24

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"Here you go!" Miko says, handing me the onigiri as I grin up at her and take it gratefully.

Our feet swish around in the clear stream water as we both take in the warm sunlight while eating. We just finished a mission, and we thought that we should just take a moment to relax and gather ourselves since we're always so busy with missions that we can hardly find the time.

"I'll be getting promoted to rank Hinoto soon..." I mumble through a full mouth and Miko looks at me with a wide grin.

"That's amazing news!" She gasps, and I just smile weakly making her tilt her head. "You're not happy?" She mumbles and I quickly shake my head.

"No I am! It's just... I'll continue to grow as a slayer and get promoted... then maybe reach the highest point... slay thousands of demons and save many lives... but then what?" I mumble and she looks at me confused. "I mean... I'm doing all this so they accept me as their daughter again, but what if they don't?" She frowns, rubbing my back comfortingly as she puts down her food.

"They have to Hanako. To still refuse you as their daughter, after all the amazing things you've accomplished and how much you've grown as a person would be crazy on their behalf!" I giggle, smiling at her and leaning my head on her shoulder as she rests hers on top of mine. "Don't lose sight of all the people who care so much about you and love you just the way you are Hanako... you don't need to seek approval from just two people when so many others see you for the truly amazing person you are. You did you're best, and that's all anyone can do." I hold her hand tightly as my eyes well up with tears.

"I love you Miko."

"I love you Hanako." She then sits up, sniffling a little and puffing her chest out proudly making me giggle. "Now enough tears! Tell me all about this 'Mr Haganezuka'!" She grins and my eyes widen.

"What do you mean?! I thought I spoke about him too much!" I giggle and she rolls her eyes.

"Yeah yeah everyone knows you adore him, but I'm curious... do you have feelings for him Hanako?" My eyes go wide at her words as I laugh awkwardly.

"T-that's silly! What makes you say something like that anyway!?" I say shaking my head and she scoffs, lightly hitting my head with a firm stare.

"It's no question you think he's god's greatest gift... but no one can begin to understand how you two became friends? I mean, you're literally the kindest person to ever walk this earth! You never have anything bad to say about anyone, you're constantly smiling and laughing and you're so thoughtful of others! Haganezuka... he's well the exact opposite. He's rude and bossy, short-tempered, ill-mannered, aggressive, scary... I could go on!" I frown, looking at my lap before giggling making Miko wait for her answer confused.

"Well you're right in a way, he can be all those things. However I know for a fact that this isn't all he is," she raises an eyebrow as if she doesn't believe me. "He's really quite caring, in his own way. Even if he won't ask straight up, he always worry about whether I've eaten enough since he knows I have a big appetite! He also cleans my wounds without saying anything, and although he grumbles about it he insists that he does it and not me! He also knows about my fear of the dark, and always let me know that I wasn't alone and that I was safe... in his own strange way," Miko just watches as I fiddle with my fingers, smiling as I remember all the moments we shared together.

"It sounds like... he cares for you..." she whispers and my eyes light up.

"Does it!?" I say happily and she giggles, nodding enthusiastically.

"Although a lot of us may not understand... your friendship... all I want is to see my sister happy so I'm glad you are!" I gush, flinging my arms around her and hugging her tightly making her gasp.

"Thank you Miko!" I say and she coughs, tapping my back.

"H-Hanako... can't- can't breathe!" She gasps and I quickly let go, smiling bashfully as she takes deep breaths and coughs.

-

Haganezuka holds the necklace up in the sunlight, watching as the delicate jewelry reflects the light and sparkles under its rays. He still can't believe he couldn't muster up the courage to give it to her. What use was it, going through all the effort to make it and now it's just sitting in his home the whole time.

Maybe he should give it to that crow, and tell it to give it to her? No that's stupid. What would she think of him if she finds out he couldn't even man up and give her a gift in person. Besides, that wretched bird will probably drop it on purpose or break it... he can't risk that.

He wishes he had someone to ask for advice. If gramps was still here, he'd at least be able to ask him what he should do... since the old man knew he so well anyway. However, maybe now would be a good time... to finally visit gramps burial site. He's given himself more than enough time to get over it, so perhaps he'll be able to stomach it.

He makes his way to the burial grounds, seeing all the graves of past loved ones of the village. That's when he comes to it. He thought he'd be alright, visiting the shrine, but it's like every memory that he has of gramps comes flooding his mind in an overwhelming manner.

He wants to leave and never return, turning his back to this dreadful place forever, but instead he just sinks to his knees in front of the grave with a tight feeling in his chest. He stares at the gravestone with the words 'Shigoto Takahashi' engraved into it. He refuses to cry in front of it, he knows that the old man would scold him if he ever found him crying over his death.

"I'm... sorry it took me so long to come see you," he croaks with a pained voice, his fists clenched on his knees as he sits as straight as possible. "I just, I needed time to accept that you finally kicked the bucket... and that I'd never be able to see you again."

Haganezuka suddenly feels an incredible wave of guilt crash over him. He treated the man so poorly, when all he ever did was care for him when his own parents couldn't even stomach the task. He burdened himself with Haganezuka's temper, and showered him with love that he continued to reject each day. Now, all he's left with is memories that seemed trivial and bothersome at the time... but so precious and bittersweet now.

He grits his teeth, slowly lowering his head to the grave and squeezing his eyes shut. All he wants, is to somehow show the respect that the man so desperately deserved. The respect Haganezuka should've showed each day.

"I'm so sorry... please forgive me. I didn't deserve your care, I didn't deserve all the help you gave me. I treated you horribly, please forgive me... Mr Takahashi."

Haganezuka's throat burns from holding back the tears, and he slowly sits up. He half expected to hear the man's croaky voice, but he instead was greeted with a familiar silence. Reaching into his pocket, he pulls out the necklace and holds it in his hands.

"I... I made this. For the demon slayer girl. She told me a terrible story about the sun and the moon being in love... but for some reason I think about that story quite often. You were right, she is reckless and stupid... but I can see why you were so fond of her. I admit, she doesn't annoy me as much as she did when I first met her. Don't get me wrong, she's definitely irritating... but she's tolerable now."

He laughs softly to himself, thinking about her bashful smile whenever she would hurt herself or her stupid pout whenever he said no to a request.

"You never really realize how confronting living in silence is, until you've gotten used to having someone around. Ever since she left the village, I can't help but despise the cold silence of my home which for even a short amount of time was filled with her loud voice. It's selfish of me I know, but part of me wants her to be sent here again just so I don't have to endure my cold home alone anymore. I thought I enjoyed silence, but I think I enjoyed her presence more."

He sighs, closing his hand around the necklace and shoving it back in his pocket.

"I can imagine what you'd say to me. 'Man up and tell her what you're feeling!'. My feelings aren't what everyone says they are. I'm not hoping to make her my wife or something stupid like that. I just... feel comfortable... around her. I don't know why and I don't care to know why because this feeling is annoying me... like a frustrating cough. You want it to go away but no matter what you try it just never does. I wish you were here gramps. Not only so I could apologize, but so you could give me some advice again."

He takes a deep breath, slightly feeling better now that he's confronted this daunting task. He feels calm, now that he knows he's able to visit here when he doesn't want to feel quite so alone. He stands, looking at the grave once more with a slight smile.

"I'll bring her here one day. She'll be glad to see you gramps. I'm sorry my selfishness stopped it last time, but I promise that I'll bring her here. I promise."

He leaves the burial site, walking slowly through the village. No one spares him a second glance, and neither does he, until he sees a small boy fall to the ground with a cry. He looks over seeing Genji cowered on the floor with his father looming over him. Others just watch on the side and whisper, too afraid to interfere. Haganezuka would've just continued walking, but he remembers what she asked of him. To take care of Genji. Gritting his teeth and much to his demise, he walks over to the scene.

Genji's father leaves just as Haganezuka gets there, and Genji sits there curled up in a ball while he sobs softly to himself. Haganezuka slowly crouches down to his side, hesitantly reaching out to touch Genji's shoulder. Genji flinches, slightly scuffling away from Haganezuka who continues to sit there awkwardly, not really knowing how to comfort a child.

"Are you... hungry?" Is this first thing that comes to his mind. To be fair, that always worked in cheering up the girl? Genji just looks at him, still trembling with fear and Haganezuka rubs his neck. "I have dango at my home... and I'm sure the demon slayers crow will be delivering her letter to me soon... you can read it and then, help me write one back to her?" Genji sniffles, slightly relaxing his tensed body.

"Are you... sure?" He whimpers and Haganezuka stands, offering his hand to the small child.

"Yeah, just this one time though ok?" He huffs and Genji hesitates, but slowly places his hand in Haganezuka's.

The two walk back to his house hand in hand, and Haganezuka can't explain the warm feeling in his chest. He's always hated children, he really really has, and Genji was no exception. But feeling the small child's warm hand in his as he instinctively huddles closer to Haganezuka's side out of safety, he feels his mouth twitching into a small smile.

He is truly convinced that something is wrong with him.