Kisatsutai/ An Inotan Story

Chapter 4

"What do you want Monjiro" Inosuke growled.
"Inosuke, are you 100% sure we've never met before?" Tanjiro asked calmly
Inosuke eyes widened for a split second. Tanjiro managed to catch that slight change in expression.
"What are you talking about?"
"I wasn't sure at first but after hearing your voice and recognizing your scent plus that bandage wrapped around your head, there's no mistaking it. Are you the thief I stopped from the train station?" Tanjiro hit right at the money. Inosuke sighed and sat down at his bed.
"I thought you wouldn't recognize me. After all, I did hide my face."
"Why would you steal Inosuke?" Tanjiro asked, overflowing with concern.
"I'm not proud of it but I had to" Inosuke sighed
"Why?" Tanjiro began to feel more and more sorry for Inosuke
"Ever since I was a baby, I never had anyone looking after me. I was always alone. No money, no family, nothing. So I always had to fend for myself. I stole from people, ate out of the trash, had nowhere to stay. Until one day, I woke up to a load of cash next to me and a note. I still have it." Inosuke handed Tanjiro a note from his pocket. It read "Use this money to get into school and start a better life" Tanjiro teared up from the explanation he just heard before Inosuke carried on
"So I used it and here I am today. In college with not a penny to my name. All my money went to the fees. I'm indebted to whoever gave me this money. They saved my life" Inosuke said, looking at the floor. He looked up to see Tanjiro with tears streaming down his cheeks.
"M-Monjiro? What's wr-" Inosuke was interrupted when Tanjiro tackled him into a hug.
"I'm so sorry you had to go through with that. I'll be here for you, from now on no matter what." Tanjiro declared, sobbing into Inosuke's shirt. Inosuke's thoughts drifted...
"This feels nice." He thought to himself. He hesitantly wrapped his arms around Tanjiro's back. After several minutes of shared silence, Inosuke called to Tanjiro
"Monjiro? " No response came
He looked at Tanjiro to find out he had fallen asleep in the hug. Feeling bad for him, he tucked Tanjiro into his own blanket's and hopped in with him, keeping some distance between them. Not long after, Inosuke drifted off to sleep...

Tanjiro woke up with a start. He felt something clinging onto him. He turned his head and saw Inosuke clenched tightly to his side, still sleeping. Tanjiro's face flushed red and his heart rate increased. "Wait wait wait, How did this happen?" Tanjiro panicked. However, deep down inside there was something easing about this situation. The events of last night came flooding into his head. He looked at Inosuke and put his hand on his head. Tanjiro was full of nothing but compassion for Inosuke. He understood that he only did what he had to to survive. Tanjiro ran his fingers through Inosuke's hair, realising it's smoother than it looked. Unfortunately, he had to get up to make breakfast for everyone, so he stealthily detached himself from Inosuke without waking him up.
Little did he know, Inosuke was awake the whole time, cherishing the moment. He dug his face into his pillow, steam seeming to rise from his head.

Zenitsu and Inosuke emerged from their rooms at the same time to the smell of fresh pancakes.
"Good morning guys" Tanjiro chirped
"Morning Tanjiro!" Zenitsu replied
"Morning" Inosuke replied
"How'd you sleep" Tanjiro asked
"Pretty good" Zenitsu replied
"And you, Inosuke?"
"Better than most nights" Inosuke responded
"That's good" Tanjiro beamed
"I'm hungry" Zenitsu chimed in
"You're just in time. Breakfast is ready" Tanjiro answered, setting the food onto the table.

After breakfast, Tanjiro headed off to shower, leaving Zenitsu and Inosuke on the table. Zenitsu looked over at Inosuke who was sitting with his arms crossed, looking down.
"Umm Inosuke?" Zenitsu asked
"What do you want idiot?" Inosuke replied, not even shifting his position
"What do you think about Tanjiro" Zenitsu asked. Inosuke head shot up and he stared at Zenitsu.
"Huh?"
"What's your impression about Tanjiro"
"I don't know. He's a goody-two-shoes that runs into everything led by his nose"
"Ohh well I think he's amazing. Very comfortable to be around. Cute as well"
"You're weird" Inosuke stood up from his seat and walked to his room to get his books ready. He wasn't able to express himself fully. His true feelings for Tanjiro had to remain hidden for his sake and Tanjiro's...