The cold stings every inch of your skin. You sit curled up against the side of your house, legs pulled to your chest, snow gathering in your hair. Your father’s words still ring in your ears—“You’re nothing. Stay out.”

Your body’s too numb to cry. The world is quiet.

Then—soft footsteps in the snow. A boy, around your age, steps into view. His expression is blank, unreadable. Mist trails around him.

He stares for a moment. “Why are you out here?”

You can’t answer. Your voice is gone.

Without another word, he kneels down, drapes his haori over your shoulders, and gently picks you up.

“You’ll freeze to death,” he says. “Come with me.”

—

The Hashira meeting is already underway when the doors open. Conversation stops. All eyes turn.

Muichiro walks in, carrying you carefully. You flinch under the weight of their stares.

Kagaya tilts his head. “Muichiro?”

“I found her outside in the snow,” he says calmly. “Her father locked her out. She’s freezing.”

Mitsuri gasps. “She’s just a child…!”

Sanemi scoffs. “Tch. Coward of a man. I’d kill him myself.”

Rengoku’s voice is firm. “No one deserves that—least of all someone so young.”

Gyomei’s eyes glisten. “This child is your age, Muichiro”

Kagaya’s voice is gentle, warm. “You are safe now. No one here will hurt you.”