Once it was clear that Rengoku would stop at nothing to explain a thing or two to Y/N, she finally begun to listen.

Plates of steamed salmon, udon soup, vegetables, and traditional Japanese mochi laid side by side before them, releasing an ambrosial scent — but even that, a heaven of palatable wonders, paled in comparison to the tales the Flame Hashira told.

Legends of powerful Demons and Hashira that shook the world shed light on a whole other reality that the girl couldn't grasp: not never, she reminded herself. Not yet, but not never.

Despite knowing the stories were too glorified to be entirely true, it brought back the child that resided in her and warmed the heart that had grown cold and unaccepting over time. She had to remind herself sporadically of what was on the line, yet it took mere minutes for her to sink back into the historical books of Breathing Styles and vermillion letters that Rengoku had laid out on the table.

Demons — more specifically, their rankings and the carved letters in their eyes fascinated her the most. As much as she despised them, it was a foreign topic to many in the agency and she was curious.

Rengoku had told her of a woman that was once a demon but managed to successfully turn back into a human. Her name was Tamayo. Y/N hoped to meet her one day.

He seemed to be quite fond of this topic, and the two ate simultaneously, shoving mouthfuls of food into their mouths as they spoke.

"There was this young boy who passed the Final Selection with flying colors last year; he was made into a Demon Slayer, but died at the hands of not a demon, but by falling down a cliff," Rengoku recounted blithely, rummaging around the food plates for a tissue. 

"What?" Y/N blurted, incredulous. "He fell down a cliff?"

"Overjoyed by his saving of a nearby neighborhood and the death he brought upon a relatively stronger demon, the boy took... ah, a few sips at a club. He stumbled off a cliff not so long after, tipsy and intoxicated."

"Oh. That's funny," she remarked, chugging down a bowl of miso.

"Indeed—" Rengoku began, but he was interrupted by the clatter of a sword and the hissing swish of a Haori. "That must be Tomioka!"

He swiftly made his way towards his comrade, who greeted him with but a subtle nod.

"Good morning, Kyojuro." His heavy-lidded eyes flitted over to Y/N, and back to Rengoku. "I see you've brought... a young one."

"A young one? Not a very flamboyant way to address a lady, Tomioka."

Another Hashira had arrived at the scene, and Rengoku's eyes widened. "Uzui? I thought you were off at the Red Light District."

"I got back early. Makio was craving fruits, and you can't find much of that there. It's all alcohol," he shrugged, narrowing his eyes. "Plus, the people there are odd."

Rengoku let out a hearty laugh. "Whatever you say. This is Y/N," he smiled, hastily motioning at the girl (who sat at the dining table with half a piece of Fugu sashimi stuffed in her mouth). "Kocho and Kanroji brought her to the Mansion after finding her half-dead in the forest."

After going back and forth on whether to voice a greeting or sit there unexpressive, she settled on just waving and shook a raised hand back and forth awkwardly.

Tengen grinned, revealing two rows of pearly whites. "I like you already. Anyone who likes blowfish sashimi is a friend of mine. Oh, you've pulled out the stories. Those are wonderful. Have you told her about the Master?"

"Ah, a little. She'll meet him later, though."

They spoke like she wasn't there, but the topic of the mysterious leader of the Corps sparked curiosity. She knew nothing of the man shrouded in mystery, except that he had centuries of enmity and feuds with Muzan, the demon progenitor. The thought of him bubbled incipient anger within her. It wasn't every day that one felt like punching a massive hole through someone's skull.

She would get to wreak vengeance soon enough... given that she actually chose to stay here and train to become a Demon Slayer.

The girl frowned, watching the three Hashira converse about whether the 'Master' would allow them to take her on their missions — just a way to test and hone her skills. Giyuu intervened halfway through and yelled that a rest period is a rest period, and it would probably never be altered. Tengen made a series of rude motions mid-air that cannot be explicitly described in this book.

The choice would be made.

Not now, but not never.

♱

𝕻𝖆𝖌𝖊 𝕿𝖍𝖗𝖊𝖊

After Giyuu left later on for his mission with Shinobu, I had to deal with Tengen and Rengoku for the rest of the day.

They relentlessly pelted me with questions about what I used to do for a living back then in the forests. They never once questioned my origins, thankfully.

I fell into slumber slowly that day, unlike yesterday. It was hard to sleep, with a constant dilemma haunting my dreams.

Along with a million other things I can't voice.

────── 𝖄𝖓/𝕷𝖓

♱

𝕻𝖆𝖌𝖊 𝕱𝖔𝖚𝖗

Gyomei is a kind soul. Who knew a man twice the height of me could nurse such a benign love for kittens?

I also met Muichiro today. He... is less of a kind soul.

On occasion, I talk with Tengen and Rengoku — although the pair are both busy fulfilling mission duties. They seem to like debating with each other a whole lot about the best ice cream flavor. At this point, I honestly think I can't stand another day of voices yelling 'STRAWBERRY!' 'CHOCOLATE!' 'DIE!' 

────── 𝖄𝖓/𝕷𝖓

♱

𝕻𝖆𝖌𝖊 𝕱𝖎𝖛𝖊

Mitsuri's back from her mission now. I missed her energetic presence. She, too, tries regularly to convince me to stay. I guess they're so in need of people as amazing as me, heh.

I find my spirits being lifted. It's nice.

────── 𝖄𝖓/𝕷𝖓

♱

𝕻𝖆𝖌𝖊 𝕾𝖎𝖝

I can't let myself indulge in such euphoric thoughts, for it dulls the mind.

Yet, I'm continually drawn towards the choice of staying. I'm provided with shelter, food, most of all — care, and it makes me feel at home. If I choose to stay, I become a Demon Slayer and receive all of these benefits.

But if I choose to leave, I'll won't risk leaving my life — something that I will never give away, after everything that happened — in the hands of slightly familiar strangers.

My brother knew them. But he's gone now, isn't he?

──────    𝖄𝖓/𝕷𝖓

♱

𝕻𝖆𝖌𝖊 𝕾𝖊𝖛𝖊𝖓

There are two days left before my 'rest period' comes to a close. I've met all the Hashira by now, some of which are still away on missions: Mitsuri, Shinobu, Giyuu, Obanai, Rengoku, Tengen, Gyomei, Muichiro, and Sanemi.

And so the decision lingers in my head, ever-so-present. 

I'll decide. Not now, not never.

────── 𝖄𝖓/𝕷𝖓