ιℓℓι¢ιт ∂єѕιяєѕ || 密欲望

Set Your Heart Ablaze

Miyuki's POV

The sun was setting, casting a warm glow over the training grounds as Tanjiro expertly grilled fish for the trainees. The smell wafted through the air, making everyone's stomachs growl with anticipation.

Inosuke, sitting cross-legged by the fire, was already tearing into his first fish with an alarming lack of finesse. "Mmm, food!" he mumbled, bits of fish flying everywhere as he devoured it like a ravenous beast.

"Eat slowly," I said, patting his back as he choked momentarily, only to recover and go for another round. He didn't seem to hear me—or if he did, he didn't care.

"That Prayer Beads-Rattling Guy is amazing," Inosuke remarked between mouthfuls, his eyes wide with admiration.

Tanjiro, turning the fish over the flames, gave Inosuke a gentle nudge with his elbow. "That's the Stone Hashira, his name is Himejima. Don't give him strange nicknames."

"But he does rattle those beads, doesn't he?" Inosuke said, shrugging. "I was startled the first time I met him. Felt like a mountain was looming over me."

"He's got that presence," I agreed, sipping the tea that Tengen's wives had kindly provided, previously. "Is that enough?" Murata asked, noticing I'd stopped at my third fish.

"Hm? Yeah," I replied, setting down my plate. I watched Inosuke, who was already on his fifth serving. "You eat the bones too, Inosuke?" I asked incredulously as I noticed him crunching away.

Inosuke nodded vigorously. "Yeah. You don't? They're crunchy and delicious," he replied with absolute seriousness, taking another bite. 

I wasn't sure whether to be impressed or concerned for his digestive system.

As we continued our meal, the conversation shifted back to Gyomei. "About that Prayer Beads-Rattling Guy," Inosuke said in reverence "without a doubt, he is the strongest."

"Oh, you think so too?" Tanjiro looked intrigued, his eyes lighting up.

"Huh? Is that so?" another trainee chimed in, eyebrows raised in surprise.

"Yeah, among all the Hashira, he's the only one with an aura," I explained, taking another sip of my tea. "Sanemi seconds him at that too."

"Aura?" The others tilted their heads in confusion, exchanging puzzled glances.

Tanjiro nodded, adding his thoughts. "Himejima smells completely different from the others. I wonder if he's already manifested his mark."

"If he did, I wouldn't be surprised," Inosuke said, nodding sagely as if he was the foremost expert on the topic. I shook my head. "He probably didn't. I would've sensed it," I assured.

Then one of the trainees, a lanky boy with an ever-present scowl, broke the silence. "I can't keep up with the talk of people who rise in rank in such a short time."

"Normally, you wouldn't understand that," another trainee added, nodding in agreement. "They're on a different level."

"And also, Tanjiro's grilled fish is delicious," someone else added, earning nods of agreement.

"I don't believe it," Zenitsu grumbled, his eyes narrowing at the mention of Gyomei's strength. "I bet that Old Guy can't even move the boulder one cho. He's just enjoying bullying the newcomers."

"You're wrong, Zenitsu," Tanjiro said with his usual optimism, eyes wide in admiration. "Himejima can push an even bigger boulder than that."

Zenitsu rolled his eyes, unimpressed. "You're being deceived, Tanjiro! You believe everything you hear. It's embarrassing!"