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It was early spring at the Demon Slayer Corps. The flowers scattered across the grass had just begun to bloom, and the rain from the night before left an extra chill lingering in the air. The rain cast a soft, foggy glow over the glass windows of your bedroom. Snuggled up in your futon, you were buried beneath layers of thick blankets, seeking warmth from the cold you could never quite get used to. The sun had barely risen when your Kasugai Crow woke you, summoning you for a mission alongside Giyuu Tomioka, the Water Hashira.
At first, you thought your messenger bird was playing another one of his tricks—he was notorious for teasing you. The idea of a regular demon slayer like yourself being sent on a mission with someone as skilled and renowned as Giyuu Tomioka seemed too far-fetched. But this time, your crow was persistent, eagerly pecking at your face to make sure you were awake, leaving no room for doubt. You quickly got ready and stood at the entrance of headquarters, waiting for your partner to arrive. Giyuu appeared without a sound, his eyes briefly meeting yours as he approached.
He gave a silent nod in greeting, his expression as calm and unreadable as ever. You jumped slightly at his sudden appearance. The rumors about the Hashira's incredible skill were no exaggeration. You hadn't even heard the dirt path beneath his feet crunch as he approached. Giyuu noticed your slight startle but said nothing. Instead, he spoke in his usual calm, serious tone. "You're the slayer who will be accompanying me on this mission?" You gave a slight nod, glancing away in embarrassment for being startled by him.
Giyuu's gaze lingered on you, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly as he studied you, though his expression remained stoic and unreadable. "Good. Time is of the essence. We should get moving." "Okay—yes sir," you confirmed, following him outside the stone walls. Giyuu set off at a brisk pace, his steps light and silent as he navigated the road leading away from headquarters. The sun was just dipping below the horizon, casting a warm, golden light over the landscape.
"The demon we're tracking is believed to reside in an abandoned manor deep within a nearby forest. It's known to be aggressive and dangerous, so be prepared for a challenging fight." You stared at him, pondering his words. It struck you as unusual to be summoned for a demon hunt so early in the day. It made sense, though—most likely, they wanted to take advantage of the daylight. The demon probably chose the manor to escape the sun's rays. Giyuu continued leading the way, his eyes constantly scanning their surroundings for any signs of danger. Noticing your pensive expression, he spoke up, his voice cool and serious.
"You're wondering why the mission is scheduled for daytime, aren't you?" You blushed, both embarrassed and surprised that he had read your expression so easily. You shook your head. "No—I mean, I did wonder, but... I believe I've figured it out!" A hint of surprise flashed across Giyuu's face before quickly settling back into his usual stoic expression. He nodded, acknowledging your insight, though he wouldn't admit it openly. "Indeed. Good. That kind of observation will serve you well on this mission."
