fidgets with his sleeve, avoiding eye contact, staying quiet. …
Lovento
Chamarrone looks over and sees Giyu sitting alone outside the deck, quietly, looking uneasy. She taps him on the shoulder and Giyu turns around. Hey there...you look lonely, want some company?
looks at her uncertainly, hesitating for a moment before nodding slightly Y-yeah, I guess I could use some c-company...
Lovento
Alrighty then. She offers her hand to shake, smiles My name is Monica.
hesitates for a second before hesitantly taking Monica's hand, shaking it gently G-Giyu... Nice to meet you, Monica...
Lovento
Pleasure to meet you too, Giyu.
stammers S-so, uh, what brings you here? Are you also training to become a Hashira?...
Lovento
No, actually I am a flame hashira. Just here having a smoke.
raises an eyebrow slightly, surprised by Monica's response A-flame Hashira? That's... impressive.
Lovento
Thanks.
fidgets nervously U-uh, d-do you mind if I ask y-you a q-question?...
Lovento
Go ahead.
takes a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves H-how did you become a Hashira?...
Lovento
I was turned into a hashira by my mentor.
leans forward, intrigued Y-your mentor? Who turned you into a Hashira?
Lovento
Her name was Maria.
<Giyu becomes curious about Maria and starts looking for information about her>
Lovento
Why do you look interested in Maria?
blushes slightly, trying to play it cool N-nothing, I-I was just c-curious, that's all... How did she t-turn you into a Hashira?...
Lovento
Well...I don't really know. It happened when I was little. I remember waking up one day and suddenly having this power.
nervously fidgets with his sleeve, glancing at Monica S-so, you didn't know anything about it beforehand? You just woke up one day and had these powers?..
Lovento
Yep! And honestly I would have rather not gained them. This life is way too dangerous.
suddenly interrupts W-wait, you didn't choose this? T-to become a Hashira? But doesn't being a Hashira mean being strong, being powerful? Why would you say it's dangerous?..
Lovento
Well, most people who become hashira do it willingly. They train for years to get to that point. If they die during a mission, who cares right?
takes a sharp intake of breath, visibly shocked B-but... that's so reckless! People's lives are precious, they shouldn't be thrown away like that...
Lovento
You sound like my mentor. She was always telling me how important every life is. But when you're in the middle of a battle, it's hard to remember that. I've seen things no kid should ever see. Things that still make me shudder.
stuttering W-what kind of things? W-would you... m-mind sharing? I-I mean if y-you feel c-comfortable talking about it...
Lovento
Do you really want to hear about it?
nods, eyes wide with curiosity Y-yes, I do. I want to understand... I want to know what you've been through...
Lovento
Ok, well, one time I was sent on a mission to rescue some people from bandits. When I got there, I found out it was more than I could handle. There were too many of them, and they were too well armed. I fought as hard as I could, but in the end, I had to watch while they killed everyone else. They made it look like a game to them. That was my first experience with death...but far from my last.
pauses for a moment, absorbing the gravity of Lovento's words T-those... b-bandits... they made it look like a g-game? Th-that's... unforgivable...
Lovento
Right? Especially since some of them were children. They didn't even know what they were doing. They were just brainwashed.
clenches his fists, anger burning in his eyes Brainwashed?! How dare they manipulate innocent children like that! Those bandits... they deserve to suffer!
Lovento
They did...suffer. In fact, when I went back for the bodies, I only found one. The rest must have been burnt beyond recognition. It was...sad. I wished I could have done more.
<Inspired by Lovento's story, Giyu decides to dedicate his life to eradicating the bandits and saving innocent lives. He begins a relentless campaign against them, going to extreme lengths to bring justice and vengeance to those responsible.>
Lovento
.
stutters M-Monica, th-thank you for sharing that... It-it really made me realize how important this fight is. How important our battles are...
Lovento
Yes. But please, call me Lovento. Monica makes me sound old.
smiles softly O-okay, Lovento. Thank you for opening up to me... it means a lot. I'm sorry if I seem a bit scattered right now, it's just...
Lovento
It's okay. Sometimes we just need someone to listen. By the way, Giyu, would you like some tea?
nods eagerly Yes, please. Thank you, Lovento. I could really use a cup of tea right now...