キミノカオリ ー Moonlight, Wisteria Petals, and Thunderclap

Don't Interfere

 It became morning. The intensely coral sun rose, clearing the white mists of the earth, and spread the sunlight across every tree branch, soaking them orange. Zenitsu—rising early—also sat and received the sun's rays, his golden locks of hair turning into a color so marvelous while receiving the tangerine morning light that anyone would've stopped and looked for hours. Tanjirou was that person.

"Z...Zenitsu. Good morning." While carefully offering a morning greeting, Tanjirou was unable to detach his gaze from Zenitsu's flowing long hair.

"Good morning, Tanjirou."

Still, that cold voice...he never opens up his heart to me again, does he? I think the times when I was unable to visit made him really angry, naive Tanjirou thought to himself.

"W...what are you doing today?"

"Resting."

"Ah, haha, I see..resting...resting?!"

I thought Zenitsu was going to missions non-stop! Tanjirou wondered.

"Oyakata-sama gave me a small break. And that's why I was training so hard yesterday at night. Cuz I'm able to sleep in today."

"Oh...I, I'm sorry for stopping you, then...."

Tanjirou lowered his head as if ashamed. Zenitsu eyed him and his reddened ears, and soon a warm hand rested on Tanjirou's head.

"Don't worry about it." Zenitsu said in a warm, husky tone.

Tanjirou opened his eyes wide. I thought Zenitsu had turned into a completely cold-hearted person...but this is...this is so kind and loving.

"Th, thank you...." Without realizing that he was speaking, Tanjirou thanked Zenitsu. Zenitsu tilted his head, as if wondering why Tanjirou was thanking him.

The morning mist cleared up, and they all embraced the newly arriving day. Zenitsu stood up, walking toward the front gate.

"Ze...Zenitsu! Where are you going?!"

"I'm going on a walk."

"Oh...! Could I join you?"

Tanjirou said, his eyes sparkling.

"Do as you wish." Zenitsu, never stopping or looking back at Tanjirou, replied.

***

The morning forest seemed like a completely different place than at night. Of course, the demons had disappeared, but the ambience itself felt more warm and familiar to Tanjirou. It was like...he had come home.

And on top of that, it felt so amazing to Tanjirou to walk alongside someone he loved so dearly.

"Zenitsu."

"Hm?"

"Do you remember? Before all of this happened, before you lost your leg, not long after we'd first met. We had gone on a walk like this, together in a forest."

"...."

"I told you how grateful I am to have you. And that sentiment never changed, even now. You know?" Tanjirou smiled amicably.

"...Tanjirou."

"I'm so grateful that you're back next to me. I want to stay with you forever." Tanjirou said while looking away—his face seemed to have turned all red like a tomato.

"...We've walked pretty far. Let's go back." Zenitsu said, not looking at Tanjirou either.

"Oh...? O, okay!"

Following Zenitsu's footsteps, Tanjirou thought, man, he walks so fast.

 Zenitsu thought, Tanjirou, please don't try to shake my determination to protect you anymore. Please.