A Slow Recovery - Sanegiyuu

30 - Reconciliation

3rd person pov:

The elder kept silent, he didn't know how to respond to the brunet. He stared at the ground, thinking of the right words to say in the current situation.

"He's your favourite student right?" The ravenette whispered.

"What?" Urokodaki asked, his eyes were knitted together and pain was filled in his voice. He looked up, staring at the crying ravenette.

"I know he's your favourite student teacher, I know you like him more than me, that's why you treated me like this.." giyuu croaked out. He clenched his fist, all he wanted was to be loved but he never received the attention he craved for when he was younger.

"I.. I never thought of sabito as my favourite student"

"Lies"

The elder placed an arm on the brunet's shoulder, his eyes were filled with sincerity and sorrow.

"Tomioka, sabito was never my favourite student, I never had a favourite student"

Giyuu kept silent. He was trying to comprehend his teacher's words.

"I always loved the both of you, tomioka. You two were like my children, I never loved one more than the other because you two were different"

"Then..why did you say sabito was more suited for this position compared to me.?" The ravenette mumbled, "is it because he's better than me?"

"No, you do deserve this position tomioka. You were diligent and hardworking, its only right for you to become a hashira. When I heard you became a hashira, I was proud yet worried. Being a hashira is stressful, the high expectations you must meet and the strenuous trainings puts a lot of pressure on you, its inevitable when you become a hashira. Sabito was more extroverted, so I didn't have to worry about him voicing out his stresses but you..you were an introvert and had a sensitive heart. I worry that you wouldn't dare to ask for help and suffered silently. That's why I said this position was more suited for sabito, I know I'm being biased and mean but the amount of pressure you have to deal with being a hashira is challenging." The elder explained. Giyuu was sniffling and his tear flowed uncontrollably.

"Do you want to go for a walk?"

"Sure.."

"Alright, I'll lead the way" the former pillar smiled softly.

...

The two arrived at the familiar cliff giyuu often went to. The nature was as beautiful as ever and the view it provided was immaculate. Animals and insects scurried around in the soft grass, carrying food and construction material to their nests. Urokodaki sat down on the cliff and patted on the spot next to him, signalling the latter to sit beside him. Giyuu hesitantly sat down and stared at the view.

"I'm really sorry tomioka, I was horrible to you"

"Do you blame me for sabito's death?" The ravenette muttered.

"No"

"But..you were mad at me when you heard sabito died"

"I was impulsive. I never blamed you for sabito's death, you were young back then. If I were to blame someone, I would blame myself. I was incompetent as a teacher and didn't teach sabito the importance of caring for himself. He was too kind and it cost him his life"