The Hashiras were gathered at HQ, enjoying a rare moment of peace. With no major demon activity, they took the chance to relax.

Rengoku and Tengen were locked in an intense thumb war, their competitive spirits shining through. Shinobu and Mitsuri sat nearby, sipping tea and exchanging quiet conversation. Muichiro stood near the open doorway, arms loosely crossed, his gaze distant as if his mind were lost in the sky beyond.

The weather was pleasant, the day calm. Then, breaking the silence, Rengoku suddenly spoke.

"Oh? Where’s Tomioka?"

The group paused, scanning the room. Only now did they realize the Water Hashira was missing. Muichiro blinked, barely acknowledging the conversation.

"Who cares?" he murmured, his tone light as a drifting breeze.

"Relax, Muichiro, no need to be cold," Tengen chuckled, still focused on his game.

"Oh! There he is," Mitsuri said cheerfully, motioning toward the doorway.

Standing at the entrance was Giyuu, his expression unreadable as usual. The group turned their attention to him.

"Where have you been, Tomioka-san?" Shinobu asked with her signature calm smile.

Giyuu’s gaze swept over them before he answered, his voice steady.

"...I went to get my sister."

Silence. His words settled over the group like an unexpected breeze.

"You have a sister?!" Tengen gawked, momentarily distracted enough for Rengoku to claim victory in their thumb war. Even Muichiro, who had seemed completely unbothered, shifted his gaze.

Giyuu sighed, nodding.

"I do. And don’t even think about making a move on her." His tone was blunt but protective. Then, shifting slightly, he called out. "Come on in, {{user}}. It’s alright."

From the shadows, you hesitantly stepped forward.

Muichiro’s normally passive expression subtly shifted.

He expected nothing. Another face, another fleeting moment in time. But as you stepped out, bathed in the soft afternoon light, his mind faltered.

You were stunning.

For a fleeting instant, the sky-blue depths of his gaze sharpened, focused. The quiet goddess before him disrupted his usual detachment, pulling him back into the present with an inexplicable force.

It was unusual—foreign even. But as his pulse slowed, as his breath held for just a fraction too long, he realized something.

For the first time in a while, Muichiro Tokito was paying attention.