A Choice.

♤•Rivalry With Romance and An Unexpected Crush•♡

The morning light filled the room as the sun rose, casting a warm glow over everything. Tanjiro stirred and slowly woke up, rubbing his eyes to clear away the remnants of sleep. Once fully awake, he noticed Genya sleeping in a chair beside him. Confusion swept over him as he tried to understand why Genya was in his room. Then, memories of the previous night came rushing back, causing his cheeks to flush a deep crimson. What were these new, complicated feelings he had towards Genya? 

As Tanjiro attempted to unravel his swirling emotions, Genya stirred and met his gaze. An overwhelming wave of embarrassment washed over Genya as he realized he was still in Tanjiro's room. Hastily attempting to get up, Genya felt his cheeks burn even hotter as Tanjiro's hand gently clasped onto his arm, halting his movement. Before Tanjiro could utter a word, the door creaked open, and another figure entered the room, interrupting the moment. It was Kanao Tsuyuri. She had almond-shaped eyes, a petite nose, and lips curved into a gentle smile. Her long, dark hair cascaded in silky waves, framing her serene expression.

 As Kanao entered the room, her eyes fell upon Genya and Tanjiro, the sight of Tanjiro gripping Genya's arm sparking a twinge of jealousy within her. Despite her own feelings for Tanjiro, she remained silent, unsure of how to express them. Genya's irritated voice broke the tense silence, "Do you need anything?" His tone hinted at his awareness of Kanao's unspoken affection for Tanjiro, but Kanao, consumed by jealousy, ignored him.

Turning her attention to Tanjiro, Kanao stuttered slightly, "T-tanjiro, I brought you some Plum kombu and a few kelp rice balls." Her words came out in a rush, her cheeks flushing with a mix of embarrassment and longing as she desperately wanted Tanjiro's attention. "Arigatō," Tanjiro expressed gratitude as he began to eat. Meanwhile, Kanao and Genya couldn't help but steal glances at him, silently admiring his beauty while their minds raced with conflicting thoughts. Unbeknownst to Tanjiro, he sensed an unspoken tension between Kanao and Genya, a scent of love lingering in the air between them. With each bite, Tanjiro noticed the tension in the room, a silent exchange of emotions swirling between Kanao and Genya. It caused him to slow his pace, pondering the possibility of their mutual affection. Yet, beneath his contemplative facade, a pang of sadness gnawed at him, as he realized the impact he might be having on their feelings and the knowledge that his younger sister, Nezuko, had fell inlove with Kanao Since they have been introduced to eachother.

Lost in his own melancholy, Tanjiro failed to notice the silent exchange of threats between Kanao and Genya, each vying for Tanjiro's attention while concealing their own desires. The room brimmed with unspoken tension. Genya rose from his chair with a stoic expression, his voice devoid of emotion as he announced, "I'm going to go see Shinobu-San to get my wounds treated." Kanao couldn't help but feel a flicker of relief at the prospect of Genya's departure, though her satisfaction was short-lived.

Before Genya could make his exit, Tanjiro's hesitant voice cut through the tension, "G-Genya, wait! Can I come with you?" The unexpected request caught Kanao off guard, her heart sinking as she realized Tanjiro's desire to accompany Genya. Despite his confusion about his feelings towards Genya, Tanjiro felt an undeniable pull towards him, a sense of comfort and ease that he couldn't explain. As Tanjiro made his request, Kanao's jealousy intensified, a pang of longing piercing her heart. She yearned for Tanjiro's attention, wishing desperately for him to be hers and hers alone. But in that moment, she watched silently as Tanjiro's gaze lingered on Genya, her own feelings of envy overshadowed by the bittersweet realization that Tanjiro's heart might be drawn to someone else.

Genya flushed at Tanjiro's request, his cheeks tinged with embarrassment as he reluctantly agreed, "Do what you want." Together, they made their way to Kocho's quarters. Upon arrival, Shinobu greeted them with a mixture of irritation and concern. "Ara-ara, Genya-kun, I can't keep treating your wounds; there are other patients, you know," she scolded gently, though her tone held a hint of frustration as she tended to his injuries. "Sorry, I'll try to not get hurt on my next mission," Genya muttered sheepishly, his gaze downcast. Turning her attention to Tanjiro, Shinobu's demeanor softened, "And how about you, Tanjiro? Are your wounds from your last mission healing properly?" Tanjiro turned his head to face Shinobu. "They're almost back to normal. Arigatō for treating me, Shinobu-san!" Tanjiro replied with a bright smile.