Giyu's past

Hey! Stop using "a long time ago" all the time!

Upon hearing this, Sanemi couldn't help but shout. His brows furrowed tightly into a deep frown, and the corners of his mouth twitched slightly in displeasure. Then he continued loudly:

"While I'd like to know what caused you to develop this terrible personality, and what you really mean by being different from us that you keep saying, I don't have that much time to listen to your long explanation!"

Teiichi hearing this, Teiichi involuntarily glanced at Sanemi, thinking to himself.

Your personality is even worse than his. It's only because you trained with Gyomei Himejima for a while that you're a little better now, not like before, always wanting to fight with him! But it's only a little better; you're still not a normal person!

Without saying it aloud, Teiichi turned to Giyu and said:

"Ignore him, continue!"

Upon hearing this, Sanemi's lips twitched slightly, and he instinctively wanted to stand up and lash out.

However, just as he placed his hand on the table and before he could even prop himself up, he subconsciously glanced at the person next to him, Gyomei Himejima.

As soon as the tall and silent figure of Gyomei Himejima came into his view, he seemed to hear the words echoing in his ears. "Amitabha... Sanemi, calm your mind!"

Sanemi calmed down considerably in an instant, but then he realized that something was wrong.

Damn it! That wretched Himejima is practically giving me nightmares!

Sanemi cursed inwardly, then, like a guilty child, he quickly glanced around at the others. Seeing that they were all sitting comfortably in their seats, showing no intention of interfering, he had a mental struggle, but in the end, he obediently sat down.

The room fell silent again, and everyone's eyes turned to Giyu, waiting for him to speak.

Giyu lowered his head slightly, looking at the table in front of him. His eyes seemed to be filled with a thousand thoughts, as if he was gathering emotions or recalling the past.

After a long while, Giyu slowly began to tell his story.

"When I was little, I was actually quite cheerful, lively, and loved to laugh."

Huh? Mr. Tomioka was this kind of person before?... Mitsuri's eyes widened, filled with surprise and disbelief. She couldn't imagine that the always cold and taciturn Mr. Giyu in front of her could have been like that.

"My parents passed away from illness when I was very young, leaving only my sister and me to depend on each other."

"Because my parents left me some inheritance, life is tough, but we can still make ends meet."

"Until I was 13 years old, the day before my sister Tsutako's wedding, a ghost attacked our house!"

"That night, my sister hid me to save me, and then she ran out to attract the ghost's attention."

"Finally, as expected, she was killed by a ghost!"

"My last remaining family member in this world left this world to save me!"

Giyu's voice remained calm, but everyone could sense the overwhelming sadness within it.

The atmosphere inside the room immediately fell silent, completely devoid of the previous clamor of battle.

Even though they are now Pillars, representing the highest fighting strength in the Demon Slayer Corps.

However, many of them joined the Demon Slayer Corps after their families were destroyed by demons!

Kanae and Shinobu are, Muichiro is, Giyu is, Sanemi is, Obanai is, Gyomei is too!

Among the current Pillars of the Demon Slayer Corps, only Mitsuri, Kyojuro, Tengen Uzui have not lost any loved ones because of demons.

"And then?" Teiichi asked, signaling Giyu to continue.

Giyu continued, "Later, by chance, I became a disciple of the former Water Hashira Urokodaki, and then I met a boy my age named Sabito!"

"At that time, because my sister had just died trying to save me, I was very negative and often said things like, 'I was the one who should have died back then.'"

"But every time, Sabito would scold me and encourage me, telling me to carry on the future that my sister entrusted to me with her life."

"It was with his companionship and encouragement that I gradually emerged from the shadows of the past!"

"The days passed smoothly until the time came to participate in the Mount Fujikasane Final Selection."

At this point, Giyu paused slightly, as if he were gathering his thoughts.

Everyone clearly realized that the Final Selection at Mount Fujikasane was a crucial turning point for Giyu, so they didn't disturb him and silently sat and waited.

After a moment, Giyu seemed to have calmed down and spoke again:

"Actually, I didn't pass Mount Fujikasane's trial!"

"Hmm?" Obanai frowned slightly. "What does that mean?"

Giyu calmly replied, "It means exactly what it says. I did not pass the trial at Mount Fujikasane and successfully survive for seven days on Mount Fujikasane!"

"If it didn't survive seven days up there, then what's sitting here now? A ghost?" Sanemi frowned as he looked at Giyu.

Giyu glanced at the two of them briefly, then lowered his eyes again and continued speaking.

"I didn't pass the seven-day survival trial on Mount Fujikasane like you did. On the first day, when I faced the very first demon, I was knocked unconscious by it!"

"When I woke up, the trial was already over!"

"Later I learned from other people that only one person died in that trial, and that person was..."

"Sabito!!!"

"He killed almost all the ghosts on the mountain, saved everyone, but in the end, he left his own life there!"

"He was originally a better fit to be the Water Hashira than I was!"

"If he had continued his training and lived to this day, he might not be as good as Kato, but he probably wouldn't be too far behind Himejima!"

"So, you understand now?"

Giyu raised his head, his gaze slowly sweeping over the crowd.

"I am different from you! I did not pass the Final Selection, and I am not worthy to stand with you as a pillar!"

After he finished speaking, the room fell silent for a moment, with only the occasional chirping of a thrush outside.

Waaaaah... Mr. Tomioka has such a tragic past? His sister sacrificed herself to save him, and his best friend sacrificed herself to save him too!... Mitsuri looked at Giyu with emotion, tears welling up in her eyes.

Shinobu Kocho couldn't help but raise her hand to her forehead. They should have said something sooner!

After the story was finished, Giyu spoke again:

"My story is finished, so farewell!"