"Riri-san! Is it true?" I heard someone said which prompted me to stop walking.

Without turning around, I answered. "Genya-kun, if you're talking about the news that I'm quitting my job as a demon slayer then you're not wrong."

"B-But... Riri-san! You said you were going to protect humans against demons! Didn't you make a promise?!" If things were normal, I would have faced him and faked a smile while saying things like 'It's going to be okay!' or 'There's no need to worry!'.

But... It's better this way, no one else needs to know. I will carry this burden myself.

With resolve, I began to walk again, ignoring the cries of the boy who I once thought as my little brother.

I need to leave everything behind.

Erase everything and forget about who I once was. That includes all the people connected to me.

"ONEE-CHAN! " Genya cried behind me, forcing me to stop as my eyes widened ever so slightly.

This was the first time Genya called me that.

"You promised to protect Nemi didn't you?! Why are you leaving?! How are you going to fulfill your promise like this?!"

I clutched my chest silently as I closed my eyes.

I began to walk again, once again ignoring the cries behind my back.

Every step I take felt heavy. It's as if my feet were encased with cement.

"NEE-CHAN!"

Why is it so hard to move away?

♧◇♡♤

"Riri-san, why are you running away?"

I froze. Of all the people who I would meet, I never expected the introverted water hashira to meddle.

"Giyuu-kun, I really like you. Kiss me now. "I said nonchalantly. The blank gaze he gave me made me chuckle.

"It's not me that you like."

That eventually stopped me from laughing.

And for once, he was looking at me triumphantly as if celebrating the fact that he got the upper hand.

I could not find it myself to rebuke his claim.

And I didn't actually think that he of all people would notice it.

♤♡◇♧

The night is nice. It's cold or rather it's supposed to be cold but years and years of spending outside in the dark made me immune to the cold.

Or was it my unusual transformation that gave me this kind of immunity?

I can't feel the cold.

It doesn't bother me if its freezing outside and strangely enough, my blood is hotter than ever, boiling and slowly bubbling in the surface.

This impulse...

As time passes by, its getting harder and harder to control it.

It's a good thing I left before I could make things worse.

There was no need to involve anyone afterall.

I made the right decision, I told myself.

Right?

♤♡◇♧

"Why are you running away?"

I woke up in the middle of the night, cold sweat drenching my body as my hands trembled and my teeth rattled.

Why am I running away?

The water hashira's words haunted me like an insufferable ghost that would not leave without accomplishing what it wants.

I am bothered by it.

Simply because he was right. I was indeed running away because I could not think of anything better to do with my current situation.

"Giyuu-kun.... why are you running away?"

It's ironic that he told me the same thing I told him when we were nothing but acquaintances back then.

"You've forgotten something. Something like a promise?"

Giyuu... Tomioka Giyuu, the water hashira has been my silent friend for years now and though we're not as close as Nemi, he is the only person I can tell about my rants in life.

Maybe because he's the only one who would listen without saying anything. The other pillars have their own personalities and I can't simply put up with each of them.

Giyuu is different though.

In a unique kind of way, we understand each other even without a deep familiar tie between us.

♤♡◇♧

"I'm surprised that you can still resist it up until now. "

I tried to fake a smile.

"Well aren't I amazing?" I said confidently in a cheerful manner.

His red eyes glowed and I remember those moments when I used to think that they were the prettiest pair of red that I have ever seen.

I was so naive to think that way.

For red is the color of danger.

And this man with red plum eyes and pale skin was even worse than danger.

Because everything started with him.