𝓓𝓮𝓹𝓻𝓮𝓼𝓼𝓮𝓭 𝓓𝓻𝓸𝓹𝓵𝓮𝓽. | 𝗚𝗶𝘆𝘂𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗼 𝗙𝗮𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗰.

𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭

【𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐨𝐛𝐮'𝐬 𝐏𝐨𝐯】

My face still heating up and my eyes still widen, who knew that Loner, Tomioka got such a perfect body build. I thought he would got decent build like other slayers. Snap that out, Shinobu! He's acting strangely. He actually thanked me—who would have thought that the mighty Water Pillar would express gratitude? I should check up on Kanao and Tanjiro's squad to clear my mind.

I headed to treatment area, as usual I saw Aoi was shouting at Inosuke and Zenitsu while Tanjiro was apologizing for both of them. What a chaotic day... As I slowly approached them.

" Ara Ara~ What happened here, Aoi? " I asked her with curious even though I know what happened here.

" Shinobu-Sama! Zenitsu won't drink his medicine and keep complaining about how awful it is! while Inosuke keep stealing my food that I prepared for other patients! " She replied me while trying to calm as she can, but she still angry.

" Shinobu-san! I'm truly sorry for both of my friends behavior! " Tanjiro spoke up while bowing down his head. 

" Ara Ara It's fine, Tanjiro-kun. " I smiled at him, although I thought Tanjiro must have known that I was angry. I glanced at Zenitsu and Inosuke. Zenitsu seemed scared of me—which was good, as it might finally make him shut up. Inosuke, on the other hand, just looked confused.

" If there is nothing more I will take my leave, Sayonara~ " I waved at them before leaving the room.

【𝐆𝐢𝐲𝐮'𝐬 𝐏𝐨𝐯】

"I arrived at the Master's estate and headed inside. I saw Oyakata-Sama sitting outside—it looked like he had been waiting for me. I approached him and kneed down.

" I wish for good fortune and good health, Oyakata-Sama." I said as I kneed down to him.

" Thank you, Giyu. " He smiled at me. " So how's your mission recently? I heard some of Kakushi now I wanna hear yours. "

" Thank you for your concern, Oyakata-Sama. The mission is progressing well. There were hordes of demons attacking the village when I arrived, and demon slayers were already on the scene. Many were injured and unable to fight, while others were preparing to face another horde of demons. We didn't sight any of the 12 Kizuki, but we did encounter numerous Blood Demon Art users. They mentioned their boss and master, who I assume is Kibutsuji. Unfortunately, we lost some of the slayers while defending the village. I blame myself for not being able to save them despite being a Pillar. " I said, while looking at the ground feeling guilty about the lost lives that I couldn't save.

" It's fine, Giyu. Not everyone is perfect. You did good, I'm proud of you. " He said with soft toned which made me relief. " How about your injuries? " He asked with a bit concerned and worried toned. 

" As for my injuries, they're not very serious—just some minor cuts and small bruises. I've already had them treated at the Butterfly Estate. Thanks for your concern, Oyakata-Sama. " I said as I lower my head.

" Tomorrow we'll have a meeting here, we will start duo joint missions again. I've got a lot of reports about 12 Kizuki are more active than usual. We will discuss about companions tomorrow. You may leave now, Giyu " He said with a warming tone and smile. I bowed again.

" Thank you, Oyakata-Sama. " I turned at the gate of the estate, leaving the place. As I'm in front of the estate. I saw petite woman waited for me by the entrance of the estate.

" Tomi-oka-san! " She said with a playful smile and childish manner. I stared at her while preparing my mental for her teasing.

" Ne~ Tomioka-san. You know it's rude to ignore people who are talking to you, Tomioka-san. This is why no one likes you, Tomioka-san. " She said while poking my arm. I sighed and faced her.

" What do you want, Kocho? " I said with annoying tone and rolled my eyes. 

" Nothing! Tomioka-san! I just want to ask about your mission. Why you get the mission while other Hashira are free? " She asked me with curious toned and look on her face, while she is tilting her head. ' Wait.. Others Hashira are free? ' I thought while looking at her face with confusing.

" I don't know... " I replied with confused. While she was chuckling. What's so funny anyways?

" This is why no one likes you, Tomioka-san. " She teased me while walking in a circle around me. I sighed.

" I'm not disliked by people. " I responded her with annoying toned, showing that I annoyed her teasing. She chuckled at my respond, I keep walking while she was following me from behind.

" Where are you going, Tomioka-san? " She asked with curious look and also childish manner. I ignored her question. She seem annoyed by it.

She was poking me non-stop which made me no choices but to answered her.

" Butterfly Estate. " I said bluntly. She looked surprised by the answer.

" So you are coming to see me? I'm flustered, Tomioka-san! " She responded with playful toned.

" No. I'm coming to see Tanjiro and his friends. " I said bluntly which completely killed her mood. I could tell that she is angry now.

" Ne, Tomioka-san learn how to take a joke, won't you? " She said this while clenching her tiny fists, a vein ticking on her forehead. Cute—what am I thinking? Stay focused, Giyu. I remained silent while she complained about how dense I was.

" Tomioka-san, who do you think will be your partner tomorrow? " She asked while we were walking to her estate. I shook my head and shrugged at her.

" Then who do you want to be your partner, Tomioka-san? " She asked with curious look on her face while tilting her head.

" I better do mission alone. I don't like talking with others. " I answered her honestly. After all I didn't had good relationships with any Hashira.

" I bet this why no one likes you, Tomioka-san. " She giggled. I ignored her words and keep walking to Butterfly Estate.

" Ne Tomioka-san, you should get along with others Hashira. " She spoke up, I know that she will came up with a tease later but why suddenly she said ' I should get along with Hashira ' That's kinda weird... 

I hummed in response as we almost arrived at Butterfly estate. We entered the estate and Aoi was drying clothes so she didn't greeted us. It's not bothered me anyways. I walked to the treatment area before I entered the room I felt something tugged my haori from behind. I turned back and saw petite woman was tugging my Haori.

" What is it, Kocho? "I asked her bluntly. Seeing her trying to reach my face level, I bent down a little to meet her gaze.

【𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐨𝐛𝐮'𝐬 𝐏𝐨𝐯】
As he bent down to reach my face level, suddenly I pecked his cheek—I don't even know what I was doing. My face heated up a lot, and my eyes widened at my own action. I looked at him, noticing he had a blush on his face and his eyes widened too. He looked better when he expressed his emotions.

" Well, Sayonara~ Tomioka-san. " I quickly ran away to escape my embarrassment. I didn't even know what I was doing—I could feel my heart pounding as if it was trying to jump out of my body. I quickly locked myself up in my lab, lay down on the bed, and screamed into my pillow.

Who would have known that the ice-cold Water Pillar would have such soft cheeks... I couldn't stop thinking about him. I still remember the look of confusion on his face, with a blush spreading across his cheeks. He looked like a puppy receiving an unexpected kiss from its owner. WHAT AM I THINKING!!! Shinobu, relax. You've got this. You feel nothing for him. Just tell him it was an accident. I stepped out of my lab and peeked at him. He was still standing there as still as a statue, looking utterly shocked. I had caught him off-guard and, truth be told, I had caught myself off-guard too...

He shook his head then he entered the treatment room. I knew that he won't tell anyone, he just a loner after all...

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Days later..

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【𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐨𝐛𝐮'𝐬 𝐏𝐨𝐯】

I arrived as usual and waited for the other Hashira to arrive. Today, Tomioka-san arrived early. I hadn't spoken to him since we arrived, instead, I chatted with Rengoku-san and Mitsuri. Normally, I would be teasing him right now, but since yesterday, I haven't mustered up the courage to talk to him. He seems uncomfortable too. I bet I left him confused all day and night yesterday. Then, I noticed someone calling me.

" Shinobu-channnnn? " Mitsuri called me while waving her hand in front of me.

" What is it, Mitsuri-chan? " I asked her hoping her won't question anything.

" You seem a bit off today? What happened? Is it about Tomioka? " She giggled. I tried my best to kept my blush.

" No, I'm fine. Thanks for your concern, Mitsuri-chan. " I smiled at her, I tried my best to hide my blush.

" But you seem spaced out today. You suppose to tease Tomioka too? " I can't actually lied to her. I sighed preparing to say a word but instead I noticed deep blue ocean eyes stared at me.

" I-I'm fine, Mitsuri-chan.. I just feel a bit tired. " I accidently stuttered in front of Mitsuri. Because of Tomioka! He stared at me while I was trying to convinced Mitusuri!

" Are you sureeee? Shinobu-chan?? " She smirked at me and gave me an 'I-know-you-are-lying' look. I quickly changed the topic to Iguro-san to distract her from her train of thought.

" Ara Ara How about you, Mitsuri? Have you talked with Iguro-san yet? or perhaps, have you and Iguro-san dated? " I smirked at her while she is turning red tomato.

" E-Ehhh!!!! This is not fair, Shinobu-chan!! " I laughed at her while she was stuttering so hard. Suddenly master arrived. All of the Hashira kneed down. Shinazugawa-san greeted to Oyakata-Sama like usual.

" We wish for your good health and longevity, Oyakata-Sama. " He said with soft-respect toned. While master was smiling at us.

" Thank you, Sanemi. " He said with a soft loving toned.

" I announced yesterday about pairing a partner to do a mission together right? " We all nodded in agreement. " So now I have decided partner for each of you. Tengen with Kyojuro , Mitsuri with Obanai , Sanemi with Gyomei lastly Giyu with Shinobu. From the last mission Muichiro still recovering from his last injuries. So he will be free at this period of time. " He paired me with Tomioka-san!? I would normally be fine with it, but yesterday's incident made me a bit nervous. I saw Mitsuri smirking at me; I knew what she was thinking.

" Do any of you want to change your partner? " Oyakata-Sama asked us. None of us responded.

" Then it is settled, Goodluck with your mission, my children. You may leave now. " He smiled before his daughters helped him to his room.

The Hashira discussed their partners a bit and then left the estate. To my surprise, Tomioka-san had been staring at me since the meeting ended. I exited the estate and saw that Tomioka-san was ahead of me. I tried to avoid him because I was still embarrassed about yesterday. We hadn't spoken to each other today, not until the Master gave us a mission for tomorrow. I assumed that he will meet me at Master's Estate...
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Ngl writing 2000 words in 1 chapter while trying to make a lot of chapters is hard.. you guys can give me some ideas tho. I still have the origin plot also tomorrow is my final day for the holidays. So I planned I will released 2 more chapters. and then probably 1 week for 1 chapter it depends on my works and homework.