Connecting Light [KNY FF]

CHAPTER 11: Ayume meets Tanjiro

It has been a few days since the Pillar Meeting. Ayume was making her way to the Butterfly Estate to pay a visit to Tanjiro.

"I hope I am not disturbing them..." Ayume thought as she reached the front door of the Estate. She knocked on the door and waited for a response.

The door slided open, revealing a blue haired girl.

"Oh, Light Hashira, Shinahora Ayume-san. Greetings." the girl bowed in respect.

"Hello, Aoi-chan. Please address me normally." Ayume smiled kindly.

"Okay, Shinahora-san. What brings you here? Are you here to see Shinobu-san?" Aoi asked.

"Actually, I am here to see Tanjiro. Is that okay?" Ayume requested. Aoi opened the door wider.

"Yes, please come in." Aoi invited and Ayume entered the house.

They went to the rooms where Tanjiro and his friends rest in.

"Tanjiro shares a room with his friends. It might get a little bit noisy so I apologise in advance." Aoi said as they approach the room. She opened the door to reveal Tanjiro, Zenitsu and Inosuke in the room.

"Eh?! Why is Aoi-chan here so early?! YOU'RE NOT GONNA MAKE ME TAKE MORE MEDICINE, RIGHT?!" Zenitsu exclaimed in fear. Aoi glared at him.

"If you actually take it, maybe I won't!" she scolded. Ayume peaked inside the room and saw the three boys on their beds.

"Sorry to intrude..." She said as she entered with Aoi. Tanjiro noticed her and realised that she was a Pillar.

"OH?! AOI-CHAN BROUGHT A PRETTY LADY FOR MY RECOVERY?!" Zenitsu exclaimed in redness as he fonds over Ayume.

"Oi! This is a Hashira! Have some respect!" Aoi scolded again. Ayume chuckled lightly and faced the angry girl.

"It's alright. Thank you for guiding me here." Ayume smiled and calmed Aoi down. "Yes. Please inform me if you need any assistance. I will take my leave now." Aoi offered before leaving the room.

Ayume looked at the three boys and walked up to them.

"I hope I am not disrupting your rest. I came to check up on you, Kamado Tanjiro-kun." Ayume said before she sat down on a chair.

"O-oh..." Tanjiro had slightly red cheeks from Ayume's kindness. He was speechless.

"U-uh, thank you for your concern. Not only that, you supported my sister and I when I was on trial. I am very grateful." Tanjiro thanked her and smiled.

"What...is her name? Was it mentioned?" Tanjiro asked in his head.

"Ah, right. I haven't introduced myself that time. My name is Shinahora Ayume. I am the Light Hashira." Ayume smiled as she introduced herself. Zenitsu was staring at her in a daze. Inosuke was asleep.

"Right, Shinahora-san. Thank you very much." Tanjiro lowered his head in respect. Ayume's smile turned sad.

"You don't have to thank me. I believe your sister, Kamado Nezuko, deserves her rights. With that being said, I should apologise to you." Ayume said with a soothing voice. Tanjiro was quite confused.

"Why would she apologise? I don't think she has done anything wrong, right?" He questioned himself.

"I came to the meeting late that day. I heard what you went through and I was very guilty that I wasn't able to help you when Shinazugawa-san stabbed Nezuko. Please forgive me." Ayume explained herself with a sad expression.

Tanjiro was taken aback at her gesture.

"Her scent...have I ever smelled something like this before? She is strong both mentally and physically. And...right now, I can smell lots of sincerity." Tanjiro thought as he was in a short daze.