"This is the headquarters? It feels pretty ordinary..." Hiru followed behind Himejima, looking around. "But why did we all have to be carried here? And why did they have to switch so many people along the way..."
"Because Muzan Kibutsuji is constantly searching for us," Himejima replied, hands pressed together as he walked with even, steady steps. "To ensure the Demon Slayer Corps continues to function and to safeguard Oyakata-sama, only Hashira-level Swordsmen may know the way and arrive directly. Everyone else must be guided by the Kakushi."
"Sounds like a real hassle... But if only Hashira knows the way, then how do you know it, Himejima?"
"Amida-butsu... I was saved by the Lord and brought back to the Demon Slayer Corps. With nowhere else to go, I settled nearby."
Hiru was about to speak again when a young voice called out.
"Oh my! Is that you, Mr. Himejima?"
Hiru looked toward the sound. A little girl, no more than ten years old, came running excitedly with a bundle in her arms. Her black hair was tied with a mint-green butterfly ornament edged in deep purple. Her bright violet eyes sparkled as she stared up at Himejima with pure admiration. "It really is Mr. Himejima!"
"Is that little Shinobu?" Himejima turned precisely in her direction, a faint smile softening his face. "It has been a while."
"Mm! Too bad my sister didn't come this time!" Shinobu's smile blossomed. "She would've been so happy to see Mr. Himejima too!"
"What brings you here, Shinobu?"
"I'm delivering medicine to Oyakata-sama!" she said, lifting the bundle proudly. "I came with the pharmacist! I'm learning how to make medicine!"
"I see. You're quite capable." Himejima bent down and patted her head. "Keep working hard."
"Mm! Then I won't keep Mr. Himejima any longer!" Shinobu beamed. "I need to hurry and deliver this!"
"Alright, go on."
As the girl bowed and ran off, Hiru glanced at Himejima. "So, Himejima, that child is...?"
"One of the two children I rescued not long after joining the Demon Slayer Corps. Their parents were killed by demons." Himejima murmured a Buddhist chant. "Had I arrived just a little sooner, perhaps their parents wouldn't have died."
"But if you hadn't gone, wouldn't both children have died too?"
"That is not the point... I am a Swordsman tasked with slaying demons. Failing to save their parents was my failure..."
"You and my brother are so alike it leaves me speechless..." Hiru sighed. "Do overly kind people just love shouldering every bit of blame?"
"Amida-butsu... I am only stating the truth." Tears slipped from Himejima's pale eyes again. "I had the power to save them, yet arrived moments too late. That is my sin."
Hiru: =-=
This is exhausting.
Having lived in seclusion with Yoriichi for centuries—and having spent just as long trying to talk sense into him—Hiru knew far too well how stubborn people like this could be.
The clearest example was when he first became a demon and met Yoriichi again. Yoriichi blamed everything on himself—his slow reactions leading to the clan's demise, his own incompetence turning his younger brother into a demon, and finally, his selfishness for failing to kill the demon before him. He even felt his wavering resolve made him too shameful to remain in this world.
Yoriichi constantly denied his own existence. Even now, just remembering it made Hiru's blood pressure spike.
People say kindness is built upon strength, but to Hiru, all he saw were powerful individuals shackled by their own excessive compassion, drowning in guilt again and again.
Hiru sighed inwardly. "Before you start blaming yourself, why not accept the gratitude of the ones who survived?
"That child—Shinobu, wasn't it? She clearly likes you and appreciates you.
"She's grateful you arrived when you did. She knows who her real enemies are. By being warm and cheerful toward you, isn't she trying to keep you from feeling burdened on her behalf?
"Himejima, don't betray that kindness."
Himejima froze. After a moment of silence, he murmured another Buddhist chant. "It is not that I wish to betray their goodwill... I simply feel those two children ought to harbor some resentment toward me..."
"If they resent you instead of thanking you, that makes things easier." Hiru spread his hands. "If someone blames you for failing to save their family, just send them to reunite with their family. Ungrateful people aren't worth caring about.
"The Buddha will listen to their complaints. All you need to do, Himejima, is send them all to meet the Buddha."
Himejima: ...Something seems wrong here, but I can't figure out what.
Finally, Himejima could only smile and shake his head. "You're truly carefree, Hiru... I still cannot be as clear-hearted as you, but I will continue training so I can save more people."
Hiru: ...That's not what I meant at all!
For a moment, Hiru felt as if he were looking at Yoriichi's shadow in Himejima.
"...Well, if you're happy, that's fine." Feeling drained, Hiru let his attention wander, searching for something interesting. His eyes brightened the instant he spotted a figure being carried ahead by a Kakushi. "Brother!"
Himejima paused. "Hiru's brother is here as well?"
"Mm!" Hiru watched as the Kakushi, after assessing them, gently set Yoriichi down. Tugging Himejima along, Hiru said, "Come on, I'll introduce you. The two of you will definitely get along!"
Yoriichi thanked the Kakushi who had carried him all this way, then looked toward Hiru pulling Himejima over. A gentle smile warmed his expression. "It seems you've made a good friend, Hiru?"
"I think so. His name is Himejima Gyomei, the future Stone Hashira! His weapon looks incredibly powerful." Hiru turned to Himejima. "Himejima, this is my brother, Yoriichi. Calling him the strongest swordsman isn't an exaggeration."
"Hello, I am Himejima Gyomei." Unable to sense Yoriichi's presence, Himejima nodded toward the source of his voice. "Hiru often speaks of you."
"Hello, I'm Yoriichi." Observing Himejima's pale eyes and the unfocused gaze that passed above his head, Yoriichi understood and loosened his suppressed aura just slightly. "Thank you for looking after my brother."
"No, Hiru is also a formidable swordsman. In fact, this operation succeeded because he held off the other demons, allowing me to slay the Twelve Kizuki more easily." This time, Himejima turned accurately toward Yoriichi, wonder on his face. "You truly are a powerful swordsman. I didn't sense your presence at all."
"I often suppress my aura to avoid alerting demons. I'm too used to it by now. I hope it didn't inconvenience you."
"No, I should be the one thanking you for your consideration, Mr. Yoriichi..."
"Mr. Himejima, you don't need to use honorifics with me. I'm nothing special."
"Then please don't use honorifics with me either," Himejima said with a smile. "I fall far below your level. How could I allow someone so far above me to speak to me with honorifics? It would be too disrespectful."
"This... very well." Yoriichi reached out and ruffled Hiru's hair gently, smiling. "Then I look forward to your guidance, Himejima."