- Y/n Tsugikuni -

Chapter 2 - Disturbing The Peace -

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"I'M GONNA DO IT, TANJIRO! I'M REALLY GOING TO DO IT!"

"W-WAIT! LET'S TALK THIS THROUGH!!" Tanjiro waved his arms frantically as he looked up in sheer panic.

There stood Y/N-on top of a chair, a rope around his neck, tied hastily to a low roof beam. His face was full of fake determination, but his eyes held nothing but regret.

"THREE... TWO-!"

"PLEASE DON'T SAY ONE!!"

The chair teetered dangerously-

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Five Minutes Earlier...

"Ara~ Tsugi-san, have you ever considered... not looking like a depressed futon salesman?" Shinobu held up his red haori with two fingers like it had mold growing on it.

The words hit like a direct stab to the pride. Y/N collapsed to his knees with a dramatic thud.

"She took him down with a sentence..." Tanjiro whispered in awe.

"I'm serious," Shinobu continued, flipping the haori for emphasis. "You're a Hashira now. You shouldn't look like someone who lost a bet with their laundry basket."

Invisible needles jabbed Y/N's gut. His soul briefly left his body.

"Scary..." Zenitsu mumbled, trembling behind Inosuke, who was too busy flexing at his own reflection in a window to notice.

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Present...

"Alright, alright. I'll stop the theatrics," Y/N grumbled, rubbing the burn mark on his pride. "It was just a bit."

"A bit?" Tanjiro muttered. "You almost died for fashion."

"I almost died because someone verbally murdered me with a smile!"

Shinobu smiled again. "How about this instead—go shopping with Kanao. You need a change, and she has good taste."

"I don't know if that's a compliment or a threat..."

Tanjiro leaned in. "Big brother, it's a perfect chance. Impress her!"

Y/N hesitated, eyes narrowing. "Good point... But I hate crowded places. It's hot. It's loud. People try to talk to you."

Shinobu's expression darkened ever so slightly. "Choose."

A wave of killing intent pressed down on the room like gravity. The wind outside stopped. Even Inosuke paused mid-pec flex.

"A-Alright! Shopping sounds great!"
Y/N stood up instantly. "Kanao, shall we?"

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A Few Minutes Later...

"Kanao," Y/N said, jogging up to her at the gate. "I'm guessing you heard... all of that?"

She nodded. Quiet. Expression unreadable. But he swore he saw her lips twitch.

"Good. I'm gonna take off first. Try to keep up, alright?"

Before she could blink, Y/N launched forward-his speed creating a sudden gust of wind that made nearby crows panic and take flight.

Kanao blinked once... then twice. A slight smirk curled on her lips.

Then she was gone.

She shot forward with practiced grace, leaping through the trees with minimal noise, following the fading presence of the overly dramatic Hashira. His trail was surprisingly difficult to track-almost like he was running from something.