76
You collapsed onto the futon like your soul was trying to escape your body.
"Fuckkk I'm so tired," you groaned, flinging one arm across your face while the other dangled off the side.
A familiar breeze swept through the room.
"Hey, dear."
You didn't even flinch this time. You peeked at him from under your arm.
"God-no, wait. Yoriichi. You gotta stop doing that dramatic ghost entrance thing," you mumbled. "One day I'm gonna throw a sandal at you on instinct."
He smiled softly and knelt beside you, his crimson hair glowing faintly in the lamplight.
"I used to say the same thing to you," he said, his voice low and nostalgic. "Back then, you'd come home late from patrol and complain about your feet."
You blinked. "Oh right. When I was your wife in another life." You sat up slightly, raising a brow. "Still trying to process that whole... reincarnation revelation, thanks."
Yoriichi let out a quiet chuckle. "You still sleep like this. Messy, tired, but never fully at peace."
You gave him a look. "Can you blame me? This world's crawling with demons, trauma, and like five people who maybe have a crush on me. I just wanna take a nap and not get stabbed, is that too much to ask?"
He tilted his head gently. "You used to say that too. You never liked being admired. You told me once, 'I don't want to be loved because I'm strong. I want to be loved because I'm loud, annoying, and wear socks to bed.'"
You stared. "...That sounds dangerously like something I'd say."
He smiled, warm and sad all at once. "I waited centuries to see you again. Even if you don't remember me... I'm still glad I get to look at you again."
You swallowed. "Dude."
"Yes?"
"Stop being emotionally devastating before bedtime. Some of us need beauty sleep."
"You've always been beautiful."
"Ughhh!" You grabbed your pillow and threw it at him. "I can't deal with emotionally repressed past-life samurai husbands right now.."
He caught the pillow midair and gently placed it beside you.
He said softly. "But... if you ever want to remember... I'll help you."
"...What the hell do you even mean by that??" you muttered into the empty air, still wide-eyed on your futon.
But just as you pulled the blanket over your head, his voice returned from right beside you again.
"I thought you wanted more conversation."
You yelped and nearly launched yourself off the futon. "DUDE! I swear to god, knock or something! Ghost knock! Leave a whisper on the breeze! You're gonna give me a heart attack!"
Yoriichi looked... amused??"You never used to be this jumpy."
"Well, past-me didn't know what a jump scare was, apparently!" You narrowed your eyes. "Did you really wait, like, eight hundred years to flirt with me again?"
He blinked slowly. "I waited eight hundred years just to see you again. Flirting is... a luxury."
You went quiet for a moment, unsure what to do with the weight of his sincerity. So naturally, your brain defaulted to sarcasm
"Well, congrats. You found me. Current me is lazy, swears a lot, and hasn't emotionally unpacked anything. Still wanna flirt?"
"I want you. However you come."
You sat up and shoved a hand through your hair. "...You're kinda insane, you know that?"
He tilted his head, watching you closely. "You're still you. Even with the pieces scrambled."
You met his gaze, that warm, unreadable look in his eyes, like he was remembering things you didn't even know were yours.
"...Do you miss her? The old me?"
"I miss us," he said quietly. "But you're not her. You're more than her. I know that. I just... I couldn't stay away."
Your voice softened, losing the edge. "...I don't know how to be her."
"You don't have to be," he assured you gently. "But when the time comes... if you choose to remember, I'll be there."
You blinked. "Wait-choose? You mean I can remember?"
He gave a soft nod. "Yes. If your heart is ready."
You stared down at your hands. The idea of it made your chest ache but whether from fear or longing, you couldn't tell.
After a long pause, you looked up with a faint smirk. "So if I remember, will I suddenly fall madly back in love with you or something? Like a dramatic anime flashback moment?"
He smiled, that rare, gentle smile that made your stomach flip.
"...You already are," he said softly. "You just don't know it yet."
Your face warmed. You grabbed the blanket and pulled it over your head.
"Nope. Nope. Blanket dimension. Can't hear you. Ghost man's being too romantic."
From under the covers, you could hear the faintest laugh a sound you'd never heard from him before. Soft. Real.
"...I missed you," he said.
The night was calm, but your thoughts weren't. You sat on the engawa with your knees pulled to your chest, chin resting on top, staring at the stars. The air was still. Too quiet for a mind this loud.
"You always liked the wind this time of night."
You didn't even flinch this time. You just sighed and tilted your head.
"You're starting to sound like a broken record, you know," you said, voice low.
Yoriichi sat down beside you, folding his hands neatly in his lap. His presence was never demanding. He simply... existed. Steady. Like he'd always been there.
"You used to come out here every night after patrols," he said softly. "You'd complain the whole time, but you never missed a single one."
You blinked at him. "Even when I was tired?"
"Especially when you were tired," he said, smiling just a little. "You'd say the moon deserved your attention before sleep."
You huffed. "Wow. I was dramatic."
"You were poetic," he corrected gently. "And a little reckless."
"A little?"
"You once tried to chase a shooting star because you thought it looked suspicious."
You stared at him. "I what."
He nodded. "You were convinced it was a demon. You threw your sandal at the sky."
You covered your face. "Please. Stop."
His voice softened even more. "You laughed so much that night. You couldn't breathe. You fell into the grass and just stayed there, smiling like it was the happiest you'd ever been."
Something about that image made your chest ache in a way you couldn't explain.
"Why are you telling me all this?" you asked quietly.
"Because you looked like you needed to be reminded... that you were happy once. Even in the middle of chaos."
You glanced at him. His eyes were distant, full of something sad and gentle.
"And I'm not her anymore," you said.
"You are," he replied. "You just don't remember how to be yet."
Silence settled over the two of you. Not awkward. Just thoughtful.
"...What else did I do?" you asked after a moment. "When I was her."
His expression softened further. "You'd always pull me out of my thoughts. You'd drag me out of the dojo to make me look at butterflies or weird clouds. You said I thought too much and smiled too little."
You smirked. "I still think that, by the way."
"I know."
You looked down at your hands. They didn't feel like the hands of someone who had lived another life. They were too clean. Too uncertain.
"And you waited all this time for me?"
Yoriichi's voice was steady. "I would have waited longer."
"...That's weirdly romantic," you muttered.
He turned slightly. "You said that too. Once."
You gave a tired little laugh. "Ugh. I was so embarrassing."
"No," he said. "You were real. That's what made you unforgettable."
Your smile faded slowly.
"...You really loved her, didn't you?"
He looked at you like the question hurt but not in a painful way. More like something sacred had just been named aloud.
"I still do."
You swallowed, not sure what to do with that. So you looked back up at the stars, your voice quieter this time.
"Then tell me more. About her. About us. I want to know."
Yoriichi didn't move for a moment. Then he nodded once.
"I will."
And just like that, he sat beside you, not as a ghost or a memory but as someone real, someone waiting..
"Also you can rest tonight. I won't train you," he said calmly.
"REALLY? YAY!!" you beamed, throwing your arms up like you just won a championship.
Yoriichi raised an eyebrow. "Don't celebrate too soon. Tomorrow will be even harder."
You groaned, flopping back on the futon. "Ugh, why do you have to be like that? Can't a girl catch a break?"
He hovered closer, a small smile playing on his lips. "Because strength requires sacrifice."
You smirked. "And here I thought it just required snacks and naps."
He blinked. "Snacks and naps are not part of the Sun Breathing technique."
You laughed. "Guess I'll have to invent a new technique then-the 'Snack Breathing' style."
Yoriichi shook his head, amused. "You never cease to surprise me."
You rolled your eyes. "Yeah, well, what can I say? I'm full of surprises."
He gave you a gentle nod. "Good. You will need that spirit for the battles ahead."
You grinned. "Don't worry, ghost husband. I've got this."
He chuckled softly. "I believe you do."
You slowly drifted off to sleep, your breathing even and calm.
𝚃𝚒𝚖𝚎 𝚜𝚔𝚒𝚙 𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚘𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚛𝚘𝚠 𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐 :P
You groaned as you rolled over on your futon, limbs aching like you'd just gone through twelve rounds with Sanemi in a windstorm. Your whole body felt like overcooked soba noodles.
"Ughhh," you mumbled into your pillow, face smushed. "Why do I feel like I was hit by a cart full of boulders..."
A gentle knock came at your door.
"Y/N?" Tanjiro's soft voice called. "Time for breakfast!"
Before you could muster the strength to answer, the door slid open a crack and he peeked in, smiling like the sun had personally blessed his soul that morning. "Good morning! I brought you some tea too-oh."
His smile faltered just a little when he saw you still face down in the blankets like a murder scene.
"Are you okay?" he asked, stepping inside with careful footsteps, holding a tray with a bowl of miso soup, rice, pickled vegetables and a perfect little cup of green tea.
You turned your head just enough to see him and groaned dramatically. "No. I think I'm dying. My body is a battlefield."
Tanjiro chuckled and walked closer, kneeling beside you.
"Here," he said gently, setting the tray down and offering you the tea first. "Drink this while it's warm. It'll help with the soreness."
You sat up slowly with a groan, hair all over the place, and took the cup with a tiny "thank you." Tanjiro watched you, lips curved in a soft smile, clearly trying to hide how flustered he looked when you met his eyes.
"You're staring," you said teasingly.
"I-what-no, I wasn't!" he blinked rapidly, blushing.
"Sure you weren't, cinnamon roll," you teased, taking a sip.
He looked away quickly, scratching his cheek with a sheepish grin. "I was just... making sure you're okay."
"Aww, you care about me."
"I always care about you," he said quietly, then immediately looked like he wanted to yeet himself out the window.
You blinked. "...Huh?"
"Ah! I mean-of course I care! You're my friend! Teammate! I-I'd be worried if anyone was in pain!"
You raised a brow but smiled. "Relax, Tanjiro. I'm not gonna faint from kindness."
Tanjiro just laughed nervously and handed you the chopsticks. "Eat while it's hot."
You nodded, taking the food and beginning to eat while he sat across from you, sneaking glances when he thought you weren't looking.
You kept eating, pretending not to notice how his eyes kept flicking your way. Every time your chopsticks clinked the bowl, his head would snap up like you'd just thrown something at him.
"Tanjiro..." you said with your mouth half full, "if you keep staring at me like that, I'm gonna start charging you."
He blinked. "Charging me?"
"Yeah, like an entrance fee. First glance is free. Anything beyond five seconds? That's five yen, minimum."
Tanjiro choked on air.
"I-That's not-!! I wasn't staring!" he spluttered, waving his hands, ears glowing red. "I just-!! I was checking to see if you wanted more rice!"
"Ohhh, sure," you said dramatically. "Because clearly I look like a person with rice-related emergencies."
"I mean-you do eat a lot when you're happy, so I just thought maybe you were feeling better!" he defended, already halfway to the door in panic. "I'll just-! I'll go get more just in case!"
You leaned back, sipping your tea with a smug smirk as he hurried off like the room was on fire.
"Cutest rice emergency responder I've ever seen," you mumbled to yourself.
Not even five minutes passed before Tanjiro was back, slightly out of breath, holding another bowl of rice like it was sacred cargo.
"I-got it!" he announced, chest heaving slightly.
"You sprinted, didn't you?" you asked amused.
"Maybe..." he mumbled, setting the bowl beside you. "You said you were dying earlier. I didn't want to risk you also being hungry."
"Awwww. Look at you, being a sweet boy again." You gave him a teasing grin. "You're really trying to win the 'Best Boy' award today, huh?"
Tanjiro scratched the back of his neck, flustered. "No, I just... wanted to help."
You reached out and flicked his forehead gently.
"Oww," he muttered, rubbing the spot.
"That's for being too cute and too nice in the morning. Some of us aren't mentally prepared for that much sunshine right after waking up."
He gave a soft laugh, eyes crinkling as he smiled. "Well, I guess I'll just have to tone it down next time."
"You won't," you said confidently, pointing your chopsticks at him. "You're literally incapable of not being adorable. It's a curse, I think."
Tanjiro opened his mouth, probably to deny it with his usual modesty, but then paused... and smiled.
"Well... if it makes you feel better, you look pretty cute too-with your hair sticking up like that."
Your jaw dropped. "EXCUSE ME-"
"Ah! I meant it in a good way!!" he said quickly, holding up his hands in surrender. "It's kind of... funny! In an endearing way!"
"Tanjiro Kamado," you said with mock betrayal, placing a hand over your chest. "How dare you roast me while I'm physically weak and defenseless."
He tried not to laugh. Failed miserably.
"Okay, okay! I'm sorry! You still look cool-really cool!" he said between chuckles. "Like... maybe a sleepy war general who just woke up after a great victory."
"A sleepy war general," you repeated. "Wow. You're so lucky I like you."
His smile softened. "I'm really lucky either way."
Your brain short-circuited for a second. He blinked, realizing what he said, and turned red to the tips of his ears.
"I-I mean-!! As a friend!! Teammate!! I'm just gonna go get tea refill!!"
And he vanished again like a cartoon character. You sat there for a moment, sipping your tea again with a little smirk. "Damn. He's getting bolder."
Outside, you could hear him quietly freaking out to himself.
And it made you smile alot
"So, you wanna come look for the secret weapon Kanroji-san told us about?" Tanjiro asked with that usual sparkle in his eyes.
"YEAH, DUH! Is that even a question?" you said, springing up from your futon despite how sore you felt. "TO THE SEARCH!!" you yelled, punching the air dramatically though let's be real, you mostly wanted to see Muichiro. But like, priorities.
Tanjiro blinked at your sudden burst of energy, then chuckled softly. "Alright?"
You practically kicked the door open like you were starring in some action anime. Tanjiro flinched.
"Y/N, you know you can just use the handle, right?"
"Where's the drama in that, Tanjiro?" you said, striking a ridiculous pose as if you had a cape fluttering in the wind. "We're about to hunt down a legendary weapon, maybe bump into a certain foggy boy, and potentially save the world. I need to make an entrance."
He laughed, closing the door more gently behind him. "You're something else."
"I know. You're welcome."
As you both made your way down the dirt path outside the mansion, the morning sun filtered through the trees, and the air was crisp and fresh. Birds chirped above, almost like they were cheering you on.
"I wonder what kind of weapon it is...!" Tanjiro said, glancing around as the two of you made your way through the forest.
"It has to be a sword, right? You think it's buried in the ground? Maybe?" he added, clearly excited.
"Mhm, maybe...~" you replied, far too knowingly.
Tanjiro squinted at you. "You definitely know something."
You smiled innocently. "I don't know anything, I'm just naturally wise and mysterious."
He gave a playful sigh, clutching his nose. "Ugh, I really like it here, but that hot spring smell is so overpowering."
"It's giving boiled eggs and disappointment," you muttered, fanning the air in front of your face.
Then suddenly a shrill little voice echoed through the trees.
"QUIT PESTERING ME! GIVE IT A REST!!"
You both froze.
Tanjiro's eyes widened as the trees parted just enough to reveal a little masked kid furiously waving his arms... at none other than Tokito Muichiro, who stood there like a wall of foggy indifference.
"I've had enough with you," Muichiro said flatly. "You're wasting my time arguing with me."
The masked kid stomped his foot. "You're wasting my time by ignoring me!!"
Tanjiro blinked, stunned. "A kid...? And the other one is-"
"Muichiro!!!" you called out before he could finish.
The mist Hashira turned his head immediately at the sound of your voice. His cold, half-lidded expression flickered ever so slightly recognition, maybe even curiosity.
The masked kid turned too, looking very unimpressed.
Muichiro stared at you for a beat, then said calmly, "Why are you shouting?"
You grinned. "Why are you being bullied by a raccoon-sized child?"
"I'm not," he said, completely unbothered. "He's just loud and small. Like a mosquito."
"I AM NOT A MOSQUITO!!" the kid screamed from below.
Tanjiro rubbed the back of his head. "Uh... Should we... come back later?"
"No," you said, already walking forward. "We've arrived exactly on time. The comedy show just started."
Muichiro blinked slowly. "I was not aware there would be a third clown."
You placed a hand on your chest, mock offended. "Excuse you? I'm the main clown, thank you."
Tanjiro sighed but laughed quietly, following you both with his usual warmth. "Alright... but let's not get too distracted. We're here for the weapon, remember?"
"Oh, trust me," you said, eyes gleaming as you glanced at Muichiro, "I never forget what I came here for."
Muichiro returned his gaze towards the kid.
"Give me the key," he said coldly.
"Never! My ancestor made this and it's precious to me!"
Tanjiro blinked. "Wait... is there someone else behind them?"
You both stepped a bit closer, your eyes catching the familiar figure.
Standing just past the kid and Muichiro was a wooden training doll tall, detailed, and eerily familiar. It had long crimson hair and hanafuda earrings painted carefully on its face.
You squinted at it, then smirked.
'Would you look at that! Yoriichi, that doll looks exactly like you're-'
"Yeah, yeah," Yoriichi's voice echoed flatly in your mind. "I'm aware. It's uncanny."
You snorted. "No 'thank you' to the artist who handcrafted your whole vibe?"
There was a pause, and then he muttered, "...His proportions are slightly off."
You nearly burst out laughing. "Oh my god, you're such a diva."
Tanjiro glanced at you with confusion, but before he could ask what was so funny, you waved a hand at him.
"Nothing, just... thinking out loud," you smiled.
Muichiro turned to glance at you briefly, his expression unreadable. Then he looked back at the kid. "Hand over the key. Now."
"Make me!" the kid yelled.
You gasped dramatically. "DID HE JUST SAY MAKE ME?? TO MUICHIRO??"
Tanjiro leaned in. "This... might get intense."
You cupped your hands around your mouth and whispered to Tanjiro, "Should we intervene or let the little dude learn a valuable life lesson?"
Tanjiro gave a conflicted chuckle, "Maybe we should-"
"AHHH!!" the kid shrieked as Muichiro lightly bonked him on the head with the flat of his blade.
"Give. Me. The. Key," Muichiro said again, still calm, still terrifying.
"Hey, cut it out!" Tanjiro stepped forward, voice firm.
Muichiro blinked slowly, turning his head toward him.
"What do you think you're doing? Take your hands off him," Tanjiro added, his brows furrowed in concern.
"Your voice is annoying. Who even are you?" Muichiro muttered, brows furrowed.
"How could you treat a kid like that?!" Tanjiro snapped, reaching out to grip the hand Muichiro had wrapped around the boy's shirt.
Muichiro's gaze darkened slightly. "Let go. Take your hands off me," he said coldly.
Bạn đang đọc truyện trên: ZingTruyen.Xyz