𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐘 | 𝐤𝐧𝐲

話 | grief

~仕始める~

Sanemi Shinazugawa and I didn't have much in common at all, but there was one thing the both of us had. We were shouldering an ungodly amount of grief.

Sanemi patched up his relationship with his younger brother Genya merely minutes before he died, I knew Genya very well. I stayed at the Butterfly Estate and we met after Upper ranks had attacked the swordsmen village. Genya was very nervous around girls, which made him fun to talk to.

However, Genya never knew I was a demon, he died ignorant to what I really was.

Lady Tamayo was also a loss, she was the one that saved my life, and kept me sane on my long trips alone.

I guess... Seeing Shinazugawa again made me realize how alone I really felt.

"Why the hell are you so quiet all of a sudden, scum?" His voice broke me out of my thoughts.

"Why are you still so angry? You're safe now, it's okay to grieve, everyone you have now is here to stay." I forced a sad smile out, I wanted him to be happy. But... He will die soon, therefore I want to make him the happiest I can.

The movement in the ceased, the air and dust in the air completely still.

Shinazugawa threw me onto the ground with all his might, probably damaging the floor underneath us. I don't care if I messed up or crossed a boundary, he needed to hear those words.

The door slammed in the room as a laid still on the floor. Who am I to force myself onto

Those walls of his were too large for even himself to break... Poor boy.

~Tomioka told me to rest, and we could talk tomorrow. Shinazugawa spent majority of the night in the restroom crying.~

~休憇~

The next morning to say the least, was very energetic. Shinazugawa burst into my small room yelling about how Tomioka wanted me, thus he dragged me around the estate all over again. He was kind enough to close the curtains again whilst dragging me to his room again. I mean literally drag, he grabbed my angle and pulled me behind him. However, I noticed how his movements were less aggressive and he was less loud, which was nice.

Impressive.

So he's not always a bomb on the verge on exploding. Noted.

"Oh, oh! I know you!" A familiar voice reached me ears as we reached the room, Tengen Uzui.

"You're the demon girl! You're a little taller than I remember..."

Out of all the people I've dealt with in the Demon Slayer Corps, Tengen is the one that welcomed me with very open arms. He's very energetic, and it's hard to match his mood. But being around him makes me feel a little more at home.

Shinazugawa let go of my foot, and I was able to stand up on my own. The room was dark, as curtains covered the windows and preventing any sun from setting in.

"Y'know, you're not supposed to drag anyone around... That's the most terrible thing you can do to someone as a host." Tengen's smile turned into a playful smirk, as he pointed to me who was walking towards him.

"Who the fuck asked you huh? Cause I sure as hell didn't!" Shinazugawa didn't even turn around to look at him, instead he stomped off to where his bed was.

I made my way to where Tengen was sitting, I noticed Tomioka who was sitting on the bed right across from him. He looked up at me and pat the spot next to him inviting me to sit.

"I think I've already said something like this, but I really like your haircut." I said to him as I sat down.

"You said something yesterday, is my hair the only thing about me you like?" Tomioka's face suddenly turned sour.

"What? No! I just really like it! I wish you cut it sooner!" I declared, Tengen backed me up by leaning forward and exclaiming, "She's right! You should've cut it sooner, you could've found a bride!"

"I was teasing, not to mention I wouldn't be interested in being married while working, I'll wait for myself to heal before I consider marriage." Tomioka rebuttals coldly, but not in a bad way. He's making a very good point.

"Tomioka Giyuu... is teasing? Who are you and where is the real Tomioka Giyuu?" Tengen leaned forward, as if he was interrogating the poor boy.

"Leave me alone," Tomioka furrowed his brows at him, I was holding back a cackle.

Shinazugawa was laying on his bed, facing away from us while being completely silent. Tomioka had only replied to one of my letters, and it was talking about how he was trying to be friends with Shinazugawa by giving him ohagi. I was never a fan of ohagi, but I'm a demon and so human flesh is the only thing that I find appetizing.

"Tomioka-" I started.

"Call me Giyuu, it's easier," He replied back with ease, turning his head towards me.

"Giyuu, Tengen, I haven't said hello to Tanjiro and the others, do you mind if I visited them now?" I asked, shifting my gazes between the two men.

"Of course, I don't mind at all! No need to ask, be more flamboyant about it!" Tengen boasted, letting out a loud laugh as he crossed his arms.

Giyuu also gave me a hum of approval, before exiting the room I bowed to the former Hashiras.

"Thank you for your service, please live your lives with pride."

Those were the words before I scurried off into the halls of the estate, finding the room they were in was easy.

One of the things I've learned when being around those three is: follow the yelling.

"Ehh?? Whaddya mean? So it's completely useless?!?!" A screech echoed in the halls of the mansion, and I couldn't help laugh to myself. Zenitsu seemed lively as ever.

The trio were chaotic in the most pure way possible, I knew Tanjiro through letters and I knew Zenitsu because he tried to kiss me right after Muzan died. But there was a major issue I had run into, under the door sunlight poured out.

Before I could think of what to do next, insecurity hit me. If they wanted to see me, wouldn't Nezuko tell them? Wouldn't one of them reach out to me? Since I am a demon they might want nothing to do with me... My mood completely dropped, and I thought I'll let them reach out to me.

Demons have caused so much slaughter and terror, so it's no question they might not want to be around me. I'm a walking reminder of the reasons they lost so many lives.

It's not my fault.

I know it isn't.

But since the one at fault is dead.

They need a new face to curse upon.

I think I understand Shinazugawa even more now...

~終了~