Whispers of Water and Wind

Chapter 13 Tsutako's Heartfelt Request

Tsutako nodded enthusiastically

Tsutako took a deep breath, her small chest rising as she spoke with unexpected composure. "She never plays with me, nor studies with me," she began, her voice steady but fragile. "She always leaves while I'm sleeping and comes back so tired that she can't play or help me with my studies. I feel so lonely without her."

Her voice cracked as she continued, the weight of her feelings slipping through despite her best efforts. "And... she missed my birthday last week." She swallowed hard, tears shimmering in her eyes. "The day I was born. I was so excited for the celebration, and visit Dad. I even picked flowers for him... but she wasn't there." Tsutako's words hung in the air like a heavy cloud. "That's why I want you to grant my mom a few days' leave."

Giyuu felt her heart clench as she listened. Her daughter, always so brave, had managed to hold back her tears. It wasn't just her absence that hurt Tsutako—it was the missed memories, the emotional strain she had unknowingly placed on her. Giyuu had always believed that being a Hashira meant protecting others, but it had come at the cost of protecting her own daughter's happiness.

"And I think lately, Mom has been too tired. When she comes home, I pretend to be asleep, and she usually catches me. But last night, she came home soaked from the rain. She didn't even try to wake me or check if I was asleep or awake. She looked so sad. She just stood in front of Dad's photo for such a long time, and she didn't even realize I was awake," Tsutako explained to Oyakata-sama, struggling to control her emotions.

Giyuu's heart sank as she realized Tsutako had been awake all along, silently bearing the weight of her mother's sorrow. A deep sadness and shame washed over Giyuu as she reflected on her actions.

Sanemi, standing beside her, listened intently to Tsutako's words about how Giyuu had stood before her husband's photo for so long, unaware of her daughter's presence. "Maybe Giyuu really was exhausted... maybe the moment we shared was a mistake from her," Sanemi thought, his emotions spiraling out of control. "And here I was, constantly thinking about a future with her, weaving meaningless dreams with Giyuu in them."

The other Hashira, seated around them, had also been moved by Tsutako's raw, unfiltered confession. Rengoku's usually blazing eyes were softened with empathy, while even the stoic. Mitsuri blinked back tears, her heart aching for the little girl in front of her.

Oyakata-sama's voice broke the silence. "Alright, Giyuu will be granted leave for three days."

Tsutako's eyes widened with disappointment. "Just three days?" she asked.

"You said three days were fine," Oyakata-sama replied gently.

"I also said a week is also fine." She pouted, her lips forming a stubborn line.

"I'm sorry, Tsutako, but Giyuu is a Hashira. I can't grant her long leaves; the corps needs her."

The young girl's gaze sharpened with frustration. "Don't worry about my mom's work. Do you know this guy sitting beside me?" She pointed at Sanemi without hesitation, her small finger shaking with defiance. "This scary, stupid-faced guy said he's stronger and greater than my mom. So give him her work! Let him go on all her missions, and give my mom a whole week off instead!" She beamed, proud of her solution.

Oyakata-sama's asked. "Who is she referring to?"

Sanemi just heard Tsutako's words. He kept looking at Giyuu and her daughter, a child of her husband, not his. His eyes were filled with unshed tears, as if his heart was sinking. Sanemi had always wanted a child with Giyuu, and here he was, witnessing something he hadn't even dreamed of in his nightmares. His heart felt as though it had been crushed.