❛ 𝐅𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐓𝐎𝐋𝐃 ❜ ━━━ (𝗸. 𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗷𝗶𝗿𝗼)

019

The journey back to the Butterfly Estate was filled with shy, affectionate gestures between you and Tanjiro. He was extremely shy. He couldn't look at you in the eyes without blushing.

You clasped your hands behind your back while walking next to Tanjiro, "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure," Tanjiro replied and looked at you.

"Shinobu didn't evaluate your condition before you left with me, did she?" You asked.

Tanjiro's eyes widened at how fast you caught him in his lie. Well, to be honest, he wasn't that great of a liar. He couldn't lie, not when his expressions gave it away.

"No, she didn't," Tanjiro admitted to you.

"Why did you lie?" You tilted your head curiously.

"I thought you would have left without me. Even if you didn't, I felt bad for making you wait for me to get better," Tanjiro answered. "I know how important this trip is to you. Meeting Rengoku-san's family to deliver the closure of his passing is hard and I didn't want you to be alone when you did it nor did I want you to prolong it."

"It's sweet of you to think about me, Tanjiro, but you shouldn't jeopardise your health for me," You told him firmly. "What will I do if my lover is sick?"

Tanjiro looked away immediately, easily flustered by your words. You giggled when you saw the tips of his ears turn red, no doubt because of him blushing.

Soon after, you and Tanjiro approached the familiar Butterfly Estate. You were smiling, happy to get some rest when suddenly, you spotted someone standing outside. You saw that they were holding two knives.

"Uh... Tanjiro? Is that..." You trailed off.

"Ha... Haganezuka-san?!" Tanjiro yelled in shock.

"How could you lose your sword, you bastard?!" Haganezuka shouted at him. "You deserve to die! You bastard deserve to die!"

Before you realised it, Haganezuka ran past you and chased Tanjiro, who had already ran off in a dash. You sighed, knowing Haganezuka wouldn't stop until he was satisfied.

You closed your eyes, contemplating your decisions. I should probably save my boyfriend, right?

Waiting for the right moment, you waited until Tanjiro ran past you once more and extended your hand. Fallen into your trap, you managed to grab Haganezuka by the back of his collar, stopping him in his place. However, his legs were still in a running motion as he desperately wanted to seek revenge on Tanjiro.

"There, there, Haganezuka-san. We have your favourites inside the Butterfly Estate. How about you calm down and come in, hmm?" You offered, smiling at him.

Hearing those words, Haganezuka comically stopped running. He looked at you and put away his knives, giving you the hint that he wanted his mitarashi dango, his favourite food.

You smiled upon his reaction and gestured for him to enter the Butterfly Estate. You'd know Aoi would be more than happy to make mitarashi dango for Haganezuka if it meant Tanjiro wouldn't be chased until dawn at the very least.

"T...Thank you, Y/N," Tanjiro said through pants, breathing heavily as he tried to catch his breath from running.

"You're welcome," You smiled at him. "Let's go inside too, hmm?"

Tanjiro nodded his head and followed you to enter the Butterfly Estate. You explained to Aoi about the current situation and she moved to make Haganezuka's dango for him immediately. Meanwhile, Tanjiro dropped by his shared room and placed Nezuko next to his bed.