Mitsuri was breathing heavily, almost tempted to fall to the ground as a source of comfort. "Rengoku-san! Why must I train like this again? I'm a hashira now just like you though!" Mitsuri almost regretted asking to stay at her former sensei's, the moment she moved in, he wanted to train again like the old days. It was already a week since she first came in, hoping sooner or later her estate would be prepared. "Because Kanroji, you must never accept complacency! Your love breathing is an off-shoot of flame remember? You must always have your heart ablaze and striving to better yourself with burning passion! I shall make a deal with you! If you may show me your breathing forms and what they can do, we may go out to eat!" Mitsuri quickly shot up straight and aimed an eager glare at Rengoku-san. She was prepared to make him pay for this situation he's forced on her once again!
"Love breathing first form: Shivers of First Love!" Mitsuri quickly dashed forward, imagining an opponent in front of her. During her sprint, she used her unique nichirin whip sword and threw out multiple winding slashes in all directions coming inwards towards the opponent. After finishing her first form, she visualized another opponent and leaped into the air. Second form: Love Pangs!" Mitsuri curled and twisted her body, using its momentum and building energy to swing her sword from various angles. She landed, seeing multiple enemies this time in various positions. "Third form: Catlove Shower!" She jumped from one enemy to another, bringing down wide arching swings in every single one. More and more continued to take their places in her mind, lined up, ready for their deaths. Before she could land and preform the next, Kyojuro called out for her.
"Kanroji, that will be enough for now!" She landed gracefully, but soon hunched over in exhaustion, her breathing becoming nearly ragged. "It is clear your love breathing still is as strong and promising as the flames it was born from! I am proud to see you as who you are today!" Mitsuri couldn't really pay attention as to what he was saying, she quickly grabbed onto his shoulders and looked up at him with an all devouring glare. "Kyojuro Rengoku. All I can eat, and a giant bowl of mochi. You put me through all this, you're paying for the meal, and the consequences." Mitsuri was a person that some thought was incapable of anger. She tried her best to contain it behind her usual cheery smile, but every person had their limits. Kyojuro feeling her fingers digging into his shoulders, started to sweat out of fear for his well being. "As you wish! Let us depart immediately!" Mitsuri soon let go and cheered, and Kyojuro let out a breath he wasn't aware he was holding in.
The two found themselves in a village they frequently went to in their earlier days. They specifically came to this one because the restaurants were adept at keeping up with their appetites. With Kyojuro's love of food and Mitsuri's need of large amounts to keep her inhuman strength up, the chefs had to quickly learn to adapt to them potentially arriving. While Kyojuro was only feeling hungry, Mitsuri felt utterly famished and starved. She wasn't aware of how much energy she had burned. On top of the training Rengoku-san put her through again, and her performing her own techniques, she barely had any energy left. She could see one of her favorite places just in front of her, but she just didn't have the energy anymore. She soon fell to the first ground, incapable of moving any further.
"Kanroji? Mitsuri?!" Kyojuro kneeled down and shook her, hoping she was still responsive. "It is just ahead of us! Just a little bit further!" "Rengoku?" Kyojuro soon turned his head, surprised as to who he saw. "Tomioka? This is prefect actually! Quickly, help me with Kanroji!" Giyuu had no idea as to what was happening, all he was aware of was Kanroji was passed out in the middle of a public walkway and Rengoku was asking for help. Letting out a low sigh, he kneeled down next to them. "Put her on my back, and we'll take her to the nearest doctor." Kyojuro nodded and helped move Mitsuri onto his back. Giyuu came to the sudden realization that Mitsuri's unrestricted chest pressed against his back, he was sure his face became as red as the right side of his haori. Kyojuro thanked Giyuu for his assistance, but shook his head at the idea of a doctor. "There is no need for medical assistance! I know exactly what it is she needs! Quickly, follow me!"
Mitsuri slowly woke up and regained herself, only to find the delicious scent of food tickling her nose. She looked on as there were bowls and plates filled with food in front of her. Any questions she had as to where she was quickly were buried away as she indulged herself on everything in front of her. Fresh noodles that rested in warm broth, charred texture of pork belly, satisfying burn of ginger. Mitsuri quickly finished what food was in front of her and leaned back in her chair, happy with the first batch of food she could finally eat. After finishing her food, she quickly realized she wasn't alone. She heard the repeated phrase of 'Umai' to her left. She quickly turned her head to and found surprise. Not only was there Rengoku-san, but Tomioka-san was there as well!
"Tomioka-san? What are you doing here?" She found him between her and Kyojuro, with his face still in a blush. He quickly lowered his head to focus on his food and his his embarrassment, Mitsuri frowned slightly as he seemed to ignore her. Kyojuro noticed the sudden mood change and pulled away from his sweet potatoes. "Ah Kanroji you're finally awake! Tomioka is here because he actually found us when you collapse! He offered to carry you here!" Mitsuri quickly looked back at Tomioka-san, he finally looked at her. He nodded, but his face was red. "I agreed to carry you on my back. I'm glad I could help but..." He seemed as if he couldn't finish his sentence out of some sort of embarrassment. She was confused as to what had him so flustered, until she realized what carrying her in such a way had entailed. Her own face quickly went red, finding herself for the first time wanting to cover her own chest. "Im sorry."
After a short awkward silence, Giyuu was the first to speak. "I actually intended to see you Kanroji, I have something for you." The two hashira looked at him with curiosity, wondering just what kind of gift Tomioka of all people could give. Mitsuri was shocked to see that it was a pair of deep blue long socks. The texture of them reminded her of the fabric the slayer uniforms were made of. "You may still be wearing the unform, but your legs were unprotected from only wearing the skirt. they're dual layered as well, so you have comfort of the normal fabric inside, and the protection on the outside. I trust in your skills to not get hurt, but this would give me ease of mind."Mitsuri felt her face heat up, so much so that she had to use her hands to cover her expressions. He had actually gone out of his way for her to get these made. "I, I love them. Was the blue your idea?" Mitsuri grabbed the socks eagerly as she kept her eyes on him. His face was stayed a shade of red as he looked back at her. "No, but because the order came from me, I'm assuming they thought I preferred that color. If you would prefer a different color-" Mitsuri quickly covered his mouth with her hand. She shook her head with intent and looked up him. "This is a gift from you Tomioka-san, I wouldn't prefer it any other style. Besides, it's a pretty blue." Giyuu was thankful for all these years of water breathing, because all that training was the only reason he was able to remain calm.
Giyuu slowly grabbed her hand and took it off his face. "If they ever get damaged just send a crow to me, I'll send in a request for more." Mitsuri nodded eagerly, looking back down at the socks. This was the second gift someone had given to her since she joined, the first was when Rengoku-san gave her this white haori she's been wearing since. Now she had another gift she could always have with her. "Thank you for this Tomioka-san. Truly." She wanted to hide them away in her haori so they would be safe, only to realize her hand was still being held. She soon wore her own blush and looked down at them. "Uh, Tomioka-san?" He looked down at their hands and quickly pulled his away, looking slightly ashamed. "My apologies."
Kyojuro couldn't help but be in awe from watching them interact. This was the most he had heard Tomioka speak in a single conversation. He wasn't sure if that confused him the most, the gift he had given Kanroji, or the fact that he was actually seeming embarrassed or flustered. This was perhaps the most he's gone out of his way to talk with someone. It almost had seemed they had forgotten about him. He wanted to see where you'd would go naturally, but his curiosity was getting the better of him. "Tomioka? If I may ask, why exactly are you in this village? This is outside of your district so it's not as if you had a mission nearby!"
Giyuu had finally remembered Rengoku was here as well, and returned his attention to him. "My goal was to find either of you to deliver the socks. I could not wait until the next hashira meeting months away, so I took it upon myself to see them in their intended owner's possession." Kyojuro nodded at the straight forward answer, but couldn't help but question some things. "Why not send a kakushi to deliver them? They do work as a supporting branch after all!" Giyuu shook his head at the idea. "They are cleanup and medical support, I couldn't ask someone as significant as them for this menial task. Plus the company of you and Kanroji is... pleasant to be around."
Kyojuro and Mitsuri shared a look at each other unable to say anything. Kyojuro had spent several years already knowing Tomioka, now he wasn't quite sure what he knew anymore. He had never given anyone a gift to his knowledge, at the very least, Kyojuro never recieved one. Mitsuri couldn't help but be pleased that Tomioka-san already thought her as good company. First he gave her a gift she should cherish forever, now he admitted he found her pleasant to be with. She was getting closer to letting out all this excitement, but soon remembered she was in public. She was saddened though when she saw Tomioka-san preparing to leave.
"Wait Tomioka-san! Where are you going? I thought we were enjoying this time together." She looked to him as she gripped the socks tightly. "My goal was to make sure the socks made their way to you. Now that I know you have them, I can return to my district in peace now. Thank you for having me." Giyuu walked to the front counter, quietly paying for his food and a portion of the duo's. With that, he was way to leave. As he approached the exit, he felt himself be pulled back slightly. He turned around, only to find it was Kanroji holding him back with ease. "Please Tomioka-san, can you stay just a little bit longer? If you can't, maybe we can all eat together again in your district next time!" She let him go when she realized he wasn't trying to walk away anymore. She quickly looked back to the table and was estatic that she actually didn't finish her plate this time. She found a singular dessert of sakura mochi, and showed it to Tomioka-san.
"Please? Would you like to try it for me at least? It's my favorite food ever since I grew up. I ate so much of it it's actually why my hair is pink and green now!" Mitsuri smiled innocently at Giyuu, as she brushed her hand over her long braids of hair. "If you try this for me, maybe we can try your favorite foods next time!" Giyuu looked down at the dessert, not sure what to make of it. It was obviously a rice ball, but it was pink in color and wrapped in what he could only assume was cherry blossom leaf. He took a bite of the dessert, trusting it had to be good to some degree. He was surprised at the center of red bean paste, finding it rather delightful. He wasn't the biggest enjoyer of sweets, but the saltiness of it gave a nice balance on his tongue.
"It was delightful, I can see why it is well liked by most." He gave an honest answer to Kanroji, hoping it would be a satisfactory answer. His eyes moved between Rengoku and Kanroji, both he assumed were guaging if he was considering her request. He wasn't sure why they seemed eager to spend more time with him. He did not actually intend to eat with them at all, only to deliver his gift, confirm it reached her, and return to his quiet peaceful home. He had stayed due to concern for Kanroji's health and Rengoku's insistence. His eyes focused on Kanroji, her eyes almost seemed pleading for him to agree. He wanted to decline like all other times before, he wanted to be alone, he belived he deserved it. But seeing her like this in front of him, if he tried to say no, he believed it would die in his throat before the word left his mouth.
"Alright. In a few weeks time, you two may visit my estate. You two are not familiar with my district, so you may meet me there and I will act as the guide. If you have any questions, you may ask Kocho, she tries to visit me after missions to make sure I am not avoiding going to her for aid." Giyuu watched as Kanroji nodded in delight, wondering just what it was she wanted. "Thank you Tomioka-san! By that point, I should be use to my own district and more than comfortable with my own estate! After we ask Kocho-chan, we'll send a crow to you to let you know when our arrival will be!" Mitsuri bowed her head repeatedly, wanting to give thanks to Tomioka-san for actually agreeing to them eating again. She watched as he finally left and walked out the restaurant. She was still slightly upset that he was leaving already, but she was happier that he agreed to eat with them again.
Mitsuri and Kyojuro soon ended their own time at the establishment. Kyojuro looked slightly pale when he was forced to realize how much he had really spent to keep Kanroji happy. They had soon made it back to his estate, well into the night. As they were prepared to retire for the night, Kyojuro wanted to talk with her about something. He tapped her shoulder and signaled her to follow. After making their way to the living room, he made a pot of tea for them to share.
"Kanroji I must ask, because I am quite confused. Just how are you doing this?" Mitsuri looked at him in wearing a confused look. "I don't quite follow Rengoku-san, I don't know what it is I'm doing. We ate with Tomioka-san, and I asked for him to eat with us again later, and he agreed." Kyojuro took a drink from his tea and rubbed his head, trying to figure out just what's happening. "I understand that, but for all the years any of us have known Tomioka, he's never wanted to spend time with anyone. Kocho, Tengen, and Himejima can vouch for this, they are the longest witnesses of his character in the pillars. Ever since he met you, this is the most he's not acted as himself. You are the very first person I believe he's given a present to even. It is clear just from today alone, you have some kind of effect on him."Mitsuri stared down at her cup and focused on her thoughts. She wanted to question if this really was the case, but remembered everyone's owns thoughts on Tomioka-san. Did she really bring out a level of change in him? Everyone had said he preferred to be alone, even Tomioka-san himself. So why did he seem so ready to allow her close to him? "I don't really know what to say Rengoku-san, I don't think I've done anything differently than I would've with anyone else. Maybe he just finds me easier to be around? Shinazugawa and that mismatched eye hashira are openly against him, Uzui-san doesn't try to talk to him, Kocho-chan seems alright with him. You have more energy than most Rengoku-san so it takes getting use to. Maybe he sees me as safe?" Mitsuri and Kyojuro couldn't come up with an answer between the two of them, soon finishing their drinks and going to their respective rooms.
Mitsuri finally had the opportunity to try on her new socks. Tomioka-san was right that they were infact double layered. The inner fabric was smooth to the touch in contrast of the strong but not as comfortable uniform material. She actually did feel safer wearing them, watching as they covered up to half-way up her thighs. Getting a better look of the shade of blue used for the fabric, it made he think of his eyes. She hugged her legs as her face began to heat up. Remembering when she threw her hand over his mouth, holding it as neither of them had realized for some time. She had to admit to herself the gestures made her yearning, but she shook the thoughts away. She only liked them because of her own desires for love. She was willing to admit to being jealous of other girls for being able do affectionate acts with their lovers.
"I'm doing this for friendship, if I let my desire for love and romance cloud my thinking, it'll only be dishonest to Tomioka-san." She lightly slapped her cheeks as she prepared herself for bed. "It, did feel good though. No! Bad Mitsuri!" She slapped herself again and crawled into position for bed. She honestly had a lot to look forward to in the next few weeks. From moving in to her very own estate, to going on missions, to meeting Tomioka-san again with Rengoku-san for the three of them to eat together. She slowly closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep, rubbing her new socks one last time before completely falling asleep.
Giyuu had found himself unable to sleep, his brain still restless from the earlier events. His only desire was to deliver Kanroji the socks, but was pulled into so much more. Then there was when she placed her hand over his mouth, or when he held it for far too long than what should've been. She had the hands of a swordsman, but they still felt soft against his skin. It felt like lightning had run through his very being. Had it really been that long since he'd been touched in any regard that wasn't for medical purposes? Shinobu had fixed some of his new injuries before their lastest meeting, but there was nothing to it compared to what happened earlier. He enjoyed it, but it shouldn't have happened. If he didn't feel like it should've happened in the first place, then why did he agree to see them again? He groaned from annoyance of his own thoughts.
"It's obvious she wants to try and create a friendship between her and I. Why did I agree to eat with them again if I don't see myself as worthy to be around them? To be around her? I could've said no earlier, I wanted to say no. Right?" Giyuu found himself disagreeing with that thought process, she was enjoyable to be around. She didn't believe he was boring or dull to his knowledge, it was obvious she didn't hate him, she really was just that nice. "I'm not deserving of anyone's time, it's why I've never agreed to spend activities with the others. It's been lonely, but it's been for the best." He sighed as he grabbed his sword, intent on training until exhaustion for him to sleep. "I wonder if it will be possible to hold her again. Ah, stop thinking like that! Stop trying to hope!" He quickly exited his home, contemplating if he was dreading or looking forward to a few weeks from now.