Memory [Tanjiro X Reader]

Sister

To my surprise, he smiled. "You're too kind, (Y/N). But I will say, it's a privilege to carry them with me everyday, because otherwise, who else would I be doing all these great things for?

I stood at Tanjiro's side, hunched awkwardly around my ribs. The sun was bright, and the air was silent. Around us stood three other people - a guy with a long scar on his face, a boy with bright yellow hair and a matching haori, and a girl holding a butterfly on her finger.

The week had been long and grueling. There wasn't a fight as tough as the first night, but it truly became a test of endurance after awhile. Gradually, our strength and energy was expended and there wasn't enough time or resources during the days to recover. Even though he tried to hide it, Tanjiro was now walking with a limp.

The silence was heavy and gave me another reason why it felt hard to inhale. There had been a big group of us participating, maybe twenty or thirty, and only the five of us survived.

Demons are no joke. . . I can see now with my own eyes why they're so dangerous.

Mutters from the yellow-haired boy felt like white noise, blending in like the sound of wind, but it left a sense of morbidness in the pit of my stomach.

"I'm going to die. . . even if I survive now, I'm going to die. . ."

Totally setting the right mood here.

"Welcome back."

The twins who started the exam spoke in unison, stepping in front of a table with a purple cloth on top. When they spoke again, they alternated.

"Congratulations."

"We're pleased to see that you're safe."

An arrogant voice interrupted them, coming from scarface. "So, what am I supposed to do now? Where's my sword?"

His tone and his demeanor reminded me of the few customers who would come into the cafe and try to bully us with their superiority complex. I never had any of it, and neither did Max and Mom, especially Max. I guess being the only man in the family, he felt more protective of Mom and I, even though he knew we could manage. Sometimes his presence was enough to deter unwanted patrons.

The worst memory that comes to mind is a customer who claimed I made his order wrong when I brought it to his table. He immediately started yelling, and I went into a defensive customer-service ramble of apologies, to remake his drink, whatever it was. But the second he stood, pushing his chair to the ground, and tried to tower over me, Max had stepped between us and shoved him back in the chest.

"Get out." He had said in a cold, calm voice. That was the only time I ever heard him speak like that, and I never saw that man again.

"First, we shall issue you all uniforms." The twins continued, unbothered by scarface. "We will take your measurements, and after your rank will be engraved." They went on to explain the ranks, and that we were at the lowest - Mizunoto.

"And our swords?" I glanced at scarface, taking in his furrowed brows and crossed arms.

God, he sounds so arrogant and rude.

"Today, we will let you choose the ore for your swords. However, the swords will take ten to fifteen days to complete." The twins either ignored him or had no social awareness. They continued without missing a beat. "But first - "

They clapped their hands, and squawking and wings flapping descended from above us. I looked up, eyes sharp, my instinct telling me this was a threat. But I lowered my guard as a raven landed on my shoulder. I heard Tanjiro gasp, and saw he had a similar bird perched on him. It seemed everyone had a bird, but the yellow-haired boy had a small sparrow instead.