Merry Christmas, Gonpachiro | Inotan story | Completed

Speak up

Inosuke POV

Pinetzu took me straight home after that, and the girls said they would join later. I felt awful, he was right. This amazing feeling did come with a price. I was right too, people will always reject me. But why do I still feel this way? He broke my heart, but I still feel warm and fuzzy...

When we got inside I went straight to my room. My towel was still around me and I was sitting on my futon. I was sitting cross legged, staring at my lap until I felt tears escape my eyes.
This is not what a man would do...
Whatever... I decided to walk back to the yellow one and thank him, he's taught me everything I knew about love.
As I began to walk back I remembered Tanjirou's room being down the hall before you reached the living room.
Just walk straight past it I thought. I'm not ready to face him...
I clutched my towel tight and shut my eyes, trying to walk past when I heard something from his room.

"Eh- hic- Ah..." I peaked through the small gap from the door to find Tanjirou crying. My eyes widened...

Tanjirou's POV

Life's unfair.
But life was going good, I didn't believe that. I didn't expect to change, and I didn't expect to find my family dead.
It hits you like a bullet, but we knew that feeling didn't we?
I didn't expect to go on this amazing journey, I didn't expect to make friends. But some stupid kid raised by boars had to go and make me like him and then put me in that tight situation!

Life really is unfair though. I hated having to be kind sometimes. Why should I be kind? Is it because you want to be treated how you treat people? That doesn't work. My kindness is most of the time wasted.
Resulting in my mixed feelings about Inosuke. I really liked him, I did.
But I knew it would end badly. We would end badly too. So I decided to not tell him.
My kindness would surely be wasted on Inosuke
That's the disgusting thought that would enter my head now and again.

So what did I do? I talked to my little sister about it. She told me, just act however you normally would. I did. It went well, and I picked things up on my own too.
I would refuse to take my own advice, the same advice I gave Nezuko about Zinetsu, because I knew I wouldn't be able to answer any of them.

I just- feel confused...
I wrapped the towel around me tighter, feeling the tears running down my cheeks. Soon enough I was sobbing.
"Mum must be so disappointed, she taught me what I know about love and I've thrown it away".
I guess this year's Christmas will be just as bad as the last ones.
At that thought I just cried harder.

Suddenly, I felt and hand on my shoulder. I froze.

Inosuke's POV

It was too awkward, I couldnt stand back. After hearing him say that I slowly walked up behind him.

"Tanjirou..." I choked out, "Why'd you say that?"

He seemed frozen, like he wanted to move but couldn't.

"bekrvaz I lirk yvou" he mumbled.

"Speak up" I said kneeling down next him.

"Because I like you..." He buried his face into his knees, holding his legs.

I, for one, felt like I was floating. I felt like a bunch of weight had been lifted off my shoulders.
Sunzetsu said I'd feel this way. He didn't mention one of the feelings though. Who knew I'd feel accepted. All my life rejection was my best friend and my worst enemy, now it was like I barely knew it...

I didn't notice I was smiling like an idiot until Tanjirou looked at me with teary eyes and asked "Inosuke are you OK?".
I didn't think. I just did. I hugged him tight.

"You're an idiot! Never run off again or I swear!" I didn't care I looked weak.

Next thing I knew Tanjirou was hugging back...

Tanjirou's POV

That went better then I had expected to be honest. I never thought Inosuke would show any feelings other then angry or sad.
I broke the hug, smiling at Inosuke. I'm not gonna deny, I looked like a giddy teenager who was just called "pretty" by their crush.
I didn't do anything, I just kept looking at Inosuke . Eventually both our eyes got droopy and I moved my body to face him.

I didn't really think, before I knew it I was kissing him. Does he even know what a kiss is or do I look like a total weirdo right now? Whatever I assume Zenitsu taught him.

I didn't want to stop. For once in a long time I felt light, and I just felt relieved. Of course soon Inosuke couldn't breath and pulled away. He was breathing heavily and I just sat there watching him.
I didn't gasp for breath, the air on Sagiri mountain was thinner.
I smiled, grabbing his hands and holding on to them, which he thought was too much of course.

We sat there for a while. Just talking. We laughed at jokes and I got the chance to hold his hands the whole time. I think he purposely put them back every time I frowned when he pulled them away.

Eventually, Zinetsu heard us laughing and assumed we were good. My only regret is the position he found us in.

"Oh...My..." He started, soon thudding to the floor with a nose bleed.
"Is he...OK?" I stared at him for a while before Inosuke said "he'll be fine".
After laughing some more we decided to get Nezuko to help us get him to his room. Of course we only called her because we wanted her to see him in that state otherwise we could've done it ourselves. She stayed in his room after and a while later we heard excited screaming from Zinetsu multiple times so we assumed everything was fine.

A little while later Kanao and the others had come back. I told them I was fine, and they all look relieved. Except Aoi (I don't know why she hates me).
Soon after something more weird happened...