find solace (belong) [KNY/BNHA]

[11] and so, it officially begins

Charlotte wanted to cry.

She didn't know if it was going to be in relief or in dread, but she was so close, this close, to crying.

"Are you okay?" The boy frowned, eyebrows furrowed in barely concealed concern.

He had a few noticeable features, the most prominent being the large scar on the left of his forehead. It was clear to her that he was the one she had been keeping an eye out for, a person that Charlotte needed to find eventually.

The boy that would be the starting and ending point of the harsh future that awaited. A future that she wanted to, no — she was going to change.

Now that I think about it, Charlotte thought absentmindedly, isn't significantly messing with time illegal?

She cringed. It's not like there'll be anyone here to catch me though. A part of her brain added helpfully.

"Hey," the boy started to get increasingly worried from the obvious lack of response he was receiving from the girl in front of him. "Are you feeling okay?" He asked again.

Charlotte snapped out of her thoughts and looked up from where she sat on the ground, having accidentally run into the boy which resulted in the both of them toppling over like a pair of dominos. "Yeah... sorry, I'm fine."

She took the hand that was reached out to her with a 'thanks' before the boy patted the dust off her bag and handed it back to her. "Thank you," Charlotte said with a small smile, taking the bag from the boy and slinging it over her shoulder, successfully hiding her distress.

The boy gave yet another apology with a kind laugh before heading off with an empty basket on his back.

Charlotte panicked a little, quickly shouting out before her mind could catch up to what she was saying. "H-hey!"

The boy turned around, and he looked younger than Charlotte imagined. Black hair with burgundy tips that resembled a blazing flame, paired with two crimson irises that were bright and cheery.

Who knew I'd find him so soon? Charlotte's mind raced, she felt as if her throat was closing up.

She was eleven and Tanjiro was nine. He should be nine.

Knowing that Tanjiro was listening, Charlotte forced the words out of her mouth. "How old are you? You seem to be carrying a basket as big as yourself." Thank god she was able to think of a reason for the question, and as she pointed it out, she shifted her gaze to the item in question.

The red-haired boy tilted his head. "I've just turned nine a few months ago!"

And at this, Charlotte felt relief beyond measure. It was like a wave of reassurance for her.

The boy's words resounded in her mind as she felt herself visibly sag in relief before tensing up again, hoping that Tanjiro hadn't caught the action. Four years until the tragedy of Tanjiro's family takes place.

The thought actually made her reel back, stunned. Thinking about it was one thing, but actually having a physical reminder, living and breathing in front of her? It made sense that she could feel her heartbeat in her ears, pounding, thumping.

It would be four years until Charlotte will purposefully play a part in a family's demise even though she could very well save them. And it would be tough for anybody.

But why did she want to save these people anyway? The people of this time of which she has no attachment. She pondered before a clear voice brought her out of her thoughts.

"You should go back home and get some rest," Tanjiro suggested, concern lacing his voice as his eyebrows furrowed. Charlotte found it adorable to say the least, the way his mouth pinched, a small frown settling on his lips.