Pariah || KIMETSU NO YAIBA x OC

prologue

Dearest Tengen-kun,

How have you been? I believe it's been almost three years since we last exchanged letters. I hope this message finds you in good spirits and good health. I read your last letter and I'm pleased to hear that you have joined the Demon Slaying Corps. I know you were hesitant to reveal the organization and your role in your letter, but believe me, I am well aware of its presence and the fact that there are horrible flesh-eating monsters walking among us. I have had my share of experiences with demons - I will explain to you eventually.

I must admit, I was a little shocked when your bejeweled crow came flying through the window in the middle of dinner. It's fascinating that Demon hunters rely on these birds to deliver letters. Until this time, I've only ever corresponded through telegram delivery. My mother-in-law, who is dreadfully afraid of birds, nearly went into cardiac arrest at the sight of it. I thought we needed to fetch a doctor to calm her down!

I apologize that I have not been communicating with you as much. It pains me to ruin this letter with sad news, but I regret to inform you that I am dying. What started off as a common cold last year soon progressed into raging fevers, vomiting blood, and overall weakness. The Shimura family sent the best doctors they could find to treat me, but none of these medical experts have been able to identify the wretched illness that courses through my body. I try to stay optimistic for the sake of my daughter, but I don't see any hope of me recovering. I fear that this might be the last letter I'll write - I feel my body growing weaker as each day passes and I'm even having difficulty holding this brush to write.

Will you please come and visit me? I wish to see your wonderful face one last time, and I would love for you to meet my daughter as well.

Love, Ageha

♫

The cable car creaked to a stop and a tall, muscular man wearing ninja attire disembarked, stepping onto the sidewalk. The people departing and entering the cable car casted the man peculiar looks, as it was unusual to spot someone who wasn't wearing the traditional Japanese or western clothing walking the streets of Tokyo. A small, somewhat smug smile graced the lips of Uzui Tengen. With his bulky frame, sharp gaze, and towering statue, Tengen gave off quite an intimidating presence. He was no stranger to people gaping at his formidable appearance, and he relished the attention.

As a former shinobi who spent a majority of his life in the countryside, Tengen wasn't used to the flashing, bright lights of the city and fast-paced lifestyle of its people. It did, however, excite him with its air of flamboyance. But Tengen did not travel to the Asakusa District of Tokyo to visit the famous movie theaters or geisha houses. He was in town for more important matters.

He gazed up at the stately mansion in front of him and let out a low whistle. Tengen preferred the standard Japanese-style homes with their wooden verandas and tatami floors, but he had to admit that this western-style house took his breath away. He had never come across a house with more than one level, and it was certainly a stark contrast from the modest surroundings he and Ageha grew up in.

Koizumi Ageha. The very sound of her name still delivered butterflies to Tengen's stomach. Both of their families had known each other for several generations and it wasn't unusual for the children to play together. Tengen remembered the first time he met Ageha at the age of seven and how he had been immediately smitten at the sight of her. Normally, boys at that age deemed girls disgusting and avoided them at all costs. But Ageha was like an angel to Tengen, and it wasn't long before the young boy quickly developed a crush on her.

Although she was eight years older than him, Ageha always enjoyed his company and never thought of him as a nuisance. She served as Tengen's main playmate (and babysitter, as Tengen's parents liked to say, but he hated calling her that) until she was sent off to an arranged marriage with Shimura Kazuhiko, the son of a wealthy family in Tokyo. Despite the distance, the two managed to keep contact throughout the years. While they were now grown adults with their own responsibilities, they still found the time to exchange correspondence from time to time.