Every Beat || Tankana

IV

CHAPTER 4 : Facing Realities

Two months have past since that night. Tanjirou had been so out of focus. It was like a sin thinking about Kanao, and the same time painful. Everytime, he'd be reminded of that peaceful life he'll never attain.

So he spent the past couple of months recovering. He told himself that his mission was to turn Nezuko back to human and defeat Muzan. It helped fortunately. But he also spent a lot of time to himself, just reminiscing the embarrassment, the frustration, the guilt he felt that night.

He got lousy missions after missions. He received injuries he could've avoided if he just focused. But it proved to be hard. One time, he was partnered with Genya for a mission; he got yelled at for his unattentiveness and was called an idiot for getting a deep cut on his shoulder.

He didn't like it of course.  How was he suppose to be a Hashira if his mind was elsewhere. Giyuu gave him the spot because he believed in him. When he became a Hashira not too long ago, he prepared himself for that inevitable responsibilities that came with it. It wasn't much of a surprise that the task is harder than when he was just starting out. What surprised him is his growing doubt in himself.

Was he really the Hashira Giyuu believed he'd be? He was sure that he was dissapointing the previous Water Pillar.

Kanao... You're a much better Hashira than I am. He thought.

She was so selfless and brave. The way she said that she was willing to give up a normal life to save the helpless. Yet here he was, thinking about a normal life for himself. He was so selfish, and she's so heroic and kind. She was more than fit to be a Pillar.

How can I be like you? He asked so many times.

That night, as he lied in bed, he concluded that he needed to do something about his issue. And quick.

The next day, they were called for a Hashira meeting. It was to report about their missions after the previous meeting, and a movement about training slayers who have potential to be a Hashira.

The whole time Ubuyashiki-sama talked and listened to what they had to say, Tanjirou kept glancing down Kanao's way. When she stood up to suggest an idea, he listened in awe. She spoke with so much passion. He remembered when she still needed her coin to talk, but now she has so much confidence in herself.

"I believe that it's good to monitor all the members so that we can avoid the rise of the death rate in our slayers and so that we can make sure that everyone is progressing. Master." she bowed politely.

Ubuyashiki smiled weakly and nodded. "That's a very good suggestion, Kanao. You are very kind for thinking about everyone's well-being." he said. "Although I am not sure if we'll have success with that. There are only eight of you Hashiras, and there are over a hundred slayers. Monitoring them will be hard considering that all of you have your own set of responsibilities." he explained.

"If I may, Master, Kanao-san has a point." Genya interjected. Everyone looked at him. "We have to monitor our slayers so that we can make sure that the quality of the fighters don't go down once again. May I suggest, for example, partnering a rank Kanoe with a rank Hinoto so that even if we can't monitor all the slayers, a more experienced slayer can accompany the ones who are just starting out." Genya concluded.

Ubuyashiki smiled once again. Tanjirou was so amazed by their leader. He can barely use his arms and legs and need his daughters and a wheelchair's assistance, yet he still thrives to lead the demon slaying corp.