The Sound Hashira's Apprentice // tengenuzui x reader

Chapter 13

In some ways I wished I had the courage to just ask him.

Ignoring the fact he was my Sensei for a brief moment whilst asking a question that would result in either having to quit as his tsugoku or continue my training - both resulting in the type of shame that would stain my reputation as a demon slayer.

But would the small pull of desire to ask exist if there wasn't a fraction of hope that perhaps he reciprocated such feeling?

Or

Would sacrificing the whole purpose of my demon slaying career for a silly crush be worth it?

Tengen Uzui is worth it.

The scatter of thoughts inspired a sigh.

Whatever 'ifs' running through my head didn't help the alarming pensiveness that came with both mine and Tengen's arrival at this so-called drinking place.

There was no lie in Tengen's words that there would be a meet up of Hashira's and other members of the corps.

The part that was misconstrued was there would only be 'a few'.

The establishment was gagged with patrons in the demon slayer uniforms, most already showing signs of intoxication.

The pungent smell of sake and tobacco added to the vertigo I was feeling, enough that I made an evident wince.

"Don't look so unflashy,"

I looked up at Tengen who had a grin on his face.

His demeanor only elicited a huff from me as I noted that this was the kind of environment he thrived in-among people, immersed in the vibrant nightlife. A boisterous man fitted perfectly into a boisterous place.

Breaking eye contact with Tengen, I scanned the crowd in search of familiar faces, perhaps those of Rengoku or Mitsuri.

My attention diverted involuntarily to provocatively dressed hostesses serving alcohol to Corps members who were clearly underage.

"Come on, let's grab a drink, then we can go find Rengoku or Mitsuri."Tengen announced, reading my mind.

As we made our way toward the bar, we were intercepted by several individuals who approached Tengen, accompanied by singsong voices that could only belong to a group of seemingly infatuated females.

I couldn't help but feel a surge of tender curiosity, only to be reminded of the reputation my Sensei had as I observed incredibly good looking women encapsulated by their conversation with him.

I had completely forgotten I wasn't the only one that found him attractive.

However, it was the first time I had witnessed the weight of being the most appealing and charming Hashira.

And boy did I not like it.

Not one bit.

The hostesses that were occupying his attention appeared to giggle and swoon, each sound coming out of them creating the tempo that throbbed in my head. Deep down I knew this could certainly just be the part of their job. To entertain lonely slayers with their feminine generosity. They were just playing a role that I somehow couldn't get over the audacity of.

I looked away, not able to take it any longer. I diverted my wounded attention to one of the bartenders, who was wiping down glasses absent-mindedly.

"May I please have a water?"

The man, no younger than 40 nodded and handed me a cup to help quench the headache that had formed. I wasn't one who exactly hated being around people but the terrorizing thoughts about Tengen AND seeing other women who found him attractive existed made me regret stepping foot here in the first place.