Chapter Text
“I’m hungry! We should eat!”
“Oooooh no! The last time we did, you drained my savings!”
“Whaaa? No I didn’t!”
“I believe that was Rengoku.”
“Was it? I don’t recall!”
A good few meters away, Giyu watched silently as the other Hashira gathered, discussions of dinner plans and post-mission activities floating around them. He felt his stomach knot as he watched Tengen playfully poked Mitsuri’s cheek, cackling when Kabamaru nearly bit off his finger. Rengoku was still playing dumb, looking around innocently when Sanemi attempted to remind him of his own eating habits, while Shinobu and Muichiro spoke softly among themselves, the butterfly woman cheerful while Muichiro looked spacy as ever. Even Gyomei looked peaceful today, dragged away from his usual pain by the occasional question tossed towards him.
They all looked so happy. Giyu wished he could stand among them.
“Tomioka-san! I can see you!” Shinobu’s lavender eyes suddenly fell upon him, making him freeze up in his thoughts. The rest of the group focused on him now, putting him in the spotlight. “Come, you should join us for dinner today!” She offered.
“Dinner with Tomioka?” Sanemi grumbled, a look of clear displeasure on some of their faces. “I can already feel myself getting nauseous- Ow!” He yelped with a glare when he was pinched.
“I think it's a good idea! Tomioka! Come with us!” Rengoku added to Shinobu’s request, waving.
Of all the days, why now? Why now did they decide to invite him?
“I can’t.” He replied simply, carefully avoiding their expressions as he looked off to the distance. He could hear the soft groans from Mitsuri and Tengen, along with an unsurprised snort from who he assumed to be Sanemi. “Of course he won’t come with us- he thinks he’s better!”
“Eh, are we really missing much? Tomioka doesn’t exactly radiate flamboyancy.” Tengen mused out loud, striking a pose.
“He really is like an ornament.” Muichiro added, fading in briefly before spacing out once more.
“You know Tomioka-san; how is anyone supposed to like you if you don’t let them in?” Shinobu called out, smiling sweetly before turning back to the others, their conversation moving back to dinner options and minds forgetting the quiet Hashira from afar.
Giyu took a shaky breath, feeling the weight of their words sink in as he watched on. He knew they were just teasing; they always talked like this. He was the quiet, distant one they always tried to provoke with sharp words and teasing eyes. He shouldn’t let it get to him.
But the sting was there.
How is anyone supposed to like you if you don’t let them in?
Feeling his heart begin to break, Giyu slipped off into the shadows of the landscape, gathering the pieces before they could begin to show.
~~~
“I’m telling you- that new Udon place that just came to town is amazing!” Mitsuri argued her case, eyes shining with gluttony. “It’s so rich and flavorful! And the noodles are homemade!”
“And I’m guessing it’s cheap as well?” Rengoku asked, a knowing smirk on his lips as Mitsuri nodded.
Shinobu let the conversation fade out around her as she watched Giyu disappear, a twinge of guilt starting to gnaw at her. Had she been too harsh? Giyu did look rather sad today. She had hoped teasing him would spark a hint of rage or annoyance in his eyes. Instead, he only grew darker in color, indicating his misery.
“Shinobu? Shinobu?” The insect Hashira blinked, turning to the others. “Hm? What is it?” She asked. “We wanted to know what you want for dinner?” Gyomei asked for the others.
“Oh. Anything will be fine.” She told them, distracted.
“Your boyfriend will be okay.” Tengen reassured her, darting away from her sharp jab. “Really! It’s Tomioka we’re talking about! He’s always like this.”
“I don’t know, he seemed rather quiet today, don’t you think?” Mitsuri voiced, eyes growing worried. “More than usual.”
“Is that even possible?” Obanai asked out loud, backtracking when Mitsuri began to pout. “I mean- yeah. I suppose he did seem off.”
“He’s probably just doing what he always does.” Sanemi grumbled, leaning back into the nearest tree as he crossed his arms, eyes falling shut. “Stalks off to who knows where and does whatever he’s got to do to keep up that ‘I’m so much cooler than everyone’ persona.” He grumbled, teeth gritting. “God, I hate that guy.”
“But what if he’s actually upset?” Shinobu asked, turning to them. She couldn’t shake the feeling now. It was almost instinctive. “What if he needs us?”
Before anyone could respond, someone cleared their throat, gathering their attention.
“Um, excuse me.” Tanjiro spoke up, Nezuko in her box on his back as he walked up. “Hi. I was wondering if any of you saw Giyu today?” He smiled kindly at each Hashira, expression openly souring at Sanemi before lightening up again when he caught Rengoku’s eye. “I came looking for him.”
“Oh, I’m sorry dear. I think he already left.” Shinobu informed him, her eyes trailing back to where Giyu stood moments before.
The kind smile fell away from the boy's face, his expression growing heavy with worry. Instantly the Hashira grew alarmed. “Oh. That’s not good. Is he okay?” He asked before shaking his head. “Of course he’s not okay. Not today.”
“Tanjiro? Do you know by any chance what’s going on?” Rengoku spoke up, eyes soft with worry now. All traces of humor left the Hashira’s faces when Tanjiro looked up, expression confused.
“He didn’t tell you? Today is the anniversary of his best friend’s death.”