"Now Miyasha... why the hell did you not tell us about this very important detail about your blood?!"

"Can we talk about it a bi—" I tried cutting the argument short and walking away, but Hitoshi wasn't having it.

"Do you care so little for us?"

"I-It's not like that, Toshi-senpai!" I stuttered as he looked down at me with his familiar blue-green gaze, hurt evident in his eyes beneath all that anger, "It's just... I was gonna tell you... once I actually settled in with all this." I admitted honestly, feeling guilty for hiding something like this from them.

The meeting had just ended and Oyakata-sama had dismissed us a while ago as he went inside to do his usual work.

While out here, both the newly-appointed snow pillars immediately jumped onto the chance of questioning me as soon as he left.

"Why didn't you tell us about it earlier? In fact, when did you even got to know about it?" Hitoshi questioned back, crossing his arms as he stared me down intimidatingly.

"Well... a few years back...?"

"...how many years is your few years?"

"...four." The receiving glares that fixed on me almost made me bolt the other way around.

"Did Ojiisan know about this?"

"Of course he did." I replied, "Who do you think told Oyakata-sama about my blood?" I asked rhetorically, still feeling infuriated over sensei's apparent betrayal.

'Though... I do get why he did that.' I mean, if I was in his place, I most likely would have done the same too... maybe.

"Wait, what?" Hiroshi blurted out, his eyebrows creasing in a frown as he evaluated my words, "You mean Oyakata-sama called—"

"Yes. Oyakata-sama already knew about my blood; I was not called here just because I was in that mountain mission— it was nothing but a coincidence, actually. A really convenient one, now that I think about it..."

"Wait, wait, so Ojiisan knew about your blood and told Oyakata-sama about it as well?" Hitoshi moved back to look between his twin and me, his eyes portraying his confusion effectively.

'He's so much more expressive than before...'

"Sent a letter requesting to keep an eye on me, to be more precise." I shot back, huffing as I continued, "I didn't knew about it either, trust me."

"And why the hell didn't you nor Ojiisan tell us about all this?"

"I... didn't want to worry you. Hey, don't look at me like that!" I huffed as Hitoshi crossed his arms again and called my reasoning bullshit.

"Give us one reason we shouldn't worry about you! You have an ability that can get you killed—"

"If not fully covered!" I cut Hitoshi off, not taking the chance for other Hashiras to hear and underestimate me too, "Not to mention only my own blood does that— which means even if Demon blood comes in contact with my skin, it won't burn me or anything."

"But being wounded would do, won't it?" Hiroshi's quietly asked; his serene voice and blue-green gaze making me almost feel like I was in an interrogation.

'It won't be anything new though.' I took in a deep breath and replied, "Not if I take proper care." closing my eyes immediately after to calm myself down.

It's kinda funny how little I value anyone else's opinion about me but if these two look even a little bit disappointed with me, I feel as if I failed the whole universe.

"Knowing you, I won't count on it." Hiroshi pitched in, making a vein pop on my head with his implication.

"Excuse you, I've been living on my own for four years just fine!" I glared at him as I noticed him smiling slyly.

"With the level of self-preservation and self-care you practice, I'm surprised how you're even alive." Hiroshi taunted back, making Hitoshi nod in agreement.

I felt my left eye twitch with irritation, "Rich coming from someone who got injured and sent to the Butterfly Estate within the first few months of joining the Corps!"

"And look at you— hasn't even joined the Corps properly but was lying unconscious for a week in the same Estate!" Hitoshi replied to me this time, making me stuttering as even I knew he was low-key right.

"I-I can handle myself!" I blurted out, finding myself on an almost dead end.

"Who are you trying to fool, again? You need a shit ton of training, little one." Hiroshi teased me, making me blush as he taunted me about the one thing I was immensely insecure about.

"Who are you calling little?! I'm almost eighteen!" I bite out, narrowing my eyes in mock-anger.

"...well, if we didn't know better—" Hiroshi started before Hitoshi interrupted him by smacking him upside the head.

"How dare you?! I'm not short! You're just gigantic, you dumbass!" I huffed, pretending to be angry to cover up the actual insecurity I was feeling.

I mean, I was literally the tallest girl in my class in my past life; but in this one...

But of course, they won't know about it, would they? Not to mention I can't do anything about it either.

"Stop patronizing her, Hiroshi!" Hitoshi scolded his younger twin, making a wry smile appear on my lips as Hiroshi rubbed the back of his head rather begrudgingly, "And now, back to the topic— whatever happened, happened. We'll talk about these details later." Hitoshi turned to me, still watching the other Hashiras from the corner of his eyes, "For now, we have another mission and I don't want us to be late for it."

I silently watched as he turned to the Hashiras— bowing and giving a brief farewell as he dragged Hiroshi to do the same.

"Do you not really trust me about this?" I asked softly as they passed by me.

"It's not about that, Miya..." Hitoshi sighed, turning to me as he patted me gently, "It'll be irresponsible of us as your br— seniors to just..."

"...I can handle it, you know?" I honestly felt like a broken record at this point, "You don't have to worry this much." I reminded them again as I followed them out the headquarters; Shinobu and Tanjiro following behind us quietly as we three conversed.

"You don't even have a sword right now, Miyasha! Let alone have practice with it—"

"I don't even use one..." I grumbled.

"Miyasha..." Hitoshi looked at me disapprovingly, confusing me as I blurted out a 'What?' at him, "Stop making such crude jokes publicly!"

"Wh-What...?" I looked at him strangely, noticing his eyes widen and blush— Wait... "What?! I-I'm not saying anything like that!" I pressed a hand against my mouth to stop myself from laughing; noticing how Hitoshi had turned completely red, "I honestly don't use swords! I-I use... fans..." I tried to explain, watching amusingly as Hitoshi turned even redder.

"I-I didn't kn-know that!" He blurted out, feeling even shyer as he heard Shinobu laughing from the back.

"Yeah... that's why your first thought went to somewhere dark—" I tried teasing him before he interrupted me by calling out my in complete mortification.

"So, you use fans, huh?" Hiroshi started after a beat of silence, his blue-green eyes staring down at me as he raised his left eyebrow, "Aren't they near-ranged weapons?"

'Fuck.'

"...I have my speed to—" I tried covering up before I was interrupted by him again.

"So, that's how you got injured, didn't you?" Hiroshi deduced, narrowing his eyes as I took my time to reply.

"Not... exactly." I turned my gaze away, feeling uncomfortable as I could feel their irritation with me.

"Miyasha..."

"Look I..." How can I explain this without sounding like a bloody idiot? "...may need some training. I know you are right but... trust me, I can handle it. What I did was not right and I'm really sorry for hiding it from you but... I just didn't want to worry you two. I was not sure about it myself— still ain't much, if I were to be honest and then you both have your own responsibilities too..."

"...you are not burdening us with it, you know?" Hitoshi asked rhetorically, his tone much softer and calmer than before.

"I know, but still. I... I think I can handle it on my own, trust me on that. I'm not a child anymore, you know? I did live four years on my own and without any swords."

He sighed, "We know, Miyasha but—"

"Please just... let me do this on my own, we need the informa—"

"Why so persistent about going alone, huh? Trying to hide your lover or something?" Hiroshi piped in, ruining the whole serious mood again as I stuttered out my reply.

"O-Of course not!"

"Your voice cracked."

"Out of surprise!" I exclaimed, glaring at Hiroshi as he raised an eyebrow at me, "I just want to do my work in peace!"

"And you think we won't let you?" Hiroshi deadpanned as I answered with the same deadpan tone, "Knowing you two, no."

Hitoshi pointed at me with a vain pop, "Excuse you, we ar—"

"Shoo!" I pushed Hitoshi's elbow lightly, "Just go! You have a mission right now, don't you?!" I pushed him again, trying to end this stupid argument before it started all over again.

'Not to mention it doesn't looks like these two will get my point of view any time soon.'

"We'll be back in a few days." Hitoshi started as I tried pushing him off to the other path, "Don't even think about going without us—"

"We'll see about that." I answered vaguely, avoiding to say anything else as Hiroshi suddenly pulled me by the back of my haori, "H-Hey!"

"No, we won't—" Hitoshi started as Hiroshi interrupted, "It'll be fine; we'll be back within a few days anyway." Hitoshi ruffled my hair, smiling slyly as I smacked his hand away, "She has her rehabilitation training, too, on top of it."

"Is that a challenge?" I asked half-jokingly as I glared at Hiroshi's hand hovering over my head, "And keep your hands off of my hair, Hiro-senpai!"

"You cut your hair, eh?" Hitoshi asked softly as Hiroshi teasingly brought his hand down towards my head again— making me jump out of his reach, "You look very... adorable."

"...You make it sound like a bad thing."

"It's not a bad thing..." Hitoshi averted his eyes, smiling wryly as he replied, "It's just... difficult for us to not worry about you when you look this... adorable."

"...I want my long hair back, now." I deadpanned, making the twins as well as Shinobu and Tanjiro — who finally caught up with us — chuckle at my misery.

"Are you sure about this, Miyasha-san...?" Aoi looked at me unsurely, her eyes trailing my figure as I approached the training room, "What about your joints? You said you still felt pain in them?"

"They are feeling better now, Aoi-chan." I smiled reassuringly at her, "Thank you for your medicines— those really helped in reducing the pain."

"I'm glad they did, but—"

"Trust me, dear, I'm fine." I patted the younger girl, my smile widening as a blush grew on her pale cheeks, "It has been quite a while since all that happened, darling! Believe me when I say I know my body quite well to know when I should get up and start working."

"I-I understand." Aoi said rather dejectedly, making me feel a pang of guilt in my chest.

"Hey, Aoi-chan!" I called her as she opened the door, "Thank you so much for taking care of me." I smiled brightly, closing my eyes to add onto the effect.

"Y-You're welcome." She stuttered, shutting the door off loudly after her, saying that she'll be back in a few minutes.

'She's too cute.' I thought absent-mindedly as I observed the empty training room— it was like a small dojo kinda room covered with tatami mats around all the sides of the room while a rather small table was situated in the middle of the room.

"Is that a... tea table?" I wondered out loud, a foggy memory of a... tea throwing activity etching behind the back of my mind— 'Wait, it's for that tea throwing training, right?'

"Hai, Mi-ya-sha-san~" Shinobu sang out my name, making me jump as I turned to see her leaning against the wooden doors, "Those are for the reflex training! But... what are you doing here?" She asked me innocently but her eyes shining with amusement told me otherwise.

'When did she even...'
Yeah... I'm better off not asking that.

"I-I came here to t-train." I internally cursed myself for stuttering, my heart still beating rather fast from that unexpected jumpscare, "It has been a good few days since I'm feeling better, so I thought..."

"But Miyasha-san..."

"I'm not trying to one-up Toshi-senpai and Hiro-senpai, trust me, Shinobu-san." I immediately reassured, "It's just that I'm kinda... bored." I looked away, feeling embarrassed all of a sudden, "I have done all that you and Aoi have asked of me— and I was really hoping you could see how much I already have recovered..."

The thing is, I was low-key forbidden to participate in the recovery training till I 'fully recovered' from bleeding myself out, since that whole Hashira-meeting-catastrophe.

But without this training, I really couldn't leave the estate either— not only would I not get the seal of approval from Shinobu, but I'll most likely be ratted-out to Oyakata-sama before I even start the information gathering.

'Not to mention I'd rather like to keep the good rapport I've formed with Shinobu here.'

"Are you sure you're feeling well enough for this, Miyasha-san?" Shinobu frowned, her smooth face smearing with line of worry, "I would really not want to deteriorate your health further..."

"I am." I reassured, "I apologize for worrying you all so much..."

"Ah, that you really did when you suddenly collapsed in the middle of the meeting." Shinobu's eyes shone with amusement as she continued, "Not to mention your rather strange acts really got Aoi-chan winded up."

"I-I apologize for that as well." I felt my cheeks burn as we heard the door open and Kanao appear with the boys just behind her, "I... really should have given her some warning before she found me like that."

"Indeed." She agreed, "The position of that knife didn't help the notion either."

"Kn-Knife?" Zenitsu questioned, his eyes darting between me and Shinobu before I cleared his doubt; "We were talking about my hair cutting incident." I reminded him, smiling sheepishly as I noticed Tanjiro shaking his head at me, "I... had rather scared you all that day, didn't I?"

"Cutting hair like that isn't safe, Aneki!" Tanjiro huffed, before finally noticing that I was here, "Wait, what are you doing here, Aneki?"

Zenitsu's eyes widened before sparkling with excitement, "Are you here to train with us, too?!"

"Yes, she is." Shinobu answered for me, winking at me as she continued, "I hope you won't mind if I stay today to see the progress you all have made!"

"Of course not, Shinobu-san!" Tanjiro answered kindly as Zenitsu enthusiastically nodded behind him.

Another thing that I noticed recently— the recovery training was going a bit too... fast.

I mean, I know it had been a good two weeks since the meeting but didn't the recovery training arc lasted a month or so? And didn't Zenitsu joined in much later than the other two?

'But here...' I looked towards the three stooges as they went forward to their respective training area, 'Zenitsu recovered quite a lot faster.' I frowned, trying to remember the manga plot, 'I really think Zenitsu joined in later for the training in the manga... Is this plot deviation because of my presence?'

"Miyasha-san!" Aoi called for my attention, "Since you'll be joining us from today, let me explain the process for you."

"Hai, Aoi-chan."

"You'll start over there." Aoi pointed towards the three futon bases lying on the tatami mats, "The girls will make your bodies flexible again after having been bed-ridden for so long." She then turned towards the tea table where Kanao was sitting, "Once you've completed it, you'll proceed for the reflex training. The cups on the table contain medicated water. The objective is to throw that water onto each other— but if your opponent blocks your cup before you can pick it up, you can't move that cup."

"Move!" I immediately pressed a hand against my lips, suppressing my laughter as I witnessed Tanjiro's rather comical face as Kanao drenched him in the medicated water again.

"Lastly, we'll do the full-body training. In simpler terms, you'll be playing tag against me and Kanao." Aoi concluded, finally turning towards me, "Do you have any questions, Miyasha-san?"

"Please go easy on little ol' me." I jokingly replied as I moved towards the futons, feeling a dread grow in my stomach as I imagined the pain I'll feel because of my lack of any kind of exercise or yoga.

"Damn, that felt so good!" I stretched out as I got up, grinning ear-to-ear as I bowed to Kanao and Aoi, thanking them for the wonderful workout, "You both have been one of the most amazing mentors! Thank you all for the wonderful training today!" I gave the five girls a close-eyed smile, feeling more refreshed than I ever did.

The recovery training was so damn easy and satisfying! Even though it had caused me some pain, it had helped me open up my joints properly and brought my confidence back in my abilities.

'Not to mention it wasn't as painful as I thought it would be.'

"Y-Your performance today was impeccable..." Aoi stared at me in awe and suspicion, her light blue eyes shining as she took my whole position in, "Are you sure your joints—?"

"Yes, I am, dearie." I replied off-handedly as I stretched my arms once again, "The flexibility training actually helped me a lot! I indeed am feeling sore all over— but it's the good kind of sore!" I reassured, noticing how the boys stared at me with disbelief written all over their faces.

Meanwhile the girls looked surprised but rather proud at my immense progress that occurred all in one day.

"How did you even..." Zenitsu looked the most conflicted out of the three, "You were just injured a few days ago— how could you even run that fast?!" He pointed aggressively at me, "Even your flexibility—!"

"Because I have the full control over my body." I vaguely relayed, watching Shinobu from the corner of my eyes, "I trained my body daily since I was a rather young child— giving me a good control over the functions and processes of my body, Itsu-kun." I turned towards them, patting them gently as I smiled serenely at their gloomy expressions, "All you need to do is practice... in the right direction."

"Eh?" Tanjiro frowned, "Right... direction?"

'Should I tell them?' I contemplated for a second before deciding, well, why not?

"Have you tried maintaining total concentration breath throughout the day and night?" I directly questioned, staring at their bemused faces, "You do know its function is more than just boosting your attack, don't you? It helps you get a hold over your breathing, which allows you to control the amount of oxygen you send towards your specific limbs— boosting your attack strength, speed and even healing at times."

"Hai, Miyasha-san is right!" Shinobu supported me as she noticed the three male slayers staring at me in disbelief, "You can even decrease the bleeding from your wound if you practice enough!"

"So, all we have to do is... practice the total concentrated breathing all the time?" Zenitsu asked sceptically.

"Hai." Shinobu smiled mischievously, "Even during your sleep!"

"Wait, how do we even do that?!"

"Practice." I non-chalantly replied as I slowly started leaving the room, "Practice makes a person perfect, my dear. All you need to do is grind."

"How long has it been since you've been doing this, Miyasha-san?" Shinobu asked me suddenly, her question sounding rather vague in its context.

"Since I was four." I answered, assuming she was asking about my overall training, "Shigeno-sensei taught me these since I was four." I shrugged, not knowing what else to say, "I did train with Toshi-senpai and Hiro-senpai over time, so my training was pretty advanced since the very beginning."

"Ah, Kinomiya-san did mention you were their junior." Shinobu replied as she followed me out to the hallway, the hallway covered with orange rays of the sun filtering through the windows, "Did you learn the snow breathing too, then?"

"Not... really." I turned my gaze away, "I was rather stubborn about not wanting to learn it."

"Eh? Why?"

"As I said before, back then... I was not exactly comfortable with... you know, killing." I took in a deep breath, "Anyway, do I have your approval over the completion of my recovery, Ha-shi-ra-sama~?" I sang out her title the same way she did with my name this morning, smiling at her hopefully as she nodded in answer.

"You did complete your rehabilitation training with a remarkable speed, Miyasha-san." she smiled softly as she said, "I have no reason stop you~" she replied in her usual sing song voice, before turning to ask me softly, "I hope you won't mind me asking, but... are you planning to learn the snow breathing now?"

"If I can help it, then no." I decided to answer honestly, "I do have a plan for my breathing technique dilemma though."

"That's great, Miyasha-san." Shinobu nodded, smiling as we reached the hospital ward of the estate, "If you need any help with training or medicine, we Hashiras will always be here to help." She kindly offered, smiling as I entered my room, "Kinomiya-san care about you a lot... so please don't shy away from them either."

"Thank you, Shinobu-san." I softly smiled at the older female, "I'll... remember that." I bow to her as she leaves, hiding my frowning expression as I mewled over her words.

'Why did she... tell me that?' I pondered as changed my clothes, 'Is she hoping to make me her tsugoku or something? Or did she say all this because she knows what I am gonna do next?'

I looked back at the now closed door, my expression creasing in a frown as I tried to deduce the motive behind her words. But honestly? I couldn't.

'After all, she was always one of the most complicated characters in the KNY universe.' I thought wryly, gathering in my fresh clothes and towels as I prepared to take a bath, 'Maybe I shouldn't think too much into it for now... She doesn't exactly has anything to hold against me, yet anyway.'

I shook my head, trying my best to clear away these useless thoughts— there was no use over thinking about them now... especially when I cannot actually do anything about it. For now, the best thing would be to shut up and prepare for the future, that's it.

And well, that's a bloody issue on its own too.

"Miya-nee, Miya-nee! The swordsmith has arrived to meet you!" The little twintail girl announced the next morning, gently tugging the sleeve of my haori just like her pigtailed cousin, "Let's go! Let's go—"

"Matte, matte, Sumi-chan!" I called out desperately, "Let me at least change my clothes, dear! I just came back from the training."

"Oh," she finally took notice of my sweaty and dishevelled self, immediately apologizing as I patted her and entered my room.

It was still very early in the morning— hardly seven, if my sense of time was remotely right — and I had just arrived from my self-training that I had started again since last night.

'It feels great to finally return to my old routine.' I thought absent-mindedly as I shed my soiled kimono, gently folding my dirty clothes into an orderly fashion so that I could give these to Aoi on my way out, 'The recovery training yesterday actually helped me a lot to get back into it though, if I were to be honest.'

Not to mention it sure helped in ruining any kind of doubt I had in my abilities for the while.

'It's good to know I can take a few days off and not have trouble getting back into yoga.' I smiled and shook my head, knowing damn well that if I did take such frequent breaks then I sure as hell won't be able to get back into them as easily as I did this time, 'Not to mention this was actually my first time in quite a while...'

"I'm ready, Sumi-chan~" I declared as I opened the door of my room, noticing the three cousins blinking at me eagerly, "Oh, ohayo Naho-chan, Kiyo-chan!"

"Ohayo, Nesan!" They chorused, smiling at me brightly as I patted them with one hand, "Give us your dirty clothes, we'll wash them!"

"Oh, you don—"

"It's our turn to do laundry today!" Kiyo proudly declared, "That's why we are here to collect any clothes due for washing!"

"Ah, okay then. Here you go." I handed the clothes to them, patting them again as I thanked them for their hardwork and wonderful help, "I'll see you later— keep up the good work!"

"You're very kind, Nesan!" Sumi complimented me, smiling brightly as I gently ruffled her hair.

"Not more than you dearies!" I chuckled along with her, enjoying our small talk as we made our way through the hallway.

'I wonder which swordsmith it would be...' I thought wryly, 'Knowing my luck, it'll be that Hotaru guy...'

And knowing my luck, I'll most likely get on his hit list pretty fast— faster than even Tanjiro maybe.

'That'll be a damn tiresome issue.' I scoffed internally, before entering the yard with Sumi guiding me ahead.

"Ohayo... Swordsmith-sama." I greeted the unknown figure in front of me, trying my best to remember if I knew him from the manga or if he was someone new, "I am Sarota Miyasha, at your service." I bowed low, showing my respect to the seemingly older man.

"Ohayo, Sarota-chan!" he brightly replied back, his pale orange hyottoko mask jiggling strangely as he nodded at me with... appreciation? "You've grown into a fine young woman, I see!"

"E-Eh?"

"I am Hassaku Haru," he introduced himself, "I am the man who forged your fans, Sarota-chan!" He declared proudly, "The former snow pillar Koji, your teacher, had sent me a letter years ago— requesting me to make a pair of nichirin fans for you along with a pair of holsters that you could strap onto your limbs. I really hope you were satisfied with your blades?"

'He's so... cheery?' I thought with a sweatdrop as he looked eagerly at me like a young child, 'He's better than Tanjiro's crazy swordsmith, though—'

"They are very smooth and easy to use, Hassaku-san." I smiled at him kindly, "Thank you so much for forging them for me." I bowed again.

"Don't fret about it, my child! It was a very interesting challenge for me, I must say." He waved his hands in a casually dismissive way, "Also, do you have your fans on you right now? I'll like to see how they are holding up."

"I do, actually." I slowly removed my haori and showed him the fans in the holster attached on my biceps, "I hope you won't mind if I remo—"

"Oh my, the holsters are in such poor conditions!" He wailed, immediately caressing the holsters as soon as I removed and handed them to him, "They need to be polished and renewed! Although your fans are in a much better condition— even after six years!"

"It has been that long, eh?" I wondered out loud without realizing it.

"It is." Haru replied back, "You have maintained the fans well but have neglected the holsters, child! The holsters are a very important part of your weapon too!"

"I... understand. Please forgive my negligence." I apologized sincerely, "I really didn't... take much notice of them, sorry."

"It's alright for the first time, I guess." He said after a beat of silence, still staring at the slightly rusted but quite a bit dirty holsters, "Regardless of the holsters, your fans are in a brilliant condition— a chip here and there but nothing not salvageable." His pale orange hyottoko mask turning to me, "So, do you want me to make a new pair or salvage your old fans into a new pair; one more in-tune with your... ability?"

"I... think it'll be better if you, um, salvage my fans into a better one, if it isn't too much trouble...?" I answered unsurely, "I have developed a... sentimental attachment to this one. I really hope you won't mind?"

"Of course I won't, child." He chuckled as he replied, "I'm really happy to see you liked your fans. I'll take your old ones and upgrade them into a new pair!"

"Thank you so much, Hassaku-san!" I brightly smiled at the older man, "And um, are you the one who'll be forging my swords too?"

"Ah, the chief will be handling your swords, child." Haru replied, "I'm here on his behalf to ask you for your preferences about it, actually. Do you want them to be forged just as Kocho-san's?"

"Actually... I had some different idea about it, if you won't mind listening?"

I chuckled to myself as I waited in the Demon Slayer Headquarters, the excitement of my new weapons keeping me from sitting at one place.

'I'm feeling like a little kid again.' I thought amusingly as I tried to suppress my smile, but honestly how could I not? Even Haru-san liked the idea I had pitched in!

Not to mention that they'll be much easier to use along with my blood and their design will be so—

"Sarota-san?" I immediately turned on my heels, the sudden change in momentum causing me to almost fall flat on my face if not for the pair of hands that caught me just at the right moment, "Sarota-san! Are you alright?"

"Y-Yes, Hashira-sama!" I stuttered out in embarrassment, turning my face up slightly to see worried red-gold eyes looking down into mine.

'Central heterochromia...' I thought absent-mindedly as Rengoku helped me stand up straight, his expression open and bold as ever.

"Thank you, Hashira-sama—"

"Call me by my given name, Sarota-san!" Rengoku loudly declared, his almond-shaped eyes gleaming down at me, "No need to be so formal!"

"Hai, Rengoku-san." I smiled, noticing — for the first time — how tall he actually was.

'Well... anyone would seem short if they stand beside someone like Uzui or Himejima all day.' I thought wryly before Rengoku called for my attention.

"Are you here to see Oyakata-sama, too?" He asked directly.

"Hai." I nodded slightly, "I was actually here to ask his permission for my mission on gathering information about Muzan."

"Already?" He blinked at me in disbelief, "Are you sure you're fully recovered, Sarota-san?"

"Hai, Rengoku-san, I assure you." I smiled reassuringly, "I have even completed the recovery training Shinobu-san had to offer!"

"That's great!" He praised loudly, "Good work, Sarota!"

I chuckled at his bright nature, feeling my awkwardness slowly slip away, "Are you here to report for your mission?"

"Hai!" He brightly answered, "Many of the lower rank slayers are going missing recently and I'm thinking to go and see for myself."

'Is it... the infinity train one?'
But wasn't that supposed to be like, a month or two after the meeting?!

"Do you think these disappearances are caused due to a... Demon Moon?" I cautiously asked.

"Maybe." He simply replied.

"I wish you luck on it then, Rengoku-san. Please return safely."

"I will, Sarota-san." He gave me a close-eyed smile; "Say, Sarota-san— are you Kinomiya's tsuguko?"

"Eh? No...?" I frowned. What made him think that?

"Ah," he nodded to himself before turning over to me, "You see Sarota-san, we Hashiras normally handle the most difficult missions; with every such mission, our chances of survival diminishes bit by bit." He explained kindly, his red-gold eyes staring into my bluish-violet ones, "This is why we Hashiras train our tsuguko to take our place once we do not return. For the while, I do not have any tsuguko— that is why I wanted to know... are you interested to be mine?"

"I-I..." I gulped, not knowing how to answer him properly, "I'm sorry, Rengoku-san... but I would rather avoid being one... for now. Please forgive me."

"Ah, it's okay! I completely understand!" Rengoku smiled brightly, his expression depicting nothing but kindness and acceptance, "I understand why you would hesitate— however, if you ever need a training partner or a teacher, I'll always be here to help! Never hesitate to come train with me!"

"Thank you so much, Rengoku-san..." I genuinely thanked him, feeling a strange guilt bloom in my chest, "You're too kind, good sir."

He laughed loudly at my compliment, his expression turning even brighter than before as he thanked me for it.

But that wasn't what was troubling me.

"Say, Sarota-san," Rengoku called me, his tone strangely serious as he looked right into my eyes, "Do you... really think demons can be good, too?"

"Not all, of course." I stated factually, "I mean, demons were once human too, were they not? The only difference between us and them, is that we remember our past and retain our humanity while most of them... were robbed of that by Muzan."

"That's an interesting way of seeing it, Sarota-san." Rengoku finally replied, looking up at the clear sky above us, "Did you... discuss these views with Kocho in last few days?"

"Not really..." I replied honestly, feeling a strange knot forming at the pit of my lower stomach, "You are the first one who asked me about this since the Hashira meeting, Rengoku-san."

"Hm," he hummed, smiling brightly again as he turned back to me, "I see! Don't worry, I respect your views and even find it very interesting! What you say is not wrong, but a rather harsh truth that many of us never considered— it'll be difficult for many if they start thinking the demons as former humans, after all."

"True..." I wryly smiled, "But in the end, one cannot deny that humans have more potential for cruelty than demons ever will."

I averted my gaze, looking at the garden behind us; I could still feel his gaze on me, demanding me to explain further. But honestly? I was not interested in doing so.

"Sarota-san..." Rengoku softly called me name, making me feel even more guilty as I turned to him, "I know we are not as close you and Kinomiya; however, if you ever need anyone to keep your minds off of things or maybe even talk about things, I will be here."

"W-What?" I looked at him strangely, my heart feeling even more constricted as he looked at me with the kindest expression I'd ever seen on anybody.

"I don't know what happened in your past to make you hate humans," he smiled reassuringly at me, "But I assure you— none of us Hashiras or demon slayers are like that!"

'Do they... think I was abused?' I wondered bemusingly as I slowly nodded to him, thanking him for his kindness, 'Is... Is this the reason why he and Shinobu are being so kind to me? Was this why Shinobu said all that to me yesterday?'

'I... I honestly don't deserve this kindness.' My heart sank even further as he laughed my comment off, 'If they knew that I have knowledge about the future, would they still show me the same kindness?'

"Ume! Oyakata-sama is here!" He loudly declared, the smile evident even in his voice.

'Do I...' I bowed alongside Rengoku as Oyakata-sama sat down at the porch in front of us, '...Really have the right to change the future? Or the power to even... save you?'

Or was it better to not be involved at all?

Guess whose back from the dead?! Me of course!

I finally got outta my creative burn-out phase and wrote this chapter outta my (lazy) ass! Unfortunately, it kinda turned out longer than expected (oops?)

Hopefully y'all will like it!

》Taishou Secret《
Hitoshi and Hiroshi are actually quite a bit friendly with the Hashiras! Since they are ones of the oldest and most active demon slayers around, they went in on quite a number of missions with almost all the Hashiras! They have even talked a lot about Miyasha and Shigeno during their free time with the other slayers (and Hashiras).

And now onto our review replies!

Natonatonii: Shiori is about the size of both of Miyasha's palms! She's still a growing owl, after all! Her more detailed description will be in the next chapter, so don't worry about it! And about the attention competing part— trust me when I say there will be a lot more competition than those two by the end of this fanfic xD So stay tuned for them! And maybe the triple trio will notice it? Maybe not? Who knows! It'll highly depend on the situation though. Also, I love your questions! Keep 'em coming! They keep me on my toes and help me a lot to understand what you guys are expecting from this fic!

JTFrost: Aw, thank you so much! I'm really glad you're enjoying this fanfic! I really hope you like this chapter too!

Guest 1: I'm glad you are enjoying the Taishou secrets xD And yes, maybe? Who knows, hehe.

Guest 2: Yep! Miyasha's backstory is low-key inspired by the ANY fanfic "After Dusk"! I've been following it since its first chapter was published and kind of started writing this fanfic just after they had updated it back then once, lol. Good one at noticing that!

And that's all for this chapter, folks! Thank you so much for your reviews! I hope you all enjoyed this chapter as well!

Please review if you want to— I love reading from you guys, and honestly, it motivates me like no other :D

Stay safe and stay healthy!