𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑮𝒊𝒓𝒍 𝑰 𝑪𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝑵𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝑯𝒂𝒗𝒆 [𝕘𝕚𝕪𝕦𝕤𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕠] (KNY)

𝒞𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝟥𝟣: 𝒩𝑒𝓌 𝒫𝓁𝒶𝓃𝓈

Two weeks later

Author POV:

Giyu eventually texted Shinobu, telling her he needed space and time to think, and that he'd talk to her after he cleared his head. Shinobu had quickly agreed, relieved that he hadn't straight up ghosted her or something. 

For the past two weeks, Giyu had spent time with Makomo, and also Sabito, although instead of searching for a murderer he grieved with Sabito instead. They spent most of their time at Makomo's gravestone, taking walks through her favourite park, or just sitting in silence at their rock. 

Giyu spent time thinking. Doing a lot of thinking, in fact. He thought about how he felt and what he should do next. He  thought about everything that had happened. It might sound cliché, but he went through an actual reflection phase. 

One day, Giyu and Sabito planned a trip to a nearby village. They had seen it on a travel newspaper, a pretty little scenic village, but what had really convinced them to go was the vast field of hydrangeas advertised. Hydrangeas had been Makomo's favourite flower, and Giyu knew she would have loved to go there. Besides, he thought Sabito was well overdue for a holiday, and he too needed to escape the suffocating small world they already lived in, the small world Makomo had died in. 

And so, without telling anyone except Tsutako, Giyu packed a small suitcase and left for the village of Ajisaimura. 

One day later

Sabito POV:

I shot a glance at Giyu. He looked tense, stressed but otherwise calm; however, I knew deep down he was procrastinating, grieving and dying inside. 

When Makomo died, we both almost died with her. We had been so close, the three of us, and I didn't know how to live without her. But I knew I had to keep going; if Giyu was trying, then so would I. 

We had travelled on a train to Ajisaimura for almost a day already. Our bags were small, filled with only our essentials, and our hotels were booked. Everything was in order. Too much order. It was strange. Giyu seemed normal, but I didn't want him to be normal. I wanted him to show me how he really felt, so I could comfort him. Although we'd spent the first few weeks after Makomo's death crying our hearts out, I felt as if Giyu had somehow closed off after that. 

"Hey. Giyu." I poked him on the arm, and he snapped to attention.

"Yes? What?" 

"We're almost there. Only half an hour to go."

"Oh. Yes." 

I stared at him. "Are you.. is this okay? I know we both wanted to go, but if it's too much..."

"No, no. Not at all. I want to go." Giyu smiled at me. "It's just.. I guess I'm still thinking about it all. Hopefully this holiday will help." 

"Yeah. I think it will."

Author POV: 

An hour later, they arrived at Ajisaimura, with tired eyes from travel, small suitcases and a whole lot of hope. 

The village was just as pretty as on the newspapers, with beautiful flourishing cherry-blossom trees and flowerbeds. The houses were small and old-fashioned, looking cute and mini. There were lots of welcome mats and drawings made by kids hung on the doors. Everything felt lively and cozy, unlike the cold city Giyu and Sabito had left behind. 

"Wow. It looks..." Sabito gazed at the scene with a wistful smile. "Makomo would've loved it."

"You're right. So I guess we have to enjoy it for her." Giyu turned and tried to grin at Sabito. It ended up looking wonky and out of place. "For us and for her. Have enough fun for three."

"Yeah." With that, Sabito and Giyu walked into the village. 

But soon, Giyu spoke up. "Something's wrong."

"What?"

Giyu stopped walking, and then frowned, concentrating as he surveyed their surroundings. "There's no one around."

"What do you mean?" Sabito looked around, and then instantly got it. "Oh."

"There should be people on the streets." Giyu pointed at an empty stall. "There should be a street vendor there. There are no tourists, no locals, no children playing. Something must be wrong. "

Sabito stared at the empty road. Suddenly, instead of being a flower-filled paradise, the village suddenly seemed ominous and almost dangerous. 

It's funny how even the best of plans can go wrong. 

Shinobu POV:

"Hey, Shinobu." Kanao spoke up while I was in the kitchen helping Aoi cook dinner. 

"What's up?" I turned to my ponytailed sister. 

"Do you mind making a bit more for dinner?" Kanao asked, blushing. "It's just that, well, I invited Tanjiro over for dinner."

"Oh! Of course!" I smiled, then grinned mischeivously. "Aww... so cute.."

"AH! It's not like that!!" Kanao blushed furiously, and then quickly ran for it. I giggled as I watched her leave. 

But the laughter quickly died in my throat as I thought of Giyu. Somehow, even my baby sister's love life was going better than mine. Surely Cupid had to give me a comeback soon?

Aoi seemed to notice my mood swing. "Hey, it's okay, sis. At least since Tanjiro is staying for dinner, you'll get to ask him about Tomioka-san."

"Yeah. You're right, Aoi." I shook my head, then pulled myself together and went to Aoi. "Yum, are those red-bean buns? Gimme."

"No! Sis!'

"Haha." I took one from the tray and shoved it into my mouth, walking away laughing as Aoi pretended to hit me with her pan.

I felt happier, lighter. At least not everyone hated me. Sometimes sisters really did work miracles. 

A/N: so so sorry this chapter took so long!! for context, Giyu and Sabito are going on this holiday for plot purposes and they won't be gone from shinobu for long (giyushino incoming...) think of it as a little subplot? anyway stay tuned and please remember to vote and comment <3