❝𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗺𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻❞

Ch - 3 ° A Side Never Seen

It was quite an early morning. It was dark and quiet outside. Everything was quiet and lonely; everyone was sleeping except Aoi and Kanao. Aoi was busy handling the mansion while Kanao got to training. 
 
Shinobu woke up at the same time with a throbbing headache. Her eyes felt heavy, but she had to get up. She had to pay the price for drinking too much after all. It took her some time to get out of bed and get ready to help the girls.
 
After that night, something had changed between them. After recollecting the memories of that day, Shinobu completely regretted what she had said to him. She knew she shouldn't have spoken like that. She didn't know a bit about his past. 
 
But it did make her wonder where she had gone wrong to make him upset. Was it past trauma?
 
She only wanted to be friends. He was actually a nice guy in her eyes. She enjoyed his company rather than a noisy chitchat. She appreciated how he didn't ignore her like the others. 
 
'I'll apologize to him before his examination.' Shinobu thought as she got ready to go back to work. 
 
After putting on her uniform, she headed downstairs. With a few greetings from the patients, she went to Giyuu's ward only to see an empty room. His stuff was gone, the bed sheets neatly folded, and his hospital dress in the laundry basket.
 
'Was he really that upset? Was I that rude that night?' Shinobu panicked. 
 
She went back to the kitchen to find Aoi to inquire about his departure.
 
'Aoi, did Tomioka-san leave?' Shinobu asked Aoi, who was preparing breakfast.
 
'Yes, he had gotten a mission at night. Many lower-ranked slayers were injured, so he was requested to immediately attend to it. Since it was an emergency, he had to leave. His crow had informed me.' Aoi explained.
 
'Oh, that explains it.' Shinobu said with a sigh of relief.
 
'Was there anything you wanted to say to him?' Aoi asked upon seeing the reaction on her face.
 
'No, no. He is yet to heal, and he has already left for a mission. I was just worried he had left without a word.' Shinobu lied with a complete smile on her face. 
 
'Alright, if you say so.' Aoi replied.
 
'The sun has just risen. His mission should be complete. Thank God, he didn't leave because he was upset with me.' She smiled with relief.
 
Some time had passed. The patients had woken up, and the estate was full of noise. Everyone was back to work. 
 
Shinobu was back to her laboratory, back to testing poison. She was in fact researching the perfect concentration of poison for killing a demon. She had to keep progressing.
 
In order to kill the demon who had taken away her dear sister, she had to find the perfect poison or sacrifice her life for it. Her work was, however, interrupted by her crow, En.
 
'Caw! Caw! Reminder! Report to Ubayashiki Estate for Hashira meeting! Report to Ubayashiki Estate for Hashira Meeting!' The crow's high-pitched voice echoed through the entire room.
 
'I completely forgot about this. This is a great chance to apologize to Tomioka-san.' Shinobu smiled and petted her crow.
 
She put on her haori, sheathed her sword, and went downstairs.
 
'Aoi! I'm leaving for the Hashira meeting. Take care of yourself and others in my absence.'
 
'Oh, I was about to remind you about the meeting. See you later, Shinobu-sama.' Aoi escorted her till the exit.
 
           __________________________
 
Shinobu entered the headquarters. The flowers stood bright in the warmth of the sun, and the fresh grass highlighted the beauty of nature by shining through the film of water on top of it. The smell of freshly watered plants spread all around the area.
 
All the Hashiras were already there. It looks like she was a bit late. But the master had not arrived yet. The serpent and Love Hashira were busy chatting. They were quite a good pair. The same could be said for the Flame and Sound Hashira, but in a platonic best friend relationship.
 
In contrast to the lovely chit-chatting, Sanemi and Muichiro were bickering. Though being younger, the kid knew very well how to insult others. Being the most hotheaded of them all, Sanemi was ready to pick a fight. Between them stood the Stone Hashira, the peaceful man with no enemies. He was trying to stop them from ripping each other.
 
'Tomioka-san isn't here? He's usually early.' Shinobu's eyes quickly went to Giyuu's usual spot, the pond of fish. He wasn't there, though.
 
She didn't get the chance to look for him before being attacked by Mitsuri. Iguro only looked at Shinobu with a sharp look while his pet Kaburamaru looked at her lovingly. 
 
Just then, the two twin daughters of the master entered the stage.
 
'Ubuyashiki-sama has arrived.' Both of them sang in unison.
 
All of the Hashira hurried to their positions and bowed down. 
 
'We shall proceed with the meeting in the meeting room.' The master spoke.
 
After settling in the room, everyone sat in their normal order.
 
'Giyuu isn't here?' The master inquired after hearing from his daughters.

 
'Yes. He must be returning from his miss. They were interrupted by the loud opening of the door.
 
'I deeply apologize for my delay.' Giyuu bowed down.
 
'Not a problem. Sit down.' The Master replied, having no negative tone in voice. He really was an empathetic person.
 
His eyes looked for a seat. He noticed that Shinobu had left a seat beside her. It was his usual spot. He quickly sat down without any eye contact.
 
'So, there have been reports of lowermoons lurking in the Tabayama Village near the Yamanashi prefecture. Would anyone volunteer?' 
 
Giyuu and Shinobu were the only ones who raised their hands.
 
'I'll volunteer. I have some business in my village, and it is on the same route. I'll also have to ask for some days off. I can complete the investigation.' Giyuu raised his hand. 
 
'I can also volunteer. I don't have any missions right now.' Shinobu entered the conversation.
 
'Very well. Why don't you both go? It's better that you two can ensure each other's safety.' The master smiled.
 
Giyuu only frowned while Shinobu's smile grew wider.
 
'Alright. I'll assign the rest of the missions to the others.' The master handed the reports to the crows.
 
With a little bit of discussion, the meeting concluded with a polite goodbye to the master. 
 
  
 
        _____________________________
 

'Wahh!!! My destination is so far off! I'll have to travel by train!' Mitsuri complained.
 
'Now, now Mitsuri, we are Hashiras.' Shinobu smiled, seeing through Mitsuri's struggle, she felt a little bad for her friend.
 
'I could accompany you if you want. My mission is on the same route.' Iguro interrupted. He would've said the same even if he had the opposite route.
 
Not wanting to interrupt the growing couple's conversation, her eyes landed on Giyuu. He was walking towards the exit. Realization hit her as she ran towards him to apologise.
 
'Wait! Tomioka-san!' Shinobu hurried towards him.
 
The eyes of the other Hashira turned towards them, but both of them didn't seem to notice. Giyuu simply turned around to look at her.
 
'I just wanted to apologize about yesterday. I wasn't thinking straight, and I'm sorry if I offended you in any way.' 
 
'It's fine. I thought so.' Giyuu replied.
 
'Well, as an apology for yesterday, how about we go out for a bite?' Shinobu offered.
 
''No, thank you." Giyuu took a step. Probably a reaction to his allergy from socializing.
 
'We'll discuss details for the next mission.' Shinobu interrupted, knowing he would come if she could bribe him.

Silence....
 

'Fine.' Giyuu replied in defeat.
 
'Let's go then!' Shinobu chimed in.
 
'Woah. Did he seriously just accept her invitation? That's so unlikely!' Mitsuri squealed in excitement.
 
'You are not wrong, Kanroji.' Iguro replied, his tone betraying his absolutely shocked face.