"𝐇𝐞'𝐬 𝐎𝐧 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐒𝐢𝐝𝐞" - 𝙺𝙽𝚈 𝚡 𝙼𝚊𝚕𝚎!𝙾𝚌

𝑻𝒘𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒚-𝑭𝒐𝒖𝒓

{words: 4181}

"I hear Tanjiro-San is having the girls beat him with carpet beaters every time he stops Total Concentration Breathing." Shinobu's melodic voice says to Tsukumo.

Shinobu and Tsukumo sat in the Butterfly Estate's dining hall, late at night, Shinobu wore casual clothing. Shinobu wore a sakura kimono and Tsukumo wore his classic black kimono. Since his old kimono and haori were ripped, Shinobu made him a new kimono.

Tsukumo tilted his head with a smile, "Is he really?" He shrugged, halfway unsurprised, "I knew he has potential."

"Tsukumo, are you still adamant that you and your sister won't devour a human?" Shinobu says with a noticeable tick mark on her forehead as she clutched her chopsticks tight.

Tsukumo doesn't make an agitated expression as he gingerly eats his oyakadon and drinks his soju, he downs the glass easily.

"Don't you know it's rude to not answer someone? That's probably why you and Tomioka-San are such good friends, you're both so rude!" Shinobu giggles.

Tsukumo stops what he's doing, he sets down his chopsticks and bows his head to her, "Good night, Shinobu-San, I will see you tomorrow, I am going to go to bed now."

Shinobu realizes she somehow offended Tsukumo, "Ara ara~ Im sorry Tsukumo-San, I didn't mean to compare you to Tomioka-San, you need to stay longer so I can monitor you."

"You don't understand me nor Tomioka-San, or what has happened between us, and you never will. Dismiss me, please, Shinobu-San." Tsukumo said through a fake smile, respectfully waiting for the host to dismiss him.

Shinobu sighs, "Your honor and respect clouds your judgement sometimes, you're dismissed, Tsukumo-San."

Tsukumo let's out a laugh, he kindly smiles at Shinobu, "Ha, and your fake personality has yet to successfully hide your violent anger towards me. Goodnight, Shinobu-San."

{*}

"Just you again today, Tanjiro?"

Tanjiro sulks, he bows down to Aoi, "I'm sorry. I did ask them to come, but..."

Aoi waved him off, "Well, it doesn't matter to me."

Tanjiro nodded firmly, he stood up straight, "I'll give them another nudge later!"

Tsukumo walks throughout the HQ, he had just visited Oyakata-Sama, whose illness just kept creeping up against his pale skin. It made Tsukumo feel dreadful inside, he tries to convince Master that he can heal him. But the Master always refuses.

It bothers Tsukumo. Tsukumo let out deep breaths as he tries not to let the agitation flow out of his aura. Focusing too much on his aura and not enough on his surroundings, a hand is placed on his shoulder.

"Tsukumo-San! It's good to see you out, it makes you seem human!"

Tsukumo nods slowly, stepping away from Tengen with a smile, his kind eyes creasing, "Uzui-San, how are you doing?"

"Hey! Your eyes, are very beautiful!" Uzui said, getting closer to inspect them.

Tsukumo smiles and lets out a melodic laugh, "Thank you, Uzui-San, I think your hair is a very gorgeous color. It's unique, it's flashy!"

"Hey... let's go to my estate, okay? I'm going to pick you up, flamboyantly! And we can talk at my estate, where we can talk comfortably!"

Tsukumo blinked rapidly, was he... being invited over to a Hashira's house? HIM? A DEMON?