5

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"He was really mean at first but then once he calmed down about the broken sword, he was actually very friendly and fun to talk to! He told me about Mr Takahashi and he even made some jokes which made me laugh! He always sit so straight and firm I couldn't help but giggle at his stiff posture! Oh oh he even told me that the tea I made was good... even though he didn't actually drink any of it... but it was still a nice gesture!"

I go on and on about my conversation with Haganezuka to Miko as she listens intently. She was very confused upon finding out he agreed to having tea with me since she has heard the rumors about Haganezuka not being a very friendly person, however she also knows from firsthand experience that I am very hard to say no to so it wasn't that surprising.

"If someone insulted me like that I don't think I could be friendly towards them!" She gasps as we eat some snacks together.

"I didn't think much of it since he was angry about the sword and people say things when they're angry that they don't mean!"

"Hanako... he was chasing you around with knives..." I giggle at the memory making her deadpan. "I think you might be the only person who is able to get along with him..."

"I don't see why though! He's not that bad once you get to know him!" I insist and she scoffs.

"But the things people say about him... I mean apparently he once disappeared for three months and no one knew where he was... when he came back it was discovered that he was hiding out in the mountains training himself because he decided his swordsmith skills weren't good enough. He doesn't care about anything other than his swords so people just give up in trying to approach him," I frown at her words.

"How horrible..." I whisper, looking down at my lap.

Haganezuka must be so lonely... I can't imagine what it would be like for your own community to shut you out because you are simply passionate about what you do. I think Haganezuka has such a bad reputation because no one bothers to give him a chance or try to get to know him... Well, not on my watch! It's my new personal mission to become a friend of Haganezuka!

"Excuse me, I have something to do! I'll see you later!" I say leaving Miko confused as I scurry away.

I immediately get some paper and ink, sitting down to begin writing. I tap my chin, trying to decide what to write to him...

Hello Mr Haganezuka!This is Nakahara Hanako! The crow who delivered this is called Piiko, he's my very own Kasugai crow. Isn't he cute! (his favorite spot to be scratches is his chest and his favorite food is peach!) I would've liked to deliver this to you in person, but of course I have no idea how to get to your village and I'm only allowed to come for important reasons... like picking up a new sword! Don't worry though, I will try my absolute hardest to not break another sword! I hope you made it home alright... and I hope you enjoyed the food I gave to you. I didn't know what you would like, but if you write back to me telling me what I can make sure to give you lots of it next time we have tea together! I still have a little while longer before I can begin missions again... I think I'm perfectly healed but the doctor is insisting that I need more rest. I'm so bored here at the rehabilitation mansion, so I hope that you will come keep me company as I enjoyed spending time with you yesterday, even though you were so cruel to me!Anyways, I hope to see you soon and if not at least receive a letter from you!Nakahara Hanako.

I excitedly roll the paper, tying it together with a bow. I then all Piiko, attaching it to his neck and instructing him where to deliver it to. I watch as he flies up into the blue sky, excited for Haganezuka to read my letter and hopefully encourage him to accept my friendship.

-

He finishes reading the letter, confusion filling his mind. He wasn't expecting to receive a letter from her, in fact he's a little creeped out by it. Not only is her manner of speaking childish, but it reflects in her writing as well.

He looks at the crow who sits on his windowsill and watches him with a tilted head. Rolling his eyes, he scrunches up the paper and throws it to the ground before continuing with his work. The crow squawks disapprovingly, but he ignores it and waits for it to leave. One he hears the flapping of wings, he glances over his shoulder to make sure that it's gone.

He then picks up the paper, gently unfolding it to not make any rips. He reads the letter over and over, analyzing every little word and sentence she wrote. He even read it in her voice, and he groans being able to hear her whining even while she's not there.

She asked for him to come visit her while she is healing... He never leaves the village unless he is delivering a sword... However for a split moment he contemplated fulfilling her wishes and visiting her... He can't do that though, he knows that it won't end well and his short temper will just drive a wedge between them like always.

He grits his teeth, throwing the letter to the side once again before continuing on with his work... trying to get the demon slayer out of his mind.

-

I prop my head up with my hand, gazing out the window with heavy eyelids. The moon shines brightly in the sky amongst the stars, but I will myself to stay awake as I await Piiko's return... hopefully with a letter in response.

I feel myself dozing off, jolting awake each time my head would lazily slip from my hands. My eyes then shoot open as I hear the familiar squawk of Piiko and I see the black bird approaching the window. I gasp excitedly, suddenly feeling energized as I watch him land on the windowsill and I scratch his chest to greet him making him ruffle his feathers happily.

"Welcome back Piiko! Are you tired?" I say and the bird shakes his head. "Did you deliver my letter?" I say with my hands grasped together tightly in front of my chest.

"Miss Hanako... That man does not deserve your kindness!" Piiko says angrily and I tilt my head confused.

"What do you mean?"

"He read your letter with no expression at all, and then scrunched it up and tossed it aside as though it was trash! He also shooed me away!" Piiko holds his head up proudly, and I frown softly as my spirits deflate. I sigh, stroking Piiko's head gently while smiling sadly.

"I suppose I cannot help it then... perhaps I was being too forward?" I mumble and Piiko nuzzles his head further into my touch. "Perhaps he prefers being alone... maybe I am a bit too much for him... I know I can come on a little too strong sometimes..." I giggle softly before shrugging. "Never mind that! I'm sure he'll come around eventually! Just have to be patient, right Piiko?" The bird scoffs in disagreement, flying away and I watch with a frown.

I groan, laying my head on the windowsill as I look up into the stars. I guess I can't be too surprised he reacted the way he did. Was I expecting him to accept my letter with enthusiasm, immediately writing one in return? No... but I was somewhat hoping for that outcome. The more I hear about him, and after our time together, I just want to learn more and more about him. Call it curiosity... call it determination... whatever it is it's making me excited and intrigued!

I let out a sigh, flopping onto the bed and curling up under the blanket. I fiddle with my hair, closing my eyes and letting sleep take over me... the strange swordsmith being the last thing to flash through my mind before sleep takes over me.

-

"Squawk!"

Haganezuka flinches at the strange sound, whipping his head around to see the same crow at his window the next morning. He raises an eyebrow, seeing yet another letter tied around it's neck. He walks over, taking the letter from it but not before yelping as the crow's beak chomps down onto his finger. He grips the letter in his hands and shoos the crow away angrily, who squawks in a disapproving manner as it flies away.

"Stupid demon slayers and their creepy birds." He grumbles to himself, unrolling the letter to read the neat handwriting.

Good morning Mr Haganzeuka!I hope my letter finds you well, I had to bribe Piiko to deliver it to you with some fresh peaches this morning! Whatever you did to him yesterday, he is very angry with you now! I was upset when I didn't receive any response from you yesterday, but that's ok! I know that you are very busy forging swords to help keep others safe, such honorable duty you have! I don't expect any response from you, however writing to you gives me something to do while I'm stuck here recovering!I'm so jealous of my friends Haku and Miko (they're twins isn't that cool!). They get to go on missions while I'm stuck here in bed because the doctor insists I'm not ready to go fight again! The doctor worries about my too much. He's such a lovely man but he always tells me that although he is fond of me, seeing me too often is not a good thing since every time he does see me he has to treat some new injury I have! Miko and Haku also scold me whenever I get hurt, they tell me that my body isn't immortal and that someday my injures will come back to cause me problems! I don't worry though, what happens in the future is a mystery to me... and I'd rather enjoy life as it comes rather than worry and anticipate for what will come!Anyway, I won't take up any more of your time Mr Haganezuka. I wouldn't want to keep you from your work! You'll be glad to know that my sword is still in top condition... even if it's only because I haven't had the opportunity to use it! Good luck Mr Haganezuka, keep up the good work!Nakahara Hanako!

He sits at his table, reading over the letter with the faintest smile visible on his face. Even over a letter, she still manages to ramble and jump from topic to topic. How anyone can spend more than one day with her is a mystery to him. Nonetheless... he finds himself reading the letter once again, chuckling softly to himself as he reads it in her whiny voice and imagines her stumbling over her words as her voice can't keep up with her mind.

He then looks over to the letter from yesterday, still scrunched up and on the floor. He picks it up, gently smoothening it out and concentrating as he's afraid he may rip it. He then places the two letters next to each other, gathering any bit of courage in him and grabbing his own bit of ink and paper.

Just as the pen hovers over the paper, it's as if his sense suddnely return to him.

What is he thinking? Writing to a client of his as if he is friends with them. Immediately, he sets the pen down and leaves the table, rolling up his sleeves as he heads straight to work forging. How could he let himself get distracted from what's really important... what his mind should only be thinking about is his work.

However as he sharpens the blades, she somehow manages to linger in his thoughts no matter how hard he tried to ignore it.