There was a noticeable shift between my dynamics with Shinobu — something which I hadn't quite anticipated but didn't mind either.
It wasn't anything serious; it was only that she started seeking me out more than she did earlier, asking for my opinions and advice while also retrieving samples of my blood to run her tests on it.
In fact, I didn't even quite notice it at first — not until her reasons for seeking me out started disappearing but she found me and spent time with me regardless of any.
It made me feel quite honoured if I had to be honest.
I would even say that we were getting much closer now than we were ever before.
However, I wasn't that delusional to believe it so blindly, knowing how complex Shinobu was as a person. Taking her at face value would be akin to being willfully ignorant.
Though, that didn't mean I was blind to her signs either.
"I'm so sorry," I apologised while laughing as I wiped a tear off the corner of my eyes, "I genuinely apologise on behalf of my two menaces. And thank you for looking after them too, despite how much they disrupted your schedule."
"It wasn't as bad as it sounds," Shinobu admitted, her face looking much more lax than I had ever seen, "They were, are, very obedient still. Yes, they were disruptive but I have handled worse."
"I'm still sorry though," I apologised much more sincerely this time, "And honestly, I really appreciate you looking after the twins. And me. You have been one of our biggest help and supporter, Shinobu-san and it wouldn't be an exaggeration if I said that the Demon Slayer Corps wouldn't be what it is today without your contributions."
The smile that spread on Shinobu's lips looked much more genuine yet bitter than I was used to seeing, making me realize once again why I thought we were becoming closer.
"I hope I can continue it, then," she replied softly, her neutral tone sounding almost unfamiliar to me as she took a sip of the tea I had prepared previously.
"Don't worry," I decided to finally reply, "You'll do great. You already are doing amazing and I know you'll continue doing so, Shinobu-san."
She didn't quite seem to believe my words but still accepted them nonetheless as she gave me a small smile before changing the topic towards another story about the twins, essentially distracting me successfully as we continued swapping stories while sipping our tea.
It not only gave us a common ground to bond over as we both badmouthed and laughed at the shenanigans the twins pulled in the past but also acted as a sort of teasing material that we could use to bully those two menaces to no end.
It definitely made things interesting when the twins came to visit me again in the mornings since Shinobu didn't leave even one chance to tease them and that was honestly my favourite thing about her. I didn't just like her the most in my past life for no reason.
In fact, while Shinobu was a complex character, she was also one that I related to the most in my past life; suppressing emotions while trying her best for the sake of those left behind with her. This was how I perceived her to be, as my favourite character from the anime.
However, interacting with her in real life made me realize she was much beyond that as well; a fact that I knew would be as such and was surprised still since I didn't quite expect her to act this... young.
Young and broken.
It broke my heart to see her this way and yet there was little I could do or even say, given my disposition.
That's exactly why the thought of us becoming closer made me feel honoured and happier.
I knew it was not my duty or even within my abilities to change her mind and attitude but I still wanted to help her at least a little bit. I still wanted to reduce her suffering and loneliness as much as I could.
And watching her finally seek my company out on her own violation genuinely made me feel like I accomplished that goal somewhat.
Because, unlike earlier when only I sought her out, Shinobu seemed to be much more relaxed now as her kind and sweet 'elder sister' persona took a backseat; at least, during our conversations. She looked not only much more open and relaxed but also neutral and tired.
Her expressions often made me want to hug and pat her but she was my senior in both rank and age to do that even mistakenly. And even though we only had a few months of difference in our age, I would still avoid the risk of offending her.
A smile spread on my lips as I imagined hugging and patting Shinobu as I did to my three stooges; even the thought of it gave me immense joy as I continued imagining how adorable it would be and how flustered Shinobu would get at my actions.
My nonsensical thoughts were interrupted by a yawn as I rubbed my eyes while making my way towards Tanjiro's room in the early morning, the ritualistic routine making me feel somewhat better despite having to wake up this early every day.
After having my ass whooped yesterday by Rengoku-sensei too, not to mention.
Maybe it was because of the resulting tiredness from it that made me miss Kanao's presence in the room as I entered without knocking at all.
Though, watching Kanao jump at my sudden intrusion was still somewhat funny.
What made it even funnier was how she got flustered as I wished her a good morning and started asking jokingly what she was talking to Tanjiro.
Her flustered expression coupled with her initial blank blinking genuinely made me chuckle as we chatted for a while before she left for her morning training.
I loved watching her act more and more like her age and I thought so would Shinobu, who had just entered after Kanao left the room.
However, she looked more surprised than anything as she turned to me with a confused frown, "That was Kanao...?"
"Yep," I answered casually as I relocated my ass to the chair near Tanjiro's bed, "She was visiting Tanjiro just as she usually does."
"She does?"
"Yep," I continued in the same casual manner as Shinobu approached comatose Tanjiro to give him his weekly checkup, "Though, not too often, nowadays. Or maybe she's just visiting him later in the day as opposed to early morning since I tease her too much."
"Is it really?" She fixed me a look of pure disbelief, "Your teasing... does she always react to your teasing like that?"
"Oh, Shinobu-san, you have no idea!" I gave her a mischievous look as I whispered jokingly, "It's very fun to watch her get flustered — even more fun than teasing the twins, I assure you!"
Shinobu shook her head at my childish antics before looking back at the door, "If what you say is true, then you have no idea how much that girl has changed from before."
She smiled at my confused look as she turned to me before focusing back on checking the condition of Tanjiro's vitals and his wounds.
"Since you don't know Kanao for long," Shinobu explained briefly, "You don't know how... stiff that child was. Almost like a puppet, if I had to compare. I'm glad she has gotten better now, Miyasha-san."
The relieved expression on her face made me realize once again how much Shinobu cared about the girls in the Butterfly Estate.
It also made me realise how much both Shinobu and Kanao were different from the original story.
Maybe it was because I got to know them in real life as actual people rather than just a reader meeting the characters through the sheets of the author's retelling, or maybe it was because of my presence that they changed into something much different than the original.
If it was the latter, then it made me wonder how much I had actually influenced the plot already even beyond the obvious changes, like changing the outcome of the Infinity Train mission or the Red District mission.
It made me wonder what would happen if I decided to disappear now suddenly. Would it derail the plot enough to not reach the conclusion it was originally supposed to, in the incomplete manga that I read in my past life? Or would they simply move on and reach the expected conclusion, nonetheless?
Then again, I mused, maybe it was the former and I just overestimated myself and hoped for the latter.
How much could I, who wasn't even supposed to exist, matter in the grand scheme of things of a pre-decided plot?
These musings of mine plagued my mind even after I left for my own room; the chats I had with Shinobu were nothing but a shadow to these thoughts as I didn't even remember what we talked about before I left.
And by the time I did come back to the present, it was already midday and Shiori was sitting on my lap with a confused look as she tilted her head.
"What is it, little one?" I asked softly as she hooted at me loudly while raising her right foot up, "Ah, another mission? This soon? Damn. The demons must have been a pain for Oyakata-sama to send me to another mission three days after the last one."
Well, it would be technically four, if I was counting the current day too, but oh well.
Another yawn escaped my lips as I petted my little snowbird.
I had a feeling that this was gonna be another tiring day.
"Yes, yes, I'm getting ready, give me a minute, little one. Let me first find my glasses before I forget to wear them again."
(~×~)
Blue eyes sparkled in the morning rays as Giyuu walked speedily towards the Butterfly Estate; his pace was not fast enough to seem like running but definitely not slow enough to be simply walking.
Maybe it was because he was worried or maybe it was because of his excitement for meeting Miyasha again — or maybe both? He wasn't sure anymore.
He could actually hear his heartbeat in his ears and he wasn't quite sure if it was because of his nervousness or his undying excitement.
Giyuu felt oddly refreshed and eager as the cold breeze ruffled his hair softly; the cool sensation reminding him of Miyasha, someone he realised he had come to love.
While the realization of his feelings itself was a surprise, the acceptance soon followed after as it explained a lot of the things that he was experiencing. And now, with a name to define it, he felt somewhat lighter and heard.
The current cold temperature only stirred that emotion further as he breathed through the cool atmosphere and remembered her soft cool touch he was so used to but craved nonetheless.
Even the thought of loving Miyasha made him fall in love with her more and more every day; with each of his thoughts tracing its way back to her, as if she was the home to all of his entirety.
She made him feel unfamiliar as he found himself being distracted by her in his every thought, even when he tried to sleep. It was, as if, he could no longer think without her in the back (or rather front) of his mind.
And honestly, he didn't mind it.
After all, he loved her; maybe even more than that as Giyuu sometimes felt that simply saying he loved her was not enough to describe his emotions.
She made everything in his life feel precious as he almost craved going back home to her — to go spend time with her, listen to her talk, feel her touch and the care behind it.
Her presence made him look at life in a different light and he couldn't help but notice even more so now that he knew exactly what he felt for her.
Maybe that's why he found himself starting to grow resentful towards his missions — maybe even dislike them, too.
It wasn't like Giyuu wasn't familiar with his duties as the current Water Hashira to undertake several missions simultaneously that resulted in him being away for weeks at a time but this surely was the first time he strongly disliked this routine of his.
And that was even more so since he wasn't able to meet or even talk to Miyasha at all for the past few weeks. In fact, he wasn't even able to enjoy the beautiful wind chimes that Miyasha had gifted him and that genuinely made him feel guilty.
And he absolutely hated that.
He hated that so much that when he finally managed to finish all his missions at the earliest, he immediately came back to the Headquarters to report and ask for some time off.
However, when Oyakata-sama asked him if he was willing to participate in another mission alongside Miyasha, Giyuu jumped to accept that request without any hesitation — an act, which made him realize that he didn't particularly hate missions but rather hated staying away from Miyasha.
Giyuu rubbed his face in a way to calm his beating heart as he stood in front of the Butterfly Estate.
He was finally going to meet her again.
And he genuinely couldn't wait to do so. However, he was also worried at the same time.
What if her injuries still weren't healed? What if she was still sick? What if she was not feeling well emotionally?
Maybe he should have brought something to cheer her up? Would she even like the gift he prepared for her? Would she be angry at him for not visiting her?
Giyuu took a deep breath, trying to calm his unruly heart before entering the Butterfly Estate and immediately running into Shinobu, who was walking down the hallway at the time.
Shinobu greeted him as politely as always, her expression clearly conveying her confusion and question as he stared at her. It was then that he was reminded of something they talked about almost a month ago.
"My intentions," Giyuu started almost absent-mindedly, "For Miyasha is to marry her."
"E-Eh?!" Shinobu almost choked on air after hearing his words.
"I intend to marry Miyasha," he declared boldly, "I have changed my intentions from last time."
There was a long pause between the two of them as Shinobu simply stared at him in disbelief while Giyuu stared right back at her with unwavering resolve.
It wasn't long after that Shinobu's lips twitched and she started chuckling before dissolving into full-blown laughter.
It was the first time Giyuu had seen her laugh this freely and he wasn't quite sure how to react.
That's why he simply stood there and gave her an awkward smile while Shinobu laughed her ass off.
"Tha-Thank God," Shinobu finally said out loud after laughing for a good minute or two, "Thank God you finally realized or else I was seriously going to start suggesting Miyasha-san's marriage to the twins just to get you guys started somewhere."
"I don't mind if you do," Giyuu admitted honestly, "Because I'll ask for her hand anyway."
Shinobu dissolved into another fit of laughter as she kept shaking her head at his words and repeating how amusing this all was. And while Giyuu didn't quite understand her amusement, he still didn't mind watching her look this happy as he gave her a kind smile in return.
"I wish you all the best," Shinobu rubbed a tear away from the corner of her eyes before huffing out another laugh, "I think you might need that, Tomioka-san. I'll be here if you need my help, alright?"
"Thank you, Kocho."
"It's my pleasure," the secretive smile she gave him made him feel odd but he wasn't quite able to understand why before he heard another footsteps behind Shinobu.
And while Giyuu wasn't able to notice his own expressions, Shinobu sure was as she witnessed how the older Hashira brightened up visibly when he noticed the object of his dreams approach them.
He almost looked akin to a domesticated animal, Shinobu mused, who was looking forward to his owner coming home as Giyuu didn't hesitate to walk up to Miyasha and meet her halfway.
She could almost see a tail wagging behind him and that amused her to no end.
On the other hand, Giyuu felt his heartbeat fasten as he finally got to see Miyasha; the relief of seeing her unharmed, healthy and happy crashed through him so hard he swore that it hurt.
That's why he had to take a moment to pause and press his fingers to his chest, hoping to somehow still his heart and the pain it was suddenly causing again.
"Miyasha," his lips curled up into a smile as he said her name, her worried eyes looking up at him full of questions as he extended his hand towards her cheek, "I'm glad to see you are fine."
(~×~)
I closed my eyes as the bluest eyes I had ever seen zoomed in on me, looking as innocently as they could while somehow feeling intimate. Unfortunately, that wasn't the issue.
The issue was my own heart that skipped several beats when it noticed him walk up to me without any hesitation as soon as his eyes found me.
And here I thought I was almost over my crush.
As fucking if. Dammit.
"And I'm glad to see you are fine too, senpai," I replied finally, feeling quite conflicted as my eyes looked past Giyuu's shoulder to notice Shinobu standing there, "I hope everything is going well? How were your missions? Also, I hope you ate and rested before coming here, instead of rushing back from your missions directly."
I couldn't help but worry as Giyuu started explaining how he did follow my advice, making me feel somewhat relieved and yet...
There was still that strange ache in my chest that persisted as I tried to cover it up by talking with him. It was small enough to be ignored and yet it was sharp enough to let its presence be known.
And while I had an inkling of what it might be, I didn't want to accept or even acknowledge it.
Because if I did, I would have to also admit that it started right when I noticed Shinobu and Giyuu talking and laughing together.
It was stupid how such a small thing suddenly made me feel like this — of course, they were quite amiable with each other and of course, they were very comfortable around one another. They had known each other for years and Shinobu was the only one who talked with Giyuu the most as she did.
It was such an obvious thing for them to be close. And I knew it, even before I came here.
So, why the fuck was I feeling like this, again? This stuffy, annoying feeling sitting on my chest, appearing even when I knew that this was how it was supposed to be?
I forced myself to smile and laugh as Shinobu joined us, my mind feeling muddled enough to only be able to listen to the ongoing conversation absent-mindedly.
'Is what I am feeling jealousy?' I thought to myself quietly because if it was, it was fucking stupid to feel this way.
Giyuu was not my partner or anything, he didn't deserve to be thought about like this by me. It was not fair to him. I wasn't even part of the original plot, to begin with and—
"I'll be your partner, Miyasha," I jerked back into the conversation as blue eyes looked into mine once again.
"H-Huh?"
"For your mission today," Shinobu filled me in with a mischievous grin, "Why, what did you hear, Miyasha-san~?"
My cheeks reddened under her teasing gaze as I accepted that I was zoning out while adjusting my glasses with embarrassment, my admission being met with more teasing from her while Giyuu simply nodded.
"I wish you good luck for today~" Shinobu gave us a closed-eye smile, "No need to come early, take your time today~"
"For wha—"
I looked at Giyuu with a confused expression as Shinobu zoomed down the hallway, not giving me a chance to ask the meaning of her parting words. He didn't seem to know what she meant either as he simply shrugged, leaving me wondering what I was missing.
However, I didn't get much time to think about it as we left for our mission soon after; my mind still reeling from the previous incident before shifting back to how I was feeling before that.
The stuffy feeling that I felt before, which was somewhat buried under the confusion, came back with a vengeance as Giyuu and I started towards the location of our mission.
My mind was clouded the whole way through as I mindlessly followed after Giyuu, missing all the worried looks he gave me throughout the time we sprinted. At least, until we reached the Wisteria Crested House nearest to our destination, where Giyuu paused and looked towards me with worries clear in his eyes.
"Ah, I'm sorry for worrying you," I reassured him with a smile, which apparently didn't help since his frown only deepened more, "I'm genuinely fine. Just... a bit preoccupied."
"Is there," he hesitated before continuing, "Is there anything I can do to help?"
I honestly didn't know what or how to reply to him. What could I answer him anyway? That I was jealous of him and Shinobu for knowing each other for much longer than we did even after knowing how I wasn't even supposed to exist, let alone know them in the first place?
I shook my head to both disperse my negative thoughts and reply to him, feeling like absolute shit as my mind devolved with each thought.
I just wanted to stop overthinking — maybe even thinking altogether, if possible, but my anxiety wouldn't let me.
It just wouldn't shut up and even let me exist in peace.
"Miyasha," My heart skipped a beat as Giyuu reached out to caress my cheek, his rough hands brushing my hair behind my ears in a very tender motion, "If there's anything, tell me. I don't want you to be injured."
I blinked blankly at his words before they clicked in — we were currently on a mission. And my mind being this preoccupied could jeopardize both the mission and myself.
"I, I understand," I hated how the stuffy feeling in my chest just turned heavier, "I'll make sure to not hinder you on the mission, I promise, senpai. Let's just move on to tracking the demon!" I turned towards the Wisteria mansion and started walking to avoid feeling as embarrassed and awkward as I was feeling.
"Mi—"
"Or maybe we should keep our stuff in the Wisteria House and wait for the evening to arrive?" I turned back once I was almost at the door, watching Giyuu open and close his mouth before simply closing his lips and nodding.
"Nodding is not an answer to a choice-based question, senpai. Though, I do think it'll be better to settle in for a bit before we move to track the demon. That way, I can leave my satchel here instead of hiding it under some random bush as I usually have to."
I almost huffed out a laugh when I saw Giyuu nod again in answer before finally verbalizing it.
(~<>~)
I took in a deep breath as my consciousness expanded around the sub-urban area; most of it being covered by small houses beyond which laid a large expansion of forest and wild animals.
"I can't feel any demons in the village," I declared quietly, "Maybe they are hiding in the forest? Again, we don't have much of any information on them, do we?"
Giyuu shook his head, "There have been human disappearances."
"How frequent?"
"Twenty in the last week," his eyes followed the people passing us as we walked down the road, "All young."
"All?" I raised an eyebrow, "No adults or old people?"
"No old people, but there were adults."
"When I say adults, I mean above the age of twenty, senpai."
Giyuu gave me a strange look as he replied, "Then, no."
I hummed in reply while we walked around the village outskirts casually so as to not raise unnecessary suspicions from the villagers about us. The sudden 'kidnappings' had left many people on edge and quite on guard against outsiders, including us.
"There's a high chance it's the work of a high-level demon then," I smiled when I noticed Giyuu's confused look, "What I mean is that the Demon might most likely have enough intelligence to select its victims since all the victims have obvious common traits."
Giyuu nodded as I added, "Not to mention, demons have a strange obsession with the meat of young people. I mean, I can understand the preference but still."
"Preference?"
"I mean," I ran my mouth without thinking twice, "Most of the demons I've hunted preferred to target either young adults or even kids instead of older people, maybe because their meat is more 'fresh' and tender, you know? Like, in the texture and taste—"
I immediately shut my trap as Giyuu's incredulous face met mine.
"I, I mean as per logic!" I quickly tried to defend myself, "I mean, wouldn't that be logically the only answer? I was just thinking about it in curiosity!"
"I understand," Giyuu gave me a small smile as he nodded, "And maybe you are right."
I laughed awkwardly at his easy acceptance, still feeling the adrenaline running in my veins due to the shit I just spoke out without restriction.
What the fuck was wrong with me?
"Thanks for not taking offence to my very immoral musing," I finally said after a lull in the conversation as we finally entered the snow-filled forest to check as well.
"It's fine," Giyuu's deep voice almost felt near enough to tickle my neck as if he whispered it near my ear, "It's interesting, your thinking."
"I-Is it?" I gasped as Giyuu suddenly pulled me from the back, making me stumble into his arms, "Sen—?"
"Shh," His lips were so close to my ear that I could even feel his breath on my skin, the warmth of his chest seeping through my back made me feel even more aware of our position, "There are bear cubs here."
"O-Oh," I couldn't focus on anything beyond Giyuu as his aura completely enveloped me, making me feel oddly relaxed yet tense at the same time, "What should we do? The mother bear must be nearby and she'll attack us if she notices us here."
I hated how much aware I felt of him today, especially physically — from his warmth on my back to his hands gently holding my arms from behind, it all felt strangely... intimate.
"Can you feel her coming?"
"Not yet," My heart skipped a beat as I turned around to find his face much nearer to mine than I previously assumed.
The proximity was so intimate that the slightest movement could lead to our lips brushing, making me almost freeze at the observation while Giyuu looked down at our intermingling breaths without any reaction.
"Miyasha?"
"Ye-Yes," I immediately grabbed his hand around my arms and freed myself from his grasp, "Let's, uh, move to the other side of the forest. I can't feel the mother bear right now, but it would be safer that way."
I almost dragged him after me as we quietly moved away from that spot; my cheeks feeling quite warm as I hated my mind for interpreting his oblivious actions as anything deeper than it was.
I hated how these actions of his made me feel.
More accurately, I hated how these actions of his gave that irrational part of me hope — the hope which was not only unrealistic but very harmful to any friendship we had.
Not like there could be anything more than that anyway.
"The demon is definitely hiding their aura," I declared out loud to distract myself from my own thoughts as the stuffy feeling in my chest became even worse, "But since the Sun is already setting, would you like to camp it out here or would you suggest us to do rounds around the village?"
"Rounds would be more helpful," Giyuu admitted, "Together?"
"Would be better if we divide to cover more area," And would give me some time to calm myself down too, "What do you think?"
Giyuu simply nodded as he looked around.
"That's great then," I smiled to myself as I looked around too, "Maybe we should decide on a meeting place too, then. What about in front of that—"
I faltered as Giyuu's hand reached out to brush off a stray hair from my face again, his blue eyes looking even more intense against the white surroundings.
"Will you be alright?"
'Not if you keep making my heart want to beat outta my chest like this.'
"Yes," I answered simply, "No need to worry, senpai."
Unfortunately, as I realized later, my luck had never been supportive of the assurances I tried giving to myself and others.
Then again, maybe I was the one who jinxed it anyway.
.
.
...
The sound of my metallic fans clashing with the demon's skin rang loudly through the quiet night, making me flinch as I absolutely hated that noise.
Unfortunately, the worst of it wasn't the sound itself but the demon attacking me as they sneered at me with a mocking look.
I didn't pay them much mind beyond staring at the area where my fans made contact with their neck. And, much to my unfavourable luck, it wasn't only unharmed but also absolutely devoid of even a scratch.
And here I thought I had put all my strength into that attack.
'Fuck,' I internally cussed as I shifted the angle of my fan and attacked the demon again, 'The demon has a very hard exoskeleton.'
And it was apparently hard enough for me to not even be able to penetrate it to insert my blood.
The demon sneered at me again as they watched me advance, their confidence grating my nerves as I closed my left fan and slammed it on their left cheek with as much force as I could.
I watched with satisfaction as the demon took a few steps back in surprise, allowing me the opportunity to push them back with one final roundabout kick to their shin. That made the demon lose their balance and fall on their ass while I took out my sword instantly.
'It's better to finish them early,' I thought absent-mindedly as I held my sword with both my hands, ready to pierce them, 'Keeping a demon alive with such characteristics along with that high of an intelligence is very dangerous—'
I audibly gasped as their demonic hand clutched my face into its grip, forcing me to back down as the demon used all their strength to slam me down on the ground with my mouth gagged in their pasty hand.
"You sure underestimated me quite a lot, huh?" Pale orange eyes looked down at me with contempt, "How bold of a brat like you who can't even reach past my chest!"
The demon leaned down to level their pasty pale face with mine, "Are you one of those Corporation members that kills demons? Because if you are, then your Corporation is much weaker than I thought it would be."
I glared at him for the insulting words he threw at me, making him chuckle at my gaze which distracted him enough for me to somewhat free my right hand and slam my fan against his face.
"You think these little baby tricks of yours will work on me?" He mocked me as he easily blocked my attack with his left hand, "You are—"
Since he shifted his body to block my previous attack, it gave me enough space to mobilize my body and bring my sword up on my left hand to pierce the demon's eye — making the said demon scream in surprise before I kicked him off with my full strength.
I instantly got off the ground and created some distance from him before adjusting my crooked glasses as I watched him hiss and cry in pain.
His screams and loud cusses echoed in the night as it grew in its volume, indicating that the blood that I was finally able to inject was working its way in well and good.
Unfortunately, I wasn't quite sure if it was enough or not to melt the demon's whole body, not just the right side of his skull.
'At least I know it's a male demon now,' I mused with some humour since, all this time, I was referring to him with gender-neutral pronouns in my head while formulating plans on how to annihilate him.
Then again, it wasn't my fault for being confused — the demon's long silver hair and baggy kimono could confuse anyone of his gender.
My amusement, however, was pretty short-lived as the still-melting demon finally advanced towards me; his movements were as fast as it was before but sloppy enough to let me know that he had lost all rationality for the moment and was just attacking blindly.
I blocked his attack with my fans, instantly feeling the muscles in my shoulders strain as the bastard put all his strength onto me.
To avoid them from being destroyed again, I disengaged my fans in an untimely manner, making the demon stumble as I took several steps back to make some distance between us.
God fucking dammit.
If only I had followed after Giyuu or had at least fucking decided how to contact each other in case we did find the demon.
But no, I was so fucking busy being bloody jealous that I didn't even think that basic of a thing!
I immediately opened my fans again to use them as a makeshift shield since the demon approached me head-on, the whole thing making me feel exhausted with how he kept attacking me while I tried to somehow attack him back.
Unfortunately, since my last attack on his eyes, the demon has been extra cautious as he dodged any time I even motioned my hands towards his still recovering skull and face, making the whole thing unnecessarily hard.
And when I thought I would be able to attack him there again, his sharp claws scratched me through my collarbone.
Thankfully enough, the uniform somewhat lowered the damage of the attack but the sting of the new wound still distracted me enough for the demon to go for my throat next.
I could almost hear my heartbeat in my ear as I noticed a blur of maroon and yellow pass between us and attack the demon, making me realise that Giyuu had finally found me.
I closed my eyes for a second to calm down my nerves; feeling both relieved and still afraid as my body kept pumping adrenaline through my veins.
Finally, when I did open my eyes, I could see Giyuu fighting the demon vigorously, trying his best to reach for his neck but still being blocked by the demon's rock-hard hands.
"His muscles can harden itself equivalent to how much force we attack it with!" I yelled, knowing Giyuu will definitely listen to my words despite the ongoing fight, "So, don't focus on the neck!"
I could see Giyuu frown from my place on the ground as I finally stood up and switched my fans for my swords for a better injection of concentrated poison.
After that, I swiftly joined in on the fight; Giyuu accommodated me almost naturally as we both fought alongside one another to corner the demon.
It was bewildering how naturally Giyuu adjusted to my movements and fighting style, making me feel as much at ease as if I was fighting alongside the twins, with whom I had trained for years.
The fight soon came to an end as we both cornered the demon enough for Giyuu to injure the wound on its skull further, causing it to crack and split up with a painful sound.
The demon attempted to escape and was almost successful if not for my own subsequent attack as I inserted both my swords diagonally through his skull to the side of his neck.
The screaming and melting sounds after that only made me flinch as I waited for it to progress enough to catch those ghastly white flames before I poured some more of my blood solution on the rest of his body.
I stared at the melting body almost absent-mindedly as I felt a few drops of water on my face, making me wonder if it was going to rain and if so, then would these white flames still persist—?
"How is your neck?" I almost jumped at Giyuu's voice, my mind so focused on those familiar yet strange white flames catching on the demon's remaining body that I forgot about him for a second, "Let's go back immediately."
"I'm fine," I reassured him with a smile as his hands slowly traced the skin around the wound peeking from the torn uniform, "It doesn't ache much either. I'll just dress it up once we get back. Anyway, what about you, senpai? I hope you are not injured?"
My eyes quickly scanned his body, noticing that there were no visible injuries per se.
However, Giyuu was still looking quite pale, making me frown as I repeated my last question.
"The demon didn't injure me," he admitted honestly, "But my wound opened up."
"Wound? What wound? Where? Also, is it painful?"
As I got to know more about his injuries, the rain started pouring down on us mercilessly; it was somewhat light in the beginning before turning onto the heavier side almost as soon as we started on our way back to the Wisteria House.
Due to our current injuries, we relocated under a large and thick enough tree to shade us from the rain instead of going back.
It was better to wait for the rain to subside than get an infection by making contact with rainwater on our fresh wounds.
Though, it almost made me regret waiting there as the rain cooling down the atmosphere made the air around us even more freezing — so much so that even my thick haori wasn't helping me at the moment.
'At least it's not damaged this time,' I mused wryly as I gently inspected Giyuu's wounds on his chest from over his clothes.
"Is it the stitches I put on you the last time?" I asked doubtfully as I adjusted my glasses, "Shouldn't they have been healed already?"
Giyuu nodded in reply, "It's another one." He traced the outline of his injury over his uniform, marking a line diagonally from his left shoulder blades to down the last of his right ribs.
"Ah," I involuntarily placed my hand on his as I imagined how big his wound was, "It shouldn't have healed completely due to how big the wound itself is. Was it too dee—?"
I immediately covered my mouth as a sneeze wrecked through my body, making me feel quite dizzy as I stumbled at its force.
Thankfully, Giyuu stepped in, without hesitation, to stabilize me; his large hands wrapping around my back and waist as he supported me without a word.
And while I really appreciated his help, the proximity was something my heart wasn't quite able to handle right now — especially with how he seemed entirely too comfortable with hugging me in that position, almost as if he had no intention of letting me go any time soon.
It wasn't until I cleared my throat and thanked him before moving away that he gradually removed his hands from my waist and shoulder, his concerned gaze making me feel a tad bit bad for behaving this way.
Then again, with how warm my face felt, I wasn't sure what I would have done if I didn't create some space between us.
He was too innocent to know how these small actions of his made me feel, too.
"Are you okay?"
"Yep," I smiled at Giyuu awkwardly before looking away, "It's just, the cold is just a pain in my ass, making my body become so fragile and..."
I faltered as I felt him wrap his haori around me, making my heart skip a beat as my eyes instantly met with his soft blue ones.
"Senpai, you don't have to!"
"But you are cold—"
"And so are you! You are maybe losing blood more rapidly than me and that could decrease your temperature further!"
"I'll be fine," Giyuu firmly stated, making my heart skip a beat as he reached out to wrap his haori more securely around me, "We will be fine."
"But...!"
"Please," his warm hands cupped my cold cheeks before rubbing circles on them, "Listen to me?"
I sighed in resignation as I couldn't do anything except lean involuntarily into his warm aura and warm hands, which was ironically making me feel sleepy again as his calming voice continued talking in the whisper-ish manner that he always did.
I hated how this made my heart skip and made me feel weak but...
I didn't want to resist anymore. I genuinely didn't.
I didn't have the energy and I, no matter how much I denied it, loved the attention he gave me.
Even though I knew he most likely didn't understand the social meaning behind them.
Just like now.
"Alright, alright," I caved in, "I'll wear this until the rain stops, okay?"
"Until we go back?"
"...until we go back, then," goddamn those mesmerizing eyes of his, "Then, let's sit down a bit and rest, yes? Also, would you mind if I check on your wound a bit and maybe apply basic first aid? I have brought some supplies with me, fortunately."
All I got as my answer was a nod, which made me smile anyway.
(~<>~)
A sigh escaped my lips as I closed my eyes while lying on the futon, the warmth from my still-wet body slowly seeping into the bedding as I could feel sleep itching behind my eyelids.
However, I couldn't let myself drown in that temptation yet as I still had a lot left to do, considering I hadn't even dressed up my own wound yet, let alone treat Giyuu's reopened ones.
'Ugh, what a harsh life,' I thought bitterly as I got up to change into the yukata the hostess gave me to use for the night, 'Once I go back to the Butterfly Estate, I ain't letting anyone stop me from hibernating for at least a week or so.'
I couldn't help but huff a laugh at my own thoughts, knowing quite well how unlikely that was going to be, especially considering that Rengoku-sensei won't let me live it down if I took another break this soon.
Oh well, what could be done.
The most I could do now was work hard enough to finish the training early so that I wasn't left unprepared during the whole swordsmith village fiasco.
While musing about such things, I quickly dressed my clean wound, opting to wrap it up with thick bandages along with the surrounding shoulder to make it sturdier.
It was not aching much beyond the initial sting, thankfully enough, enabling me to work on it efficiently and painlessly before moving on to collect some ointment and bandages for Giyuu's treatment.
And while I had given him some basic first aid during our detour in the rain, it would still be better if I could restitch his wound as soon as possible. Waiting to go back to Butterfly Estate to do that would do nothing but increase the chances of infection along with unnecessary blood loss.
With those thoughts in my mind, I quickly put up my still-wet hair half-heartedly and left my room, aiming to visit Giyuu's room as discretely as I could.
Oh, wait, Giyuu's haori!
I rushed back to my allotted room to bring his haori with me, which I wasn't able to return to him before now.
To be honest, we weren't able to meet even once after we arrived at the Wisteria House injured and, sadly enough, wet. While the rain had stopped enough for us to quickly come back, it was still pouring bit by bit to drench our clothes regardless.
That was why we were both rushed into our rooms to quickly change our clothes, not giving me any time to visit him to dress up his wounds.
And since our food was served in our rooms as well, for our own convenience, it wasn't until now that I was able to leave.
I gently knocked on the door of the room adjacent to mine, listening carefully for any reply before opening the sliding door once I heard his affirmative grunt from the inside.
However, I almost slammed shut the door as the sight of Giyuu's naked torso greeted me — 'almost' was the keyword since I didn't quite follow through with it, given how surprised it left me.
"Miyasha?" Giyuu's voice broke me out of my stupor before I blushed heavily and cleared my throat.
"I'm so sorry for barging in when you just returned from your bath," I hate how much of a mess this guy made me, "Sh-Shall I come back later, then?"
I could literally see the water dripping down his wet hair and chest to his uniform pants, making me wonder absent-mindedly why he was even wearing those.
I flushed at the way my own thoughts sounded to me.
I meant why he was wearing the pants and not the yukata given to us—
"No," Giyuu's firm reply brought me back to the present and out of my unintentionally inappropriate thoughts as he took the towel to dry his wet hair, "Come in, Miyasha."
My face lit up in another blush as I stepped in silently, closing the door behind me almost instinctively as my heart started beating faster.
Why the fuck was I like this again?
Why the hell was I thinking such inappropriate thoughts about the poor guy? Giyuu didn't deserve someone perving over him like this.
"Miyasha?" Giyuu approached me quietly, his hand reaching out to my cheek as he continued, "Are you al—?"
"I'm fine," I moved away with a smile, trying my best to keep my feelings regulated as I started feeling heavy and queasy again, all the previous thoughts from the morning rushing back as I looked around the dim room, "I'm fine, I assure you, senpai. So, um, would you like me to patch up your stitches again?"
I didn't wait for his reply as I sat down on the floor near the burning candle and put down the things I brought in my arms.
Maybe I should have worn my glasses this time, considering how the darkness—
"Oh," I handed Giyuu his haori once he sat down beside me, "Your haori! Thank you so much for lending this to me, senpai. It genuinely means a lot to me."
Giyuu simply nodded as he checked the haori himself, "It's dry?"
"Yep! I had spread it out in my room to dry it out and fortunately, it did! Though I didn't quite check it for any tears, so I really apologise if there are any."
"There aren't," His deep voice sounded almost too loud in the quiet room, "If there are, I will mend them."
The contrast of his soft but deep tone with the whisper of the heavy rain pouring just outside the closed windows made the whole atmosphere feel quite... tranquil. Almost in a surreal way, in fact.
I chuckled at his sweet reply, admitting how bad I actually was at sewing pretty much anything except wounds and body parts — my sewing being average at best and downright sloppy at worst in most scenarios.
Giyuu smiled as he offered to help me with the sewing instead, stating how he had been mending his own clothes for more than ten years now and was quite proficient at it.
That sparked another topic for conversation as we chatted about our household abilities while I quickly dressed up the wound on his wet chest.
I hate to admit it but I couldn't help but stare at his well-defined, toned chest as I gently dried the area around his wound before starting to dress it up.
From the slightly bumpy skin beneath the pale and dark scar lines to the warmth emitting from his broad chest; everything of him made me flush as I tried my best to focus only on the task at hand.
It was my first time feeling this way in both my lives, this odd attraction and craving that I didn't know what to do with.
It made me feel embarrassed and distracted and I don't know how to deal with it.
"Miyasha?" He almost whispered into my ear as I was almost done patching up his bandages.
I suppressed the shiver that went down my spine by nonchalantly humming back in question.
"Please wait?"
"Eh?"
"Can you please," it was odd seeing Giyuu acting so flustered as he avoided eye contact with me for the first time ever, "Wait? Please don't leave yet."
"Of course," I replied without a moment's hesitation, "Why, did something happen? Do you want to talk about it?"
Giyuu didn't reply to me immediately as he got up to rummage through the drawers of the cupboard instead; his eyes were oddly focused enough to make me wonder what got him so serious all of a sudden.
What I didn't expect was to be handed a wooden box suddenly.
"What is it, senpai?" I asked softly, already guessing that this might be his New Year's gift for me since I sent him one three weeks ago.
"Gift," he replied shortly, "For New Year's. I couldn't give you before, I'm sorry."
"What are you apologising for?" I chuckled at his absolutely adorable behaviour, "It's completely fine, senpai. In fact, I should apologise since I was the one who was out most of the time because of which you had to go through all this trouble."
Giyuu shook his head, "It wasn't... troublesome. Please open it?"
I smiled as I suppressed the urge to pat him; instead, I focused on the wooden box in front of me as I observed it curiously.
The box itself was made out of some sturdy wood that I wasn't familiar with, giving off a very mysterious look with its dark polish. It reminded me of those jewellery boxes I used to see Okasan use when I was very young.
My eyes widened as my assumption proved to be right — it was a jewellery box.
And inside it was a beautiful pair of elegant, long earrings that made my heart stop.
"Giyuu," I almost couldn't breathe as I took out the tassel gold earrings, "This, it's, it's too much!"
And it really was.
The earrings themselves were minimalist with a tear-drop-shaped amethyst attached to the hook, down from which the fine tassel gold strings hung in the most elegant yet simple design.
It looked like something the royalty could wear.
In fact, it roughly reminded me of the earrings Yona from the anime Akatsuki no Yona used to wear.
"Did you like it?" His simple question left me stammering.
"Ye-Yes, but—"
"Then keep it," Giyuu smiled at me when I gave him a look for interrupting me, "I bought it for you because you told me you wanted to pierce your ears and wear earrings. Please accept them for me."
I couldn't help but stare at him in surprise as I realised that he remembered such a small thing I had mentioned in passing, maybe once.
"You... didn't have to," I whispered as his hands took my own into his and caressed them, "I... don't know what to say to even express my gratitude."
Honestly speaking, I wasn't even sure how to react.
I loved piercings in my past life and even used to have quite a few on my ears back then. I was even planning to get one for my nose when I turned twenty-one but that didn't turn out as I expected since I died before I could even reach that age.
And now, in this lifetime as a Japanese woman, ear or any kind of piercings were a far-off dream since it was not only uncommon but also frowned upon in many parts of Japan.
I had to sacrifice my love for earrings to blend into the crowd to avoid attention, making me feel like I lost a part of my past self for years.
But now, looking at these gorgeous earrings in my hand, I couldn't help but feel lost. And grateful. Maybe even some sorrow, as it reminded me of memories of a life I once had and could never find the traces of again except in my memories.
I could feel my eyes burn as I gave out a watery chuckle, "Thank you, thank you so much for remembering about me, about what I said. I, I genuinely have no words to express how much this means to me. Thank you, Giyuu. Thank you."
Giyuu smiled at me as he rubbed circles on my hand with his thumb, "I'm glad," the relief in his voice made me chuckle some more, "I was worried you wouldn't like it. I didn't know when to give this to you, too, because you looked very sad in the morning."
"Ah, I'm sorry about worrying you. I was just, well, preoccupied, I guess."
"Don't apologise," his voice was as tranquil as the rhythmic rain following outside, "I... don't mind. You don't have to talk to me. You can sit next to me and not talk if you are too tired. I'm good with silence."
I couldn't help the smile that stretched on my lips over his heartfelt words or even the feeling of calmness that brushed over me at his presence.
In fact, it wasn't just his aura that comforted me but he himself; his presence, his existence became something so... so immeasurable to me that I didn't even realise it before now. It was like he was my peace, my only salvation from the regret and noisy thoughts that kept buzzing non-stop in my mind.
And that was when I realised that I no longer had a crush on Giyuu.
No, I loved him.
I was in love with Giyuu.
The moment I realized that, I felt time stop around me and my heart pause before it rose to life once again, defying all logic and reasoning within as it started beating faster with each second.
The guilt and fear that followed paralysed me as I realised the mistake I had made.
I was a flaw that couldn't be fixed — an anomaly that shouldn't exist. My existence was nothing more than a mistake; or, God forbid, entertainment for the writers of my fate.
And yet, I just...
I fell in love.
I fell in love, for the first time in both my lives, to someone who I knew I couldn't have and didn't deserve.
Foolish, greedy, stupid.
"Miyasha," My eyes met with his ocean ones, "Are you cold? You are shivering?"
I couldn't even reply as I gently put the earrings back into the box and away from me.
I needed to calm down right now.
I had to calm down right now.
"Is there anything I can do to help you?" Giyuu asked softly, his tone almost begging as he caressed my cheek gently, "Anything, please?"
I felt as speechless as I did the first time he asked me that question. What could I say anyway? That I love him despite keeping so many secrets from him? That I want him to love me back? To choose me even when I never truly told him anything?
So many secrets, with the worst of it being that he was nothing more than a mere character in a manga and how I knew all of his past and history even without him telling that to me. Would he even have the heart to trust me again after knowing all that, even with how kind and understanding he was?
Maybe. Maybe not.
I wasn't even brave enough to find it out.
In fact, I was beyond scared now. I felt paralyzed by the fear of uncertainty, the fear of the unknown, the fear of not being accepted.
I gasped as I was pulled into his warmth, his arms embracing me in its warm sanctuary as I still tried to process everything in my head.
In between those muddled thoughts came his deep baritone, reassuring me again and again that he was there.
That I was fine.
And that I could take my time.
It almost made me laugh at how his words genuinely helped my body calm down, making me feel much safer; at least physically.
Mentally, however, my mind was clouded with fearful thoughts and guilty reminders of the things that I was hiding; these old secrets.
For the first time in years, I found myself wishing I could talk to someone about this. About everything. I hated keeping these secrets, these looming threads of dread that surrounded the future and controlled me like I was a marionette.
The warm arms around me tightened as I found myself closing my eyes while sinking into Giyuu's warmth.
I could hear his heartbeat clearly as my ear pressed against his bare chest, finally making me realize our current position.
Unfortunately, I didn't have the time or energy to push him or even fight myself to deny that I didn't like it. That his warmth didn't calm me down.
That I didn't love him.
I chuckled humourlessly as my ribs burned and my stomach felt queasy with the thoughts of how badly this could end. How I could destroy myself with false hope and destroy any friendship I had with him?
I was afraid to lose him and I hated this feeling.
"Miyasha?" I could feel Giyuu's hand slowly going through my mostly wet hair as it got out of its sloppy mess of a bun, his other hand firmly holding me from my waist.
"I apologise," I croaked out, my voice feeling rough as I cleared my throat before forcing myself to distance from him, "I was just, feeling a down the weather—"
"Don't leave," his voice made my heart clench, making the burn in my chest feel even worse, "Just, is it possible to stay here a bit longer?"
I didn't reply to him for several moments, not knowing how to even do so while he pulled me back into his arms.
"Do you," My voice sounded much more meek and sleepy than I would like it to be as I asked, "Do you not feel uncomfortable?"
"No," his tone was firm and honest, "Never with you, never."
I huffed out a laugh as I detached my head from his chest and looked up at him, "You are too nice, senpai. Seriously, too nice. You have no idea how much someone could take advantage of you if you keep treating others this way."
"I don't," He slowly turned his head down as well, our faces almost next to each other, "I don't treat anyone else like this, only you."
I couldn't stop myself from asking him why, my eyes only able to focus on his beautiful lips as he spoke softly in his deep baritone.
"Because I like you," Giyuu's words made my heart leap out as I couldn't believe what I heard, "No, I love you, Miyasha. I love you."
The silence that followed his confession was deafening as I still couldn't believe what I was hearing, let alone process it. I couldn't believe that Giyuu loved me and that it wasn't just my wishful thinking or the echo of my own thoughts that I wanted to hear from him.
And maybe it showed on my face too, since Giyuu cupped my face into his large hand and smiled.
"It's alright even if you don't like me," his words were more than just heartbreaking as he continued, "I just, I want you with me. Near me. I love you and I don't want to lose you. So please, don't leave me if you don't like me."
"I won't," I breathed out, laughing at the ridiculousness of the situation, "I, I could never — I can't leave you. Giyuu, I, I..."
I started laughing again at this whole situation, hating how much I loved and hated it at the same time.
"I love you," the words left my lips without any restriction, "God, I love you and sometimes you are all I can ever think about. I, I love you even when I know I shouldn't."
His blue eyes met my own bluish-violet ones, making everything freeze around us as I finally noticed how close we were.
And how closer we were becoming.
It wasn't until his lips met mine that I knew I was leaning into him as well.
The first kiss we shared was surreal and quite innocent — just touching of lips as we both experienced it for the first time in our lives.
I almost detached myself from him in surprise before he grabbed my neck firmly yet gently and pulled me back in for another kiss.
And the following kisses were nothing like the first one.
I couldn't hear anything beyond my own heartbeat and feel nothing beyond his aura and toned body as we kept sharing kisses; the small gasps escaping between our kisses as we kept coming back to each other just like two magnets.
We fumbled a lot since we were still adjusting to each other and yet, we both couldn't keep ourselves off of each other.
I could feel him hum against my mouth as he pulled me even closer to himself, making me almost shift between his legs before his hands shifted under my right thigh and lifted me up to place me on his own thigh.
I gasped as our lips finally detached, our breaths intermingling in a very erotic manner as he looked at me with very unfocused eyes.
His messy look with his hair down did things to me that I didn't even know how to explain.
"Miyasha," his hoarse voice made me shiver as he leaned down to connect our foreheads, "Please, let me love you."
I couldn't even reply before his lips descended onto mine again, this time with more urgency and fever as he pulled me tightly against his chest by my waist while his other hand braced the back of my head as we greedily kissed one another.
When we finally pulled away, we both were breathless as we gasped for air while staring at each other still. We both were briefly unable to speak due to... well, everything.
Not to mention, the look in Giyuu's eyes made me shiver as he slowly traced his hand on my waist to my upper back before moving away to join his other hand to cup my face into his hands.
"Why," he leaned his forehead against my own, "Why shouldn't you?"
"Huh?"
"Why shouldn't you love me?" the desperation in his eyes surprised me as this was the first time I noticed Giyuu this frazzled, "I love you. I want to marry you, I want to live my life with no one but you, Miyasha. You are the only person I ever wanted even when I didn't know you."
I looked at him in a daze as he gently caressed my cheeks, his confession leaving me more than just startled — I was absolutely speechless.
"I, I don't know how to explain," I admitted honestly as I closed my eyes and leaned onto his bare shoulder, "I am not a good person, Giyuu. I am, I have lots of secrets and repressed things that just..."
"Then help me understand," I could hear the desperation in his voice as he begged.
"I can't," I couldn't help but laugh helplessly, "Giyuu, it wouldn't be so easy. Understanding is only for a single moment, but the responsibility that'll follow will last forever."
"I don't mind taking responsibility, I—"
"You won't," I kept laughing at the irony of my situation as I slowly distanced myself from him, "You won't be able to, senpai, trust me. The things I know, it's, it's hard to understand, let alone accept. I, I'm sorry."
"Then please, tell me how to help you."
"I don't know," My voice cracked as I finally detached myself from his warm embrace and stood up, "I genuinely don't know. I... don't even know what to do anymore, Giyuu. I don't."
My chest ached as I left his room after that, his pleading expression still etched in my mind as he let me leave without a word, even after all we did.
I laughed at the new blooming ache in my heart as I lay down on the futon, unable to accept anything that happened this evening and yet hating how I wasn't able to accept it either.
I was the one who rejected him and yet, the pain I felt was so immense that it almost felt like it was the opposite. It made me hate myself.
I don't even know why I told him about my feelings and hurt him like this, unnecessarily.
I hated how I was a walking contradiction; a hypocrite who was trapped in the gilded cage of her own mind.
And now all I could do was close my eyes and hope for sleep to take me away from the negative thoughts and the resulting fear taking over my mind and body.
Unfortunately, even that came hard to me as my cold body kept reminding me of the previous incident even more vividly.
All I could do, after fucking up this bad, was to curl in onto myself and regret everything till I could somehow escape my thoughts.
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And here's another chapter!
I hope y'all enjoyed the romance with a little side dish of angst!
Don't worry, this 'misunderstanding' won't stay for long and there won't be much of an extended drama... for too long. I mean, I genuinely hate that too, so yeah.
Also, a genuine question — how do you view Tomioka? Like, in the conan wise. Do you think I write Tomioka too... idk, soft? Emotional? Cause I've been reading a few KNY fanfics here and there and almost all of them portray Tomioka as a downright asshole or just those mysterious-calm-and-quiet dude. And I'm like ????
I mean, he can seem mysterious but with how he is in the manga, I interpreted him as more kind and soft but amazingly socially-stunned guy. Am I the only one?
Even in this fanfic, I'm trying my best to portray him as a kind but misunderstood guy who is unintentionally rude with his actions rather than words — is that OOC? Cause some of the fanfics I read sure made me question it whole, I swear.
》Taishou Secrets《
Hashira's impression of the twins:
Shinobu: She finds the twins quite enigmatic and closed-off. She feels the closest to Hiroshi out of the two due to his mindset being quite alike to her.
Uzui: Flamboyant! Fun-loving and amazing drinkers! He loves to spend time with the twins and Rengoku and absolutely respects how all three of them are very flamboyant! He loves how cheery and loud Hitoshi is while Hiroshi's teasing absolutely lights up his heart with laughter.
Rengoku: Talented, incredible and very mysterious! He finds the twins both fascinating and very talented, especially with how they took the Snow Breathing to the next level! He respects them a lot and loves to spend time with them!
Obanai: He finds the twins both hardworking and talented, especially with the internal network they had built for the Corps. However, he does minds the special treatment that they get; especially letting them come late to the Hashira meetings which he holds very unacceptable. Given that, he still understands.
Himejima: To him, the twins are men with good character but very poor at expressing themselves. He finds them very loyal and protective, especially for their junior Miyasha.
Giyuu: He didn't have much of a chance to talk to the twins but he respects them a lot due to how much Miyasha loves and respects them. He also finds their identical appearances with very different ways of expression quite fascinating.
Tokito: He compares the twins to parrots, with how spontaneous yet loud they can be together. His head ached a lot the first time he saw them.
Mitsuri: She loves how open-minded and sweet the twins are! They not only share the sweets their junior made for them but also suggest good restaurants whenever they find one! She loves eating and talking to them!
Sanemi: Professional during missions but finds them very hard to handle during drinking parties especially since he usually can't match their rowdy energy.
And that's it for this chapter, folks! If you like it enough to vote/add it to your list then please like it enough to spend the extra minute or two to comment! Especially since, you know, I'm kinda crying inside and could seriously use the pick me up.
Anyway, stay safe and stay healthy!