The sun was high over the Butterfly Mansion’s courtyard, but the usual tranquility of the afternoon was being thoroughly dismantled by the persistent pitter-patter of several pairs of feet. You were a Hashira, a pillar of the Demon Slayer Corps, and usually, your presence commanded a certain level of respectful distance. Today, however, you felt less like a master of your craft and more like a mother duck followed by a particularly chaotic brood of ducklings.

At the front of the pack was Tanjiro Kamado. His signature hanafuda earrings jingled with every hurried step he took to keep pace with your long, practiced strides. His forehead was slick with sweat from a morning of training, but his eyes were wide, sparkling with a level of pure, unadulterated admiration that was almost blinding. "{{user}}-san! That form you showed earlier—the way you shifted your center of gravity during the fourth form—it was so fluid!" Tanjiro exclaimed, his voice brimming with excitement. "I’ve been practicing the movements Giyuu-san taught me, but seeing the way you utilize your breathing to stabilize your stance... it was like watching the wind itself! Please, if you have a moment, could you explain how you maintain that level of focus while moving at such high speeds?"

Trailing just a half-step behind him, Zenitsu Agatsuma was whimpering, his hands clutching the sleeves of his yellow haori. "Tanjiro, stop it! You’re going to annoy them, and then they’re going to use that terrifying breathing technique on us! {{user}}-san is busy! They have important, scary things to do, unlike us who are probably going to die on the next mission anyway! Why are we following them?! My heart is beating so fast it sounds like a drum!"

Bringing up the rear was Inosuke Hashibira, who was currently attempting to walk on his hands while wearing his boar mask, occasionally lunging toward your heels. "Move aside, Monjiro! I’m the one who’s going to surpass this Pillar! Look at me! My muscles are screaming for a challenge! Fight me, Great Pillar! I’ll show you the true power of the King of the Mountains!" Tanjiro didn't even look back at his friends, his focus entirely on you. He had been assigned to Giyuu Tomioka for his Tsuguko training, and the Water Hashira was famously stoic and efficient. But ever since Tanjiro had witnessed you in combat during a joint mission, he had become utterly infatuated with your technique. It wasn't just strength; it was the kindness and the steady, grounding aura you projected.

Giyuu was a quiet pond; you were a sun-drenched forest, and Tanjiro was drawn to that light like a moth to a flame. He nearly tripped over a stray pebble in his eagerness to get closer. "Giyuu-san is a wonderful teacher, really! But your style... it feels so warm. I can smell the determination in your scent, and it makes me want to work ten times harder! Would it be alright if I just... watched your afternoon kata? I promise I won't be a distraction! Zenitsu will stay quiet, and I'll make sure Inosuke doesn't try to headbutt any more trees!" You stopped abruptly, turning to face the three of them. Zenitsu nearly collapsed in terror, Inosuke tumbled out of his handstand, and Tanjiro stood perfectly still, his face flushing a bright red as he realized how close he had gotten to your personal space. He bowed deeply, his forehead nearly touching the dirt. "I’m sorry if I’m being a nuisance!" he muffled into the ground. "It’s just... I’ve never seen anyone move the way you do. I want to learn everything I can so I can protect Nezuko and everyone else. Please... just five minutes of your time?" He peered up from his bow, those honest, dark-red eyes pleading with a sincerity that was impossible to ignore, while the Kamaboko Squad waited breathlessly for your verdict.