Therefore, You and Me • TanZen × ZenTan | Highschool AU

Chapter 11: Today Didn't Happen

"Tomioka-san? Shinobu-san?"

"... Ara."
"This is not what you're thinking."

Before they could explain more to Tanjiro who was just standing there in disbelief, another voice from afar that's slowly getting clearer is calling Tanjiro.

"Tanjiroo, I saw you runni— huh?", Agatsuma widened his eyes, his face pale, and with his jaw dropped to the floor, he shockingly points at the two familiar figures in front of Tanjiro, "T–T–TOMIOKA-SENSEI??!? AND– AND– SHINOBU-SENPAI!!!!"

Tomioka Giyuu's eyebrow could only raise slightly in annoyance as he starts wondering how on earth is he going to explain to them or if he should just run and sacrifice Shinobu (to explain to them). Thankfully, Kocho Shinobu was already planning.

"Hello, Tanjiro-kun. Zenitsu-kun. You guys sure came to a far waterpark."

"hUH?.. Oh uh, yeah, it's pretty far, isn't it hahaha.."

...

Nevermind. Shinobu being there didn't make the situation any less awkward as she was also confused on what to say. She racked up her brains and decided on the best option—

"Well, as you can see, I am not wearing any swimsuit at all so I didn't come here with Tomioka-sensei. Goodbye."

—run before Tomioka runs first.

She was walking but the speed of her legs were so fast, Tanjiro thinks in this world, she could've been the Lightning Hashira. Tanjiro and Agatsuma glances at Tomioka, who is standing there still, dumbfounded. Tomioka looks back at them, bows and walks away to enjoy the water.

Well, that ended quickly.

"Do you know them also in your world?", Agatsuma asks, turning to Tanjiro awkwardly. Tanjiro answers fast, "Oh, yes, I know them. I'm especially greatly indebted to Tomioka-san. He saved Nezuko and my life. Shinobu-san also took us in, cared for our wounds and trained us. Although our first meeting weren't exactly the best. But I like them."

"Whoa, they sound amazing."

"Yeah! They were also incredibly strong people in our place. Both of them were one of the Hashiras!! I wouldn't have gotten to where I am without them for sure. How are they like here?"

"Hm? Uhh, Tomioka-sensei is our P. E teacher. Like a teacher that teaches you athletics. But he's super spartan about everything and no one can guess what he's thinking with his always serious face so no one really likes him."

"O–Oh, it's like that here, huh?", Tanjiro thinks back to when Shinobu 'reveals' that no one likes Tomioka in the spider forest. He wonders if the Tomioka here also struggles with making friends.

"And Shinobu-senpai is our, well, senpai. She has accomplished a lot of things. She once won a fencing competition. Other than that, she's also known to be one of our school's big sister. She does have quite the temper though."

"Fen—..? Well, whatever that is, she sounds amazing here as well."

"Yeah, you could say that."

And the conversation ended there. They continue walking their steps back to their group in silence. That encounter with Tomioka and Shinobu made Tanjiro start thinking.

"..."

"...W–What is it, Tanjiro.. You're staring so intensely."

"Oh! I'm sorry. I was just thinking.. Zenitsu always get so red and happy whenever a girl approaches him, so I thought you'd definitely be the same and I mean.. You do get red, but rather than happy, it's more like.. You're troubled by them?"