The moon hung low in the night sky as Giyuu and Shinobu walked together through a tranquil farm. Their mission had just ended, and they found themselves enjoying the peaceful night after a successful demon hunt.

"Tomioka-san, what do you think of Mitsuri?" Shinobu asked, a mischievous smile gracing her lips.

Giyuu looked at her with his usual stoic expression. "Her?" he replied simply.

Shinobu's smile widened, and she teased, "Ara, Tomioka-san, didnt you hear me?"

"She is strong and sweet but I think she should burn that uniform like you did," Giyuu replied humbly, his eyes fixed on the horizon. "What did you ask?"

Shinobu's laughter was light and carefree. "Oh my, Tomioka-san is keeping up with my conversation! I am so happy! And to answer your question... nothing just curious what you thought about other girls," she said bluntly, her tone betraying a hint of resignation.

Giyuu had momentarily forgotten what she had said because he was captivated by the way the moonlight played on her face. Her features seemed to glow with an ethereal beauty that left him momentarily speechless.

"Beautiful..." he murmured, his voice barely a whisper.

Shinobu's heart skipped a beat as she blushed. "What do you mean, Tomioka-san?" she asked, her own composure slipping.

Giyuu reached out and gently tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear, his fingers brushing against her skin. Shinobu's blush deepened as his touch sent shivers down her spine.

"You're a beautiful strong woman, thats what I think about you" he admitted, surprising them both.

Shinobu's mouth opened to respond, but Giyuu interrupted her gently, taking her hand in his. "You take care of everyone, but you don't take care of yourself," he said, his gaze filled with genuine concern.

The words of Tanjiro echoed in Giyuu's mind, urging him to express his feelings. "Tomioka-san, Kocho-san cares a lot about you, you should appreciate her! I can smell it you both are always happy around each other even though she teases you".

"Tomioka-san I am not strong." Giyuu frowned at her words.
"Why do you think so?"

"I can't decapitate a demon"
"Doesn't matter, your intelligence surpasses everything. You don't realise how strong your mind is" Giyuu said patting her head "I will make sure to always protect you" Giyuu smiled as he remembered his last conversation with Kanae.

"Tomioka-san!" Kanae called out his name with enthusiasm, her voice carrying a bright tone that contrasted with his monotonous response.

"Yes?" Giyuu replied, his voice as stoic as ever, giving her the impression that nothing had changed.

Kanae's smile widened, showing her excitement. "How have you been? It's been such a long time since we last met!"

Giyuu remained true to his nature, answering in his usual straightforward manner. "I am good."

Curiosity flickered in Kanae's eyes as she looked around Oyakata-sama's house. "What brings you to Oyakata-sama's house, Tomioka-san?"

Giyuu inquired with a level of concern, "Is there something you need?"

With a sparkle in her eyes, Kanae leaned in closer to share her news. "I have an important mission. I suspect it might involve an Upper Moon!"

Giyuu's demeanor didn't waver, but he offered a simple and heartfelt piece of advice. "Please be careful."

Kanae's expression turned more serious as she confided in him. "Tomioka-san, if I don't make it through this mission... Can I ask you for a favor?"

He listened attentively, fully aware of the gravity of her words. "Yes?"

Kanae hesitated for a moment, choosing her words carefully. "Can you take care of Shinobu for me? You know her better than anyone. She can be... impulsive at times, especially when she's hot-headed. I trust you to guide her."

Giyuu's response was unwavering and filled with a quiet determination. "You don't have to worry. I will look after her."

Kanae's gratitude shone through her eyes as she expressed her heartfelt appreciation. "Thank you, Tomioka-san. Your promise means a lot to me."

Shinobu's eyes widened at his confession, and her face turned even redder. She struggled to find her words but managed to say, "If we survive, then sure why not live together forever?"

Giyuu nodded in reply and offered her a soft smile. "Tomioka-san, did you just smile?!" Shinobu exclaimed with a mixture of surprise and delight.

Giyuu's smile deepened, and he increased his pace, casting a sidelong glance at her. "No, I didn't," he replied, though the happiness in his eyes was unmistakable.

"WOOF, woof!" Shinobu and Giyuu instinctively flinched. Giyuu protectively encircled his arm around her, while Shinobu tightly clutched his hand.

"Totoro, don't bolt off like that!" The owner swiftly retrieved their dog, leaving Shinobu and Giyuu standing in the same place. Their eyes met, and laughter bubbled up. Who would have thought that even the mighty Pillars could be spooked by dogs?

‐------------

"!CAW CAW! SHINOBU KOCHO DIED FIGHTING UPPER MOON 2!"

No this can't be. Kocho not you too...

‐------------

After the grueling battle that ended with the defeat of Muzan, Giyuu found himself sitting near the front porch of the Butterfly Estate. The weight of the past events bore heavily on his shoulders, and he gazed into the night, a deep sense of loss in his heart.

"I am sorry I failed to protect you," Giyuu murmured softly, his voice barely above a whisper. In the midst of his solemn contemplation, a purple butterfly alighted on his now-clean-cut hair.

"Tomioka-san..." Giyuu's eyes widened when he heard the voice 'Kocho-', a mixture of surprise and nostalgia filling that voice as he turned back. It was Kanao, the successor to Shinobu Kocho.

With a sigh, Giyuu acknowledged her presence. "Ah, it's you..."

"I wanted to give this to you," Kanao said, approaching him and handing him an envelope. Her demeanor held a hint of sadness. "It's from nee-san."

"For me?" Giyuu asked, taking the envelope from her.

Kanao nodded in response. "I will be going to sleep now, Tomioka-san. You should sleep too," she advised before waving him goodbye, her words filled with gentle concern.

Giyuu opened the envelope, and the familiar scent of wisteria wafted into his senses, just like Shinobu's presence. With care, he began to read the letter enclosed within.

Dear Giyuu-san,

If you have received this letter, then I guess Upper Moon 2 and Muzan have been defeated. I am sorry for not telling you about my plan earlier... I was desperate for revenge. I just wanted to kill that bastard who took away my sister.

Now, I will tell you everything I want to.

Your stoic expression, unwavering commitment, and your strength was why I admired you. You were calm, and you cared a lot, even when you didn't show it.

You know I was so happy when you finally started talking to me that I had thrown a party in Butterfly Estate. Don't tell Kanao that, okay?

But that day when you told me that you cared about me changed something in me; my views changed. I had no regrets before, but now I did. I will always regret the fact that I wasn't able to love you and marry you. Maybe In our next life, if we ever meet each other... I will love you and never leave your side. I am sorry for burdening you with my feelings, but I felt that it was important to tell you this.

I am sorry.

Yours truly,
Shinobu.

Giyuu read the heartfelt words with a mixture of emotions—sadness, longing, and a hint of warmth. It was a final message from Shinobu, one that conveyed the depths of her feelings and the regret she carried with her. As he held the letter close to his chest, he whispered into the night, "I'm sorry too, Shinobu." His eyes welled up as he saw Shinobu's dried tears on the letter. "I will never forget you, I will-" Giyuu hitched as he remembered what she once told him "Tomioka-san, take care of yourself. At least for me please?" He wiped away his tears.