The Swimming Butterfly (Giyushino Fanfic)

Chapter 23

 𝙶𝚒𝚢𝚞 𝚃𝚘𝚖𝚒𝚘𝚔𝚊

I placed myself on the floor next to Kocho as I watched her sleep in my futon. Despite being able to use Total Concentration Breathing in her sleep, her breathing became labored and irregular at random intervals. 

Sweat began from on the edges of her hair, Kocho bearing a pained expression she perspired heavily. In response I grabbed her hand sticking outside of the blanket. 

"Kanae," she muttered, her grip on my hand tightening. I watched as the mask she put up during the day faltered. Her raw sadness and anger poured out, causing my heart to ache as I sympathized with her. 

I smiled bitterly, well too familiar with the nightmares we both faced as sleep descended upon us. The feeling of regret and guilt that flooded our minds and hearts during the night. 

I used to envy those who could fall asleep quickly, but now, the more time I spend awake is the less time I watch their deaths again. 

Without loosening my grip, I reached over to grab a cloth to wipe her sweat with. I carefully dap at her forehead and cheeks, taking care to not disturb her from her slumber. 

As I watched her tiny chest expand and deflate, the inevitable feeling of drowsiness finally arrived. Fighting the urge to close my eyes, I looked at Kocho again. She looked calmer than before, hopefully experiencing a more pleasant dream. 

I smiled, glad to see her no longer suffering. 'If only things could stay like this forever. 

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𝚂𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚘𝚋𝚞 𝙺𝚘𝚌𝚑𝚘

The first half of my dream was a nightmare, one that I couldn't escape from. I watched the deaths of my parents, my tsuguko, my friends, my comrades, and Kanae. I was stuck in a constant loop, reliving the darkest moments of my entire life until a hand pulled me out, freeing me from my nightmare. 

A feeling of security and safety was present, one that I had only experienced once before. With Tomioka Giyu. 

It wasn't long until I awakened, opening my eyes to a Tomioka deep in slumber. In stark contrast to his stoic, cool facade, a thin line of drool ran down from the corner of his lip. He looked like a toddler than had just fallen asleep after eating a tad too much. 

I giggled as I imagined the scene with Tomioka as the child. Still feeling drowsy, I yawned and closed my eyes, giving Tomioka a final squeeze.

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The next time I awoke, I was greeted with a much less pleasant experience. I felt a pair of hands grab my waist and tug at my white belt open. The pair of nimble fingers quickly made their way to my shirt, opening the top buttons and steadily moving down. 

I opened my eyes, only to find an expressionless pervert. 

"What do you think you're doing?" I asked with a smile while grabbing his wrists. He struggled beneath my grasp, shaking to pull free. Tightening my grip, he reluctantly gave up his fight for freedom. 

"What do you think you're doing?" I asked him again, this time without a smile. He refused to answer, instead choosing to look away. 

After he made it clear he wouldn't respond, I let go and promptly slapped him across the cheek. Despite the slap being a light tap, he looked terribly offended. His mouth hung agape, his expression that of incredulity and indignity.