Yae woke up the next day with Torakkā curled against her. She looked down at the dog with gratitude as she hadn't had a nightmare. "Good morning girl. I'm sorry if I moved around too much." She planted a kiss on the dog's head as Torakkā woke up from it and let out a yawn. "Come on, Giyuu should be up by now and getting breakfast ready." The dog quickly shot her head up and stretched. Yae couldn't help but smile as she felt a reminiscent tear run down her face. "You remind me of your older brother, I'll tell you about him when there's a chance." Yae shook her loose hair as she quickly changed into her long black skirt and blue yukata, taking one last look at herself in the mirror.
"Giyuu, we're up!" Yae walked into a main hall happily, only to be caught off guard that there was no one around. No Giyuu, not even Kanzaburou seemed to be around. Yae quickly looked around as to find a note of some sort, Giyuu always left them when he left for missions, even when he went out for normal errands. "Nothing? That's off, It's become a habit of his since I started living here. Maybe because I was gone for the month it fell out of routine?" She looked to Torakkā as he began sniffing around. Yae quickly whistled to gain back the dogs attention. "Why don't we go back to Shinobu's? Use this as an opportunity to get some answers about what Giyuu likes and see what we can do for his birthday?" Torakkā barked as her tail wagged, ready to begin her own hunt.
The two embarked on their journey back to the Butterfly estate as Yae and Torakkā jogged there. She still wasn't use to the length to her destination, but after all the training from her recent stay the journey was nowhere near as harsh as her last visit. Even with her rifle and knives the journey didn't cause worry. Torakkā still proved as capable as ever, her lineage showing long tests of endurance were nothing for her. After an hour, she had returned to what she dubbed her second home and knocked on the door to announce her presence before walking in. "It's Yae everyone! I know I just left, but I have some important questions!"
With the sound of scampering feet dancing in her ear, Yae saw the little caterpillars rush in front of her with a quick bow. "Hello there Yae!" "How may we be of help!" "Hello new sister! Hello puppy!" Yae signaled for Torakkā to sit and kneeled before the girls. "Do you three know where Shinobu is? I have some questions for her about Giyuu's birthday coming up." The little trio were actually shocked to hear the question come up as they all looked to each other. "Tomioka-sama's birthday is coming up?!" "We must prepare!" "Big sister Shinobu isn't here right now!" Yae watched as Kiyo and Sumi ran off for something as Naho began to pet Torakkā. After a minute, she watched as the two girls than ran off came back dragging Aoi. They were so excited all they could do is repeat that Giyuu's birthday was coming up. "Tomioka-sama's birthday is soon? This is the first I've heard of his birthday."
"Yeah it's on the eighth, I came to ask Shinobu if she knew what Giyuu liked. Since missions can show up at any time, I want to celebrate it while he's still here." Yae looked around as she found entertainment in the girls running around. "Lady Shinobu and Tomioka-sama should be at the Hashira meeting still at the Master's estate. This requires all active Hashira to report to him and this happens every six months." Yae understood the logic of it, why would she know of something that only mattered to the very highest tier of the Corps? "I know where it is, If anything I can go grab them and we can talk something out together. Maybe the three of us go out together. I'm alright to leave Torakkā here right?" Before Aoi could respond, Torakkā barked as she was now laying on the floor as Naho continued spoiling her with attention. "I have one favor to ask Aoi." The blue eyed butterfly nodded as she waited for the question. "Can you help show me how to make a certain dish when there's a chance?"
Yae smiled the entire run from the Butterfly estate to the Master's. She offered to get all the ingredients fresh for Aoi to teach her what she needed just to help make up for the last minute request. She still agreed to it though, and that was the important part. After what she thought was close to an hour or two, she was sure that she made it back to the Master's estate. Somehow in the daylight, the architecture and area itself was even more beautiful. Yae actually saw the master take leave as he returned inside, a sigh of relief left her system that she didn't interrupt the meeting. The distinct two tone haori of Giyuu caught her attention as he stood by himself. "Giyuu, Shinobu, there you two are!" She smiled at him as she waved him over.
Before she could close the distance between them, Yae felt her herself being restrained with an arm wrapped around her neck. "Who are you and how the fuck do you know about the Master's estate?!" Yae choked on what air was in her body and thought of all she could to escape. She couldn't reach for her knife to strike at a good angle and the thought of using her rifle died immediately. She did all she could think of when defending herself from she learned was a male attacker. Survival and self protection encouraged being willing to fight dirty. Yae let herself fall limp to the ground and forced her attacker to follow her weight. With him bent over, she twisted her body and drove her first into his crotch. She could hear the man scream in pain as his grip on her was weakened. Yae dragged the man to the ground before grabbing her rifle and shoving the end of the barrel into the man's mouth. "Fucking try to touch me like that again and I'll shoot you just like every other wild animal!"
She looked down to see a man with white hair and prominent scars across his face and what she could see his chest. Her eyes didn't leave him as she became surrounded by two others. One being another man with white hair and a bejeweled headband, the other with flaming red and yellow hair. Neither had weapons drawn but both looked ready to act. "I come to see my friends and talk about something important, and this is the greeting I get?" Before the two men could try to act against her, she found them being pushed back by her friends. "My oh my Yae, may you please remove the end of your gun from Shinazugawa-san's mouth? As foul as his personality may be sometimes, he's still a needed asset of the Corps." "Yae, put the gun away. Killing Shinazugawa will not bring anything to you but punishments that will not be worth it. Please?"
Yae sighed as she looked down at the man. "I've met bears uglier than you and still had better manners." Yae pulled her rifle away as she maintained a distance against the strangers, glad to have her friends as cover. "I have no idea who this woman is, but damn she knows how to make a flashy entrance!" The man with the bejeweled headband laughed as he helped the scarred man up. "I don't care what kind of entrance she made, she's a non slayer that's aware of the Master's location! She's a damn security risk!" "She's a slayer in training who has approval from the Master. He's known of her for months." Giyuu turned around to check on Yae, examining her neck with worry. "Are you alright? Slight bruising, but any issues with breathing?"
Yae shook her head as she tied her hair back up with her headwrap. "The screaming took away my need to cough. I'm alright Giyuu." He frowned as he looked at the markings before turning back to who was apparently Shinazugawa. "Do you intend to make this a common occurrence Shinazugawa? Attacking people with little to no regard for consequences or thought?" Sanemi pushed away from Uzui as he closed the distance to Tomioka. "Do you intend to tell us why you have this brat following you around? How does she know about the Master's estate?" "Because the night I saved her, I brought her here so then she may understand what it means to be part of the Corps. The Master guides us all and I did not want her to start blind." "Doesn't she know she isn't meant to be here during the time of a meeting?!" "My apologies Shinazugawa, I wasn't aware you had a Tsuguko yourself that knew everything about the Corps and its rules or operations."
A loud clap echoed through the area, all remained silent and all stood petrified in place. "Enough. Shinazugawa, you attacked someone who does not have the same power or skills as you and forced them to defend themselves. This woman had pure intentions to see Tomioka and you injure her because you are too rash to attempt to simply question her." Yae watched as a giant of a man asserted himself and had the energy to make every other Hashira stop in their tracks. He spoke with such softness but his stature towered over any bear she hunted in the past. Yae watched as the man slowly walked towards her, her instincts told her to hide and she quickly did behind Giyuu. "You have my utmost apologies for how Shinazugawa acted. We are Hashira, we are meant to be better than this. Please, let me pray for us to move past this transgression against you in a better way."
Yae curiously watched as the man began to cry and let out a small prayer. "Please Kami and other heavenly spirits that watch over us, do not hold our actions against us, but let us use them as learning experiences. So that we may be better, and do not make the same mistakes again. And if we do, know that we try to be better still, even if we falter. We are only human. Namu Amida Butsu." The man stayed kneeled as he rose his head to look at her. 'Wait... Is this guy blind?' "I am Gyomei Himejima, Stone Hashira, may I ask who you are and why you visit the Master's estate?" She looked up to Giyuu and he gave a nod signaling to answer. "Yae Hasinaw, former Matagi and now Demon Slayer in training. I came to find Giyuu and speak with him and Shinobu about his birthday coming up." This caused the entire group to stop anything they were planning to say as focused on this piece of news. "You... Cared about my birthday?"
"Tomioka's birthday is coming up?! Maybe we can add some flash to his downer lifestyle!" "Tomioka-san we have known each other for years and I'm only now learning of your birthday being so close to mine? Perhaps you're the mean one here too." Shinobu felt a vein in her forehead pulse as she jammed her fingers into Giyuu's sides. "This is my first official meeting and I already get to help someone celebrate their birthday! My heart is ablaze with joy!" Giyuu sighed as he turned around to face Yae. "Why use your cloth to tie your hair and not cover your wounds?" "Huh? Well... You haven't seen me with my hair down in a while and I wanted to try and make your birthday celebration a bit special. It's why I'm finally letting you see me in the clothes you bought. I don't know anyone here besides you two so I didn't want just anyone to get to see it."
Giyuu grabbed her headwrap as he took it off before using it to around her neck to cover the bruises. "I'd rather a moment be not as special than to see you hurt. Understood?" Yae sighed as she nodded looking into his eyes. "Well well well, we have Tomioka and a girl talking together so casually and on a first name basis with one another? Just what have we missed since the last meeting? Tomioka finally found some flare in his life and got himself a girl!" Giyuu watched unfazed as Yae actively aimed her rifle into Uzui's face. "Watch the words before I do what I plan to do with the feral bastard and take your tongue and feed it to my dog." The man with the flaming hair couldn't help but laugh as he looked closely at the rifle.
"An Arisaka rifle! Quite a design and reliability! I thought Matagi were akin to the Murata though?" Yae couldn't help but have her eyes light up in confusion. "You know firearms?" "The Lower Moon I killed to become Hashira was a walking armory! Revolvers, rifles, shotguns, it was an amazing battle! After our fight, I became curious on them and decided to learn!" "Lower... Moon?" Giyuu tapped Yae on her shoulder as her focus shifted to him. "Remember how I spoke of the most dangerous threats to humanity? That is what I reffered to. The Twelve Moons are the deadliest demons to exist at any given time, spare the entity known as Muzan. While regular demons may be self serving monsters, the Moons answer directly to Muzan himself." Yae was in awe at the idea that apparently Hashira earned their place by killing the most dangerous of predators. It filled her with a sense of curiosity and excitement. She was pulled out of her thoughts as Shinobu threw her arms her and Giyuu.
"I think we're getting off the main topic that we have all just learned that Tomioka's birthday is coming up. Seeing as how this is the first we've learned of it, why don't we all go out to celebrate? Uzui-san may be onto something." The majority of the group seemed to cheer for the idea spare for two people. Sanemi scoffed at the idea before turning away and walking in the opposite direction. "I'm not wasting a single day of my life with some bastard who for the longest time thought we weren't worth one of his." "It's funny Shinazugawa, and here I thought you wouldn't be one to care about my birthday. It's why I never told anyone of it." Sanemi was quick to turn back to deal with what he thought was a smart remark, only to be met by Yae having a skinning knife to his throat. "I don't care if you are Hashira or not, try to attack someone I care about and I'll ask you how you want that tongue of yours cooked. Have any preferences?"
Everyone with the exception Sanemi had moved as a group into a bustling village. The sun was setting and the village was slowly turning to lights and lanterns. Giyuu was unfortunately being dragged by Tengen and Kyojuro, with Shinobu walking behind him. He truly was trapped and being required to celebrate. "Come on Tomioka quit dragging your feet, it's unflashy. We're trying to celebrate your birthday, and that means you need to be part of it. This is the first time we've done it so we need to go BIG with this." Tengen couldn't help but laugh as he continued to drag Tomioka. Yae was still curious as to just what everyone meant so she saw this as her best chance to question. "So Giyuu, why does no one seem to know your birthday? Why tell me if not even Shinobu here?" "Because I have not celebrated my birthday since becoming an official slayer. And I had told you because it pertained to the situation. I did not think this would be something you cared about."
Yae scoffed as she moved next to Giyuu behind the one named Uzui. "You're my friend, remember what we said?" She watched as he nodded and began to felt at ease. "Besides, I can already tell tonight should be alright. The moon's already looking beautiful tonight even with the sun still out." She pointed to the moon, its partly covered form while not full, still was prominent in the sky. "Hm, it is. It's quite comforting." All Hashira but Gyomei stopped in their tracks as their eyes bounced between Yae and Giyuu. "Oh come on! You threaten me earlier with what I talked about, but you go and say that in front of all of us?!" Tengen questioned the two adamantly, but both were visibly confused. "She only asked me of the moon though?" "Yeah, we both think it's pretty. I like hunting under moonlight and he finds it good company on missions."
Shinobu covered her mouth with her hand in the attempt to smother her giggles. "Oh my, they're being literal." Giyuu and Yae looked to each other utterly confused as the trio of escorts were all laughing to themselves. They both shrugged in their unknowing of what the others referred to, and simply decided to follow Himejima to their destination. As Giyuu guided Yae into the building, they saw Gyomei's monstrous figure sitting patiently. "Himejima, it's Tomioka and Yae, allow the others a moment outside to catch up. Something had overtaken them and neither of us know what it may be." Gyomei smiled to his comrade's voice as he nodded in understanding. "Your presence this time is welcome Tomioka, yours as well Hasinaw."
"Thank you Himejima-sama, aside from that bastard with the scars, the Hashira are more relaxed than I thought. No idea what's with the guy with the shiny headband though." Gyomei sighed as placed his hands together and rubbed his prayer beads for mental support. "I will agree to an extent about Shinazugawa. He has been troubled for some time now. Not everyone agrees with his attitude towards others, but not even the Master can argue against his effectiveness in our war. He fought demons before even being a Slayer, using himself as bait to trap demons to die in sunlight. He does not come without issue, but his skills alone make him worthy of having as a comrade in arms. Uzui however, is a kind soul, but an eccentric one." "It's not my fault people need to have some more pizazz in their lives Himejima! Humans don't live forever, we need to make our marks on this earth while we still can!"
Yae turned around to see Shinobu and the others finally caught up and joined them. "Now then you two, why don't you introduce yourselves properly to Yae?" Shinobu gested for the two men as they all sat down together at the long table. Where Giyuu, Shinobu, and Yae sat on one side, Tengen, Kyojuro, and Gyomei sat opposite of them. "I am Tengen Uzui, Sound Hashira, and the almighty God of Festivals and Flashiness!" He boasted proudly as he struck a pose. "I am Kyojuro Rengoku, the Flame Hashira! It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance Ms. Hasinaw!" Yae's brow furrowed at the noise that two people were able to make. She felt Shinobu tap her shoulder and whisper into her ear. "Rengoku-san has hearing damage, so he's unfortunately not aware of how loud he can be. We've yet to discover what's wrong with Uzui-san though." "I heard that Kocho!" The girls couldn't help but laugh at the man.
The group ordered a hotpot along with side dishes of their own choosings. Tengen with his desire to make the night more notable, requested bottles of sake for them to share. While most did not like the idea, he couldn't help but argue his logic. "Come on, Tomioka just turned..." "Twenty." "Twenty! Legally he can drink, and even if the rest of you all can't or won't, can we really say we haven't earned it? Most of us have fought for years, Rengoku my flameboyant new buddy here nearly a year, and now we have Hasinaw here who's starting. We throw ourselves into a hell that we pray normal people never discover. We deserve a chance to unwind. We don't get this opportunity often." Shinobu was the first to respond as her mask finally slipped, a look of exhaustion washing over her face. "I work in a hospital... Gyomei forgive me, but Uzui-san, pour me a drink."
As food was consumed and sake was drank, the day in celebration of a man's gloomy life was allowed to turn bright. Even if it was for his birthday, Giyuu had refused to drink. He however did feel something, he wasn't quite sure what it was though. It was positive as far as he could tell. "And then... The.. He smiled over a bowl of salmon and radish of all things!" Shinobu giggled before breaking out into hysteria as she was telling the others the story of how they met Yae. Even with her mind becoming fuzzy from the alcohol she was still coherent enough to not tell the others ALL of the details of that mission. "You got to see Tomioka smile?! Shinazugawa is never going to believe this..." Tengen looked at Giyuu's face as if to examine it thoroughly. "Why have you never smiled for us before? Come on, the God of Festivals commands thee... He'll do it any second now... Any... Second."
Giyuu sighed as he focused on his soba. "My apologies Uzui, but I don't exactly have much reason to smile. I wake up, I train myself and Yae, go on any missions required of me, and retire at our home." Yae leaned against him as she laughed a bit. She wasn't new to alcohol, her father had allowed her try some after her very first bear kill as a teenager. It had been several years since then, but it was rooted to a positive memory. As this time would be to her. "Come on, you smiled last night after training when we came back in from the lake. You just don't do it unless you really like something, like with your salmon. You're just a softie that doesn't know how to express it." Giyuu thought of the dish, the memories of peaceful happier times, the person who helped make that dish so important to him. "Hm. Just maybe." Giyuu finally stared down a bottle and grabbed it by the neck, chugging down what he could. To be able to remember was both a treasure and a constant pain, he believed he deserved some sort of relief.
Shinobu watched in awe at her friend as he finished a bottle of sake by himself. This may have been his first ever alcoholic beverage, but he still consumed it as if he was someone that relapsed. "Heh... This isn't bad." Giyuu slowly put the empty bottle down and felt everything in his system become loose, it was like every muscle in his body finally relaxed. His mind felt as if it was floating, everything was underwater and he was just submerged in the middle of it all. "This... This feels good. Really good." Giyuu couldn't help but giggle as he held himself up by placing a hand down onto the table. Giyuu smiled down to everyone as he continued to feel everything unwind. "You all want me to relax then? For us to celebrate? Then let's celebrate!" The only girls of the group shared a look of concern to one another as they both looked to him. "Uh Giyuu? Are you alright?" "Tomioka?"
"I'm more than alright. The thoughts are all quiet for now, everything is both clear and murky and I'm loving it." Giyuu couldn't help but smile as he threw his hands into the air. "I feel like I'm me again!" Yae looked up to see his face. It was that same smile. That same one he wore that day they ate and he ordered his salmon daikon. It was of pure joy, a sense of innocence was all it radiated. Looking into his eyes, she wasn't sure if it was just the lanterns overhead, but she swore they had light in them. They shined far more than she even thought in the moon. It was...entrancing. "Woah..." She was off in her own world as she watched up, not even pulled away when she heard the men roar in cheer. "That's the level of flamboyance I've wanted to see! Look at that smile!"
The group had celebrated well into the night. None were ready for what had appeared to be the true Giyuu Tomioka. He was full of cheer, laughter, someone who was not afraid to feel alive. Shinobu and Yae did not drink anymore after seeing just what became of Giyuu, thinking they had to be the responsible ones after seeing how stark a shift he had. He was obviously enjoying himself, but something caused them to have a sobering thought of it all. He had proclaimed he felt like himself again. Was who they knew him as all an act? Something akin to an alternative personality? They refused to have the conversation with alcohol in their systems, this would be something that required a clear mind.
The two girls helped him to the Butterfly estate, Shinobu knew he would need something for his headache in the morning. Each had one his arm's around them as they supported his weight. "You two... Truly are amazing y'all know th- that? Really good friends really good..." Giyuu pulled them together into a hug as he laughed away. "Who would've thought Giyuu would be the affectionate type of drunk?" "You knew him longer, how was this not seen as a possibility?" They continued their walk until they stood before the estate. Where as the girls began to move, Giyuu stood still as his eyes tracked them. "Promise I won't lose you two as well?"
They turned around and looked at him with a deep worry. The cheer from his face had vanished, replaced with sulken guilt. "Hey big guy, I'm not going anywhere. I already told you you're stuck with me so don't think you're losing me too." Yae walked up to him placing a hand on his shoulder as she remembered the shrine. Shinobu was questioning why this being brought up at all. But if he was truly as emotional as he showed earlier, perhaps he was more caring than anyone could've thought. Shinobu walked up and placed her own hand on his arm. "... I'll be here for as long as I can Giyuu. You have my word."
The front door screamed open as Kiyo, Sumi, and Naho all peaked through it. Upon seeing who they desired, they rushed into him. "Tomioka-sama!" "Happy birthday!" "We made desserts!" This seemed to snap Giyuu out of his depressive state as he smiled at the young caterpillars. "Thank you girls. I hope it wasn't left cold too long because of us." He giggled softly as he was dragged by the trio. Shinobu looked to Yae, as if looking for some kind of answer. "Yae. Just what was that question about? What did he mean by as well?" Yae bit her lip before letting out a sigh, shaking her head. "It isn't my place to tell, I'm sorry. If he told me though, I know he'll be able to tell you someday." She gave Shinobu a supportive smile as she watched the girl pout. "Come on though, let's end this night on a positive note. He's gonna need it before the hangover kicks in."
"We didn't know what you liked!" "So we made a lot of choices!" "Castella, mochi, dorayaki as well!" The girls kept their eyes on him as he smiled, all caught off guard at the sight of it but enjoyed it still. Aoi and Kanao stood by the table with Torakkā sat next to them, watching everyone enter the dining area. Aoi saw his smile as she became flustered from it again. "Hello there Tomioka-sama. We hope that this spread is enough to help celebrate properly." Kanao stayed quiet as she watched Giyuu sat at the head of the table, looking over everyone and everything. All in attendance focused on the man as he looked tired, but almost content. Like there was joy but laced with melancholy.
Giyuu looked across the table of the desserts, the lives that surrounded him, the spaces in between people where he wished others were. The last time he celebrated was with Urokodaki-sensei and Sabito at training. They swam around at a waterfall's basin, Giyuu floating at the surface of the water as the warm summer sun bathed him in its light. Urokodaki-sensei had gone out of his way to hunt salmon for them to smoke over an open fire. The three ate until their bellies were full and spent the night gazing to the stars. He thought that would be the last birthday he would openly enjoy. He was glad to be proven wrong. "Thank you all... Thank you for this."
The women of the Butterfly estate watched as Giyuu smiled with tears running down his cheeks. He gripped onto his haori as he continued to smile, clinging to it desperately. "Even if I can't remember this night, remember it for me." Giyuu felt something on his lap and quickly noticed it was Torakkā laying her head on it. He couldn't help but laugh as even the dog tried her best to comfort him. "Thank you girl. I'll sneak you some food when we get home." He leaned down to the dog and spoke in what he thought was a whisper. "Don't tell Yae, I don't want her to think I'm spoiling you." Yae couldn't help but laugh that he said all of that out loud for all to hear. Everyone present indulged themselves on the sweets and pleasantries, letting the worries of the world vanish from their minds. They were able to witness the true Giyuu Tomioka, something that was a gift in its own right.
Giyuu had in fact barely remembered the night before. The pulsation of his head and the taste of sugar that danced on his tongue hinted at just what had happened, but he couldn't quite remember. What did not aid his endavor for truth was no one had told him what had happened when they arrived at the Butterfly estate the night before. He even resorted to questioning Tsuyuri, yet somehow her coin had always landed on tails. No matter who he asked they always denied anything happened, yet for one reason or another, wore a smile as spoke with him. He was at least thankful that the events in question did not seem too bad.
What he did not expect was for Yae to stay another week at the Butterfly estate. The reasoning she gave was to get more use to Flower Breathing given its strengths in perception. The logic of it was sound, so he granted this. The additional week he was alone, he actually recieved no missions. He only assumed this was Shinobu's doing, telling the Master that they discovered his birthday and giving him time off to celebrate or take it easy. It was unexpected, not asked for by himself, but he was still grateful at the thought. Giyuu was returning to his estate the day Yae was expected to return, he had gone out of his way to think of what would be a satisfactory gift for her own upcoming birthday, only to find no answer. She had only started wearing the clothes he bought her asking him for his birthday, her room was completely furnished, his mind was blank.
As he entered the front door, the scent emitting from the kitchen shocked his nose, and barking filled his ears. "Shit you're already home?! I thought I had more time!" He heard the sounds of dishes being prepared and was soon halted by Torakkā. As he tried to step past her, she would stand on her hind legs against him, almost to stop him from moving forward. "Torakkā, sit girl. Remember that this is my home?" The dog whined but still followed the command. He swore this dog was actually a spirit taken manifest from its capabilities. Gripping how brow, he complied and stood patiently as he stood before her. After several minutes of waiting, Yae had finally called for him. "Giyuu it's ready!" Giyuu walked into the dining area and was shocked at the sight before him.
Yae wore a pure black kimono openly with under clothing the same shade as her eyes, her hair was flowing freely. She was seated with two bowls of salmon daikon at the table and lit candles in the middle. "Tada! I know we already celebrated last week, but it's still your actual birthday. We did something loud and about last time and it was obvious you weren't the biggest fan. I thought this time we'd do something more calm, something you'd probably like more." She grabbed one of the bowls and placed it at the other side of the table for him. "You came back home a bit sooner than I liked, but it's hot and fresh." Giyuu looked down at the food, his mind becoming almost blank before a realization hit. "So this is why you wished to stay an additional week."
Yae blushed a deep shade as she waved him off. "Shut up can't you just be happy I was the one that made you food for a change? You always cook because you believe I need high protein and sodium and plenty of water, I wanted to try finally." She hid her face with one of her sleeves as Giyuu sat down. Giyuu focused on the food intently as the fresh steam was still coming off. The salmon had immaculate color, it's meat so tender it would fall apart from his chopsticks. The daikon was dark, showing it had taken on much of the stock to add flavor. He could smell everything from the stock: Ginger, sake, soy sauce, even the remnants of the brown sugar and mirin. Giyuu was forced to swallow as he felt his mouth begin to salivate. Before he could even take a bite he heard Yae yell something out. "Wait I forgot the garnish!" She frantically ran back to the kitchen as he was left curious as to what it was.
Yae quickly came back as she scrambled to the table. "Here we go. Not traditional, but I wanted to give it a bit more kick if that makes sense." Giyuu watched as she garnished their meals with green onions and diced pepper. He recieved a nod for him to finally be able to eat without interruption. Giyuu finally took a bite and the flavors danced and contrasted one another on his tongue. The sensation was bitter, but sweet. The daikon gave a soft crunch while the salmon and ginger pieces melted in his mouth. The peppers gave a strong flavor and the onion helped to stand out on their own, but to also enhance the heat. It was amazing. The flavor reminded him of how Tsutako made it. When life was still innocent and pure, everything just seemed to be that much more colorful, everything seemed to taste that much better.
Yae watched as a single tear ran down Giyuu's right side of his face. She knew this wasn't a tear of sadness this time thankfully, not when he continued to eat with almost vigor born from experiencing the dish. She couldn't help but smile at seeing the man enjoying it so. "I love it. It reminds me of when my sister made it." "Tsutako?" Giyuu was shocked to know Yae remembered her name name. It was touching honestly. "Yes, Tsutako. She grew vegetables in the garden our parents left us, and the salmon always swam in river nearby our house. She always made it when she believed I needed to smile again. I eat it after every mission, it reminds me of easier times. Times when I felt I had a home."
Yae finally started to eat her own food as she smiled at him. "Well I'm here now, and Torakkā is here too." She smiled at him as she pointed her chopsticks at him. "You have us here now, we'll do what we can to help make this place feel like a home if it hasn't yet." Giyuu put the bowl down as he looked towards the two. "Thank you for being here. Thank you as well for helping me be able to enjoy a birthday again." The trio continued to eat in peace, enjoying the moment together in silence as they savord their meals. Giyuu wore a small smile as he ate, internally relishing that he didn't quite feel alone anymore. 'I must pay this kindness back. She did all this for me, I need to make sure her birthday is a memorable as well.'
