The Swimming Butterfly (Giyushino Fanfic)

Chapter 3

𝙶𝚒𝚢𝚞 𝚃𝚘𝚖𝚒𝚘𝚔𝚊

I stood up abruptly and watched as the water cascaded off of my body, falling back into the bath. I went to reach for my towel and uniform, only to feel the towel in my hands. 'Oh right. I gave my uniform and haori to Aoi so that she could wash it. She said she would leave my washed clothes next to my bed. '

I sighed and wrapped my waist tightly with the purple towels the Butterly Estate provided. I tilted my head at an angle and wrung all of the remaining water out of my hair. Leaving the bath and venturing into the halls, I left a wet trail behind me. 'I should clean that up after I finish drying and changing.' I walked silently back to my bed in the infirmary room, until I saw Kocho walk towards my bed.

She hesitated for a second before she began to rip off my blanket, but that was all the time I needed to reach her. I grasped her wrist and spun her around, bringing her face within inches of mine. My gaze was immediately drawn towards her eyes, captivating me with all their glory' She has really beautiful eyes.' My thoughts were interrupted by a high pitched, soft voice.

"Ara ara, Tomioka. Don't you know it's rude to randomly grab someone, especially when they are doing something nice for you?" She looked straight into my eyes and smiled. "I'm trying to wash your blanket and bedsheets." If I didn't know any better, I would have thought that the smile she showed me was a genuine smile, the anger hidden beneath her eyes and the cynicism that practically dripped from her voice told me otherwise. 'Scary.'

"You have really beautiful, violet eyes, Kocho. Anyways, I don't need you to do that for me. I'll wash them myself if I have a problem." I saw the anger on her face dissipate, turning into a red, confused mess. 'Thank the heavens that I came in time, or else she would have found the dog. I should be more careful from now on.'

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𝚂𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚘𝚋𝚞 𝙺𝚘𝚌𝚑𝚘

"You have really beautiful, violet eyes," After Tomioka said that, my mind went blank. I could see his lips moving, but I couldn't hear anything. Instinctively, I turned my head, breaking eye contact.

Trying to keep calm, I steadied my voice before I began to speak. "What are you talking about? I don't want to hear your stupid compliment" Despite the facade I had out up, my heart throbbed. 'He only gave me a generic compliment about my eyes that I heard a million times before, so why do I feel this throb in my heart?'

As I gathered enough courage to turn my head 90 degrees, I saw Mitsuri walk in with Sumi, Kiyo, and Naho. I head a loud gasp come from their direction and finally realized what kind of situation I was in.

My wrist was being held by an idiot who had pinned me against the wall with one arm above my head and our faces were inches away from touching. 'Oh my gosh. Mitsuri must be thinking that we were making out. She definitely won't listen to my story of how I got into this awful position. The fact that my cheeks are super red doesn't help me at all.'

"Listen Mitsu-"

"Now listen up girls. There's a time in your life when you will grow up and meet a special man. Eventually, you will end up doing what Shinobu is doing right now. We should leave now and give her some space." Turning around with the trio, Mitsuri looked back at me, giving me a huge smile and a wink. 'Damn it Mitsuri. What more could I expect from the Love Pillar.'

"Will you get your hand off of my wrist?" I angrily shook off Tomioka's hand and gathered all of the sheets I had already collected, storming out of the room. 'Curse that idiot. He causes me so much trouble and always manages to unhinge me. Ever since Kanae's death, no one had been able to break me. Why is he different?'

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𝙶𝚒𝚢𝚞 𝚃𝚘𝚖𝚒𝚘𝚔𝚊

After Kanroji took her leave, Shinobu quickly followed suit, bringing along with her all of the sheets she collected. I took off my blanket and picked up dog Kocho who was already asleep. I placed her in my lap and watched as her tiny chest expanded and closed. 'I wonder why I randomly complimented Shinobu. I normally try talking as little as possible, but she's the only one that can make me open after Tsutako's death, other than Sabito and Makomo. Why is she different?'

As I was lost in thought, I felt a sharp pain in my thumb. I looked down at my hand, only to find dog Kocho gnawing on my finger. Pulling her off of my finger, I fished around my bag for another piece of salmon jerky. 'This will keep her busy for at least another 30 minutes. I should use the time to train.'

I walked out into the courtyard of the estate. Noticing the beautiful pond situated in the middle of the courtyard, I made my way there, deciding to meditate and use the time to clear my head.

After sitting down for a few minutes and emptying my mind, I suddenly recalled Kanroji's words. There's a time in your life when you will grow up and meet a special man. 'What is she blabbering about. Everyone in the Demon Slayers should be prepared to die. They should devote everything to slaying demons. We have to be prepared to lose those around us and even die ourselves. I learned this the hard way... after Sabito, Makomo, and Tsutako's death. That's why I always distance myself and never get close to anyone.'

After finishing my meditation, I started to work on my left-handed swordsmanship. 'I'm right-handed, but who knows what could happen in a fight with a demon. My right hand, or even my entire arm, can get completely chopped off.' Eventually, the sun began to set, painting the sky a magnificent golden red. I headed back into the estate with a clear mind and sombre expression. 

Sorry for the short chapter