He'd messed up.
Giyuu knew that.
He was currently stuck in Muzan's grip, choking on his own blood and struggling to breathe.
He felt dizzy, tired even. Blood ran rivers down his body, dyeing the fresh-fallen snow crimson.
He knew now. He was dying.
Already.
But he kept his face blank.
Cold and indifferent.
Like a glacier.
Just like a certain butterfly had said.
He saw her in his mind's eye, wearing the familiar butterfly wing haori, the ever-present smile on her face, teasing him about his aloof personality, how he was always going off by himself, never interacting with others.
Why was he thinking about her?
He hated her, didn't he?
Her voice rang in his head.
"Then, Tomioka-san, you're a glacier."
"This is why people don't like you, Tomioka-san."
"Ara, ara, Tomioka-san. It seems you really don't have friends."
Kochou.
No, not Kochou.
Shinobu.
He remembered all the times they had gone on missions together. The times they'd argued. The first time they'd met.
It was at a Pillar meeting. The Flower Hashira, Kanae had chosen that day to bring her younger sister along. He hadn't really wanted to make friends, or get to know her. She noticed him, got annoyed by him (how? all he had done was stand to the side), and decided to tease him for it.
Afterwards, when Kanae had been killed and she'd become the Insect Hashira, her personality changed drastically. Before, she'd been expressive, loud and angry, always eager to voice her opinions. Now, Giyuu was sure she was still angry, and possibly sad over her sister's passing, but she kept it all hidden by the bright, fake smile she always wore.
He wished she would just open up again, be the person she once was.
Her voice sounded again in his mind, still with the teasing lilt, but she seemed slightly sadder.
"Do you hate me, Tomioka-san?"
He didn't hate her.
Of course he didn't.
But there was pretty much no chance of ever telling her that now.