Memory [Tanjiro X Reader]

Warmth

My breath hitched.

Tanjiro.

I don't know how I recognized him, but the moment I saw his face, his name flashed in my mind. We'd never met, and yet, a dull ache began pulsing in my head, like a memory trying to resurface.

I must've been staring at him for a long time. When his eyes met mine, recognition filled them, and a wave of warmth surged through me.

"Natsumi?? Natsumi!" he cried, rushing over and pulling me into a tight embrace. His hold was suffocating, but I couldn't bring myself to push him away.

He knew me. From before.

When he finally pulled back, tears streaked his cheeks. His gaze searched mine, and as he noticed the confusion in my eyes, his smile faltered. He gently released his grip on my arms, taking a small step back.

". . . Are you alright?" His voice was soft, filled with disbelief. "I thought you were dead."

I hadn't said a word. I cleared my throat awkwardly, shifting on my feet.

"Sorry, I. . . I don't remember you," I whispered, hating the way the words sounded. "I have amnesia. I don't remember most things, I'm sorry."

His eyes widened in shock. "Don't apologize! That's not your fault." He paused, his voice quiet as he asked, "So, you don't remember me?"

I shook my head gently, feeling a strange pang of guilt.

How could I feel so bad for forgetting someone I didn't even know?

"That's okay," he said softly, offering me a kind smile. "I'm just glad you're okay, and here now. I never imagined you'd become a Demon Slayer too."

He's so kind. Even with this news, he's trying to make me feel better.

I managed a small smile in return. "Yeah, honestly, I never thought I would either." I hesitated, then asked, "You, um. . . How did we know each other before?"

Tanjiro chuckled softly. "Oh, right. I'm Tanjiro Kamado. I was your neighbor, before, well..." His voice trailed off, the uneasy laugh lingering in the air.

"Kamado?" I repeated, the name ringing a distant bell.

He nodded. "Yeah."

Shinobu had mentioned him once, way back when I first woke up.

"We lived on the same mountain, didn't we? A snowy one?"

His eyes brightened. "Yeah! You remembered?"

"No, I was told. When I was recovering."

His excitement dimmed, but he quickly recovered with a reassuring smile. "That's alright. I'm sure your memories will come back, Natsumi."

"Actually, I go by a different name now. (Y/N)," I murmured, unsure of how he'd take it.

Tanjiro's brows lifted in surprise, but his smile never wavered. "Oh, I like it. Why did you decide to change it?"

I shifted on my feet, the weight of the question hanging in the air. "It's. . . complicated."

He nodded slowly, his expression softening with understanding. "We've all been through a lot," he said gently. "But I'm just glad you're here now. I never thought I'd see you again."

The sincerity in his voice caused my chest to tighten, a familiar feeling creeping in even though I couldn't place it. I should have felt relief, happiness maybe, but instead, there was a hollow ache. It was unsettling.

Before I could open my mouth to speak, two young girls who appeared to be twins walked down the steps and stopped in front of the group. I hadn't been paying attention to the space around us, but there was quite a handful of people who were participating.