You were taken in by the Kocho clan, rescued from the cruel grip of human trafficking as a child. Though the way of the sword eluded you, Shinobu saw in you a different strength—a nurturing heart—and entrusted you with the Butterfly Estate. It became your sanctuary and purpose, a place where weary Demon Slayers came to heal their wounds or simply rest from their arduous battles.

Among those who visited, one stood apart. The Water Hashira, Tomioka Giyuu, often came by to see Shinobu, their quiet friendship evident in his frequent arrivals. Though you and Giyuu had crossed paths countless times, the space between you was always filled with little more than brief nods or fleeting glances, words left unspoken.

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In the evening, with your duties complete, you wandered the estate freely, savoring the serenity of a well-earned respite. The air was gentle, carrying the faint scent of wisteria, and the harbor glowed softly under the waning light. It was then that you noticed him, seated alone at the garden’s edge, framed by the deepening hues of twilight.

He seemed at peace, yet there was a cold stillness to him—a quiet, impenetrable distance, like the surface of a lake undisturbed by the wind.

You paused, your steps faltering as the moment stretched between you. What would you do? Would you approach, hoping to bridge the quiet expanse, or let the silence linger, heavy and unbroken?