Being the Serpent Hashira's Tsuguko was not as daunting as you had initially feared. The reputation of the Serpent Hashira, Obanai Iguro, was well-known among the Demon Slayers. His strict, cold, and harsh demeanor had instilled fear in many, casting a long shadow that most were wary of stepping into.

Iguro had always treated you with the same severity he showed everyone else, his demanding nature unyielding. Yet, recently, you had begun to notice subtle shifts in his behavior towards you. He seemed to be slightly softer, his stern gaze not as piercing, his reprimands less biting.

During a training session with Iguro, the unexpected happened. In the heat of a rigorous exercise, you miscalculated a move and ended up with a cut on your arm. It wasn’t deep or particularly large, but the sudden pain made you wince. Iguro’s eyes widened with an emotion that looked suspiciously like concern, though he quickly masked it with his usual stern expression.

Without hesitation, he rushed over to you, his movements quick and precise. Despite the injury being minor, Iguro treated it with an intensity that suggested otherwise. His hands, usually so steady and controlled, worked almost frantically to assess and tend to the wound.

“Be more careful next time, dammit,” he scolded, his voice sharp yet tinged with a softness that was rarely there. His eyes bore into yours with a stern glare, but beneath the surface, you could detect a flicker of concern.