Twilight, Sanemi Shinazugawa

thirty four, reverie

This chapter might be a little hard to follow, just bare with me 😭
(pls comment any questions you have!)

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"Demon slayers don't roll down hills," Sakonji said sternly, arms crossed as he gave Sabito a disapproving look.

"But we're not demon slayers yet!" Giyuu protested, his lips forming a stubborn frown.

"Exactly," Sabito chimed in. "We've still got a couple of weeks before the Final Selection."

You nodded, grinning. "And then, we'll never ask to do anything this childish again."

Sakonji's gaze softened as he looked between the three of you, though the unease remained. Honestly, he had felt that unsettling sensation ever since he took you in. You were all so young, yet already burdened with the knowledge of demons and the bloodshed they bring. And soon, you'd face an even darker world—the world of demon slaying.

If it were up to him, he would let you live out the rest of your days in peace, far from demons and death. But it wasn't. In two weeks, you would either become a demon slayer... or die trying on that mountain.

"Do what you want," he muttered, the frown hidden beneath his mask deepening as your cheers of excitement echoed in the air.

"Me first!" Giyuu called, already sitting at the top of the hill, impatient to start.

You laughed, crouching behind him. "Lay down, already." He grinned, quickly following your instructions before bursting into laughter as you gave him a firm push, sending him rolling down the hill.

Sitting where he'd just been, you watched Giyuu tumble to the bottom, his laughter carrying up the hill as he waved at you and Sabito. Leaves clung to his wild, messy hair, and you couldn't help but smile at the sight.

"Sabito, push me!" you cheered eagerly, lying down in Giyuu's place.

Sabito chuckled, bracing his hands on your back. "Hold on tight," he teased, counting down before giving you a push. You laughed all the way down, the world spinning around you, carefree for just a little longer.

When you reached the bottom, you were greeted by Giyuu's outstretched hand. You took it, pulling yourself up while swiping a stray twig from his hair. He grumbled, swatting at your hand, but couldn't hide the smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

You glanced up the hill at Sabito, who stood tall and proud, the wind tousling his hair, making it difficult to see his face. He pushed the strands aside before sitting down, his expression full of mischief. "My turn!" he called, laying back with a laugh and rolling down the hill himself.

He came to a stop near the base of the hill, leaves and grass tangled in his hair, but his smile was wide, eyes sparkling with joy. He jumped up, brushing dirt from his clothes and shaking his head like a dog to get rid of the leaves.

"I think I was the fastest," Sabito declared proudly, his chest puffed out.

"You were also the most ridiculous-looking," you quipped, earning a laugh from Giyuu.

"Maybe," Sabito grinned, mischief returning to his expression. You barely had time to raise an eyebrow before he lunged at you, tapping your shoulder with a quick jab. "You're it!" Giyuu's eyes widened in surprise, sprinting off in the same direction as Sabito.

You blinked for a moment, processing the shift, before narrowing your eyes with determination. You took off, feet kicking up dirt as you chased them across the field.