of hunters." Said Himejima with a smile on his face.
When letting go of the hands, Kaito makes movements of opening and closing the hand, looking around it, and after checking the health of his hand, Kaito has his gaze fixed on Himejima as if watching him.
"- You know Himejima-Kun, maybe this shouldn't be the local custom, but where I come from when we have an significant ohter, we give her a ring to symbolize the union. Think about it. Well I'll introduce myself to the rest of the pillars, thank you by reflexology > ( massage done either on the feet or on the hands where by pressing it is possible to reach certain specific points reflecting the organs of the body, to improve health) Himejima-Kun, my strengths were activated... see you later Miss Arisu. " Said Kaito sarcastically as he walked away.
Himejima kept silent and turned his face to Arisu who immediately started talking to Gyomei. "-Honey let me tell you how it happened I--"
"- Shhh...It's okay, you don't have to tell me anything, it's okay." Said Gyomei passing the back of his left hand on Arisu's face.
"- Maybe I should really put a ring on your finger to ward off the ravenous wolves." He said whispering in Arisu's ear and laughing as he discreetly stole a kiss, using himself as a wall so no one would see what he was doing to Arisu.
"- I need to go back and talk to the other hunters, see you later." Said Himejima ending the farewell with a kiss on Arisu's face.
"- Of course honey, see you later." Arisu replied as she watched him return to the pillared wheel.
Upon returning to the group Himejima was also introduced to Hina. It might seem to Himejima that this was her first contact with the new pillar, but she had watched him before.
"- Himejima-Kun, I see you don't have your katana, may I know how to hunt onis?" Hina said putting her hands behind her back as she leaned her body towards Gyomei.
"- Yes, a katana would be small for me to handle. I use a kusarigama, through the sound waves that reverberate from the currents, I can better study the movements of the onis and accordingly, launch my attacks." Gyomei replied.
"- Ahh... I see that only you in the squad could handle such a complex weapon, because you are so strong! I saw several different skills here, when talking to Shinazugawa, Tomioka and Rengoku, but I want you to teach me many techniques Himejima- Kun." Said Hina, touching her index finger lightly on Gyomei's arm, who upon realizing it, was surprised by the pillar's attitude."
"- No problem." Himejima replied shyly, also knowing that he was being watched from a distance.
"- Arisu, Arisuuu, did you see that???" I can't believe this woman didn't even arrive right and is already causing this uproar, how ordinary, laying her hands on Himejima-San. I was annoyed to see her talk to Kyojuro, but this, well this is too much!!!" Said Maya in revolt.
"- It must be a practice where these two came from, to take certain undue liberties." Said Arisu calmly to Maya and Aoi who was perplexed watching the behavior of the pillar that had just arrived.
But her feelings were different....
Arisu POV
"- My blood is boiling ... Who does she think she is to get to doing things like this? Putting her hands on him she is such a brat and stupid and senseless."
Shinobu approaches Hina who is talking to Himejima and calmly takes Hina's hands.
"- Excuse me Gyomei-San, I'll introduce Hina to the rest of the team." says Shinobu.
"- Of course." He replied still nervous about what had just happened.
Shinobu walks with Hina through the various teams and finally arrives at the trio Arisu, Aoi and Maya, who have their arms crossed and an at best icy gaze directed towards the new pillar, except for Arisu's gaze which can be said to be hot as hell lava.
"- Hina, this is Aoi, Maya and Himejima-San's girlfriend Arisu."
Hina notices the unfriendly atmosphere that has set in, but is not intimidated.
After looking at Arisu, analyzing her, she breaks the silence.
"- Well, how cute! Here they don't care if the person is from a lower class when they relate?? Aww this is so niice, he's a pillar and you're a support team employee hahaha... I thought it was great, you know Arisu , where I come from this is not allowed. I'm glad Himejima-Kun is not a prejudiced man and accepted you even though you are of a different class hahaha."
Hearing the disdainful dialogue that Hina unleashed against Arisu, Shinobu felt it in his chest, as Arisu was his apprentice.
"- Ara Ara Hina-kun... I imagine it refers to the difference in social classes. Well... Himejima-San is not a materialistic person, even though he is a pillar. He is much more attached to spiritual things. And here, to situate you we are all like that. We see the work of all teams as the functioning of a body, we need all the organs, so none of them is less important. I hope you can learn that here." Said Shinobu smiling gently at Hina.
Hina looks disconcerted at Shinobu, at the words she heard and without further ado, says goodbye to the girls, wanting to leave as soon as possible.
"- Hmm well... it was a pleasure to meet you all, Maya, Arisu and Aoi."
"- You bet it was." Maya answers with a dead look at Hina, who swallows hard.
Aoi only bows at a brief length and is expressionless towards Hina.
And Arisu returns with a smile and a slight, long blink.
Not understanding what Arisu's gesture meant, Hina decides to leave.
Upon realizing that the pillar had withdrawn, Shinobu is worried.
"- I'm sorry Arisu, I didn't know she would do that. I was happy that we had a woman in the squad, but now I'm not sure anymore." Said Shinobu.
"- It's not your fault Shinobu." Arisu replied.
"- Let's try to deal with it. I need to get back to the meeting now girls." Said Shinobu.
The girls agreed, and as much as Arisu tried not to think about it, the only scene that continued to permeate her mind was Hina touching Gyomei. She was definitely intoxicated with her own emotions, what would the days ahead be like?...