MUINEZU || childhood friends, or more.

_3_

One more year had passed, and Muichiro and Nezuko were now 8 years old. They had grown a bit taller but remained as inseparable as ever. The days after school were still filled with their usual routine of hanging out together, but there was something different about them now. A subtle undercurrent that neither quite understood but keenly felt.

____________________________

Muichiro and Nezuko were currently sitting side by side on the school playground, leaning against the trunk of a large tree. The playground was mostly empty at this time after school, save for a few stragglers. The sun was setting, casting a soft glow over the area.

Muichiro was tossing a small rock he picked up in his hands, looking seemingly lost in thought. He glanced over at Nezuko, his gaze lingering a bit longer than usual, before looking away again.

Nezuko was quietly watching the sky, enjoying the serenity of the moment. As she sat there, she could sense Muichiro's gaze on her, even if he didn't look at her straight on. Her heart gave a small flutter, and she could feel a slight blush creep onto her cheeks, though she didn't know why.

After a few moments passed, she turned her head towards him, her smile soft and inquisitive.

"Hey, Mui. You're being awfully quiet today. What's on your mind?"

Muichiro blinked as if coming out of a trance, realizing he'd been caught staring at her. He quickly looked away, feeling a bit embarrassed for getting lost in thought.

"Oh, uh... nothing much. Just... thinking about stuff."

His vague response didn't quite hide the slight blush that dusted his own cheeks. He fidgeted with the rock in his hand, clearly avoiding eye contact.

Nezuko's curiosity piqued at Muichiro's uncharacteristic evasiveness. She tilted her head slightly, studying him closely. A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth, finding his attempts to avoid answering endearing.

"Stuff? What kind of stuff? Is it something I should be worried about?"

She teased a bit jokingly, trying to get him to open up, her voice soft but playful.

Muichiro's blush deepened ever so slightly at Nezuko's question and playful tone. He knew he wasn't getting off the hook so easily. He continued to fidget with the rock, avoiding her gaze while he tried to come up with a response.

"No, it's nothing like that. Just... random thoughts, you know."

He looked back at her for a brief moment, meeting her gaze before quickly looking away again, his heart beating a bit faster in his chest. He decided to turn the question back on her.

"What about you? What are you thinking about?"

Nezuko chuckled at Muichiro's response, her smile widening slightly. She knew he was trying to change the subject, but she decided to play along. She leaned back against the trunk of the tree, closing her eyes for a moment.

"Me? Oh, just the usual. School, I hate school, friends... the future."

She opened one eye to look at him, her expression becoming a bit more thoughtful.

"You know... you can tell me if something's bothering you, right? I'm here to listen."

Muichiro shifted his gaze back to her, feeling a mix of comfort and vulnerability. Her words assured him that he could open up if he wanted to, and the look in her eyes held only genuine concern and care.

He took a deep breath, his fingers clenching around the rock in his hand. He opened his mouth, hesitating for a moment before finally speaking.

"It's just... I've been thinking about us, I guess."

Nezuko raised an eyebrow slightly at Muichiro's response, curiosity and a hint of surprise in her gaze. She sat up a bit straighter, giving him her full attention.

"Us? What about us?"

She asked, leaning a bit closer to him. There was a hint of anticipation in her voice, as if she had an inkling of what he was about to say but wasn't quite sure.

Muichiro took another deep breath, feeling the weight of the conversation settling on him. It was a bit nerve-wracking, but he wanted to be honest with her, to express what he had been feeling for a while now.

"I've been thinking about us a lot lately. About... the future. You know, that promise we made, about being a couple someday."

Nezuko listened intently as Muichiro spoke, her heart rate increasing slightly. It was a topic she hadn't expected him to bring up, but one that had been on her mind as well. She was a bit taken aback by his sudden forwardness, but it only made her more curious and eager to hear more.

"Yeah, I... thought about that too," she said, a hint of bashfulness in her tone. The blush on her cheeks had deepened just a bit more visibly.

Muichiro took note of her blush, finding it adorable and reassuring. It was a good sign that she was as affected by the topic as he was. Emboldened by her response, he pressed on, wanting to get everything off his chest.

"I... I really want that promise to come true. To be your boyfriend someday," he said, his voice lowering slightly, his eyes meeting hers, and holding her gaze, a hint of vulnerability there.

Nezuko's heart skipped a beat at his words. The sincerity and vulnerability in his voice made her heart flutter, and butterflies stirred in her stomach. She felt a rush of emotions, all swirling together, but the one that stood out the most was happiness.

She smiled up at him, softer than usual, a mixture of bashfulness and warmth in her expression. She reached out and took his hand, giving it a gentle and reassuring squeeze.

"I want that too, Mui. More than anything."

____________________________

Idk