KIMETSU NO YAIBA: The Blossom Pillar🌹 | Tomioka Giyū x OC

二十四

23 - endless, countless suffering

"Even then, she blamed herself, even though it was my fault."

"I... didn't know about that hand demon... I just stayed far from the others, thinking that it was the best strategy. I'm sorry, even though I should be able to help..." The girl couldn't help but blamed herself between her sobs as the boy in front of her calmed down a little, yet still in denial.

"After that day, we started our life as demon hunters. At first, we went our separate ways, with me went back to Urokodaki-san's place, while she went back here, the Sakurajima household. I thought that it was best if I don't involve myself with her anymore. No—"

Tanjirō noticed the sudden stop on his superior's voice.

"I think it's best if I don't get involved with anyone anymore."

Is that why he distanced himself with the others? No... I feel like there's another reason.

"Then, I don't know if life is toying with me or not. A pillar took some interest with me, and he made me his tsuguko. And, a year after that day, when that pillar was supposed to meet with other pillars, there was when we met again, with her already trained as a tsuguko since her first year. It was as if... it told me, that my punishment isn't over. That I will always meet her over and over again, until one day that punishment befall one of us. I always try to get rid of this pointless feelings away. But—"

"But?"

The Water Pillar closed his eyes, while his face facing upwards.

"I can't help, but falling in love with her again and again."

He stopped talking there, eyes still closed, as if remembering all of those painful memories.

Tanjirō stared at him, his heart felt a pinch of pain.

Even though they only have each other, why...

Hell, they have the same feelings to each other.

They're so close... Yet there's this big wall between them...

He felt the pillar beside him moved a little, standing up, snapping him out of his thoughts. "Giyū-san?" He looked up, only to be met with wide back of his superior.

"Two years after that, both of us became pillars. And I believe you know what happened two years after that?"

Ah, the moon stone incident.

The younger demon hunter nodded slowly, understanding what he meant.

Giving him a last glance, he started to walk off, leaving him.

"Wait, Giyū-san!"

"...Don't concern yourself with me anymore, if you don't want anything happen to you. And—"

Suddenly, he stopped his steps. "Please take care of her."

Just a small message, no, more like a request. He proceeded to walk again, completely leaving his junior.

Worry plastered his face, as that dependable back disappeared.

"I will..."

Tanjirō went to back to his thoughts, completely confused.

What should I do?

His expression fell, struggling with his mind. Can I even do something?