(cre: Kimetsu no yaiba chap 136 \ Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww look at that both cutest smile ever:))

Tanjiro: Giyuu-san, you are handsome and friendly when you are smiling, you should do it more! :>

Giyu: Why?

Tanjiro: It can bring people closer!

Giyuu: Ok. *Try hard to smile* [So make friends isn't that hard huh...]

Tanjiro: Ah uhm, I think it's a bit too much, Giyuu-san...

-After a while-

Giyuu: Hey Tanjiro, let's hang out together.

Tanjiro: Yay, hanging out!

They began to stroll along the path leading into a street. The clouds had started to drape it in a warm amber hue. They saw a leisurely pace of life in the evening sky before entering a forest.

Tanjiro: Wow, you're really in a good mood today, Giyuu-san.

Giyuu: Hehe, thank to you.

Tanjiro: It's the end of the street, shall we go back?

Giyuu: No, we're going to visit someone.

Tanjiro: Someone? Are we going to meet Udorasaki-sensei?

Giyuu: We'll visit teacher another time, Tanjiro.

Tanjiro: Ehh, I'm excited to see who we will meet! This will be a great day!

They entered a towering pine forest near the Master's estate. Looking up, the sky had shifted to a grayish-blue, suggesting dusk was arriving quickly today. Tanjiro gradually realized that the edge of the forest was a familiar place.

Tanjiro: Are we going to the Butterfly Mansion?

Giyuu: Well... I think... I should say something. For everything she has done for me, I want to say thank you to her.

Tanjiro: You mean Shinobu-san?

Giyuu: Yeah....*His face returned to its solemn expression from before*

Tanjiro: Well, I want to thank her too. Shinobu-san helped us a lot when we were here.

Giyuu: *Showing a sad smile*

Tanjiro: Zenitsu, Inosuke and I had learned total concentration skill there. And...and...and...

Giyuu didn't say anything more. From now he can't hear anything Tanjiro's saying, because inside him, memories're flooding back, one after another. Then, a small lovely voice appears around, "Hey, Tomioka-san, don't you think it would be nice if we could get along? Hey hey hey."

(Cre: Kny official handbook)

He immediately looks back, somewhat he hadn't done in that old time.

Tanjiro: What's wrong, Giyuu-san?

There was no one behind them.

Giyuu: Nothing...

He couldn't grasp the reason why warm memories unexpectedly surfaced, bringing forth vivid reminders of the tragic day when he lost both his beloved sister and his dearest friend forever. It was a moment that left an indelible mark on his heart.

Sister Tsutako, his childhood companion Sabito, the wise teacher Urodaki, the gentle Kanae, the fierce yet caring Shizugawa, the passionate Kyojuro, the steadfast Kamado brothers, and the determined Shinobu—each of these important figures had played a crucial role in his life. They had helped him, welcomed him into their lives, taught him valuable lessons, and, in some cases, made significant sacrifices on his behalf. 

Even though he had never truly faced life in complete isolation, lingering regrets from the past hung over him like a dark cloud, making him hesitant and uncertain when it came to forging new friendships and connections with others.

Tanjiro was slowly breaking down the walls of solitude he had built around himself, but who was it that was slowly yet steadily chipping away at those formidable barriers? Who was the one that dared to speak softly and compassionately to someone as melancholic and pessimistic as he often felt? Who had the courage to acknowledge the profound hatred he battled within himself while simultaneously reaching out in an earnest attempt to connect with him on a deeper level?

He longed for the sound of her sweet, soothing voice; her deep purple eyes seemed to pierce straight through to his very soul, leaving him feeling both exposed and understood. The playful pokes and lighthearted teasing she often directed at him lingered in his mind, leaving a warmth that contrasted sharply against the coldness of his sorrowful memories.

More than anything, he desired to be her friend, to share laughter and moments of joy together—or perhaps, he dared to wish for something even more profound than friendship, an unspoken bond that transcended the ordinary.

Realizing he couldn't let this chance slip away, Giyuu began to quicken his pace, but no matter how fast he ran, the cold wheels of destiny kept turning away from him.

✤❖✤

"Emercengy summons! An attack on Ubuyasiki Mansion! An attack on Ubuyasiki Mansion!" 

Tanjiro: Master Ubuyasiki...!

Giyuu: Run as your best!

Tanjiro: Yes! [Gotta get there in time!]

His mind was now filled with turmoil. The master is in danger, which meant the demons had begun their full-scale attack. The bright prospects he had envisioned for the future slowly, slowly sank into darkness. 

A loud explosion rang out, shattering the gray silent night.

(cre: Kimetsu no Yaiba chap 138)

Rushing past the heavy scent of burning grass and blood, now before him stood his comrades. All of them were aiming their swords at the demon lord Muzan. That tiny, fleeting silhouette had passed right just before they were led into the Endless Abyss. It was the only moment he realized this might be the last time he could ever, to see her figure again.

Giyu's heart tightened as he caught sight of Shinobu among the gathered Hashira. The chaos around them seemed to fade, the sounds of clashing blades and roaring demons becoming distant echoes. His mind raced back to their countless encounters, her sharp wit and unwavering resolve always challenging his stoic demeanor. There was so much he wanted to say, words that had been left unspoken, buried beneath layers of duty and pride.

His thoughts were a whirlwind of regret and desperation. If this truly was the end, would she ever know the depth of his respect and the quiet admiration he held for her? Would she understand the sorrow that tugged at his heart every time he saw her pushing herself beyond her limits? Giyu clenched his sword tighter, the cold metal grounding him in the present moment. He couldn't afford to be distracted, not now, not when the fate of everyone hung in the balance.

Shinobu, on the other hand, felt a surge of determination as she locked eyes with Giyu from across the battlefield. There was a fleeting sadness in his gaze that she had rarely seen, a vulnerability that spoke volumes. She had always known there was more to him than the stoic facade he wore like armor. Despite their frequent disagreements, she valued his silent strength and unwavering commitment to their cause.

Her thoughts briefly wandered to their shared moments, the times when his quiet presence had been a source of comfort. She had often wondered if there was a deeper connection between them, something beyond the camaraderie of fellow warriors. But now, with the threat of annihilation looming over them, those musings seemed trivial. What mattered was the fight before them, the lives they had sworn to protect.

Shinobu took a deep breath, steeling herself for the battle ahead. She hoped, perhaps foolishly, that they would both survive this encounter. There were things she wanted to tell him, truths she had kept hidden behind her playful smiles and teasing remarks. But those would have to wait. For now, they were soldiers in a war that demanded everything they had.

As the Hashira closed ranks and prepared to launch their assault on Muzan, both Giyu and Shinobu found a strange solace in each other's presence. Despite the uncertainty of what lay ahead, there was a silent promise between them—a vow to fight with everything they had, not just for the world they sought to save, but for the chance to one day speak the words that had remained unspoken for too long.

In the chaos of the battlefield, Giyu's gaze locked with Shinobu's. He felt a pang of regret for the words he had never said, the feelings he had kept hidden behind his stoic facade. As he turned to face the enemy, he whispered softly, barely audible over the clamor, "See you later, Shinobu!"

-End-