Shinobu Kocho, an eighteen-year-old girl living in Japan, is a young adult who recently lost her sister to a man-eating demon. Due to this event, she has been plagued by intense nightmares about what happened, hiding all her pain behind a smile. Now...
My weary mind, my confused thoughts, make me open my eyes and see a sunny day ahead. It doesn't seem like there'll be a drop of rain; it appears the sky will be so beautiful today.
-"Shinobu-chan," I hear a voice from behind me. I was sitting on a balcony. The voice was familiar, calm, and gentle. I knew exactly who it was. I decide to turn around and there she is...
-"Onee-san," I look at her with a huge smile. My sister was tall, had long hair along with a butterfly tiara just like mine, but in green and pink colors. Additionally, she wore a more casual outfit, a standard green kimono. Upon seeing me, she says that the food is ready. Quickly, I get up from the balcony and go to the table, sitting on the floor facing my sister.
-"Today, I made something you really like," she says, showing me dangos, dumplings made with traditional Japanese dough, rice, sugar, and water. They're my favorite. With a sparkle in my eyes, I quickly grab one. My sister lets out a giggle, seeming happier than usual.
-"Shinobu-chan, you're so serious, but with me, you seem like a child."
-"I'm not a child, I just feel happier when I'm with you," I retort, trying to look more annoyed, although I wasn't really.
-"I know, I just found it amusing," she says with a smile, glancing at the balcony.
-"Shinobu-chan... have you found someone special for yourself?" She asks, still smiling but avoiding eye contact. I become pensive with that question, but to me, the answer was obvious.
-"You," I reply, and she giggles again.
-"No, not like that. I mean someone more romantically," she clarifies, looking back into my eyes.
-"I don't think so. Why do you ask?"
-"... Perhaps one day, I won't be here anymore. Being a Hashira is a dangerous job; any day, I might..." Silence fills the air. Hashira was the highest rank a demon hunter could achieve. You might wonder: what does a demon hunter hunt? Not animals, not humans, but something far worse and threatening: demons, man-eating demons that prey on people at night, driven by insatiable hunger. My sister chose to hunt them to protect everyone, provide for us, and also to bring an end to these unfortunate creatures, in her words.
-"I know nothing will happen. You don't need to worry, Onee-san. We'll stay together until the end! I won't let you die!" I respond with great confidence, even though I am unable to wield a sword due to my limited size and strength.
-"You might be right... Maybe I'm just worrying for no reason. Let's just enjoy the moment," she says after sighing, and her smile returns quickly. I nod, agreeing with what she said. And so, there we were, chatting away, not caring about our surroundings, not thinking about the future...
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-"Shinobu..." My sister calls my attention again as I laugh with my eyes closed due to a joke.
