An Arranged Marriage//(GIYUSANE)

Chapter 15 || 𝐌𝐎𝐎𝐍

Sanemi POV

Dinner with Genya and his friends, Muichiro, Tanjiro, and Nezuko, was a welcome change.

Seeing Genya surrounded by people, laughing and sharing stories, warmed my heart. He'd been so lonely lately, and I was relieved he finally had a group he could connect with.

As we ate, my phone buzzed. It was Giyuu. "Hey, let's go out again," the message read.

A smile touched my lips. I found him amusing, and despite our rocky start, I was starting to enjoy his company.

Maybe our arranged marriage wasn't so bad after all.

Perhaps we could even be friends, explore new things together. My life had been so dull, so utterly messed up, that any change, even a small one, felt like a breath of fresh air.

"Okay," I replied. He said he'd pick me up at 4:00 pm. It was only noon, so I had plenty of time.

After dinner, I decided to go for a walk. The thought of spending the rest of the day glued to my phone filled me with dread.

I needed to move, to feel the sun on my skin, to remind myself that I was still alive. The idea of disappearing had been a constant in my mind for months, but lately, it had lost its appeal.

I wasn't sure why, but something had shifted. Perhaps it was the newfound joy I saw in Genya's eyes, or maybe it was the unexpected spark of friendship with Giyuu. Whatever the reason, I was starting to feel a flicker of hope, a tiny ember of possibility that I had almost forgotten existed.

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The clock ticked past 2:30. Giyuu was picking me up at 4:00, and I still had a mountain of tasks to conquer before I felt even remotely presentable.

The scar on my face, a constant reminder of a past I desperately wanted to forget, was the biggest hurdle.

I piled on layers of foundation, hoping to mask its presence, to make it less noticeable.

A knock on the door startled me. I opened it to find Genya standing there. "Giyuu's already here, Nemi," he said. My brow furrowed. It wasn't even 3:00 yet.

"He's too early," I said, my voice tight with irritation. "Tell him I'm still getting ready." I closed the door and returned to my frantic preparations.

Foundation, hair, clothes, shoes, watch - everything had to be perfect. I wanted to look good, not for Giyuu, but for myself. I wanted to feel confident, to reclaim a sense of control over my appearance.

My outfit was simple, but it felt right. I stood back, taking in my reflection. The scar was still there, a faint shadow on my face, but it didn't feel as overwhelming as it had before. Maybe it was the foundation.

I descended tlhe stairs, my heart pounding in my chest. Giyuu sat on the couch, engaged in conversation with Genya and his friends. As they turned to look at me, I noticed Giyuu's brow furrow. Had I done something wrong? Did I look terrible?

"Let's go, Sanemi," he said, a smile gracing his lips.

We walked out of the house, As we reached the car, Giyuu's question hung in the air, a weight I hadn't anticipated.

"Why did you cover your scar, Sanemi?" he asked, his gaze unwavering.

Confusion clouded my features. "Because it's ugly, obviously," I replied, my voice flat.

"But... it's not," he said, his voice soft but firm. "It's beautiful."

A blush crept up my neck, spreading warmth across my cheeks. My heart thumped against my ribs, a rhythm I couldn't quite understand.

It was the first time anyone had called my scar beautiful.

The words hung in the air, a strange melody that echoed within me, stirring something deep within my soul.

It was a sensation I couldn't name, a mixture of surprise, confusion, and a strange, unfamiliar warmth.

"The-the fuck you mean?" I stammered, my voice a shaky whisper.

He chuckled, a low, rumbling sound that sent shivers down my spine. "I'm serious. I like your scar." His smile was genuine, warm and disarming. "So don't cover it."

The words hung in the air, a jarring dissonance to the symphony of self-loathing that had played in my head for years.

The ugly scar, a constant reminder of that terrible day, burned into my memory. But could it be true? Could my scar, the thing I loathed most, be beautiful?

"Shut up, it's my life," I snapped, crossing my arms defensively. I leaned back against the seat, closing my eyes, trying to shut out the chaos swirling within me. But even with my eyes closed, I could feel my heart pounding against my chest, a frantic drumbeat that echoed the turmoil within.

GIYUU POV

I started driving, my gaze drifting to Sanemi in the passenger seat. His scar, a stark white line against his otherwise flawless skin, drew my attention. It was a mystery, a silent story etched onto his face. I yearned to know its origin, to understand the pain it represented.

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We arrived at our destination, a wide expanse of flat ground dotted with patches of grass. It wasn't much, but it was a place where we could relax, breathe, and escape the confines of the city.

Sanemi stirred, his eyes opening slowly. We both stepped out of the car, I spread a blanket on the grass, arranging the food I had brought.

Sanemi's brow furrowed as he surveyed the scene, arms crossed protectively. "What is this? You didn't even tell me we needed to bring food," he growled, his voice laced with irritation. I offered him a nervous smile.

"I wanted you to taste my cooking," I said, my voice soft. "Please?"

He sat down, picking up a piece of food and taking a bite. He chewed thoughtfully, his expression unreadable. Then, a flicker of surprise crossed his face.

"It's good," he said, his voice subdued.

A genuine smile touched my lips. "I'm glad you like it," I said, taking a seat beside him. We ate in silence, the only sounds the rustling of the wind and the occasional crunch of food.

As we finished eating, darkness descended, enveloping the landscape in a velvety cloak. The moon, a pale sliver in the inky sky, fought a losing battle against the encroaching clouds.

"I came here to watch the moon," I said, my voice tinged with disappointment. "But it's so cloudy. It's going to block it completely."

Sanemi looked up at the sky, his gaze following the slow, inexorable movement of the clouds. "We can watch it another time," he said, his voice calm. "At least we enjoyed eating. Let's watch the moon before the clouds completely cover it."

I didn't respond, my gaze fixed on the moon, now a mere sliver of light, struggling to pierce through the thickening darkness.

"It's going to rain," I whispered, a sense of foreboding settling over me.

"Le-let's go back," Sanemi said, his voice hesitant, almost stuttering. There was a tremor in his voice, a hint of something unspoken, something that bothered him.

"Why?" I asked, my voice a soft whisper.

He hesitated for a moment, his gaze fixed on the gathering clouds. "I hate the rain," he finally admitted, his voice low and gruff.

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