𝔇𝔢𝔱𝔢𝔠𝔱𝔦𝔳𝔢'𝔰 𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢

Chapter 03

Zed follows behind Tsutako who led him to their living room, gesturing him to sit down at the couch, "Make yourself at home. I mean, well... It is your home." They both chuckled, "I'll get us something to drink."

Sabito and Giyuu sat at the other side of the table, still wary of the man before them.

Zed felt their sharp gaze and couldn't help but felt gun point both at the front and back of his head and body. His sleeve was suddenly tugged down, shifting his attention.

"Are you really the big brother that big sis tsutako always tell stories about?" Nezuko asked, who appeared beside him out of nowhere.

It shocked Zed, more like was frightened by the fact that he didn't notice her presence when she snuck up on him, "Stories, huh." He scoffed, gazing for a moment at Tsutako who was happily preparing their beverages at the kitchen, "What has she told you exactly?" He asked in a gentle manner, following with his gentle touch of his hand as he strokes her head.

Nezuko felt bliss the moment the warmth of his palm touched her head. She suddenly embraces him, "You really are the big brother she talks about a lot!" She giggles.

Everyone was shocked at the sight. Never have they seen Nezuko accept someone this quickly. She is usually also wary like the Giyuu and Sabito as they taught her to be that way when they meet someone they don't know but Zed on the other hand was something they didn't see coming, Tsutako was probably the one to blame as she always tell stories or talks about Zed whenever she gets the opportunity and that made this girl curious and inspired of meeting this person badly, and now she finally met him; confirming every story that her elder sister told her about the the man she always talks about, just from the gentle warmth of his touch.

"Nezuko you're making him uncomfortable!" Tanjiro comes in to try separating his sister from the man, who her now so called sister is now a sticky bubble, embracing Zed tightly.

Brewed hot beverages was then set on the table, "Looks like you two are already close." Tsutako and Zed shared a chuckle. She walks to the Tomioka siblings, who was still on edged, "Nezuko and Tanjiro is already introducing themselves to their new older brother. You two should as well." She whispers to them and gives them a smile, then goes back to have a sit next to Zed.

Giyuu didn't budge but saw Sabito being nervous, taking deep breaths, as if he's the one in the hot seat.

Sabito clears his throat, grabbing the attention of everyone which made his situation even worse. His foot was repeatedly tapping on the floor as well as his fingers on his legs.

"Big bro Sabito, are you okay?" The confused Nezuko asked.

"Y-Yeah... Uh... It's just that..-" He kept choking on his words, just unable to make out of something. He looks over to Tsutako who gave him encouragement by giving him a hidden thumbs up, which didn't help much.

"Sabito."

Hearing Zed's voice suddenly made him felt at ease. He remembers it. The day that he was comforted by him. His calm and relaxed tone, he remembers it. He lets out a chuckle, confusing the people in front of him, "What took you so long to come back to us." He looks up and meets eyes with Zed, "Welcome Home, Big brother." He smiles.

Zed smiled, "I'm home."

The joyfulness widened as Sabito joined in.

"Are you kidding me..."

"Giyuu?" Sabito turned to him, "Is something wrong?" he asked.

Giyuu slams down his fist on the table, "Are you kidding me!?" he shouts.

The sudden out burst terrified everyone especially the children, hiding behind Tsutako and Zed. Sabito tries to calm down Giyuu but was immediately neglected by him.

"Why are you accepting him as if he didn't disappeared on us!? Are you all thinking straight?!" He stands up and points sharply at him, "When we needed you where were you? When we struggled where were you?". He stops, slowly lowering down his hand at him.

Zed noticed tears below him.

"Where were you..."

He stood up and slowly walks up to him, "Giyuu." He embraces him, "I'm here now."

Giyuu also felt it. His gentle warmth combined with his calming demeanor. He felt at ease, he felt safe but it didn't take long before his anger and frustrations boiled up again. He broke free from his embrace and pushed him back, almost knocking him down, "You thought your silly embrace would make me accept you?!" His right hand curled into a fist, "You're dead wrong."

"No."

He looked confused. He was confused of his sudden answer.

"I myself expected that you all would reject me. I'm surprise as you are when they all accepted me almost immediately." Zed chuckles, "I thought I was dreaming but I wasn't.". He meets eyes with him, "I mentally prepared myself to be rejected by you all but the moment I saw you reject my presence. I felt shattered even thou I'm not privilege to." He smiles at him, "I understand you and I'm sorry."

Giyuu felt it again, having to see him smile, remembering he shouldn't remember. His emotions boiled up, mixing every ounce of emotions he had left then suddenly he was in motion.

Everything was slow motion in his perspective. He saw Tsutako slowly rising from her seat as if trying to reach for him. He gazed to his left and sees Sabito trying to reach him also. He looks back to the man in front of him and saw his arm in motion to hit him with his curled fist. He wants to stop it but he can't. Giyuu once again gazes to Zed, who was smiling, accepting his fist with full of anger and frustration. He closed his eyes, regretting what he had driven himself from his recklessness of his emotions.

Everything fell silent.

Giyuu felt a tight grip on his arm. He opens his eyes to see Urokodaki tightly gripping his arm, "That's enough."

He pulled away, looking very terrified. He was breathing heavily. Sabito then checks up on him, "Giyuu? Hey!". Giyuu's surroundings felt distorted. He ignores him and quickly walks out of the situation, going to his room.

Urokodaki sighed heavily, "I should've came with you."