Day & Night

Nemi

Sanemi's POV

Walking through the doors of the mansion was different. I've only been here a few times, but that was when Rengoku wasn't in a coma.

"She's outside; you're the first to arrive," Tsukie's bodyguard said.

I gave him a nod in thanks before seeing her at the long table outside, gazing out to the ocean. This whole thing with Rengoku was ridiculous, and she deserved better than what she was feeling. I would never tell her, but I was there at the hospital to check in on her when she screamed from the rooftop. It made me so angry watching her like this, and all the shit he does that she either has to clean up or fix wasn't right. Rengoku didn't deserve to have a woman like her.

But she loved him and would never love me. I would have put myself between them if I hadn't been so busy while they were fighting. It was too late, and I needed to get over these feelings because now the only way that she would ever be with me was if Rengoku died, and I would never wish that upon him.

"You know crying won't bring him back," I said, sitting beside her.

Tsukie lobed her head towards me. "And shoving this coffee mug up your ass might not hurt since you might like it," she said.

"So violent," I said, smiling at her, but she just stared at me.

Her eyes had sunken in, and I could tell she was losing weight in an unhealthy way. Were any of us even checking in on her? I know I fucking wasn't, and I needed to, more being there for her than my selfish reasons.

"How are you doing?" I asked.

"Nemi, if I told you, you would have me in handcuffs," she said, looking away.

I looked at her for a moment, and damn she was right. I have to remember who she was outside of the Hashira. That should be enough to make me think differently of her, but it wasn't enough. I was about to reach out to give her a reassuring squeeze on her shoulder before we heard more of our friends walking in.

"Tsukie!" Mitsuri squealed, rushing out to greet her friend.

Mitsuri hugged her from behind, and Tsukie didn't even acknowledge her best friend. Damn it, this was killing me seeing her like this; she's a shell. More and more of our friends arrived, and Master was the last to arrive. We all stood and bowed to him before sitting at the table outside.

"My children, we have gathered here at Tsukie's request. She has informed me about a most troubling situation," Master Ubuyashiki said and nodded towards Tsukie.

Tsukie nodded before straightening herself in her seat. "A few days ago, Akumu graciously approached me."

"You met Akumu?" Tengen asked, standing out of his seat.

"What do you know about him? What does he even look like?" I asked as well.

"Children, let Tsukie speak," Master Ubuyashiki said as we settled down.

"He told me that Number 6, The Twins, are going to come after Kyojuro in the hospital a few weeks from now," Tsukie said quickly, wiping a tear away.

"And we can trust what this demon says? You don't have the best track record of relying on the demons," Obanai said, and I felt Tsukie's anger.