𝑅𝑒𝓂𝑒𝓂𝒷𝑒𝓇 𝑀𝑒 [ ObaMitsu fanfic/ R-(MA)] Kimetsu No Yaiba

Chapter 87.5 - Between the Serpents

The silence of the house was broken by the sound of the door slamming shut, the locks clicking into place in rapid succession. Hakuji leaned against the door for a moment, his chest heaving as he struggled to catch his breath. His hands trembled as he wiped at his face, trying to calm the storm inside him, but it was no use. He pushed off the door and bolted toward the bedroom, his footsteps echoing in the quiet space.

Koyuki stirred at the sudden noise, her eyes fluttering open as the sound of drawers opening and closing reached her ears. She sat up in bed, confused and groggy, her gaze falling on Hakuji as he moved around the room like a mad man.

"Hakuji?" she called softly, her voice tinged with sleep. "What are you doing?"

He didn't look at her, his focus entirely on the duffle bag he was stuffing with clothes and essentials. "We have to leave," he said, his voice tight and hurried. "Now."

The words jolted her fully awake, and she swung her legs over the side of the bed, watching him with wide, concerned eyes. "What? Why? What's going on?"

"I can't explain," he replied, still not meeting her gaze as he zipped up one bag and grabbed another from the closet. "But we need to go. Pack what you can. We're staying at your father's dojo for a while."

Koyuki's heart sank at his words. She stood there for a moment, her mind racing as she tried to piece together what could have happened. "Hakuji," she said softly, her voice trembling, "what did you do?"

He froze for a split second, his hands gripping the bag he was holding. "Don't," he said quietly, almost pleadingly, before resuming his frantic packing. "Just trust me. We have to leave."

But she couldn't ignore the weight in his voice, the desperation in his movements. She knew him too well. He was running, and not just from anything—something big, something dangerous. Her chest tightened as the realization hit her. He's done something wrong.

Tears pricked at her eyes as she moved to the closet, pulling out her own bag and beginning to pack. Her movements were slower, more deliberate, her hands shaking as she folded her clothes and placed them inside. She couldn't stop the tears that began to fall, her heart breaking with each passing second.

"Hakuji," she whispered to herself, her voice cracking.

He stopped what he was doing and turned to her, his expression softening when he saw her tears. "Koyuki..." he began, stepping toward her. "Why are you crying?"

She didn't look at him. Instead, she raised her hand, palm outward—a silent gesture that cut deeper than any words could. It was a message, clear and unyielding: I'm disappointed. Leave me alone.

Hakuji's heart twisted in his chest as he took a step back, his arms falling limply to his sides. He wanted to reach out to her, to explain, to beg for her understanding, but the look in her eyes stopped him. She wasn't just sad—she was heartbroken. And he knew he was the reason why.

The room fell into an unbearable silence, broken only by the soft sounds of Koyuki packing her bag. She wiped at her cheeks with the back of her hand, her movements robotic, as if she were forcing herself to go through the motions. Hakuji stood there, rooted in place, his mind racing with things he wanted to say but couldn't.

"I just..." he started, his voice barely above a whisper, but she didn't respond. She zipped up her bag and moved to the dresser, gathering more of her things. Her silence was louder than any words she could have spoken.

Hakuji clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms as he tried to swallow the lump in his throat. "I'm doing this for you," he said finally, his voice breaking. "I just need you to trust me."