Chapter Text
Gathered at the garden of the Butterfly estate were Shinazugawa Sanemi, Kocho Shinbou, Kanroji Mitsuri, and Uzui Tengen. The four pillars were sipping tea after training, taking a break and mostly gossiping. After all, whenever they got together, something interesting was bound to be discussed.
Some sat on the bench near the small pond, the others making themselves comfortable on the rocks. The scent of freshly grown wisteria and lavender filling the air, a few butterflies hovering above. The bushes were neatly trimmed, and so was the grass. The garden was lively, well taken care of by the butterfly girls; flourishing and vibrant.
The atmosphere was pleasant, a nice spring day out with the hashiras. With exchanges of words turning into short conversations, a harmless addition turned into something full of misunderstanding and understanding at the same time.
“Iguro-san got me this new hairpin!” Mitsuri exclaimed, holding her cup in her lap as she gestured to the pin in her hair– a new addition to her bright pink and green hair, an appearance that was impossible to miss. The pin was a pink sakura flower, petaled with green leaves and outlined in gold. A small pink bead dangling from it. For someone like Iguro, it was a surprisingly affectionate gesture.
“How sweet, it certainly suits you, Kanroji-san,” Shinobu, who was seated next to Mitsuri on the bench, replied. She had finished her tea, the cup sat next to her on the wood.
“Very flashy of him,” Tengen added, sipping his own green tea that Aoi– one of shinobu’s butterfly girls– had prepared for everyone. He was seated on a rock that was surprisingly comfortable, almost as if it was made to be a seat. With one knee up, his tall figure was in a congenial position– just how he liked.
“Tch, weird as hell.” Sanemi murmured gruffly, nursing a cup of matcha unlike the others. The pillars stared at him for a moment, he raised an eyebrow, continuing, “What? It's sappy, don't deny it.”
“Now, now, don't be rude just because you don't have a significant other, Shinazugawa,” Shinobu said, almost insulting.
Mitsuri’s cheeks burned at the mention of a partner, “Iguro-san isn't my–”
“Oh come on Kanroji-san, dont deny it. I’d say it's a flashy couple you two make,” Tengen interrupted with a grin displayed on his face, he was practically sparkling.
Sanemi rolled his eyes at the thought of Iguro finally asking Mitsuri out, I mean, it was obvious the two would accept without hesitation if the other pulled out a ring, but it was too early for these oblivious freaks.
“Can we change the topic? I thought this tea-bonding time was supposed to be interesting.” He huffed, taking another sip of his not-tea drink. See, Mitsuri and Tengen had thought that tea-time together would be a nice bonding moment for the hashiras, and it was dumbed down like this;
Muichiro was deemed too young
Gyomei considered it but was busy with orders
Mitsuri insisted on not inviting Iguro since she knew she would probably babble on and on about him,
Rengoku was a former– and loved– member of tea-time-bonding, but unfortunately, his time was cut short.
And finally, Giyuu wasn't even thought of while inviting people, even slipping past Mitsuri’s mind– the sweetest person ever.
And those people didn't make it to tea-time-bonding, as Tengen calls it, but all they do is gossip about the worst demon slayer they had to train and who they want to kill first. Sanemi was initially forced in, and honestly– he kind of enjoyed having a small break and cussing-out the people he hated. Shinobu? She had mostly agreed because she was pretty free on her part– I mean, she did enjoy tea-time.
—
It wasn't too late at night. Giyuu had just returned from a mission, slipping his sword and its sheath out his belt, his haori already half-way loose– falling off of his shoulder by the time he made it to his bed. Already sleep deprived, he was entirely too exhausted to change, so he kicked off his wooden sandals and pushed off his haori– that is, what was left on him. With a soft sigh, he laid back on his bed with a soft thud. He didn't move to wrap himself in the blanket that sat at the edge of the futon, begging to be hugged and warmed. Instead, he stayed on his back, staring at the ceiling, sleep coming naturally.
With the morning arriving, Giyuu barely got a fulfilling amount of sleep– as usual. He went through the motions– uniform… haori… ponytail… sword.
Today, he was set on report duty, filling out and mailing reports of recent demon activity, as usual. By evening, he was out to the butterfly mansion once again, paying another visit to Kamado’s sister. And when he was about to leave, he ran into a certain someone…
“Funny seeing you here, Tomioka-san,” Shinobu smiled at Giyuu, her usually-neat hair was a bit messy, as if she’d been working a lot today.
“Im allowed to visit the Butterfly mansion, aren't I?" he murmured, moving to leave before Shinobu stopped him, tugging on his haori.
“Now dont leave so soon,” she gave a small, teasing pout, “stay for tea,” she invited, making Giyuu tense up slightly.
“I dont like tea,”
“We’ll brew something else,”
“Im busy,”
“You’re visiting.”
With a soft sigh, Giyuu turned to look at Shinobu, finally.
“Not now, Kocho.” He murmured, making Shinobu frown authentically before he slid the door open. But she wasn't gonna let him leave now, not this time. The pang in her heart told her to make him stay and talk– even if it was an argument.
Shinobu gripped the door, pulling it shut, “so antisocial,” she commented. “Does the thought of talking to someone ever cross that lonely mind of yours?”
Giyuu grunted softly as Shinobu shut the door, realizing that she won't let him leave. “No.” He replied plainly, if he played along for a bit, he’d be able to leave.
Shinobu gave a half-hearted laugh, “You should really open up more, Tomioka-san.” She suggested,
“Im fine with the way things are.” He paused for a moment, realizing maybe he was being too honest right now, “may i leave now?” he mumbled, using formal words sarcastically.
Shinobu scoffed.
Giyuu’s shoulders stiffened.
The tension spoke for itself.
“Sometimes I wonder what you hide behind those lifeless eyes,” Shinobu’s voice lowered slightly, nearing a whisper. “And why must you stay so closed off– I wish I knew. I’ll figure it out soon, Tomioka-san.” Then, she let go of the door and left, her footsteps light but audible as they got quieter and quieter down the hall.
Giyuu froze, just for a moment, but his whole body stiffened, as if a sudden pressure was being put upon him.
She’d find out? No way. Giyuu wouldn't let that happen. There was nothing to ‘find out’ anyways.
–
After Giyuu’s interaction with the Insect pillar, he took the long way home to get a little thought in. Whilst passing by the training grounds, Giyuu had a goal set in mind– return to the estate with no interactions. And that was immediately crushed at the sight of the wind pillar,
“What are you doing here, Tomioka,” He stated roughly, his breath a bit ragged from training,
“Passing by. You dont own this area.” he murmured back, taking a step forward, planning to leave,
“Fuck you,” Sanemi growled, “you better explain what you meant at the meeting earlier,” he demanded more than requested.
Giyuu paused, his shoes meeting the ground, gravel crunching under them. “I meant what I said.” He replied gruffly. Sanemi scoffed.
“So you do think you’re so great huh? Walking around as if you’re better than us. I'm just telling you, Tomioka, you’re not.”
Giyuu froze.
“What? Cat got your tongue? Get out of my sight.” Sanemi grumbled, pushing past Giyuu to disappear into the training grounds once again.
Ah, that's right. Maybe Giyuu should have worded it better.
‘I'm not like the rest of you.’
That's what he said. But that's not what he meant.
Maybe he should clear his name, clear it up– guys, im not arrogant, im just depressed
Yeah, that didn't sound like an appealing plan. That would require Giyuu to speak up– to change, something he hated, he liked the way things were. And he didn't mind Shinobu’s constant pestering or Sanemi’s shit-face.
That interaction gave the Water Pillar something new to think about.
—
The gossip-group’s next tea party consisted of Mitsuri, Shinobu, and Sanemi, Tengen was nowhere to be found. And he hadn't even sent a message through letters or his crow, what an ass, just disappearing like that. I mean, Tengen was the most talkative between them after all.
“So, how’s your guy's day going?” Mitsuri sweetly asked, they were indoors this time since the weather was starting to change, fall was starting.
“Horribly.” Sanemi grumbled,
“Somewhat adequate,” Shinbou replied with her usual smile.
Mitsuri smiled at their responses, she explained her own day in great detail, Sanemi had mostly tuned her out the moment she brung up Obanai’s name, and Shinbou tried listening but the words went in one ear, and out the other.
“You know why I love September?” Mitsuri asked, suddenly changing the topic from Obanai to… her love for the month september?
“I dont care,” Sanemi groaned, already tired from this conversation,
“Why?” Shinobu asked, ignoring sanemi’s distressed refusal to continue talking.
“Because it's only 5 months away from Valentine's Day!” Mitsuri continued, squealing,
“Somehow I care even less.” Sanemi sighed,
“Nobody’s forcing you to be here Shinazugawa,” Shinobu informed,
“Tengen will gouge out my eyes if I don't attend.” he huffed.
“I absolutely adore a friends to lovers trope!” Mitsuri added, continuing on even though Sanemi and Shinobu had their own little argument in between.
“I prefer enemies to lovers,” Shinobu replied,
“Yeah, me too.” Sanemi murmured even though he didn't want to be included in the conversation.
“On valentines day i plan to get Iguro-san flowers!” She squealed, her cheeks tinted pink at the idea.
“Thats gay,” sanemi commented,
“Thats sweet kanroji-san,”
“I read that most men don't get flowers and the first time that they do is at their funeral,” Mitsuri’s voice got more high-pitched as she frowned, the thought making her upset.
“Awh, seems fair though, I don't know many men that deserve flowers.” Shinbou responded, shrugging slightly,
“I disagree! I think everyone deserves flowers!” Mitsuri whined with a frown
“Well that's probably because you’re the sweetest person alive, Kanroji-san,” Shinobu informed. Sanemi was just watching the exchange of words, rolling his eyes. Mitsuri noticed Sanemi wasn't talking and decided to include him,
“Shinazugawa-san, have you ever gotten flowers?” Mitsuri asked,
“Uhh.. no..?” sanemi replied, not sure why he was being asked this,
“That's so sad!” mitsuri pouted,
“What? No– no, I don't want flowers,” he huffed
“You don't have anyone special in your life that you wish would give you flowers?” Mitsuri questions, her brows furrowing.
“No.” Sanemi responded flatly,
“What about you, Kocho-san?” Mitsuri turned to look at Shinobu,
“Oh– uh, no.” She gave a small laugh at the end to lighten her response. “No, nope.” She repeated, making it clear.
“Well, that's okay, because you two have five months to get someone for valentines day!”
“No thank you, im doing fine alone,” sanemi raised an eyebrow,
“Yeah, and its pretty hard to date as a hashira anyways,” shinobu added,
“Well– that's why you have to date another hashira, silly!” misturi cheered,
“Eugh…” Sanemi exclaimed,
“Im gonna name all the other Hashira’s– and you two are gonna rate them from 1 to 10 on how likely you would be to date them!” Mitsuri suggested– well more of a you’re GONNA do this rather than a if you want to do this.
“I do not want to do that,” Shinobu refused, but Mitsuri was already starting,
“Rengoku,”
Both Shinobu and Sanemi sighed but decided to comply,
“Three,” shinobu murmured,
“He’s way too upbeat– two.” Sanemi commented, “...and a half.”
“Thats technically three,” Shinobu raised an eyebrow,
“I love this participation and discussion!” Mitsuri squealed, continuing, “okay, Gyomei!”
“Mm… six,” shinobu considered,
“Ohmygod i know! He’s so strong!” mitsuri agreed,
“Five.” sanemi mumbled, “...and a half.”
“Its– are you just trying to seem less eager than me?!” shinobu huffed,
“Okay, next–” Misturi said, “giyuu!”
“Ew!”
“Zero!”
Both Shinobu and Sanemi exclaimed in unison with disgusted expressions on their faces. Mitsuri paused in shock,
“What strong reactions from both of you,” she murmured.
“Yeah cause i cant stand him,” sanemi growled,
“Yeah, Giyuu? Gross.” Shinobu added, rolling her eyes, “super gross.”
“Yeah, super!” sanemi agreed,
“Like he’s– he’s..”
“Pathetic?” sanemi finished for shinobu,
“Exactly! And annoying!”
“So fucking annoying.”
“And– he’s quiet. In a creepy way.”
“Yeah totally,” sanemi agreed, scoffing.
Mitsuri giggled, listening to their interaction, “didntyou guys both say you liked enemies to lovers?” she questioned. Sanemi and Shinobu stared at each others, mouth open as they tried finding a response.
“Yeah– but in theory.” shinobu blurted,
“Yeah– in practice–” sanemi stuttered, trying to find something to say “..gross.”
“Yeah, gross and crazy.” Shinobu connected.
The two stared at each other for a bit in realization, Sanemi raising a brow and Shinobu furrowing hers.
“Well, i’ve lost track of who i said already,” mitsuri sighed,”i guess we can stop the game now.”
“Okay,” shinobu agreed quietly, “yeah.. Sounds good..” sanemi agreed cautiously. The two eyeing each other weirdly,
“Well, let me know if you guys need help with any crushes in the future–”
“You cant!” sanemi interrupted,
“Yeah– dont have any of those,” the insect pillar stared at the wind pillar with wider eyes. As Mitsuri left. “Are you fucking joking?” she exclaimed
Sanemi sighed, “Shut the fuck up.”
“Oh my god.”
“Oh jesus.”