"See you, Tanjirou." I smiled politely and waved Tanjirou off. Tanjirou returned with a wide smile. The boy was so polite, and quite funny, too! He told me stories about his life at home and bragged about his sister. He told me he had five younger siblings, so I guess he had a busy home life. He told me about his mother, but nothing about his father.
From my point of view, Tanjirou was living a perfect life! How lucky.
"Goodbye, Zenitsu! I hope I get to see you again." He walked out, waving his arm in the air. I looked back at the clock and sighed. Ten more minutes, and my shift will finally be over. I continued flipping through the pages of the old, boring magazine. Right when my shift ends, I planned to take a train to see my Gramps.
If I could, I would've quit this job already. I was working for my Gramps. Not that he owned the laundromat or anything, he's just a patient at the hospital. I needed to afford the treatment he needs.
What if I'm not able to afford the treatment he needs? What if I'm too late? Questions- horrible questions started to flood my mind. I began to tremble. The thought of losing my only family scared me. It terrified me. Hiccups escaped my mouth, and my eyes started to pour tears. I crouched down and covered my hand with my mouth. I can't do this, I-
My alarm went off. My shift had already ended. I got back up and wiped off my tears and snot with my sleeves. I took deep breaths and smiled.
I placed the magazine neatly on the counter and exited the laundromat.
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I knocked three times on Gramp's room.
"If it's the nurse, I don't want to see you!" I heard a yell from inside the room. I chuckled and opened the door.
"It's your grandson!" I smiled at Gramps.
"Ah, Zenitsu, my boy. How are you doing?" Gramps coughed out. I hated seeing him in this state, but I know it will get better. Gramps is strong.
"I'm doing good. Are you doing better?" I asked worriedly.
"Don't worry about me, boy. How was your job today?" He sat up in his hospital bed.
"It was okay," I paused. I remembered about Tanjirou and smiled. "Actually, today was probably my best day at work."
"Is that so? Tell me all about it." Gramps smiled at me- weakly. I told him about Tanjirou; and how interesting he was. We laughed, gossiped about the nurses, and played some board games. I couldn't help but still be sad in the back of my mind.
"Gramps, I'm worried," I spoke, with concern in my voice.
"What is it, my boy? You look gloomy." Gramps pointed out.
"I... I don't want you to die, Gramps." I restrained myself from crying.
"Zenitsu, listen. I'm getting old, you know? My time to live is coming to an end soon. Let me rest peacefully." Gramps smiled.
"But, if you leave, I'll be alone again. I'll be by myself. It's scary." I couldn't hold myself from crying, and the dam broke inside of me. I didn't want to be alone, not with my thoughts!
"Death is inevitable." Gramps murmured. He was right. There's no way he can escape his own fate, but he can keep fighting.
"Will you promise me to keep fighting, Gramps?" I received silence.
"That's okay." I smiled softly. Bastard, thinking so selfishly! He's going to hear from me when they let him out of the hospital!
"I'm off to Inousuke's house," I kissed Gramps on his cheek. "Don't misbehave!"
"Shouldn't I be saying that to you?" Gramps laughed.
"Yeah, right! I behave better than you, Gramps." I closed the door quietly. Stupid Gramps, thinking so selfishly!
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"I'm home!" I yelled. I took off my shoes at the entrance. I looked up and saw a boar running towards me! Oh my god, I'm going to die. I clapped my hands together and recited,
"Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, hail our life, our sweetness, and our hope-" The boar suddenly jumped on top of me!
"Help! Why is there a boar in the house!?" I yelled loudly.
"It's going to eat me!" I cried, with snot in my nose.
"Monitsu, you took so long!" The boar screamed back?!
"Inousuke? Is that you?" I sobbed quietly.
"Who else could it be?" He cackled loudly.
"I thought I was going to die! How could you scare me like that? Unforgivable!" I sat up as Inousuke climbed off me.
"Sorry, Monitsu." Inousuke quietly snickered.
"It's Zenitsu!"
"Where were you?" Inousuke asked, no, demanded, with a harsh tone.
"Gramp's." I simply answered, standing up.
"You were crying, right?"
"Was not!"
"Tch, you always cry when you're visiting your grandpa!"
"I'm just emotional, okay?"
"Whatever, foods on the table."
"Ah, that's what smelt so nice~" I sang.
"Yeah, it's probably cold. You might want to put it in the microwave." Inousuke and I took our seats at the dining table.
"Thanks for the food!" We both yelled enthusiastically in harmony. I may not have the perfect family, but I had people who cared for me, and that's enough for me.
834 words. created: 4/16/20. Edited: 11/11/20.
Stay safe :)
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A Trip to the Afterlife (DISCONTINUED)
FanfictionZenitsu Agatsuma worked in a laundromat to pay for the treatment his gramps needed. His gramps was in the hospital, so he stayed with Inosuke. At the laundromat, Zenitsu met Tanjirou. Soon, all of them became best friends. But after some tragic even...
