Timeline: 3 Years Before Main Story
Location: Ubuyashiki Estate
POV: Split (Akira / Mitsuri / Hashira / Kocho Sisters)
---
Akira
Silence stretched.
Too long.
Akira's mouth opened before his discipline could stop it.
"…Why are you standing there?"
Every head turned.
Mitsuri flinched slightly — not in fear, but surprise.
Akira took a step forward.
"No—" His voice sharpened. "That's not what I mean. Why are you a Hashira?"
A ripple went through the room.
Kyojuro blinked.
Sanemi raised a brow.
Obanai stiffened instantly.
Akira kept going, words tumbling out faster than he could control them.
"When did you join the Corps? Who trained you? How long have you been fighting demons?" His hands clenched. "You were living a normal life when I left. You were supposed to—"
He stopped himself too late.
Everyone was staring now.
Akira exhaled sharply, dragging a hand through his hair.
"…Why didn't I know any of this?"
---
The Room
Chaos bloomed.
"WAIT," Sanemi barked, pointing between them. "You know each other?"
Kyojuro's eyes lit up. "OOH! Is this a dramatic reunion?!"
Tengen leaned forward with interest. "This is getting flashy."
Obanai's gaze snapped to Akira, sharp and protective. "You lived with her?"
Kanae covered her mouth, shoulders shaking.
"Oh my," she murmured. "This is better than I expected."
---
Mitsuri
Mitsuri's heart was pounding.
She had imagined this moment a hundred times — none of them like this.
Akira wasn't calm.
Wasn't controlled.
Wasn't the unshakable Sun everyone spoke of.
He looked… rattled.
"I joined shortly after you left," she said softly. "A little over a year ago."
Akira's eyes widened.
"…A year?"
She nodded. "You were gone maybe three months when I met the Corps."
That did it.
Akira staggered back half a step.
"You mean—" he stopped, incredulous. "I was fighting demons every night, and you were doing the same… without me knowing?"
"Yes."
The word landed like a blade.
---
Kanae & Shinobu
Shinobu had turned fully sideways to Kanae now, whispering with delight.
"He's completely unraveled."
Kanae smiled serenely. "I believe this is what you'd call karma."
Shinobu clasped her hands behind her back, eyes glittering. "He questioned Muzan with less emotion than this."
Kanae leaned closer. "Should we intervene?"
Shinobu shook her head. "Absolutely not."
---
Akira
"You were thirteen," he said, voice tight. "You had no combat background. No reason to—"
"I had you," Mitsuri replied gently.
That shut him up.
She stepped forward, hands clenched but steady.
"You left because you wanted me safe," she continued. "So I decided I'd become strong enough that you wouldn't have to worry anymore."
Akira's brain short-circuited again.
"That's—" he exhaled sharply. "That's not how that's supposed to work."
Sanemi laughed outright. "You hearing this? The monster's having feelings."
"SANEMI," Kanae warned, still smiling.
---
Everyone Else
Giyu watched silently, eyes narrowed in quiet understanding.
Rengoku slapped Akira on the back hard enough to rattle him.
"HAHA! YOU SHOULD HAVE SEEN YOUR FACE!"
Tengen grinned. "Didn't know you had a weak spot, Sun Boy."
Obanai moved to Mitsuri's side without thinking, standing just a little closer than before. His eyes never left Akira.
"You didn't abandon her," Obanai said flatly. "She chose this."
Akira nodded slowly.
"I know," he said. "That's the problem."
---
Timeline Reality Check
Kanae cleared her throat gently.
"For context," she said, ever the mediator, "Akira left Mitsuri's home when he was sixteen. That was just over a year ago."
She smiled knowingly.
"So this reunion is… very fresh."
Shinobu added cheerfully, "And extremely entertaining."
Akira shot her a look.
She smiled wider.
---
Mitsuri & Akira
Akira finally met Mitsuri's eyes properly.
"You're really a Hashira," he said quietly now.
She smiled — bright, proud, unbroken.
"Yes."
A long pause followed.
"…I'm proud of you," he said at last.
Her eyes shimmered.
The room went oddly quiet.
Then Sanemi ruined it.
"Alright, who's betting this turns into screaming later?"
Laughter exploded.
Akira sighed, rubbing his face.
"…I hate all of you."
Shinobu laughed openly now.
"No," she said sweetly. "You love us."
Akira didn't deny it.
---
Cliffhanger
As the chaos settled, Kagaya's calm voice rose once more.
"This bond," he said gently, "may become one of the Corps' greatest strengths."
Akira wasn't sure whether to be relieved… or terrified.
Because if Muzan learned the this—
— To be continued 🌸🔥