Moonlight

Twenty-Six

Muichiro was alone, in his little bubble, dying. He had already given up on his chances of survival, patiently waiting for his death.

Thanks for believing in me, Oyakata-sama.

But just when he was going to close his eyes, he saw Tanjiro's smiling image in front of him. A hallucination. The slightly older boy smiled at Muichiro sadly.

"Why do you think that?" Tanjiro asked softly. "Nobody knows what the future has in store."

What? Muichiro's half closed eyes shot open. But Tanjiro never said anything like that to me before.

So who said that?

My vision is starting to blur. I'm dying... already out of air.

"You're the only one who can decide your fate."

But there's no point in telling me that.

"Things will definitely work out. Don't give up. Someone will come save you for sure."

So I have to depend on someone else in the end? That's the worst case scenario.

"You can only do so much when you're alone. That's why people have to work together and support each other."

Nobody's going to save me. They're all weaker than me. I should've worked harder, but I made a mental error. I subconsciously overestimated my own strength because I'm a Pillar.

"You're not wrong, Muichiro, but you're still okay."

But I'm dying because I made a bunch of mistakes.

From the other side of the bubble, Kotetsu tried to stab through, obviously failing. The boy growled in frustration.

"You can't die! Come on, Tokito-san! I'll get you outta there for sure. I'll save you, dammit!!" The boy yelled meaningless phrases over and over again, more to himself than to Muichiro. "Shiiit! What the hell is this thing? It's so boingy and gross!"

Muichiro wanted to speak to him, but he knew Kotetsu wouldn't be able to hear anyway.

You have bigger problems to worry about. Go protect the chief. It may be impossible for you, but just grab the blade you're holding and run.

"Oh! I know!" Kotetsu lit up with a sudden idea, stepping closer to Muichiro.

Behind him, Muichiro saw one of Gyokko's demons approaching.

"Hey, behind you!!" He yelled in a vain attempt for the little boy to hear him. "Hey!! Behind..."

Kotetsu was sliced from his side. He was in pain, grimacing and trying desperately not to cry, but he didn't leave Muichiro. He stayed there. Muichiro gripped his sword tighter.

"What the hell are you doing!" He screamed frustratedly, even though he knew his cries wouldn't be heard. "Run for it now!!"

The demon leaped forward again, stabbing Kotetsu harshly. Muichiro's eyes widened when he saw where Kotetsu had been injured.

The solar plexus. He got stabbed in his vital point. He's dead.

You can't do it. Why don't you get it? Muichiro wondered.

Just cover your wounds and run for it! Don't get closer to me, don't try to save me!! There's no way you can do it!

In the middle of his thoughts, a familiar face appeared, but this time it wasn't Tanjiro.

Yuhiko Sara.

She was standing there, smiling back at him, moonlight illuminating her long locks of hair while her emerald eyes shone in the dark.