Reflections of Him

...~His Side~...

The rain fell steadily, soaking into his uniform, sliding cold against his skin.

He didn't mind.

He was used to the rain.

What he wasn't used to... was this.

The shift. The way she spoke so lightly, the way she turned her back to him without the usual guarded tension in her steps. The way she smiled.

"You're not as unreadable as you're known for."

The words echoed in his mind, lingering in the spaces she left behind.

She was wrong. He was unreadable. People always said so. They always looked at him that way—distant, detached, impossible to understand.

But she had looked at him differently.

As if she saw something.

"Honestly, I'm not that surprised."

He should've asked what she meant by that.

But he didn't.

Instead, he just stood there, watching as she walked away—without running, without disappearing into the shadows like she always did before.

That alone felt strange.

Unfamiliar.

"You're strong but not invincible, nor immune to cold, Water Hashira-sama."

He blinked.

The observation was so casual. Obvious. But somehow, it felt like something else.

"Or Tomioka-san... Not sure which one's nicer."

She looked back when she said that. Just for a moment.

Then, with a small shrug, she kept walking.

The rain continued to fall, but the space she left behind felt warmer than it should.

He exhaled quietly, tilting his head up towards the sky.

The rain had long since soaked through his uniform, but he remained still, watching as she disappeared into the misty path leading back to the Butterfly Mansion.

He should leave too.

But his feet didn't move.

"You're not as unreadable as you're known for."

The words echoed again.

People never really tried to read him. They only assumed—that he was cold, detached, someone they could never understand. And he had accepted that.

It was easier that way.

But then she had spoken as if she already knew the truth.

"Honestly, I'm not that surprised."

Why?

He didn't understand.

He didn't know her.

Not really.

Not her name, not where she came from—just the way she fought like a storm, the way she disappeared like a shadow, the way she held herself.

And yet, somehow, it felt like she knew him.

Not in the way most did, but in a way that was... unsettling.

Not bad. Just unfamiliar.

He exhaled slowly, finally stepping forward.

The rain continued its steady rhythm, sliding down his face, dripping from his bangs.

It was cold.

He hadn't noticed before.

"You're strong but not invincible, nor immune to cold, Water Hashira-sama... Or Tomioka-san... Not sure which one's nicer."

He should have responded.

Should have said something.

But she was already gone.

And for some reason, that silence—his silence—felt heavier than before.

Unreadable, huh?

Then why did it feel like she had already seen through him?

Then why did it feel like she had already read through him?

...- - - - - - - -...

...~Her Side~...

As she walked, the steady rhythm of raindrops was interrupted by the flutter of wings. She stopped, glancing up just in time to see a dark shape descending from the misty sky. "Kuroha", her Kasugai crow that she nicknamed "Shiori", landed lightly on her shoulder, ruffling her wet hair in the process.

"What are you doing here, Shiori?"

"I told you to rest. It's pouring, and you know how easily you get sick."

The crow gave a soft caw, tilting her head as if to say, I know, but I missed you. Her sharp black eyes glinted with an almost mischievous gleam.

"You missed me? Or are you just worried I took too long?"

Kuroha squawked once more, as if agreeing with the second option, before hopping a little higher on her shoulder to nuzzle against her cheek. It was a comforting gesture, the warm presence of the crow against her skin, even in the golden-hour drizzle.

The girl huffed softly, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Fine, I get it. You wanted to check on me." "I'm not some fragile human who can't handle a little rain, you know?"

But her voice softened as she continued, her tone more reflective.

"You're too good for me, Shiori."

The crow cawed in response, giving a little hop and settling more comfortably on her shoulder, her feathers still damp but her spirit unwavering.

She didn't mind the crow's insistence. If anything, the crow's company had a strange way of soothing her, grounding her in a world that always felt just a little too far out of reach.

The rain continued its gentle fall, but it didn't seem so cold anymore.

...- - - - - - - -...

...~Her Kasugai Crow's POV~...

I, Kuroha.

Her loyal, gorgeous, and excellently trained Kasugai Crow—can clearly see through her act. She pretends to be okay, but I know she's not. I also know she doesn't like to worry me.

She's been through alot... We all have.

But what a little teasing can't do?

So... That's what I did.

"I saw the Water Hashira."

"Don't start..." She muttered, her eyes narrowing.

"Spill the tea..." I cawed again, a teasing lilt in my voice, cause girl... It's fun messing with you.

She sighed. Trying to shrug it off. "There's rain, Shiori." — "No tea."

...------...

...*Caw* Before you ask, who's Shiori? That's me!...

...Even we Kasugai crows can have nicknames you know....

...I think it's lovely... I love it, coming from my girl....

...------...

Anyways...

The persistent crow I am, wasn't done.

I cawed again, more insistently this time.

"He probably just gets it," She said quietly.

"He's probably as lost as I am..." — "Not everyone likes to complicate things, you know?"

I hopped closer, watching her intently.

She hesitated for a moment before admitting. "Alright, I care."

I tilted my head, awaiting more.

"Tomioka Giyuu..." She mumbled, her voice soft. "He just... reminds me of 'him'."

I tilted my head further, as if to say And who is 'him'?, I genuinely wondered.

Her voice lowered even more. "Tomioka-sama, resembles 'him' in many different ways..." She trailed off, staring ahead, lost in her thoughts.

My feathers rustled slightly, understanding in my sharp eyes. I gave a gentle caw, almost sympathetic. Yes, we crow's have sympathy. Take notes!

Glancing at me, she adds. "This isn't some love drama, alright, Shiori?"

I cawed again, softer, more knowing this time. "Sure, sure."

Her voice softened, tinged with quiet sadness. "I just..." — "I miss my brother."

I stayed quiet for a moment.

Even crows could understand.

Missing someone you love, and seeing a little piece of them in someone else... hits harder than anything.

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