53
"Please take your damn hands off her," Zenitsu snapped, voice louder than usual, his hand still clutching Daki's wrist.
There was a pause. Then...
Her eyes narrowed, lashes lowering like the edge of a blade. "Up close, you're even uglier than I thought."
Zenitsu flinched.
"Take your-"
SMACK.
Her hand cracked across his face like a whip, the blow so powerful it sent him flying across the room.
"Zenitsu!!" you yelled, dashing forward.
You caught him just before he hit the wall, staggering slightly under the force. He groaned, his cheek already swelling.
"Don't flatter yourself, you rotten punk. You need some severe discipline," Daki spat, glaring down at him.
You stood up slowly, your jaw clenched.
"Excuse you? What the fuck? "You gently set Zenitsu down and stormed toward her. "That's my damn friend, lady."
Before she could speak again, your fist connected square with her face.
CRACK.
"That's for being a BITCH."
Everyone froze. Even the air stopped moving.
A beat of silence-
Until a trembling voice came from just outside the room.
"W-Warabihime Oiran... they're still new," a middle-aged manager stammered as he dropped to his knees, face nearly to the ground. "Please forgive them! It's almost time to open. Our customers will be arriving soon. I'll reprimand them personally-so please, for now, just save me some face."
You didn't take your eyes off Daki, breathing hard. You knew what she was. And you knew what was coming.
But Daki?
She simply rose, slow and eerie, brushing nonexistent dust off her kimono as if you hadn't just punched her in the face.
Then she turned to the man, lips curling into a gentle smile that didn't reach her eyes.
"I suppose... I may have lashed out at these newcomers too mercilessly," she said sweetly, glancing back at you from the corner of her eye.
"Tend to her wounds, please."
"Y-Yes, ma'am!" the manager nodded quickly.
Daki tilted her head just slightly, her voice still dripping with fake politeness.
"Master, please raise your head. I'm the one who should be apologizing."
She offered a small bow.
"Lately... so many things have left me irritated."
Her gaze snapped to yours like a knife.
"...Some more than others."
You didn't even blink.
"I'm heading off to work." She turned toward the door. "Get this place tidied up. Now."
"Y-Yes, ma'am!!" the little girl cried, rushing to pick up fallen cushions with shaking hands.
Daki stepped out with quiet grace, her presence still lingering like a cold wind long after the door slid shut behind her.
You exhaled, finally letting your muscles relax.
As Daki walked through the dim hallway after the encounter, her expression shifted from faux politeness to steely suspicion.
'Those little brats... from what I can sense, he has some minor injuries. He went on the defensive. He's no civilian...'
Her eyes narrowed, her footsteps eerily silent as she recalled the moment.
'He's probably with the Demon Slayer Corps... and so is she.'
Her cold gaze turned sharper, and her next thought was venomous.
'They've infiltrated. Tch... this just got interesting.'
Then-her eyes met yours.
You weren't even looking away. You knew she'd figured it out. She knew you knew.
It was a quiet standoff.
You muttered under your breath, in perfect English, just loud enough for her to hear:
"Fucking cunt."
Daki stopped walking.
Her head turned slowly, her expression twisted in disbelief and rising rage.
"What did you just call me?" she hissed.
You blinked innocently, tilting your head. "Oh you heard me,I don't need to repeat myself twice."
Then you rolled your eyes dramatically.
Without sparing her another look, you lifted Zenitsu's arm around your shoulder and helped him up.
"Let's get you cleaned up, Zenny."
Daki stood in silence, jaw clenched. Her fingers twitched as her aura darkened-but she didn't act.
Not yet.
She just watched you carry your injured teammate down the corridor, the sound of your footsteps echoing.
You could feel her stare burning into your back.
And you smirked to yourself.
___ 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝔰𝔨𝔦𝔭
Inside the Kyogoku House, the atmosphere was heavy with perfume and pressure.
Today, you were expected to serve tea alongside none other than Warabihime Oiran-a.k.a. Daki.
You knew what this was.
A test.
A show.
And you were ready to steal it.
"𝘠/𝘯, come. It's time to assist Warabihime-sama," one of the attendants said nervously.
"Oh, I know," you replied, flashing a dangerously sweet smile.
Preparation Room :D
You stood in front of the mirror, dressed in a stunning kimono that hugged your waist and flared dramatically behind you-more elegant than any of the girls had worn. The colors? Crimson, gold, and black, with delicate phoenix embroidery that shimmered every time you moved.
Your hair was pinned up perfectly, with tiny sakura clips dangling from the sides. Your makeup was extra-but flawless.
Sharp winged eyeliner. A pouty red lip. Highlight that caught every flicker of light.
And the final touch?
Confidence.
Not fake, not forced
---
Daki was already inside, kneeling with terrifying grace as she poured tea for a group of wealthy-looking clients. Her kimono was vibrant, her face porcelain perfect.
But when you walked in?
The room stopped.
Eyes turned.
Voices hushed.
Even Daki's hand paused mid-pour.
Your wooden sandals clicked across the tatami floor as you gracefully lowered yourself to the table opposite her. You smiled politely-then flicked your eyes toward her with a smirk that said,
"Try me."
"Apologies for the wait," you said smoothly, setting down your tray. "The tea needed the perfect temperature. You know how picky some men are."
You caught Daki's eye twitch.
One of the clients beamed. "Ah! What a sight today! Two beauties serving us-how did we get so lucky?"
Daki laughed lightly. "Careful, gentlemen. This one's still in training."
You didn't even blink. You smiled sweetly and poured tea with perfect poise.
"She's right. I am still in training," you said, looking at the man with a wink.
"But I learn fast."
The client choked on his tea. Daki's jaw twitched.
As you passed around the cups, your fingers brushed the sleeve of one nobleman's robe.
"Oh dear," you said innocently, "Was I too close? I tend to get carried away... being new and all."
The client flushed.
Daki's aura darkened.
She forced a smile. "Try not to embarrass the house."
You tilted your head, blinking sweetly.
"Aw, but aren't we supposed to make the customers feel things?"
Another client laughed, loud and delighted.
"Yes! You're absolutely right!"
And just like that, you watched Daki's carefully constructed dominance crack.
You had them wrapped around your finger-and you knew it.
Across the room, Daki sat beside another table, her every movement elegant... but tight.
The clients were talking-laughing at your jokes, sneaking glances at you instead of her.
You poured tea with a steady hand, flashing the perfect smile.
"Would you like another cup, sir?" you asked sweetly, tilting your head just right.
One of the men blushed and nodded far too eagerly. "O-of course! You have such a delicate touch."
Daki's hand twitched as she refilled her guest's cup with a bit more force than needed. It clattered slightly against the saucer. Still, her smile stayed frozen in place.
'𝘚𝘩𝘦'𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘳𝘺... 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥.'
You kept your face calm, but inside, your inner Gremlin™ was cackling.
You made sure to keep your movements just a bit slower, a bit more hypnotic.
Even Zenitsu-who was peeking through the cracked door -choked on air when he saw you and he can't lie he felt pretty jealous when he saw those men ogling at you
You didn't miss how every time a guest looked your way, Daki subtly leaned forward to redirect their attention. But it wasn't working.
Because tonight?
You were the main character.
One guest raised his cup toward you. "You must be new. What's your name again?"
"Y/N," you replied with a charming wink. "But you can call me... unforgettable."
The room erupted in laughter. Even the shyest man in the corner smiled.
Daki's eyes narrowed so hard, you could feel them trying to burn a hole in the back of your head.
But the more she tried to outshine you, the more obvious it became-she was slipping.
Eventually, as the guests began to file out with satisfied sighs and tired steps, one of them paused by you and whispered with a smile:
"You made this night unforgettable, miss. I'll be asking for you again."
You bowed politely. "I'll be waiting."
The sliding door shut behind them. The quiet after the storm.
That's when Daki stood up, ever so slowly.
Her smile was there-but her eyes said murder.
And you?
You smiled like you'd just won the lottery.
You heard weird muffled sounds echoing through the night... but honestly?
Sleep was far more important.
You rolled over, pulled the blanket tighter around you, and buried your face in the pillow.
"Y/N-"
You heard Zenitsu's voice call your name, soft and muffled like it came from underwater. Your eyes flew open.
You looked beside you.
Empty.
Your stomach dropped.
'FU-ZENITSU'S GONNA GO MISSING! HOW COULD I FORGET THIS PART?!'
'Don't stress. It's gonna be alright.'
Yoriichi's calm voice echoed in your head, trying to comfort you.
You stared at the ceiling in panic.
"UGH!!" you groaned, dragging your hands down your face.
You couldn't sleep for the rest of the night.
Not when you were half-expecting that psycho sash demon to come snatch you next.
Next morning In the rooftop
You, Tanjiro, Inosuke, and Tengen stood on a rooftop with the wind blowing strong and the sun barely rising in the sky.
You looked tired. Slightly pissed. And 100% done with Daki's bullshit.
Tanjiro was the first to speak. "Zenitsu isn't at his house anymore. He's vanished without a trace..."
Your jaw clenched, hands tightening at your sides.
"I knew it," you muttered. "I knew she was gonna snatch him."
"Who?" Inosuke asked.
You sighed dramatically. "Who do you think, Inoko? Daki. Demon bitch with the attitude problem and 3-inch lashes."
Tengen raised a brow. "You know her name?"
You blinked. "I mean, uh-no. Just a lucky guess."
He narrowed his eyes. "You're sus."
You ignored him.
"She's the one who got Hinatsuru too, isn't she?" you asked. Your voice dropped lower. "I saw her face up close. It wasn't human."
Tengen nodded solemnly. "Yeah. I was about to head out last night when I heard strange movements in her house. But by the time I got close, she was gone too."
Inosuke slammed a fist into his palm. "Then it's time to attack!"
Tanjiro frowned. "We should be careful. If she really is an Upper Moon..."
"I know she is," you cut in. "So we better move fast. Or Zenitsu's gonna end up sash sushi."
Tengen crossed his arms and looked at you seriously. "We'll split up. Keep gathering info. But if anything seems off, don't engage alone."
You scoffed. "I'm literally the queen of bad decisions, Tengen. You think I won't?"
He facepalmed hard. "Why did I let you come here again?"
"Because I'm chaotic, and good at punching demons in the throat."
Tanjiro smiled softly. "You really are amazing, Y/N."
You turned to him, hand on your hip. "Aw, Tanjiro. That's sweet. If I die, put glitter on my funeral pyre, okay?"
Inosuke cracked his knuckles. "Let's just find the demon and fight!"
Tengen sighed. "Alright, alright. Let's get moving before you all attract every brothel in the district."
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