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COLLIDED EMOTIONS — CHAPTER #73 — UNREALIZED DANGER

"...So uh... first you need to, um... and then... you attack it with the, the... uh... next you turn it with... um... yeah." Muichiro flickered lazily toward the Yorichii Type Zero doll. He sighed tiredly. To him, this whole thing was obvious and you should already know what he meant.

You stood there gripping your wooden sword tighter, eyebrows twitching in frustration. "...You DO realize that I can't understand you if you don't explain it correctly, right?"

He blinked at you, tilting his head slightly, strands of his long hair falling over his shoulder. "...I think I explained it pretty well."

"Are you kidding me—WOAH!"

You barely had time to yell before the Yorichii doll lurched forward, slamming its blade down at you with terrifying precision. You jumped back in panic, nearly tripping over your own feet, and scrambled to parry. The impact rattled your arms, and you grunted, forcing yourself to push against the weight.

"..." The Mist Hashira stood off to the side with his arms folded, watching calmly like a teacher observing a clumsy student.

After yesterday's events, you had asked Muichiro to help you train with the doll, since he already had beat it within a matter of seconds. To your surprise, he agreed to help you out. You actually didn't expect him to remember his promise but he did end up appearing in the designated meeting spot.

"This thing is trying to kill me!"

"...It's not trying to kill you," he corrected with his usual detached tone. "It's just training you...? If it wanted to kill you, you'd be dead already."

"Well, I can't do this!" you cried, ducking under the doll's blade. You felt the wind of it slice right above your head.

"...You need to move faster. Your reaction time is too slow."

"Then please tell me how! You're supposed to be helping me!"

"I did...? Didn't I just tell you to move faster?"

"That's not advice, that's common sense!" The Yorichii doll lunged forward again, forcing you to block with a desperate yell.

"Caw! You can do it, Master! You're better than that stupid doll!" Dodo cheered for you, sitting on the branch of a nearby tree. Next to him was Ginko. You weren't paying much of attention to the crows, since you were too busy fighting for your life. You'd thought that Muichiro's crow would perhaps make fun of you for being weak. Like, you couldn't even win against a literal doll. Then again, it seemed as if the crow had developed a soft spot for you.

"Come on, you lazy girl! Don't lose against that thing! You're better than that!" Ginko puffed with her beak.

"Aww, Miss Ginko!" Dodo cooed at her side.

"Hmh! I-It's not what you think! I just don't want her to waste my Master's precious time! It's not like I'm worried or s-something!" Alright, classic tsundere moment.

Muichiro ignored the crow's conversation as well. He sighed and walked closer, his steps so light you could barely hear them over your frantic panting.

"...Here." He lifted his own wooden sword. "You don't just block. You guide the momentum away. Let it pass through instead of fighting against it..."

"...Why didn't you just say that earlier?"

"I thought it was obvious?" He said quietly, brushing his bangs out of his eyes. "You look like the type who understands things without much detail."

"I don't! Have you met me?!" you yelled, but your words turned into a grunt as you finally tried copying his motion, redirecting the doll's attack instead of clashing directly. To your shock, the blade slid past you more easily than before. "Wait—that actually worked!"

"...Of course it did. You should listen to me more."

"Don't act smug about it! You've been distracted this whole time!"

He was completely unbothered by your comment. "...You're loud."

"Maybe because I'm dying here?"

Muichiro hummed softly, his expression as serene as ever despite your outburst.

Without warning, he stepped forward, his sword flashing as he intercepted one of the doll's strikes that was about to land on you. The sheer grace of his movement left you frozen in place, eyes wide as he redirected the attack with barely any effort. "...You also grip your sword too tightly," he said softly, glancing at your white-knuckled hold. "Relax. If you tense up, your movements slow down."

You forced yourself to loosen your hands on the hilt. "...Like this?"

He leaned closer to inspect. "...A little looser. Good."

Your heart skipped a beat at the proximity, but you quickly looked away, your cheeks heating. "Thanks...! Y-You could've said that earlier too, you know..."

"...You complain too much." His voice was calm, but there was the faintest flicker of amusement in his eyes as he stepped back. "Watching you struggle is kind of interesting though."

"WHAT?!" The doll swung again, cutting your outrage short, and you yelped, rushing to block, this time using the advice he actually gave you. Your teeth clenched. "D-Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the advice you gave me, but, ugh—I'm trying what you said, but it's still too heavy!"

"...Don't fight the weight."

You shot him an incredulous look. "That's what you keep saying! You make it sound so simple!"

"It is simple. Well... for me, at least. I don't know about you."

"Are you teasing me or bullying me right now?"

He blinked at you, feigning innocence. "...What makes you say that..."

"Muichiro, I'm about to cry again," The (fucking) Yorichii doll lunged suddenly. You barely had time to raise your sword, and the force of its strike sent you stumbling. Your foot caught on a root, and you teetered backward with a gasp.

As you were about to fall, a hand caught your wrist, steadying you. In one smooth motion, Muichiro pulled you upright, his grip firm but not rough. For a second, your balance relied entirely on him, your chest brushing against his arm.

"...Clumsy," he murmured again, though this time his tone had a faint, amused edge. His eyes lingered on you longer than necessary.

"Hey! Don't just keep calling me that whenever I trip!"

He looked faintly thoughtful, finally letting go of you and stepping back. "...But you trip a lot."

"Why are you like this?"

"Like what?" His tone was innocent, but you could see past him. This little fucker was actually playing games with you, huh...

You groaned, dragging your free hand to your face. "Forget it. You're so cute that I can't even get mad at you..."

"Huh. Who are you? Why is a total stranger calling me cute?"

"..."

" ... "

"..."

"...Sorry. I'm just messing with you, don't look at me like that,"

You didn't have time to retort before the doll swung again. You blocked, but your stance buckled almost immediately, your footing sliding.

"See?!" you yelped. "This is what I mean! My stance is falling apart!"

"...Uhhh, because you're standing wrong." He walked toward you. "Here. Move your feet apart." He crouched slightly, reaching down to nudge your ankle outward with the tip of his finger. The light pressure made you adjust instinctively. "A little more... there."

You followed along without hesitation, your mind locked on absorbing everything.

Next, he circled behind you. You felt his presence close at your back, the faint swish of his uniform brushing against you. His cool hands rested briefly on your shoulders, tilting them until your weight evened out. Next, carefully, he guided your sword arm down a fraction. "Relax here," he said quietly, his voice almost brushing your ear. "You're locking your wrist again. If you let it stay loose, you'll be faster, (Y/N)."

You tested the posture, shifting your weight from one leg to the other. For the first time, your body felt lighter, more balanced, like you weren't fighting yourself anymore.

Your eyes widened with realization. "...Wait. This feels so much easier! I can actually move without stumbling!" You turned your head slightly toward him with a big smile, unable to hide your surprise. "Muichiro! This really works!"

He, however, was staring at you, his gaze caught on the curve of your grin, the way your hair shifted with the breeze. Also, faintly, the scent of you, warm and human, hit him. He blinked, momentarily distracted, his usually airy mind scattering like mist in the wind.

"...Pookie?"

He looked away quickly, blinking himself back into focus. "...Mm. Yeah. Of course it works. I told you, didn't I?" There was a faint stiffness in his voice now, like he was covering something.

You, on the other hand, were too focused on your stance to notice. "This changes everything. I thought I just wasn't cut out for this, but—ah! This feels amazing!" You bounced slightly in place, testing the movement again with a newfound ease.

He watched silently. His hand twitched slightly at his side, as if resisting the urge to adjust you again.

Not because you were standing wrong, but because...

He didn't know, actually,

just because he wanted to...?

" ... Strange . "

The Yorichii doll surged forward again, but this time, you didn't panic. You shifted your feet apart just like Muichiro had shown you. When the strike came, you guided it away instead of meeting it head-on. The wooden clash rang out, but the weight slid harmlessly past your guard.

Your eyes lit up. "Oh—! Oh, that actually worked again!"

The doll recovered instantly, swinging for your side, but you were already moving. You turned your wrist, redirecting the strike with a precise motion. Instead of stumbling back, your footing stayed steady.

"Ha! I blocked it again!"

Muichiro was watching you quietly, though the faint curve of his lips betrayed a hint of satisfaction. "...Not bad. Maybe you're not as hopeless as you looked before."

Normally, his words would've made you snap back, but you were too caught up in the thrill of your progress to care. "Hopeless, my ass! Did you see that? Oh my gosh! I actually—oh my god, I did it twice!" The doll lunged again, and with a determined yell, you copied the same motion. "YIIPEEEE! YAY! I DID IT THREE TIMES!"

Dropping your stance, you turned to him with the biggest grin plastered on your face, your chest heaving from exertion but your eyes sparkling. "Muichiro! Did you see me?!"

"...Yes. I was watching you."

That was all the confirmation you needed. With a burst of adrenaline, you rushed toward him without thinking. "MUICHIROOOO!" you squealed, practically leaping up to him.

You wrapped your arms over his shoulders, hugging him tightly. Your cheek pressed and rubbing against his own cheek/ against his head/ against his chin, like an overexcited child showing off to a parent. "I did it! I actually got the hang of it! I thought I'd never be able to keep up, but this makes so much sense! I can't believe I pulled it off three whole times in a row, three times! Can you believe it?!"

Muichiro stiffened, caught completely off guard. Your sudden warmth, your scent filled his senses. His hands hovered awkwardly at your sides, unsure if he should push you away or hold you steady. His eyes flickered down, then away, his usually calm breathing subtly uneven. "...You're... too heavy," he finally muttered, though not annoyed, if anything, it sounded strangely dazed.

You were too giddy to notice, still smiling ear to ear. "I knew asking you to help me was the right choice! I swear, this feels so much easier now! Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

Muichiro blinked, his cheeks faintly touched with color, though his face remained composed. "...You're welcome, (Y/N)."

You gave him one more tight squeeze, pressing your arms firmly around his shoulders. You decided to let him go. Your warmth left his chest, and the forest air felt strangely cooler without you clinging onto him.

His eyes followed the movement of your arms as they dropped away, then lingered on your back as you bounced away a step, still practically glowing with happiness. The faintest crease appeared between his brows. It was subtle, so subtle you'd never notice, but inside, his thoughts clouded with an odd haze.

'...Why did she have to stop hugging me...' He blinked, as if shaking the thought away, though his lips pressed into a thin line.

Usually, physical closeness from others felt unnecessary, like something he had no patience for. This time, for some reason, he hadn't pulled away. He'd even allowed the contact to linger. His fingers flexed slightly at his side, as though his body still remembered the pressure of your arms and the brush of your cheek.

"Muichiro, you have no idea how happy I am right now!" you gushed, eyes sparkling. You stepped up to him again, closing the space he'd thought you'd give him. Without hesitation, your hands flew up, one ruffling his soft, silky hair while the other reached to lightly press against his cheek. "Look at you, being all mysterious and brilliant! You're amazing, you know that? I've been getting wrecked by that stupid doll for days and now suddenly I'm blocking three attacks in a row?! All thanks to you!" You didn't stop there. You leaned in, your grin wide, and began lightly squishing and rubbing at his cheek with your thumb. "You're the best teacher ever! I don't care if you talk weird or explain things like a puzzle, you're a genius and I owe you big time! I swear, I was about ready to give up yesterday! But now I feel like I can actually do this! Do you know how much that means to me?!"

Each word was punctuated by your playful touches: ruffling his hair, tugging gently at his bangs, squishing his cheek again as if he were some little doll you were too happy to let go of.

The surprising part, though, was that Muichiro allowed it.

He didn't swat your hands aside. He didn't even comment on how overly affectionate you were being. His chest rose and fell slowly steady, though his ears grew faintly warm.

Inside, his thoughts were quiet but conflicted. He should've shrugged you off. He should've told you to focus back on training.

And yet, the warmth of your hands against his hair and cheek felt... nice.

Something in him found it soothing, the way you showered him with unfiltered joy and attention. He said nothing of it, letting you rub, squish, and pamper him as much as you liked, his silence, for once, speaking louder than words.

"...Um, excuse me..."

Whatever quiet, hazy warmth the Mist Hashira had been feeling was gone the moment he saw the intruder. His faintly softened expression dulled in an instant, his usual blank mask settling back over his now uninterested face. The easy calm that had almost resembled... "happiness", dissolved into nothing.

"KANAO!" you squealed. All at once, you pulled your hands away from Muichiro, hair slightly mussed from your eager ruffling, his cheek faintly pink from your constant squishing, and rushed straight toward the girl standing at the edge of the trees.

She blinked as you bounded over, almost startled at your enthusiasm, but she recovered quickly and gave you a smile. She tilted her head, her butterfly ornament glinting in the sunlight. "Hi, (Y/N). I was wondering what were you up to."

"Kanao! You won't believe it—I actually managed to evade the Yorichii doll's attacks! Three whole times in a row!"

"Um..." Her eyes widened slightly at your energy, and then she blinked again, her gaze flickering past you. Her expression faltered into mild confusion. "...Why were you... petting him though?" she asked hesitantly, her tone caught between genuine curiosity and uncertainty if she should've asked at all.

You froze for only a moment before bursting into laughter, your giddiness never dimming. "Oh! That? That's because he helped me train! I asked him to teach me how to fight against the doll, and, guess what? I finally did it! He showed me the right way to stand, and suddenly it was so much easier! Can you believe it? Isn't that amazing?"

Her lips curved into a gentle smile as she looked at you. She reached out a hand and lightly patted the top of your head. "I see. You worked super hard. Congratulations. I'm proud of you. I'm sure you'll be able to beat it soon enough."

Your heart practically melted at the praise, your cheeks flushing as you leaned into her pat like a cat being doted on. "Kanao...!" you sighed dramatically, basking in the affection. "You're the sweetest ever, thank you!"

She chuckled faintly under her breath. To her, you were simply adorable right now, so proud of yourself, so eager to share your small but hard-earned victory.

Behind you, Muichiro turned his gaze away, looking up at the swaying trees overhead. The mood he'd had just moments ago,

the quiet, strange feeling of being... cared for,

had slipped away. He said nothing as he watched you laugh with your friend.

You were in the middle of telling Kanao about how you nearly twisted your ankle but managed to "save yourself with a totally professional move" (which was actually just flailing around like a chicken) when you suddenly,

"(Y/N) . "

You turned your head. Muichiro was walking over, his eyes trained solely on you, as if Kanao didn't exist.

"Uh—yeah?"

He stopped right in front of you and tilted his head slightly, arms crossed. "...Stop getting distracted. Go back to training so I can help you out. Wasn't that the reason you called me here in the first place?"

You laughed a little too quickly, scratching your cheek in embarrassment. "Righttt... training. Mmm. Well, I guess blocking attacks was just the start, huh? Now I actually have to throw hits too..." You let out a groan, puffing out your cheeks like a child. "Ughhhhh. Fine. You're right! Okie-dokie, let's go back to that!"

Despite your cheerful tone, Kanao furrowed her brows, her gaze snapping to him. She didn't look pleased at all.

"Hey." The sharpness in her voice made you blink in surprise. "Who do you think you are to talk to (Y/N) that way?"

For the first time in this entire exchange, Muichiro's expression shifted. His brows pulled together, the smallest trace of irritation in his usually calm face. "...I can talk to her however I want," he said flatly, his tone colder than you were used to. "This isn't any of your business."

You blinked once. Twice. "Uh..."

She straightened, refusing to back down. "It is my business if you're disrespecting her. She doesn't deserve to be ordered around like that."

"She doesn't mind. You're the only one making it a problem."

"I mind because she might not say it, but she shouldn't be treated like that at all. She deserves to be spoken to kindly."

You stood there, looking between them like a deer caught in headlights. "...Wait, am I... am I getting scolded through proxy right now?"

"You're assuming too much. You don't know how I talk to her. She called me here for training. That's exactly what I'm doing."

"That's not training, that's bossing her around. If you're really helping her, you should be patient with her mistakes, not act like she's wasting your time."

Muichiro's jaw flexed, a rare display of visible annoyance. "She isn't wasting my time." He paused for a moment, unsure to keep going. "...She's worth it."

She blinked, her brows furrowing deeper. She crossed her arms. "If she's worth it, then prove it. Show her kindness, not irritation."

"She doesn't need kindness. She needs someone who can make her stronger. That's why she came to me and not to you."

"Oh?" She tilted her head, her lips pressing into a thin smile. "That's funny, because she spends a lot of her time with me and not with you."

...

That made both of them pause. Muichiro's eyes flicked to you, then back to her, his expression darkening ever so slightly.

"...What are you trying to say?"

Kanao's voice didn't waver. "I'm saying (Y/N) clearly prefers being around me. Isn't that right?"

Your eyes widened as both of them turned their gazes onto you like two predators waiting for their prey to move.

"Wha—huh?!" you squeaked, holding up your hands.

He stepped forward. "...No. She prefers me."

She did the same. "No. She prefers me."

"Why are you—"

"I was the one she asked for training. She came to me."

"And I'm the one who helps her daily. She trusts me."

"Trust isn't the same as reliance. She relied on me because she wanted to grow."

"No, she relies on me when she needs comfort. That's more important."

"...She laughs more with me."

"...She smiles more with me."

"..." You stood frozen, your wide, doe-like eyes darting between them as if you were watching a tennis match.

Both of them spoke at the same time:

"She prefers me...!"

Their argument was still dragging on like a storm that refused to end. From an outsider's perspective, it might've looked childish, two prodigies wasting breath on something so trivial.

You? Your brain couldn't even focus on the words anymore. Your mind drifted, eyes glazing over as you tilted your head slightly.

'Wait... are they fighting over me?'

You blinked, heat suddenly climbing up your cheeks. No, no, no. That's ridiculous. Totally delusional. They're not fighting over you. That's insane. You must be imagining things. Definitely. They're just... competitive? Yeah, that's all.

Then again... wasn't Kanao's tone a little too sharp when she mentioned you?

Wasn't Muichiro's glare burning just a little too long whenever your name came up?

'There's no way... right? What do you mean THE Tokito Muichiro and THE Tsuyuri Kanao are fighting over who I prefer more?! Did I miss something?'

You pressed your lips together, but a nervous little laugh almost slipped out. Your blush deepened as you tried to snap yourself out of it. 'Nope. Not happening. I refuse to be arrogant. I refuse to be delusional.'

"Hey, (Y/N)." Muichiro's voice cut through your spiraling thoughts. "Tell her to fuck off already."

"(Y/N)," Kanao's voice followed, "tell him that you and I are way closer than you and him!"

Your head whipped between the two of them so fast you thought you might get whiplash. 'Oh my god. They actually dragged me in. This is real. This is—OH! WAIT A MINUTE!'

You clapped your hands together and put on your brightest, most oblivious smile. "Hey, guys!" Both Kanao and Muichiro froze, startled by your sudden cheerful tone. "I have a favor to ask!" you continued, almost singing the words, as if you hadn't just been cornered into picking sides in their ridiculous spat.

"...?" Their anger paused, if only temporarily, curiosity flickering in their eyes. Their heads tilted almost in sync.

You raised your little notebook proudly like a prized treasure. "Drastically changing topics, I would love it if you both could explain to me in great detail about your breathing techniques! You know, Flower Breathing and Mist Breathing!"

This was your perfect chance!

There was no way you'd let it slip. You had already managed to learn Water, Thunder, Fire, and even Insect Breathing (though you never actually tried using Insect Breathing). The more styles you studied, the stronger and sharper your skills would become.

They blinked at you, processing.

Muichiro's expression turned blank for a second, then thoughtful. Kanao, however, was the first to speak up. She nodded gently. "I don't mind." Her lips curled into the faintest smirk, her tone sly as she added, "But I doubt someone with half a brain could properly explain Mist Breathing anyway."

Muichiro's scowl was instant, his brows furrowing. "Please. At least my breathing style doesn't revolve around 'pretty petals and twirling like a ballerina.'" She stiffened, her eyes narrowing further. Still, despite his insult, he crossed his arms and muttered, "...but fine. I'll explain it too. You'd probably learn more from me, anyway."

Your entire face lit up like the sun. Without thinking, you threw both of your arms around them, tugging them into a hug that squished you right in the middle of the chaos. "Thanks a bunch! This will really help me!"

Kanao smiled happily at the sudden contact, her face turning slightly pink. Muichiro, didn't move either, his ears burning faintly red.

Sandwiched between them, you swore you could feel their tension bristling on either side of you like static electricity, yet for once, it wasn't directed at each other.

It was directed at you.

—————————————————————————————

Your footsteps crunched lightly against the gravel as you and Kanao walked side by side. The day was barely even starting now. The sparring match between her and Muichiro (something that happened because you plead them to do it) still played vividly in your mind, their movements were almost otherworldly. You had watched them in awe, eyes darting back and forth, barely able to keep up with their speed.

Now, after everything, you couldn't stop smiling.

"I'm really happy," you admitted, turning your head slightly toward Kanao. "I finally improved... even if it was just a little."

Her violet eyes softened, giving the smallest nod before speaking in her quiet but assured tone. "It wasn't just a little. You worked hard today. You learned how to evade properly, and you held your stance longer than before. That's progress. You should be proud of yourself."

The sincerity in her voice made your chest swell. You laughed, rubbing the back of your neck sheepishly. "Heh, well... if you say so, then I'll take it. Muichiro's a great teacher!"

Her lips curved into that subtle smile of hers, and she tilted her head gently but then, almost as if she couldn't resist adding a reminder, she said lightly, "Either way... later, we'll have to go back to training with the doll again. So, it'll be good if you eat and get back on your tracks."

The joy drained from your face immediately. Your shoulders slumped, your whole body sagging with exaggerated defeat. "...Right. This wasn't even my daily training with the Yorichii doll..." You groaned as though you were being sentenced to the gallows. "I trained with Muichiro and now I have to go through that again with Koketsu? You're telling me I signed up for double torture in one day?"

"Yes, basically," Her hand flew to her mouth, stifling a laugh. She let out a soft, bell-like giggle that escaped despite her effort to keep it composed. "It's not torture, though," she insisted sweetly, shaking her head. "It's just training. The more you do it, the better you'll become."

You shot her a look of betrayal. "You're supposed to be on my side, Kanao! At least pretend to feel bad for me."

Her giggle grew into a light laugh now, her shoulders shaking slightly. "I can't feel bad for you. You need to work the most you can."

"...Yeah. Fine. I'll do the stupid training again. Only because you and Muichiro worked so hard to explain everything to me."

"You'll keep improving. I know it."

—————————————————————————————

"Big Sis (Y/N)! I'm amazed! You actually improved so much!" Koketsu's voice rang out with rare excitement as he stood with his hands on his hips. The Yorichii Type Zero doll loomed silently behind you but for once, it didn't feel like a nightmare standing there. Everyone had just watched you dodge its relentless barrage of strikes.

Zenitsu's hands gripped his own hair as if he couldn't believe what his eyes had seen. He nodded vigorously, nearly vibrating. "(Y/N)!! You're absolutely the best! The way you moved! So graceful, so pretty, like a divine goddess weaving through the cursed strikes of that evil doll! I thought I was watching a dream! I-I mean, you almost looked like a flower drifting on the breeze—no, like a celestial maiden!!"

He looked ready to leap forward and wrap his arms around you, but before his feet could even leave the ground, Tanjiro smoothly reached out, caught him by the collar, and reeled him back without even breaking his smile. "He's right, I told you, it was only a matter of time before you got the hang of it. You've been working so hard! I knew you could do it!"

"HAHAHAHA!" Inosuke's voice cracked across the clearing like a whip as he stomped over, arms crossed, chest puffed out in his boar-headed arrogance. "Look at you go, minion! You actually didn't get punched as much anymore. Good job!" He thumped your back with a little too much force, making you stumble forward a step.

You laughed nervously, scratching your cheek as all their words washed over you. "You guys... really think so?" It wasn't like you were usually swayed so easily by compliments (...or maybe you were), but hearing encouragement like this after days of being absolutely crushed by the doll made your chest warm and giddy.

Of course, Koketsu wasn't about to let you swim in that feeling for long. "Don't get all happy now." His voice cut through your bubble of joy like a knife. "This is just the start. Evading's nothing if you can't fight back. I expect you to actually beat the doll next."

You groaned loudly, your shoulders sagging like lead. "...Ughhh..."

He was right, of course. He was always right.

You couldn't get satisfied with such a small step. If you wanted to be ready for Upper Moons Four and Five, you'd need way more than this. Last battle, you didn't even face Daki and Gyutaro at their full strength, they switched sides before it came to that.

Honestly... you wondered how you were even still alive. You'd survived the Upper Moon Meeting, of all places. Douma had said you "beat" them somehow, though you suspected it was less about your skill and more about Muzan's twisted rules that forced them to hold back. Akaza had bluntly told you it was because they weren't allowed to kill you, which gave you an advantage you never asked for.

Even so, you still almost died on the Mugen Train against Enmu, and again with Akaza. Pure miracles, that's all those survivals were.

"Damn..." you muttered under your breath. "Have I... even really done anything since I came here?" Sure, you killed Rui, but that was it. If you couldn't add Hantengu and Gyokko to the list soon, what was all this worth?

You tightened your grip on your sword. "You're right, Koketsu. I can't stop here. I need to get way stronger than this. I need to train harder."

It wasn't just for you—it was for everyone else.

You knew, technically, that no one important should die during this arc... but so much had already shifted, you couldn't afford to assume things would go the same way.

Muzan was aware of you now, you even met him but it's not like you remembered how that went. He'd "marked" you or whatever that means. The consequence is that Hantengu and Gyokko's attack might not follow the same script. They could try to kidnap you instead of killing you. What if Kokushibo himself showed up?

There was Douma and Akaza too. They knew this location. You doubted Douma would bother plotting with Muzan; he always seemed to be off in his own world.

Talking about Akaza... something told you he wouldn't attack. Not here, not now at least. You almost hoped he would come find you instead, so you could talk to him about what he said to you about not wanting to be a demon anymore.

Was that just wishful thinking? Delusion?

Your head hurt. You sighed deeply, leaning on your sword for support. 'I really need to figure out what to do about Douma, Akaza... and Muzan.'

Koketsu, however, mistook your distant look for exhaustion. He squinted at you, then cleared his throat and puffed his chest out. "Ahem! Let's wrap it up for today. We've done enough!"

"EEEEEEEKKKKK!!" Zenitsu shrieked, darting behind you for cover. His whole body shook like a leaf in the wind. "W-Who are you and what did you do to Koketsu?! The real Koketsu would never say that!"

"I'm gonna hit you," he deadpanned, his face hid behind his mask twisting into annoyance.

Tanjiro tilted his head, concern knitting his brows. "He's kind of right though... Usually you'd insist we keep going until our bones hurt. Are you sure you're feeling alright?" He placed a careful hand on Koketsu's shoulder, as if to check his temperature.

"Don't touch me!" He slapped his hand away and scowled. "I'm fine! I just think we can stop for today. Tomorrow I'll make sure to torture you plenty, so you'd better be grateful for the head start, hehe!"

"WHAAA!!" Zenitsu wailed, clutching your sleeve for dear life. "I knew it! He's plotting something terrible! He's a mischievous demon child in disguise!!"

Inosuke threw his head back and laughed manically. "HAHA! Do your worst, brat! Nothing you try can break me! I'll crush every punishment you throw at me into the dirt!"

"Alright, buddy..." Koketsu dismissed him with the flatness of someone swatting away a fly. "Actually, I do have something for you all."

"Huh? Really?" Kanao blinked in surprise.

"I think you've done a decent job today. So, as a reward... I prepared a surprise. We're having a picnic. I brought food for everyone!"

" ... !"

The picnic went better than you could've ever imagined. Everyone had helped prepare the spot together: Tanjiro laying out a blanket, Zenitsu fussing over the plates to make them look nice, and you and Kanao arranging the food neatly while Inosuke tried to sneak bites from anything within his reach.

"Inosuke, stop that," Kanao scolded, lightly swatting his hand when he reached for a rice ball.

"Grrhh! What does it matter if I eat now?!" he barked, puffing his chest out like he was at war with the very concept of manners.

"It matters because we're all eating together,"

You couldn't help but laugh at the way Inosuke froze like a caught child, then grunted and crossed his arms, waiting with exaggerated impatience. Tanjiro chuckled too, and Zenitsu mumbled something about "animals don't understand dining etiquette."

By the time you all finished, It wasn't even planned but you all just... fell asleep.

About thirty minutes later, you stirred awake.

Inosuke was sprawled across the blanket. His arm was plastered over Kanao's face, completely smothering her expression, while one of his legs had somehow found its way onto Koketsu's tiny body, pinning him like a paperweight. He twitched in annoyance but was too small to push him off.

Next to you, Zenitsu had latched onto your right arm, his face buried against your sleeve as he cuddled you like a stuffed animal. His snoring was softer than Inosuke's, but still very noticeable.

Turning your head, you found Tanjiro on your left. Unlike Zenitsu, he wasn't clinging to you, he'd kept a polite distance, sleeping peacefully with a calm, almost angelic expression. You wouldn't have minded if he'd hugged you too.

Not feeling particularly tired anymore, you carefully pried your arm free from Zenitsu's hold and rose to your feet. None of them stirred, not even Inosuke with his boar-like instincts.

You opted to wander off just a bit. Who knew? Maybe you'd bump into one of your favorite characters. The thought alone was enough to make your heart pick up speed as you slipped away from the group.

——————————————————————————

...

"...What do you have there..."

"Oh, this?" you beamed, tightening your grip on Nezuko's hand and pulling her forward like you were introducing a prized treasure. "This is Nezuko! Tanjiro's little sister! She's a demon, by the way!"

" ... what . "

You had been wandering the halls with Nezuko by your side, her hand nestled warmly in yours. Your quest of finding someone failed, so you decided to spend time with her cause, why not?

She was being unusually clingy, though, knowing her, maybe it wasn't unusual at all. Every few steps she'd tug on your sleeve or bump her forehead gently against your arm, humming her muffled little sounds. It had been a while since you spent time with her.

Now, you rounded a corner and nearly bumped into Genya! He was heading in the opposite direction. His sharp eyes narrowed when they caught sight of you, but then they flicked downward.

You couldn't help it, you laughed at how flat and lost his tone was. Nezuko tilted her head curiously, her wide pink eyes blinking up at him. She let out a cheerful "Mhmh!" and raised her free hand in a little wave, the bamboo muzzle bobbing with the movement.

"She's friendly, see? Totally harmless." You nudged her playfully, and she squeezed your hand tighter, leaning against your arm.

"Mhmh!"

Genya's jaw worked soundlessly for a moment, like he was trying to put words together but his brain hadn't caught up. "Wait. Wait—hold on. You're telling me... that's THE demon? The one working with the Corps?"

"Yes! Exactly! You've heard about her?"

"...I mean..." he rubbed the back of his neck, still staring at Nezuko like she was some kind of illusion. "I—I heard rumors. Some mentioned something about a demon helping out... but I didn't think it was actually true."

"Mm-mm!" She was trying to prove her existence right there and then like she was some sort of celebrity. She even leaned forward slightly, peeking up at him with the biggest, most innocent eyes.

He blinked. "...She's... really a demon." He being clearly taller than her, crouched down slightly, trying to meet her gaze at eye level, though there was still tension. "But she doesn't... she's not attacking. She's just—"

"Holding my hand?" you teased, giving him a look. "Yeah, shocking, I know. She's the sweetest." You turned to her. "Nezuko, this is Genya. He's kind of scary at first, but don't worry, he's very nice."

She tilted her head at him, almost studying him like he was some rare animal she had never seen before. As if deciding he was interesting, she waved at him enthusiastically with both hands. "Mhmhmh!"

"See? She's saying nice to meet you."

Genya blinked, shoulders stiff. He looked from Nezuko's waving hands back to you as though waiting for you to clarify that you were joking, but when she immediately latched onto your arm with both hands, hugging it tight to her chest and rubbing her cheek against your sleeve like an affectionate cat, his expression dropped slightly.

"...She... uh..." He shifted awkwardly on his feet. "She seems really... attached to you."

"Of course she is. Nezuko adores me. I mean—who wouldn't be obsessed with her too? Look at her! She's literally the cutest thing alive."

"Mhmh!" She nodded, agreeing with you and pressing closer into your arm. She practically purred at the pampering when you cupped her face gently and squished her cheeks.

"..." Genya wasn't sure where to look, his eyes flicking away and then back to the two of you, ears turning faintly red. His expression screamed "I don't know how to deal with this". He crossed his arms tightly as though anchoring himself, but even then, he couldn't hide how awkward he felt just standing there.

You noticed immediately and smirked mischievously. "Genyaaa... Do you wanna join the hug?"

"Wha—?!" His head snapped up so fast you thought his neck would crack. "N-No! Absolutely not!" His voice cracked as he turned away, trying to hide the flustered heat crawling up his neck. "I—I'm fine here! Don't drag me into your... weird girly hugging stuff!"

You couldn't stop your laugh at his panicked refusal, but before you could tease him further, Nezuko's eyes lit up. She glanced at you once, like a child asking for permission, then without warning, she launched herself onto Genya.

"MHMH!"

"Wha—?!" He staggered back, his hands flying up in sheer panic as she clung onto him like a koala, her legs wrapped around his waist and her arms tight around his shoulders. His back slammed into the wall with a thud. "HEY—HEY! GET OFFA ME!!"

You immediately burst into laughter, clutching your stomach as you doubled over. "HAHAHAHAHA!"

"STOP LAUGHING!" he barked, his face scarlet as he awkwardly tried to pry the demon girl off him without actually... touching her too much. His hands hovered helplessly over her shoulders, his fingers twitching but never daring to grip. "I—You—She's—!! I CAN'T—!"

The demon girl entirely unbothered by his struggle, just hummed happily against him, nuzzling her head into the crook of his neck as if he were her new favorite pillow.

Her muffled "mhmmmh," sounded smug.

"Don't nuzzle me!" Genya nearly choked on his words, his whole body stiff as a board. "I don't know how—!" He twisted his head toward you, eyes wide, begging. "HELP ME OUT HERE!"

You were no help at all, you were sliding down the wall, tears forming at the corners of your eyes as you laughed so hard your ribs hurt. "Genya! Y-You look like you're dying!"

"IT'S NOT FUNNY!" he growled, but his voice cracked again, making it even funnier. He tried to wriggle free, but Nezuko's grip only tightened, her little hands gripping his uniform with surprising demon strength.

"WHY is she so strong?!" he demanded, his voice climbing with frustration. He made another attempt, pulling lightly at her wrist.

Although, the moment she let out a muffled whine "Mmmmmm!!"

"...!" He froze like he had just committed the gravest sin. "No, no, no—! Don't make that noise! I wasn't even pulling hard!!"

At that, you completely lost it, sliding onto the floor and pounding your hand against the wood, your laughter echoing down the hallway.

"(Y/N)!!" Genya shouted, looking like his soul was about to leave his body. "STOP LAUGHING AND DO SOMETHING!!"

———————————————————————————————————

You sat there on the tatami mat, feeling Nezuko's hands cling stubbornly to Genya's sleeve, her eyes gleaming as if she had found her newest toy. Poor Genya looked like he was suffocating under the weight of her affection, his jaw clenched tight as he tried not to react too harshly, but his ears were bright red, betraying his discomfort.

"Alright, alright, Nezuko..." you finally sighed after watching him squirm for what felt like forever, "enough torture for today, let him breathe."

She gave a muffled little whine of protest, but you gently scooped her into your arms and pulled her onto your lap, where she sat quite contentedly.

Now the three of you sat in one of the quieter rooms of the estate. Nezuko nestled comfortably against you, her head tucked under your chin, while Genya sat directly across from you with his legs crossed, staring at the floor like he was trying to recover his dignity.

When he finally glanced back up, she was still eyeing him intently. Their gazes locked, and you could practically see the goosebumps crawl up his arms.

"She's... dangerous," he muttered lowly, shuddering in his seat. You felt Nezuko shake lightly against your chest, snickering at his words as if mocking him for being so easy to rattle.

"Dangerous? Genya, she's literally giggling at you right now."

"She's mocking me," he shot back, pointing a finger at her like he was pointing out evidence in a trial. She tilted her head innocently, her eyes widening in fake confusion, only for her to let out another muffled giggle, proving him right.

"See?!"

"Oh my god, you're hopeless."

"..." He grumbled something under his breath and looked away.

To spare him further embarrassment, you decided to change the subject. "So... yesterday, what did you and Muichiro even do when I left you two alone?"

At once, his posture stiffened. His eyes shifted to the side, his mouth twisting as if weighing how much he should admit. "...We just... talked and chilled for most of the part."

"Ohhh,"

He rubbed the back of his neck, clearly flustered but trying to play it cool. "He's... actually not bad. We got along pretty well."

Your laughter bubbled up instantly. "I told you! I told you the two of you were bound to get along!"

"Yeah... you were right. I'd be lying if I said I didn't like him. He sort of... matches my vibe, perfectly, in a way."

Your grin widened, leaning forward slightly. "See? I knew it. You two are very much alike..."

He made a face at your wording, but he didn't argue. Instead, he sighed, meeting your eyes with a rare earnestness. "I'm glad you... pushed me into it. Made me hang out with him. So... thanks for that."

Your heart melted at the sincerity in his tone. You gasped, clutching Nezuko tighter to your chest. "Genyaaaaaa...!" you cooed in a high-pitched voice. "Did you just thank me? That's so sweet!"

" ... "

Even Nezuko seemed to join in, clapping her hands together once before muffling another giggle against her muzzle, as if mocking his bashfulness.

"Look, even she agrees with me,"

He groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "Why do I even talk to you...?"

Honestly, it was kind of fun to poke at him a little, his stiff reactions and awkward glares were too good to resist. Tilting your head, you leaned in slightly and asked, "What about me, huh?"

"...What about you?" He tilted his head just slightly, brows furrowing in confusion.

"Well... you and Muichiro seem to get along pretty well. What about us? Do we not get along that well?"

The boy froze. Genya's mind stalled completely. If he was being honest with himself, he had no clue how to respond to that.

Friends? He didn't have many of those. Acquaintances, maybe. Comrades in training, sure.

But friends? Especially with a girl? He had no experience in that department, and the thought alone made his ears heat up. You two had interacted before, of course, but he had never actually thought about what to call your relationship. He didn't dislike you, not at all. In fact, you made things... lighter, less tense. Putting it into words was like trying to thread a needle with shaking hands.

Your eyes widened when he didn't answer right away. Slowly, a loud gasp tore from your chest as you threw both hands to your mouth. "HUH?! You don't consider me your friend?!"

Nezuko's eyes widened at your accusation, her head snapping toward the boy with a startled look.

He immediately panicked by your sudden outburst. "Wh—No! I never said that!" He snapped a little too harshly, as if scrambling to defend himself. "I just... I don't know how to, ugh—I don't know how to express it, alright?!"

You pointed at him dramatically, staggering back like he'd just stabbed you in the chest. "Unbelievable! Nezuko, did you hear that? This dude hates me! What a bummer! Comfort me, sweetie!"

Without hesitation, you collapsed against her, wrapping your arms around her smaller (if you are taller)/ bigger (if you are shorter) frame. She blinked, surprised at first, but quickly hugged you back warmly, her hands patting your back in comfort.

"See? See?! At least she cares!" you whined into her shoulder, exaggerating every syllable like you were an actor in some tragic play. You even let out a fake sniffle for good measure.

Genya stood there, fists clenched at his sides, face growing hotter by the second. "I, I don't hate you, damn it! That's not what I meant at all! You're just—" His words cut off, frustration boiling in his chest as he tried to force something coherent out.

You peeked at him from Nezuko's shoulder with a sly grin, clearly amused by how flustered he'd become. "Ohooo, so you DO care?" you teased, tightening your hug around the demon girl as if to rub it in.

"..." He hadn't moved from his spot, his arms crossed in that awkward way he did when he was nervous and didn't want to admit it.

"Don't worry. I was just having a little fun. You're easy to tease. Well—" you tilted your head, giving him a grin, "you and Sanemi both. You two are fun to mess with."

He blinked at you, startled. He wasn't sure if you were joking. "...you're putting me in the same category as him?"

"Of course," you chirped, nodding proudly. "You both have the best reactions. Sanemi always gets so red and loud, he practically combusts on the spot if you poke at him the right way and you just get all stiff and silent, like you're not sure if you should yell back or run away. It's adorable."

The boy made a sound in his throat, halfway between a cough and a protest, his cheeks betraying him by tinting pink again. He turned his head quickly, muttering something under his breath. Then, for a moment, he paused. Almost like he was holding something back.

"...(Y/N)." He murmured, with a small and unsure breath.

You tilted your head at the change in tone. "Hm? What's up?"

He hesitated. He shifted his weight, his shoulders tense, his eyes avoiding yours. "...are you... friends with him?"

"...uhhh, your brother?"

"..." He gave a tiny nod, like he was afraid of the answer.

"Of course I am. Well, at least he is my friend. I hope he considers me one too. I love Sanemi," you said without hesitation, the sincerity in your voice clear.

"You—what?"

"He's really fun to be around. Sure, he's rough around the edges, and he yells a lot, but that's just him. He's easy to... ragebait, I guess? Always getting mad at me for a million different things. It's not in a way that ever really scares me. Honestly, it feels like... like we get along pretty good."

Genya was staring, caught between disbelief and trying not to let his surprise show too much.

"And you know what? He worries about me all the time. He might not say it directly, but I can tell. He notices if I overdo things, or if I disappear too long, or even if I'm too quiet. That means he cares. I don't think people see that side of him often, but... it's there. I really want to be closer to him, so I'll just have to hang around more until he gets used to me."

Your words came out softer than you intended, sweet and genuine, like you weren't even aware of how kindly you were painting Sanemi.

Genya... well, he didn't even realize the small smile tugging at his lips until it was already there. It wasn't big, barely noticeable, but it softened his usual sharp features. Something in your words must've reached him—the way you spoke about his brother with such warmth, when most people only whispered about how scary or angry he always was.

He lowered his gaze, his smile faint but real. "...oh." He tried to hide it with a small scoff, but his voice betrayed a kind of quiet relief.

When you caught him smiling, yours widened. "Heyyy, was that a smile?!"

"N-No! You're seeing things."

You laughed, not buying it one bit. "You're so bad at lying. Mm. Brother bonds are super cute."

"W-What?!" he stammered, voice cracking a little higher than he'd like. "Why are you saying that?!"

You only shrugged. "I mean... it's cute how much you both care about each other! We've never really sat down and talked about you, but I'm sure he misses you. He just doesn't show it right."

"Doesn't show it—" He sputtered, whipping back to stare straight ahead again, trying to hide the panic on his face. His hands clenched into fists on his knees. "Tch... that's ridiculous."

"You know that Sanemi's bad at showing he cares, so it always comes out harsh or rude. Even so, deep down? He's your brother. You think he doesn't care, but I'm telling you, he does."

...

You half expected him to snap at you again, to say you didn't know what you were talking about. Instead... his shoulders slowly slumped. He looked down, fingers fidgeting with the edge of his sleeve.

"I... I don't..." He paused, his brows furrowing as if the words physically hurt to pull out. "I don't know about that. I... I wish you were right. Really. But—" He didn't look at you, couldn't. The idea that someone else thought Sanemi cared felt like a cruel dream he didn't want to wake from.

"..." You reached down absentmindedly, letting your fingers brush against Nezuko's hand. She tilted her head curiously at you, her clawed fingers curling loosely around yours. You traced gentle circles against her palm, pretending to focus on her instead of the boy beside you.

That seemed to help. Genya's shoulders loosened just a bit, as if your silence gave him space to continue.

"...My relationship with him... it's rough," he admitted awkwardly, stumbling over his words, almost like he hated hearing himself admit it out loud. "Or... hell, it's been rough for a long time now." His fingers tangled together, fidgeting and pulling apart. He was frustrated with how clumsy he sounded.

He grit his teeth. "I don't remember the last time we talked without it turning into him yelling at me. Or me saying somethin' stupid. Or him... looking at me like I'm some weak little brat he's stuck with and I've always been... just there, you know?" He finally looked at you, eyes flickering uncertainly, like he wanted to check if you were still listening. "Like I'm just in the way. Replaceable. Like if I wasn't here, nothing'd change for anyone."

He cleared his throat nervously, continuing despite himself. "I've... always felt like that. Like I wasn't worth keepin' around. People see Sanemi and he's strong, he's reliable, he's... scary, yeah, but he's got presence. Me? What do I got?" He gave a short, bitter laugh. "Nothing."

His hands clenched tighter, knuckles pale. "Sanemi's strong, right? He doesn't need me. I tried so hard to prove myself to him. Tried to show him I could be useful. That I'm not just some weakling little brother who needs protecting. Then every time I try... it just blows up in my face... The Corps doesn't need me. I'm just filling space until someone better comes along. I wonder if he even... wants me around or if he just tolerates me 'cause I share his blood. I hate thinking that way, but it's hard not to."

He ducked his head, his voice dropping. "He's all I got. If he doesn't care about me, if he really... doesn't want me around... then what's the point of me even being here?"

...

...

...

He blinked rapidly, realizing how much he'd just said. His throat bobbed as he swallowed, looking away quickly. "...S-SORRY. I—UH. I-I didn't mean to dump all that on you!" His ears were red now, the blush creeping down his neck. He scratched at the back of his head awkwardly. "You probably didn't wanna hear all that crap anyway..."

Nezuko, perhaps sensing the heaviness in his voice, leaned forward curiously. She tilted her head and reached out one finger toward him, almost as if she wanted to poke his hand.

You still hadn't said a word. Instead, you gently guided Nezuko's hand toward his, letting her poke at his clenched fist.

He flinched slightly, startled by the touch. He looked down at her, then at you, confusion flickering in his eyes, because despite all he'd just confessed, you were still here, listening.

That realization alone made his chest feel tight in a way he couldn't explain.

" ... Genya . "

The moment your voice touched him, Shinazugawa Genya froze. His heart gave a violent lurch against his ribs, as though it were trying to claw its way out of his chest.

Nezuko had taken his hand and was now fiddling with his fingers, tracing the calluses of his palm as though she'd found something endlessly fascinating. His gaze dropped to her for a second, his rough edges softening, but he quickly tensed again when you leaned closer, close enough that he could feel the warmth radiating off you, and the faint scent of your hair reached him. He dared not breathe too deeply, afraid it would undo him completely.

"You know... There will never be another you."

" ... "

"There will never be another Shinazugawa Genya."

"I... don't understand why you'd say that," he muttered, his voice rough, almost defensive. "I'm not special. I ain't nothing compared to the others. I know what I am."

"No, Genya. Your worth does not depend on somebody else's opinion!" Your voice grew stronger as you said it, like you needed him to hear it, to believe it. "You don't have to compare yourself to anyone else, not your brother, not the other slayers, nobody. You are you. You are Genya and that's okay! You are more than the things people say about you!Also, Sanemi might not show it the way you want, but that doesn't mean he doesn't care. He's probably... scared. Scared of losing you. So he pushes you away because that's easier than letting himself admit how much you mean to him."

Genya didn't respond to you, but a part of him wished that you were right.

Nezuko nodded at your words and added, "Mhmhmh! Mhmhmhm! Mhm!"

You took a soft breath, your tone softening as you gave him a faint smile. "Yes! Besides... everything will be okay in the end and if things don't get okay, then that means it still isn't the end. So Genya, let's do our best from now forward, okay? You, me... all of us. We'll keep going, no matter how hard it gets. Someday, when we look back, we'll see that even the struggles were worth it."

You raised both of your hands, palms open. It wasn't just a gesture, it was an invitation, a promise. "So, high five. That means you're agreeing with me."

Nezuko, catching on immediately, perked up. She shot her hands up too, copying you almost perfectly. She waved them in front of Genya expectantly, as if to say: "Your turn!"

"..." Genya let out a short, shaky breath and, after a moment, lifted his hand. He pressed it shyly against Nezuko's palm first, his movements very much awkward.

Then his eyes moved back to you. Your hands were still raised, waiting patiently.

His hand shook as he lifted it again. He hesitated only a second longer before pressing his palm against yours. It wasn't too hard, not too soft—just enough to linger for a heartbeat longer than necessary.

"See? We're in this together, hehe!"

He didn't answer back but it's not like you needed to hear him.

Deep down, he felt something in his chest begin to piece itself back together.

He jolted up from where he had been sitting. The wooden floor creaked sharply beneath the abruptness of his movement. His hands fumbled at his sides, fists curling and uncurling as though he couldn't figure out what to do with them.

His movements weren't angry, no, they were frantic, restless, as if staying in the same spot a second longer would make him combust. You didn't fail to notice the way his ears burned bright red, the flush creeping up to his cheeks. He looked cornered, not by you or Nezuko, but by his own feelings. That alone told you everything: he was embarrassed.

He rushed toward the door, his footsteps clumsy but quick, like he couldn't get out of the room fast enough. Right before his hand touched the sliding panel, he froze. Seconds stretched painfully long in that silence, and then you heard it.

"...Thanks," he muttered, not turning to face you. "For listening to me. I-I don't... I don't really talk like that, so..." His hand pressed harder against the frame. "...so thanks."

"I wasn't bothered at all. I meant what I said."

You thought he might leave right then, but he lingered, the silence between you stretching again. Slowly, he lowered his head, the tips of his bangs shadowing his eyes, and when he spoke again, his tone carried a hesitant weight.

"Also... um..." He cleared his throat, trying to compose himself. "About earlier..."

"..."

"...When you asked if we got along well,"

Finally, he turned halfway, just enough so you could see his face. His expression was painfully embarrassed, his face flushed a deep crimson, and his eyes refused to stay on yours for more than a second at a time. Still, he forced himself to meet your gaze, no matter how much it made him squirm.

"I-I..." He stammered, his lips tugging downward in a scowl that wasn't really anger, more frustration at himself for struggling. "I do... consider you my friend."

He slammed the door shut, the sound reverberating through the room.

...

"...Friend, huh?" you murmured to yourself with a fond smile, placing a hand over your chest as you replayed his words in your mind.

————————————————————————————

By the time night fell, you decided it was a good time to go to the hot springs. Nezuko bounced at the suggestion. When you arrived, the Kamaboko squad and Kanao had already gathered. You all went to bath.

"I was surprised when I saw (Y/N) training with Muichiro this morning..."

"...!" Immediately, you felt several pairs of eyes snap toward you after Kanao's comment.

Zenitsu was the first to explode. He nearly leapt out of the water, pointing at you with wide, horrified eyes. "HUH?! Muichiro?! Why in the world would you train with him?"

Inosuke snorted. "Tch! Training with Mister-Puffy-Face-Fog-Boy? What's the point?! He probably just stares at the clouds instead of fighting properly! You should've trained with me instead! I would've shown you REAL techniques!"

Tanjiro sighed, raising his hand in a calm gesture. "You two, stop yelling... you'll scare Nezuko." He turned to you, expression gentle but clearly curious. "Still... training with Muichiro, huh? He can be... difficult to approach. Are you sure he treated you alright?"

Zenitsu scoffed. "He probably tricked you with his mysterious, brooding aura! I bet he was thinking of stealing you away!"

"..." Nezuko, meanwhile, only tilted her head and smiled at you warmly behind her muzzle, humming as if she didn't share their hostility toward the Mist Hashira.

Through all their noise, you had stayed oddly quiet, sinking a little lower into the hot water as if you could hide in the steam. Your silence didn't go unnoticed.

Tanjiro's head turned toward you again, eyes narrowing slightly with that uncanny perceptiveness of his. "(Y/N)...? Is everything alright?"

Suddenly, everyone's voices stopped. You realized all eyes were on you. You felt the heat rush to your cheeks, not from the springs this time, but from being caught under their attention. You waved your hand dismissively, brushing at your hair and forcing a small laugh.

"I'm fine, really. Nothing's wrong," you mumbled. Their eyes lingered, suspicious, but they didn't push.You stayed quiet a little longer, chewing on your lip, before you finally looked at them shyly, "um... actually, can I ask you guys something?"

Zenitsu leaned forward immediately. "Of course! Anything for you (Y/N)! Go ahead!"

"...Do you guys... think I'm pretty?"

The question landed like a splash of cold water. All of them froze, staring at you in perfect, stunned silence. Even Inosuke stopped mid-splash, water dripping from his hand as he blinked like he didn't understand words anymore.

"...HUH?!" The blonde boy screeched, nearly choking on air. "P-PRETTY?! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY THE MOST STUNNING, BEAUTIFUL, STUNNING, DROP-DEAD GORGEOUS ANGEL TO EVER GRACE THIS EARTH! PRETTY DOESN'T EVEN COVER IT! YOU'RE DIVINE!"

Inosuke growled, slamming his fist against the water hard enough to send waves crashing into Zenitsu's face. "SHUT UP, PISS HAIR! AND YOU!" He pointed at your direction. "You're on MY squad, so obviously you have the obligation to have more charm out of all the weaklings out there! If anyone says otherwise, I'll smash their faces in until they admit it!"

Tanjiro's response was on the same boat. "Yes, (Y/N). You're beautiful. Well, I don't even thimk beautiful is enough to describe you! So... yes. You're very pretty."

Kanao blinked, tilting her head slightly. "I think it's a dumb question. You're pretty, obviously. Very much. You always have been."

Nezuko, unable to speak, leaned forward. "MHMHMH! hmhmh! Mmmgm! Mmph!" She gave you two enthusiastic thumbs up.

"O-Okay, okay! I wasn't expecting all of that! I was just asking! Jeez!" You didn't know where to look. Your face was hot, and you splashed your hands over your cheeks, laughing nervously.

Zenitsu gasped. "Not expecting all that?! (Y/N), how could you NOT know?! You're the most beautiful person ever!"

"I get it already!" you giggled, bringing your hands up to shield your face from their relentless praise. "You guys can stop now..."

But even as you said it, a part of you lingered on the thought.

Were you attractive at all?

You had never really thought of yourself as remarkably pretty. In your old world, nobody had ever confessed to you. You'd never had anyone chase after you with red cheeks or stammered declarations. It wasn't like people called you ugly, but the subject of romance had always been distant, almost foreign. You never saw yourself as the type with striking features or a body that could steal someone's breath.

Yet here you were... somehow here in this world, you had: Rengoku, Shinobu, Daki and Tanjiro all attracted to you. There was even Akaza and Douma, though with them... you weren't sure if their feelings really counted. Were they genuine? Or was it just obsession, hunger, loneliness masquerading as love?

The water around you rippled again as you tried to shake the thought.

Tanjiro's voice broke through. He had been watching you carefully, brows knit in that worried way of his. "(Y/N)... can I ask? Why did you bring it up? Why ask us if we think you're pretty?"

You rubbed the back of your neck, cheeks heating under their stares. "Eh... well..." You forced a laugh, shrugging as if it were nothing. "It's not a big deal. Just that... some people have, uh... confessed their love to me before, so—"

"W-W-WHAT?!" Zenitsu's shriek nearly sent a flock of birds scattering from the trees. He practically flew out of the water, eyes bugging out of his skull. "SOME PEOPLE?! CONFESSED?! WHEN?! WHO?! WHERE?! TELL ME EVERYTHING RIGHT NOW—NO, NO, DON'T TELL ME, I'LL DIE, ACTUALLY WAIT NO, TELL ME!" He was hyperventilating, clutching the edge of the bath like it was the only thing keeping him alive.

"HUH?!" Inosuke roared, slamming his fist into the steaming water, sending a spray over everyone. "WHO'S CONFESSING TO YOU?! I'LL RIP THEIR HEADS OFF! NOBODY CONFESSES WITHOUT GOING THROUGH ME FIRST! TELL ME THEIR NAME, I WANNA FIGHT THEM TO THE DEATH!"

"W-What?! How could that even be? Somebody else besides Rengoku confessed to you?!" Kanao's eyes widened slightly, offended at the fact that someone even dared to confessed their feelings.

"Mhmh!"  Nezuko fuzzed with crossed arms.

Tanjiro's face went scarlet almost instantly. He sat bolt upright, steam practically hissing from his ears. "C-Confessed? To you? As in—confessed love?!" His voice cracked in his panic, and his flustered eyes betrayed him completely. He knew you were pretty popular, and that A LOT of people had feelings towards you but, he didn't knew somebody besides him and Rengoku had the guts to voice their feelings.

Zenitsu was clinging to you, shaking your shoulders. "ARE THEY HANDSOME?! ARE THEY STRONG?! ARE THEY BETTER THAN ME?! I SWEAR IF THEY'RE BETTER THAN ME I—"

Inosuke's yelling drowned him out. "WHERE DO THEY LIVE?! WHICH DIRECTION?! DON'T HIDE IT FROM ME, I'LL SNIFF 'EM OUT MYSELF IF I HAVE TO!"

Tanjiro got pretty nervous as well. "(Y/N), why didn't you tell us before? Who are they? D-Did you accept them? Did you—"

You sweat-dropped hard, waving your hands frantically as you tried to calm the sudden storm. "Wait, wait, wait! You guys—! You're taking it the wrong way!"

"THE WRONG WAY?!" Zenitsu shrieked. "THERE'S ONLY ONE WAY TO TAKE A CONFESSION OF LOVE—"

"It was nothing special! It was just some people from the village here who told me they thought I was cute and were in love with me!" you lied. It's not like you could tell the truth, they would go crazy. "They weren't anyone important! Just side characters, basically! I rejected all of them anyway!"

Zenitsu froze, his hands dropping from your shoulders as if your answer had drained every ounce of energy from him. "Random people...?" he repeated faintly, blinking at you like you'd just spoken in another language.

"Hmh." Nezuko gave a small approving hum as if satisfied with your rejection of all "rivals."

Everyone seemed relieved at your answer, though you couldn't quite understand why. Their collective sighs and subtle exchanges of glances puzzled you. Kanao was the first to break the silence. "So... you didn't accept them, right?"

You tilted your head slightly, unsure why this was even such a big deal. "Yeah, like I said, I rejected them."

Kanao let out a quiet breath, shoulders dropping ever so slightly as if a weight had been lifted off her. The reaction only deepened your confusion. "Okay," she said, a small smile tugging at her lips, "that's good."

"Good? ...Anyway, that's what I wanted to explain, actually. That's why I asked earlier if you guys thought I was... you know, pretty. I wasn't fishing for compliments or anything. I was just... surprised." Your words hung in the air as you fiddled with your hands nervously. "And also... I think some people are flirting with me? But I honestly can't tell. Like, Mitsuri for example, she's so sweet and affectionate, but is that just how she is? Uzui and his wives too... Sometimes I feel like I'm misunderstanding them, and I don't want to embarrass myself."

That earned you several different reactions at once. Inosuke tilted his head like a confused puppy, clearly uninterested in deciphering what 'flirting' even meant. Kanao glanced down, lips pressed tight as though she didn't want to give away what she knew. Nezuko cocked her head curiously, hugging her knees to her chest.

But Tanjiro... He stiffened. His chest tightened with unease, and for a moment, he felt something he didn't want to name. A part of him wanted to tell you the truth, that yes, people were drawn to you.

Another part of him recoiled at the thought. What if you became aware, what if you started noticing them, and what if... you liked one of them more than him? The selfish thought made his stomach twist with guilt, and yet he couldn't shake it. He forced a smile, though it felt heavy on his lips.

Before he could form an answer, however, Zenitsu suddenly leaned forward.

"I don't know and frankly I don't care whether they're flirting with you or not." His voice was firm, which caught everyone's attention. He jabbed a finger at you, his golden eyes blazing with sincerity. "But what I do know is that I AM clearly flirting with you. Every word I say to you, every little compliment I've ever given you, those weren't just meaningless lines. They were all real. Purely romantic. Purely serious."

...!

The words struck like thunder (hehehe, lol, u get it? Thunder. Cause he uses thunder breathing and his words struck like a "thunder" hahahah... 😶‍🌫️).

Even you sat there stunned, mouth slightly open. You could hear your own heartbeat pounding in your ears. "Uh—yeah? But..." You scrambled for words, desperate not to let your blush take over your entire face. "Zenitsu, that doesn't mean—"

He cut you off, leaning closer, his voice dropping into something far too genuine to laugh off. "I did flirt with other girls before," he admitted, his expression pained but resolute. "But ever since I met you, (Y/N)... I stopped. Completely. You're the only one I do it with now. Because to me, you're the only one that matters!"

The silence that followed was suffocating. No one dared to move. You didn't even know how to breathe properly. You were utterly speechless, your thoughts scattering like leaves in the wind.

Was this something you should take seriously?

Or was it just Zenitsu being... Zenitsu?

No, this time, there was no theatrics in his tone, no exaggerated gestures.

He meant every single word.

Your entire face was red (burning, even) and not because of the stuffy warmth lingering in the air.

He smiled faintly at the sight of your expression, clearly savoring how flustered you were. His chest swelled with pride; for once, he felt brave enough to say it all out loud. He opened his mouth again, wanting to continue, to pour his heart out even more,

"(Y/N), I lov—"

but he never got the chance.

"YOU BLOCKHEAD!!" Inosuke yelled as he tackled Zenitsu without warning, fists flying. "STOP BLABBING STUPID STUFF AND MAKING HER ALL RED!! WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?!"

"You disgusting creature...!" Kanao quickly joined as she tugged him with surprising strength.

Nezuko puffed her cheeks and kicked at him. "HMHMH! MHMH! MHMHMHHHHH!"

"W-WAIT! I WAS BEING HONEST!" Zenitsu wailed as he was swarmed, flailing in defense.

You, meanwhile, were left frozen, the heat pressing down on you. Your hands fanned your cheeks, but it was no use; you were far too flustered to think straight.

"I think I need some air..." you mumbled, standing up quickly before anyone could stop you.

Tanjiro immediately moved, worry flashing in his eyes. "I-I'll go with you!" Without waiting for an answer, he followed, slipping past the scuffle to join you outside.

You and Tanjiro had both gone your separate ways to change, but the moment you stepped back out of the bathhouse dressed in your yukata, you spotted him waiting just outside. His hair was still damp, clinging to his forehead.

He noticed immediately how red your face still was, and his brows drew together in worry as he stepped closer. "(Y/N)... are you alright? You're still really flushed."

You fanned yourself a little and laughed awkwardly. "Well... yeah, I'm fine! I was just... thinking of Zenitsu."

"..." He blinked at you, heart skipping a beat.

"Like, woah," you continued, throwing your hands up for emphasis. "Who would have thought Zenitsu of all people would actually have feelings for me! Now I feel bad for all those times I thought he was joking..."

Tanjiro chuckled softly, though it was more forced than genuine. Inside, his thoughts were spinning: 'Not just Zenitsu. Almost everyone else too...' He couldn't say that out loud. So instead, he tried to play along with a light tone. "It's normal for you to react that way. Don't, um... don't take Zenitsu's words too seriously, okay? You know how he gets sometimes."

"Yeah, but..." you trailed off, rubbing your cheek sheepishly. "I think he was being serious this time. Just thinking about Zenitsu really being in love with me makes me so embarrassed!"

His stomach twisted. A faint heat crawled up his neck. "(Y/N)... a-are you in love with him?"

Your eyes widened, and you turned sharply to face him, blushing even harder. "W-What?! I... I don't know! I'm not sure I can answer that!"

He felt his chest tighten painfully. He forced a wobbly smile, but his words tumbled out before he could stop them. "Would you... would you like to marry him?"

"Um..." Your gaze dropped to the ground. You fiddled with your yukata sleeve nervously. "I... I don't know," you admitted honestly. "I've already said I'm not really ready for relationships. I don't think I would accept anyone's confession, at least not right now. I mean, just the idea of getting into it—WOAH! TANJIRO!"

You cut yourself off because suddenly he had dropped to his knees. His face was cast downward, his hands resting on the ground, his shoulders trembling faintly.

Your eyes widened in alarm. "Tanjiro! Are you okay?!" You bent down quickly, about to call out for someone, but before you could, you felt the gentle tug of your yukata fabric.

"I... I'm okay, (Y/N)..." he said quietly, lifting his head just enough to meet your startled gaze. His hand clung weakly to your side. "I'm just... relieved."

You quickly helped him stand, steadying him by the arm. "Relieved? For what?"

His cheeks burned red as he looked away, ashamed but needing to tell you. "If I'm honest... I thought you were going to say that you were in love with him too. I was bracing myself for it." He gave a shaky laugh. "I guess I'm selfish... really selfish. I'm sorry."

You tilted your head at him, confused. Suddenly he pulled you into his arms.

"Tanjiro—?"

He hugged you tightly, his arms wrapping securely around your shoulders, his face burying into the crook of your neck/ your head/ your collarbone.

"I'm sorry," he murmured against your skin. "I must sound so childish right now. I didn't want to react like this... but I couldn't help it. The thought of you choosing someone else—Zenitsu, or anyone—it hurts more than I want to admit." His voice cracked slightly. He squeezed you tighter, a bit embarrassed but still earnestly. "You know I love you, (Y/N). More than I've ever loved anyone and I would respect you, no matter what you choose. Even if it's not me, I'd... I'd never get in your way. But knowing you don't feel that way about anyone, not yet, it makes me so relieved."

You felt his words resonate deeply. He laughed softly bitter. "I can't believe I'm acting like this. I sound pathetic, don't I?" Slowly, he let you go, face burning in humiliation. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't dump all of that on you. Please forget it."

Though instead, you reached out and hugged him back firmly. "Tanjiro! Don't apologize for your feelings! I'm not offended, not even a little! If anything, I think it's... sweet that you are brave enough to explain how you feel right now!"

He stiffened slightly and melted into your embrace. You pulled back just enough to look him in the eyes. "I should be the one apologizing. I feel bad... because I can't really reject you, but I also can't accept you yet. Not just you, anyone. My heart isn't ready for something like that a-and I know that must be hard to hear...!"

His expression softened instantly. His hand rose to cup the back of your head gently. "It's not hard, (Y/N). Hearing that you're honest with me... that's enough. I'll wait."

"Thanks." You reached up and ruffled his hair, the soft scarlet strands bouncing under your fingers as if you were petting an overly restless puppy. "You look so serious," you teased gently, your fingertips brushing his forehead to smooth out the furrowed lines there. "You'll get wrinkles at this rate, you know."

His cheeks flushed a soft pink at your touch, and his lashes fluttered as though he was trying so hard not to melt under your hand. For a moment, he didn't say anything, just stared at you like you'd stolen the words from his mouth. When he finally spoke, his voice was almost sulky.

"You always say things so lightly, (Y/N)," he murmured, a faint pout forming on his lips. His tone wasn't angry (Tanjiro could never sound truly angry at you) but there was a tightness, a childish frustration threading through his words. "Do you even realize what it does to me when you talk about people confessing to you so casually?"

You blinked, a little surprised by the earnestness in his voice. He wasn't joking. There was something boyish in his expression, like a kid fighting for attention he felt slipping away.

You tried to laugh it off, giving his bangs another playful brush. "What are you saying? I didn't think you could pout like this. You remind me of—"

"Don't," he interrupted quickly, his hand shooting up to grab yours before you could move it away. "Don't compare me to anyone else." He pressed your hand against his cheek, holding it there like it was the only thing anchoring him.

"Tanjiro..." you said softly, tilting your head with that same light, airy tone that always drove him crazy.

He let out a shaky sigh, clinging tighter because he liked the touch of your hand so much. He didn't want you to pull away just yet. "I'm serious. You talk about other people, about confessions, like it doesn't matter... but it matters to me. I—I can't stand it, thinking of you smiling like that at someone else."

Oh, fuck. Why is he acting like this?! You're weak against submissive men! You cleared your throat and tried to brush it off. "You're so dramatic today. D-Did you hit your head during training or something?"

He groaned under his breath, almost burying his face in your palm now. "Why... why don't you ever take me seriously?" His voice cracked slightly, frustration and affection tangled up into one helpless knot. Then suddenly, his other arm wrapped around your waist, tugging you closer. You stumbled a little, surprised by the sudden clinginess, and now he was hugging you tightly, his head resting against your shoulder.

"Just... let me stay like this for a while," he mumbled, squeezing you gently as if you were about to vanish. He knew he'll regret acting like this tomorrow but he didn't care. "Please."

You blinked down at him and tried your best to not faint on the spot. Something about not being able to give Tanjiro, Shinobu, Daki and Rengoku a proper answer yet made you feel bad. You felt guilty of seeing him act like this but a part of you would be lying if it said it didn't fluster you. You patted his head again like he was a spoiled child. "You're so needy. Did you miss me that much?"

"Yes," he said immediately, muffled against your clothes. "I always miss you."

Oh.

He tilted his head up, his eyes glimmering with an affection very achingly earnest. He took your hand again, the one still resting against his face, and without breaking eye contact, pressed his lips against your knuckles.

"...E-EH?!"

His kisses trailed slowly across your fingers as they moved closer to your wrist. "I just wish..." His lips pressed against your wrist, and then lower on your palm. "...I just wish I was exactly what you were looking for." He was fighting to hold himself together for you but he hoped he wasn't annoying you or making you uncomfortable. "(Y/N)... tell me what I can do. Tell me how I can make you look at me the way I look at you."

The heat followed up your neck as your hands hovered awkwardly. You felt him move, his face burying against your neck. "Ek! That tickles...!" you squeaked, your voice breaking into a nervous laugh. "You're so close—"

"You smell nice," he murmured suddenly, the words muffled against your collarbone.

Lord give you strength. Your entire face went hot. "W-What kind of thing is that to say?!"

He didn't answer. Instead, he tilted his head and pressed the faintest kiss against the curve of your neck. You jolted like you'd been burned.

"Tanjiro!"

Your voice was flustered now, cracked and breathless, and the sound of it sent a rush of something warm and dangerous through him. His lips curved in a soft, almost unnoticeable smile as he kissed you again, slower this time, closer to your jaw.

"Y-You can't just—" you stammered, trying to push lightly at his chest, but your strength faltered when he slid his hand up to cradle the back of your head, his fingers threading through your hair with a tenderness that made your knees weak. He leaned in further, lips brushing the corner of your mouth, so close that your breath hitched audibly.

"Tanjiro ... please,"

His chest swelled with a combination of triumph and heartbreak. You were flustered, finally flustered, and that tiny spark of hope lit inside him.

"L-Let's... let's go. The others must have gotten out and are waiting for us. We... we should go eat before the food gets cold."

You slipped from his arms with trembling hands, avoiding his eyes as you smoothed your clothes nervously. He followed, of course, he always would.

He gazed at your back as you walked ahead.

He had made you flustered. He made you react that way.

The thought clung to him like a lifeline, warming him from the inside out. The fact that you got embarrassed, meant there was hope. Maybe you didn't saw him the way he saw you, but if you felt even a bit of what he felt...

Kamado Tanjiro would wait forever if he had to. Even if other people confessed to you, he'd keep trying, keep holding on, because damn, he needed you.

Every second he wasn't with you near felt wrong, like he was breathing but not living. Every time he saw you, when you laughed, when you interacted with him, even when you just looked at him—only with that, he felt as if he could fight against Muzan and win. That's what you did to him. That's what you were to him.

And then his chest ached, the fragile hope splintering under the weight of reality. His gaze lifted to you again, to the way you smiled at someone else, already slipping back into that easy, bright warmth you gave so freely to anyone.

He? He was just one of the many people who got to see you smile. One of the many you're kind to. You didn't need him the way he needed you.

Not now.

Maybe never.

...

'I need your company, (Y/N)... but I don't think you'll ever need mine...'

———————————————————————————————————

It was deep into the night when you stirred awake, blinking groggily at the ceiling. With a quiet groan, you slipped out from under the blankets, careful not to wake your friends sleeping soundly nearby.

Great. Just great. You needed to pee.

Padding softly across the wooden floor, you left the safety of the room and headed toward the bathroom.

"Just pee, wash your hands, go back to bed,"

A few minutes later, you were done and standing at the sink, splashing some cool water on your face to wake yourself up a little. You exhaled, feeling relief wash over you, and reached to slide the door.

The moment you opened it, however, you froze, and then groaned so loud you wanted to slam your head into the wall.

"Oh jeez, you don't need to show how happy you are to see me!"

That cheerful, mocking voice was unmistakable.

Douma stood there, leaning lazily against the wall as though he'd been waiting for you, his hands tucked into his sleeves and that infuriatingly bright smile plastered across his face.

"Ugh! Can't I even pee in peace?!" you snapped, pressing a hand to your forehead. "Leave me alone! I really don't wanna see you right now!"

Douma let out a playful laugh, tilting his head to the side like a curious child. "(Y/N)! How cute! Are you, like... flirting with me or something? Hehe!"

"Ew, no!?" you shot back, glaring at him like he'd grown two heads. "I'm just tired! I don't wanna deal with you! I just wanna sleep!"

"Then let's pretend this is a dream!" he chirped, taking a small step toward you.

"More like a nightmare..." you muttered under your breath, already trying to slip past him.

Douma blocked your way with a single step, still grinning ear to ear. "Aw, you're so in love with me."

You barked out a laugh at that, dry and humorless. "Haha, I wanna know where you heard that."

"The voices in my head told me,"

You stared at him for a long second, then muttered flatly, "...fucking creep." Shoving at his shoulder, you tried to move him out of the way. He didn't budge.

"Come on!" He whined, clasping his hands together. "Are you still mad I threw that cockroach at you? I apologized a million times already! A million! I even gave you a gift!"

"Big shit," you deadpanned, rolling your eyes.

"And yet," he continued, ignoring your sarcasm, "I don't see you wearing any of the bows I gave you! Why's that, hmm? Wasn't any of them to your liking? Should I get you another gift? Do you perhaps like flowers? Or jewelry? Ohhh, maybe I should carve a sculpture of you out of ice—"

"Damn, do you not stop yapping?" you groaned, rubbing your face with both hands like this would somehow erase him from existence. "Fuck..."

He only laughed, the sound melodic but carrying that unnerving edge, like sweet poison dripping into your ears. "You're so charming, (Y/N). Honestly, I'm flattered. Spending time alone with you like this... it almost feels like fate, don't you think?"

"Yeah, 'cause you barging in here every night is absolutely fate, right? Ugh."

"Exactly! See? You get me! This is fate. Destiny. The stars aligned just so I could run into you when your hair's all messy and you're looking so..." His eyes roamed over you slowly, deliberately. "...natural."

You recoiled, wrinkling your nose. "Ew. Gross. Don't say it like that."

"What? I meant it as a compliment!" He tilted his head, his smile widening, as if your disgust only fueled his amusement. "(Y/N), you have no idea how adorable you are when you're grumpy. All pouty and glaring at me like that, makes me want to..."

He stepped forward suddenly, closing the space between you. Instinctively, you stepped back, but his hand shot out and rested gently against the wall beside your head, caging you in with that infuriatingly sweet smile plastered on his face. "...get even closer," he finished in a sing-song whisper, his breath brushing your cheek.

Your pulse spiked as you pressed a hand against his chest, glaring. "What the hell are you doing? Move."

"Move?" He repeated innocently, tilting his head so his hair fell like a silken curtain. "But then I wouldn't be able to tell you how much I've missed you tonight." His free hand lifted to brush a loose strand of hair away from your face. His fingers lingered, the icy touch ghosting over your cheek like frost.

You flinched and slapped his hand away. "Keep your creepy hands to yourself."

"Creepy? Oh, come now. That hurts, (Y/N). Here I am, pouring my poor little heart out, and you call me creepy? That's cruel." He reached for your wrist this time, catching it gently before you could shove him again. His fingers wrapped around it loosely, his touch feather-light but firm enough to keep you there.

"Let go," you hissed, tugging, but his smile only grew sweeter, as if savoring every ounce of your irritation.

"Why would I let go of something so precious? You're so warm... it almost makes me forget what the cold feels like."

"Wow. Did you pull that line from a bad romance novel or something?"

"Ah, you wound me! But admit it, you're blushing, aren't you?" He leaned in closer, his lips hovering just beside your ear. "Your heartbeat's telling me the truth..."

Your skin prickled, and heat crept up your neck despite your best efforts. You pondered for a bit how almost a few hours ago, Tanjiro was doing the exact same thing and yet you didn't feel anything remotely close as to what you were feeling right at this moment. "You're insane."

"Mmm, maybe. Though, wouldn't it be fun if you went insane with me?" His thumb brushed lazily over the inside of your wrist, sending shivers down your spine before he finally released you, only to trap you again by placing his other hand on the opposite wall, fully caging you in now. "You know... I could make you so happy, (Y/N). You wouldn't have to worry about anything. No pain, no sadness, no fear. Just me... and you."

"Can you move? Your breath is stinky. You talk like a stalker."

"Only because you make stalking look so rewarding."

"God, you never shut up..."

"And yet," He sang lightly, pulling back just enough to give you a wink, "you haven't run away yet. Maybe... a part of you likes this."

His fingers grazed your jaw one last time and then he stepped back with a carefree laugh, as if the tension hanging thick in the air didn't exist at all.

"You're delightful, (Y/N). Truly. I think I'm falling for you all over again," he said cheerfully, turning on his heel as if he hadn't just cornered you like a predator toying with its prey.

"What the hell is wrong with you..."

"Everything! Yay!"

"Clearly . "

You were still catching your breath from the sheer audacity of him when Douma suddenly straightened, clapping his hands together with a cheerful little hum. "Well, as much fun as this little chat has been, we need to get you changed, (Y/N)."

"What?"

"Get changed!" he repeated brightly, as if you were the one being ridiculous. "Someone very special wants to see you tonight."

You frowned, confusion settling like lead in your gut. "...Huh? Who? Akaza?"

The name had barely left your mouth before Douma's face twisted in the most exaggerated expression of agony. He clutched his chest, stumbling back like you'd stabbed him through the heart. "Still asking about him when I'm right here?! You really know how to hurt a demon's feelings, (Y/N)! Oh, you're mean!"

You stared at him flatly, unimpressed. "Stop being dramatic."

Douma groaned louder, dragging his hands down his face like a sulky child before suddenly perking up again, his grin snapping back into place like a mask. "Anyway! It's a surprise. I can't ruin it, now can I?"

Your eyes narrowed. "Surprise, huh?"

"Mhm! It'll kinda be like a date! But with three people!"

"What kind of date has three people? No—wait, why am I even asking? I'm not going anywhere with you!"

Douma's smile faltered, not with disappointment, but with commandment. For a split second, his eyes lost that playful sparkle, replaced by a glint of icy steel. When he spoke again, it carried a weight that rooted you in place.

"(Y/N)," he said gently, almost like a lover soothing their darling. "I wasn't really asking for your opinion."

Your pulse spiked. "What if I don't feel like going anywhere?" His hands were on your shoulders to make it clear there was no room for negotiation.

"I'll do it my way then, dollface."

"...where do you even want to take me?"

"You'll see soon enough. All you have to do is to obey. Be a good little human and go change," he whispered sweetly, as if you were sharing some intimate secret. "Don't make me lose my patience, hmm?" He booped your nose.

You swallowed hard, glaring at him despite the tremor in your hands. "..."

"Now, hurry along. I want you looking perfect for our little outing." He stepped back finally, waving a hand. His grin widened when you didn't move right away. "Don't make me dress you myself, (Y/N). You wouldn't like that or... maybe you would?"

Your jaw clenched as you turned on your heel and stormed off, seething. You didn't have a choice, not one that ended well for you, anyway.

Every instinct in you screamed to fight, to resist but the truth was painfully clear: it would be utterly futile. He wasn't just any demon; he was Upper Rank Two, it was nowhere near your reach. You didn't even had your sword.

Was it even worth it? No.

The moment you moved to attack, chaos would erupt, and everyone around you would be caught in the crossfire. You knew, deep down, that none of your friends were strong enough to take him down. Maybe Muichiro could hold his own, perhaps Mitsuri might intervene, but the consequences... the mess it would create... it could tear apart everything, shattering the very timeline you knew.

You let out a long, frustrated sigh, shoulders slumping. Resistance wasn't an option. The only choice that made sense was to comply, at least for now.

As you laced the final tie of your uniform, your eyes darted to the small wooden drawer. Slowly, silently, you slid it open and grabbed the first thing you saw, a knife. It wasn't much, but it was better than nothing. You hid it in your sleeve.

"Ah, you look perfect," he sang, spinning once in glee before holding his arm out like some absurd escort. "Shall we?"

With a heavy heart, you stepped forward. You didn't know where he was taking you, or who this mysterious "someone" was, but one thing was certain: you didn't have a good feeling about this.

You just hoped that from the bottom of your heart, it wouldn't be Muzan or something.

——————————————————————————————

...

...

...

The city glowed under the veil of night, its streets lined with warm lantern light and the chatter of countless passersby. A lively hum carried through the air: vendors calling out, children running ahead of their parents, the rhythmic clip of geta and leather shoes against cobblestones. In the middle of the crowd, a young couple walked hand in hand, their elegant attire immediately setting them apart from the common folk that bustled around them.

"Really! Look at all these shops," the young woman exclaimed, her eyes darting from storefront to storefront with girlish excitement. "There's so much here! I can already tell I'm going to buy half the street!"

Her husband chuckled and gave her a short practiced laugh. "Yes, dear. I'm certain you'll find plenty to spend your fortune on." His hand tightened around hers ever so slightly, not from affection, but as though he were anchoring himself against her boundless enthusiasm.

Chizuru sighed then, her expression shifting as her gaze swept over the busy crowd. A wrinkle of distaste formed between her brows. "So many lowly commoners..." she muttered under her breath, lifting her chin as if the air itself was polluted by their presence. "It's disgraceful. Honestly, poor people shouldn't even be allowed to wander around here. It ruins the atmosphere."

"Chizuru, my love," her husband said gently, though his tone carried an edge of amusement, "don't trouble yourself with them. They're beneath your notice." He stroked the back of her hand with absent gentleness, though the gesture was hollow, mechanical.

Still, she readjusted the brim of her hat, her lips curling in a faint sneer as she cast her eyes toward a group of men loitering by the corner. "Well, it's hard not to notice. I think someone's already eyeing my purse." She clutched the fine leather bag closer to her chest, exhaling sharply through her nose. "Ugh, never mind. Anyway, what are you planning to do now?"

"There are errands I need to attend to. Some acquaintances are expecting me tonight."

Her eyes narrowed with suspicion. "This is about that secret investigation of yours, isn't it?"

"Yes, you're right."

"You're so mysterious sometimes," she pouted, leaning against his arm. "I wonder what exactly you're after..."

"Nothing that concerns you, my sweetheart," He pressed his lips to her knuckles, and though she giggled, his stomach twisted at the saccharine sound.

"Alright then. Do whatever you must. I'll just be browsing the shops while you're gone, but make sure you come back early to help me with the bags!"

"Of course. You can also have dinner without me, if you'd like."

"Oh, god!" Chizuru stopped in her tracks, frowning as if he had just suggested something unforgivable. "You know I hate eating alone. Do you want people to think I've been abandoned? Besides, why do you despise eating with me so much? It's like you hate being seen with me at a restaurant!"

He chuckled lowly, though there was nothing warm in the sound. "You know I don't care much for food. I only indulge because it's necessary. A human need, nothing more."

"Whatever you say." She rolled her eyes, though she still smiled, leaning closer until her hands rested delicately on his shoulders. "You'd better find me later."

His hands moved to her waist, his movements devoid of tenderness. Their lips met, and Chizuru closed her eyes with a blissful sigh, savoring the fleeting intimacy. To her, it was proof that she was living the life she had always dreamed of—a wealthy husband, an elegant city, and all the privileges she could imagine.

Yet, unbeknownst to her, her husband deep red crimson eyes flickered with quiet revulsion.

For several long seconds, he did not move. He counted each heartbeat until the kiss ended, and when at last she pulled back, he exhaled as if freed from restraint. He concealed the expression quickly, but for a moment, his distaste had slipped through.

Chizuru, oblivious, gazed up at him with flushed cheeks. "...Aw, Hisashi. I swear, I'm completely in love with you."