Demon Slayer Imagines

Ayaki Rui

The taste of happiness

❀ word count: 863

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 You lived near the train station in a regular house, with your mother and father, and a couple of sibling that were like hellcats - as a profession, you thought. Your life wasn't perfect, but you loved it. Waking up to the sound of the train passing by was usually annoying, until you became used to it, and patiently awaited for the nine PM train to pass just to wave from your window, in hopes of receiving some waves as response. 

Other than that silly wave at night, you were fond of playing close to the train station, where a nice playground was set. Your older siblings and younger all joined, and in what seemed to be the only time you all ever got along, all of you when hand in hand across the street and played together. It was almost a daily routine, the only time of the day you got to bond with your brothers and sisters like a happy family, eagerly awaiting dinner time, and each time, your mother did the very same waving gesture, with a smile on her face and screaming each and every one of her seven children's names.

The warm food was tasty, and the delicious desserts awaited in the marble counter. Your father giggled at how quick the younger ones devoured their food, desperate for the sweet treats, while the older ones competed to see who would get to eat everything first. Yet, you were just calmly munching your food. In all honesty, you seemed to be very quiet inside the house, just watching from the side while doing something else, but not less enthusiastic - only, perhaps, more reserved to your own personal joys.

"Alright, here you go." your mom chirped with a satisfied smile, patting your older sister's head as she placed the plate down on the table.

The young ones fought for the first piece of taiyaki your mom made from scratch, while the older ones were immersed in their own battle, debating whether your sister or your brother had been the first to finish eating, therefore earning the first piece.
Your father patiently waited with a smile on his face, while your mother sighed and shook her head in disbelief.

Casually, you stretched out your hand, grabbing the first taiyaki and munching on it slowly. The shock on your siblings' faces made your mother laugh, while your father simply followed, and next thing you knew, there was a huge fight between all seven of you - a very casual one, needless to say.

At nine PM sharp, as your mother finally left the room to tuck the other four, your tiny body got up from the bed, and held the windowsill tightly, pushing yourself up in a big jump. Kneeling on the stone cold surface, you opened the window, closing your eyes at the sudden cold breeze. The sound of the carts getting closer made you open them as quickly, ignoring the coldness of the night as you prepared to wave once again.

The train passed by, and with a big smile, you waved hopefully. The first two carts were like always - no reaction at all. But the third cart surprised you. For a split second, the world seemed slower, as your eyes met those of a young boy, perhaps as old as you, who felt captivated by your frantic wave and cute smile - and maybe how weird you seemed to be, in short pajamas, and kneeling on a window, despite how clear it was that it was cold, by the way the trees waved around.

You waved even more enthusiastically for him, watching as his sad expression lightened up with a shy smile, and he waved back softly. Something about that made you stiffen, and the train finally went away. With a soft sigh, you waited some more time, as if trying to retrieve the memory of that beautiful boy's smile, before you finally closed the window and jumped down to your bed. 
Your younger sister, Kana, scoffed softly.

"Y/N-san, shhh."

You looked over, and smiled understandingly, lying down to sleep, with a heart full of joy, for just a simple gesture, that would remain in your memory forever, and become the basis of a future you'd chase with all you got.

Inside the train, the little boy lowered his hand cautiously, and his smile faded softly, before coughing. He was sick, of course, on his way to the hospital to be treated - but nothing deadly, only a common cold that got a bit worse, or some throat infection.
His eyes continued glued to the window opposite where he sat, as if he still saw that little child that greeted him so genuinely happy. The smile came back to his lips, this time, a very soft smile, accompanied with a warm gaze, as he held his hands close to his heart, and suddenly felt so much better.

"Rui? Is everything alright?" his mother asked worriedly.

The little boy, however, nodded simply and closed his eyes, smiling widely as he rested against his mother's body to drift off into a soft slumber, not knowing yet how much this little encounter would matter in a distant future, and give color to his life.