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Hayami woke up at the crack of dawn, she was used to waking up early as she had tasks to do early in the morning. But today, she woke up early because Gyomei wanted her to join him on a morning stroll. The girl did not mind at the slightest as she found joy whenever she conversed with the stone hashira.
The girl quickly folded her futon before cleaning the room and herself up. Once finished, she unclipped her haori from where it hung ━ as she had hung it up to dry the night before after washing. She frantically slipped on the haori prior to slipping her sandals on before exiting her room to meet with Gyomei. Hayami greeted Kanae and Shinobu, whom she passed by down the hallways of the butterfly estate as she was on her way towards the gate.
Pulling the handles with her dainty hands, Hayami slipped past the large doors ━ only to see the gentle giant, right on time. As always, it was like he could hear every crinkle around him, Gyomei turned his head down to face Hayami. It still amazes her how sharp his ears were.
"Good morning Gyomei-san" Hayami spoke softly, despite being quite out of breath.
"Good morning to you too Hayami, are you doing well?" Gyomei replied as the two started their stroll.
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"You know Gyomei-san, I really admire you," Hayami spoke up from his side.
The giant looked down at the girl beside him, even though he lacked sight, he wished he could see the girl he cared for, ever so dearly. When it comes to Kanae and Shinobu, Gyomei knew that they had each other. But Hayami? She had no one, well at least till now.
"Why is that Hayami?" He questioned as he turned his head back to what he sensed was the path before him.
"Well, you save many lives. Kanae's, Shinobu's, and mine. Even though I know that sometimes saving everyone is impossible" Hayami stated, combining Kanae's ideals with her own.
Gyomei smiled to himself at her words. The way she spoke of him as if he was an important hero figure was enough to flatter anyone. Yet he knows deep down he is not at all what Hayami thinks he is. There was a point in life when he really was not able to save everyone.
"Before joining the demon slayer corps, I lived in a temple in the mountains." He started. Hayami, who was admiring the small gleam of light from the sunrise across the horizon, turned her head to look up at the giant beside her ━ giving him her undivided attention.
"I lived with many orphans. Despite the lack of eyesight, I was able to take care of them, and vice versa despite them being too young." He continued.
Hayami has come to an understanding as to why Gyomei was able to sharpen his hearing and sense despite his eyesight. Living with many orphans meant he had to practice taking care of them without the ability to see.
