丨Soar丨 Kimetsu no Yaiba x OC｜

Chapter 15

Chizuko stayed at the butterfly mansion for an extra week.

Ichika had gone on her first mission with Shinobu yesterday. Kōzō Kanamori, a swordsmith, had came with Ichika's sword a couple of days ago.

"Hello, I am Kōzō Kanamori, nice to meet you all," Kōzō greeted Shinobu and the girls, "Kocho-dono, I have Sano-sama's sword with me." He was a soft spoken man who wore a black haori. Shinobu and the girls surrounded Ichika, holding their breaths as she drew her blade. The girls were awed by the silver that was slowly tainted by a pale pink hue. Shinobu had let out a relieved breath, Ichika was indeed ready.

Ichika had changed, she no longer drew, no longer sewed, no longer did crafts. Perhaps it was because of her new busy schedule, but they all knew it was because of Hina. None of them had really gotten out of Hina's death, it haunted them like a phantom.

Since Oyakata-sama decided Shinobu wasn't suited for any long missions yet, Giyu was assigned her mission. So, Chizuko's training would be led by Sanemi instead of Giyu.

"What does Shinazugawa-sama like?" Chizuko had asked Aoi. Aoi raised an eyebrow, "Why are you asking?" "I want to thank him for saving me that time," Chizuko sighed, "but no one seems to know much about him." Aoi thought for a while, "I heard he has a brother here." "Eh? Really?" "I heard some slayers talking about it at the hospital wing, they say his brother is staying with Himejima-sama," Aoi had told her.

Himejima-sama lives far away, Chizuko was heading towards the stone hashira's estate.

A kitten caught Chizuko's attention. She gasped as more appeared, Himejima-sama keeps kittens? Without much self control, Chizuko crouched down to pat one of the fur balls, "Awwww~ What's your name?"

Chizuko didn't notice that Gyomei was back until a giant shadow was casted over her. Chizuko stood immediately, "G-Good afternoon! Himejima-sama! I am Suzuki Chizuko and I would like to ask you something about Shinazugawa-sama's little brother!"

"Suzuki, why are you looking for Genya?" Gyomei poured some tea for Chizuko. Chizuko scratched her head, "Arigatou, Himejima-sama. I... I want to thank Shinazugawa-sama for saving me, but I don't know what he likes. So I thought maybe I might get some ideas from asking his brother."

Gyomei furrowed his eyebrows, "Suzuki, I am sorry to inform you but I do not think Genya would like to talk about Shinazugawa. They are not on good terms right now. But you can still try to speak with Genya if you insist. He will be back soon."

Eh? Did they have a quarrel? "I see, thank you, Himejima-sama," Chizuko nodded, I guess it is normal for siblings to argue.

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"I DON'T CARE! GET THE HELL OUT!" Genya yelled at Chizuko.

Chizuko stammered, "B-But...!" "Why are you even asking me!!? I said I don't want to answer!" Genya stomped into his room and slammed the door close.

"I-I am sorry, Genya-sama," Chizuko apologised, hoping Genya would hear. She made him angry. Chizuko turned to Gyomei, "I'm sorry for disturbing you, Himejima-sama." "It is alright, Suzuki, you should head back to Kocho now," Gyomei sensed the storm clouds in the sky.

Chizuko glanced at the cats Gyomei gathered into the house, "Himejima-sama, one of your cats is missing. I can help you find it!" She dashed out before Gyomei could hand her an umbrella.

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Genya watched Chizuko and Gyomei search for the kitten under the rain through his window.

That idiot! What is she doing? Genya's heart raced as Chizuko stepped into the river. Usually, the water was calm and shallow. But under the storm, it was turbulent and went up until the girl's waist. She could drown! Does she even know how to swim?

Genya couldn't stay still anymore.

"Oi! Come back!" He grabbed an umbrella by the door and ran to the river, "You'll slip and drown!" "No! The kitten!" Chizuko was trudging through the pebbles and current, her soaked clothes made it even more difficult. "We can save it later!" Genya reached out to her, "Come on! Leave the river!"

"No! It must feel lonely and abandoned! I understand... and I'm sure Genya-sama you understand too!" Chizuko was determined.

Genya froze. He crouched down in the corner of the streets. He was hungry, terrified, sorry. Where was Nemi? It was as if he had vanished from existence. His home was gone, where did he belong now? Was it him for himself from then on?

"Hey!" Genya closed the umbrella and extended it to Chizuko, "Grab this!" Chizuko hugged the kitten with one hand and held onto the umbrella with another, moving back to the shore. They ran back to the estate. "Himejima-san! We found the cat!" Genya shouted.

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"Here," Genya handed Chizuko some bandages.

"Arigatou, Genya-sama," Chizuko took the bandages and wrapped it around her bruised feet. She didn't notice that the stones were so sharp.

"He likes ohagi."

"Hm?" Chizuko lifted her head.

"Ohagi. I'm not repeating that again," Genya turned so Chizuko couldn't see his face.

He had heard Chizuko telling Gyomei about his brother. "He saved my life! He appeared out of nowhere and sliced the demon that was about to finish me off with a single slash! A-And he stopped a man in my village from punching me! He even gave me piggyback rides when I fainted!" A tingle of pride had surged through his veins, Nemi was still himself after all.

"Ne, Genya-sama, do you want to make ohagi with me? We can make some together and give them to Shinazugawa-sama," Chizuko suggested. Genya didn't know what to say, he didn't know how to cook, and he certainly didn't know how to befriend a girl, "I...er...."

"It's settled then! Let's go to Himejima-sama and ask for his permission!"

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"Why the hell is it so hard to shape it!!!?" Genya looked as if he wanted to explode.

"Calm down! Genya-sama! You need to take it slowly!" Aoi scolded.

Chizuko and Kanao stood between the two. Chizuko grinned awkwardly, "Guys? I-I think we should keep it down?"

"Aoi-san! Kanao-san! Chizuko-san! Genya-sama!" Naho bursted in through the door frantically, "Shinazugawa-sama is coming!"

"Eh!!?" The four almost dropped the ingredients and spatulas they were holding.

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Damn that demon, Sanemi stared at the lousily did bandages on his shoulder.

Sniffing, he smelt something familiar.

Ohagi?

His legs led him straight to the butterfly mansion.

"Shinazugawa-sama! You cannot enter the kitchen!" Chizuko threw herself in front of the kitchen. Sanemi was visibly confused, "Why not?" "Because... Because the kitchen will explode!" Chizuko exclaimed without much thought. Sanemi was more confused, "Why the fuck will the kitchen explode!!?"

Ah why did I say that! Chizuko scolded herself, "Because... well... because of you!" "Me!? I know how to cook! Don't insult my cooking! Woman!" Sanemi was angered, his cooking was not bad at all. Chizuko mentally slapped herself, I just made it worse! "I mean, er, I accidentally left Uzui-sama's bombs in the kitchen!" "Why the heck do you have Uzui's bombs!!?"

Meanwhile, Genya escaped through the window with the help of Aoi and Naho.

"Shinazugawa-sama, Shinobu-san is coming back," Kanao suddenly appeared behind Sanemi. Sanemi mumbled something under his breath and left.

"Eh? Kanao-chan? Aren't Shinobu-san and Ichika-chan coming back tomorrow?" Chizuko asked after Sanemi was out of sight. Kanao nodded, "I flipped my coin, and decided to lie." "You are my saviour! Kanao-chan!" Chizuko hugged Kanao gratefully.

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