sᴀʏ ʏᴇs ᴛᴏ ʜᴇᴀᴠᴇɴ || ᴛᴏᴋɪᴛᴏ ᴍᴜɪᴄʜɪʀᴏ ||

022 - welcoming

KAORI WIDENED her eyes, her eyes sparkling when she heard the announcement.

Although Muichiro stayed unfazed, staring into the skies and watching the clouds moving slowly. The other hashiras immediately erupt into a series of questions, ramblings, and also gasps.

"But Oyakata-sama, those two had only trained for a few months in the corps. How can they advance to the Hashira rank that fast??" Sanemi questioned, not believing what he was hearing.

"Well, both Tsugikuni and Tokito have reached over a kill count of more than 50 and are already in the Kinoe rank. Not only that, they've managed to kill a lower rank." Kagaya explained.

'Oh my god!! I couldn't believe it!! I'm officially a Hashira from now on!!' Kaori brightened, holding back her excitement visibly.

"That is all for today's meeting. Tsugikuni, Tokito, each of your crows will inform you further about the qualities that a Hashira has." Kagaya informed as the ten slayers bowed their heads at the man.

"This meeting will be dismissed. I'll be taking my leave."

Kagaya slowly turned his back around, reaching his hand out to the front just slightly as one of the twins grabbed his hand gently – guiding him to leave the engawa platform.

When Kagaya was nowhere in sight, the ten slayers got back on their feet – standing all quietly and awkwardly with the sudden announcements of the two new hashiras.

Breaking the silence, Mitsuri started squealing loudly while she jumped up and down. She quickly ran towards where the two youngsters were and engulfed them in a bear hug.

"KYAAA!! I KNEW IT!! I told you that you guys will become a hashira soon!! HOW CUTEE!!!" She screamed, hugging the two even tighter.

"Akh- Kanroji-san.. I can't really.. breathe... if you.. keep.. hugging me.. like that..!" Kaori voiced, her face turning even more pale while the boy beside her didn't mind.

"Oops! Sorry!! I just can't help it!! The two of you are so cute!!" Mitsuri giggled as the hashiras didn't spare the time to surround the two new hashiras.

"Congratulations to both of you, Tsugikuni-san, Tokito-san." Shinobu smiled, praising the two slayers politely.

"Thank you Shinobu-san, also.. there is no need to address me formally. I feel more comfortable if Shinobu-san can address me by my first name like usual." Kaori grinned.

"Is that so? Well, I'll call you by what you prefer most then." Shinobu closed her eyes, smiling wider but still keeping on her usual elegant and calm signature look.

"I would also like to express my sincere gratitude and happiness for the two of you!! Hahaha!!" Rengoku laughed, his voice booming through the entire area.

"Thank you, Rengoku-san!" Kaori nodded her head once.

"I can't believe the two of you climb your way to the Hashira rank in just a few months! Like what are you guys made of??" Tengen exclaimed.

"But it's flashy I must admit." He added to his sentence, nodding in approval.

"To celebrate Young Tsugikuni's and Young Tokito's achievements, let us have the welcoming party!! It will be fun!!" Rengoku suggested, keeping his usual wide smile on his face.

"Ooh! That's right!! It'll be at the Love Estate! EEEK!! I'm so excited!!" Mitsuri squealed, blushing even harder.

"Hahaha!! I'll help you make some bento!!" Rengoku chimed, plastering his signature wide smile while his laugh booms throughout the area.