- Two Years Later
Many things had happened during those two years, especially in Kagerou's life.
For the most part, they had been surprisingly enjoyable.
First, there was his relationship with Kanae. The two of them were basically inseparable. They had done everything together, everything a couple could do, except getting married. (v:) nNeedless to say, his relationship with Kanae was going very well.
Second, after years and years of being stuck on the Ninth Form of his Breathing Style, Kagerou had finally caught a glimpse of what his Tenth Form could become. It wasn't complete yet, but it was certainly a good development. Senjuro had also made significant progress and had already begun to master the Smoke Breathing.
And finally, after years of serving as the Flame Hashira, Shinjuro was finally able to retire from his position... And naturally, his successor was none other than his own son, Kyojuro.
After reaching the required level of skill, slaying more than fifty demons, and demonstrating complete mastery of Flame Breathing, Kyojuro was deemed qualified to inherit the title of Flame Hashira.
The final decision was made by Kagaya and the Hashira who had evaluated him.
Well...
Almost all of them.
Because one particular Hashira had rejected the idea.
Kagerou.
Even after everything Kyojuro had accomplished, Kagerou still found it difficult to accept that his younger brother was about to become a Hashira.
It wasn't because Kagerou believed Kyojuro was weak.
Quite the opposite.
He knew exactly how strong his younger brother had become. Kyojuro had trained relentlessly since childhood. He had mastered Flame Breathing, survived the Final Selection, accumulated real combat experience, and eventually reached a level that even the other Hashira acknowledged.
Kagerou knew all of that.
But knowing that his little brother was strong didn't make the thought of him becoming a Hashira any easier.
Because becoming a Hashira meant taking on more dangerous missions.
More responsibilities.
More opportunities to encounter powerful demons.
And, ultimately...
More opportunities to die.
Maybe it was selfish. No, this was Kagerou's selfishness. He just wasn't ready. Not ready to let his little brother face this damned world.
It took many conversations before Kagerou finally accepted reality.
Kagaya spoke with him.
Tengen spoke with him.
Gyomei spoke with him.
Even Shinjuro had to sit down and remind his eldest son that Kyojuro wasn't the same child he had once been.
Kyojuro had chosen this path himself.
He had earned it.
And Kagerou couldn't protect his younger brother forever.
Eventually, after far too many arguments, discussions, and several long nights of thinking... Kagerou finally gave his reluctant approval.
It had happened half a year ago.
Kyojuro Rengoku officially became the new Flame Hashira.
And Kagerou...
Well.
He still worried about him.
Because apparently, becoming a Hashira didn't magically make Kagerou stop being an overprotective older brother.
---
- Ubuyashiki Estate
At present, the Ubuyashiki Estate was unusually quiet.
Kagaya and Amane sat together on the engawa, while the Hashira gathered respectfully before them.
Well...
Almost all of them were sitting.
One particular Hashira was standing several meters away. Leaning casually against one of the wooden pillars.
That person was none other than Kagerou Rengoku.
Even in Kagaya's presence, Kagerou made no effort to sit formally with the other Hashira.
He simply remained against the pillar, one leg slightly bent, his arms relaxed, and his kiseru resting between his fingers.
Normally, someone would have reminded him to show proper respect.
But nobody did. Not because they were afraid to. Because Kagaya himself had long since made his position clear. Kagerou was to be treated with the same respect Kagaya received. And besides... Everyone had long since realized that trying to make Kagerou behave formally was usually a waste of time.
Even Kanae had eventually given up.
She sat among the other Hashira, occasionally glancing toward her lover with an expression that practically screamed: 'Please stop smoking so much!'
Kagerou completely ignored her.
His attention was focused entirely on the three young people sitting several meters in front of Kagaya.
Or, more accurately...
One of them.
Kagerou's expression was unusually irritated.
His fingers repeatedly brought the kiseru to his lips.
Drag.
Exhale.
Another drag.
Another thin stream of smoke.
Kanae noticed immediately.
She knew Kagerou well enough to recognize the habit. The more frequently he smoked, the more agitated he was. And right now... He was smoking far more than usual.
Meanwhile, Kagaya looked completely different.
His face carried a warm, almost blissful smile.
There was a very good reason for that.
Three young Demon Slayers were currently kneeling respectfully before him.
Three exceptionally talented young swordsmen who had distinguished themselves through their achievements and were now being considered for the rank of Hashira.
Their presence was the reason this gathering had been called.
Kagerou, however, was still staring at one of the three candidates as though he were trying to decide something.
Or perhaps he was considering doing something.
Something stupid, obviously.
Everyone in there had noticed, but no one said anything. By now, it had become common knowledge within the Corps that Kagerou was practically Kagaya's unofficial right hand.
Because of his close friendship with Kagaya and the unusual amount of trust placed in him, many members of the Corps had even begun jokingly referring to Kagerou as the "Vice-Leader" of the Demon Slayer Corps.
It wasn't an official position.
But considering how Kagerou was always seen with Kagaya, how freely he spoke with him, and how much Kagaya trusted his judgment… The rumor wasn't particularly surprising.
Still, none of that mattered to Kagerou right now.
His eyes remained fixed on the three young candidates.
While Kagaya's smile widened slightly.
He glanced toward his friend.
Then toward the three young people before him.
Kagaya couldn't help but smile.
For him, this was a wonderful day.
"This is the happiest time I've had in years," Kagaya began as he examined the three young Demon Slayers. "The brightest moment will be the moment when the darkness is thickest... Lately, I always feel that the light will go out while it is still in my arms, but..."
He paused, letting his words linger in the air.
His gaze first shifted toward Kagerou, then toward the other Hashira, and finally toward the three young Demon Slayers sitting before him.
After a moment, Kagaya's eyes returned to Kagerou, a gentle smile forming on his face.
"But with all of you here, I can see the light persisting. Even..." Kagaya's gaze shifted back toward the three young men. "It will even grow brighter"
He smiled warmly.
"Obanai, Sabito, and Tomioka-kun... You three are truly amazing children. Will you continue supporting the Demon Slayer Corps as Hashira?"
"Yes!" Obanai answered, having been avoiding Kagerou's gaze from the beginning... or, more precisely, not daring to look at him.
"YES!" Sabito practically shouted.
Kagaya's smile remained as his attention shifted toward Giyu.
"...Tomioka-kun?"
Giyu had lowered his head, his eyes fixed on the ground.
"Is there a problem?"
There was a brief silence.
Giyu slowly raised his head and looked directly at Kagaya.
"...Oyakata-sama," Giyu began quietly. "Would it be possible for me to remain as I am right now?"
Kagaya tilted his head slightly.
"Remain as you are?"
"Yes"
Giyu hesitated for a moment before continuing.
"I don't think I'm ready to become a Hashira yet. If it's acceptable... I would rather remain in my current position"
The moment he said that, everyone looked toward Giyu.
Even Kagerou raised an eyebrow.
Giyu took a small breath before adding,
"If I can't, then... I might just become a Tsuguko instead"
Silence.
Everyone stared at him.
Obanai blinked.
Sabito looked genuinely confused.
Kyojuro looked at his friends while tilting his head in confusion.
Kagaya, however, merely smiled.
"Is that what you truly wish, Tomioka-kun?"
Giyu nodded.
"Yes, Oyakata-sama"
"Then I would like to hear your reason"
At that, everyone turned their attention fully toward Giyu, waiting patiently for his answer.
---
#A/N: I know Kagaya has been staring at Kagerou quite a lot, but just to make sure nobody gets the wrong idea… no, they're not gay.
Kagaya simply enjoys watching Kagerou because he knows exactly why his friend looks so annoyed. After all, his other little brother is about to become a Hashira too.
As for why Giyu rejected the offer to become a Hashira, I'm going to leave that to your imagination. I did it because I think having two Water Hashira would be a little weird (for me), but honestly, I didn't really have a specific reason in mind. So once again, I'll leave it up to you guys to decide why Giyu refused.
Maybe it has something to do with how he sees his own worth, Sabito, his relationship with his mentor, survivor's guilt like in the original story, his perception of what a Hashira should be… or maybe something completely unique.
Everything is up to your imagination.
Ahh, and maybe in two or three chapters… or more… we'll finally enter the canon timeline!