Shinobu furrowed her brow slightly, gently taking Giyuu's hand.

"What about Shinazugawa-San, Tomioka-San? Did you have a disagreement?"
She tilted her head to the side, her eyes narrowing slightly as she tried to read Giyuu's emotions.

Giyuu sighed, his expression filled with worry and maybe even fear.

"Have you seen him since the last few days...? He's nowhere to be found and it's been more than a week..."
He said, looking at the floor quietly.

Shinobu gasped softly, her grip on Giyuu's hand tightening.

"What do you mean he's been gone for over a week? That's weird, for someone like Shinazugawa-San..."
She leaned in closer, her voice lowering to a whisper.

"I tried talking to Uzui-San about it, but he says that he could be out on a mission..."
Giyuu paused, exhaling softly.

"...I don't think Shinazugawa-San would take this long to be back from a mission... And..."
He hesitated, looking at Shinobu.

"...And?"
Shinobu questioned.

"And I'm- I'm a little worried..."
Giyuu blushed very slightly, his voice lowering a bit.

Shinobu looked down, the playful glint in her eyes changing to worry.

"That doesn't sound like him at all... He might not be the warmest or the most approachable guy, but he is reliable."
She looked up at Giyuu again, her voice filled with concern.

She noticed Giyuu's genuine care for Sanemi, sighing softly as she smiled.

"Tomioka-San..."

"Hm?"
Giyuu looked at her.

"We can always talk about how you're feeling..."
She smiled reassuringly.

Giyuu sighed, nodding gently.
The two talked for hours, as Giyuu told her everything about Sanemi's last interaction with him.

It was almost getting dark.

Giyuu looked at his own hands, taking a deep breath in.
"I wrote him letters Kocho, hoping he would reply, but there wasn't any response..."

Shinobu's expression softened at the words, and she looked up at Giyuu with a gentle gaze.
"Oh, Tomioka-San... You're really worried about him, aren't you?"

She released his hand, only to wrap her arms around him in a warm, comforting hug.

Giyuu's eyes widened at the sudden gesture of affection, he stayed quiet, slowly returning the hug.

"I wonder if he's doing alright..."

___________________________________________

"THESE FUCKING DEMONS!"
Sanemi shouted, he was indeed on a mission.

There were many demons on his way.

"I've been slashing them all since forever now, and they don't seem to fucking end!?"
He said, his anger getting the best of him.

And the worst fucking part? I can't see Tomioka because of this neverending long ass mission! Ugh! And his goddamn letters? Fucking God!
His thoughts angered him even more.

"I'M GONNA KILL YOU ALL!"
Sanemi took a deep breath in. He dashed forward with rage.

"Wind Breathing, First Form: Dust Whirlwind Cutter!!!"

He teared them all apart, his chest rising and falling as he swiftly slid his sword back in place.

"Your mission is over, Sanemi..."
Sorai flew over his head.

"I fucking know it!"
Sanemi snapped, walking to his assigned Mansion.

___________________________________________

Giyuu kept talking about his rising concern for Sanemi.

"You care deeply for him, don't you?"
Shinobu asked as she listened to Giyuu patiently.

Giyuu blushed softly, looking away.
"I-It's just... h-his disappearance doesn't make any sense..."

She looked at him, smiling softly. "Wherever he is, I'm sure he's fine."

Giyuu nodded gently in response.

The two were quiet for some time before Shinobu smiled, nudging Giyuu playfully.
"Tomioka-San, you're worrying way too much, it could be a long mission, you know?"

Giyuu still had a feeling of uneasiness in his heart.

"When..."
He paused abruptly.

"When was the last time you saw him, Kocho?"

Shinobu's expression turned thoughtful, and she tilted her head slightly.

"Let's see... It was during the last meeting with the Hashiras... He seemed a bit... distracted, but he didn't say anything unusual. That was about a month ago, I think."
She said, her voice soft and steady.

Giyuu sighed worriedly at her words, looking down at the floor with concern.
"Kocho, what if something bad happens to him...,?"

Shinobu's eyes soften, placing a reassuring hand on Giyuu's shoulder.

"Tomioka-San, don't worry. If anything happened to him, we would've received a word by now. Besides, he's a strong and capable Slayer. He can take care of himself."

Giyuu nodded thoughtfully.

She gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze. "You care way too much!"
She chuckled softly.

"I-Its not that..."
Giyuu blushed, looking away.

Shinobu raised an eyebrow, a playful glint in her eye.

"Oh, really? Then what is it, Tomioka-San?"
She teased, her voice laced with amusement.

Giyuu sighed.
"It's nothing, forget it."

"It's never 'nothing' Tomioka-San! Think about it, are you being completely truthful to yourself while saying this?"
She asked, leaning closer.

"What do you mean by that, Kocho? I'm saying the truth."
Giyuu said as he tried to seem nonchalant, though he failed to hide the slight blush across his face.

Shinobu chuckled, her eyes sparkling with fun.

"Oh, Tomioka-San, you wouldn't be blushing for no apparent reason all the time... there's definitely something going on..."
She teased.

Giyuu's blush deepened.
"It's... It's not-"

She giggled, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Tomioka-San, you're cute when you're flustered!"

She leaned in, her face inches away from his.
"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone your little secret..."

"But I don't love Shinazugawa-San..."
Giyuu replied, trying to compose himself.

"Oh well, how did you know I was talking about him...?"
She tilted her head to the side, smirking a little.

Giyuu's eyes widened, blushing even more.
"I-It's because... I..."

Shinobu sighed, smiling softly.
"Give up already, Tomioka-San. It's clear that you have feelings for him."

Giyuu hesitated a bit, but sighed after a moment, finally surrendering.
"Fine, maybe just a little bit..."
He mumbled.

Shinobu's eyes lit up, as she grinned mischievously, clapping her hands together.
"I knew it!"

She poked Giyuu's cheek playfully.
"The great Tomioka-San has a weak spot after all!"
She laughed.

"Stop it, Kocho..."
Giyuu looked at her, annoyed.

Shinobu chuckled, patting Giyuu's shoulder affectionately.
"Alright, alright. I'll stop teasing you... for now... But don't think you're getting off that easily. I'll be keeping a close eye on you and Shinazugawa-San from now on."

"Hey!"

She giggled, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
"I'm just trying to help, Tomioka-San. You know, bring out your more... romantic side."
She smirked a little.

"Besides, seeing you flustered is pretty amusing."
She added with a chuckle.

Giyuu took a deep breath in, looking at his own hands now.

"Kocho... I... I don't know why I feel this way... I don't even know what's happening to me, I've been thinking about him for so long... He's been appearing in my dreams too..."

He paused, his expression frustrated.
"Is- Is this normal...?"

Shinobu looked at him with a warm, understanding smile.

"Love is complicated, Tomioka-San. It's not something you can always explain or understand. But when you find someone who makes your heart race and who you care for deeply, it's hard not to give in to those feelings."

Giyuu's eyes widened at her words, he looked up at her with surprise.
"Kocho..."

Shinobu gently placed a hand on his shoulder, her expression soft and comforting.

"It's okay, Tomioka-San. I'm here for you, no matter what."
She paused, her voice taking on a gentle, teasing tone.

Giyuu held her hands, looking at her intensely.

"Thank you, Kocho... Thank you very much."

Shinobu's smile grew warmer, squeezing Giyuu's hands affectionately.
"Anytime, Tomioka-San. That's what friends are for, right?"

She grinned mischievously.
"Now, I should get going before I change my mind about this whole 'keeping your secret' thing."

Giyuu nodded, a small chuckle escaping his lips.

She laughed, a sweet, melodic sound, as she patted his shoulder before letting go.

"Alright, I should get moving. Don't worry about Shinazugawa-San too much now, I know for sure he's fine..."
She smiled warmly.

Giyuu nodded.
"Th... Thank you for today, Kocho."

"Of course, Tomioka-San."
She nodded, her smile still warm and comforting.

"...Remember, if you ever need anything, I'm here for you."
With that, she turned and began to walk away.

Giyuu followed her to the front door, watching her leave.

He sighed softly, recalling her words as he looked at the sky.

The shapes of the clouds seemed to resemble Sanemi, causing him to blush.

"Wherever you are, Shinazugawa-San... I miss you."
He muttered, smiling softly.

___________________________________________

"ACHOO!"
Sanemi sneezed.

Is someone thinking of me...?
He wondered, as he sat down on his bed.

He stared at the letters Giyuu had sent him.

'Shinazugawa-San, I don't see you often... Is everything alright?'

Sanemi slowly put the letter aside, looking at the second letter.

'Shinazugawa-San, let's practice together tomorrow, what do you say?'

Sanemi grunted, picking the third letter up.

'Are you mad at me? Please don't cut me off...'

He sighed as he finally looked at the last letter sent by Giyuu, the fourth one.

'Where are you? I am really sorry if I hurt you...'

"Fuck... I regret not being able to write..."
Sanemi put the letters aside.

I wish I could reply to you Tomioka...
He layed down, staring at the ceiling quietly.

"I'll be back to see you tomorrow..."
He muttered, slowly drifting off to sleep.

___________________________________________

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