Donut Friendship – Chapter 11: Rui Ayaki
Nezuko was enjoying her time at the bakery. Selling donuts and seeing people enjoy them was a great feeling. Her hard work was also rewarded, because she was able to make a few new friends, like Mukago, a girl from a different class with a secret crush.
While working, she noticed that it was already Wednesday, meaning that she only had half of the week left. Now she understood why Tanjiro loved this job and why he was so hesitant to take a week off. She had a lot of fun, and she loved this job.
While sitting behind the counter, her mother brought her a new set of fresh donuts.
"Nezuko, can you please help me put these into the display shelf?" the mother asked
"Sure!" turned around and helped her
While the two were putting the donuts into the shelf, the door opened and a person walked into the bakery. Both of them turned around to see who it is.
"Ah…" Nezuko murmured as she saw the person
"Oh…" the guy replied as he saw Nezuko
"Welcome!" the mother said with a smile, but noticed that Nezuko and the guy were looking at each other
"Hmmm?" the mother murmured
"Ah! Rui!" Nezuko said, and a smile formed on her face
"Huh… it's you…" Rui replied with a plain expression
The mother looked at Nezuko and asked her.
"Is he your friend?"
"Yes! Rui is from a different class!" Nezuko replied
Hearing the two, Rui added.
"I met Nezuko at her ghost hunting adventure…"
Hearing that, both Nezuko and her mother looked at him.
"Ghost… hunting…?" the mother asked confused
"IGH!" Nezuko squeaked and panicked a bit
Some time ago, she and her friends spent the night at the academy, following rumors of ghosts. Naturally, if her mother knew about it, then she would forbid it, so Nezuko kept it a secret. Now if her mother would find out, then she would be in big trouble.
"Hahaha…! He meant a board game! We played a board game together! Ghost hunting… yeah… hahaha…" Nezuko replied awkwardly
"Oh! That's nice! Since you know him, could you please take his order while I go back and make more donuts?" the mother asked
"Phuh… saved!" Nezuko thought to herself and nodded to her mother
The mother smiled and went into the back of the bakery, while Nezuko turned around and faced Rui, who was staring at her.
"So! What can I get you?" Nezuko asked with a smile
Rui was just staring at her and after a few seconds, he walked towards the counter.
"I want to buy some donuts…" he replied
"Sur-…WAIT!" Nezuko stopped moving and started staring at Rui
Both were now staring at each other and after a few seconds, a smile slowly formed on Nezuko's face.
"Before I sell them to you… do you mind me asking you something?" Nezuko asked with a teasing smile
"What." Rui replied
"Are these for you… or for someone else? Maybe… a special girl? Hihihi" Nezuko asked teasingly
Rui just stared at her, without any reaction.
"Well, she is kind of special… so half of them are for me and the other half for… her." he replied
"Sque…!*" Nezuko put both of her hands on her cheeks and squeaked
"He is buying donuts for Mukago! This is so cute!" Nezuko thought to herself
Nezuko previously befriended Mukago and found out that she had a secret crush on Rui. She told her that she can win his heart with donuts! And it looks like that it worked!
"Anyway. I want to buy some." said Rui, which woke Nezuko up from her daydreaming
"OH! S-Sure! Sorry!" Nezuko turned around and put a few of them in a bag
She returned to the counter and gave Rui the bag.
"Thank you. How much is it?" Rui asked as he took out his wallet
Nezuko told him the final amount and even gave him the friends and family discount.
"Thank you…. That's nice of you…" said Rui as he paid and took his bag
Nezuko just smiled and replied.
"No problem! Good luck with Mukago!"
Hearing that, Rui looked at Nezuko with a confused look.
"Who?" he asked
…
…
…
"Huh…?" Nezuko asked as she tried to process his words
"Who is Mukago?" Rui asked again
"Mukago… you bought the donuts, so you could share them with her… because she shared some with… you…" Nezuko murmured
"Hm? Oh, now I remember. Ye, I never asked her name. Anyway, I bought the donuts for me and my mother." Rui explained
"…" Nezuko just stared at him
"But I think I should give her some too… As a show of gratitude..." Rui added and left the bakery, leaving a confused Nezuko behind
…
The next day at the academy.
Rui walked up to Mukago and spoke up.
"Hey…"
"Ah! Rui! W-What can I do for you?" Mukago replied
He handed her a bag.
"You shared some donuts with me a few days back. I wanted to repay you, so I bought you some."
Mukago stared at him confused and slowly took the bag out of his hand.
"Ah… ah… T-Thank you Rui! Thank you! I am so happy!" she replied and hugged the bag, while Rui just stared at her with a plain expression
…
…
"This love is so one-sided…" said Nezuko with an awkward smile, as she saw the scene unfold
Author's note: Next time, Nezuko's week at the bakery will come to an end, and it will be the last chapter with Nezuko! And it's going to be the chapter with the con-artist returning. Anyway, in less than a week, our favorite con-artist is getting his own chapter in Kimetsu Gakuen! The last demon chapter (with Kokushibo) was my favorite one!