When They Realized (GenMui)

17

The five boys stood at the entrance of the new downtown mall, its glass facade gleaming in the sunlight. Tanjiro, always the optimist, smiled brightly at the sight. "This place looks amazing! We're going to have a great time, right?"

Inosuke, already bouncing on the balls of his feet, looked around with wide eyes. "I bet there's something in here I can fight!" He cracked his knuckles, making Zenitsu groan and take a step back.

"Can you, for once, not look for something to fight? This is supposed to be a peaceful outing!" Zenitsu complained, already dreading what chaos Inosuke might cause.

Muichiro, standing quietly at the back, took in the mall's grand entrance, his gaze sweeping over the towering pillars and the ornate chandelier hanging above them. The walls were lined with digital displays, showcasing the latest in fashion, tech, and food. He glanced at Genya beside him, noticing how the older boy's eyes flicked curiously between the displays.

"Genya, look at that," Muichiro said softly, pointing towards an animated spectacle featuring a colorful parade of characters. The characters, dressed in vibrant outfits, seemed to dance across the screen in perfect synchronization. Genya's eyes followed Muichiro's finger, a smile tugging at his lips.

"That's pretty cool. The animation's really smooth," Genya replied, leaning slightly closer to Muichiro to get a better view.

"Let's get moving, or we'll be here all day just staring at stuff!" Inosuke bellowed, shoving the doors open with enough force that they slammed against the walls. Zenitsu winced, whispering hurried apologies to no one in particular as they entered.

The interior of the mall was a sensory overload. The floor was polished marble, reflecting the light from the countless neon signs and shop windows. In the distance, they could hear the cheerful jingle of a nearby arcade, the sound of coins clinking and machines beeping filling the air. Children's laughter echoed from a play area, complete with a jungle gym, ball pit, and even a small carousel. To their left, a candy store displayed a giant gumball machine, its rainbow-colored contents tumbling endlessly in a mesmerizing swirl.

"This place is a maze," Tanjiro commented, glancing around at the various signs pointing towards different sections of the mall.

As they wandered deeper into the mall, Muichiro's eyes kept catching on little details—an intricately designed fountain with koi fish swimming in its base, a pet grooming station with tiny puppies playing in the window, and a bakery emitting the delicious scent of fresh pastries. Each time he pointed something out, Genya responded with a soft comment, clearly enjoying the chance to talk to Muichiro.

But it was when they crossed a particular shop that Muichiro stopped dead in his tracks. His eyes widened, a rare display of excitement breaking through his usually calm demeanor. "Wait... is that a cat café?"

Genya followed Muichiro's gaze, a soft chuckle escaping him. "You want to check it out?"

Muichiro nodded, and before anyone else could protest, Genya gently pushed them towards the entrance. "Come on, it'll be fun. Besides, Muichiro wants to go."

Inosuke groaned. "Cats? What's so great about cats? I bet they can't even fight!"

Tanjiro, in his attempt to make peace before anything else could slip through the noisemaker's lips, placed a hand on Inosuke's shoulder. "It's not about fighting, Inosuke. It's more so about relaxing and enjoying their company. I've always wanted one."

Zenitsu, already looking relieved, nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, let's go to the cat café. At least there's no way Inosuke can pick a fight in there."

The cat café was a cozy, warmly lit space, its walls painted in soft pastels with playful paw prints decorating the lower half. The air was filled with the gentle sound of purring, and the room was dotted with soft cushions, scratching posts, and little nooks for the cats to nap in. A friendly staff member greeted them at the door, handing out small bottles of hand sanitizer. "Please rub this on your hands before interacting with the cats. It helps keep them healthy."