6

༊*·˚

Nearly a whole month had passed since Haganezuka had last seen the demon slayer, however not a single day went by where the crow did not deliver a new letter. It became routine, around noon he would hear the pecking at his window, and he'd open it to find the crow with a letter attached to it's neck. He managed to anticipate it's moves to avoid getting pecked (after he failed to avoid it three times and had to bandage the wounds on his fingers) and then he'd retrieve the letter to read it.

The letters were always long, filled with irrelevant ravings about her boring days and how much she longed to be on a mission. Each letter was filled with a new thing he learnt about her, even if these things weren't necessarily intended to be found out.

He's been able to deduce from her stories that she never learnt how to make a fire, she's not very good at keeping plants alive, she's clumsy, she is good at cooking but not at baking, her favorite food is onigiri, and she's not afraid of many things however ever since she was a child she's been afraid of the dark and always sleeps with a candle on.

He doesn't know when he discovered these things about her, or why he finds comfort in waiting for the new letter each day. Each one is stored in his home, and each day he adds the new one to his collection. Despite his enjoyment in receiving these updates, not once was he able to send one back. Many times he tried to write a letter, however his handwriting is messy due to his lack of studies and he can barely think of what to write. He figured it would just be easier for him to not send one at all... besides it's not like she's expecting one, right?

As the letters kept coming each day, the health of Takahashi got worse and worse. Haganezuka hated that he felt so guilty about the situation. It's not fair that she doesn't know the condition of the grandpa, but Takahashi continues to insist on not telling her until he's died. Even though it kills him, Haganezuka will obey his wishes.

On the day that marked a month, Haganezuka hears the tapping on the window and he heads over to the window, his cheeks aching as he tries his hardest to hold back his smile. The crow waits patiently as he does every day, and Haganezuka opens the window and reaches out to him. The bird tries to peck him, however he dodges and smirks while taking the letter.

"Get outta here," he says, slight amusement in his voice as the bird does a few hops before taking off. Haganezuka opens the letter, curious as to what new stories she has to tell him today... but as he reads the letter he feels his stomach twist. He rubs the back of his neck with a sigh, heading to the infirmary where the weak man lies.

"Takahashi?" He whispers, sitting next to the bed of the frail and sickly man.

"Ah Haganezuka... to what to do I owe the pleasure?" Takahashi says with a coarse and strained voice.

"A letter... from Miss Nakahara..." Haganezuka says, making Takahashi hum. "I think you'd like to hear it?"

"Well... read it out to me then..."

"Dear Mr Haganezuka!Today is a happy day as it is the last day of my recovery! My first mission is tomorrow in a little village and I'm so excited! I'll be completing it with Miko, isn't that lucky that I get to do it with my friend? She's visited me every day, well every day when she isn't away on a mission and Haku comes with her a lot! Haku always brings me some onigiri, he's so sweet to me but sometimes he's mean and yells at me...I know what you're thinking and don't worry, I'll try my absolute hardest not to break my sword! I wouldn't want to put you through the trouble of having to forge me another one and then deliver it to me... perhaps next time I require a sword I could come to the swordsmith village instead! I'd love to see it and I'd love to see Mr Takahashi again! I do miss him lots, I hope that he is doing well! I always feel bad for putting him through so much strife and worry, so one day I'd like to come apologize formerly and make it up to him! I'd like to cook him a big meal and thank him for all his hard work that he's done for me! You could join us, I'd also like to cook for you and thank you Mr Haganezuka! If you would, could you please read this to Mr Takahashi!Dear Mr Takahashi! You're so cruel for giving me up as your client! I know that I was difficult, but I adored you and the swords you made for me! Although, thank you for handing me to Mr Haganezuka! He is nearly as talented as you! I understand why you gave me up, and I don't blame you! When it is alright with you, I'd like to come visit you and talk with you as a friend and not a demon slayer who you forge swords for! I miss you dearly Mr Takahashi and I hope you'll allow me to visit soon!To you to Mr Haganezuka, I'd like to talk with you as a friend, because that's what we are. Friends! Wish me luck on my mission!Nakahara Hanako!"

Haganezuka finishes, and the room goes silent. Takahashi then sighs with a smile on his face before lightly chuckling.

"I'm glad to hear she hasn't changed one bit... still so considerate of others," he mumbles, mainly to himself as Haganezuka sits there silently.

"Gramps, she has to know..." Haganezuka says softly and Takahashi hums.

"She will... I feel that my time will end soon son... so she'll know very soon..." Haganezuka clenches his fists in his lap, staring at the floor. "Hotaru... I can tell this is upsetting you... that's not like you?"

"Of course I'm going to be upset! You're acting as if you dying is not a big deal or something, why aren't you treating this as it should be treated!?" Haganezuka suddenly yells, standing up abruptly however Takahashi makes no movement or reaction, having gotten used to his out bursts over the years.

"Would you rather I cry and beg with death to spare me another year?" Haganezuka clenches his jaw, pacing around the room frustrated.

"N-No just... Fuck I don't know just don't be so relaxed about it like you're not scared!"

"But I'm not scared... Haganezuka sit down," Haganezuka's chest rises heavily as a mix of anger and sadness swirls around in his chest. "I've lived a long, good life. Heck I'm 96 years old I think I'm more than ready to die!"

"But I'm not ready for you to die..." Haganezuka whispers, his head hanging low. Takahashi then reaches out, grabbing Haganezuka's hand with a firm grip and rough skin from years of working.

"Haganezuka... you're more than ready. You're not a bad person like everyone says you are, they just don't know you like I know you. I know that in you're heart, you're loyal and strong... brave and trustworthy..."

"If you die, then there'll be no one on my side... I'll be alone again..." Haganezuka has only ever been vulnerable around Takahashi, Takahashi is the only one to ever see Haganezuka's true feelings.

"That's not true... you have Hanako..."

"I barely know that kid... she's just a demon slayer I make swords for."

"That's not true... tell me, you already know more about her than you know about most people in this village don't you?"

"That's because the stupid kid won't stop writing to me-"

"And you won't stop reading them. Whether you want to admit it or not they mean something to you. Listen to me son, I could've easily given Hanako over to some other capable swordsmith in the village, but I gave her to you because I know that you two can help each other in ways you didn't even think about," Haganezuka looks at him in shock behind his mask, his mind beyond confused.

"I don't know what you mean..."

"You'll know soon enough... trust me Hotaru, Hanako is not an ordinary demon slayer. She is a kind-hearted and loving girl who won't give up on you no matter how much you try and push her away... just like you tried to push me away all those years," Haganezuka feels his eyes well up as Takahashi's grip gets stronger. "Promise me, when I die you'll go see her personally to deliver the news... and when the time is right, bring her here personally, understand?" Haganezuka is still and silent. "Hotaru... do you understand?"

"I... I understand..."

"Good boy... I'm so grateful to have watched you grow up to be the swordsmith you are today..."

That night... Takahashi passed away peacefully in his sleep.

Haganezuka sits in his dark house, staring at the wall with a blank expression. A knock comes from the front door, yet he makes no movement and no sound.

"Haganezuka?" A faint voice calls out through the door. Haganezuka closes his eyes, trying to ignore it. "The burial for him is beginning... if you'd like to attend? He'd have liked for you to be there..." The footsteps then leave, and Haganezuka takes a deep breath.

He let's his long black hair out and rolls up his sleeves, slowly standing with shaky legs. He then heads over to his work place, kneeling down and beginning on a sword. He ignores the tears falling from his eyes, out his mask, and onto the metal. He ignores the burning pain in his throat and the aching in his chest as his hands work swiftly. Takahashi wouldn't have wanted him there... he'd have wanted him to not cry, not be upset, to move on.

He has to do what Takahashi wanted. He'll become to greatest swordsmith, in his honor.

-

I watch the sunrise from the front of the rehabilitation mountain, taking in a deep breath of the fresh air and feeling the cool breeze blow through my hair. I'm excited to begin a new mission, however a feeling of uneasiness resides in my stomach. I can't explain it, but something doesn't feel right.

It upset me that Haganezuka didn't visit me once while I was in recovery, but I tried not to think about it too much. Piiko confirmed that he was accepting and reading my letters every day, so that at least brings me comfort knowing that he hasn't completely forgotten about me. I mean, I'm sure he has so many clients to take care of so I'd hate to just get lost in the crowd! I really would like to be his friend!

Miko joins my side, yawning and stretching her arms above her head while rubbing her eyes.

"You're already out here ready to leave?" I nod eagerly and she giggles at my excited expression. "Never met someone who gets so excited to march into their potential death..."

"I've been doing nothing for a whole month, I'm so excited to finally get to do something again!" I say clapping my hands and she rolls her eyes.

"Well it's still a two day journey to the village, so we better head off now while there's still plenty of day light," I nod in agreement, and we begin our journey. "No letter to send to him today?" She says grinning.

"I don't think I'll be able to find time to since we're on a mission, I just hope he understands though!" She giggles and I look at her confused. "You're so friendly Hanako... I wonder how you're able to make friends with just about anyone you meet?" I shrug my shoulders, walking with my hands behind my back.

"Strangers are just friends you haven't met yet! And I think Haganezuka will become a very close friend of mine with time!" She lightly smacks the back of my head making me look at her with a glare.

"Freak."

"Hey!"