𝐀𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭

Part 19: Heartbreaks

| Source: Pinterest
© [credits given to the respective artist cuz I can't find their name'] |

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BUTTERFLY ESTATE GATEWAY
23:00

Tugging lightly at the cloak around his shoulders, Tanjirou continued to gaze at the Kakushi girl in a puzzled manner. But he composed himself, noting that it'd be rude if he didn't greet her back properly after all her hardwork.

"Konbanwa, Nakkiya-san. Thank you for the cloak, it's a bit chilly tonight, right?" Tanjirou tilted his head while flashing Nakkiya his heart-warming smile.

"Y- yes! You don't have to thank me, Kamado-sama. I- I'm just doing what I can," Nakkiya held her head down, feeling herself heating up in embarrassment.

She couldn't see his facial expression in the dark, so it was hard to tell if he was actually feel composed with her standing by his side. But, assuming a chance from the personality of the kind-hearted Kamado Tanjirou, then he would never consider someone's presence a bother.

It banged her heart twice; his charming smile. With the moon nearly at its full, enough light was produced, and she couldn't be grateful enough for that. Tanjirou's ruby eyes twinkled like the stars above them, she never had thought that reducing a blush from appearing on her face could be this difficult.

Kamado-sama is so handsome. She wanted to scream that, but of course, it didn't come out audibly.

"Wh- what are you doing here, Kamado-sama? It's not good for your health to expose yourself too long in the cold. And you should take enough rest after going through a long day," Nakkiya rambled, earning a fine chuckle from the redhead.

He properly faced her and said, "I appreciate your concern, Nakkiya-san. Really, thank you. But it's fine, I was actually- waiting for someone."

Hearing that made Nakkiya freeze on her spot, the back of her throat felt dry. She couldn't block the rushing thoughts coming from her mind, they irked her like a broken song.

"I- I see," who are you perhaps, waiting for? She really wanted to ask, she desired his answer to that, but somehow, she felt wrong for even thinking of asking.

Hatake's words still lingered in her memory, and it stung her heart to the point she scolded herself for not being able to understand.

When Hatake acted by taking her chin in his hand, forcing her to look at him in the eye, he said those words.

"You have no actual idea about falling in love, Nakkiya."

How should I even know or understand if you say it like that, Hatake-kun? Am I wrong about what my heart feels about Kamado-sama?

Should she try to make a move though? Would that give her some hints on her mistake? Nakkiya has no other options.

At least that's what she thought.

"Nakkiya-san, are you okay?"

Nakkiya snapped her neck back up, realizing that Tanjirou has gotten a bit closer to her than seconds ago. She blinked slowly in puzzlement.

"Y- yes," she took a step back, calming her racing heart rate.

"... You look bothered by something though, and you're- slightly frowning." Tanjirou pointed out, actually it was his nose which did most of the work, he could figure out Nakkiya's emotions from her new scent.