"Where is he? I want to see him." Yukishiro repeated, his voice steady, but his pale expression unreadable.
The three girls of the Butterfly Mansion didn't take him seriously.
They burst out laughing, slapping the table, nearly doubling over in mockery.
Their shrill giggles echoed in the dining room.
Kanzaki Aoi, sitting nearby, pressed her lips together. She didn't like this strange boy either, but she knew pain when she saw it.
After all, she had been there on the day he was carried into the mansion—his entire village gone, his body broken, his mind clinging to a single purpose. For three days he had refused food and sat unmoving like a stone outside the door. Now, after all that, to mock him was cruel.
"Enough!" Aoi snapped, her voice sharp. She slammed her chopsticks down on the table. "You three, stop laughing. Haven't you lost people yourselves? Then you should understand what he's feeling. Don't make sport of his pain. Eat your food quietly."
The three Butterfly Mansion girls immediately stopped, their guilty faces turning down toward their bowls. The laughter dissolved into silence, leaving only the sound of clattering chopsticks.
Aoi sighed, then turned to the boy.
"They are right, though," she said, softer now. "Lord Himejima isn't someone you can just meet. Why do you want to see the Stone hashira so badly? Are you asking him to save your sister?"
Yukishiro shook his head. His eyes gleamed with stubborn fire. "No. I want him to be my master. I can save my sister myself."
The words made Aoi blink. She had expected begging or desperation, but what she saw instead was resolve—an almost reckless determination.
"Become a disciple…?" Aoi murmured. "You mean training under the Stone hashira?"
"Yes," Yukishiro said firmly. "That woman told me my sister was taken away by a demon. I can't fight one as I am now. But if I become strong enough, I can." His hand clenched the pendant that never left his palm.
"This Corps fights demons. So here, I will be closest to her."
That woman? Aoi's brow furrowed. "Who told you this?"
Before he could answer, Naru leaned over, tugging at Aoi's sleeve. She whispered into her ear, "Sister Aoi, it was Shinobu-sama. Remember? When this guy first woke up, he kept shouting about saving his sister. It was Shinobu-sama who persuaded him to stop."
Aoi nodded slowly, the pieces clicking into place.
She turned back to Yukishiro. "Lord Himejima holds a high position. He rarely meets outsiders, and he already has a disciple. But…" She paused, weighing her decision. "…after we finish eating, I'll take you to see Shinobu-sama. She'll know what to do."
Yukishiro didn't reply. He simply turned and walked out of the room, returning to his usual post at the steps, silent as stone.
Aoi considered bringing him food, but when she saw the blank distance in his eyes, she sighed and let it be.
Even if she served him a bowl, he wouldn't eat. His spirit wasn't fed by rice.
…
Dinner ended. Aoi excused herself from the others and led Yukishiro toward the medical wing.
Shinobu Kocho was at her laboratory desk, quietly peering through a microscope at a slice of some herb. The lamplight softened her silhouette, and when she heard the knock at her door, she spoke without looking up.
"Come in."
Aoi pushed the door open, and they stepped inside. Shinobu lifted her head, saw them, and her face lit up with a warm, almost mischievous smile.
"Aoi, Yukishiro—you've come together? Sit down."
"Aoi froze. Yukishiro?" This was the first time she had heard his full name spoken aloud. It sounded strange to her ears, heavy and unfamiliar.
Shinobu stood, pulling a chair close for him. "I was supposed to remove your bandages today, but I've been so busy. Since you're here now, it's the perfect time."
She gently began unwrapping the layers of cloth around his torso. "Aoi," she said over her shoulder, "did you bring him here just for this? I didn't think you cared about him so much."
Aoi's cheeks flared red. "C-care about him? Captain, what are you saying?!" She huffed, glaring at the boy. "He insisted on becoming Lord Himejima's disciple. I had no choice but to bring him to you."
Shinobu's violet eyes twinkled. "Oh? You want to be Himejima-san's disciple?"
Yukishiro nodded once. "I don't know him. But those girls said he was the strongest. I want to be his disciple, become stronger than anyone, kill that demon, and save my sister."
Shinobu chuckled softly, the sound like bells. "You really are a peculiar child. But… Himejima-san already has a disciple. And you aren't even part of the Corps. He might not accept you."
Yukishiro's voice was sharp with resolve. "Then I'll join the Corps. I don't care how. Just take me to him."
Shinobu hesitated. Ubuyashiki-sama's words from that morning drifted back to her—his suggestion that this boy might one day be entrusted to a Hashira. And now, fate seemed to be pushing him directly toward the Stone hashira.
But before she could answer, a loud smack broke the moment.
Aoi's hand had come down hard on the back of Yukishiro's head.
He pitched forward, stumbling into Shinobu's arms.
Shinobu caught him, blinking in surprise. "Aoi! Why on earth did you hit him?"
Yukishiro jerked upright, face burning red, glaring at Aoi. "You crazy woman! What's wrong with you?!"
"For no reason?" Aoi shot back, hands on her hips. "I'll tell you why. Do you have any idea who you're speaking to? This is Shinobu Kocho—the Insect hashira, one of the Hashira! Even Corps members address her respectfully. And you—sickly, not even part of us—you dare to call her 'you' directly? Who gave you the right?"
Yukishiro blinked, startled. "hashira…? You never told me what that meant. How was I supposed to know she was one of them?!"
"That doesn't matter!" Aoi barked. "Respect is respect!"
Yukishiro's jaw tightened. He had no interest in these endless hierarchies. "You're unreasonable. You act as though words matter more than intent."
Shinobu, meanwhile, had her hand over her mouth, suppressing a laugh.
Aoi bristled further, puffing her cheeks in anger. "Say that again and I'll hit you harder! Don't test me!" She raised her fist threateningly, glaring at him with round, furious eyes.
Yukishiro looked away, muttering, "Unreasonable woman…"
Shinobu finally let her laugh spill out, musical and light. "Oh dear… since you two seem so fiery with each other, perhaps we should settle this with a proper match."
The room fell silent.
Yukishiro blinked, staring at Shinobu. Aoi froze, her fist still raised.
Shinobu only smiled sweetly, her eyes glimmering like a cat's.
"Yes. Why not have a fight? That way, I'll see for myself how serious Yukishiro is—and Aoi, you'll get to defend my honor properly. Doesn't that sound fair?"
Her tone was gentle, but there was something mischievous behind it.
Yukishiro and Aoi locked eyes across the lamplit room, the tension between them sharper than any blade.