Meiji 40 (1907) — Late Summer
Kai — Age 15
The reunion was… smaller than expected.
No running. No shouting.
Just four figures crossing paths on a forest road, stopping at the same time.
Mitsuri smiled first—soft, relieved. Kanae's shoulders eased. Shinobu exhaled without realizing she'd been holding her breath.
Kai nodded once. "You're all alive."
Mitsuri huffed. "That's a terrible greeting."
"But accurate," Shinobu said.
They stood together for a moment longer than necessary, the silence comfortable now—earned.
No stories yet. No questions.
Just presence.
That night, Kai's crow arrived alone.
"KAI. SUMMONED. DEMON SLAYER HEADQUARTERS. IMMEDIATELY."
Mitsuri stiffened. "Headquarters?"
Kanae met Kai's eyes. "That's… fast."
Shinobu's gaze sharpened. "Lower Moon."
Kai nodded. "I'll return."
Mitsuri grabbed his sleeve. "…You better."
He smiled faintly. "I always do."
---
Rumors — Quiet, Uneasy
They spread before Kai arrived.
A black blade.
A fifteen-year-old.
A Lower Moon erased—alone.
Some said it was exaggeration. Others whispered the word monster like a prayer.
In places far darker than the Corps—
Muzan Kibutsuji listened.
Lower Moon Four was gone.
Again.
His expression did not change.
"Pathetic," he said calmly.
The remaining Lower Moons trembled.
"I do not care who killed him," Muzan continued. "Human or slayer. What I care about is disgrace."
His gaze sharpened.
"Do not die easily. And do not shame me."
No rage.
No panic.
Only expectation.
Upper Moons remained untouched.
For now, Muzan was… unconcerned.
That made it worse.
---
Demon Slayer Headquarters
The estate was quiet—wisteria heavy in the air, stone paths immaculate.
Kai knelt before Ubuyashiki Kagaya, head bowed.
The man's presence was gentle—and overwhelming.
"…You've grown," Kagaya said softly.
Kai raised his eyes.
For a brief moment—
Kagaya's breath caught.
Not fear.
Not shock.
Hope.
A resonance that echoed something long buried in memory.
"…Your face," Kagaya murmured with a faint smile. "History has a strange way of repeating itself."
Kai said nothing.
"Stand," Kagaya continued. "You are here because you defeated a Lower Moon."
Around the perimeter, the current Hashira observed.
Gyomei Himejima stood tall and unmoving, prayer beads resting in his hands. Tears slid silently down his face—not sorrow, but awe.
Giyu Tomioka watched intently, expression unreadable. Something tightened in his chest.
Tengen Uzui, arms crossed, grinned slightly. "Flashy kid."
No others.
No excess.
"By Corps law," Kagaya said, "you qualify for Hashira promotion."
The words hung heavy.
Kai inhaled slowly.
"…I refuse," he said calmly.
Silence.
Even the wind seemed startled.
Giyu's eyes widened a fraction. Tengen blinked. Gyomei's prayer beads stilled.
Kagaya smiled wider.
"May I ask why?"
"I'm not done," Kai replied. "And I won't outrank those I intend to protect."
Kagaya laughed softly—genuinely.
"…Then I will grant you provisional status," he said. "You will act with Hashira authority when needed—but you will grow at your own pace."
Kai bowed deeply. "Thank you."
As he turned to leave, Gyomei spoke for the first time.
"…Young one."
Kai paused.
"The sun does not announce itself," Gyomei said. "But the world knows when it rises."
Kai inclined his head once.
---
After — Girls' Resolve
When Kai returned, the girls noticed immediately.
Not his posture.
Not his strength.
But the way the world around him felt… heavier.
"They called you," Shinobu said quietly. "Didn't they?"
Kai nodded.
Mitsuri clenched her fists. "…Then we're falling behind."
Kanae shook her head. "No."
She smiled—bright, unyielding.
"We're catching up."
Shinobu adjusted her grip on her blade. "Hashira isn't a dream anymore."
Mitsuri's eyes burned with determination. "We'll stand beside you. Officially."
Kai looked at them—really looked.
And for the first time since the road split months ago—
He felt something close to fear.
Not of demons.
But of how fast they were growing.
"…Then don't rush," he said quietly. "I'll wait."
Mitsuri grinned. "Too late."
Kanae laughed softly.
Shinobu smirked. "Try to keep up, Sun."
The road stretched ahead.
Shorter now.
And brighter.
---
[Note - i don't made him Hashira bcz i just don't wanna 😅😂. Just kidding. He will be Sun Hashira soon. Technically he is hashira. But not in name. ]