It was still amazing to Tanjiro, that the dreamscape of Mt. Sagiri was borderline identical to the real deal. Though right now, that wasn't the target of his focus. He was standing off to the side, watching.
Asuka was standing in front of a boulder, holding a replica of a Nichirin Blade, panting heavily and wiping sweat from her brow.
Her training was almost complete. They had been at this for several weeks, even months.
Yes, that's correct. Weeks and months. On certain days during training, it feels like they had been there for several weeks and months. For some unexplainable reason, the time of the dreamscape is fluid. As a result, time was different for the two of them. In a single night, it could be one week, or two, or even three and further. They didn't question it though, but theorized that based on their desire as well as much training they wanted to get in, time would let them do so. It didn't explain how they only got tired at different points, but they guessed that since they themselves wanted to keep training, their mind made it possible for them to get the training that the wanted to get in before they woke up.
Regardless of the reason, they took advantage of this opportunity, using it to accelerate Asuka's training in the style of Total Concentration Breathing. They wouldn't take this chance for granted.
Normally, it would have taken years for Asuka to learn these sacred artes, just like Tanjiro himself went through. But thanks to the dreamscapes time flow, it only took a matter of weeks for Asuka to learn the ten forms of the Water Breathing techniques. There was only one final task for her, which was what she was tackling at the moment.
A large boulder was in front of her. Now, a master of the Total Concentration Breathing, she had to put everything she learned from Tanjiro into this single attack to determine if she was ready. She needed to cut the boulder in half, not unlike Tanjiro's own training, and the countless students of Urokodaki before him.
She thought at first it would be easy as pie. It was the dreamscape, after all. So she thought that she'd only have to imagine herself cutting through it to complete the task, right?
Asuka was dead wrong. The blade bounced off the rock with sparks, just as it would in the real world. She kept on trying, but every effort seemed completely fruitless, and she wanted to simply give up, saying that it's impossible.
"I thought the same thing too." Tanjiro said, as she vented her frustrations to him. "But don't give up. I know you can do it!"
His smile lit up the place they were in, and Asuka could feel herself motivated once more. She stood in front of the boulder, took a deep breath and closed her eyes.
In. Out. In. Out. A steady stream of air was flowing through her lungs. She pictured herself, standing on raging waters, surrounded by a roaring ocean. As if she were in the middle of a raging thunderstorm, and the lighting was crackling around her.
Then suddenly, all was still. The water settled, until it was completely motionless. She heard a single drop of water, and the boulder was right in front of her. In that one moment, she struck.
Asuka opened her eyes, and saw that the boulder was completely cut in half. Eyes wide and mouth agape, she looked at the sword in her hand, completely shocked that she had felt no resistance.
"You did it, Asuka!" Tanjiro cheered, running up.
"I did it... I did it!" Asuka shouted.
She pulled Tanjiro into a hug, causing the boy's face to redden. After suffocating him for quite a bit, she let go of him and calmed down, before bowing.
"Thank you, Tanjiro." She said, before raising her head. "Thanks to this new technique, I can help protect my friends."
"It's not that big of a deal." Tanjiro said, rubbing the back of his head, clearly embarrassed.
"No." Asuka said, shaking her head. "I'm indebted to you, Tanjiro."
She meant it too. Asuka had always wanted to become a great Shinobi like her grandfather. While she used to also want to be the strongest, her time at the academy with her friends had caused her to change her beliefs, and become someone that wanted to be a protector. Of course, she still wanted to be the best Shinobi, but not just in strength. That day she had seen Tanjiro's life turn into hell, but refuse to give into despair, was the starting point where her resolve changed. She compared her goals to Tanjiro, who became a Demon Slayer for one reason, and that was to turn his sister back into a normal human. No fame, no glory, no recognition. Just giving back his sister the life that was taken from her, and saving anyone else on the path as well. Seeing that resolve herself, it changed her. She wanted to be like him. Kind and forgiving. Tanjiro's resolve made Asuka want to be a better person herself.
With all of this, Asuka couldn't help it. She had fallen in love with Tanjiro Kamado. She didn't believe it herself for the first few days, and was in embarrassed denial for the most part. But then she remembered how her grandfather had always told her that one day she would find the right person. One she could open up to and feel safe with. Tanjiro had already done so much for her, and just being with him made her chest and face warm, with her heart beating at a mile a minute. She didn't even know if a relationship was possible, since they were from different worlds and timelines, but regardless of what happened, she hoped that he at least returned her feelings. It was a one in million chance, but one she hoped would strike true.
And watching Tanjiro on his journey only made those feelings grow stronger. Besides her romantic feelings, she could tell that she couldn't have asked for a better teacher than him. As a bystander hidden from his world, she watched the way he fought against the demons, not only with incredible skill, but kindness as well. She remembered his recent adventures vividly.
His first mission had led him to a small town, where a swamp demon had been kidnapping and feasting on small girls. It was a dangerous foe, capable of moving at incredible speeds, as well as split itself other bodies. But Tanjiro didn't give up, defeating the demon, and giving a man named Kazumi closure after the swamp demon had killed and devoured his fiancée. Asuka couldn't help but feel sorry for the man, but was glad Tanjiro could help him.
Tanjiro's journey next led him to none other than Asakusa, Tokyo. Asuka was delighted to see her home perfectly fine, even though this version of Tokyo was from over a hundred years ago and in a completely different world. It was still a relieving thought.
But all that relief would go away with the man Tanjiro encountered next.
No. Man was too kind of a word. The complete monster that he encountered by pure chance in Tokyo; Muzan Kibutsuji.
The very demon who had ruined not only Tanjiro's life, but countless other innocents as well.
The man had the absolute nerve to masquerade being a human, even having a wife and child (whether they were brainwashed or being force against their will, Asuka didn't want to know). The demon had proved to be quite crafty, making it impossible for Tanjiro to attack him. He turned a random bystander into a demon and disappeared, Tanjiro yelling after him that he'll follow him to the ends of the Earth to defeat him.
Tanjiro struggled to stop the man who had recently turned, but he found some surprise allies in Tamayo and Yushiro. Both also demons, but ones that work against Muzan and support the Demon Slayers thanks to the fact they aren't subject to under his control. Asuka admitted she was surprised to see good demons, but then again, she had met Nezuko (and then again, Giyuu himself admitted there was something different about her as well). They subdued the demon man and made their way back to their hiding place. There, Tamayo revealed that there was a way to turn a demon back into a human.
Using the blood of the Twelve Demon Moons, incredibly powerful demons that work under Kibutsuji that have been empowered by him.
They would have talked more, but they were attacked by two powerful demons named Susamaru and Yahaba. Asuka wished she could help, but instead could only watch. Thankfully, they survived, but it was a very close battle. Asuka was extremely impressed at how Tanjiro defeated a demon that could have vectors move his opponents wherever he wanted. Essentially, Tanjiro had defeated a foe with an ability that was borderline identical to telekenisis.
Deciding to split up for safety, Tanjiro and Nezuko parted ways with Tamayo and Yushiro, with a new mission. Collect the blood samples of the Twelve Demon Moons, in hopes of finding the cure to make Nezuko human again.
The whole time, something stood out for Asuka. The whole time, instead of fighting with malice, he fought not only to protect himself and Nezuko, but also to try and help free the demons. His kindness and sympathy for the demons always touched Asuka's heart. Despite all the hardships he had been going through, he always thought of others first. She saw a side of him she didn't know he had, his anger and hatred for Muzan Kitbutsuji. It was completely understandable. Not only was he the reason all demons existed, he was the one that had personally killed Tanjiro's family and turned Nezuko into a demon.
But even then Tanjiro didn't let that obsession consume him. Instead of chasing Muzan down, he had stayed behind to subdue the recently turned demon. She hoped that Tanjiro would never change that about himself; his kindness and selflessness.
Despite all the emotional baggage, Tanjiro never lost himself. He'd always remain focused, and keep his goal of saving his sister in mind, and defeat anyone in his way with not just kindness, but an incredible mastery of Water Breathing, using the Ten Forms with expert precision.
It was after the Asakusa mission where Asuka's training had been complete, and she had managed to finally slice the boulder in half.
Unbeknownst to Asuka, Tanjiro actually felt the same way about her. He was happy that Asuka had completed her training with complete seriousness and success. Over the time the two had shared together in the dreamscape, be it the short days or long months, he had trained her well. In that time, Tanjiro also found himself falling for Asuka. While he had considered the idea of confessing, he decided to hold off on it. After all, the mission came first.
He wished that the time they could share together would never end, but the two started to see that they were both fading. It was time to return to the waking world.
"Good luck on your journey, Tanjiro." Asuka said.
"Same to you for any shinobi missions." Tanjiro replied. "I think you can take anything on now!"
Asuka laughed. "Don't jynx it, Tanjiro. See you later."
"Yeah. Bye!"
The two kept on smiling and waving until they had left the world of dreams.
Some more time had passed, and like Tanjiro had wished her luck, she was on a shinobi mission with her team. There were Yoma sightings in a forest slightly outside of the city. Their mission?
It was obvious. They were sent to eliminate the Yoma. Why else?
"I think I saw a bit of movement here... aha!"
Hibari pointed over a large rock they hid behind. Just over it was a small valley, where the Yoma that had been reported were. It was a group of three, consisting of a Giant Spider, Snake Woman and Cat Woman. It wouldn't bee to difficult for them, since not only did they have the element of surprise, they were on elevated ground, meaning that the Yoma couldn't escape that easily.
"I'll give a countdown." Ikaruga whispered, holding up her fingers. "Ready?"
"Ready." They all responded.
"One..."
The girls all drew their weapons.
"Two..."
Asuka tightened the grip on her twin swords.
"Three!"
Jumping out with a shout, the girls attacked the Yoma with speed and precision. The element of surprise was not something the Yoma were prepared for, as they were easily taken out with minimal effort from all of the girls. They didn't even stand a chance.
"Piece of cake!" Katsuragi said, kicking the body of one of the defeated Yoma.
Ikaruga didn't sheath her blade, however, and instead frowned a bit.
"What's wrong, Ikaruga?" Yagyū asked her friend.
"The report had said that there were four Yoma sighted." She answered. "We've only defeated three. Where is the last one...?"
The tremors sent through ground seemed to answer her, as the trees around them began to shake. The girls turned to see a huge man-beast with the head of a bull and a furry humanoid body. It carried a club and shield, and was covered in stone slabs roped around it's body. Simple, but effective rudimentary armor. It let out a powerful roar that shook the trees.
"Are you freaking kidding me?!" Katsuragi yelled, throwing her hands in the air. "We got to deal with a stupid Minotaur as well?!"
"Perhaps not stupid." Yagyū said. "It used the other three Yoma as bait to draw us out. Perhaps more of a barbarian would be the correct term."
The Minotaur took offense at the comments, before roaring and charging. It brought it's club down onto the Earth with a tremendous boom, but thankfully the group scattered before the attack had finished.
"Take this!"
Katsuragi flipped into the air and kicked the Minotaur in the neck, but the beast barely even flinched as it knocked the girl away.
"Hoooooh... hah!"
Daidōji aimed a powerful strike at it's chest when it wasn't paying attention. It left a sizable crack in the stone, but the Minotaur didn't give Daidōji a chance for a second attack. It grabbed her by the arms with surprising strength, immobilizing her.
"Nani?!"
"Don't worry! We got this! Let's go, Ninto!"
"Haaah!"
Hibari had Ninto attack at one of the arms with scratches and bites, while Yagyū stabbed the wrist of the other. The Minotaur roared and let go, and that moment of stun was what Ikaruga needed.
"Hien Housen: Mode One!"
She slashed out once, and then sheathed her blade. Dozens of slashes shred the Minotaur, causing it to roar in pain and fall over.
The girls regrouped. "Did it work?" Katsuragi asked.
Almost as in response, the Minotaur stood back up, ready to fight. The damage was minimal.
"Impossible!" Ikaruga said.
"All that for nothing?" Hibari said. "What do we do?"
The Minotaur raised its club and smashed it down, sending an enormous shock wave that knocked the girls down. The sheer power was incredible.
"And that thing gets stronger when it takes damage. Wonderful..." Katsuragi groaned.
It stomped towards the girls. With their doom seemingly approaching quickly, Asuka closed her eyes, waiting for it to be over.
Don't give up!
That voice. "Tanjiro?" Was she just remembering her friend in her possible last moments?
I know you can do it! I believe in you!
Asuka's eyes shot open. He's right. She stood up shakily. I need to try!
"Asuka?" Ikaruga said. "What are you-?"
"It's going to be alright." Asuka said, taking a deep breath and closing her eyes.
"Well, there's a giant Yoma about to kill us." Katsuragi snarked. "I doubt that's an indication of things being okay-"
"Shh." Yagyū said, putting a hand over Katsuragi's mouth to silence her. "Asuka's serious."
Asuka's friends all stared at her, as she took in a breath that filled her lungs. She imagined the raging ocean around her once more. The Minotaur was almost upon her, raising it's club to smash her head in.
"Asuka! Watch out!" Hibari called, as the Minotaur attacked.
Asuka's eyes shot open.
"First Form... Water Surface Slash!"
Asuka drew her blade and slashed in a single powerful outward strike. It cleanly cut right through the club of the Minotaur, leaving it dumbfounded as the heavy end landed far away from him. Asuka's friends were equally as shocked at Asuka's new technique.
"Erm, Ikaruga?" Katsuragi said, turning to the resident iaijutsu practitioner.
"I've never seen any technique like that..." Ikaruga said, eyes wide. "The movement was so smooth... like water..."
The Minotaur roared at the loss of its weapon, and attempted to bash Asuka with its shield. Asuka jumped backwards away from the attack, before jumping right at the Yoma with her blades ready. She pulled her weapons behind her head.
"Second Form... Water Wheel!"
Vertically spinning forward, Asuka split the shield in half, as well as deal a devastating slash to the Minotaur's chest. The monster held the cut piece, but Asuka wasn't finished. Landing gracefully, she slowly approached the Minotaur.
"Third Form... Flowing Dance!"
Swinging her blades around and running carefully around the beast, Asuka cut through the Minotaur's armor, slicing off the pieces and attacking while it was vulnerable. It was as if the churning surface of water had attacked the Minotaur. Jumping back, Asuka took one more deep breath.
"And now to finish it. Fourth Form..."
The Minotaur picked up a tree and threw it at the girl. Asuka jumped up and kicked off the tree, staying in the air right above the Minotaur. She tightened the grip on her blades.
"Striking Tide!"
With several consecutive strikes, she slashed at the neck of the Minotaur, decapitating the Yoma and finally killing it. She landed safely, and looked back at the Minotaur's body, with the head landing by the broken club.
"What. Was. That?!"
Her friends all swarmed around her.
"Asuka, where did you learn such graceful and powerful techniques?" Ikaruga asked.
"Maybe she's your long lost sibling or something?" Katsuragi joked.
"That doesn't even make any sense. She's never seen the technique before." Yagyū said at the poor logic behind the joke.
"Spoil all my fun, why don't you?" Katsuragi pouted.
"I'd say it's practically my job at this point." Yagyū snarked.
"Where did you learn such cool moves, Asuka?" Hibari asked, eyes shining even brighter than usual.
"Well... um... I..." Asuka stammered.
"It was Tanjiro, wasn't it?" Daidōji said.
All of the girls turned to Daidōji, before turning back to Asuka.
"How did you-? ... nevermind." Asuka said, shaking her head at Daidōji's insightfulness. "Yes. Tanjiro taught me these techniques."
Her friends were all amazed.
"Dang girl. Didn't know your literal dream guy was this badass!" Katsuragi whooped.
"His teachings have saved our lives today." Yagyū said.
"Asuka, I demand that you teach me this." Ikaruga said.
"Sorry." Asuka said. "Not everyone is capable of learning it, and it also takes a lot of time to learn. Thankfully, the dream world makes time run differently for us, but that's not the case right now."
Ikaruga mumbled something in disappointment. "Can you at least teach me more?"
"Well... I guess I can sorta try."
"Wonderful. Write down everything you know and give it to me by tomorrow morning."
"Hold on, what?! I can't do all that in time!"
"It's perfectly doable." Ikaruga said. "I must learn this technique."
The other girls just watched as Asuka and Ikaruga bickered.
"Though for real, we owe that Tanjiro a favor." Hibari said, sitting down.
"I wonder what he's doing in his time?" Yagyū wondered.
Asuka would soon find out, as she went to sleep later that night (after promising Ikaruga that she would try to write down all that she had learned and highlight the most important parts as soon as she possibly could).
She materialized in Tanjiro's world. This time, she was on a side road by a farmer's field.
"Whoa!"
A blonde haired boy with a yellow jacket stumbled back at Asuka's sudden appearance. Tanjiro turned to see Asuka seemingly appear out of nowhere.
"Oh, Asuka!"
"Hi Tanjiro. Did I come in at a bad time?" She asked, rubbing the back of her head.
"Well..." Tanjiro looked at the blonde haired boy. "You could say that."
"WHAT THE?! WHAT'S THIS, TANJIRO?!" The blonde boy asked, pointing at Asuka with a surprising amount of vigor.
"Well, I'll introduce you. This is my friend, Asuka. Asuka? This is Zenitsu. I just met him today."
"Pleased to meet-"
"YOU HAVE THE NERVE TO TAKE AWAY MY ONLY CHANCE AT GETTING MARRIED AND YOU HAVE A BEAUTIFUL GIRLFRIEND WITH TWO PERFECT BREASTS, TWO PERFECT LEGS AND A PERFECT BODY TO GO WITH IT?! HOW DARE YOU! I DEMAND THAT YOU APOLOGIZE TO ME THIS INSTAAAAAAANT!"
"...eh?" was all Asuka could say as Zenitsu continued to rant. Tanjiro sighed.
"That's wrong Zenitsu. Asuka isn't my girlfriend. And besides." He moved his arm towards her. "I can't even touch her-"
Boing.
"Ah! Sorry!" Tanjiro said, feeling the breast and taking his hand right off.
"Hey! You didn't have to-!"
Asuka and Tanjiro both feel dead silent, while Zenitsu stopped his ranting and just stared in confusion. Tanjiro looked at his hand then Asuka.
"Erm, may I?" Tanjiro asked.
Asuka nodded, trusting Tanjiro.
The boy reached out towards her. And to both of their surprise, his hand felt something solid as it grasped her shoulder. He removed his hand and put it back on several times, each time with the same result.
Asuka was not a spirit or projection. She had fully manifested in Tanjiro's world.
The two just looked at one another before saying one thing.
"EHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH?!"
After getting over their initial shock at how Asuka had now physically appeared in Tanjiro's world, they explained everything to Zenitsu. Despite his... eccentricities, he was surprisingly quite smart, and understood the situation, as unbelievable as it was. Asuka told Tanjiro how she had used Total Concentration Breathing to defeat a Yoma and save her friends, awing Tanjiro and giving him a small feeling of pride at being Asuka's teacher. Deciding to use her time here wisely, she asked Tanjiro if she could help him with whatever mission he had on hand at the moment.
Tanjiro gladly accepted her help. Their next task was to infiltrate a mansion of a demon, and rescue some of the captors. While Zenitsu originally protested, Tanjiro's silent fury managed to convince him to come along.
It didn't go exactly as they planned. Two kids who were searching for their older brother had followed them in, and the group had gotten separated as well. Not to mention the fact that Tanjiro wasn't in the best condition, with a few broken bones from his fight with Susamaru and Yahaba. Asuka and Tanjiro helped protect the little girl, until they found her brother... as well as the demon.
A former member of the Twelve Demon Moons, originally having the title of Lower Rank 6. He was a fearsome foe, fighting with the ability to change the house they were in, and attack with an incredibly fast, but unseen attack. While there was a bit of an interference by a man with a boar mask, the distraction disappeared soon after (seriously, just what was up with that?).
Asuka helped the kids escape (by telling them to use a stray drum to leave the Tsuzumi Mansion), while Tanjiro fought the demon. Even while wounded, Tanjiro fought gracefully, and even won from learning the demon's attack patterns.
Even after defeating the demon, Tanjiro had ended the fight with kindness, sympathizing with the demon and helping it find peace. Asuka couldn't help but be touched by Tanjiro's kindness.
After leaving the mansion, they had another encounter with the aggressive man with a boar mask. There was a small scuffle, and Asuka learned that Tanjiro had a hard head, literally. They learned that the boy's name was Inosuke. While he was a proficient and skilled Demon Slayer, he wasn't that intelligent, and couldn't even remember their names, giving out many misnames to the group (Asura, Arata and Akuma, to name a few), before eventually joining them.
Asuka could feel herself fading away. Seeing her time was up, she said goodbye to Tanjiro and his new friends (with Zenitsu and Inosuke having some priceless reactions).
"WHAAAAAAAAAAAAT?! SHE'S DISAPPEARING?! EHHHHHH?!"
"HUUUUH?! IS ANIKA DYING?! WHAT IS THIS SHINY CRAP?!"
Tanjiro only laughed at their shouting as he waved and said goodbye back to her.
Ever since then, Tanjiro and Asuka continued to meet up in the dreamscape or manifest in each other's worlds. Not as a spirit, but rather a physical body.
Tanjiro's first 'real' trip to Asuka's world was an eventful one. Several of the girls asked Tanjiro to teach them Total Concentration Breathing, almost overwhelming the poor boy due to how close they were. Thankfully, Ikaruga had suggested a solution that would be much more logical.
She challenged Tanjiro to a spar, of course.
The two stood away from one another, at each end of the training ground. The two had their blades drawn and held out.
"Ready?" Asuka said, being the referee. "Three... two... one... FIGHT!"
The two swordsman rushed forward and entered a brief deadlock, steel on steel. Breaking free from it, the two traded slash for slash. Sparks flew whenever their swords struck one another. Wind and dust kicked up with their swift movements and swings. The iaijutsu of the shinobi clashed with the breathing style of the Demon Slayer, creating a majestic and graceful battle that the two would remember forever. Both of them fought with incredible proficiency to the point where it didn't even look like a duel anymore.
The fight finally ended with a final movement. Tanjiro's sword was aimed at Ikaruga's throat, while her own blade was aimed at his chest.
"It seems this match is a draw then." Ikaruga said, stepping back and sheathing her blade.
"I guess so." Tanjiro said with a smile, putting away his sword.
"You fought well." Ikaruga said, bowing in respect. "Your teacher must be very proud."
"I can say the same thing to you!" Tanjiro said, bowing as well.
"I'd like a rematch when we've both grown stronger." Ikaruga asked. "Would that be fine with you?"
"Yeah, of course!" Tanjiro said. "I look forward to sparring with you again."
"Now with that out of the way..." Ikaruga walked up a little too close. "Is it possible that you can teach me Total Concentration Breathing and the Water Breathing Style? Please?"
"Eh?"
"Please, I desire to learn these amazing techniques. What must I do?"
"Well, I can gladly explain everything to you." Tanjiro said with a smile. "For starters..."
Asuka had a small smile as Tanjiro explained how Total Concentration Breathing worked to Ikaruga. Her other friends had moved over to him to learn more as well.
I'm glad everyone's getting along together. Asuka thought. She only hoped that the girls wouldn't tell Tanjiro the fact that she had a crush on him, but her friends were loyal, and kept their lips sealed on that secret, only to talk about it when Asuka confesses.
This routine had gone on for quite a while now, with the two interacting with the people in each other's worlds. But one day, Asuka received a message from someone she didn't expect.
Walking into a park that was right between Hanzō National Academy and Gessen Girls School, Asuka found someone waiting for her on a bench.
"What is it?" Asuka asked, plopping down next to her contact. "You suddenly asked me to meet you after school."
Sitting on the bench was a grey haired girl with misty blue eyes. She wore the grey Gessen uniform, which was hugging her impressive bust size. Yumi, the leader of the students at Gessen Academy, as well as a rival of sorts to Asuka.
"Well, it's kind of an absurd story." Yumi said, looking down at her lap. "I doubt you'd believe me."
"Just get on with it. How weird can it be?" Asuka said, remembering how the past few weeks of her life had been.
"Well... there's this guy I like."
"...okay, not seeing how this is weird, but-"
"Asuka. This next part might sound false, but I'm telling you with complete honesty... he's from another world."
"...eh?"
"I'd better explain the full story." Yumi said, laughing nervously.
Yumi went onto explain how she had been transported to some sort of strange world that merged multiple together. Not only was it different worlds mashed up together, the inhabitants had found themselves there as well. There were so many there. Rebels from a dystopic future, high school students that could control their 'inner selves,' seemingly normal people that fight against monsters of the night, teenage girls called 'hunters' who were the protectors of their home, a girl who fought with the power of love and arcanas, and even a Japanese super soldier from World War II with a sentient tank fighting as well. They were all forced into absurd situations and had to fight one another often, but eventually managed to work together, defeat a copy of a destroyer deity and unmerge the worlds.
In that time, Yumi had fallen in love with a boy she worked together with during the crisis. Naoto Kurogane.
"I understand that this might seem foolish, and it's perfectly understandable if don't believe me." Yumi said, blushing slightly. "But, as my rival and friend, you're one of the few people I can to about this situation."
Asuka smiled, and pulled Yumi into a hug, surprising the girl. After letting go, Asuka looked at Yumi in the eyes.
"Don't worry, I believe you, Yumi." Asuka said, completely genuine.
Yumi looked surprised. "You do?"
"Cross my heart." Asuka said, making the motion on her chest. "But there is a reason I do believe you."
"What would that reason be?"
"Well... heh heh... I'm kinda going through the same thing you went through."
"...what?"
"I believe you, because I met a boy in my dreams, and he was from another world." Asuka said, face turning a bit red. "His name is Tanjiro Kamado, and I've fallen in love him."
Normally, Yumi was a stoic girl, one to hide her emotions well around her peers. Right now? She had completely dropped her composition.
"EHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH?!"
