find solace (belong) [KNY/BNHA]

[24] pretend i didn't see it

hello :D i'm ALIVEEEEEE-

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This wasn't the first time she lay her eyes upon those soft, purple petals, hanging dreamily from the branches and trees.

And yet, the sea of lilac stunned Charlotte for a moment as she took in the sight of wisteria flowers blooming, as if it were their peak season. Eternal, everlasting.

They were beautiful. And in any other situation, she would've stopped to appreciate them in all their elegance. But the faintly sweet perfume that devoured her whole, emanating from the buds and leaves of those willowy stalks, rested bitterly on her tongue.

Nevertheless, she trudged forward. Up those old stone stairs, a path lit with the warm glow of lanterns.

The two large pillars that strung together pieces of protective wards stood tall to greet her at the top, followed by multiple similar ones further away from her. Charlotte wasn't the first to arrive, but the atmosphere was silent nevertheless. Most were either standing silently at the side, waiting for the selection to begin, others were simply meditating on the ground. It seemed that her clothes were the brightest coloured of all the other candidates, with only one wearing a neural yellowy-beige haori over a grey and brown cloth.

Seeing all these people, some with scars, some without, with the atmosphere tense — Charlotte felt her nerves tangle into something that twisted in her gut.

The thump in her chest was unmistakable, distracting.

"Hush."

Gin's voice brought peace back to her mind, if only a little.

"Everyone," two twins, one with white hair, one with black holding lanterns on either side, spoke. Voice alluring, enchantingly calm. They had wisteria flowers in their hair, staring forward with blank, unmovable eyes. "We thank you for coming here tonight, to the Demon Slayer Corps final selection."

Although their voice held a childish hint, the way that they spoke in sync was eerie.

"There are demons imprisoned here on Mount Fujikasane," the white-haired one spoke. "Captured alive by Demon Slayer swordsmen and unable to leave."

The black-haired girl's voice was rounder, curving around syllables as if to emphasise their young age. "This is because the mountain is covered by wisteria, which demons hate, that blooms all year round half-way up the mountain."

"However, from here on out there is no more wisteria, and so demons are free to roam." They said, alternating. "To pass the final selection, you'll need to survive here for seven days."

They bowed slightly, smiling lightly all throughout their explanation.

"And now, let the final selection begin."

Like the aggressive flickering of a candle light that all of a sudden, fwoosh, went out, soon enough, the prospective slayers were nowhere to be seen.

Passing by the twins, Charlotte nodded a word of thanks before leaving, through the rustling grass and bushes, she went with a part of her heart unsettled.