“This is the headquarters? It feels pretty ordinary...” Hiru followed behind Hijima, looking around. “But why did we all have to be carried here? And why did they have to switch so many people along the way...”
“Because Muzan Kibutsuji is constantly searching for us,” Hijima replied, hands pressed together as he walked with even, steady steps. “To ensure the Demon Slayer Corps continues to function and to safeguard Oyakata-sama, only Hashira-level Swordsn may know the way and arrive directly. Everyone else must be guided by the Kakushi.”
“Sounds like a real hassle... But if only Hashira knows the way, then how do you know it, Hijima?”
“Amida-butsu... I was saved by the Lord and brought back to the Demon Slayer Corps. With nowhere else to go, I settled nearby.”
Hiru was about to speak again when a young voice called out.
“Oh my! Is that you, Mr. Hijima?”
Hiru looked toward the sound. A little girl, no more than ten years old, ca running excitedly with a bundle in her arms. Her black hair was tied with a mint-green butterfly ornant edged in deep purple. Her bright violet eyes sparkled as she stared up at Hijima with pure admiration. “It really is Mr. Hijima!”
“Is that little Shinobu?” Hijima turned precisely in her direction, a faint smile softening his face. “It has been a while.”
“Mm! Too bad my sister didn’t co this ti!” Shinobu’s smile blossod. “She would’ve been so happy to see Mr. Hijima too!”
“What brings you here, Shinobu?”
“I’m delivering dicine to Oyakata-sama!” she said, lifting the bundle proudly. “I ca with the pharmacist! I’m learning how to make dicine!”
“I see. You’re quite capable.” Hijima bent down and patted her head. “Keep working hard.”
“Mm! Then I won’t keep Mr. Hijima any longer!” Shinobu bead. “I need to hurry and deliver this!”
“Alright, go on.”
As the girl bowed and ran off, Hiru glanced at Hijima. “So, Hijima, that child is...?”
“One of the two children I rescued not long after joining the Demon Slayer Corps. Their parents were killed by demons.” Hijima murmured a Buddhist chant. “Had I arrived just a little sooner, perhaps their parents wouldn’t have died.”
“But if you hadn’t gone, wouldn’t both children have died too?”
“That is not the point... I am a Swordsman tasked with slaying demons. Failing to save their parents was my failure...”
“You and my brother are so alike it leaves speechless...” Hiru sighed. “Do overly kind people just love shouldering every bit of bla?”
“Amida-butsu... I am only stating the truth.” Tears slipped from Hijima’s pale eyes again. “I had the power to save them, yet arrived monts too late. That is my sin.”
Hiru: =-=
This is exhausting.
Having lived in seclusion with Yoriichi for centuries—and having spent just as long trying to talk sense into him—Hiru knew far too well how stubborn people like this could be.
The clearest example was when he first beca a demon and t Yoriichi again. Yoriichi blad everything on himself—his slow reactions leading to the clan’s demise, his own incompetence turning his younger brother into a demon, and finally, his selfishness for failing to kill the demon before him. He even felt his wavering resolve made him too shaful to remain in this world.
Yoriichi constantly denied his own existence. Even now, just rembering it made Hiru’s blood pressure spike.
People say kindness is built upon strength, but to Hiru, all he saw were powerful individuals shackled by their own excessive compassion, drowning in guilt again and again.
Hiru sighed inwardly. “Before you start blaming yourself, why not accept the gratitude of the ones who survived?
“That child—Shinobu, wasn’t it? She clearly likes you and appreciates you.
“She’s grateful you arrived when you did. She knows who her real enemies are. By being warm and cheerful toward you, isn’t she trying to keep you from feeling burdened on her behalf?
“Hijima, don’t betray that kindness.”
Hijima froze. After a mont of silence, he murmured another Buddhist chant. “It is not that I wish to betray their goodwill... I simply feel those two children ought to harbor so resentnt toward ...”
“If they resent you instead of thanking you, that makes things easier.” Hiru spread his hands. “If soone blas you for failing to save their family, just send them to reunite with their family. Ungrateful people aren’t worth caring about.
“The Buddha will listen to their complaints. All you need to do, Hijima, is send them all to et the Buddha.”
Hijima: ...Sothing seems wrong here, but I can’t figure out what.
Finally, Hijima could only smile and shake his head. “You’re truly carefree, Hiru... I still cannot be as clear-hearted as you, but I will continue training so I can save more people.”
Hiru: ...That’s not what I ant at all!
For a mont, Hiru felt as if he were looking at Yoriichi’s shadow in Hijima.
“...Well, if you’re happy, that’s fine.” Feeling drained, Hiru let his attention wander, searching for sothing interesting. His eyes brightened the instant he spotted a figure being carried ahead by a Kakushi. “Brother!”
Hijima paused. “Hiru’s brother is here as well?”
“Mm!” Hiru watched as the Kakushi, after assessing them, gently set Yoriichi down. Tugging Hijima along, Hiru said, “Co on, I’ll introduce you. The two of you will definitely get along!”
Yoriichi thanked the Kakushi who had carried him all this way, then looked toward Hiru pulling Hijima over. A gentle smile ward his expression. “It seems you’ve made a good friend, Hiru?”
“I think so. His na is Hijima Gyoi, the future Stone Hashira! His weapon looks incredibly powerful.” Hiru turned to Hijima. “Hijima, this is my brother, Yoriichi. Calling him the strongest swordsman isn’t an exaggeration.”
“Hello, I am Hijima Gyoi.” Unable to sense Yoriichi’s presence, Hijima nodded toward the source of his voice. “Hiru often speaks of you.”
“Hello, I’m Yoriichi.” Observing Hijima’s pale eyes and the unfocused gaze that passed above his head, Yoriichi understood and loosened his suppressed aura just slightly. “Thank you for looking after my brother.”
“No, Hiru is also a formidable swordsman. In fact, this operation succeeded because he held off the other demons, allowing to slay the Twelve Kizuki more easily.” This ti, Hijima turned accurately toward Yoriichi, wonder on his face. “You truly are a powerful swordsman. I didn’t sense your presence at all.”
“I often suppress my aura to avoid alerting demons. I’m too used to it by now. I hope it didn’t inconvenience you.”
“No, I should be the one thanking you for your consideration, Mr. Yoriichi...”
“Mr. Hijima, you don’t need to use honorifics with . I’m nothing special.”
“Then please don’t use honorifics with either,” Hijima said with a smile. “I fall far below your level. How could I allow soone so far above to speak to with honorifics? It would be too disrespectful.”
“This... very well.” Yoriichi reached out and ruffled Hiru’s hair gently, smiling. “Then I look forward to your guidance, Hijima.”
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