I let out a depressed sigh as I sit with Shinobu on the back veranda of the Butterfly Estate, dressed in a casual purple floral kimono with detachable sleeves and knee high black boots.

"Why the long sigh, Mika-chan?" The Insect Hashira inquires, glancing at me in surprise. "This isn't like you."

"It's just... it's complicated," I mutter.

She nudges me lightly. "Go on. You can tell me. We are like sisters, after all."

I hesitate before saying, "I-I'm in l-love with Giyu-kun." This causes her purple and black eyes to widen. Then she lets out a loud squeal, causing me to jump.

"Oh my gosh! I knew it!"

"E-Eh?!" I blink my eyes rapidly a few times.

"I knew you two would make the perfect and cutest couple!" Shinobu continues, grasping my hands as I stare at her in shock. "So, did you tell him?! Does he feel the same way about you?!"

"No, and I don't know," I answer smoothly, gently pulling my hands back from hers.

"Oh," Shinobu mutters as her face falls. She perks up again in an instant. "But you are going to tell him, right?"

"I want to. I just don't know how to. I mean, I've always had this crush on him and had planned to one day tell Giyu-kun how I really feel, but every time I try to, I just get so nervous and we've been so busy with missions lately. Not to mention, what happened during the trial with Nezuko-chan and Tanjiro-kun..." I look down sadly. "I just don't think I'll ever be able to tell him."

Shinobu grasps my hands once again, her purple/black orbs sparkling. She tells me, "Well, the next time you see Tomioka, you should tell him how you really feel."

I deadpan as I mutter, "That's sorta my dilemma here..."

"Just be yourself," She says, giving a closed eye smile. "Tomioka has always been different around you. Just be yourself when you tell him how you feel."

I gaze at Shinobu for a moment, before I nod my head. I murmur, "Okay. I'll definitely tell him when I see Giyu-kun next." I jump when Shinobu gives another happy squeal, hugging herself.

"Tell me allll about it when you see me next." A thoughtful expression crosses her features. "Speaking of Tomioka, where is he, anyway?"

I answer as I look back out at the pond in the front yard, "He left for a mission a few days ago." A frown pulls at my dark brows. "Although, he should've been back by now." I glance up towards the setting sun.

"Don't worry. It's Tomioka. You know he'll be back before you know it," Says Shinobu reassuringly. "There's nothing for you to worry about."

I can't help but smile at that. I murmur, "You're right. I have faith in him."

Shinobu smiles at that.

Just then, my kusagai karasu flutters towards me, cawing. I hold out my arm and she lands on it. "What is it, Amaya?" I ask.

"Caw, caw! Kagaya-sama requests your presence immediately, Mika! Caw, caw!" The female kusagai karasu answers.

For some reason, I get a sinking feeling in my stomach.

I say as I take out a bit of cheese for it to snack on. "I'll head over right away," I say. Amaya takes flight as I get up. I glance to Shinobu. "I'll see you later, Shinobu."

She nods as I head back to my house to get changed into my Demon Slayer uniform with Giyu's haori over it. Afterwards, with my katana strapped to my waist, I dash over to Kagaya-sama's estate as fast as I can.

When I arrive, I knock on the rice paper doors.

"Come in." I enter to find the sickly man sitting cross legged while facing the pond outside, the back doors open.

"You wish to see me, Oyakata-sama?" I announce as I sit sieza style, my legs folded beneath me and my back straight with my hands resting on my knees.

"Yes," He answers, turning his head to where he heard my voice coming from. "I received a message from Giyu just now."

"What is it?" I ask.

"Giyu requires backup for his mission, in Tokuda Town. Since most of the other Hashira are away on missions, I'm assigning you to go backup Giyu," He explains. "Demons have been attacking Tokuda Town, but it seems as though Giyu is in trouble."

I say as I clench my fingers in my skirt hem, a determined expression on my features, "I'll go, Oyakata-sama. And I'll bring Giyu-kun back alive."

He smiles towards me. "Good luck," Oyakata-sama says.

I nod my head and get to my feet. I bow in respect before I turn and exit the meeting quarters. As I head out at a run, my heart pounds in my chest.

"Please be safe, Giyu," I plead silently. "Just hang in there. I'm coming."