Fɪʀᴇ ɪɴ ᴍʏ Hᴇᴀʀᴛ || 𝕋𝕒𝕟𝕛𝕚𝕣𝕠 𝕩 𝕄𝕦𝕚𝕔𝕙𝕚𝕣𝕠

ᴍʏ ғʀɪᴇɴᴅ..

Over the next few days, Tanjiro visited Tokito for at least an hour or more if he thought he had the time. Tanjiro would ramble on about his day and ask Tokito questions. Tokito a first blocked him out and space out, but he soon found himself listening to what the boy had to say. It took at least a week to get him to listen, then even more time to get him to respond to something Tanjiro would say. But it was safe to way the crystal eyed boy was warming up to the added company.

What Tanjiro was doing was working as well. The boy hadn't forgotten his name yet and he remembered some small details from a conversation they had once. Even it it was small, he was getting better.

Tanjiro was walking to the door so he could get back to the butterfly manor, when Tokito spoke up. "Tanjiro, why do you leave so soon after you get here?" He asked in an almost curious manner.

Tanjiro turned to face his few found companion. "Well I need to get back to the butterfly manor so I can still get some dinner! Aoi gives it to us around sunset so I try to get there before nightfall!" He said in his normally cheerful way.

Tokito got to his feet "Someone very tall invited me to dinner at his residences, You can come with me to eat there." He said

Tanjiro was kinda surprised. Never before had he asked him to go somewhere.. it gave him a kinda fuzzy feeling in his chest, it made him feel pretty special! "Yeah! I'd love too!" He was practically beaming as he said thoses words.

Tokito nodded and walked past Tanjiro to lead the way. Tanjiro excitedly followed the dark haired boy down the stairs and pathway.

The boys walked through the peaceful forest. Tanjiro would often point out things he saw and Tokito would ask what it was because he couldn't remember. Somethings Tanjiro didn't know obviously, but he say that they could figure it out tomorrow. Maybe they could find a book on plates.. that would be fun!

The pair finally arrived at the residence. It was smaller then the other houses, though it was still big to Tanjiro, and almost resembled a kind of shrine. The door was open, Tanjiro guessed it was because the pillar who lived here was expecting Tokito. That made him worry over what this pillar would think about Tanjiro tagging along.. The boys walked into the house, and were greeted by non other then the rock pillar, Gyomei Himejima.

The larger man gave the two a welcoming smile "Tanjiro, I didn't expect you to come over." He said as he ushered the two inside.

Tanjiro returned that welcoming smile "Tokito invited me! I've been visiting him a lot recently so I can help him better remember things!" He said as he stepped in with Tokito.

"That's very kind of you." Gyomei said "Tokito forgets to eat sometimes so I'll often invite him over for dinner. Even if he is a pillar, he is still a young boy, he needs to eat properly." He said as he lead the two to a table that already had two bowls of Soba. Gyomei got another bowl for Tanjiro as the boys sat down next to each other.

When the table was fully set with everyone sitting down, both Tanjiro and Gyomei put their hands together and closed their eyes to pray.

Tokito stared confusingly at the two, looking back and forth with wide open eyes. He didn't understand that they were praying, and he didn't know it what they were doing was important. In his dazed confusion, the boy put his two hands together and closed his eyes, copying the other two men.

The three opened their eyes when they were finished, well in Tokitos case just when one of the others opened their eyes, and began to eat. Tanjiro was suprising by how good the Soba tasted! Gyomei must be a really good cook!!
Maybe he'd ask for some more when he was done!

Tokito just calmly ate his soba while staring blankly down at his bowl, watching the water in it ripple when he'd dip his chop sticks into it. The soba definitely tasted familiar, if he could remember anything, it was taste. It seemed to be the only thing he really remembered on a consecutive basis.

Tanjiro was the first to finish, with how fast he ate most foods, it was on surprise he finished before the calm Tokito and Gyomei. He put down his bowl and looked up "Mister Gyomei sir! May I have another bowl please!" He said in the enthusiastic tone of his.

Gyomei was slightly entertained by his enthusiasm is very situation. It was quite the sight. "Yes, of course you may have another bowl."

Tanjiro stood up and bowed "Thank you!" He said before grabbing his bowl and walking away. This exchange made the rock pillar chuckle to himself.

When Tanjiro came back he sat down and immediately started to eat again.

Gyomei spoke up "Tanjiro, you said you were helping Tokito remember things better?" He asked, looking at the spaces out boy, still staring into the bowl.

Tanjiro nodded his head as he finished swallowing some noodles.

Gyomei smiled "Thank you. Tokito needs someone to help him remember.. We've tried to get through to him, but it seems there is something about you that we don't have." He said getting teary eyed.

Tanjiro waved his hand "Ah! No need to cry! It's really no problem!" He said happily. He wondered.. what made him stand out to Tokito?

After the two boys had finished their dinners they thanked Gyomei and said their goodbyes. Gyomei said they could come and eat anytime.

The pair walked down the path once again, but this time, mostly in silence. Sometimes seemed to be troubling Tokito, but he never said anything till they got to the pathway leading to Tokitos residences.

Tanjiro smiled "Well, I should get going. It was nice hanging out with you today Tokit-" He was cut off by the mist pillar sharply turning to face him.

"Why do you stay by my side. I will forget you exist eventually." Is what the boys asked. Tanjiro stared at Tokito with slightly widened eyes from his question.. but his eyes turned round and soft.

" Because you're my friend of course."

Tokito froze.
Friend..?
His eyes widened, a slight glimmer from the stars shined in his crystal blue eyes.
My friend.. Tanjiro.. called me his friend..
He thought. A fluffy feeling raised in his chest.. why was this.

'You're my friend! Not just my..."

Who said that? Why was the last part drowned out? He can't remember..

Tanjiro smiled. "I better get going! The others will be worried sick about me!" He said before turning and starting to run off.

"W-Wait!" Tokito called out as he grabbed his hand. "Tanjiro.. You'll come back tomorrow.. right?" He asked.

Tanjiro was surprised, but he took this was a good sign and smiled. He put his hand on the top to Tokitos head, rubbing it and ruffling his hair a bit "Of course I'll come back."

Tokitos eyes sparkled and his chest was filled with warmth and a sensation of nostalgia. It was the nicest feeling he's felt in a while.. but the feeling of his hand soon disappeared as Tanjiro began to walk again. "I promise ok! Tomorrow I'll come by again!" He said as he waved to him, then ran off into the distance night.

Tokito was left with that warm feeling still in his chest.. deep in his heart..

"My friend.."

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