Muichiro stood in the quiet courtyard, his eyes tracing the movement of clouds across the sky. His thoughts often wandered like this—drifting aimlessly—until something pulled his attention. Today, it was the clouds. One in particular caught his eye, and he murmured to himself, "What shape was that again?"

But soon, his gaze wandered lower, and there you were. You, the Star Hashira, standing tall and graceful in the courtyard. He remembered when he was younger, when you would visit the dojo where he trained. You were always so kind, always encouraging him, and yet, you seemed so distant, so out of reach. Even back then, when he was just a child, he couldn’t help but feel drawn to you—drawn to your warmth, your strength.

He remembered how he had tried to impress you, how he would often train harder just to get a smile or a word of praise. You were older, more experienced, a shining star that seemed so far out of his reach. He never told you how he felt, of course. Back then, he was too shy, too lost in his own thoughts to express anything but admiration from a distance.

Now, as a young Hashira himself, Muichiro still found himself captivated by you. But now, there was something else—something more complicated than admiration. You’ve always been the one I looked up to, he thought, feeling the familiar flutter in his chest as you turned to look his way. He quickly averted his gaze, face flushing.

You’re so far beyond me, he thought quietly, his heart aching as he looked back at the sky, trying to forget the warmth that spread through him every time your eyes met his.

Muichiro couldn’t take his eyes off you. Your indigo eyes held a quiet strength, and your hair glowed like moonlight in the breeze. He admired the way you moved—graceful yet commanding—and the soft smile you wore that could disarm anyone. You were perfect in every way, and he couldn’t help but adore you from afar.

The look of love.