It has been three years since then.

Shinobu has claimed the title of the Insect Pillar and now fights alongside the other pillars. She hasn't changed much physically- she's barely grown since then and it doesn't seem like she ever will-  but she resembles her sister more now with her calm compound-like eyes tinged with a hint of sadness. A relaxed, gentle smile is always playing on her pink lips.

At first glance, she seems calm, relaxed even. But you know better. With one glance at her, you can tell there is an eternal rage that is burning and simmering deep inside her, like an unattended pot left to boil on the stove.

You wonder how long it will be before it overflows and burns everything in its path.

Rengoku Kyojuro is no longer a Mizunoto-ranked slayer. He has risen to the rank of Kanoe in a remarkable three years.

Such speed, you ponder to yourself as you fidget alongside the rest of the Pillars at the semiannual Pillar meeting.

Is that what being strong feels like? To have the blessing of God showered upon you and to be granted the strength to protect those you love?

You have also heard he has a Tsuguko by the name of Kanroji Mitsuri now. You've seen her around before and with hair like hers, the color of sakura mochi, how could you not remember her? You've never directly talked to her, but from what you've seen, she seems like a bubbly, happy girl that brightens the lives of everyone around her. There are also rumors that she is incredibly strong, with a muscular composition that is eight times stronger than that of a normal person.

A tug of jealousy plucks at your heartstrings, but you cast it aside and wait for the meeting to begin.

"I thought only Pillars were allowed to have Tsuguko," you mutter to yourself. Shinobu gently chuckles next to you; a sound that is reminiscent of bells jingling in the breeze.

"Are you talking about Rengoku-san?" she asks teasingly.

"And what if I am?" you shoot back.

Speaking of him...

You glance off to the side at the familiar head of blond hair at the edge of the garden. You can't see his face, but you can already feel a smile creeping up on you and you have to suppress it to escape further teasing from Shinobu.

"It's been half a year, my adorable swordsmen and doctor. How have you all been doing?"

Oyakata-sama's voice snaps you out of your daydreaming.

"Fine!" declares Uzui. "But your health is our highest priority, Oyakata-sama."

"Things have gotten a lot more lonely since before," continues Oyakata-sama, gesturing to the empty spaces in the garden that used to be occupied by the Pillars. "Kibutsuji's strength is growing as well. Forgive me for saying this, but I will have to ask you to do more missions. I want you all to support each other and to achieve your duties more than ever before."

"Understood," says Sanemi. "But by the way, Oyakata-sama..."

He turns to glare at Kyojuro.

"Why is a non-pillar swordsman here? What happened to the Flame Pillar, Rengoku Shinjuro-dono?"

You stick your head out, hoping to catch a glimpse of the man who has stolen your heart. He's sitting on his knees, hands folded politely across his lap. Upon seeing each other, however, your faces light up in brilliant grins. You chuckle sheepishly and wave to him, to which he does the same thing.

It's funny just how much lighter and warmer your heart feels by seeing him alone.

I guess the sun has that effect on people.

"Kyojuro!"

"(Y/N)!"

Shinobu, Uzui, and Sanemi wince and shield their eyes from the two radiant suns in the garden beaming at each other. Giyuu is as stoic as ever, but Shinobu swears she sees him roll his eyes next to her.

"Hey," growls Sanemi. "Are you really fit to be a Pillar stand-in? And why are you looking at (Y/N) with heart eyes like that? Don't tell me you think you're actually worthy enough for her?

Kyojuro sits even straighter, a jolt going through his body. You glare at Sanemi, having half a mind to pinch his nose as hard as you can, but Oyakata-sama beats you before you can act.

"Sanemi, don't pick on him too much," he gently chides. "I called over Kyojuro-san so he can explain what happened."

Sanemi immediately gets onto his knees. He shifts uncomfortably, as he can feel your disapproving gaze burning a hole in his back.

"You must all be worried about Shinjuro. Can you tell us how he's doing at home, Kyojuro-san?"

He hesitates as if he is bracing himself, before continuing.

"I have no proof of this, but ever since my mother Ruka passed away, Shinjuro has lost all his will to fight. He has lost all his will to fight and has started drinking while on duty. He currently shuts himself inside his room and can no longer abstain from alcohol before missions."

You have to cover your mouth with your hand to prevent your shock from showing.

Is that so? Is that what's become of him?

"What an absolute shame," murmurs Himejima, voicing your thoughts. "Shinjuro-dono has served the Pillars for a long time, but now we're in a position where we must all bond together."

"I suggest a flamboyant retirement, as he's setting a bad example for our fighters," declares Tengen.

"But we don't have enough Pillars," argues Shinobu.

"But at the same time, a drunkard won't be of any use to Oyakata-sama either," adds Sanemi. "What do we do then?"

"That won't be an issue!" pipes up Kyojuro from where he sits. "If I become the Flame Pillar, then I'm sure my father will regain his motivation!"

You bite your bottom lip at his statement. His statement is optimistic, but you wonder if it will hold. You had heard of his mother passing away, but that was years ago. That meant his father had been wallowing in his grief ever since then.

Would Kyojuro becoming the Flame Pillar be enough to pull him out of his misery?

You hoped so, but the more pessimistic part of you told you it wouldn't be enough.

Next to you, Shinobu sighs with a deadpan expression on her pretty face. Tengen snorts in amusement and Sanemi turns to face Kyojuro once again.

"Woah, woah, Rengoku Kyojuro. You sure do have a lot of confidence. Being a Pillar's not as sweet as you recklessly proclaim it to be."

"Of course, I know the requirements to become a Pillar!"

"Then show me your skills, bitch."

You bite your lip nervously. Your senses are going off like an alarm, warning you of incoming conflict. You want to call out and separate the two before the situation goes downhill, but your voice fails you in the moment. All you can do is sit back and watch helplessly as you've always done.

"Shinazugawa," begins Gyomei warningly.

"Himejima-san, Oyakata-sama, please forgive me in advance."

In the blink of an eye, he runs across the garden and delivers a swift kick to the side of Kyojuro's head. He stumbles back, somehow managing to block the deadly blow, but it's not enough time to avoid the next one.

"Shinazugawa!"

"Sanemi!" you roar. You're standing on your feet now, all eyes trained on you. Shinobu covers her mouth to suppress a chuckle. You're gnashing your teeth together, veins on your forehead and the back of your neck bulging in barely-concealed rage. Your nails dig into the skin of your palms, leaving behind deep half-moon crescents that threaten to bleed.

It's so rare to see (Y/N)-chan get this mad. Fufufu... It's pretty scary.

"Be a Pillar already!" he shouts as he relentlessly swings punches and aims kicks at Kyojuro. "Start running around and fighting demons! We have open Pillar seats here. When will you get here? When will you sit here? Get right to it, you fucking dumbass! Come on now, hit me back, why don't ya?"

You spot his elbow moving towards Kyojuro's eye, poised to take it out if he was a second too late to stop it, But he stops it in time, both of them straining to overpower the other.

"I would never hit you!" declares Kyojuro. "Swordsmen are forbidden to fight amongst each other and I would never hit a human being!"

Sanemi freezes. You can practically see the gears in his mind turning and an expression of shock and confusion is scrawled across his face.

"Plus, I don't want to hit you either! I see you're a serious guy but you also have a burning passion inside of you! Thanks, I'll do my best!"

"D... Don't thank the guy who's trying to punch your brains out!" he howls, attempting to beat up Kyojuro once again.

You glance towards Shinobu off to your right. You can practically hear her thoughts as she shakes her head from side to side.

"He's a weirdo, huh, (Y/N)-chan?" she hums as you sit back down. She pokes your white butterfly hair clip teasingly. "Say, why did you choose him, out of all people?"

"Don't put it like that," you reprimand, poking her back in return.

"You indeed have a heart of gold, (Y/N)-chan."

"Sanemi."

Upon hearing Oyakata-sama's voice, he gets onto his knees and hands as fast as he can.

"... Please forgive me. I got a little bit too carried away there."

You raise your eyebrows in amusement.

Through sheer words alone, he can control a man like Sanemi...

"Kyojuro."

He immediately sits down, legs folded neatly beneath him.

"I'm sure you already know the conditions required to become a Pillar. We've recently received information about a demon near the capital, and there's a chance that it could be one of the Twelve Demon Moons. I'd like to trust you with this extermination."

Sanemi jerks his head up, neck spasming in clear displeasure. Out of respect for Oyakata-sama, he holds his tongue but his true opinion is showing through. Kyojuro lowers his head, golden-ringed eyes wide as he processes this request.

"Forgive me for saying this, Oyakata-sama," begins Shinobu next to you. "But if it is one of the Twelve Demon Moons, then we should be the ones going out, right?"

"I can't give you a mission outside of your designated regions. Besides, this is taking place in Shinjuro's region. It's the perfect opportunity for him to prove his strength. Kyojuro. If you say you can become a Pillar, don't tell me, but show me. Then, everyone else and I will accept you.

"Show me your true power, Kyojuro."

"Understood!" he booms, eyes lighting up.

The meeting is dismissed. Sanemi picks up his sword in a daze and Uzui snickers at his misfortune next to him.

"Why... how... impossible," he croaks. You and Shinobu roll your eyes in sync.

"Remind me to kick your ass later," you hiss to Sanemi as your eyes lock onto Kyojuro's retreating figure. You lick your lips and clench your hands into fists beside you.

It's now or never.

"Kyojuro," you call out. Your voice echoes across the garden and he turns around from where the Kakushi are frantically asking him if he is alright.

"Ah, (Y/N)! What is it?"

You smile. It is a doll-like smile; the same one Shinobu is sporting.

"Do be safe, please."

His face beams at your words. The corners of his eyes crinkle up as he smiles, white teeth flashing brilliantly. It is too luminous and dazzling, making it impossible for you to stare at him directly, much like how it was impossible to stare directly at the sun.

"I will!"

This time, your plea goes heard.

»»————　♔　————-««

The sun is going down beneath the horizon, with the moon already starting to show up in the sapphire and amethyst sky. Soon, the night will fall upon this nation and demons will come out of their hiding spot to roam the earth as they have always done.

You bite your bottom lip nervously as you stare up at the moon. Kyojuro's words from earlier are still playing in your mind.

He's strong, you try to tell yourself as you pace nervously back and forth around the garden. He can do this.

But then again, this is one of the Twelve Demon Moons who have a higher concentration of Kibutsuji's blood than any other demon. Will he... really be alright?

You fiddle with an empty bullet magazine, drumming your fingernails along its surface.

Good luck, Kyojuro. Shine your radiant light upon others and become the Flame Pillar.