𝓡𝓮𝓶𝓮𝓶𝓫𝓮𝓻 𝓜𝓮 [ ObaMitsu fanfic/ R-(M)] Kimetsu No Yaiba

Chapter 23 - Heavy Heart

Chapter Song: my head is empty - "the weight of the world"

Mitsuri's apartment was quiet when they arrived as the girls left to get dinner. The air between her and Obanai was thick with unspoken words and leftover tension from the encounter at her ex's place. The walls of the apartment felt unfamiliar, still bare, as if reflecting the uncertainty that lingered between them. Mitsuri set the box near the door, hesitating for a moment.

Obanai stood awkwardly in the entryway, his hands deep in his pockets, not quite sure if he should stay or leave. The silence between them felt heavier than usual, as it was his fault. He glanced at her, then quickly looked away, unsure of what to say.

"Thanks you for coming with me Iguro" Mitsuri finally said, her voice soft but filled with gratitude. She smiled, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. "I couldn't have done it alone."

Obanai nodded, his heart squeezing at the fact she remained using his last name. He wanted to say something comforting, something to make things less awkward, but the words wouldn't come. Instead, he just stood there, looking at her, feeling the distance that had grown between them over the past week. The tension from their shared ordeal still hung in the air, but now there was something else.

As they stood by the door, Obanai shifted slightly, his eyes searching Mitsuri's face, the weight of unspoken words pressing down on his chest. He couldn't leave it like this—not after everything they had just been through.

"Mitsuri..." he began hesitantly, his voice low. "About what Misaki said earlier... I think we need to—"

But Mitsuri cut him off, her voice trembling, "I-I need time to think. To process everything." Her gaze dropped to the floor, avoiding his eyes as if she couldn't bear to look at him right now. "I'm just... I'm not ready."

A wave of uncertainty washed over Obanai, and his throat tightened as he asked the question he had been dreading. "Is it over... are we done, Mitsuri?"

Her breath hitched at his words, and without warning, tears welled up in her eyes. She shook her head, her voice breaking. "No. No, we're not. I just need time. Time for myself, for everything to settle." She took a shaky breath, wiping at her eyes, "I'll reach out to you when I'm ready. I just... I need space right now."

Obanai's heart ached at the sight of her tears. As their conversation neared its inevitable end, Obanai stepped forward, wrapping his arms around Mitsuri in a gentle but desperate embrace. She hesitated for only a moment, then melted into him, her own arms pulling him close as if she feared letting go would mean losing him forever. It was a bittersweet closeness—one that felt right and wrong all at once. The warmth of their embrace was comforting, yet an undercurrent of sorrow ran through it, knowing this might be the last time they held each other like this.

Their faces ended up just inches apart, the tension between them palpable. Mitsuri could feel his breath on her lips, and for a split second, the urge to close the distance overwhelmed her. She could tell he felt the same—his grip tightened, his forehead leaning in, the slightest tilt of his head. Their lips hovered dangerously close, and the need to kiss him surged within her, stronger than the pain in her heart.

But as she looked into his eyes, Obanai's gaze shifted, and he saw it—the tears welling in her eyes, threatening to spill over. It was a heartbreaking sight. His chest tightened, his longing replaced by an overwhelming ache. The desire to kiss her dissolved, and what was left was a hollow, aching sadness. It wasn't the right time. Not like this.

Mitsuri blinked, and the tears fell, her lips trembling as she fought to keep herself composed. She wanted him so badly, but they both knew it was impossible now. Too much had been left unsaid. Too much hurt lingered between them. The timing was all wrong, and they both knew that if they kissed, it would be a desperate escape, not the healing they both needed.