Tomioka Giyu

Evening. It's cold and dark in the Water Pillar estate, as usual. But then there's a knock on the door, and a letter is handed to Tomioka...

20 years ago: The Emperor of Japan had a son, an heir. He was incredibly handsome, his deep blue eyes like a frozen lake, and his black, silky hair like the luxurious fir trees surrounding the lake. He was handsome and intelligent, a true heir, in fact. But it turned out that some people kidnapped his son and hid him in an old, half-abandoned village. This son grew up to become a demon hunter. This was Tomioka Giyu.

For now: So Tomioka received the letter, said goodbye to the postman, and sat down on the tatami mat in the living room. The living room was very well-kept. There was a fireplace, curtains, a tatami mat, and a low table with flowers in the center, arranged on a tablecloth. The wood was burning in the fireplace, but there wasn't enough light or warmth, so Tomioka lit a candle and sat down to read the letter he'd received.

"Dear Mr. Tomioka..."

(Giyu) - "It's already strange."

Sir? It is he?

"Dear Lord Tomioka, we greet you and cordially ask you to take your place on the throne. We believe you are currently confused. You are the lost son of our Lord (name of the Emperor), stolen from our Lord in his distant childhood. The Emperor passed away two days ago, and there is no heir except you. We ask you to come to..."

Tomioka was shocked. He reread it several times. Nothing had changed. He... The Heir? The Emperor? Are you sure this isn't a mistake? He's just the Water Pillar... A Demon Hunter. He should go to the one who knows the most about these topics, like inheritance, imperial rule, and so on... Maybe... Shinobu? She wouldn't believe him, or worse, she'd laugh at him. But who else? Mitsuri is too emotional, Sanemi is too rude and mean, Obonai... They don't communicate with him... Well, of all the people he knows, only Shinobu is suitable...

There were butterflies in the mansion. Tomioka knocked on the door, and Aoi opened it.

(Aoi) - "What do you want?!.. Oh, excuse me, Tomioka-san... Is this for a reason? Or just like that? Or are you injured?!"

"I'm here on business. To see Kocho, if possible."