54
As soon as Tengen started talking again, you stood up from the rooftop meeting, brushing dust off your kimono like you had somewhere better to be.
“Where are you going?” Tanjiro blinked at you.
“Leaving,” you said bluntly.
“W-We’re still in the middle of—” Tanjiro tried, but you were already walking.
“They’re about to talk about ranks and Upper Moons and other things I already know,” you called over your shoulder. “Seen it. Heard it. Skipped it like a boring YouTube ad.”
Tengen raised a brow. “Excuse me?”
“I’m not wasting time on a plot recap, Uzui. Zenitsu’s gone, Hinatsuru’s missing, and there’s a demon sash with attitude issues in that house. We already know it’s Daki. So instead of sitting around mansplaining ranks, maybe we should actually do something.”
Tanjiro blinked. “...What’s YouTube?”
You just stared at him for a second. “Don’t worry about it, sweetie.”
Inosuke grinned. “She’s right! Let’s beat someone up already!”
Tengen sighed, clearly used to your chaos by now. “Y/N, you can’t just dip from strategy meetings—”
“Too late. I already did.” You flashed a peace sign and walked toward the edge of the rooftop. “I’m going back to the Kyogoku House. Gonna keep an eye on that bleach-blonde demon.”
“And what are you gonna do if she attacks?” Tengen called.
“Slay,” you said, deadpan. “Like a queen.”
Then you jumped off the roof.
Tanjiro’s jaw dropped. “She didn’t even wait for the plan…”
Inosuke nodded like he’d just seen something majestic. “That’s how you really hunt demons.”
Tengen pinched the bridge of his nose. “I swear to the gods—if she dies on my mission—”
“She won’t,” Tanjiro said with a small smile. “She knows exactly what she’s doing.”
𝕋𝕚𝕞𝕖 𝕤𝕜𝕚𝕡
You decided not to alter too much—letting the plot breathe felt better for everyone involved.
So, when you accompanied Tanjiro to Lady Koinatsu's quarters…
He politely slid the shoji door open, stepping aside for you.
“Such a gentleman,” you teased, nudging his arm with a grin as you walked in.
He looked flustered. “It’s just basic manners…”
Inside, Lady Koinatsu turned around with a graceful smile, her expression quickly softening in surprise at the sight of you both seated politely on the tatami.
“Miss Koinatsu?” Tanjiro spoke gently, bowing respectfully.
Her posture straightened.
“I’m leaving the Tokito House,” he said. “Forgive me for the sudden departure. Could you kindly pass this along to the master? For my food and lodging.”
He placed a thick envelope in front of her with both hands.
Lady Koinatsu's eyes narrowed slightly in curiosity. “Sumi… the way you’re dressed…”
“I’m sorry! I dressed as a girl for this mission—but I’m actually a guy!”
You snorted loudly, trying to muffle your laugh.
“PFFT—He said that so proudly!”
Lady Koinatsu chuckled lightly, covering her mouth. “Oh, I already knew that. It was obvious at a glance. Your voice gave it away. I knew you were a boy from the start.”
Your laugh exploded. “BAHAHAH—OH MY GOD—GET EXPOSED!”
Then, she turned her gaze toward you, eyes twinkling.
“And you, miss... You’re absolutely beautiful. Are you his girlfriend? Or perhaps his wife?”
Your jaw dropped slightly as a furious blush spread across your face. Tanjiro’s face turned beet red, practically steaming.
“U-UH—NO—I—WE’RE NOT—” Tanjiro stammered, completely flustered.
“WE’RE JUST—WE’RE FRIENDS!” you blurted.
…Even though deep down, part of
Him kind of wished that wasn’t entirely true.
He peeked over at you shyly.
Lady Koinatsu just giggled behind her sleeve. “Ah, youth is such a sweet thing.”
The tension that followed was thick, awkward… but warm. You looked away, trying not to smile too wide.
Suddenly, the tatami beneath you seemed to vibrate. Just barely.
You and Tanjiro both went still.
Her expression faltered.
“…Did you feel that?” you whispered.
Tanjiro’s brows furrowed. “Yeah.”
A familiar chill crept through the floor.
The air felt wrong.
That faint vibration beneath the tatami. That cold, heavy feeling pressing on your chest like invisible hands.
You exchanged a knowing glance with Tanjiro.
“She’s coming,” you whispered under your breath.
Lady Koinatsu tilted her head slightly. “Pardon…?”
But Tanjiro was already rising, his usual kindness sharpening into focus.
“Miss Koinatsu, thank you for your time,” he said, bowing quickly
You stood right behind him, your own senses screaming at you to move. Whatever was coming—whoever was watching—wasn’t just strong. It was deadly.
You looked at her one last time, offering a reassuring smile. “You should rest early tonight. Something’s… off.”
Her brows furrowed at your tone, but she nodded. “Alright.”
Tanjiro opened the shoji door.
And just before leaving, he looked over his shoulder, his voice calm but firm:
“Don’t answer if someone calls for you after dark..! "
You stood up as well, giving Koinatsu one last tight-lipped smile before nodding and following him out. The air felt heavier now. You both sensed it. Something was near.
On the roof...
The night air brushed past your faces as you and Tanjiro leapt across the tiled rooftops.
Suddenly, Tanjiro came to a hard stop, eyes widening.
“A sweet smell… It’s faint—”
He turned sharply.
“IT’S A DEMON!”
You snapped your head in the same direction.
‘𝘖𝘰𝘧, 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘵. 𝘕𝘰𝘸 𝘐 𝘨𝘰𝘵𝘵𝘢 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘵…’
Without another word, you both shot forward. The smell grew stronger as you darted across the tiles, your heartbeat syncing with the pounding of your feet. The scent led you back to the same room—the one you’d just left moments ago.
Tanjiro burst through the shoji door.
“MISS KOINATSU!!”
Your breath hitched as you followed right after—and then your blood boiled.
Obi ribbons were wrapped tightly around Koinatsu, binding her midair like a doll. Her eyes were wide with fear. And there, standing like a spider in her web, was her.
Daki.
Her beauty was ethereal, otherworldly. But her eyes? Cruel. Smiling.
You clenched your fists as your eyes narrowed.
“Daki…”
She tilted her head, eyes scanning you with amusement. “Oh? I didn’t expect company tonight.”
Her voice was syrupy sweet—and full of malice.
Tanjiro’s hand flew to his sword.
And yours?
Already gripped tight on your weapon, heart thrumming in your ears.
You took one step forward, your tone sharp.
“Let. Her. Go.”
Daki’s smile only widened. “You again. And here I thought you were just a decorative piece at this house.”
“Oh honey, I’m a lot of things,” you spat, “but useless isn’t one of them.”
Tanjiro exhaled slowly, his expression calm but blazing.
“Koinatsu-san… we’re going to get you out.”
The room was thick with tension. And the fight?
About to begin.
Without warning, Daki’s obi shot toward you like a whip—lightning-fast, merciless.
CRASH!
You and Tanjiro were launched like ragdolls, slamming into the rooftop of a neighboring building. Tiles shattered beneath you. Wind rushed out of your lungs as your body hit the surface with a sickening thud.
“THAT FUCKING SHITTY ASS CUNT—WHO DOES SHE THINK SHE IS?!” you yelled, voice muffled slightly by the fact that Tanjiro had, unfortunately, landed directly on top of you.
Tanjiro scrambled to get off, panic in his voice.
“Y/N!! Are you okay?!”
He pulled you up gently but urgently. His hands hovered like he didn’t know what to touch first, afraid you’d break.
You groaned, staggering to your feet. “Ugh… bitch launched me like a damn volleyball…”
Tanjiro looked down, teeth gritted. “I never saw that coming... That speed, her aura… Upper Rank...”
His voice was low—full of fear, awe, and anger.
“I have no strength in my limbs,” you muttered dramatically, resting your hands on your knees as your vision spun slightly. “I think my spine just cracked in half.”
“I’m so sorry,” he whispered, eyes wide with guilt as he stepped closer. “I should’ve protected you, Y/N…”
You looked up at him, and for a moment, you froze.
That look.
The one that said more than words ever could. Guilt, worry… and something warmer. Deeper.
Was it—?
You rolled your eyes (but your heart fluttered). “I forgive you. Now help me up, simp.”
He blinked. “S-simp??”
You stood—shakily. Your legs wobbled like a baby deer but you managed.
Just then, you both noticed Nezuko’s box sliding off the roof, falling toward the alley below.
Tanjiro gasped and leapt forward, snatching it midair just in time.
You clutched your chest. “FUCK—okay, heart attack avoided. It’s not broken, don’t worry!”
Tanjiro exhaled in relief, hugging the box to his chest. “Thank you…”
You walked beside him, shoulder brushing his.
“She’s gonna be so pissed when she wakes up.”
He chuckled softly, the sound easing the tension just a little.
But not for long.
Because far off in the distance… Daki was on the move again.
꓄ꋬ꒐ꇙꁝꄲ ꇙꏂꉔꋪꏂ꓄ꇙ
Koinatsu was so impressed with your beauty and humor she would've 1000% dated you if she was gay
Tanjiro felt jealousy because he caught koinatsu staring at you too much
Tanjiro's desire to kill Daki is growing especially after she hurt you
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