Demon Slayer: Like Shards of Glass (Giyu Tomioka x OC)

5

It doesn't take too long for you to arrive at the Butterfly Mansion. Shinobu must have announced your residence at the estate already, since Aoi is already waiting for you at the front entrance with the trio of small girls who are known to follow her around. She's the one who treated your wounds the last time you had stayed at the mansion, about six months ago, so you remember her quite well.

"You must be Hikaru-san," Aoi greets you with a respectful bow, deeper and longer in duration than any you've received before. "I would like to congratulate you on becoming the tenth Hashira! I heard from Shinobu-sama that you'll be staying here for a while. I'll show you to the room we've prepared."

You refrain from replying for a moment, remembering Aoi's personality and actions from six months ago. She had been headstrong, hot-tempered, and definitely less polite when you had tried to wrap your bandages yourself. Your skin prickles at the change you see now. It feels weird, in simple terms, and you would be lying if you said you weren't bothered by the formalities involved with holding your new title. You're taken aback, but you will your face to remain expressionless. You had better get used to it, since you're a Hashira now.

"This way," Aoi chirps, leading you into the building while you follow along behind her. Glancing around at the interior of the mansion, you see that not much has changed since the last time you had visited. If you had to name a difference, however, the hallways have fewer decorations- the occasional painting(mostly of butterflies) hangs on the walls, but other than that, the mansion seems almost too bare. You could have sworn that there used to be more lavish furniture and butterfly decorations around, but they're all gone now.

It seems that Kocho Kanae's absence shows even in these subtle ways.

"...this is the one of the training rooms," Aoi is saying as you tune back in from your thoughts. "Shinobu-sama has already given you permission to use any of the facilities here anytime! And these rooms over here are all part of the main clinic- it's where we house the injured demon slayers. The washrooms are this way..."

Aoi keeps talking, and you don't dare interrupt her because of how enthusiastically she is giving you the tour, even though you already know most of these things. Eventually, you arrive at your room on the second floor of the mansion. "This is your room,"Aoi briefs you, opening the door to reveal a room of considerable size. "We decided on this one because it's on the same floor as Shinobu-sama's. You can reach her room easily from here if the need arises."

"Thank you, Aoi-san. It's... a nice room," you murmur, stepping inside and walking over to the bed in the middle of the room and running your fingertips over the smooth blanket. How long has it been since you've rested in a proper room? Moreover, it's bigger than any room you've ever stayed in. I should thank Shinobu, too.

"I'm glad you like it, Hikaru-san." Aoi gives you a nod, starting to close the door shut from the outside. "I need to go now, but if you need something you can always find Sumi, Kiyo, or Naho. There should be some Kakushi around as well."

You shake your head. "I'll be fine by myself."

"Alright. Then I'll take my leave." The door slides shut with a soft clack, and silence fills the air as you're left alone again.

You sink onto the bed, relishing the feeling of comfort that comes from the action. Eyes closed, you lie there, reviewing the events that had taken place earlier that day. I can't believe I'm a Hashira now. The Light Hashira. I'll need to work harder if I want to live up to the title.

As if on cue, you hear the flutter of feathers by the window, soon accompanied by a rather noisy caw. "Your next mission has been decided! Go kill the demon in the village by the mountain in the north! Children have been disappearing. Hurry, hurry!"