SERENE || Kimetsu No Yaiba

O33

•°•☆ 𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚛𝚍 𝙿𝚎𝚛𝚜𝚘𝚗 ☆•°•

It was already noon when Shinobu found herself staring at the ceiling whilst lying down.

She didn't get a blink of sleep after Tomioka left her estate and it's bothering her. She's really drained and wants to sleep, but just couldn't.

Well, who wouldn't be drained after all of what happened at dawn earlier? Shinobu's head started throbbing again.

Her mind, again, started recalling what happened — from sending death threats, injuring a pillar, receiving hurtful words, and a confession. Plus the fact that she liked how the Water Pillar kissed her hand.

Thinking about that made Shinobu's whole face turn into a deep shade of red and made her heart pump like crazy. Just thinking about him makes her all active and nervous.

She could even feel those butterflies fluttering in her stomach when she thinks about him. She thought she was going crazy.

This sort of thing was something that she thought she wouldn't experience, but is experiencing now. She really thought romance and love was cheesy, but now she gets excited whenever she remembers yesterday. Only the fact that she almost killed him ruined it.

"Nee-san, help me." She mumbled, "I'm confused."

After a few seconds, her heart has calmed down; she has calmed down. She was no longer blushing and completely relaxed already.

'Enough of imagining things.' She sighed.

She closed her eyes and tried to sleep when she heard someone knocking on her door.

"Come in." She answered in a tired voice.

"Good Afternoon, Kocho-sama." Aoi slightly bowed while carrying a tray of food, "Lunch is ready."

"Ara ara," Shinobu smiled and immediately sat up straight, "You should've called me. I can go and eat with you and the others."

"You still need to rest, you know that?" She sighed before setting a small table infront of Shinobu, "You look tired. Please eat as much as you can."

Shinobu just smiled and started eating the food, meanwhile Aoi just bowed and took her leave which kinda surprised the Insect Pillar.

Usually, Aoi would go inside her room, serve her food when she's sick, and stay to rant about how stubborn other pillars who are in need of treatments are.

There was this one time when Aoi was fuming in irritation and bursted out crying out of frustration.

She ranted about how noisy and rowdy the Flame and Sound Pillar were at the treatment area when Sumi had a fever.

Both Pillars were badly injured that time, but still managed to brag about who was cooler one making Aoi lose her temper.

That was from the time before. Shinobu could only laugh now. She sighed and smiled to herself before quickly consuming her lunch.

She was about to think more about it when Aoi returned back while carrying white sheets and Demon Slayer Corps uniforms folded neatly on her arms. She walked straight to the Insect Pillar's closet and started piling it inside.

Later, she walked towards Shinobu after noticing she finished eating. She smiled and started placing back the bowls on her tray also removing the mini table. Still, without saying another word.

"Aoi," Shinobu couldn't stop herself anymore.

"Hai, Kocho-sama?" Aoi responded without looking at her directly at the eye.

During times like this, Shinobu knows there's something in Aoi's mind she wants to vent out, but chooses not to because she thinks it's unecessary.

She's doing her best, keeping her mouth shut while cleaning up. Shinobu was amazed and started wondering if the Flame and Sound Pillar could stay as quiet as this too.

"What is bothering you?" Shinobu asked, "Don't be shy. You can always tell me."

"Ah, it's nothing to worry about." Aoi just sweetly smiled before carrying the tray on her hands, "I'll be on my way, Kocho-sama. Please rest well today."

"Sure." Shinobu just nodded and watched as the nurse walked her way towards the door and started stepping out.

The Insect Pillar sighed and stared at the door.

'I'm bored and sleepy.' She thought.

Not a few minutes after her bedroom door was closed, she heared Aoi shout from outside, making her flinch and immediately look at her door again.

"What are you doing here?!" Aoi sounded really annoyed and pissed again.

"Betsuni." those words alone made Shinobu informed of who was out there, speaking to Aoi.

Unconsciously, her hand found it's way to her short hair as she started combing it with her fingers.

"If you have nothing to do, leave immediately." Aoi's voice was stern as she really wanted to keep Giyu away from Shinobu for the mean time. She wanted her to rest.

"I'm here to visit." He shortly replied in a monotonous voice.

"Kocho-sama's not here."

"I can sense her from here."

"Pervert." She squinted her eyes at the Water Pillar.

"What?"

"Nothing..." She scoffed, "And didn't I told you not to stress her?!"

"...Did I?"

"YES, YOU DID. I CAN CLEARLY HEAR HER SHOUTING AT DAWN." Aoi growled and glared at the pillar, "What were you fighting about?"

Giyu's mouth opened, "Betsuni." and stared back at her blankly, waiting for more she has to say.

Aoi sighed and shut her eyes closed, She wanted to massage her temples frok all the stress the water was giving her. Too bad she can't. She remembered she was carrying a tray.

She only said, "She's tired and is resting, please leave."

"I wanna see her." He reasoned out.

"Why is that? You're not her father or brother." The younger lass crossed her arms at him, "I'm sure you're not even friends."

"How can we be friends when I'm her lover. I promised to co—"

"UGH! JUST WASH THE DISHES FOR ME." Aoi shoved the tray to him, which he accepted instantly, "YOU'VE BECOME SO CHEESY, TOMIOKA-SAN. I HOPE YOU MELT."

With that being said, Aoi quickly ran off at the courtyard, all flustered, and did what ever business she had outside. She was probably shocked hearing those lines coming out from the Water Pillar.

Giyu stared at the tray of empty bowls with some leftover food before walking to the kitchen. He immediately knew it was what Shinobu has used for her meals — actually the reason why he accepted Aoi's order.

While washing the dishes, Giyu's face crumpled as he started cringing. This was a rare phenomenon where this blank pillar would start reacting or making a fuss about whatever he did.

'Did I just say I'm Kocho's lover?' He wanted to bury himself alive out of embarrassment. He knew that Kocho have possibly heard everything from the commotion they caused infront of her bedroom.

He shook his head and continued what chore he was doing.

'I've already confessed directly, why am I shy about that?' He convinced himself and kept on going like that until he would finish doing the dishes.

Meanwhile, the Insect Pillar was lying down alone at her room, fanning herself. She heard everything they talked about, loud and clear.

"Calm down, calm down." She tried her best to keep her composure and covered herself with a blanket.

'I think I've lost my mind.' Both pillars thought at the same time.