KNY Journeys: Befriending the stoic Tomioka Giyuu

1: Shinobu

Kanae: Come back anytime when you're injured or just want to visit, Tomioka-san!

Giyuu didn't mouth an answer but at most, gave the woman a nod. That was enough to reassure Kanae. She cared about her fellow pillars after all, even Giyuu whom she barely speaks to. A few seconds after the depressed Water Hashira left the mansion, the short younger sister of the Flower Hashira, Kanae, stepped foot in the room.

Kanae: *sighs*

?: Nee-san, why are you sighing?

Kanae: Ara, Shinobu. Are you done studying in the library yet? You know, there are more interesting things than just only staying inside, cooped up studying, you know?

Shinobu: You're avoiding my question, Nee-san.

Kanae smiled at the thought of her younger sister worrying about her.

Kanae: Well, I just wish that Tomioka-san would interact more. He even distances from us every time. It's making me worry as my imuoto also barely interacts with people too.

A small vein popped on Shinobu's face. Shinobu always talks to people every time she's out in the market, buying ingredients. Shinobu sighed at her elder sister like that's not enough. That aside, Shinobu seems to be uninterested of the person her sister was talking about and practiced with her sword instead but was interested enough to tell her elder sister what she thought of.

Shinobu: If he keeps that up then he'll eventually die without anyone coming to his funeral.

Kanae: I'm afraid so. . .

Kanae was saddened at the thought of Giyuu being alone and wanted to help him open up more. A light bulb eventually appeared on top of her head. Kanae turned to her little sister, who was practicing her sword, with a bright smile on her face. Shinobu shivered as she felt a cheery, happy air coming from behind her. As she turned around, she saw Kanae with the most brightest smile accompanied with fluttering eyes, indicating she has another bright yet dumb idea. Shinobu was disgusted at the face her sister was making but still bothered to hear her out.

Shinobu: What now?!

Kanae: Shinobu, how about you try talking to Tomioka-san?

Shinobu stiffened at the thought while making an opened frown and eyebrows furrowed.

Shinobu: You talk to him! You're of the same age after all.

Kanae: Greeting him is my limit. I've tried doing so yet I'm always left with no response. I figured Shinobu would be able to break that. Shinobu is rather persistent after all~

Another vein popped on Shinobu's head but even if she wanted to deny it, Kanae nee-san was right. Shinobu believed she got it from her dad.

Shinobu: If you couldn't even do it then there's no point trying. Just leave that man to die alone. It will only be a waste of time and it's not like we can force people to talk, right, sister?

Kanae: Oh, please, Shinobu, won't you help me out, dear sister?~

Shinobu clenched her fists as she knows she couldn't win. She crossed her hands and sighly agreed to her nee-san's request.

Kanae: Really?!

Shinobu: . . .yes.

Kanae squealed in delight, jumping off to give her little sister a hug. Shinobu would always ran away to avoid her sister when she does this but now only stayed still as her elder sister won't give up until she successfully hugged her.