Chapter 45 – The Promise
Silence filled the room.
Not a single word was spoken.
Sunlight slipped in through the gaps in the window, spilling across the polished wooden floor in warm, gentle streaks. Shadows from the ceiling beams shifted slowly, swaying with the faint breeze.
"…Umm."
"Hikaru-san."
Hikaru had just opened his mouth to speak when a soft, feminine voice cut him off before he could say a word.
He blinked, turning toward the source.
The same face greeted him—a face always adorned with a calm smile.
And yet…
Why did it feel like there was a hint of danger?
Tilting his head slightly, he gave a puzzled look.
"Gyomei-san told me… you encountered Upper Moon One."
The girl smiled faintly. "And you even… forced him to retreat?"
"…That's right," Hikaru replied with a small nod. "I did meet him, but as for forcing him to retreat… let's just say it was more luck and strategy than anything."
"Even so… that's incredible," she murmured in her clear, quiet voice. "And you've only been here… what, less than a year?"
A year ago, Hikaru had been just another Demon Slayer.
His rank was among the lowest—Kanoe, the fourth from the bottom in the Corps hierarchy.
Now, he stood at the very peak of Kinoe rank and was one of the Nine Hashira.
Becoming a Hashira required, at minimum, defeating or killing a member of the Twelve Kizuki—even if it was just a Lower Rank.
Hikaru had been promoted partly due to his achievements. While he wasn't weak by any means, his rise had started from just meeting the bare minimum requirements.
But over the past half-year, his growth had been explosive. He had slain two Lower Moons with his own hands, earned the title of Void Hashira, and even fought Upper Moon One to a stalemate—forcing the demon to retreat.
—Regardless of the method, that was enough to place him among the Corps' elite.
It was a feat worthy of admiration.
And yet, somewhere deep inside… a faint, unshakable fear lingered.
Shinobu lowered her gaze, her blue-violet eyes settling on Hikaru's pale face as he lay on the bed.
His injuries were severe. Not fatal, but enough to leave a deep mark in her memory.
She still remembered vividly—Gyomei bringing him back, covered in blood, just like—
…Just like the last time she saw her older sister, Kocho Kanae, return with fatal wounds.
But ever since their time in Tokyo, Shinobu had realized one thing.
Hikaru and Kanae were… fundamentally different.
The feeling was similar.
But not the same.
"Technically, a year isn't that short," Hikaru said quietly. "How many years do we even get in our lives? Whatever we want to accomplish… it all comes from years like this."
"…You have a point."
Shinobu tilted her head slightly, then said suddenly, "Speaking of which, it's time for your medicine."
"…Medicine?"
Hikaru froze.
Why… did that sound oddly suspicious?
Like one of those old dramas—"Come on now, it's time for your medicine…"
…No, maybe it was just his imagination.
Holding back a sigh, he watched as Shinobu reached for a small bowl from the table beside her.
The strong, bitter scent of medicinal herbs filled the air immediately.
She's serious…
Where did that even come from?
He tried to sit up. Even though every movement sent stabbing pain through his body, he knew he'd have to be at least upright to drink.
Total Concentration Breathing: Constant would speed his recovery, but if this could help him heal faster, why not?
Before he could fully rise—
A small, cool hand pressed him gently back onto the bed.
"Patients shouldn't move around recklessly," Shinobu said with a smile.
She rose from her chair and sat on the edge of the bed.
Hikaru swallowed reflexively as she leaned closer. She was so near, he could catch the faint, refreshing scent that was uniquely hers.
"You—"
"Here, I'll feed you."
Her smile widened.
There was a strange gleam in her purple-blue eyes.
Something almost… commanding.
"You—"
"Ah—open your mouth."
Before he could protest, the spoon was already at his lips.
The pungent bitterness hit him instantly, the taste flooding his senses before he could get a single word out.
There was no doubt—
Shinobu today… was different.
Realizing this, Hikaru gave up resisting. Whether you called it "being fed" or "being spoon-fed," the result was the same.
Before long, the bowl was nearly empty.
Shinobu even took a tissue to gently wipe the corner of his lips.
But…
She didn't move away.
The distance between them remained small—too small.
He could feel the light brush of her hand against his skin, see her delicate brows up close, the serene smile still lingering on her face…
And yet, even when it was done, she didn't retreat.
Almost as if… she was savoring the moment.
"Shinobu-san…"
He finally spoke in a quiet tone.
"Ah… sorry."
Her voice was soft. "But… I don't want to move away."
Don't… want to?
"I… was honestly terrified," she continued, her tone barely above a whisper. "Back then too… Nee-san left perfectly fine, but came back covered in wounds… and died right in front of me."
The fear was real.
Seeing Hikaru's condition when he returned this time had brought all those memories back.
But she knew. She knew very well.
Her sister and Hikaru—were not the same.
And the way she felt about them… was also different.
From the start, Hikaru carried a calm presence. Being near him felt… safe. A sense of security unlike the warm, gentle presence of her older sister.
That was why—
Her feelings now… were not the same.
They were different.
Her hopes were different.
"…Promise me one thing."
Shinobu looked straight into his eyes.
"Don't die."
Hikaru was silent for a moment.
He didn't know how to respond.
The bond that had been faint before… had perhaps changed into something else entirely.
He knew, one day, he would leave this world behind—
Which was why he didn't know if he could give that promise honestly.
But…
If he didn't answer now, he couldn't move forward.
So he said,
"…I won't die."
He was about to add more.
But the next words never came.
Because—
Something silenced him.
Not words.
But touch.
Shinobu kissed him.
Directly.
Without hesitation. Without shame.
Though she was a young woman, Kocho Shinobu was not the type to be shy or indulge in needless formalities like the noble ladies of high society.
She was always honest about her feelings.
Hikaru froze.
Surprised.
And with his body still far from recovered, he couldn't avoid it.
Her scent filled his senses—warm, impossible to describe, but unforgettable.
After several seconds, Shinobu slowly pulled back.
There was no blush.
No flustered glance.
Only unshakable certainty.
"This… is our promise."
Her voice was soft.
She wasn't smiling now. Not because she was upset.
But because what she was showing him—
Was her true self.
Hikaru let out a slow breath.
Then… smiled.
"…Yeah."
He gave a light nod.
No more hesitation.
And really… why should there be?
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