A/N: In previous chapters:
-Nezuko discovers that Rubikku is a demon. They decide to pretend as if nothing had happened, but Nezuko is having her doubts.
-Kyojuro and Obanai suspect AB-4527, the winged demon that wreaked havoc in the Upper Level and wounded Giyuu, Mitsuri, and Kyojuro, used to serve in the military. The hashiras split up: Kyojuro would go to the Life Extension Center, a branch of the hospital, to interview veterans who may or may not remember the demon, while Obanai would investigate at the military itself.
The large billboards flickered outside the tram's windows. Drumming quietly on the trombone case on his lap, Zenitsu nodded his head to the music playing in his ears. Several office workers were dozing off in their seats. Further down, an elderly cyborg was knitting. A little girl was standing on her tiptoes on a seat and gazing out the window. Her tired mother sat next to her and gazed blankly into space.
Zenitsu hummed absently and glimpsed at the interactive map on the cabin's wall. The glimmering, green pathway was a few inches away from the next stop.
His watch switched on, and the demon slayer looked down.
Corps communication is not to be used for personal activities such as listening to music.
Zenitsu switched off the watch without answering and leaned back. He wouldn't have used his work speakers if he had his earbuds, but he never brought them to patrol. In general, he hated getting distracted at work, but today was a surprisingly easy day. He couldn't help but treat himself a little.
His watch lit up again. Without changing his position, the demon slayer lifted his wrist to his eyes.
I can see your playlist.
His lips curled into a smirk, and Zenitsu lowered his arm. The days when Chuntaro could embarrass him with his own playlist choice were long gone.
The green light merged with the stop, and kanjis appeared on the monitor display. A foreign sound blended with his music. His hand flew to the speaker, and he was able to hear the end of the announcement.
"… mind your step when you exit. Please be careful."
Zenitsu stood up and, staggering from pole to pole, walked up to the exit doors. As if alerted by a secret alarm clock, the previously sleeping office workers perked up and, with an impressive nimbleness, got their briefcases and huddled next to the doors. Hanging the trombone case over his shoulder, Zenitsu eyed them. As the cabin swayed side to side, he slipped the speaker out of his ear and tucked it into his breast pocket. Listening to music in a semi-secured tram was one thing, but navigating the Lower Level with it was a different matter.
The tram swung a last time, then came to a stop.
The moment the doors opened, the passengers whisked out at lightning speed. Stepping onto the platform, Zenitsu's eyes dashed upwards. Platforms and bridges weaved across the skyline. The coast was clear.
He was quickly occupied by something else, however, when exhaust steam burst from the cracks in the platform right next to his feet. The demon slayer bolted to the side. He bumped into a man running to catch the tram and a waterfall of curses landed on his head. Trombone case swinging behind his back, the young man backed away hastily. Bent down in apologetic bows, he didn't notice a merchant rolling a cart behind him and walked backwards straight into him. Little chips and hardware boards went crashing on the ground.
"You fucking fool!" The merchant shrieked. Zenitsu ducked, avoiding a hit, and shuffled to the side.
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry…" he stuttered, falling to remedy his mistake. Dazed by the loud voice, his hands darted haphazardly and tried to yank the pieces stuck in the holes of the platform. "Here you go…"
"Get your hands off my goods!"
Zenitsu flinched and dropped a chip he was holding. It fell right through the platform's hole. The merchant's mouth filled with foam.
"You piece of…"
Someone grasped Zenitsu by the elbow and jerked him off his feet. Before he knew it, the demon slayer was pulled through the crowd and into one of the alleys. The unexpected abductor wheeled Zenitsu around and let go. Propelled by momentum, the demon slayer teetered on one foot, barely processing the chiding voice next to him.
"… seriously, I don't understand how you're still alive."
Zenitsu placed his foot down and turned abruptly to figure out who in the world his savior was. Hands on his hips, Rubikku squinted at him with his gleaming, red lights. A rack full of bowls was strapped to his back, and the swamp green kimono reached all the way to his toes.
"Rubikku?"
Zenitsu melted into a grin and swayed leisurely towards the robot. The tension at the thought that he may have run into some low-life thugs disappeared.
"Long time, no see…"
The robot caught the demon slayer's outstretched arm and locked him into a tight grip around the neck.
"You sure you're a demon slayer?" Rubikku's eyes twinkled in merriment. "First a peddler, now a robot?"
Zenitsu pulled down with all his weight on the metal arm that was choking him, and, using the angle that his body had tilted at, struck the robot's elbow with his foot. Rubikku's grasp lightened instantly, and the demon slayer slithered out of the hold.
"Yeah," Zenitsu breathed out, tucking his shirt down. "Pretty sure."
Rubikku swung his dislocated arm back into the socket and grinned.
"Good to see you, lightning boy."
It was midday, and the alleys were just as busy as the platforms. People snuck in and out of stores, hurrying to clear out the streets. The clamor of voices and honking of vehicles shook the air. Holding a piece of smoked salmon on a paper towel in his hand, Zenitsu observed the surrounding commotion.
"This time right now," he said thoughtfully. Walking next to him, Rubikku glimpsed his way.
"What about it?"
"It's the perfect time for a demon attack."
"Yeah?" Rubikku replied simply. The demon slayer nodded and sent a piece of salmon into his mouth.
"There are lots of people, and a bunch of hiding places," he said with a full mouth. "See that billboard there?" He pointed with his pinky. "A slim demon could fit there." His finger traveled across. "Or that canvas overhang? It casts a long shadow against the wall, so you can camouflage yourself pretty easily."
"So why don't they attack?" Rbikku asked, not looking away from the demon slayer. Zenitsu sighed and lowered his eyes down to the fish in his hand. He wiggled a small piece off.
"They do. That's why all patrols are twenty-four seven." He took a bite. "I shouldn't talk about this stuff. I don't want to jinx it."
The robot smirked.
"Guess we're in luck, since you're here."
"No way," Zenitsu winced slightly, chewing. "I'm off duty."
He felt Rubikku's curious glance. "You won't respond if there's a demon sighting in your area?"
"I'm mandated to," Zenitsu answered without looking up from the salmon. "This is good, by the way." He lifted his hand with the towel slightly.
Rubikku nodded and looked away. "Glad you like it."
After some point, they had to leave the haven of the alleys and venture out to the bridges. Since Rubikku never mentioned where he was originally headed, Zenitsu continued on his own way. As he expected, the robot followed him. The demon slayer didn't mind the company.
The ruckus of the marketplace was filtered out gradually by the clamor of cranes and bulldozers as they walked farther away. Wooden beams and stage lights towered between the buildings. Rubikku's head rotated side to side, the scenery soaking into his glass eyes.
"I love whenever they get ready for festivals," he said finally. "It brings something fresh to everyday life."
Zenitsu hummed in agreement. For the longest time, the Lower Level wasn't allowed to hold August festivals like everyone else because of the high risk of attracting demons, but that was abolished ten years ago. The prognosticators were correct, and casualties did spike up. Nevertheless, the Lower Level inhabitants refused to give up their newfound celebrations, and the festivals continued.
"Hey, you there!" Pausing with a wheelbarrow full of cement, a construction worker pointed at them. "Couldn't find a different route? Can't you see there's work going on here?"
"We want to visit a friend," Zenitsu answered politely. The worker spat on the ground, giving them a cross look, and returned back to his wheelbarrow.
"Let's go," the demon slayer tossed quietly to his companion. The robot shuffled wordlessly after him.
Stepping across hoses and electricity wires scattered on the platform, the two scurried down the construction site. Robots were busy soldering wires next to a large spotlight. A group of dancers were practicing a routine on the almost completed stage. An automated car drove past them.
A group of workers was smoking, sitting on crates arranged in a circle. Zenitsu walked up to them and bowed.
"Excuse me, do you know where Kamado-san is?"
"Last I saw him, he was at the dragon installations," one of the workers drawled. When he saw the confusion on the demon slayer's face, he chuckled.
"Take a right here and straight all the way down."
"Thank you."
The young man and the robot headed where they were told. Most of the preparations in this part of the area were complete, and a kaleidoscope of colors whirled around them. Paper lanterns of all shapes and hues bobbled above their heads. Red and orange holograms of dragons and fish swam through the half-assembled arches. Only the technicians, sitting on overturned buckets and controlling the holograms with a remote, ruined the illusion. Zenitsu could hear them quietly discussing details that were too hard for him to understand.
"How beautiful," Rubikku breathed out in awe. At the sound of his voice, a figure lifted up from the technicians and peered up at them.
"Fish scrap? Monitsu?"
The figure quickly straightened out and jogged up to them. His trombone case, equipped with backpack straps, jiggled behind his back. The figure pushed the augmented helmet in the shape of a boar upwards with his thumb and mischievously squinted one eye.
"Took ya long enough."
"Hey there," Zenitsu grinned and exchanged a strong pound hug. Inosuke did the same with Rubikku and, swiveling on his heels, threw his arms around both of their necks.
"How's it going?"
"I just came back from patrol." Zenitsu looked up and scanned the area quickly. However, there was no sign of the rest of their group.
"Oh yeah?" Inosuke snapped his tongue against his lips. "Killed some demons?"
"Did my best."
Inosuke gave a dissatisfied grimace and turned his head towards Rubikku.
"What about you?"
"Existed," the robot admitted. Inosuke snorted and, letting them go, started back towards the technicians.
"They let you try the holograms. Wanna give 'em a shot?"
"I'm down." The robot trotted after the demon slayer. "You coming?" He asked on the way.
Zenitsu shook his head. "I'll search for the others," he replied, trying to keep his voice as ambivalent as possible. Rubikku glanced over his shoulder, and his eyes sparked.
" 'mkay."
Before Zenitsu could decipher what emotion flickered momentarily in the robot's features, Rubikku turned around and walked away. Zenitsu fixed his trombone case, bewildered, but decided not to give it much thought.
His footsteps were inaudible from the roar of the drill and the reverse beeping of trucks. Half deaf, the demon slayer continued walking down through the arches. He started running into wooden frames of lizard-like creatures, and he understood that he was close.
A tall, wide stall was set up in the middle of two of the gates. All sorts of dragon heads crowded on the shelves: traditional ones, angry ones, benevolent ones, those that resembled demons from the real world. Empty crates were scattered at the base, probably used to transport those masks. Zenitsu stopped.
Perched on one of the crates, Nezuko was wearing a dragon head and swung her legs cheerfully. She was humming something to herself and didn't hear the demon slayer walk up.
Zenitsu swallowed down his heart that was about to jump out of his throat. His chest tightened from anticipation.
"Hello, Nezuko."
Her frame jolted from surprise. Long, thin fingers hooked around the edge of the dragon head and pushed it upwards. A black lock with an orange tip unraveled down.
Smiling softly, Nezuko gazed down at him.
His heart fluttered, and Zenitsu couldn't stop his lips from falling into an overjoyed, wide-eyed smile. He gripped at the strap of the trombone case to remind himself he's not floating.
"How are you doing?" He managed to stutter through. Nezuko bent her knee and propped her chin on top of it. Wrapping her arms around her leg, she tilted her head. Zenitsu nodded.
"I see. I'm also good. Patrols, demons, everything like usual…" the demon slayer ran out of breath, and he coughed. Nezuko frowned, and her face became compassionate.
"Sorry." Zenitsu cleared his throat and straightened out. "I just…"
Nezuko wrinkled her forehead, not understanding his sudden silence. Zenitsu hesitated, then took a step forward.
"I haven't seen you for two weeks."
The breeze ruffled her hair around her shoulders and underneath the dragon head, and that accentuated the stillness in her features. Unnaturally frozen, Nezuko gazed wordlessly back at him. Zenitsu felt his heart squelch from pain. The rattle of the construction site made him dizzy.
"I missed you," he whispered.
If not for his hearing, desperate for anything, he wouldn't have heard it: the small, sliding sound when the sole of her sneaker slipped against the edge of the crate.
"Zenitsu." A hand fell on the demon slayer's shoulder. Zenitsu turned his head and saw Tanjiro's wide smile.
The world refocused suddenly, and the echo of the drill gained a mundane clarity.
"It's been a while." Tanjiro squeezed his shoulder. "Are you off from work?"
"Yeah… yeah, my shift just ended." Zenitsu wanted to shake Tanjiro's hand off, but he knew he would never do that. Zenitsu sighed and turned away, eyes traveling over the installations; however, he made sure not to look at Nezuko.
"Has it been a month since your conviction?"
"Yep. One month done, five more to go." Tanjiro let go of Zenitsu's shoulder and walked up to the crates. Sitting down next to Nezuko, he bumped her lightly into the arm.
"But I don't mind volunteering at the festival. It's fun. Right, Nezuko?"
The demon girl didn't reply and pulled the demon head back over her face. Tanjiro smiled gently and looked over at the yellow-haired demon slayer.
"You should join when you're free."
"No, thank you," Zenitsu said pointedly. "I'd rather sleep in my bed."
Tanjiro laughed.
"Do you have to be so negative?"
If he had made the same comment when they were just with their group of guys, Zenitsu wouldn't have minded. However, right now, he couldn't suppress a twinge of hurt.
"You'll get back in the game, and you'll think the same as me."
Tanjiro smirked sadly and slouched forward. "You're probably right."
"What're we talking about?" Out of nowhere, Inosuke strolled up to them, arms wrapped around Rubikku's neck. Zenitsu turned to them in relief.
"Nothing in particular. How were the holograms?"
"Intriguing." Rubikku maneuvered carefully out of Inosuke's hold and, exhaling, straightened out. The robot's gaze shifted towards the dragon installation.
"Yo there."
"Yo back," Tanjiro laughed. "Where did you disappear so suddenly?"
"Nowhere interesting."
Tottering on his heels, Inosuke reeled in boredom behind them as the robot spoke, before collapsing down on Zenitsu. Letting his friend hang his arms around his neck, Zenitsu watched Rubikku. His eyes traveled to the demon girl.
"I've been doing some sales in a part of a city that I don't usually go to…"
Nezuko lifted the dragon head on her forehead. Her eyes were narrowed and gazed unfalteringly at the robot. Zenitsu shifted his attention to Rubikku. The robot spoke just as calmly as before, but it seemed that he was addressing Tanjiro only.
"… so that's that."
Inosuke, chin propped on Zenitsu's shoulder, looked at the robot.
"You have any spare snacks?"
Rubikku gave a short laugh and shook his head. "The guy you're hugging right now ate the last one."
Zenitsu pressed his lips together, and Inosuke gave him a light punch in the stomach. Tanjiro smirked.
Right at that moment, a girl in a business suit and a protection helmet — probably from the management team - ran past them. She threw them a quick glance.
"Kamado-kun, please get back to work. Yamagata-san will be very angry."
"That's my cue," Tanjiro sighed and slid off the crate. He stretched.
"Where will you be going?"
"I'll search for lunch. I had nothing but milk since morning," Inosuke bumbled without letting go of Zenitsu. The yellow-haired demon slayer shrugged, and Inosuke's arms rose up and down.
"I'll go home, probably. I have a shift in three hours."
"Same here," Rubikku patted the rack behind him. "I don't have enough fish today to bother selling."
Wait.
Zenitsu nearly faltered. Nezuko slipped off the crate and, tugging the dragon head fully off, placed it on the shelf behind her. She turned around and looked directly at the robot.
I'm coming with you.
Rubikku blinked, and for a second, Zenitsu thought that the robot seemed to be at a loss of words. The illusion shattered instantly, however, when he shrugged and turned around.
"Off we go."
Nezuko glanced over her shoulder and lifted her hand in a brief wave. Inosuke waved back. Zenitsu followed them wordlessly with his eyes.
Inosuke sighed and, lifting off from Zenitsu, gave him a salutary slap on the shoulder.
"Food calls. Catch you later."
The demon slayer winced slightly and rubbed his shoulder. Tanjiro stopped next to him.
"If you have time before your shift, feel free to stop by."
"If I don't sleep through the alarm," Zenitsu replied thoughtlessly. Tanjiro smiled.
"That's a promise."
He walked by, and the demon slayer was left in front of the dragon installation. He gazed at the dragon head that Nezuko had worn.
Pain was whirling inside of him, and he couldn't understand why.
Kicking the loose bits of concrete with her shoes, Nezuko stared at the ground. She heard how the metal joints creaked next to her with each step. They hadn't said a word since they left the construction site. A breeze rolled through the cramped alley like a hot wave, and the hems of her shirt trembled against her arms.
"You don't have your box with you." His voice was cheerful and matter-of-fact. Nezuko didn't reply, drilling the ground with her eyes. The absence of her box bothered her, actually, because she couldn't grip the straps and busy her hands somehow. It would've been fine if there were pockets, but this pair of overalls had none, so she had to fold them behind her back. Nezuko squeezed them behind her back. This was just a small nuisance, nothing compared to the agitation clawing inside of her.
"That means you don't have any errands to run."
Rubikku paused for a second, waiting for her reply. When Nezuko didn't say anything again, he cleared his throat.
"Are you going somewhere? A shop you want to check out?"
The demon girl hesitated, then shook her head. Her breath nearly got caught in her throat from nervosity. Rubikku shifted the rack of bowls on his shoulders, and she could feel his composure slipping.
"Just strolling, then?"
Nezuko came to an abrupt stop and threw her head upwards. Rubikku turned around and looked at her. The demon girl crushed her fingers in her grip.
It was so familiar - the small, red flicker inside a dark glass where she could sometimes see a faint reflection of herself. If right now, at this instant, she shrugged off his questions with a joke, they would revert back to the comical duo that they were: a brave Lower Level robot and a vegetarian demon girl.
However, when Inosuke dragged Rubikku up, she had never been so frightened before. Even though there was nothing but gears and metal, she knew what was actually behind that body. All of them were laughing so carelessly, and none of them realized that a demon was standing next to them.
Her hand flew out from her back and to her watch.
I want to talk to the other you. Fingers typing on the screen, Nezuko gazed unflinchingly into his eyes. They used to have these staring contests often, she remembered suddenly. It was fun because both could hold eye contact for a long time. Usually he looked away first to let her win.
Without blinking, the red pupils traveled down to the message and slid right to left. Then, they rose back at her.
"The other me…" Rubikku trailed off. Nezuko saw how his fingers curled around the straps of the rack.
"I thought we reached an agreement."
The breeze picked up again, but although it was warm, the girl's legs peppered with goosebumps. Nothing changed, but the alley suddenly seemed much more abandoned and darker. For the first time, Nezuko found the robot's simple features grotesque. Overcoming the shudder in her arms, the demon girl lifted her hand.
I don't want to talk to the robot. I want to talk to the real you.
She felt as if she's stabbed herself in the heart. Clenching her teeth, she watched how Rubikku squinted slightly to read her text better. How would he react, she thought absently. Disappointed, betrayed? Her mouth filled with bitterness. Those were all emotions she attributed to Rubikku's robot, not the actual being.
The red eyes rose up on her, and she couldn't discern the expression inside. The robot straightened out and fixed the rack on his shoulders.
"Alright."
He turned around and started down the alley. Nezuko switched off the watch and followed him silently. Catching up to him, she reverted back to her original position of hands behind her back and ground examination. This time, however, no one attempted to conversate.
The fog thickened as they traveled further down. The surroundings dissolved gradually, and the lamplights hung in the mist like blue orbs of light. After a certain point, the demonic scent appeared, but today, the inhabitants were unusually quiet. Apart from their footsteps, the only other sounds were the trickling of sewage water down the pipes.
They stopped in front of one of the basement doors, and Rubikku entered the passcode quickly into the lock. Nezuko waited behind him, shaking off a sense of deja vu. The lock beeped, and Rubikku pushed open the door.
Nezuko had to squint from the bright contrast. Getting used to the light, she looked around. Although she was here two weeks ago, it seemed that everything changed; the floor was even more crowded with bowls, and nets were hanging from the nails on the wall. Colorful fish splashed in the aquariums.
Without a word, Rubikku set the rack on the floor and walked towards the mattress lying. The demon girl followed him with her gaze. The robot sat down, stretching out his legs, and folded his hands in his lap. The light extinguished in his eyes.
Nezuko whipped her head around and stared at the door at the end of the room. She clenched her hands slightly, trying to separate her mind from the loud sound of her hammering heart. While the previous time was an accident, this confrontation was deliberate, and she had to stay calm. At this point, there was no going back.
Unless you run out right now. Nezuko swatted away the intrusive thought the moment the door opened, and she froze.
Rubikku shut the door with his foot and tucked his hands into pockets. His hair looked gray against his bright white T-shirt. Nezuko inhaled. With her emotions subdued, she could pick up on more details. He was just a little bit taller than her. He carried a similar skeletal physique as the robot, and the black cargo pants were too big for him.
The dark red eyes pinched at the corners suddenly, and the teenager jerked his head.
"Stop staring, it's uncomfortable," Rubikku almost whispered, and Nezuko jolted from surprise. Not looking at her, the demon walked up to the rack and began disassembling the bowls.
"What did you want?" He asked, avoiding her gaze. Without the metallic vibrator, the voice almost sounded dry. Nezuko watched him place the bowl on the floor.
I don't know.
Rubikku straightened out, and his eyes fell on the message that she projected off her watch. Nezuko understood that she didn't want to see his expression. To occupy herself, she picked up a bowl from the rack and stepped in between the aquariums. Finding an empty spot on the floor, she crouched down and placed the object gingerly down.
"You don't know?"
A slight burn tingled her cheeks. Without lifting up, Nezuko typed a response into her watch. Her eyes wavered absently over the myriads of bowl tops.
It felt wrong watching you interact with the rest of the guys.
Nezuko waited for a moment, then heard the rack creak and the shuffle of bare feet across the floor. Rubikku squatted next to her and lowered the bowl on the floor. A vibrant, orange fish with a long tail swam inside.
"Why?"
Maybe it was the way his tone carried glimpses of the humor that she knew, or because the question was so stupid, but in any case she couldn't help but forget that it wasn't a robot next to her.
Nezuko looked at him and lifted one eyebrow. The sight of a human face made her freeze, and when Rubikku smiled — a different smile than what she was used to, one where his lips stretched from cheekbone to cheekbone, and his eyes became dark moonbows instead of a small widening of the opening for the mouth — her guard went back up.
"You're a demon, too." Rubikku didn't notice her shift in composure, and his tone was joking. Nezuko shook her head and looked away. She must have done it abruptly enough because the smile dropped from the boy's face. He turned away, and they lapsed into silence. In the corner of her eye, Nezuko watched how he tapped the bowl. The fish, intrigued by his fingers, poked its face into the glass.
"Are you afraid that I'm going to harm them?" Rubikku asked quietly. He slid his fingers to the side, and the fish, mesmerized, swam after them.
"I won't. I like hanging them out of them."
Even if you're lying to them?
"What other choice do I have?" Rubikku dipped his hand into the bowl. He let the fish flounder against his palm, its long tail circling around his wrist.
"I don't want to place them in a difficult situation." The demon boy lifted his eyes at her. "You're not a demon slayer, and look how poorly you're taking the truth about me."
His words stung, but Nezuko swallowed it. She knew he was right.
"I'll say it again, but no one was meant to figure it out." Rubikku took out his hand and wiped it against his pants. He sighed and scrunched his arms underneath his chest. "I don't want to lose neither your brother's nor his friends' friendship."
Nezuko hugged her knees. I don't trust you.
Rubikku lowered his cheek on his knee and gazed thoughtfully at her.
"It's not like my personality changes when I'm in my robot form," he said finally. "I just happen to have a different physical body than they expect." Rubikku smiled slightly. "Could've been worse, right?"
Nezuko realized that he was referring to the non-humanoid, monstrous demons with barely any reason and flinched. The disdain in his voice carried a menace that made her remember that the boy next to her was still just an appearance. Underneath was a beast who craved human flesh.
You said you know other demons, she tossed coldly. Why not be friends with them?
"Most demons don't have a sense of meaning anymore. It's not easy to stay with someone who puts in no effort into the friendship."
Nezuko blinked, losing her distance, and looked at him. Rubikku smiled back.
"You didn't know?"
Nezuko bristled.
So you're saying that you reached out to humans because you were feeling lonely?
A shadow fell over the demon's face. He straightened out and, lowered his legs into a cross sit, stared at the bowls. His fingers tensed slightly.
"No. Tanjiro was the one who reached out to me."
Nezuko turned to the bowls as well. She remembered that time period. Tanjiro would always tell her about the robot peddler who sold fish from the Middle to the Lower levels. At first the stories were just about their interactions at the market, then blended slowly into ones where they would play football or go scavenger hunting for cruiser parts.
If she hadn't found out, the memory would have been a happy one.
Nezuko stood up and, stepping over the bowls, started towards the door.
"Leaving?"
Nezuko paused and turned over her shoulder. Rubikku was looking at her, and once again, the demon girl wished he was a robot.
I can't pretend that nothing happened.
Nezuko paused for a moment.
I won't do anything though.
Rubikku nodded, gaze traveled somewhere to the side before returning to her face.
"I know you may not want to, but… you're always welcome here."
Nezuko held his gaze, then, turning the door knob, walked out.
The basement must have had some form of conditioning because warmth engulfed Nezuko the moment she stepped outside. The demon girl closed her eyes and enjoyed the way her body relaxed in the heat. She felt as if she walked out of a morgue.
Opening her eyes, Nezuko breathed out through her nose and allowed sadness to take control.
Although Rubikku said she was welcome, she was never coming back.
Spinning on the stool slightly, Shinobu mumbled something to herself as she looked over the x-rays. Sitting on the edge of the bed, Kyojuro watched her patiently. The windows were closed to prevent the heat from entering. The blue sky glimmered outside.
"Everything's good." Shinobu switched off the tablet and, standing up, placed it into the over-the-door basket. Turning around, she tucked her hands into the pockets and smiled.
"You'll work behind the desk for two more weeks, but you can leave the hospital now."
Kyojuro felt his shoulders loosen in relief. "Fantastic. I can't wait to wash off the smell of medicine."
Shinobu laughed, eyes twinkling. She gave him a teasing bow. "Well then, Rengoku-san, I shall leave you to pack." The female doctor started towards the door. "Don't forget to sign out at the entr…"
"Can I ask you something?"
Her fingers halted on the doorknob, and Shinobu glanced over her shoulder in surprise. Kyojuro steeled himself, fists tightening slightly on his lap.
"Could you tell me a little bit about the Life Extension Center?"
He still doubted Obanai's presumption that there existed veterans that remembered AB-4527. Even if there were, they could be anywhere, not necessarily the center — it was just a convenient place to start investigating. After some deliberation, the flame hashira decided that it was better to collect some information before going through with an already weak plan. He also felt bad sneaking around in Shinobu's hospital and wanted to at least give her some idea of his actions.
The young doctor turned around and leaned against the door. She crossed her arms and gave the flame hashira a long, quizzical look.
"Are you allowed to share the reason why?" She asked finally.
"It's about AB-4527." He didn't have to tell her, but Kyojuro wanted to. Obanai would probably disapprove, but in all honesty, the snake hashira could think whatever he wanted. "I have a hunch that he used to serve in the military."
Listening attentively, Shinobu crossed her arms on her chest.
"I heard that the Center has a lot of veterans," Kyojuro continued, studying her expression. "I wanted to see if any of them could recall him."
"Yes, many veterans live at the LEC," Shinobu replied after a short pause. "In fact, they're the majority."
Why, Kyojuro thought instantly. However, he held his tongue, seeing that his colleague wasn't done talking. The insect hashira chewed on her lip, then leaned off the door and walked slowly across the room.
"The LEC is exactly as it sounds. A center for patients who want their lives to be extended." She stopped next to the window and squinted from the blinding sun. "It doesn't happen often, but sometimes there are medical situations when nothing can be done to save the patient. Augmentation, drugs, submergence into virtual realities…" Shinobu shook her head, lost in thought. "Whenever the patient first fills out this hospital's documentation, there is a question that asks: in case of such an emergency, would you want to continue your existence at the LEC?"
Kyojuro blinked and tried to remember when he first filled out the patient registration form at the hospital. It may have been his mother who filled it out.
"Aren't there a lot of volunteers for that?"
The insect hashira turned around and sat down on the windowsill.
"You'd be surprised. When a patient commits to the LEC, they are crystallized in their current state. It's okay if you're twenty years old, but what if you're seventy?" Shinobu chuckled. "Most young people don't start having the urge for immortality until later. And if they do, who wants to spend an eternity in the same place ?"
"So who does?"
Shinobu sighed. Her gaze traveled to the floor.
"That's why most of the inhabitants are veterans. I guess it's their safety measure if they are critically injured on the battlefield. Many feel that they haven't lived properly yet." Her purple eyes glimpsed up, and her lips formed a tight smile. "That's what I always assumed."
"Did you ever have to do it?" Kyojuro hesitated, trying to make the question as tactful as possible. "Crystallizing patients?"
"I don't have the training for it." Shinobu was quiet for a few moments. "What else do you want to know? There was a lot of controversy."
"I can imagine."
The insect hashira smirked and slipped off the windowsill. Her hands slid into pockets once more.
"Yeah… ethical and spiritual considerations. How can a soul move on if it is trapped in the same vessel for eternity? Good thing that I don't have to deal with those." She made her way to the door and looked over her shoulder. A mischievous glint shimmered in her eyes.
"Operating on demon slayers is enough trouble."
"I swear, I'll get out of your hospital the moment I'm done with the LEC," Kyojuro laughed, standing up and walking over to her. He opened the door and held it by the frame.
"Do I need a pass to enter?"
"No. It's completely accessible." Next to him, Shinobu was so small that his shadow covered her entirely. Kyojuro gazed down at her, feeling a sense of instinctual pity. He suppressed the emotion, knowing that it was completely unwarranted.
"Thank you," he said quietly. The insect hashira glanced up at him, and he understood that she wouldn't tell a single soul about their conversation.
"Anytime," Shinobu replied softly and stepped noiselessly out of the room.
A/N: A shift of perspective here, since there are always several things going on at once! It felt nice writing Tanjiro&Co because their only major problems are emotions lol.
I originally didn't have the scene with Kyojuro, but returning him back in the mix when there were several Sanemi-Genya-Shinobu chapters in a row felt too abrupt.
Next chapter will be Kyojuro and Obanai, then we'll jump back to Sanemi-Genya-Shinobu.
Thank you for the support! :)) All the best!