𝘞𝘩𝘺 𝘈𝘮 𝘐 𝘍𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘞𝘢𝘺? (𝘐𝘯𝘰𝘻𝘦𝘯)

୧♠⌠Chapter 9⌡♠୨

tw: !!mentions blackmail, abandonment, and abuse!!

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{November 8, XXXX}

It is the next day of school. In the morning, people were chattering more than usual as they walked to school. Zenitsu was still "avoiding" Inosuke, but since he knows the reason, he doesn't feel upset as before. 

*After first period*

Tanjirou looked at the blonde boy with a worried expression. "Zenitsu" the burgundy-colored hair boy whispered. "Hm?" he puts his ear closer to listen. "Have you heard what everyone has been talking about?"

Zenitsu tilts his head in confusion. "No? But I feel like everyone has been avoid- wait...no don't tell me.." he widened his eyes anticipating for the worse. "Yeah they're talking about you. They're saying how you threatened Orochi about if he tell anyone about your past, and they're even saying that you were the one who forced Inosuke to fight Orochi."

In shock, he slammed both his hands on his desk and stood up, "WHAT!?" Everyone in class went silent and looked at Zenitsu with surprised looks. "Is there something wrong, Zenitsu?" Kyogai pondered. "A-ah I'm sorry I didn't mean to do that" he apologized and sat back down embarrassed but frustrated. 

"What are you going to do?" Tanjirou questioned. Zenitsu bites his thumb nail trying to think. Tanjirou could tell that his eyes are tearing up but it also seems like he's trying to hold it back...trying to be strong. "At this point I don't think he would go to the roof... don't worry I'll think of something." "Are you sure? How can I help since you guys are not going to the roof anymore?" Tanjirou becomes really worried for him.

He takes a moment to think and then comes up with an idea. "Can you tell the people that the rumors aren't true? Even if you have no proof try to make them believe you please."

Tanjirou nodded, "mhm of course. What about Inosuke?" 

"I told him already yesterday he came to my house" Zenitsu answered. "Oohh?" Tanjirou gives him that teasing expression. The blonde boy unfortunately didn't get it. "W-what?"

"Never mind at least he won't worry why you're 'ignoring' him. I'm pretty sure once he hears what people are talking about, he's going to fight Orochi again."

"I hope he doesn't no matter how annoying Orochi is, he shouldn't use violence. Anyways, I'll deal with him later since he has the same next class as me" Zenitsu puts his head down thinking. "Alright" Tanjirou went back to paying attention in class.

*After second period*

As Zenitsu walks towards history class which is where Kyojuro teaches, he runs into Orochi. He tapped on his shoulder to get his attention. "Hey you spread the rumors, didn't you" Zenitsu gave him a stern look. "Hm? What are you talking about" he smiled as if he's hiding something. Zenitsu clenched his fist. "So you're gonna be difficult about it huh. Why don't you just admit it already."

"How can I admit something that I didn't do" he shrugs it off. 

"Then who else would spread it" Zenitsu began to feel irritated. "I don't know...who else knows your past I wonder...maybe Inosuke?" he shows an evil looking smirk. He was about to lose it, but he realized this is what Orochi wants. He wants him to hurt him to make it look like the rumors were true. "He would never do that! It's embarrassing how you would go this far because of your own desires! Because of your jealousy, Orochi!"

"Jealousy?? Pfft- what jealousy?? Maybe it's the other way around! You're the one who's jealous since you threatened Inosuke to fight me-" "THAT'S NOT TRUE!! I DID NOT THREATENED ANYONE FOR MY OWN ADVANTAGE! YOU TECHNICALLY BLACKMAILED ME SO YOU CAN STEAL ONE OF MY FRIENDS AWAY!!" Zenitsu's shouting caused passersby to stay and listen. They were shocked and confused what's going on.