Cycle // Giyushino

By Your Side

2 Days Later (The Day of the Mission); Muchiro's POV:

"Oh. There you are. What took you so long?"

"Oh, gosh. Muichiro? What do you mean?" Kocho-san asked.

"Huh? "It's only 8:55?"

...

"Kocho, you are late," Tomioka-san said, who was behind me, leaning on the stone wall. "What are you talking about?"

"The meet-up was at 8:35, Kocho-san," I said. "And you just got here." Kocho-san stared at me with disbelief.

"I perfectly heard-" "Stop yapping and let's start walking." Tomioka-san interjected.

Kocho-san and I nodded. And from there, all 3 of us started our way.

* a few minutes later after walking in total silence*

"Okay, now continued," Kocho-san said, interrupting the silence. "As I said, I perfectly heard that the meeting time was at 8:55 am." "Well, you heard wrong," Tomioka-san commented.

"Gee, thanks for telling me." Kocho-san spatted back at Tomioka-san's remark. "Stop being petty." "Am not!"

As they continued to bicker about who's petty and yadda-yadda, I trapped myself in deep thought. What happened that day? Why can't I remember it? After the get-to-know-me conservation with my fellow colleagues, I did a lot of thinking about that day. The only thing I could think of was the outcome. I survived. And for that, became a demon slayer. Who was the other boy? Why can't I recognize him? Why did he die but not me? Why didn't I?

I sighed loudly. Then the voices came to an abrupt stop. "Are we irritating you, Muichiro?" Kocho-san asked.

"No. It's not you guys." I plainly said. "Is something the matter?" Tomioka-san asked. "No," I whispered.

Kocho-san, who was walking at the right side of me, trudged faster. It was unusual for her to do that. As I looked up, Kocho stood firm, facing her body in front of mine. Being about 3 feet away from her, I can tell she was being serious. With her back straight and her arms crossed, I just knew that something had manifested in her.

"Muichiro Tokito," She said calmly. "Don't lie to me." With that phrase, my footsteps came to a stop. "What are you doing?" Tomioka-san asked Kocho-san. "I'm being myself." She replied.

"Muichiro Tokito." She repeated again, but with a deep stare into my soul. Tomioka-san's right, she is scary. Her purple eyes really pierce through your soul.

"You can trust me." "Huh?" I let out on accident. "Look Muichiro. I know there is something bothering you. You blanked out when Tomioka-san and I Were bickering. You had the face of someone who looks confused and scared."

"Kocho's right," Tomioka-san added in. "You are acting unusual." They really noticed, huh?

I suddenly felt someone's arms around me. "Kocho-san?" Even though she was shorter, I felt like a little boy. A little boy who was enveloped into warmth. So, comfortable. "Muichiro, I'm not forcing or pressuring you to tell me anything right now. I just want you to know that I'm here for you."

"And Tomioka."

"And Tomioka-san." she ended after Tomioka-san's injection. "Thank you," I said back as I gave Kocho a quick hug. "Arigato."

"This is sweet but please, we have to get going." Tomioka-san interrupted. Kocho-san released me from her arms and with that, the warmth faded away. "Yes, please," I responded.

After releasing the tension that all of us created between the 3 of us, we darted towards the closest house with the Wisteria Family Crest.

After 10 minutes or so, we found ourselves in the care of an elder, who provided us a place to rest. All of us were provided a room and some clothes. After that, we were called for dinner. It wasn't awkward at all. Everything seemed normal... for once. The bickering, the jokes, the teasing, it felt like a dream. I feel safe.

We said our goodnights and retired to bed. I shared a room with Tomioka-san since we were males. Kocho however, had a room for herself, I think. Due to the fact, she was the only female and we were the only guests.

As I prepared myself to sleep, Tomioka-san said out loud, "Muichiro. I know everything has been tough on you. You're just a kid. You shouldn't be experiencing this at such a young age. You are 11 right?"

"Yes," I replied. "Mhm, you should not be experiencing this at all during this age." "Tomioka-san," I interrupted him. "If you don't mind me asking. How old were you when you joined the Corps?"

"I was 13." He responded. "Yeah. So, Muichiro, if anything is bothering you, don't hesitate to tell us. We are a team and we need to ensure that you can trust us. Because we trust you already."

I turned around and saw a calm face looking at me. "From the moment I saw you being introduced by Oyakata-sama, I knew you would be a trusted friend and swordsman to both Kocho and me. So, do you think you can do that for us?"

"Yes, definitely," I responded. "Good, now go to sleep, We have a big day tomorrow."

I tucked myself to bed and closed my eyes. "Thank you," I said out loud. No response. He was probably sleeping. Thank you. With that, my heavy eyes pulled down, shutting my eyes from seeing the wall of the room. From there, I dozed off into the darkness. Or a dream? I don't know. And I don't really care.

*Next day*

At 6 am in the morning, we all got up, ate, and said our farewell to the sweet old lady. I for one, am very tired. I did get a good night's sleep however, I still felt tired.

"Hey, Muichiro!" Kocho-san spoke up. "Yes?" "Did you have a good sleep?" "I did," I replied to her question.

"You look tired. Did Tomioka-san annoy you? Did he make you stay up all night? Was he in your nightmare?"

"Oh, that reminds me. I did have one," Tomioka-san said when he joined in.

"Ah, really?" I commented. "Do you mind telling us?"

"No, no Muichiro. Don't ask him." Kocho-san announced. "Why?" "Because he would say-"

"Because of me"

"Because of Kocho."

"Yeah, Kocho scared me." "WHY YOU!-"

And with that, Kocho-san and Tomioka-san started arguing. Again. I sighed in relief. They were the morning energizers. I'll be honest. They do look like a couple. They argue over little things. They don't hold bug grudges against each other. And more. Are they lying that they aren't lovers? I don't know but it doesn't really matter. Sooner or later, it will affect their duties of being a demon slayer.

I left out a heavy sigh and with that, the voices died down. "You don't look that stressed anymore"

I turned around to Tomioka-san. "Yeah, I feel okay now. Thanks for asking." "Hm." He hummed in response.

"So you did do something to him, huh?" "Yes, I did. So please, walk more, less talk, and stop poking me."

We continued our walk from the house with the wisteria crest on it to the village we were assigned to. Village...

Yeah, never mind, I forgot. The village in... Oh, wait. Yeah, I forgot too. I sighed softly in disappointment.

"Let's eat first and then look around?"

"Yeah." "That sounds good to me"

**Hours later after eating and looking around**

...

"Get off me!" 

"I can't!"

"Try too!"

"As I said, I can't!"