Chapter 71 - With You Always

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Chapter Song: The Marias - "No One Noticed"
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The room was dimly lit, the single lantern casting flickering shadows on the walls. Obanai sat on the edge of the bed, his phone clutched tightly in his hand. The article's headline glared back at him, its words searing into his mind: Deputy Officer Kyoga Shinazugawa Found Dead. Below it, another breaking headline burned just as fiercely: Local Apartment Manager Found Brutally Murdered in Elevator. He let out a low, frustrated breath, raking his hand through his hair as the weight of it all pressed down on him.

"Damn it," he muttered, his voice low and taut with anger. "What the hell is going on?"

"Obanai..."

He looked up to see Mitsuri emerging from the bathroom, her damp hair framing her face and steam trailing behind her. A towel wrapped around her, she clutched it tightly as her wide eyes locked onto the screen of his phone. She had seen it. Her hand flew to her mouth, her voice trembling. "Sanemi's dad... and... the manager from our apartment... Obanai, is this true?"

Obanai exhaled deeply, his shoulders sagging under the weight of it all. "Yeah. Both of them. It's true," he admitted, his voice subdued but resolute. He tapped the edge of the bed, silently urging her to sit beside him.

Mitsuri hesitated for a moment before walking over, her damp skin cool against the warm light of the lantern. She sat, searching his face for answers. "Obanai, we have to tell him. He needs to know!"

Obanai lowered his head, resting his hand against his temple. "Mitsuri... I don't know if now is the right time. He's with Kanae. He's... in the middle of proposing." His voice cracked slightly as he trailed off.

Mitsuri placed a gentle hand on his back, her touch steadying. She didn't push him to speak, waiting in patient silence. After a long moment, Obanai straightened, meeting her gaze. His eyes, filled with anger and a trace of fear, reflected the storm of emotions swirling inside him.

"Mitsuri, there's more," he finally said, his voice low. "It's not just them... I checked the apartment cameras before the feed cut out. The manager and someone dressed as maintenance went into your apartment. The guy... he looked straight into the camera and smiled." He paused, his hands clenching into fists. "It was Doma."

Mitsuri's breath hitched. Her trembling hands hovered over her mouth. "You're sure?"

Obanai nodded grimly. "It was him. No question. He smiled right into the lens before the connection dropped. I only got thirty seconds of footage. After that... nothing."

Her expression darkened, worry clouding her bright green eyes. "But why the manager? He was so kind and respectful. How could Doma do such a thing."

Obanai's tone dropped further, heavy with grief. "Some... witnesses said they saw someone ran out in a maintenance uniform, covered in blood. That was Doma. I know it."

Mitsuri's eyes were filled with fear, her voice trembling. "And Sanemi? He's proposing right now... Obanai, how will he handle all of this?"

Obanai rubbed his temples again, frustration evident. "I don't know, Mitsuri. He's strong, but this? Losing his dad, knowing the manager was killed, and realizing Doma's back? It could push him over the edge. For now... I don't want to ruin his moment with Kanae. Not yet."

Mitsuri sat quietly, processing everything. Then she reached out, placing her hand over his. Her warmth anchored him. "Okay," she said softly. "I understand. But what's the plan? What can I do to help?"

Obanai's hardened expression softened as he looked at her, his hand moving to cradle her cheek. "Right now, I just want you to be with your family. I know this isn't the time for joy, but it's important to me that you have these moments. Tomorrow... we'll figure everything out. Together."

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