27. Favorite food

The sun was warm that afternoon, casting a soft glow over the Demon Slayer Corps. A faint breeze carried the scent of sakura blossoms, scattering pale petals across the training grounds where Hana stood, her breath still heavy from the last round of practice.

She wiped her forehead with the back of her hand, exhaling. Her muscles ached but in that pleasant, accomplished way that came after a long day of hard work.

After a few moments, she straightened her uniform and began walking through the compound, hoping to find something sweet to eat. Her thoughts drifted aimlessly until one name slipped quietly into her mind.

Tomioka Giyuu.

Her lips curved slightly. She hadn't seen him since the day he brought her the mochi. That small, simple act had stayed in her heart like sunlight trapped inside glass. Every time she thought of it, her heart felt a little warmer.

Maybe today, she thought, I'll find out something about him.

----

She didn't have to wander far before spotting the flash of pastel pink and green hair swaying near the courtyard.

"Mitsuri-san!" Hana called out, waving cheerfully.

Mitsuri turned at once, her smile lighting up the garden like spring itself. "Hana-chan You look adorable today! Did you finished training already?"

Hana giggled, rubbing her arm shyly. "Just finished. I was actually... wondering something."

Mitsuri blinked curiously. "Oh? What is it?"

Hana hesitated for half a second, then asked quietly, "Do you know what Tomioka-san's favorite food is?"

There was a moment of silence. Mitsuri's eyes sparkled. Then, in true Mitsuri fashion, she clasped her hands dramatically against her chest.

"Ehhh!? Are you trying to learn about Tomioka-san?" she teased, leaning in close with a grin. "Hana-chan! How bold!"

Hana's face instantly flushed pink. "N-No! I just- I was curious because-" she stammered.

Mitsuri giggled, twirling one pink strand of hair. "Hmm, I'm not sure what his favorite food is... but I bet he'd like sakura mochi! Everyone loves sweet things."

Hana blinked. "Sakura mochi..." she repeated softly, a smile tugging at her lips.

"I like mochi too," she added, almost shyly.

That was all Mitsuri needed to hear. Her eyes widened like a cat who'd spotted some treats. "You do!? Hana-chan! Let's go eat some together right now!"

Before Hana could protest, Mitsuri had already taken her hand and dragged her along with her.

"M-Mitsuri-san, wait!" Hana laughed breathlessly, stumbling to keep up.

A few minutes later, the two sat on the veranda, happily eating sakura mochi as the warm breeze rustled the wisteria blossoms.

---

After parting ways with Mitsuri, Hana decided to continue her little "investigation." She spotted Obanai near the garden, kneeling with Kaburamaru coiled around his shoulders. The serpent's small head swayed, observing her curiously.

Hana hesitated for a moment before approaching. "Um, Obanai-san?"

He looked up slowly, his mismatched eyes narrowing sharply. "What do you want?"

Hana blinked nervously. "I... was wondering if you knew what Tomioka-san's favorite food is."

His expression darkened like a thundercloud. "Why would I know anything about that gloomy Water Pillar? And why do you care?"

Hana fidgeted slightly. "I just... thought it would be nice to know."

He glared even harder. "Stop bothering me."

Hana blinked, surprised. "Oh... sorry."

She frowned slightly, muttering under her breath, "Mitsuri-san wasn't so rude..."

The effect was instant. Obanai's head snapped toward her. "What was that?"

Hana blinked innocently. "Nothing~"

A faint smirk tugged at her lips as she walked away, thinking, Touched a nerve, did I?

Behind her, Kaburamaru hissed faintly, and Obanai's glare deepened. Hana quickened her pace, feeling his snake's eyes on her until she disappeared around the corner.

----

A while later, Hana wandered toward the edge of the courtyard, where she spotted a boy sitting on a wooden fence post, legs dangling, eyes half-lidded as he watched the drifting clouds.

"Muichiro-kun?" she asked softly, crouching beside him.

He turned his head lazily, his eyes dreamy as ever. "Ah....Hana, right?"

She nodded. "Yes. You remember my name?"

"I remember... sometimes," he said vaguely, his gaze drifting back up to the clouds. "Your hair...it looks like...cherries."

Hana blinked, caught off guard. "Huh? Oh-thank you?"

She tilted her head slightly. "Are you resting?"

He nodded absently. "Mhm. I finished training early. The sky looked nice, so I stayed to watch."

Hana tilted her head, stepping closer. "You like watching the clouds?"

He shrugged lightly. "They move slowly... like thoughts you can't quite catch."

She smiled. "That's kind of poetic, Muichiro-kun."

He blinked. "Is it? I never thought it that way."

"So... what brings you here?" he asked, his tone still soft.

"Well... I was wondering if you know what Tomioka-san's favorite food is."

Muichiro frowned faintly, considering. "Hmm. I don't think I do. Even if I did..." He blinked slowly. "I'd probably forget."

Hana couldn't help but laugh. "That's fair."

Muichiro glanced at her curiously. "Why are you asking?"

Her cheeks warmed. "Just... curious."

He gave a faint smile barely there, but warm enough to notice. "You're strange, Hana-san. But I think that's good."

She blinked. "Good?"

"Yeah," he said simply, looking back at the clouds. "Normal people are boring."

Hana laughed softly, bowing her head. "Thank you."

He nodded once, then went quiet again, his eyes drifting back to the sky.

----

Her last hope came in the form of the pair chatting near the Butterfly Estate Rengoku and Shinobu.

"Good afternoon!" Hana greeted, bowing politely.

"Ah! Hana!" Rengoku boomed with his usual energy. "You've been training hard, I see! You look strong and bright!"

Hana laughed softly. "Thank you, Rengoku-san."

"What happened, Hana?" Shinobu asked cheerfully. "You look like you need something!"

Hana laughed softly. "Well, I was wondering... do either of you know what Tomioka-san's favorite food is?"

Rengoku blinked, surprised, while Shinobu's lips curved into a mischievous smile.

"My, my," Shinobu teased. "That's quite an interesting question, Hana-chan."

"It's not like that!" Hana protested quickly, cheeks flushing. "I just wanted to thank him for something!"

"Hmmm," Shinobu hummed, pretending to think. "Well... I did see him smile once while eating something. While we were on a mission together."

Hana leaned forward eagerly. "Really?! What was it?"

"Ah, yes..." Shinobu said, her smile softening, though a teasing glint still danced in her eyes. "It was sake daikon. He didn't say anything, but I could tell he enjoyed it."

"Daikon..." Hana repeated, her eyes lighting up. "Really?"

Rengoku nodded solemnly. "Ah, but it's difficult to find around here. The market doesn't sell it often especially the good kind!"

Hana's face fell slightly, then she smiled with determination. "Then I'll just have to look harder."

Rengoku grinned, clearly impressed. "That's the spirit!"

"Good luck, Hana," Shinobu said, her tone gentle.

Hana bowed deeply to both of them, smiling brightly before turning on her heel and running off down the path.

---

The lake shimmered in the soft glow of the setting sun, its surface rippling gently as petals drifted across the water.
Giyuu sat quietly at the edge, his reflection swaying with the waves calm, distant, unreadable.

"Found you," came a familiar, gentle voice.

He turned. Hana stood there, slightly out of breath, holding a small wooden box neatly wrapped in cloth. Her eyes were bright, her cheeks dusted pink from the run.

"Hana," he said softly, rising to his feet. "What are you doing here?"

"I was... looking for you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I wanted to give you this."

She held out the box. He accepted it carefully, untying the ribbon and lifting the lid.

A faint, savory aroma simmered daikon and sake drifted upward, carried by the cool evening breeze.

He froze.

"...This is..." he murmured, his voice low, uncertain.

"Sake daikon," Hana said softly, a shy smile curving her lips. "It's for you."

He looked at her for a long moment. The sunlight caught her hair, turning it gold and rose. Something stirred quietly in his chest.

"How did you know?" he asked finally.

Her eyes glimmered with mischief. "I just guessed," she said echoing his own words from before.

For a moment, he was silent. Then, unexpectedly, a faint, fleeting smile touched his lips.

Hana froze. Her eyes widened, her heart skipping a beat. His smile. So soft. So real. Beautiful.

He noticed her stare. "What?" he asked quietly.

Her voice came out as a whisper. "You have a beautiful smile."

He blinked, startled a faint blush coloring his cheeks.

"Hana..." he began, but the words caught somewhere in his throat.

The silence that followed wasn't awkward it was peaceful, filled with unspoken warmth. The lake shimmered gently beside them, petals floating lazily across its surface.

He lifted his chopsticks as Hana watched him expectantly, waiting for him to take a bite.

He did slow, measured and then stopped.

His eyes widened slightly. His fingers trembled.

The warmth of the broth, the gentle flavor of the daikon... it was the same. Exactly the same as his sister used to make, before everything fell apart.

He blinked a memory flickering like a ghost through his mind laughter, a warm kitchen, the scent of sake rising from a pot.

"...It's just like hers," he whispered.

Hana stiffened. "Wh-what? Did you not like it?" she stammered, her voice rising in panic.

He shook his head slowly, his expression softening. "No. I like it. Very much."

Her eyes widened in relief. "Oh, thank goodness," she sighed, pressing a hand to her chest. Then, shyly, she added, "I couldn't find it anywhere, so I made it myself. I was so scared that you might not like it. I'm so glad because I would literally cry if you-"

He looked up, surprised. "You... made this?" he interrupted her rambling.

She nodded quickly, shyly rubbing the back of her neck. "It took me a while to get it right. But I wanted to thank you properly."

For a long moment, Giyuu said nothing. His eyes softened a rare emotion flickering behind them.

Finally, in a voice barely louder than the wind, he said, "Thank you, Hana."

She smiled, heart light. "You're welcome."

He hesitated, then asked quietly, "Would you... like to eat together?"

Her eyes brightened instantly. "I'd love to."

They sat side by side by the lake, sharing the meal beneath the glowing sky. The world around them was quiet just the whisper of wind, the chirp of crickets, and the gentle ripple of water.

When Hana laughed softly, Giyuu found himself glancing at her. Her smile was warm gentle, a smile that lit up his entire world.

----

Later, after she left, Giyuu remained by the lake.

The moonlight shimmered across the surface silver and calm.

He stared down at his reflection, the faint taste of sake daikon still on his lips.

He touched them lightly, remembering her words. You have a beautiful smile.

For the first time in years, his heart felt warm. He felt something within him heal.

---

Down the path, Hana walked toward the Butterfly Estate, the night breeze brushing gently through her hair.
She smiled softly to herself, thinking of that small, rare smile she'd seen.

The stars above gleamed like tiny blossoms in the dark.

And as she walked, her heart fluttered light, warm, alive.

Because now she knew even the coldest rivers could remember the warmth of spring.

Just as the thought passed, she stumbled upon two familiar figures Mitsuri and Shinobu.

"We wanna know everything." Mitsuri giggled, looping her arm through Hana's and dragging her away, while Shinobu followed with a smile.