𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗘𝘆𝗲𝘀 - 𝗞𝘆𝗼𝗷𝘂𝗿𝗼 𝗥𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗼𝗸𝘂 𝘅 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿

~Chapter 23~

Art by me <3

"I'm tired..." you groaned as you laid your head on the table. Tengen-sama, who was too busy with his painting to care, just shrugged without even bothering to ask about how you were feeling.

"You'll have to get used to it, Klutzy." Uzui said as he blew a bubble with his gum, before popping it. You didn't even try responding to him. If it weren't for the money you got from this job, you would've just quite a long time ago.

"I wanna go home and sleep..." you complained as Uzui rolled his eyes.

"But you've got training with Kyo." Tengen-sama reminded you, making you groan again, "And didn't you get enough sleep with him already?" He asked with a smirk as you threw him a quick glare. Why was everyone getting the wrong idea?! You and Kyojuro haven't done anything more than just share the same bed, so why was everyone making it such a big deal?

"Would you just let it go already?" You asked as Tengen-sama shrugged, getting back to his painting. You didn't even bother getting up. Just one hour left. One hour until... until your second day of training with Kyojuro. You were starting to consider throwing yourself off the building at this point. Tengen-sama asked you to tidy up the shelves in the room, but you didn't even feel like getting up. You just wanted, no, needed a vacation from... about everything! And most importantly, you needed coffee. Uzui noticed your gloomy expression as he sighed, rolling his eyes.

"Aw, cheer up, (Y/N)!" He said with fake enthusiasm, "You need to be grateful that you're still alive! I admit that I'm surprised how you're still not killed, sadly!" You glared at him once again.

"Honestly, Tengen-sama, what have I ever done to make you hate me so much?" You asked, sighing as you got up, walking towards the shelf filled with paint bottles and other art tools, all of them spread around and messed up. That's how it always was. Uzui would make a mess and you had to clean up after him. It was surprising how messy your little apartment was, yet you were so great at tidying things up. You would've fixed up your apartment yourself if you had the energy. Now you were barely at home. You assumed your daily routine starting from today would be waking up, going to work, starting training with Kyojuro after work, probably going on missions with Tomioka-San on some days, then, if there was any time left before dawn, you'd go to bed. Just the thought of it made you feel like crying. Hey, at least you got two days to yourself, right?

Get it together, (Y/N)! You're doing this to become stronger! To make Grangran proud! Don't just somber around like that!

"Oh, (Y/N)! Once you're done, take the trash out!" Uzui said with a smile as you felt a dark cloud form on top of your head.

"Oh, (Y/N)-San! You're back!" You heard a familiar cheerful voice exclaim as you turned around from the recycle bin, finding Tanjiro waving at you wearing a bright smile on his face. You couldn't help but smile back at the younger boy as he stood in front of you.

"Hey, Tanjiro! How have you been?" You asked as you placed the bags inside the recycle bin.

"Oh, I've been doing great! My family's bakery is making more sales during this time of the year!" His cheerful face expression then changed to a worrisome one, "But what about you?! You suddenly disappeared almost all week! Were you sick?! Did something come up?! Is there any way I can help out?! I wouldn't mind, really! I enjoy helping people out." You felt a tug at your heartstrings as Tanjiro stood there, continuing to let you know how he'd love to help you out in any way possible if you needed it. Your lips curved into a smile as you placed the palm of your hand on the younger boy's dark hair, patting it.

"I was just a little sick, Tanjiro." You lied. You obviously couldn't tell him the truth. "But I feel better now, don't worry." Tanjiro nodded with a smile.

"Oh, I see! But really, (Y/N)-San, if you need anything, I'll be more than glad to help!" Tanjiro said as you nodded.

"(Y/N)!" Both you and Tanjiro jumped in surprise as you found Kyojuro standing close by. Just how the hell does he appear so suddenly all the time? Kyojuro looked at you as his smile widened, handing you a canned coffee, "I got you some coffee! You seemed like you needed it!" You blinked as you stared at the can of coffee in hand, before back up at Kyojuro, who was still smiling at you. You stared at his golden eyes, before quickly looking away with your cheeks softly tinted with pink.

"I... erm, thank you Kyojuro." You mumbled, still avoiding his gaze.

"No problem, (Y/N)!" The fiery-haired man exclaimed as he turned to Tanjiro, "I have you for class in a few minutes, right?!" Tanjiro nodded with his usual kind smile still plastered on his face.

"Yes, Rengoku-San! I'll head there in a minute." Kyojuro nodded with a smile as he bid you goodbye, walking back to his class. You popped open the canned coffee as you took a sip.

"You know," Tanjiro started as you hummed in response, looking back at the dark-haired boy, "Whenever you and Rengoku-San are together, I always smell love." He said, pointing at his nose as you felt a knot in your stomach form. Right... kid's got an unnaturally powerful sense of smell... Tanjiro noticed your facial expression as he waved his arms vigorously in front of him, "I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable, (Y/N)-San! I'm sorry!" The younger boy bowed down as you quickly let him know it was alright. It wasn't like he was the first one to point out the case. Tanjiro looked up to you. "You should tell him how you feel, (Y/N)-San! I could already notice how the both of you are in love with each other!" You sighed before smiling, placing the palm of your hand on the side of your hip.

"Believe me, Tanjiro... I've been trying to..."

"I won't interfere with anything, (Y/N)-San! I'll just let fate take its course." Tanjiro smiled as he waved goodbye, running back to his class. You thought for a moment or two. Maybe the kid was right. Maybe you'll have to confess to Kyojuro sooner rather than later. That feeling has been eating you up inside for a while now. You didn't want it to last forever. If anything, you wanted to be with him. You sighed as you made your way back to Uzui.

Well, (Y/N), you gotta get the guts to confess first...