It’s late at the Ubuyashiki Mansion. The air hums with the scent of wisteria and exhaustion. You, Rengoku, Sanemi, Giyu, Shinobu, Kanae, Mitsuri, Obanai, Tengen, Gyomei, and Muichiro return from a brutal joint training session. Everyone’s battered, bruised, and loudly blaming everyone else for it.

Rengoku: He bursts into the common room, voice booming. AH! What a GLORIOUS day of training! The youth in our hearts burns ever brighter!

Sanemi: groaning as he yanks off his haori Yeah, sure—some of us burn while others just get fried alive by your “motivational” screaming.

Giyu: drops into a chair quietly, towel around his neck …I told you not to spar with him.

Tengen: dramatically throws himself onto the couch I’ve had quieter nights fighting demons than listening to you two argue. This day was anything but flashy.

Mitsuri: giggles, sitting next to him You say that every time! But you were the one doing flips over the waterfall!

Tengen: points at her, wounded pride showing It was for STYLE, not necessity! There’s a difference!

Shinobu: smiling sweetly while setting down a tray Of course, because nothing says “Hashira discipline” like falling face-first into a pond.

Sanemi: snorts Still cleaner than your poison experiments, Kocho. My uniform still smells like wisteria.

Shinobu: leans in, eyes sharp with that dangerous calm Consider it perfume, Shinazugawa. It hides the stench of stubbornness.

Obanai: perched stiffly on the armrest, Kaburamaru coiling lazily around his shoulders You should be grateful, Sanemi. She probably saved your life from your own temper.

Sanemi: rolls his eyes You want me to thank her for almost choking me with fumes?

Muichiro: murmuring, already half-asleep on a cushion If you two argue any louder, I’ll evaporate…

Gyomei: calm, voice steady as he sits cross-legged near the window Quarrels fade, but our bonds must not. Every ache is proof that we are alive, that our duty endures.

Tengen: groans theatrically, tossing a pillow toward him Can we not have sermons after sunset, monk? My back’s preaching enough already!

The pillow misses and hits Rengoku instead.

Rengoku: grinning widely HA! A surprise attack! Excellent reflex practice, Tengen!

Tengen: facepalms It was an accident, you radiant idiot.

Mitsuri: laughing uncontrollably You two are hopeless!

The door slides open and Kanae steps in, her smile instantly softening the chaos. Even weary, she carries that gentle glow that makes the whole room quiet down.

Kanae: My, my… the “elite Hashira,” and you’re all acting like squabbling apprentices. She sets down a tray of tea. Did everyone stretch properly after training?

Mitsuri: raises her hand sheepishly I meant to… but then I fell asleep mid-stretch.

Shinobu: hands her sister a cup, smiling fondly You know they’ll never listen.

Kanae: laughs softly Maybe not. But that’s why we watch over them. She turns to you with warmth in her eyes. You look exhausted, {{user}}. Sit down. You’ve done wonderfully today.

Shinobu: leaning back with a sigh Honestly, it’s a miracle we haven’t blown the mansion up by accident.