Chapter 43 - Let it Out

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Chapter Song: øneheart - "Until I found you"

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Obanai's fingers tightened gently around Mitsuri's as he sat across from her. The words felt heavy on his tongue, but he knew they had to talk about it—he couldn't let things remain unfinished between them any longer.

"Mitsuri... I want to talk. Talk about my past," he said quietly, his voice laced with a seriousness that made her look up, startled. "Can we... meet after your shift? At my place?"

Her heart raced at his suggestion, but she nodded, trying to keep her emotions steady. "Okay," she whispered. "I'd like that."

They stayed in that quiet corner a little longer, their hands still linked, as though neither wanted to break the fragile connection they had rediscovered. But eventually, the clock ticked forward, and her break came to an end. Mitsuri stood slowly, her hand slipping away from his, and with one last glance at him, she returned to her duties.

The rest of her shift dragged by, her thoughts clouded by the anticipation of what was to come. Obanai waited patiently at the back of the bakery, his presence a constant reminder of the conversation that hung between them. She stole glances at him, her heart aching with the weight of what they both still felt for each other, hoping things would go back to they use to be just like last night.

Finally, as the sun began to set, her shift ended around 5pm. Mitsuri untied her apron, her fingers trembling slightly with nervous energy, and when she stepped out from behind the counter, she found Obanai already standing by the door, waiting for her.

Without a word, she put on her jacket as they left the bakery together, the cool evening air wrapping around them as they walked to his car. Obanai opened the passenger door for her, and she slid in, her heart pounding as he got into the driver's seat. The ride was quiet, but not uncomfortable. It was a silence filled with the anticipation of everything left unsaid.

Instead of taking them to his place, as they had planned, Obanai drove further down to Mitsuri's apartment. She glanced over at him, confused.

"I thought—"

"I know. I just... want to talk somewhere you feel comfortable." Obanai said softly, his eyes focused on the road. Mitsuri felt her heart swell at his thoughtfulness, the care he always showed her even when they were apart.

When they arrived, they remained in the car for a moment, the soft hum of the engine filling the space between them. Obanai leaned back, his eyes distant for a moment, gathering his thoughts.

"I've been thinking a lot," he began, his voice quiet but steady. "About my past and what happened"

"It's okay, we don't have to talk about it anymore" she nervously said hoping the topic wouldn't start another fight.

"You deserve to know. To decide if we should continue on in this relationship" He replied firmly yet there was a sad tone in his voice. One that sank her heart.

"I'm sure you know most of the story from Kyojuro. And if he fully told you, then you know my family is dead" he continued to look forward.

Mitsuri stood silent her hands slightly trembling.

Obanai took her silent as a yes. "I'm the first male to be born after so many years of just female. My family used me to get even more fame, show me off since birth like I was a prize possession. The moment I showed any sign of rebellion I was thrown somewhere to 'learn my lesson' and 'be grateful'. Deep down, I hated it. Apart of me wondered if I had been born a woman, would I been happier?" Obanai slouched more into his seat.

Trying to lighten the mood Mitsuri brushed his hair away from his face. "You are beautiful. If you grown out your hair, I'd probably mistake you for a woman" she teased him. "You and Misaki look like twins" she giggled

Obanai smiled a little. "We are children from twin mothers. I know that kills her deep inside that we look identical. Everyone always mistaken that we're twins".

Mitsuri smiled but soon after turn serious. "I'm sorry you went through that. It was hard on you at such a young age". She placed her hands above his and gently squeezed.

"Yea it was. It still hurts in some ways till this day. I-tried to save them, tried to find the authority to stop those guys, but I didn't know, I didn't hear the threats. I didn't know which building my family was held hostage, I didn't know where Misaki was hiding. All I heard was heavy footsteps and the sound of a gun clicking, so I hid underneath my bed. Luckily they didn't come into my room. And after a while of not hearing anything, I ran out through the window. I thought I was discreet, I thought I wasn't noticed, but I was wrong. By the time I came back with police officers, one of them being Kyojuro's father, they were dead." Obanai eyes were cold and almost lifeless. She could tell it still weight on him, still haunting him.

Mitsuri stood quiet, then she questioned "where was Misaki in all this"

"From what she reported, she was hiding in a closet. It was faint but she heard everything from where she was. When I was reunited with her, she pushed me away and screamed, accusing me of killing them. Like me, she's haunted by their deaths. Looking at me reminds her of the screams she heard that night. Like my smoking, she drinks and parties a lot. I think it's so she doesn't feel alone". He held onto the cigarette box, trying to calm his nerves. "I didn't want to drag you into it. I thought staying away was protecting you. But I realize... I only hurt you."

Mitsuri looked at him, her chest tightening as she listened. "I felt abandoned. Alone"

He exhaled, his hand gripping the box tightly for a moment, crushing it before he spoke again. "I'm sorry. I should have thought about how it would effect you instead of disconnecting... I've been carrying a lot of guilt. About my past, how things ended up between us... It's hard for me to believe that someone like you could care for someone like me. I couldn't bear the thought of you getting hurt because of me."

His voice cracked slightly, and Mitsuri's heart broke as she heard the vulnerability in his words. She reached out, placing a gentle hand on his arm.

"You could have told me," she whispered. "I would have understood if you'd have given me a chance."

Obanai shook his head, his gaze still distant. "I didn't want you to have to understand. I thought it was better if I handled everything alone, but I've been drowning in it, Mitsuri. The guilt, the fear... It's been eating away at me. And I thought if I pushed you away, I'd be sparing you from having to deal with me in this state of mind."

Tears welled in Mitsuri's eyes, her heart aching for him. "Obanai, you don't have to do this alone. I love you, from the moment we met. I want to be there for you, no matter what you're going through."

He turned to her then, his mismatched eyes glistening with unshed tears, and the raw emotion in his gaze sent a shiver through her.

"I don't deserve you," he whispered, his voice breaking. "But I want to try... if you'll still want too."

Mitsuri's breath caught in her throat, and without thinking, she reached for his hand, squeezing it tightly.

"I never stopped wanting you," she whispered back, her voice thick with emotion. "We'll figure this out together."

Obanai nodded, the weight of his emotions clear in his gaze. And for the first time in a long while, it felt like the distance between them had finally started to close.
Hesitate at first, Mitsuri lean in first then Obanai lean into a kiss.

𝓡𝓮𝓶𝓮𝓶𝓫𝓮𝓻 𝓜𝓮 [ ObaMitsu fanfic/ R-(M)] Kimetsu No YaibaWhere stories live. Discover now