HERO ᝰ g. tomioka

a surprise awaits

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CHAPTER 21 - A SURPRISE AWAITS
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Y/N SWUNG HER SWORD with fierce determination, the blade slicing through the air in a deadly arc. Tanjiro, his senses heightened, ducked with swift precision, narrowly evading her strike. Their duel unfolded with a relentless intensity in the backyard of the Butterfly Mansion. Giyu, Kanao, and Inosuke observed from the porch, their eyes fixed on the combatants.

Inosuke grunted. "That woman is lightning fast! Didn't she just wake up from a coma?"

"Well it has been almost two months since then." Kanao added. "It's good to see that Ms.y/n hasn't lost her skills."

"A coma won't stop her from being cool." Giyu said quietly as he watched his girlfriend fight.

Kanao and Inosuke leaned down to glare at Giyu, prompting him to look over at them with confusion. "What?"

"You think she's cool? How romantic, it's gross!!" Inosuke gagged.

"It's endearing to see you appreciate her like that! I think she's impressive too." Kanao's eyes sparkled with amusement.

"N-No she just has an obsession with trying to be cool...I mean, she is cool...Forget it," He muttered, turning away from them irritably.

Tanjiro leaped back, sweat trickling down his brow. "Wow, y/n! You're incredible! This is great training!"

"Glad I could help!" She boasted, spinning her swords into their holsters on each side of her hip.

"Lunch is ready! You guys come inside before the food gets cold!" Aoi peeked her head out from inside, calling them in for food.

"RICE BALLS!!!" Inosuke and Tanjiro yelled, sprinting indoors with Kanao and Aoi following close behind.

Giyu stood up from the porch as y/n walked to him, and revealed a small handkerchief in his palm. "How did I do!?" She sparkled, Giyu wiping the sweat off her face with the cloth.

"Great."

"That's it? No critiques?"

"I'm not your trainer anymore, y/n."

"But you could still give me pointers!"

"...You should refine your Fourth Form. Even in a sparring match with Tanjiro, it's crucial to treat it like a real battle. Also, when dodging his attacks, avoid leaving openings. If he uses one of his Water Breathing forms that curve his strikes, you could be in grave danger. And—"

Y/n slapped her hand over Giyu's mouth. "I take it back. Just be my boyfriend."

As her hand fell away, a small, affectionate smile played on his lips. "Okay."

Y/n couldn't peel her eyes away from Giyu's face. His brows furrowed suspiciously. "What?"

"I love how the sun makes you look," she confessed, her gaze softening.

"...Huh?"

"I never realized it, but I used to see you mostly during the winter time. But everytime I see you in the spring and summer seasons, you look more handsome. Less gloomy!" She cooed, pinching his cheek.

His eyes narrowed. "Stop that."

"Why? You've got the cutest face." She started pinching both cheeks. "When we get married, I want it to be during the summer, so the sun makes you look super handsome."

Giyu's brows shot up. "Married?"

Y/n paused. "Sorry, thinking out loud! I just blurted it!--" She spoke nervously to salvage the situation, but Giyu couldn't help but smile at her.

"Okay...We'll get married in the summer."

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"Do you have to leave!?" Y/n's voice wailed desperately, her fingers clinging to Giyu's waist as he dragged her across the floor, her pleas echoing through the hallway.

"Y/n, we've been over this!" Giyu's tone was firm but weary, his efforts to free himself from her grasp relentless. "I'm fully recovered now, so I have to return to duty!"

"NooOoOoO!" She whined into his haori.

"You're getting snot on me!!!"

Tanjiro and Inosuke appeared around the corner, dressed in their uniforms and ready to attend their next mission. "Oh, Mr.Giyu!--Y-Y/n?"

"Tanjiro! Tell Giyu to stay behind with me and not to leave my side!" Y/n begged the teen.

Giyu grabbed the top of her head, making her yelp in pain. He bent down to the floor with her, fire surrounding him. "I need to leave."

Y/n stuck out her bottom lip, then smiled as an idea popped into her head. "...Retire from being a Hashira!"

"YOU CAN'T ASK ME TO RETIRE JUST SO I DON'T LEAVE YOU!" Giyu hissed.

Tanjiro and Inosuke watched silently from the corner. "Y-You can tell they've been friends for a while based on the way they talk to each other." Tanjiro sweat-dropped, Insouke agreeing.

Giyu squeezed his eyes shut, sighing loudly. "You're discharged in another month. I'll meet you at Kanroji's as soon as you're let out."

"Huh? Mitsuri's? Why her place?"

"I have a surprise being arranged for you. Until then, I'll be gone on missions. Recover the best you can." He kissed her forehead gently, before standing up and meeting with his underlings.

Y/n's face lit up, stars sparkling around her. "A surprise!? What is it!?"

"That defeats the entire purpose y/n." He waved goodbye as they exited the front door. He turned over and grinned at his whining girlfriend. She's so immature... "I'll see you in a month. Wait for me until then."

"...Okay! Be safe!"