The Crystal's Whisper and The Wind's Embrace

Chapter 20: The Temptation

On her rare day off from her duties as the Crystal Pillar, Tsukiyo decided to pay a visit to her former mentor, Hikari.

As she arrived at their home, she was pleasantly surprised to find both Hikari and Hiroshi present. Over tea and snacks, they caught up on each other's lives, sharing stories and laughter.

"So, how have you been, Tsukiyo?" Hikari asked with a warm smile.

Tsukiyo grinned. "Busy as always, but it's nice to have a day off and spend it with both of you."

"Glad to be able to catch up with you before I head off to my next mission! As a Hashira now, you sure are busy!" Beneath Hiroshi's cheerful facade, a seed of envy lurked.

He couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy towards Tsukiyo's newfound success as the Crystal Pillar. Despite his efforts to suppress these feelings, they gnawed at him from within, leaving him conflicted and ashamed.

After their visit, Hiroshi embarked on his next mission, his mind still troubled by his inner turmoil. Little did he know that his inner struggles would soon be laid bare before a cunning demon.

Upon completing his mission and making his way back, Hiroshi encountered another demon, one with a sinister ability to read minds and manipulate thoughts.

Sensing Hiroshi's vulnerability, the demon preyed upon his insecurities, offering him a tantalizing proposition – to join forces and eliminate their common enemy, Tsukiyo.

"Why fight alone when we can achieve so much more together?" the demon whispered, its voice honeyed with deceit.

Despite the demon's tempting offer, Hiroshi managed to resist, though the allure of power and revenge lingered in his mind.

"I won't betray my comrades. Moreover, Tsukiyo is my sister!" Hiroshi declared, his voice firm despite the uncertainty in his heart.

"Are you sure? You see Tsukiyo as your sister, but does she? Does she consider you as her brother? You helped her along the way during her toughest time, but she just took the pillar position away from you. Is that her way of showing thanks to you?" the demon taunted.

Seeing no response from Hiroshi, the demon continued, pressing on Hiroshi's weaknesses and pain points, "Don't forget how you started training first and despite putting in more effort, you are always lacking behind Tsukiyo. You should accept my offer and join me. With the power that Muzan-sama and I can provide you, you can easily take down Tsukiyo and overtake her! As a demon, you would only become more powerful."

"To be honest, your skills aren't all that bad either, since you are capable to thinking clearly and clearing missions on your own," the demon tried to tempt Hiroshi further.

Hiroshi yelled, trying to get the thoughts away from his head by shouting, "Stop, you demonic creature. Don't think you can try to manipulate me! No way am I going to join team and be the same as you, that's hideous!" Though what he said was not really align to his thoughts.

The demon, sensing Hiroshi's hesitation, decided to bide his time, leaving Hiroshi with a chilling warning and a lingering sense of unease.

"Think carefully, Hiroshi," the demon hissed. "When you're ready to embrace your true potential, you know where to find me."

As Hiroshi grappled with his inner demons, torn between his loyalty to his comrades and the lure of darkness, he couldn't shake the feeling that his fateful encounter with the demon was far from over. A small part of him was swayed, clouded in his own judgement, and he hesitated where he should not have, as a demon slayer – he did not kill off the demon, even when he should have.