Warmth of the Infamous Inotan [SLOWBURN] INOSUKE X TANJIRO KNY DEMONSLAYER

Chapter 5, [Bonding]

[Listen with Lana Del Rey for the best experience.]

[Inosuke POV]

I walk into culinary class, a field where none of my friends share the same tasty adventure. A slight feeling of disdain settles in as I greet Mrs. Kanroji, my English teacher turned culinary guide.

"Good Evening Inosuke!" She bursts.

"Evening."

I take my seat, patiently waiting for the rest of the students to fill the culinary classroom. The red-headed boy from the bathroom walks in and settles in the front row, just one desk ahead of me. That scar across his forehead catches my attention; I remember him from the assembly. I can't help but wonder how he ended up being chosen for the trials.

"Hellooo, everyone! I hope you're all having a good day because today, we are making hand pies," Mrs. Kanroji announces with infectious enthusiasm. "Please everyone come get your workbook in your desk and partner up with the person behind you."

I glanced behind me and then back in front, realizing I'd have to work with scar boy. Taking a deep breath, I walked over to his desk and offered to be his baking partner.

"Oh, um hi. I guess we'll have to be partners for the pies."

"Hi, I'm Tanjiro. Nice to meet you."

"Inosuke."

I sat down in the empty seat next to him and I felt anxious because I'm not good at baking. He goes over to the front of the class and gets supplies such as flour, eggs, salt, butter, and water. He sat them down on the table and gave some of them to me.

"So Inosuke, have you ever made a pie before?"

"Um not yet. I've never made anything better than chocolate cookies."

"No worries. What flavors do you like?"

"I like apple pies. They remind me of the farm."

"That flavor is tasty. What about a farm? Did you live on a farm before?"

"Yeah, I was born and raised there until I was seven and moved here."

"Awesome. What pie crust do you want?" He pointed to the cookbook.

"I like the crosshatch pattern."

He instructs me to knead the dough and roll it out to make the pattern. While I am kneading and rolling, he does the same with a smooth, practiced motion, suggesting he's quite experienced at this.

"How long have you been baking?" I ask.

"A couple of years. My family always lived in the city and owned a bak-."

"Attention students!! To set the mood what type of music should I play?" Mrs. Kanroji shouted.

"TAYLOR SWIFT!!"

"MY LITTLE PONY SOUNDTRACK"

"TYLER THE CREATOR"

"LANA DEL REY-" I yelled.

"LANA DEL REY-" Tanjiro screamed.

"Wait you like Lana Del Rey?"

"Surely! I loovvee LDR!" He responded.

"Alright, I heard Mac DeMarco. It's him!" Mrs. Kanroji replied with evident enthusiasm.

"What's your favorite album?"

"Wait on three, three, two, one!"

"Born to die!" We synced.

I was surprised that he enjoyed "Born to Die," let alone Lana Del Rey. His appearance and personality suggested a taste for indie-pop, like Lana's. I didn't think I reflected Lana at all. Throughout the class, he guided me through making the hand pies, occasionally steering me in the right direction while kneading. There was this one moment when my dough broke, and he gently shifted my hands into the correct position. It wasn't awkward, as he was just standing by my side, subtly adjusting my hands on the dough. But I had never needed help from someone in this way before.