A/N- So I drown it out like I always do...Dancing through our house......With the ghost of you...And I chase it down...With a shot of truth....That my feet don't dance....Like they did with you.....

~5 Seconds of Summer

By the by this be a recalling chapter, but I promise it continues the story... Probably ehe

😞😞😞😞😞😞😞😞😞😞😞😞😞😞😞

September 2, 1945-

After the announcement that World War 2 was over and Giyu was finally discharged as a soldier of the said war......

Giyu's POV

So it's finally done..... decades of bloodshed and me reincarnating for more than a thousand times throughout this damned war but it's finally..... done....

I can't believe almost 50 million of the entire population would die for something so utterly stupid..... Why do people do this?....

More than a thousand times, I've been reincarnated for that much throughout this clusterfuck we now call a part of our history.

God I hope the others swerved out of this situation, I hope that none of them ever came close to any of this war bullshit.

Other than that I could finally retire and live a better life than seeing the horror of something a war could do, other than that I really have no plans.

I'm pretty much ready to settle down this point considering that I am currently transferred to a 30 year old.

My family is part of the total casualties attained from this, I have no idea where Makomo and Sabito are and the only person I know here is Mr. Urokodaki who is currently retired like I am, but we really aren't that close and that's it...

Guess I'm finding another source of income that doesn't actually have a noticeable mortality rate, and of course related to something that I'm actually interested in.

But I guess other than taking lives or saving them, I really don't have anything else particularly interested in.

Don't get me wrong, I don't like killing but it's the only thing I'm sure I excel in.

And other than that I've pretty much done really well in my other jobs, I think so at least...

Well, I guess only time could tell, who knows I might die old on my own or I could die getting hit by a truck. (Isekai Giyu? Thoughts?)

But considering my luck I shouldn't even be hoping for this, but I really don't give a damn about anything now.

I just wish I could die peacefully, or just die completely, I really can't take this reincarnating thing anymore....

Narrator's POV

A year later...

So following the events, here we see Giyu going over the inventory for his little store.

The small establishment was from the funds he was given overtime from attaining the ranking of a Sergeant.

The shop was pretty new considering that it has only been a year, but it was still nice and peaceful.

Not that many customers but just enough for him to still keep this shop up and running.

Funnily enough, Giyu also met some of the others from doing his business, but are yet to have a proper conversation with them.

With that luck he was still hoping he could at least see a glimpse of the beautiful Shinobu, but I guess it wasn't the time for now.

But hey, I'm the author of course I'm gonna do something basically impossible and probably make them meet...

Anyways let's just say today was a day he definitely won't forget, like ever.

He would continue his inventory for the day, which he would always do everyday when a voice could be heard calling out for anyone; Giyu in particular since he is the only staff in the establishment.

The voice was loud yet somehow it had a sweet underlying tone, somehow reminding the retired military man of the small butterfly he loved.

Who knows it could be her? I mean it should be her right?

"Hello? Anyone here?" The voice would call out once more, to which Giyu answered with "Be there in a minute" as a humble reply.

Finishing up, he instantaneously motioned towards the counter, dusting off any of the debris left from the job he just finished to make the meeting at least pleasant and neat.

On his way he saw a slight glimpse of the woman, she was small like below average small. And let's just say he only knew a small amount of people like that.

But the thing that made his body perk up was those beautiful cerise eyes, and that damned smile, that beautiful damned smile.

"How can I help you- Uh today?" He would awkwardly start the conversation, the smaller woman only giving a smile.

God, now I'm embarrassed for both of them, but this is adorable.

"Sorry for the bother mister? Uhhhh.... What's your name?" She would reply, before stopping to ask for his name.

He was a bit held back with the question, not wanting to say his name or expect that she would know him, but he hesitantly did so.

"Giyu Tomioka, and I assume you must be Ms. Shinobu Kochou? Not to worry I didn't stalk you, the tag in your shirt gave it off" he would answer, acquainting himself with the aforementioned woman.

Shinobu was flustered from the embarrassing encounter, how could she forget to take the tag out of her shirt? The stress is clearly starting to take a toll on her.

"Oh umm... Sorry I'm just tired from work but yes I am Shinobu Kochou, and I was trying to get help since I can't... reach the top shelf..." She would mumble, clearly ashamed that she was born a tad bit smaller than most people.

Giyu could only chuckle, but he would comply with her request, trailing over her requested item.

They would eventually reach the shelf where the baby formula was stored, Giyu already expecting that she was already married, which he hopes isn't true at all but then again he experienced countless versions of Shinobu having relationships with a lot more people which includes his friends, and yes with every sex.

But shrugging the thought off he would easily reach the formula, giving it to her as she thanked him for the service.

He would internally blush, it's funny how she can do this with little to no effort.

But he was really curious, he does want to know if his suspicions were true, but then again that's intruding with her privacy.

He would think more about as they neared the counter, his curiosity/paranoia slowly getting the best of him.

But considering that the conversation died instantly it wasn't really a bad conversation to start with, unless that's probably something she doesn't want to talk about.. but then again he risked much more than just a relationship breaking. (By that I mean he risked his life too many times.... Yep)

As Giyu scanned the items Shinobu would start to clumsily find her wallet, almost dropping her bag and the said item before calming herself from the situation, which will become more awkward with the man's question.

With a sigh, he would gather every single ounce of courage he could and would ask the question he's been longing to ask.

"It might be kinda rude but I assume that must be for your little one, yes?" He would start it off, the woman surprised with his sudden question and where did it suddenly come from.

An eerie silence was left for a few minutes, the two awkwardly looked at each other.

But reluctantly she would answer the question, she could've just said no but she decided that it was merely a genuine and friendly question.

Plus it's better to talk about it than hide it, since it was.... A bit traumatic for her, and you'll know why.

"Uhmm... Yes, It's for my little one... my little girl..." She would stutter, her voice evident with the fact that something was bothering her.

Giyu saw through her instantly, already feeling that something must've happened to the father... That or the bastard must've left the poor woman alone with all that responsibility.

"Are you okay? Did I offend you with the question? I'm sorry if I did and I hope that you can find it in your heart to forgive me...." He would reply, before starting to apologize to the said woman.

"No no it's okay, It's just been hard since my husband died in the war.... Just making ends meet alone is hard enough as it is with the world we live in and all of this shit, and sometimes I just think that I can't give her everything she would need in the future... I'm sorry for spilling my emotions out here, but the stress is just getting to me...." She would talk about it to him, spilling the emotional wreck that she's been holding for a long time and her face threatening the fall of tears.

The poor woman was probably bottling up these emotions for such a long time, and Giyu resonates with that.

So Giyu felt sorry for her, he may have experienced a lot of things but this was something he hasn't experienced yet. (But he will because I'm evil BWAHAHAHAHAH)

But he knew how hard it was to raise a kid on your own, because he was a product of that for so many lives.

The look on either his past fathers/mothers as they worried the same way Shinobu currently is, the look on her eyes as they drooped down in dismay just broke his already shattered heart.

Giyu would try to calm her down with "Hey it's gonna be fine, I know a certain amount of pain you're feeling right now, trust me. Growing up and eventually turning into a soldier makes you see things that aren't pleasing to the eye.... And knowing the widows and the kids their husbands left after sacrificing themselves for that shit we call history..... But I'm sorry for intruding, such personal matters shouldn't be meddled upon by a stranger like me" the smaller woman surprised by his sudden revelation, and knowing that the casualties were part of the horrible event but she guessed that it was more than just death.

"Oh.... So that's why I felt that something was definitely familiar with the way you talked, my husband also talked the same way you did.... formal and calm but somehow still commanding... or somewhat like that but I would've guessed from the visible scar in your cheek, but then again I was kinda afraid to ask you about it... also I'm still sorry for the little breakdown...." She would sheepishly reply, to which Giyu could only chuckle.

"No it's fine, I've had a lot of my customers have in-depth conversations like this with me and it made for a ton of good friendships, even some of them like yourself who guessed that I was a soldier which I was but after the war just retired because he can't see anyone else die anymore.... And again it's fine, I've had breakdowns too and I know it's better to talk to someone about them more than anything" He would talk back, the woman only giving him a small thankful smile before claiming the items she purchased.

"It seems that it's already late, and the babysitter is about to head off already so I should go now.. but thank you Tomioka-san, you made me feel better about my capabilities when I needed it... I'm sure that I'll be coming back here again sometime! And thank you again!" She would start her goodbye, stopping over the door to finish the sentence.

"Don't mention it Kochou, if you ever need anything just come over and I'll be happy to be of service, and be safe on the way home too! And don't worry everything has a reason for it to happen, who knows? One day you're questioning your abilities and another you could have raised a monumental person of society?" Giyu would also give a farewell, giving her a reassuring smile.

"Thank you so much again Tomioka-san! I'll definitely do better so I can raise my baby girl right! I'll be leaving now!" And with that statement she would disappear off to the dark of night, her smile lighting up his night.

But this was not the last of their many encounters.......

Most times it would be like their first encounter, just a simple conversation that would end with their smiles shining over the moonlight. And some are early morning talks over coffee or tea.

Some days even Mitsuri would come over with her, the two already having a friendship from just their first meeting.

Hell even the others like Uzui and Sanemi would visit his humble business from time to time.

But today was unusually quiet for Giyu, none of the aforementioned people he's been acquainted with were present, not even Shinobu who would actually visit even if she had nothing to buy.

But then again it was just for today so he didn't really mind, plus the quiet ambience was an indicator for the perfect time for cleaning and doing the maintenance check up for the day.

He would dust the drawers and the ceiling, sweep the floor before mopping, wiping them windows squeaky clean and eventually finishing with another round of inventory.

He'd start separating the goodies that were starting to reach the expiration date and separately getting the new stock.

The nearly expired or about 2 or 3 months goodies were given to a few soup houses and feeding centers while the ones with a month left are disposed of to people who need them and yes Giyu checks everything so that nothing bad happens.

He also consumes some of the nearly expired items so it wasn't wasted.

And after the long and tedious work he would eventually get to the point where the job almost ends, which means restocking shelves and checking the facilities.

It took a few minutes but he would finish it with a relieved and satisfied smile, another day of work but not a single delay, now he'd call that a win.

But with all the work done he had nothing else to do, so it was back to the white noise he so much enjoyed; and hated.

"I guess it's just not our day.... Should I close up and rest? Maybe I could..... Or I shouldn't.... I guess I'll wait for a few more hours, but I should hydrate myself first; and by that I mean I need a beer" He would think to himself, dusting off any of the excess dust/dirt from his uniform.

He would make his way towards the beverage isle, scrolling through the brazen selection of brands that was in front of him.

He would slowly shove and search throughout the alcoholic menu, searching for the drink he would prefer for this day.

After such a long time of looking through the cans and bottles he would eventually grab himself a Budweiser and a Heineken before going back to his post.

In a few, he would finish both the drinks, eventually going back to the beverage isle to get another pair of the bittersweet drink.

From 2 to 4, and eventually reaching to 12, he would not stop his drinking facade till the very end of the hour.

But as you already know, Giyu can drink a lot more than this, so he's not even tipsy; Although the alcoholic scent did reek from his steaming breath.

But realizing how much he already drank, he would sigh about himself.

"I couldn't control myself again......." He would start to talk to himself, regret evident in his voice.

But what's done is already done, so instead of dwelling on it more he would just clean up the bottles that were stacked over the counter.

After another hour it was nearly midnight, and the alcoholic taste was already gone and here he is just bored and waiting for any of the customers that would go here at this time.

But he was still hoping that Shinobu would visit today, even though it was highly unlikely now considering that Shinobu would only visit at times like this when it's either the weekend or Fridays; today is Tuesday.

Well there's nothing he could do now, better close up shop before he starts drinking more of his goods.

Giyu's POV

So I was almost done packing up, I just needed to lock the back door before leaving.

But I would still like any sane person would, and that's double checking everything just in case.

After doing that the only thing I had to do was grab my stuff and get done with this, I wondered if I could go and get something to eat on the way home, some Udon and Salmon Daikon sound great right about now especially with a nice cold beverage.

Although I doubt that some stores would be open, then again the night is where businesses and a lot more things shine the brightest.

But before I could think of anything else a loud knock startled me, who could it be this time?

It's kinda cold, who would go out in the weather like this? I mean I like the cold but this was unbearable for a lot of people.

I went over to see who could've it been, and to my surprise it was someone I was too familiar with.

Guess I'll find out.....

Narrator's POV

As he would approach the glass door he would see the silhouette

"Tomioka-san, can I come in?" The lulling voice of Shinobu would call over him, the man complying with her request.

As the woman entered Giyu would distinguish something on Shinobu's arms, something that seems to be covered or rather wrapped in cloth.

But to his bewilderment a soft wail would come from the small veil, could this be?

Shinobu who also heard the crying calls brought her attention to the baby in her hands, hushing her back to the slumber she was briefly withdrawn from.

"Hush now dear, mommy's here... Go back to sleep...." She would start to ease and bolster (basically cradle) her as the infant would slowly stop and go back to sleep.

Giyu would stand over there in silence, the look of distress in her eyes unnerved the man; he just couldn't see her in any type of stress or suffering and this bugs him quite a lot.

"Shinobu what are you two doing here in the middle of the night? (Great song by the way, the Jap Ver sounds like an anime opening too: same guy also did the Light Switch Jap Ver) You already know how babies could get sick from the numbing cold, did something happen?" Giyu would start to talk with concern, asking for the reason why they would go here even though it was cold as fuck.

Shinobu would look at him in shame, she didn't want to tell him the reason and bother the man.

Giyu would actually notice her hesitation, he knew that he shouldn't concern himself with them knowing that Shinobu and him aren't really that close in this life; they are only friends here.

But then again, he's basically been in all of her lives..... Plus he doesn't have any bad intentions, he just wanted to help her.

He thought about it for a while, finding a few items that could help the mother and daughter but he really wanted to ask the real reasoning of the two going out in such a time like this.

Approaching the woman who was still cradling the infant, he would give them a pair of blankets and give Shinobu a fresh cup of hot coffee; luckily he still hasn't turned the heater off or they would freeze their bones off.

"You should relax for now, I have an extra room here where you could stay for the night, or if you want I could take you over to my apartment so you can stay there and I'll sleep here; it's your choice, just tell me what you'll need. I'll be here preparing more things for you" He would start the conversation, before giving her the choice before leaving to do something else for the two.

With Shinobu left on her own again, she would think of all the things that led her here.... Why were they kicked out? She paid everything in advance yet somehow here they are taking refuge over someone she only knew for a short amount of time, it embarrassed her to say the least but she was also quite thankful for Giyu's hospitality.

Oh right Giyu..... The man has been helping them so much with him not asking for anything in return, how can a man help so much yet not ask anything in return? "Chivalry isn't dead I guess.." she would whisper to herself, sitting at the bed provided by the man.

Shinobu would think more into the offer, it would be the better choice but wouldn't that be extortion? As she stated he already did so much for them, yet here he is again with his generosity.

It kinda reminded her of him.... That man she loved all of her life.... Douma......

He wasn't perfect, far from it but he had his heart set whenever he did something, and he did it all of her most of his life.

You see they grew up together, their families being long time friends and neighbors.

The two of them had quite the rocky start, Douma was annoying and snobbish as a kid and it just infuriated her.

They would always get into arguments and even a fight at one time in middle school, to which their parents would try and talk some sense into them.

They would be then forced into trips and school works, being paired with each other most of the time and they eventually warmed up to each other after.

And long story short, the arguments led to everlasting I Do's...... Or that's what she thought......

She was 9 months pregnant when he was called back to the army, he promised to come back and retire after so he could spend his last days with them but it never happened......

The time that the end of the war was announced she was ecstatic to meet him and give her a hug, and let the little one see her father; all of this just making her more and more nervous.

But all of that would lead to her heart simply breaking into shards that would clog over her throat and chest.

She was so heartbroken that she could only kneel there in agony, the infant wailing in her arms and alerting everyone else in the army base.

Luckily for her Douma's parents and of course her's were called about the news, it definitely broke their hearts but none of them could reach the sheer pain Shinobu had to endure.

She's a widow now, and adding the fact that the baby is still helpless and fragile it would be a miracle if they'd even have a good life.

Especially adding the fact that Douma's parents basically abandoned her afterwards, she didn't know why they did this but they just disappeared in both of their lives.

Did she fail as a wife? A mother? Definitely no, she did everything she could yet here she is suffering so much.

Her parents wanted to help her even Kanao and Kanae wanted to help her but she knew that they needed it more, her parents should live a great retirement and her sisters already have families of their own to support so she knew she'd only be a burden to them.

But even with her refusing they were still adamant about it, they would pile up every month or so to give her some sort of allowance and she would just hide it for the baby; or emergencies just like this.

Right, she didn't even get the chance to get their items from that place..... It was just so sudden.... Everything was just taken in an instant......

As she would think more about this Giyu would eventually find everything the mother and daughter would need, now he just needed her answer about his offer.

As he would slowly shamble back to the room a loud ringing noise came from the front of the store, who could it be now?

Gently, he would put the items over a crate and head back to the main area of his establishment, and quite a sight it was.

There was a man over the counter, he was panting and clearly sweating; who would be running at this hour? Probably the author but then again he is crazy. (Hell yeah I am!)

"Good evening sir, the store is currently closed so may I ask you to come back tomorrow?" Giyu would greet the man, before politely telling him about the circumstances yet the man didn't care about it.

He looked irritated, troubled you could say but he definitely has something on mind, but who could it be?

"Hey have you seen a short Asian woman running towards here? She was holding an infant too, that chopsticks holding bitch owes me money and ran away somewhere" He would rudely ask, even racially cursing about what he could assume must be Shinobu.

He was beyond angry but he would keep a calm demeanor for now, even though he wanted to beat the living hell out of that person right now and murder him in cold blood.

"Oh? What's my wife gotta do with your problem?" Giyu would answer to the man, the said person instantly grabbing his shirt and starting to threaten him.

"So you're that chink bitch's husband! Tell her to pay the goddamn debt or do it yourself you yellowfaced immigrant! Cause if you don't I'm gonna beat the shit of your stretched eyed face! Including your wife!" The man would try and threaten him, even racially cursing both of them this time. (Don't worry boys I'm Asian so it's good.... Probably)

With his statement came silence, Giyu just stood there; his menacing aura was engulfing all over the small room.

This was the last straw for him, he was fine with anyone cursing on him and being looked down upon but when he threatened to beat Shinobu? Nah man that deserves death.

Within a swift swipe, the man was sprawled over the floor; items that were behind him scattered around him as he groaned in pain.

"I had enough of your bullshit, I welcome you over and keep my cool but threatening my wife crosses the goddamned LINE!" He would scream over to the man, the said person still groaning from the intense force from Giyu's fist.

Giyu would look over him again before saying "Oh right, leave or I'm calling the authorities; also I'm getting their things from your horrendously racist apartment and for your information we aren't Chinese, remember that bomb you dropped over at our county? Yeah we're from that place" And after that he started going over to see Shinobu and the baby but before that he stopped once more to deliver one final blow.

"And if it weren't for me *betraying* my country, yours would be damned now so do me a favor and get the hell out and keep my wife's name out of your fucking mouth" It was all he said before heading out.

And with that the man scrambled over the door, screaming "I'll be back you rice loving motherfucker!" To which Giyu ignored it completely.

I mean he still did make such a ruckus, he just hopes that man doesn't bother them again. But then again he also assaulted him/defended himself.

He just hopes this night goes better.........

Shinobu's POV- Around the time the man arrived...

There was a loud bang over the front of the shop that alerted me, luckily Hitomi was a heavy sleeper so I didn't have a problem but it was still loud.

It sounded violent actually, should I go over and check it out? Tomioka-san probably went out and someone just entered but then again I don't know if that person is just a customer or robbing the store, but do I risk it?

It wouldn't be bad to check but if it was the latter situation then everything would be done, I'd probably die.......

But before I could even contemplate what I could do I heard two voices bickering from the said area.

I heard Giyu's voice and heard another one too familiar, God how did he find us here?

I already paid him yet here he is wanting to grab more of my hard work with his grubby little fingers.

God I wanted to punch him so hard right on his ugly goblin face, but the law apparently doesn't allow it.

I guess I should hide here for now, it's the better option while Giyu tries to talk to him.

But before I could go back I heard the two of them started making more of a ruckus, their voices getting louder and louder.

That's when I heard it, a statement that made me stop in my tracks.

"Oh? What's my wife gotta do with your problem?" Wife, that word resonated throughout my thoughts; did I mishear him say that?

There must be a good reason for him to say that if it were true right? Did he do it to protect us? Or was this guy a stalker of mine all along?!

So many thoughts ran through my brain, but one thing was certain, I need to know if Tomioka-san is trustworthy.

I snuck over near the door connecting the shop and the room he gave us the clearer the conversation was to me.

To my expectations, he would call us slurs including Tomioka, even threatening to beat us down.

With that it was silent once more, did Tomioka-san go speechless? Should I intervene and stop this?

But before I could come to a conclusion the loud sound of skin coming into contact with more skin shook over the store, following it was the shuffling and crashing of the items over the store.

And with it came the shouts of a clearly angered Tomioka.

I couldn't believe it, he was.... He was protecting both of us?

Why? This man just met me for like a week yet here he is forfeiting his own security for me and Hitomi, and with him not asking anything in return?

No one has ever done something like this to me, other than my parents and Douma of course and some of my friends but a complete stranger? This was far out from what I'd expect to happen.

After that I heard him say some threatening words to the man, I knew he deserved it but hearing Giyu switch from his calm and friendly demeanor to this type of hostility was well deserved.

But then I heard that word again, wife.... It just kept ringing over my head for some reason.

I should be furious with him calling me his wife even though we're only acquainted as colleagues and barely friends, yet here I am..... blushing over the thought.....

Argh! I should be ashamed of myself! I already have someone I cherish, yet here I am having the fluttering feeling of bliss from the words of a man I just met.

Douma if you're hearing this from wherever you are I'm sorry for feeling this way, I still love you and miss you dearly but..... this man, makes me feel safe for both me and Hitomi.....

ARGH WHAT AM I THINKING?! I VOWED TO LOVE DOUMA TILL DEATH DO US PART YET HERE I AM!

God, I can't think straight anymore......

Narrator's POV

As we see Shinobu having her existential dread, we could hear Giyu walking back to the spare room.

He was ashamed that he did something so utterly disgraceful near a baby, and it bothered him that he caused so much harm again.

He was lost in his thoughts when he suddenly saw the face of the still flustered Shinobu getting caught in the act of eavesdropping the fight/conversation he just had, which also made Giyu embarrassed after how he nonconsensually used the term wife to her.

The two were embarrassed to say the least, their silence and avoidance of eye contact says it all.

This was awkward......

As the minutes passed and the tension slowly turned down, Shinobu would try to start a conversation.

"Uhmm, Thank You Tomioka-san; you've done so much for me and my daughter and you even risked yourself just to protect us from that wretched land lord..... How could I ever repay you?" She would slowly start, eventually getting to the question.

Shinobu would expect him to answer a sexual favor, money or free labor but oh no she was in for quite the treat.

"You don't need to do anything Kochou, I should be the one apologizing for suddenly calling you my wife without your permission and for meddling with your affairs and private life" He would reply, the answer absolutely flabbergasting the woman.

Now that was the triggering point, with that statement sparked a flame she thought was extinguished with her husband.

Her heart was beating rapidly, cheeks stained with crimson and the overall feeling of safety showered over her.

And with that our first chapter ends!

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A/N- BROS I DEADASS FORGOT THAT I HAD TO UPDATE, I ALREADY FINISHED THIS LIKE A GODDAMN WEEK AGO LIKE WTF I THOUGHT I UPLOADED IT ALREADY 💀