Chapter Text
The office clock moved lazily while the summer sun slipped through the blinds. Most of his coworkers had already gone to lunch, but Tanjiro Kamado was sitting at his desk, with a mountain of papers in front of him. Each folder had a funny sticker from his sister Nezuko.
His uniform was spotless, the pants perfectly ironed, the tie perfectly aligned… but his tired eyes betrayed him.
—It would be perfect to eat grilled meat tonight.— He sighed to himself and said.
On the other side of the office, Captain Giyuu Tomioka gave him his usual silent look. He put a manila folder on Tanjiro’s desk without saying a word.
—…Captain? Another case?— asked Tanjiro.
—A solution, I would say. We found the body of the young woman, decomposing on the other side of the forest.— sighed Giyuu.
Tanjiro was about to ask how it was possible that it was there but, the office door suddenly opened. A thunderous voice echoed in the hallways:
"HEY! WHICH ONE OF YOU WEAKLINGS IS KANJIRO?!"
Tanjiro almost jumped out of his chair. The guy who had entered was not wearing a neat uniform, but a sleeveless shirt, jeans, and a charming smile. His tense muscles gave the impression he was ready to fight the whole station.
—E-Excuse me, but… who… is?— asked Tanjiro.
—Ex street gangster. He calls himself Inosuke Hashibira. Now he’s yours…— answered Giyuu chewing mint gum.
—…Mine?— Tanjiro jumped alarmed and looked at the other young man. Of course, he was attractive and could serve to sweep the police station sidewalk with all that energy, but… where would he stay?
A loud bang echoed on a table.
—YES, I’M YOUR NEW PARTNER! LET’S BREAK SOME SKULLS.— exclaimed Inosuke with his bright green eyes.
—W-Wait, wait! Partners don’t just “break skulls”! We are here to protect people, not fight them!— Tanjiro hurried to say, waving his hands.
Inosuke blinked, confused, and then smiled mischievously.
—Protect? That sounds boring. But if it means I’ll eat something better than hard bread… I’m in!— he answered with enthusiasm.
Tanjiro turned his head toward Giyuu, who was already leaving as if the matter was completely solved.
—Captain, wait! Not even—ah… he’s gone.— murmured Tanjiro nervously.
Inosuke leaned toward him, with a cheeky smile and expectation on his face.
—So, Kamaboko… what’s for dinner tonight?— he asked boldly.
Tanjiro froze and then shrugged his shoulders. Somehow, this summer was about to become very noisy.