Larzish -Entertainment District- [Kimetsu no Yaiba x F! Reader]

Yoiichiro Type Zero

'Matsui-san sure is a... messy guy?' you thought, unable to help but judge the interior of his house. It wasn't at all what you expected based on your initial impression of him.

Matsui, however, seemed completely unaware of your thoughts as he clumsily poured homemade tea into your cup. His movements were a bit awkward but relaxed, and it was hard to read what was going on behind the mask he wore.

"..."

"..."

The silence stretched between you, making the atmosphere feel a bit tense. It was your first meeting with your new swordsmith, and unlike your former swordsmith, Haganezuka-who was loud, short-tempered, and easy to read-you found Matsui much more difficult to understand. With Haganezuka, you knew exactly how to handle him, often baiting him with a few mitarashi dango to get on his good side. But with Matsui, his reserved demeanor left you at a loss for how to start a conversation.

'W-What should I say? This is getting awkward-- ah! Maybe I should compliment his tea!' You sipped the tea he offered and immediately coughed as soon as the liquid touched your tongue. The taste was bitter and far too strong, catching you off guard.

Matsui's quickly waved his hands, clearly flustered by your reaction. He moved to grab something to help, but in his haste, he knocked over a small stack of papers (sketches and planning for new swords), sending them fluttering to the ground.

"Um... It's okay!" You tried to reassure but his frantic movements tells you he didn't hear you.

He bent down to pick the stack of papers up, but in his rush, he bumped into the table, causing the teapot to wobble dangerously.

You couldn't help but feel a mix of embarrassment and worry as you watched him stumble around, trying to remedy the situation. Despite his calm exterior, it was clear he wasn't as composed as he first appeared.

"Are you alright?!" You asked, sweat dropping, 'Matsui-san... He's quite clumsy?'

Finally, Matsui managed to set the papers and teapot back in place. He looked at you, his voice a mix of concern and apology, as if worried he had made a terrible impression.

"I'm... sorry," he mumbled, his voice barely above a whisper. "The tea... it's stronger than usual."

Waving off his concern, you try to ease the tension. "It's okay, really," you said, your voice still hoarse from the tea. "I just wasn't expecting it. I'm not used to such strong flavors, it's not your fault."

Matsui nodded, clearly relieved that you weren't upset. The awkwardness still lingered, but there was also a sense of shared embarrassment that made the situation a little less tense. "It's... an acquired taste," Matsui explained, his voice a bit steadier now. He hesitated before adding, "I'll make it weaker next time."

You smiled, appreciating the effort he was making, even if it was a bit clumsy, "Thank you. I'd like that!"

Your impression of him shifted after that, and the more time you spent talking to him, the clearer it became. Instead of the stoic, reserved person you once thought he was, you discovered a much softer side-someone who was, in fact, shy and often struggled to express himself. His silence, which you had mistaken for coldness or indifference, was actually uncertainty. You began to notice the small tells, how he would fidget with his hands, as if searching for the right words but never quite finding them.