The Flower and the Butterfly

Preparation

Twenty-four hours earlier...

I started waking up, the sunlight shining on my body, and those words I said wouldn't leave my mind. "What's your problem? Do you think she would want this? Why did I say that?" Anger, yes, I was angry and sad... but Shinobu must be feeling terrible right now. I only made things worse... again. I got out of bed; I was in the medical room because of the last battle.

Then I left that place, heading outside... A really strong sun was shining on my face... until I started to feel a small tap on my shoulder... And with a tired look, I turned my face to see...

– "Hayashi-san," my crow...

– "Kage... It's been a while..." I laughed as I spoke, since most of my missions happened because of some event. So Kage rarely came to give me missions. The crow had a letter in its beak and offered it to me. Of course, I took the letter to read. Well, there was a lot written, but in short... there was going to be a training led by the Hashira so that everyone could acquire the Slayer Mark. The final battle was really approaching.

Even though I was feeling lazy, I guess I should go. I should help, get stronger. I can't make that mistake again. I went back inside the mansion to the same room as before, where I grabbed my uniform and reached for my haori... but I let it go. My hand trembled... I couldn't wear it, not now.

– "Kanroji-sensei..." With just the uniform, I left. I had already put it on. I started walking toward the designated place... The training was about to begin.

– "SLOW, SLOW, SLOW, TOO SLOW! What the hell are you all doing?! I have no idea! Your energy is way too low! It's just a basic run, people!" The first trial was given by Uzui Tengen. It was a basic run and... Well, I nearly finished in first place. Then Tengen, who was at the finish line, came to congratulate me.

– "Hey, Hayashi-san! Long time no see! I heard you fought another Upper Moon, just like Tanjiro! You all love getting into trouble. I gotta say, you're in good shape here, lucky you." – Lucky? Well, people train too, right... – I smiled and then started walking to the next area. Even though Tengen's wives offered me food, I declined. I wasn't hungry.

– "Hayashi!! One more thing!" Tengen shouted in a serious tone. So I turned to look at him.

– "Don't be too hard on yourself... You're strong, you just need to perfect your mark now." I knew he wanted to say more. Of course, I knew. But I just smiled and continued walking to the next trial.

I walked to Muichiro's residence. I was guided by some Kakushi to the place. When I entered, Tanjiro was sparring with Tokito, but he couldn't defeat him this time... There were wooden nichirins in the corner for training. So I grabbed one and waited for my turn.

After a random slayer, I was called. The fight began and... obviously, I lost. He was a Hashira, much faster and stronger than me. I spent the entire day there, watching others try and fail, and of course, I failed too.

I returned to the Butterfly Mansion at the end of the night, already exhausted. I walked to the door and...

– "Hayashi-san..." A voice called me from behind. A voice I knew very well... Shinobu. Maybe she wanted to talk about earlier. Maybe she was really upset.

– "I... want to talk... I'm not here to ask for forgiveness. Just to say that... I'm going to fix my mistake. The moment I chose to do that, it was an act of fear. Fear of being alone again... I truly didn't find a better alternative at the time... But now... I'm going to create a cure for her. I promise." Upon hearing that, I turned to face her. A cure... We can save her... We can save her... And I said this to her.

– "I... shouldn't have said those things either... I'm... I'm sorry, Kocho-san, I..." I started to cry. Kanroji-sensei...

– "I promise! I'll help you with this! I... I will save Kanroji-sensei with you!" Shinobu approached me and hugged me. I was surprised, but I hugged her back, still crying on her shoulder.