Chapter 1- Pretty Stranger

1K 52 81
                                    


I was flipping through the pages of an old magazine that one of the customers left behind. I looked at the clock, desperately wanting my shift to be over. It was 2 AM. By now, I would've been sleeping like a baby! I've read this same olf magazine so many times, I already knew it better than I know myself. I looked at my phone for any notifications, but to my disappointment, there was nothing there.

I mean, what was I expecting anyway? I had no friends, after all. I was just a loner.

 Although, the only friend I had was Inosuke, the biggest dork ever. He was also so childish. He was 15 and didn't have a phone! 

I hated my job. I worked at a laundromat, and it was the worst decision ever. I thought it was going to be a peaceful place to work at, but nooo, it was the complete opposite. I had to listen to little kids cry, creepy customers, and people were always asking for help; I had to help fold clothes, show them how to learn to use a washing machine and a drying machine, and I also had to do the math. My weakest subject! Maybe I shouldn't have listened to gramps.

I grabbed my phone and decided to play some mobile games, hoping they can keep me from being bored. Just one more hour until my shift ends. I heard the door open, and I immediately rolled my eyes. It takes over an hour in total to wash your clothes and dry them. That means I'm going to be staying here longer than I wanted.


"Hello. How may I help you?"  I didn't look up from my phone since I didn't want to go further into this conversation.

"Ah, hello. I just moved here, and I don't know how to use these laundromats. Could you help me, Agatsuma?" When I heard this voice call out my name, it felt different. It felt like an angel's voice.

"Are you an angel?" I blurted out. I glanced up, my eyes wide in the realization of the foolishness I just spoke.

"I-I'm so, so, sorry. I didn't m-mean to say that!" I stuttered in embarrassment, afraid to look at the owner's voice eyes.

"No, it's okay, really." The owner's voice giggled. I gazed at them in the eyes, only to realize it was a he. He was one handsome boy, too. He looked around the same age as me, as well. I took a deep breath and decided to move on and forget about the small incident.

"Anyways, how much stuff you've got on you?"

"Oh, just a few shirts and pants."

"Alright, follow me." Now that I think about it, I haven't seen him before. He looks like a very nice guy, too. Maybe I could befriend him? After all, he just moved in. Wait, no. What was I thinking? Who would want to be friends with a loser like me?

---------------------------------------------------------

I explained to the redhead boy how to utilize the laundromat. He was listening carefully to every word I said, which was shocking to me since everyone ignored me.

"You got it?" I asked.

"Mhm! All thanks to you, Agatsuma." He smiled at me again, warming my heart. I suddenly felt my cheeks and ears go hot. God, was I blushing? My heart was racing.

"Are you trying to seduce me?"

"I'm sorry, what?"

"Guess not... Thank god." The redhead giggled at me.

"My name is Tanjirou Kamado. You can call me Tanjiro if you want." Tanjiro? His first name? Already?

"What? I'm just a stranger to you, you know?" I peered at him in disbelief.

"I know! I don't really mind." He smiled yet again. He was obviously trying to seduce me.

"You can call me Zenitsu," Wait, what? I refuse to believe I said that.

"That's a lovely name, Zenitsu!" Zenitsu. That's my name. Then, why did it sound so different? My heart was pounding, and I had like, butterflies in my stomach? What is this feeling? Am I blushing again? Tanjiro, what did you do to me?

Stay safe!

A Trip to the Afterlife (DISCONTINUED)Where stories live. Discover now