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

Chapter 96 - Sacrifice

Chapter Song: my head is empty - "Life, hold on"
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Three hours had passed, and the waiting room was steeped in a heavy silence, broken only by the occasional muffled footsteps of nurses and the soft hum of machinery in the distance.

Shinobu sat with quiet poise, her hand gently stroking Kanao's hair as Kanao rested her head on her lap. Kanao had cried herself into exhaustion, her body now curled up like a child seeking comfort in her sister's presence. Shinobu's expression was unreadable, but her dark, tired eyes betrayed the storm of emotions swirling within her.

Across the room, Mitsuri sat a seat away from Obanai, her usually vibrant hair loose and cascading down her shoulders. Her legs were crossed, her arms wrapped tightly around herself in her sweater as if trying to shield against the weight of her thoughts. Her eyes were heavy, red-rimmed from tears she had shed long before they even arrived at the hospital. Her chest felt tight, the events of the night spiraling in her mind—Kanae's fragile state, Doma's relentless pursuit, and her unresolved argument with Obanai.

The thought of Doma still targeting her made her stomach churn. The man wasn't just dangerous—he was a monster who wouldn't stop until he got what he wanted. The idea of him still being out there, getting bolder, made her feel helpless. She needed to figure out a way to put an end to all of this, but the weight of it seemed unbearable.

Obanai stood by the corner of the room, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. His usually sharp gaze was clouded with frustration and exhaustion. The argument with Mitsuri replayed in his mind over and over again, each word cutting deeper. He hadn't meant for things to spiral the way they had, but his temper, fueled by worry and fear, had gotten the better of him.

Now, watching her sitting all alone felt like they were miles apart, he knew he had to say something. The sight of her so drained, her shoulders slumped under the weight of her emotions, stirred something in him. He hated seeing her like this, and more than that, he hated the distance that had formed between them again.

With a deep breath, Obanai pushed off the wall and moved to sit beside her. Mitsuri stiffened, startled by the sudden shift, her eyes darting to him in surprise. For a moment, neither of them spoke, the tension between them thick and palpable.

Obanai glanced at her, his voice low. "Mitsuri."

She blinked, unsure how to respond, her fingers gripping the fabric of her dress tightly. "Obanai..."

"I'm sorry," he said, his voice rough but sincere. "For earlier. For everything. I shouldn't have pushed away from our kiss. I just, needed space, time to process everything."

Her lips parted, the apology catching her off guard. She had expected him to stay distant, maybe even avoid her entirely, but his words were raw, unfiltered.

"I—I'm sorry," Mitsuri admitted softly. "Everything's been so overwhelming, and when we fought... I just..." Her voice cracked, and she quickly wiped at her eyes. Her lips trembling as she tried to control her emotions.

"I know," Obanai said, his hand hesitating before resting gently on her knee. "I let my frustration take over. I don't agree with what you did... but, I understand why you did it Mitsuri. You don't deserve this, and I hate that I made you feel like you were alone in it."

Her eyes searched his face, tears threatening to spill again. "I'm just so scared, Obanai. About Doma, about Kanae, about what's going to happen next. I feel like everything is falling apart, and I don't know how to stop it."

Obanai's grip on her knee tightened slightly, his voice firm but laced with emotion. "You're not alone, Mitsuri. We'll figure this out together. I don't care what it takes—we'll put an end to Doma. He's not going to take anyone else from us."