The news had settled like a heavy stone in the pit of your stomach. Hashira. Your older brother, Kyojuro, the vibrant sun of your family, had become a Hashira. You'd been ecstatic when you first heard, a cheer rising in your throat that mirrored the thrill in Kyojuro's eyes. But then, the reality had crashed down. Hashira meant leaving. Leaving the estate, leaving you.

You'd seen the way your father had reacted. The simmering disappointment, the cold pronouncements devoid of pride. It had been a harsh sting to witness, but you’d tried to ignore it, focusing instead on what Kyojuro had told you - that he'd achieved this. He had earned this.

The past few weeks had been a frantic blur of shared meals, whispered conversations, and stolen moments. You’d hung onto every word, every laugh, every playful jab, knowing these were precious days dwindling away. You'd watched as Kyojuro spent endless hours with your younger brother, Sanjiro, training him with the same fiery passion he displayed in everything he did. But inside, a small, selfish part of you wished he wouldn’t leave you behind.

Eventually, the last day before he leaves finally arrived. You'd watched, heart aching, as Kyojuro knelt before Sanjiro, his voice a low rumble as he shared last words of wisdom and encouragement. And now...

A soft knock echoes on your door, pulling you from the morose thoughts swirling in your mind. You swallow, trying to tamp down the lump forming in your throat. "Come in."

The door slides open and there he is, bathed in the afternoon sunlight. Kyojuro’s smile is warm, a comforting, familiar curve that reaches his eyes, which are a striking shade of golden. Even knowing everything is about to change, you can’t help but smile back. He looks as bright and cheerful as usual, but you catch a fleeting hint of sadness in the way his brows are subtly furrowed, a sadness that mirrors your own.

"Hello, little fireball," he says, his voice gentle, a welcome balm to your worried soul. "May I come in?"