25. Mochi

The room was bathed in soft, golden light that spilled through the window. Outside, the garden beyond the Butterfly Estate seemed to sigh quietly with the wind, petals drifting lazily through the air.

Hana layed on her bed, the blankets wrapped around her, her breathing was steady and calm. She was finally beginning to feel better.

The sliding door creaked softly, breaking the quiet. Aoi stepped inside. She carried a small tray in her hands.

"Hana," Aoi said gently, placing the tray beside her. "It's time for your medicine."

Hana opened her eyes just enough to glare tiredly. "Do I have to?" she murmured softly.

"Yes," Aoi said simply, her tone firm but not unkind. She placed the small cup of bitter liquid near Hana's lips. "This will help your wounds heal faster. The sooner you take it, the sooner you recover."

Hana pinched her lips together, staring at the bitter liquid. With a slow nod, she brought the cup to her lips and took a small sip. Immediately, her face twisted. "Uhh!" she whispered softly, pulling the cup away. "That's awful."

"Zenitsu's tantrums earlier...now I understand why," She sighed sadly.

Hana frowned slightly, turning the taste over in her mouth. She swallowed slowly, wincing. "It's so bitter..." she muttered, half to herself. Her voice carried quiet frustration mixed with resignation.

Aoi crouched slightly beside her. "I know It's unpleasant," she said softly, "but it's necessary. You need your strength back."

Before Hana could answer, the sliding door opened again. This time, the sound was different soft, deliberate footsteps rather than Aoi's usual measured pace.

Giyuu stepped inside. His presence shifted the air. Quiet, calm, and steady, he moved with a weightless grace that seemed to draw the light around him into stillness. Hana, who had been sitting quietly, froze. Her breath caught in her throat.

Her heart starting beating faster. Memories of their last encounter came rushing back his solemn expression, the gentle words, the soft pat on her head. That unexpected moment lingered in her mind.

Giyuu's gaze swept across the room briefly before settling on her. Hana's lips parted slightly. For a moment, silence stretched between them, delicate as a thread.

Aoi glanced up at them, her tone polite yet knowing. "I'll leave you two alone." She stepped back quietly, closing the door with a soft click.

The sound seemed to seal them in their own world.

Hana's fingers tightened slightly on her sleeve. She kept her gaze lowered for a moment before lifting her eyes to him. Her voice was quiet. "Tomioka-san."

"Are you feeling better?" he asked calmly, his voice smooth as honey.

"Yes," she murmured softly. Her fingers fidgeted with the hem of her sleeve, her eyes dropping to her lap. "Better... though the medicine tastes awful." Her lips pressed into a small, resigned frown.

His gaze softened faintly. Without answering, he stepped closer.

Hana felt something shift in her lap. Her fingers brushed it, and surprise flickered across her face. She blinked.

A small bundle lay there, wrapped carefully in thin paper. Mochi. Her breath hitched slightly.

"Mochi?" she whispered, disbelief mingling with delight.

Giyuu remained silent for a moment, his face unreadable. Then, softly, he said, "It's for you."

Her gaze stayed fixed on him. "My favorite..." she murmured, a small smile beginning to spread across her face despite her fatigue. "How...how did you know?"

His voice was quiet, almost distant. "I just guessed."

He thought quietly to himself, remembering having quietly heard Tanjiro mentioning it to Zenitsu earlier... Without thinking much of it, he had sought out a mochi for her. He didn't know why he had done it.

He pressed his lips into a thin line and looked away. Hana felt warmth bloom in her cheeks.

Finally, he broke the silence. "Get better quickly. You need to recover for the rehabilitation training." His voice was calm but carried a seriousness that made Hana tilt her head slightly.

"Rehabilitation training?" she asked softly, leaning forward. "What's that?"

His gaze met hers, steady and unflinching. "It's part of the recovery process. To strengthen your body so you can fight again."

Hana nodded slowly, pressing her lips together.

He gave a small nod, as though satisfied she understood, and added quietly, "Eat it before anyone sees."

He began to turn away, but Hana's voice broke the quiet again. "Tomioka-san..."

He paused, glancing back at her without turning fully.

"Thank you." Her smile was gentle, warm, a smile that seemed to reach deeper than she realized. A smile that almost melted his cold heart.

For a while, Giyuu's lips twitched faintly into what might have been the ghost of a smile. Then he stepped out, closing the door softly behind him.

Hana sat there in silence for a long moment. Her gaze stayed fixed on the paper-wrapped mochi. A quiet warmth bloomed in her chest. She smiled softly, almost to herself.

She unwrapped the treat carefully, her fingers trembling slightly. The faint scent of sweet rice rose to meet her. Her lips parted instinctively in delight. Taking a small bite, she closed her eyes, letting the flavor wash over her.

Her smile widened. "Tomioka-san...It's perfect."

She stayed there quietly for a while longer. Outside, the world seemed still and peaceful. Somewhere beyond the walls of the Butterfly Estate, life moved forward battles being fought, voices raised, people dying, lives changing.

But here, in this quiet room, there was only a simple moment between her and a gift of mochi.

She hugged it gently to her chest, smiling to herself.