In Kanazawa

The Music Festival

The second week of the endeavor had started, and word about the music festival hosted annually had gotten to the Hashira in hiding. Sanemi was the first to pick up on it, overhearing some women gossiping about the appearance of a musician while picking up some food downtown. Giyuu then got the full details from Hana, who stopped by to present another welcoming gift to them, a tea kettle, a few days before the festival.

The day had been drawn out for the both of them, disliking the extra bustle of people walking through town at all hours of the day and night.

They sat on the dining table, both indulging in a meal Giyuu had prepared. It was barely afternoon, however the sounds from the street echoed through their home, both agonized over the faint music and babble of meaningless talk.

"Should we leave?" Giyuu started, Sanemi glanced up at him, his mouth full of rice.

"What do you mean?" Sanemi managed to speak.

"Find peace somewhere else. Or we can engage in the festival activities." Giyuu offered ideas, attempting to solve the boredom and annoyance he currently dealt with.

Sanemi thought for a moment. "We could go to the shore. Nobody is there since activities are downtown." Sanemi thought out loud. "But we'd need to be back before night, probably join the crowd of people to watch for demons."

Giyuu nodded as he sipped his water.

"I can't stand the loud fucking sounds. It's been going on since early." Sanemi continued, Giyuu seemed a bit taken aback by Sanemi continuing a conversation but he pleasantly obliged with the action.

"It was unnecessary to have a whole parade so early in the morning, if they really wanted a festival they should have waited to start activities till later in the day." Giyuu went off of what Sanemi had said. He always struggled with small talk, though tried his best.

Sanemi sipped his drink then slammed it down on the table. "For fucks sake." Sanemi groaned, exhaustion and agitation coating his tone. "We've had no luck since we got here. I think we have to start playing a bit more aggressive to get the info we need." Sanemi spoke gruffly, watching Giyuu finish his meal.

"Maybe your cold hands will bless us with an answer." Giyuu mentioned jokingly. Sanemi flung a piece of rice at him and Giyuu grinned, wiping it off his sleeve before starting again, "We can't act rash. We don't know how dangerous the demon—"

"If there is one!" Sanemi interrupted him, slamming his hand on the table more aggressive then he intended. "Seriously, I'm fucking done of wilting around in this fuck ass city. If we have no point of being here then we should go and do better things." Sanemi raised his voice, aggravated at the entire idea of their mission.

Giyuu sighed, he reached over and took their dishes, walking to the kitchen to wash them. "I agree. This is ridiculous." Giyuu muttered.

"Fuck, Tomioka." Sanemi sighed. "I hate information missions." He grumbled and fiddled with his collar. "I'm tired of wearing buttoned-up shirts and not killing shit. I even hate this fucking hat!" He chucked his costume hat against a wall. Giyuu glared at him.

"Will you stop throwing a fit?" He replied nonchalantly, a hint of agitation on his face. He picked up his hat and puffed it out gently, setting it beside him.

"Shut the fuck up, Tomioka." Sanemi stood up, swiping at his hat again. "You don't do shit." He walked off to his room, pissed, as usual.

"You have a beautiful way with words." Giyuu said sarcastically before Sanemi slammed his door, shaking the house.
—
Some time had passed, Sanemi had yet to leave his room. Giyuu could feel himself going insane the more he heard music blaring from the streets and the less he had a real human interaction.