Disclaimer: I do not own or am affiliated with Demon Slayer/Kimetsu no Yaiba.
Day 3
"ROLL CALL HURRY UP AND GET UP YA WORTHLESS DUNGS! WE'VE GOT PLANS TODAY!" Sanemi screams out and Giyu's groggily rising up from bed. He absentmindedly checks his phone to see it's 7:00 A.M sharp. Why does he always wake everyone exactly on time? He turns it off and doesn't see Tengen in the cabin, which was a bit odd. Giyu shrugs it off and dresses quickly before stepping outside. He vaguely remembers what happened last night between him and Shinobu. He blushes a bit and shakes his head, now isn't the time to start thinking about that first thing in the morning.
He waddles out and unfortunately the only space available is to stand next to Douma, and flashbacks of last night pop up in his head.
He trots up to him and Douma flashes him a smile baring all his teeth. It's a bit terrifying and Giyu awkwardly waves back. Shinobu's warning echoes in the back of his head. Giyu switches his gaze to Sanemi, he wants to keep interactions with Douma to a minimum.
"The fuck? Everyone is actually on time? Well, I guess that's good. Alright now, today will be the proper orientation introduction! I know that we've shown you around already, but originally we were going to surprise you guys with a party the next day, but shit happens and things got delayed and whatnot so we had to give you a free day yesterday. Blah blah blah, be grateful that the camp is doing this for you guys, even though a lot of you don't deserve it. We'll have food and drinks prepared for you as well as a DJ. Make sure to dress a bit formal, we put a lot of effort into today so don't show up in those dirty ass hoodies you guys like to wear," Sanemi announces and Giyu's surprised that the camp can actually afford to do such a thing. Given how rundown and cheap everything here is, a party hadn't even been thought as a possibility here.
The mention of a party lightens everyone's mood visibly, from tired faces to bright smiles. Even Giyu feels a bit antsy. Tengen's especially excited as he says he's going to get three different dates, even fools can dream it seems. Giyu can't even see him getting a date in general. He was way too weird for anyone to consider going with him... even though Giyu wasn't one to talk.
"While I know you of all people won't get a date, I will say that you can accompany someone with you. But you guys are all like what, 10? Y'all should be playing with legos or something instead of getting dates... anyways, you're all dismissed for today. Breakfast will be held outside today since the cafeteria will be occupied," Sanemi says with a wave of his hand, and Giyu's 99% sure that all the people here are around 14-15.
Shortly after, the rest of the campers are talking to each other about the newly informed upcoming party. Talks about which girls they're going to ask out and it leaves Giyu wondering about something, Should he ask Shinobu out?
Giyu shakes his head in an instant, she would laugh at an invitation from him. But... wasn't there something last night?
"If you're planning to go with Shinobu, I highly suggest for you to reconsider," he hears someone behind him say with a sneer. Giyu turns and unfortunately, it's Douma and that one guy he hangs out with. They're both smiling at him but Giyu gets ill intentions from them. He has half a mind to turn tail and book it in the other direction.
"I believe I've already told you once before to back off from Shinobu, yet you seem to have either forgotten or flat out ignored me. I'm hurt Tomioka! You can't just ignore a friend's request like that!" He shrieks and Giyu cringes at the obvious display of sarcasm. Even his friend is tilting his head back and cackling like a hyena.
"Hmm, just kidding. But I must say it's strange to think you could defy me, you're just a loser with no friends. Hey, do you honestly think you have a chance with Shinobu? I know she dumped me and all but she dated me for who I was. She likes people like me, you're simply not her type and she's just using you. I'm only saying this because I care for you Giyu, I don't want my friend to get hurt," he says earnestly and Giyu doesn't buy it.
But it does get him thinking, Shinobu could prefer people like Douma. He's seen girls throw themselves at guys who treat them like shit all the time at school. He never understood why but it makes sense when you narrow it down to just preference. Still, he doesn't really want to believe what Douma's saying anyway, he doubts Shinobu is like that.
"...I get it Douma."
"Wonderful! Now do be sure to stay away from her, see ya!" He says gleefully as his friend sneers down at Giyu. Giyu's mood has soured a bit, he hates how Douma can get under his nerves like that. He tries to shake it off but it nags at the back of his mind. He decides he'll just go have whatever's being served for breakfast.
--
Everyone is just kind of roaming about, eagerly waiting and preparing for the party. Rengoku was gone to help with preparations, Tengen locked himself in the cabin, Iguro went into the forest a while ago, and Douma was giving his friend some advice, best not to listen to that.
The breakfast served today was a simple cereal bowl of your choosing, plain but he liked it nonetheless. Giyu's not grounded today so he spends his time sitting idly by the river. He sees Rengoku coming out the cafeteria, and when his eyes meet Giyu's they narrow.
He frowns, it seems like Rengoku's branded him as the sour fruit in the basket.
"Yo, Tomioka! You got a minute?" He hears Tengen say. Giyu turns to see his head poking out the doorway.
"Come in here for a sec, there's something I wanna show you," Tengen says and Giyu's mind can only think up the many possible horrors of what Tengen could show Giyu.
He steps inside to find Tengen pulling out a duffel bag from underneath Giyu's bunk and unzipping it. Giyu's actually impressed with the very formal wear Tengen's packed inside. He's got suits in almost every color, navy blue, cream, black, maroon, he had them all with matching slacks to boot. Giyu supposes he wanted an opinion on what to wear for the party.
"Alright, spill the beans. How'd it go with that butterfly girl last night?" Tengen asks in a no-nonsense tone. Giyu grits his teeth, he realizes he's just been duped into this, by Tengen of all people.
"I feel... like that's really none of your business," Giyu states and Tengen blankly stares at him. He's cleaning out his ear with his pinky and not saying anything. The deadpan stare he's giving him eventually caves Giyu in.
"It was just about what happened yesterday! There, happy?" Giyu lets out. He doesn't want to spill too many details, but talking about yesterday reminds him about what happened in the cafeteria. He wonders if everyone's forgotten about the incident yet.
"What, like when you threw oatmeal everywhere?"
Crap.
"Yeah, she just came to say sorry because she was the one who started it. That's all," Giyu says, trying to be extraneous about what really happened as he looks off to the side. Tengen looks at him like a dog trying to understand, his head's tilted and he's squinting his eyes.
"Hmm, You seem more protective of your private time with her. You didn't have any problems telling me all the biz before, I think you're starting to become more exclusive now!" Tengen says, like he's a proud parent. Giyu goes beet-red, He did not!- They're not!- Him and Shinobu?!? No way...!
"Y-you just don't know what you're talking about..." Giyu meeks out, he hasn't even considered anything like that... He hears Tengen rummage through his duffel bag.
"Ya know, you two are starting to become the talk of the camp, me and Iguro actually have a betting pool going on for when you'll grow a pair and ask her out," Tengen says nonchalantly, but the fact that people were betting on Giyu getting a girlfriend was making him feel light-headed. If they kept up a conversation like this he might actually pass out.
"I predict on maybe the last day of the second week. Iguro says you won't ever grow a pair though," Giyu hangs his head low. What was he even listening to right now...
"...Heh, I remember this old thing. I got all the girls with this suit," Tengen says and Giyu's pretty desperate to change the subject so he looks at it.
It's... a very nice suit actually. It's a narrow, single-breasted black suit complimented with a necktie that matches Tengen's eyes. Giyu nods in approval.
"It's a nice suit," he says and Tengen nods wholeheartedly.
"Indeed it is! But uh," he lifts it up higher and looks at it from every angle.
"I think it's a bit too small," he confirms as he holds it in front of his torso. Giyu blinks, the thing was way too small. He hears Tengen tsk to himself before neatly folding it back up.
"Guess I'll just have to use the tie from it. Whatever, I think the white suit is better anyway," he says dismissively. As he's about to grab aforementioned suit, he pauses and looks to Giyu with calculating eyes. Giyu stands still under his scrutinizing gaze, albeit a bit awkwardly.
"You didn't bring a suit did you?" He says accusingly and Giyu draws a blank.
"This is a summer camp, I didn't think we'd be wearing suits," Giyu says honestly.
"Bah! As a man you've gotta make sure to always look good for the ladies! A suit can show how a man carries himself. You must be confident, strong, and above all, good-looking. Despite failing in all those aspects, A suit can be a game-changer. You must have access to one at all times," Tengen scolds and Giyu just rolls his eyes, sounds like a lot of nonsense in all honesty.
"...Ah! I just hatched a brilliant idea!" He exclaims and Giyu's stomach sinks. The way he's grinning at Giyu feels a bit suspicious.
"I have here, a suit that's too small for me, and you are lacking a suit for the party. I'm sure even your feeble mind can see where I'm going with this?" Tengen taunts and Giyu suppresses his irritation. If anyone here was feeble minded it would most definetely be Tengen three times over.
"You sure you want to entrust an expensive suit like that to me?" Giyu says with a roll of his eyes. Tengen chuckles.
"Hah, expensive? Nah not this suit, it only costed around 15k," he says nonchalantly, and Giyu can't even decide what to be more surprised at; Tengen's suit being worth 15,000 thousand dollars, or the fact that he was letting Giyu borrow it.
"Of course, you're only allowed to wear it if you invite your girlfriend to the party with you-hey where are you going?!" Giyu turned around at the mention of 'girlfriend', and asking her out? Tengen was really pushing his luck.
Right as he's about to walk out the door, Rengoku pops out of nowhere and shoves a paper in his face.
"Details regarding the Orientation Party this afternoon! I hope to see you all there!" He says in a bright tone and Giyu reads the paper over. Starts at 3 in the afternoon... lots of snacks and drinks will be presented... even curfew is extended for a whole hour, they were really going all out with this. Still, Giyu was never really one for parties anyway.
"Hey hey Tomioka, you can't actually be serious about not going are you? That's way too boring, even for you!" Tengen jeers but it falls on deaf ears. Well, not really since Giyu heard him.
"I'm not really a party guy, I'll just stay in the cabin instead," is all Giyu says as he walks out the door. Tengen stares at the empty doorway and silently curses to himself. He stares at the too small suit in his hands and then to Giyu's bed.
"I'll just leave this here in case he changes his mind," he says.
--
Giyu steps outside and is surprised to see no one is outside. He wonders where everyone is at, even the Counselor isn't seen anywhere.
"Huh? You finished picking out an outfit too?" Someone says behind him and Giyu turns around to see... a girl? He hasn't seen her before, but she's the third person here who seems to have natural white hair. Maybe all three of them were related?
"Oh, I um... don't really plan on going," he says feebly and her jaw drops.
"Whaaat? Seriously?! Do you not have anybody to go with? Jeez, you are such a loser," she says and each sentence she delivers is a blow to his nonexistant ego.
"That's not very nice..." he reprimands but she rolls her eyes carelessly.
"Whatever, have you seen my brother? He's not in his cabin," she asks and Giyu shakes his head. Guess this means Tengen wasn't her brother.
"Ugh, I'll just wait for him," she groans and Giyu scratches his head awkwardly. She walks on over to the campfire area and plops on down before pulling out her phone. Giyu stays where he's standing and feels a bit bad for her. He has no one else to talk to so...
"...I-If I may ask... who's your brother?" He proceeds cautiously, she seemed like the type to snap at anything. She glares at him from the side and sighs.
"His name's Gyutaro, I'm sure you've noticed him. He has these black spots on his face?" And that rings a bell. But Giyu is surprised that someone like that was related to someone like her. She seemed... cleaner.
"Ah, I think I know him. He might be hanging with Douma?" Giyu offers and she doesn't say anything.
"Well that still doesn't tell me where he is now does it?" She snarls and Giyu jumps, why was she so hostile??
"Sorry..." he says and it's enough to make her eyes go soft again. Giyu fiddles with his fingers.
"So you just have no one to go with or what?" She asks suddenly and her tone makes Giyu flinch a bit.
"I just... don't feel like going is all..." he says truthfully. He's never been to a party before, other than Sabito's birthday ones. Those don't count though, since he sat in a corner most of the time. She turns to look at him questionably.
"You really are a loser," she says and she snickers after. Now that was just uncalled for. He remains silent.
"Jeez, at this rate I might have to go with you instead," she says but she said it with a face of clear disgust. For some reason he found himself thinking of Shinobu now.
"What the fuck are doing with my sister!?" A loud, sickly voice booms in the camp and it startles the both of them. They turn and see a growling Gyutaro coming out from the woods. Giyu's eyes searched for Douma but couldn't find him, which felt relieving.
"There you are!" She says without skipping a beat and she walks right up him and begins poking him hard in his chest.
"You've been ignoring my messages! *poke* And my calls! *poke* And you weren't in your cabin! *poke* I need your help picking out my dress you idiot!" And she pokes him harshly on the last one. His gaze however, is fixated right on Giyu. His eyes almost look red and his pupils sharply focused directly on him. It makes Giyu shift under his malicious gaze.
"Sis... he do anything to you?" He says lowly that Giyu can't make it out.
"Huh? Who? Oh you mean him? No he's just a loser I was talking to," and Giyu is able to make that one out. Why does she keep calling him that?
"...Don't talk to him anymore sis. Just don't." He draws out slowly and she's looking back at Giyu and then to him.
"I don't know what you have against him but alrighty big brother," she says and she's skipping away to the Girls Camp. Gyutaro looks back at Giyu one last time and motions his thumb sliding across his neck.
It seems... Giyu had other people to watch out for.
--
It's 3:40 and Giyu, unfortunately true to his word, is staying inside his cabin. He notices Tengen left the suit on his bunk and Giyu was originally going to put it back for him when he thought that maybe Tengen should take care of it himself.
He picked up his sketchbook again and is instead drawing a character from a series he likes, Demon Slayer is what it was called. He was a fan of the Water Hashira, his quiet aloof personality resonated with him and he was really strong.
He also liked water.
*Knock* *Knock* *Knock*
Huh?
Giyu puts down his book and pencil with a small sigh, It's probably Tengen after he got rejected by three girls. That or he forgot something, but Giyu is leaning on the former. He opens it up and... it's Shinobu standing outside but she's dressed in a sleeveless purple dress that reaches down to her knees. A sleek-white coat is wrapped around her. He also takes notice of her matching light high heels that makes her the same height as him. Giyu takes in her appearance in awe, she was beautiful.
"Giyuu, care to tell me why you're not at the party?" She asks in a pout and Giyu has to shake his head before answering her.
"I-I, I'm not really a fan of parties in all honesty," he says and she hums in response. She places a finger on her chin and tilts her head.
"Hmmm, that makes you quite the loser doesn't it?" She teases, yet for some reason it feels playful unlike the other girl who called him that. He doesn't say anything and she peers inside and sees the suit laying on his bed.
"Ara? It seems you had some thoughts about going~" she says and Giyu immediately regrets not putting the suit away.
"It's not mine, it's Tengen's but it's too small for him," Giyu explains and she smiles lightly.
"Well, I for one think you should put it on. There's no harm in doing that, right~?" She winks and Giyu hates that it makes him a bit flustered. He gives in though, he's also curious to see how the suit fits him.
--
It's a bit loose but it's hardly noticeable. He has to roll up the cuffs and fix the collar. It feels nice, and Giyu thinks the suit actually does look pretty good on him. He goes outside to show Shinobu how it looks on him.
"I think I'm finished dressing, what do you think?" He asks and Shinobu turns around and wow. Giyu is stunned by her beauty, the moonlight really bounces off her dress in a way that literally makes her glow. He blushes a bit, and he fails to notice the effect he currently has on Shinobu.
"H-handsome," she whispers as she takes in Giyu's appearance. The suit looked like it fit him perfectly, highlighting his skinny figure and making him much more alluring. It makes her heart pump so she takes deep breathes to calm herself a bit.
"I think you look wonderful Giyu," she says batting her eyelashes and it makes Giyu squirm inside. How everything she does makes him stupefied he doesn't know. He takes notice of her oddly staring at his tie.
"Hmm, do you think Tengen has a blue tie? I think it would highlight your erm, eyes more," she makes out and Giyu suddenly remembers something.
"Wait right here," he says and he semi-rushes back inside to pull out his backpack. He's checking in every pocket looking for it. He finds it and removes the maroon tie he has on but he runs into a problem.
He... doesn't know how to put on a tie.
He walks outside with the tie in hand after miserably trying it on inside. Shinobu's seen tapping her heel on the ground.
"You made me wait quite a bit Giyu, it's rude to do that to a lady you know," she playfully bites but Giyu frowns.
"Sorry sorry, I just can't seem to put the tie on," he says and he feels pathetic admitting that outloud in front of her. Here he was, 14 years old, and he doesn't know how to put a tie on for himself.
"Oh, is that it? Here, let me try," she says as she practically snatches the tie from his hand, Giyu's befuddled but he's leaning down when Shinobu grabs him by his collar.
"Now what you do is wrap it around your neck here... cross the two... loop it over again... pull this through... pull on this one and then tighten... voila!" She says as she fixes his collar after. Giyu felt like he was getting pampered, but how did she make it so easy?
"W-Whur- uh," come on brain, use words.
"W-Where did you learn to do that?" He asks and he finds himself accompanying Shinobu to the cafeteria. He can't tell but she's secretly overjoyed right now.
"Well, when I was younger I had a strange hobby of putting on ties. I almost ended up choking myself and my dad stepped in and taught me how to tie one on properly," she says as she giggles at the memories. Giyu smiles a bit but hides it quickly so she doesn't notice.
"If you ever need help tying it yourself you can come ask me, since you looked hopeless with it hanging off your shoulders," she teases while snickering. Giyu rolls his eyes but he's enjoying her company. His hand acidentally brushes hers and they both pull away.
"Sorry-" they both say at the same time and while Giyu blushes, Shinobu laughs.
"Fufu~ what's the matter Giyu? Your face looks like it's about to burst!" And she's clutching her stomach while Giyu panics.
"I-it just feels pretty hot out today! A-and this suit isn't helping," Giyu is lying his ass off because even in the suit, he felt cold. He turns away when Shinobu continues to laugh at his expense.
"Awww don't be shy Giyu~," she teases and Giyu feels his throat constrict. How far was the cafeteria anyway?!
"Ah, we're here. You ready to step inside? I'm sure you'll get a lot of attention considering you're over an hour late," she says and Giyu gives himself a moment to collect himself. He wasn't actually expecting to attend the party today yet here he was, with Shinobu.
He glances at her and sees she's looking at him expectantly. He takes in a deep breathe. He can see the vibrant-changing colors underneathn the door and the muffled sound of music blaring inside. It's with one last look at Shinobu that he takes a confident step forward and opens up the door. Carry yourself with confidence...
--
Just as Shinobu predicted, the moment he stepped inside the cafeteria, all eyes turned to him. Even the Dj, who happens to be the lunch man, looks over to him. Giyu stands there, all of his confidence down the drain and awkwardly raises his hand.
"YOOOOOO TOMIOKA MY MAN, YOU'RE LOOKING QUITE DAPPER!!" Tengen's booming voice echoed in the cafeteria and somehow able to be heard despite the blasting music. Everyone inside looked very formal, nobody wore anything casual and some girls even put on some make up.
But what caught Giyu's eye... was the traumatizing sight of his counselor, Sanemi, tearing it up on the dance floor.
"HELL YEAH GYOMEI TURN THAT SHIT UP! THIS IS MY JAM!!" He says as he performs the most contemptible, eye-wretching, beyond cringe-worthy, sequence of dance moves ever known to man. It's enough to make Giyu walk back out instantly.
But then he feels his reason tugging at his sleeves.
"He's quite... a terrible dancer, wouldn't you agree?" She says mockingly but Giyu nods wholeheartedly. She giggles.
"Wanna grab some punch with me?" She asks and Giyu figures why not. He's not that thirsty but anything to tear his eyes off of Sanemi.
"BAHAHA!! I HAD NO IDEA YOU WERE SO FLASHY MISTER COUNSELOR!"
Add Tengen's hollering as well.
--
Giyu and Shinobu are chatting with each other while they get the delicious fruit punch. Everyone else was either eating food or joining the chaos happening on the dance floor. From afar, Iguro is eyeing Giyu with a bit of envy and pride.
"Oh my gosh Iguro! This food is to DIE for!!" Mitsuri says beside as she finishes off another plate. Her eating habits came as a shock to everyone else, but Iguro didn't mind it at all. He was happy that she was eating to her heart's content.
"Ahh I wish I could eat another bite but I'm getting quite full..." he says as he offers his untouched plate to Mitsuri. She gladly accepts it.
"Ehh, if you say so!" And so she resumes. Iguro messes with the table cloth by poking his fingers in it. Giyu's outclassed him when it came to dressing, but he can one up him by asking Mitsuri to dance...! All he had to do was ask...
Damn this is tougher than he thought.
Iguro takes some deep breathes and spares a glance back to Giyu. He's made her laugh...! At this rate Giyu would likely ask her to dance before he would...! Maybe, Tengen would even win the bet!
Like hell he's gonna let that happen.
"...H-Hey, Mitsuri?"
"Hm?" She spares a glance with a mouth full of spaghetti. Gosh she was too cute.
"T-this is completely up to you but... would you-would- would you care for maybe... a-a dance?" He stutters and he sees her eyes widen.
"Y-you're asking me to dance with you?"
"O-only if you want to!" He reaffirms and he's glad he wore a mask, it's doing a great job at hiding his burning face.
"E-Ee-Yes! I would like to dance!" She says as she puts off the spaghetti and Iguro is actually surprised.
"Y-you will?" He questions. She nods enthusiastically.
"Mhm! Come on~!" She says as a pretty blush lights up her features. She's smiling widely back at Iguro and the smile melts his heart.
Meanwhile, Shinobu watches the ordeal with a bit of longing.
"...Ne, Giyu?"
"Huh?" He says stupidly with a chocolate chip cookie in his mouth, in his hands is a plate full of them. She blinks at him.
"Emmm, may I have a cookie?" She asks and Giyu pauses.
"Oh uh, yeah sure thing," he sticks the plate out and she gladly picks one up.
Iguro wasn't the only one keeping track of what was happening with Giyu and Shinobu, there was another. Someone who had light-colored hair... and burgundy eyes.
--
Silently, Tengen was mentally screaming at Giyu to hurry the hell up and ask Shinobu to dance already! Come on... he has the suit and the girl right where he needs just ask!
Oh for crying out... he would be taking matters into his own hands.
He rolls up his sleeves and begins to march on to Tomioka to give him a piece of his mind. Someone had to do it...
"Hey! Tomioka!!" He calls out.
"Umm Tengen?" He hears a feminine voice call out. He turns sharply to see who's asking. Ah, Suma!
"I-I believe it is my turn to get a dance with you..." she says as she blushes prettily with her hands behind her back. He really has pressing business to attend to... but damn she had some nice buns!
"I'll grant your request Suma, it is my honor," he says with a bow and it makes her grow allthemore flustered.
"Uwah-" is all she's able to say before Tengen is swooping her along the dance floor. Gyomei puts the spotlight on them and they shine brightly as he guides Suma along to the rhythm of the song. The dazzling white suite he adorned for today really caught everyone's eyes.
'Forgive me Tomioka, but I cannot resist a fair maiden's request to dance. You're on your own.' He says to himself as he twirls Suma along.
--
'That bastard' He thought illfully as he glared at Giyu. So he showed up after all, and he's with her again.
"What's up?" He hears her say but Sanemi doesn't budge. She follows his eyes and shakes her head when she sees Giyu talking with her younger sister.
"Oh you big baby... He's not going to cause any mischief, he's learned his lesson," Kanae says as she sits next to the sweating mess, Sanemi.
"That's what he wants you to think, I bet the bastard is just waiting for an opportunity to present itself. And then he'll strike when we least expect it..." he says like it's the truth and Kanae sighs in amusement.
"Now I think you're being overdramatic," she teases.
"Like you were when deciding how punish him?"
"Do you want to fuck around and find out?" She says and it's enough to make Sanemi shut the hell up. Still though, under no circumstances would he make the error to take his eyes off that ill-spirited, no-good, rotten-hearted, wrong-wielding, devious-doing, vile-tuning, trouble-making, evil-conniving, malicious-planning, bad-influencing, grievous son of a-
"Sanemi, care to dance with me?"
...Bitch.
...Perhaps he can make an exception just this once, he thinks bitterly. He stands up and lets Kanae drag him to the dance floor, all the while glaring holes into the back of Giyu's head.
...Oh man Gyomei had phenomenal music taste, Sanemi thinks before he makes everyone want to bleach their eyes out again.
--
Giyu suddenly gets the feeling that there are people talking about him, but he brushes it off. I mean, who would talk about him in their free time?
Still though, the nagging feeling of Tengen's voice wouldn't go away. Also he felt someone watching him...
He figures someone probably spiked the punch.
He takes a nice chunk out of his cookie and watches the very impressive Tengen own the dance floor. He was a very good dancer, the poor girl was blushing like crazy but Tengen wasn't relenting on her. Also Tengen looked rather dashing today, the white suit he chose to put on earlier truly made him look like a celebrity.
Ah, Shinobu was poking his shoulder again.
"They look like they're having a lot of fun don't they?" She says as she points to Iguro and Mitsuri. They're a lot more sloppy than Tengen but they're truly having the time of their lives right now. Not even the mask could hide the bright smile on Iguro's face.
"I'm happy for him," Giyu says solemnly. It truly took a lot of guts to ask the girl of your dreams to dance. Giyu wondered if he would be faced with a similar situation at some point?
...Eh? He felt an angry force next to him.
"Say, Tomioka. Do you know how to dance?" She asks and her voice sounds like it's being kept as neutral as possible, like she doesn't want to reveal any underlying emotions in it. Giyu thinks.
"Nope," he says bluntly. He's never been one to dance, nor the type to see the appeal of it. However, he doesn't discriminate againt anybody else who do find the action to be an enjoyable experience.
"Would you... care to allow me to show you?" She asks and Giyu's a bit surprised at the offer. It suddenly feels hot and his hands start to feel a bit clammy. His immediate thought was to reject her, but the nagging grew louder, and he felt like he had something to prove should he dance with her. But...
"Just follow what you think is right," she says as she closes her eyes. She feared she was overstepping with this request, but she wanted to try anyway. Hopefully Giyu wouldn't run away after this, but if he accepted.
'Follow Me' is what he heard, and he placed his hand over hers. She's shocked to feel his hand and she looks into his azure eyes.
"Please, show me," Giyu says breathlessly. He looks into her violet eyes, and she smiles.
They both make their way to the dance floor, Giyu follows along to where she guides them. He's not as nervous as he thought he'd be, she's giving him confidence and he's giving it right back to her. Giyu swears he faintly hears Tengen hollering behind him.
"Just follow my lead, you'll know what to do in no time," she says in a breathless whisper and Giyu nods at her. He's very stiff and she gives him a bit of a reprimanding look. Giyu slowly gets more loose by the minute, his body moving in time with hers. Soon enough, they become the main view of attraction to everyone else.
Douma watches from afar and squeezes his cup, it crinkles harshly and punch overflows from it. Gyutaro looks at him, concerned.
"Uhh, you good man?" He asks and he backs up when he feels the unrestrained rage emanating from him.
"...I'll be outside," and Gyutaro never felt more concerned for Giyu.
For once, Douma wasn't smiling.
--
Giyu's out of breathe from the whirlwind of dancing Shinobu put him through. He was prepared mentally but his stamina brought him back to reality. He chugged down his punch and pulled on his collar, it felt really hot inside all of a sudden.
Maybe, he should get some fresh air.
Just as he's about to stand, Shinobu tackles into him and he's gripping onto the table to prevent them from falling.
"Hehe, that was a lot of fun Giyu!" She says and Giyu doesn't think he's ever seen her this happy before. However...
"I-I think you should get off, I'm all sweaty..." he says, mainly disgusted with himself. She doesn't let go though and Giyu wonders if she heard him.
"Oi, I said I'm-"
"I heard, just one more second," she cuts in and suddenly, Giyu doesn't really want her to let go. Except she does, and Giyu's reminded why he wanted to go outside.
"I'm going to go get some fresh air real quick, I'll be back," he says and she nods in approval. He smiles and walks outside. Gyutaro watched on and wonders what'll happen to Giyu, should he go help him?
"Heyyy, big brother! This is my favorite song we've gotta dance to this!! Heyyy!" Guess that answers that...
--
Giyu steps outside and relishes in the beautiful night air. The air pleasing his nostrils as well as his lungs. He almost didn't want to step back inside...
"Oh hey there Tomioka!" Giyu pales when he recognizes the voice. Suddenly, he really wanted to go back inside.
He turns to look at Douma, but something feels off about him. He's smiling but it doesn't feel like a smile, rather it feels like he's straight snarling at him.
"Do you recall what I had told you? When I told you to stay away from Shinobu? It was on the first day so you shouldn't have a hard time remembering..." oh Giyu remembered it clearly. It was a pretty frightening experience after all. But that was the least of Giyu's concerns right now, he's currently stepping back while Douma is inching his way closer.
"...Hah, I just don't get it. Why does she bother hanging with someone like you?" Douma says as he balls his fist. Giyu notices it but he doubts Douma would actually start a fight right here...
"I mean, you're worthless. You're not athletic, you're not rich, you don't even have any friends! Why... why does she choose to like you?!" Douma hisses and he rushes at Giyu, arm raised and fist balled. Giyu freezes, he's never been in a fight before, what does he do-?!
His vision flashes white, and a searing pain spreads through the right side of his cheek. He's knocked to the ground onto his back, and he holds his cheek in an attempt to soothe it.
"You're a loser! Someone like you shouldn't even be near Shinobu! She should only love me, not you or anyone else. Especially not a pathetic weak piece of shit like you!" Douma yells and Giyu looks at him with frightened eyes. He raises his fist again and Giyu panics. He hastily gets up but doesn't fight, he turns around and runs straight into the woods. Just... run away!
He can hear Douma's maniacal laughter screeching behind him. He doesn't care if he runs into a bear or whatever, he just needed to run away.
Absentmindedly, he wipes the tears from his face.
--
Giyu runs past all the sharp beanches that cut across his skin, pushing past leaves that sting his eyes.
"Damn it..." he whimpers to himself as he holds in the tears. Giyu doesn't dare turn back, he just had to keep running.
As he's running, he fails to notice the rock sticking out from the ground, so he ended up tripping over it and falling into some dirt that stained his (Tengen's) suit. But that's the last thing he's worried about, because right now, he's scared. He gets up on his elbows and stares at his reflection in the mud puddle.
He sees him now, the loser that Douma mentioned. Who he was in the cafeteria... that wasn't him. This is, the sad, dirt-stained, version of him. He bites his lip until it bleeds. Why, why was he so pathetic?! Why can't he ever find it within himself to get up and fight?!
...Why does this happen to him? All he ever expected was a boring summer camp, why is he crying in the middle of the woods where no one can find him?
"...Damn it all," he cries out weakly, feeling the tears well up in his eyes. He can't find the strength to even hold them back, he just lets them drip down his cheeks, his chin, before splattering onto the mud. He can faintly hear the music coming from the cafeteria, everyone surely must still be having a good time... except for him. No one has probably even noticed, no one is going to know that he's out lost in the woods alone.
He curls up into a ball and cries silently to himself, body shaking and feeling completely miserable. He misses his sister, he misses Sabito, why does he have to be here? He doesn't want to stay here anymore, no one likes him and people want to hurt him, he just wants to go home...
He fiddles a hand with his phone in his hand, all it takes is one phone call and he can forget about this place. Forget about everyone here, go back home, see everyone he loves again.
...But that would mean leaving her too.
He stares blankly at his elder sister's contact name, his thumb poised above the call button, one press away and he can leave. But his hand... it won't move.
"Come on... do this at least," he says urgently, but his hand remains unmoving. He silences himself when he hears twigs snap behind him.
"...Giyu?" Someone calls out and he loses his voice. Shinobu was looking for him?
"Giyu please say something if you're out here, it's dangerous to be out here this late," she calls out, voice full of concern and Giyu marvels at her. Marvels at the fact that she was out here looking for him, the loser that Douma had claimed him to be. Suddenly a surge of memories come in. Memories about this camp, memories with her. From sitting on the log and meeting her at the campfire, sneaking out to see her, her sneaking out to see him, having his tie tied by her, dancing with her without a care in the world. Heck, even the oatmeal fight was a nice memory.
His eyes tear up once more, his mouth feels funny and he realizes he's smiling. He glances at her, seeing her helplessly searching for his pathetic self, and it's through his eyes that he sees her in a new light. She has a beautiful heart.
He stands up, and he forgets his appearance, no, he completely disregards it. But he makes his way towards her, step by step.
"Sh-Shinobu," he calls out and she turns around to meet his eyes. They widen, and she places a hand over her chest, the other over her mouth as her eyebrows furrow together.
"Giyu... what happened?" To see someone care so much for his wellbeing, it makes his eyes wet. He can't stop the new onslaught of tears that flow.
"Shinobu..." he says as a waterfall of tears fall from his eyes. Shinobu reaches a hand out to caress the side of his face, wiping a dirt smear on his cheek. She wants to know so badly what happened to him but, he wraps his arms around her waist and pulls her close. Giyu's hugging her, resting his head in the crook of her neck. She can feel the sadness radiate from him and it breaks her heart seeing him like this.
"Giyu..." she embraces him and reciprocates the hug. They hold each other closely, feeling each other's heartbeats and they both realize this is real. Silently, they begin to sway with each other. In the back his mind he realizes he's probably staining her dress but she doesn't seem to care, because when he opens his eyes, he finds her face staring not at him, but into his heart.
"Giyu, do you wish to finish our dance?" She asks and it seems like a strange request given the moment, but Giyu happily obliges. They slightly release each other, only to reach for the others' hand eagerly. Interlocking fingers and holding it up high above their heads, and bringing themselves closer once more. To lose their bodies to an innocent act. To share the happiness between them, to embrace each other and spill their hearts out to each other.
They aren't professional dancers, they're just two teenagers who met at a summer camp. Two people sharing a dance.
He looks into her face, seeing a pure look of joh and happiness, how can Douma ever consider betraying Shinobu's trust? He doesn't know. But he's glad he did, because now he becomes witness to the radiance of her.
They release each other at last, the music from the cafeteria still goes on but they both don't pay any mind to it, too lost in the magical atmosphere shared between only them. Their hands, almost glued to each other, and their eyes locked to the others' pair. Giyu feels cleansed, despite the state he's still in. She's smiling so fondly at him and it sends his stomach into sommersaults.
"I can lead us back, don't you worry. Just follow me and you won't get lost," she says and Giyu says nothing. He'll gladly follow her, because she can definetely show him the way. Just like she's shown him the way tonight.
--
They eventually reach the cobblestone path. Reaching the intersection where one leads back to the Girls' and the other to the Boys'. Giyu slightly frowns, he has to say goodbye tonight. The phone in his pocket feels heavier.
"Right well... be sure to shower properly before sleeping," she consoles and he nods. They both look away from each other, neither one knowing what to say. The dance in the woods is something only exclusive to them, so what does that make them now.
"...See you tomorrow?" She asks and Giyu's initial response was a simple of course, but the phone in his pocket prevents him from saying so. He doesn't want to lie to her but...
"Yes, you will," he says, and his heart sinks at the sight of her smile.
"That's great! See you then~!" She says happily and Giyu looks at her even as she takes the corner. He frowns guiltily and crushes the phone in his pocket.
"You'd be a bigger asshole than Douma if you decide leave now," a voice startles him. Giyu sees Tengen leaning against a tree with his arms crossed. He doesn't care if he saw everything, he just wonders how he knew.
"I saw everything Giyu, and I'm only going to say this once not as your mentor, but your friend. You can't let Douma get a hold of you, you've got to fight back when you need to. You can't show weakness because people like Douma will exploit that. Be strong, and stay here." He says and Giyu takes it to heart. His mind wonders, looking between the path where Shinobu walked away, and his phone.
The choice was so obvious now, he put the phone away and walked back to his cabin. He will stay, stay for her.
Notes
The shortest chapter, but it feels the most full to me. I'm very sorry for taking a while but I truly took my time on this. I'm very excited for the next chapter, things will get a bit more serious, and it won't have as much angst as this one, maybe. No promises!
And thank you for the follows and comments!!