A Snake Decides to Love (5.)
Obanai adjusted his collar. The white button-down shirt and black slacks made him look professional, but his neck felt naked without his friend.
He wouldn't dare put Kaburamura in a cage, so he would have to leave him at the corps. Being without his friend made him nervous, but he was grateful that he could lean on Kanroji for support.
Not even he could be gloomy around her. She was so excited to show him the outfits she planned to wear to her parents' house. Long pleated skirts, summer dresses, or a floral yukata – Kanorji looked amazing in anything.
Kanroji had already moved her stand-up mirror into his room. Each new change cemented that their upcoming marriage was a reality.
Usually, Obanai tried to avoid mirrors as much as possible. He didn't like being reminded of his face. Without the scars, he would have been average enough. But he kept the smallest mirror around, small as an apple, to ensure his hair was neat.
"Kanroji… Mit-Mits… Kanroji?"
To her credit, Kanroji didn't look disappointed at him still referring to her formally.
"I know. Using your first name is still new to me too, but you'll get used to it."
She folded her clothes and spread her gifts across Obanai's secondary room into her knapsack. She hadn't made any effort to venture into his bedroom, and he couldn't think of any excuse or reason to invite her to. He would have been lying though if he said he hadn't had to redirect his thoughts several times while she was here. It was a seductive image - sweet Kanroji lounging across his bed. Panting. Wearing nothing but a smile.
But he put up a strong mental block so as not to let his mind wander with what would hopefully follow.
Kaburamura slithered around absentminded on the ground. Obanai had prepared some dead mice for his friend while away.
Obanai helped her by folding her socks.
"Kanroji, what are your parents like? They are expecting me, right?"
"They're like me!" Kanroji said as if that answered all his qualms. "Yes, I told them I had fallen in love and was bringing my fiancé. No matter what they say I like you."
He gestured to his wrappings. He was still going to wear them. The scars didn't disgust her for some reason, but he doubted he would get lucky again.
"Obanai, my parents won't care about that. They just want me to be happy and treated well."
He didn't say anything, but he was frowning underneath. Somehow, she realized it.
"But, if it bothers you, just tell them you have a cold."
He nodded. That was a good excuse.
Obanai reached for his modest knapsack, having packed the day before. He had brought a few pairs of pants, shorts, his haori, some money, and a small sword. He didn't anticipate many demon sightings, but he rather be prepared than not.
"There's nothing wrong with your face. It's the one our children will have anyway," She said offhandedly, folding a sweater. "I mean in a different world they would. But yeah. You're handsome."
"K-Kanroji!" He stuttered.
This woman was full of surprises.
The train ride was peaceful.
The two of them shared a sandwich. Tucked away in the corner of the train, Obanai tried eating his sandwich in front of Kanroji. He was testing her to see if her nonchalance had been a fluke from before.
That night had been dark excluding the moon. Her emotions may have run high, blinding her toward him. So happy at the prospect of getting married that she probably didn't get a good look at him.
But she had kissed each scar purposefully.
His eyebrows knitted together for a moment. He let the tension go with a sigh. His Kanroji was a weird, lovely woman. Too sweet for this world.
Unbelievably strong too.
The quiet train ride had been one of the best days of his life. He had less than three very good days to count, and Kanroji had been featured in two of them (excluding the last being when he was saved and freed).
The two had talked about anything earlier, she had adorably fallen asleep against his shoulder for some of the ride, and now they ate a delicious lunch.
He grabbed a lock of her hair between his fingers. Touching the pink strand where it turned green at the end over and over.
With crumbs on her face, Kanroji looked over to him.
"Obanai, stop looking at me like that!
"Like what?"
"So intently. I probably have food and sauce all over me."
Since when was she so concerned about her appearance?
"You're so pretty, Mi-Kanroji." He continued to play with her hair lovingly. "Simply perfect."
She gasped.
Then, she looked him right in the eyes, and he held her gaze. The moment seemed to swell. The noise of the train and other patrons chattering became unimportant background music.
His focus pulled him toward her mouth.
Some part of him worked off of pure instinct.
He pushed his tray of food to the side and leaned over to Kanroji. They were sitting side by side on the train.
"Obanai."
"Come closer to me," he murmured.
How could someone so beautiful fit in his hands?
He cupped her face. She wrapped her hands around his wrists, holding him there.
"Obanai."
She pressed her cheek to his before moving back toward his mouth.
"Kanroji." Just his bottom lip brushed against hers.
"Seat 1A and 1B. Right this way, in front of the young couple," a train attendant said, leading an older man and woman to the open seats.
Kanroji jumped away from him as if burned. He blushed furiously and realized his face was still uncovered.
The elderly couple stared at him concerned. The woman covered her mouth in shock and her, presumably husband, hissed to her to turn around.
He touched one of his scars. Did those fools think his scars were contagious?
Kanroji tried to reach for him, but he turned his head to the window.
Just as he had forgotten who he was, so quickly others reminded him.
Maybe Kanorji would be happy with him, but what about society? Looking at him with contempt for saddling a beautiful soul with such an ugly monster.
The last thirty minutes were spent in total silence. Kanroji kept taking worried glances at him, but he needed to lick his wounds for a while. At least until he had time to wrap himself again and put on a good face for her parents.
"We're here! This is my house!" Kanroji cheered. "I can't wait to see my old kitty again."
They were holding hands as they walked up the stone path to the Kanroji household. Obanai had his knapsack tied around his neck, a phantom comfort in place of Kaburamura, and held Kanorji's knapsack in his other hand.
Obanai had exactly five seconds to feel nervous about his wrapped face before Kanroji yelled their arrival.
"MAMA! DADDY! I'm home!" Kanroji exclaimed, grinning.
He released their hands as he saw someone quickly approaching. A tall, black-haired man sprinted to them.
"Hey, sis!" The man waved when he was a few feet in front of them. His hazel eyes were kind.
Kanroji smushed her cheeks together in shock. "What happened? My baby brother is a man now. You're even taller than me now, Hayao!"
Hayao gave a bashful smile and rubbed the back of his head. His robe was fairly nice and his hair was combed into a neat topknot.
"Not even. You've always been the larger-than-life one, Mitsu. If you and your fiancé had come yesterday, you could have seen Goro and his wife. They asked about you." Hayao jokingly complained. "It seems we see you once a year now. Always so busy."
Obanai looked at her from the corner of his eye.
There was no way her family was aware of her near death just a few weeks earlier. Somehow, he didn't think it was right to tell them she had five years left to live either. If he was going to be her husband, then he could encourage her to visit her family as much as possible.
Obanai surprised himself internally. He started to look forward and plan for their future.
Her brother cleared his throat and stared at him.
"I'm Kanroji Hayao. Did your face get ripped off?" he asked. One of his eyebrows lifted in curiosity.
"OH MY—Brother, you did not!" Kanroji screeched. "I'm so sorry, Obanai. I promise my brother isn't usually this rude. He just doesn't think before speaking."
Obanai bowed lowly toward Hayao.
"A pleasure to meet you. I'm Iguro Obanai," he said. "I apologize for my appearance, but I'm recovering from a cold."
Hayao wrapped his arm around his shoulder.
His eyes widened.
"No problem, I was just going to offer you some ice or painkiller if it could help in any way. Our mother is a retired nurse, after all, so medicine is always in stock." Hayao pulled him close with a smile. "Say Iguro, you have some mighty cool eyes."
"Eeeeee! I know. I think that's why I always get so lost staring into them," Kanroji laughed.
"Ew, sis. Gross!"
Hayao gave them (Obanai) a tour of the house, stopping at the dining room. An older man and woman, not quite elderly but with hair graying, stood up and bowed toward them.
Obanai stared for a moment before quickly bowing lower. It had just startled him, seeing how strongly the Kanroji family resembled each other.
He needed to speak first he decided.
"It's a pleasure to meet you. Kanroji family, please forgive the mask. I'm recovering from surgery and a cold." He bowed to the ground. His bangs swept the floor.
Here he was with no name or significant wealth to give this angel.
Her father lightly touched his shoulder.
"Come sit down. Meet the rest of the family." Father Kanroji hugged his daughter to his side while he led them to the table. Her mother fussed with her hair before letting her go with a kiss on the cheek.
A maid dusted items in the background.
Obanai finally took in his whereabouts. The portrait of the Kanroji family on the wall was cute. The table was spread nicely with thick, healthy servings of food. The thread counts on everyone's clothes had to be in the thousands.
"You're a rich girl slumming it with us?" Obanai whispered close to her Kanroji's ear.
Kanroji laughed. "Not really. But you make me feel like the richest woman in the world. We have always been middle class but recently my father's business has taken a turn for the best."
Obanai winced. Maybe he should have brought a gift. He was already showing up practically penniless compared to them.
Kanroji and he were seated, kneeling, facing her parents with Hayao at the end of the table.
While Obanai wondered how to tackle eating the delicious meal with his wrappings on, her father spoke to him.
"So Iguro, what do you do?"
He sat up straighter and tried to pour confidence into his voice. Telling civilians about the demon slayers was not an option, so he had prepared a cover.
"I'm a snake tamer—"
"—World-class swordfighter," Kanroji said at the same time.
He looked at her. Kanroji mouthed 'sorry.'
"Bro, that's so cool! Can you show us some moves?" Kanroji's brother bounced on the dining room's tatami mats. He couldn't have been but a few years younger than Kanroji, but he acted youthful.
"Oh, it's kind of hard to do without the proper, uh, equipment," he coughed.
"Oh dear, is that why you had the surgery," her mother asked, concerned.
"No, ma'am. That's unrelated."
Suddenly, a bread bun was flung at Obanai. With an instant swipe, he cut it in half with a single chopstick.
The bread fell carefully into three, identical triangular slices onto the table.
Hayao hooted in surprise.
"You weren't kidding, sis! He's seriously good."
"Hayao! Don't throw things at my fiancé."
Father Kanroji's expression was neutral, not impressed or angry. He dipped his food into the sauce.
"How well does being a sword fighter pay, Iguro? Can you raise a family on that salary?"
Obanai folded his hands.
"Sir, my sword fighting is more of a hobby," he fumbled.
Kanroji butted in. "But he gives lessons, Daddy! A lot of men come to learn from him in the form of apprenticeships or they pay him for his protection."
Father Kanroji stared at him, saying nothing.
What was her father thinking?
"And is this lucrative, Iguro? Can you count on consistent income? Our baby girl can eat a lot." Finally, her father smiled looking at her.
"Yes, I'd say so. At my—the shared dojo I work at we're constantly recruiting slayers—students. This past week I've trained and evaluated over 100 students."
"Amazing! And you don't get burned out?" Hayao asked with a mouth full of fish.
"I pace myself, but many of the students are horrid and don't deserve to move forward," Obanai said, forgetting himself for a moment. His true feelings had slipped out.
The older man frowned. "If you don't think your students are improving, then the fault probably lies with you. Eventually, the student should become greater than the master."
Obanai recalibrated, "I agree with you, Kanroji sir, but I'm a harsh teacher. I just want to see my students do their best, and when I see them make halfhearted attempts it upsets me."
Father Kanroji gave a small smile. "Ah, I see. Forgive me then. I'm a former educator myself, so I understand the feeling."
Kanroji squeezed his hand under the table. He wasn't doing too bad a job!
"How did you two meet?" Mother Kanroji asked. "I want all the details!"
"I met Kanroji at the swordfighting dojo. She is a teacher as well there," he answered proudly.
Twin worried looks flashed across her parents' faces.
"Oh, is that true, Mitsuri?" her mother whispered, looking at the woman then Obanai.
What was wrong with that?
"Yes, mama! I got lost on my first day, and he helped me. He's shown me kindness ever since."
"Then, I'm guessing you know how special our baby girl is, then?" Father Kanroji said solemnly.
"She's always been special," Obanai declared proudly.
Her mother interrupted him, pressing her hand against her cheek. The mascara around her eyes made them look sadder. "She's … stronger than most women, and it intimidates most men. So many of her marriage interviews have fallen through, so that's why we were so surprised when she told us about you."
"Mama," Kanroji said. She looked down at her food. The subdued nature didn't fit her at all.
Returning the favor, Obanai squeezed her hand and brought it atop the table to her surprise.
"I love that Kanroji's super strong. It shows that strength, kindness, and softness don't have to negate each other. She's a formidable opponent, and I'm happy to have found my equal. Where other men felt inadequate, all I feel is pride. A strong capable woman still chose me at the end of the day."
Everyone, including his fiancé, stared at him in pure silence.
Obanai coughed. His free hand twitched for a moment, wishing he could pet Kaburamura for comfort.
"Do you mean that, Obanai?" she whispered, wide-eyed.
This he said with no hesitation.
"Every word, Mitsuri."
She sniffed and hugged his arm, stopping the piling of food on her plate for a moment.
When Obanai turned his gaze back to her parents, he saw Mother and Father Kanroji were teary-eyed. Even Hayao was touched by the tender display.
He hadn't said it to win their favor, though it seemed he did. He just honestly meant it. Mitsuri just flowed from his mouth effortlessly too.
"Iguro, you may be a good man after all," her father chuckled, wiping a tear from the corner of his eye. "I'm only being tough on you to make sure you're genuine."
"Yeah, you're a cool guy, but don't think I won't end you if you hurt her!" Hayao shook his fist. He didn't make a menacing figure though. It was almost laughable in a cute way.
"No, Kanroji Hayao, I've no intention of doing that, but if I do please administer the punishment."
Kanroji snorted. "My little brother couldn't hurt a fly; he's too sweet. Besides, Obanai I'd kick your but before he did."
They all laughed at that even Obanai. He had to admit she was pretty funny.
After a lull in conversation, they continued to eat.
"Well, Iguro, you have my blessing if you continue to put her best interest first. Has he done that, Mitsuri?"
"Daddy, he has always protected me. People think because I'm strong that I don't want to be cared for, but not Obanai. He treats me like a dainty flower." She swooned.
Her father reached across the table and squeezed his daughter's hand lovingly.
"I give my blessing as well, Iguro. On one condition…" Mother Kanroji paused.
"Yes, anything."
Her lips curved into a hearty smile. "You call me mother and him father."
He gave an audible gasp in surprise. Everything was happening quickly. He had never been accepted so fast in his life other than by Mitsuri.
It was so new: a chance to be integrated into a family.
Stuttering, he replied. "Y-yes, M-mother and Father. Thank you for your blessing."
He played with his chopsticks shyly before grabbing a piece of meat between them.
The family looked at him expectantly.
He took three deep breaths before pulling a slither of his mask down to eat a bite. Already he could tell they saw a glimpse of the snake scars.
But to his surprise, nothing altered their welcoming smiles.
Although he didn't pull the mask off completely, he was able to eat in relief. Such a big weight was off his shoulders. They accepted him and weren't disgusted by his markings. The Kanroji bloodline was truly one of one.
Maybe he could be happy marrying into her family.
Childhood memories and jokes carried the meal until dessert time.
Still laughing from a story of when Hayao burnt their meal, Obanai smiled and dug into his sweets.
He was too perceptive for his own good and noticed Mitsuri had stiffened.
"Are you okay, Mitsu?" he whispered to her. She barely touched her mochi.
She trembled, catching the concern of everyone.
"Dear, what's wrong? Are you cold?" Her mother worried.
"Mama," Kanroji screeched, close to tears. "Obanai's my best friend in the whole world, and he proposed because I'm dying. The doctor says I have a disease where I won't live past 25 years old, but it's okay because I've done a lot of good."
Obanai tried not to choke. What in the ever-living world?
Her parents sobered immediately. A wave of gloom covered them all.
Hayao covered his mouth in horror, and his eyebrows furrowed. He went completely still.
Quietly her father said, "So, you're the one my daughter wants to spend her last days with, huh?" He folded his hands, the veins becoming prominent from how tight his grasp was. But he had accepted it.
"Yes, Daddy!"
"Come home from this foolishness, Mitsuri! We can find a better doctor than some quack in that country bumpkin town. Maybe a holistic doctor even," her mother's voice warbled.
Tears streamed down Mitsuri's face. But her expression was one of maturity.
"Mama, one of my closest friends is basically a bonafide doctor, so my diagnosis was in good hands. Besides, nothing is changing this. My days are finite, but that is why I choose to spend the rest of them loving and protecting people. Sorry, you had to find out you won't have grandkids." She hiccupped.
Obanai rubbed her back.
Kanroji's father reached across the desserts and grabbed Obanai's hand and Mitsuri's with his other. His wife and son quietly cried but nodded. With time, they would fully accept it.
"Then, Iguro I beg you to make the most of our daughter's time."
"I swear …" he started. "I swear on my life to love her until the end of our days."
The rest of the dinner was solemn but tender. Now, they hung on to each sentence, tucking away the memory for a time when Mitsuri was gone.
After dinner and the exchange of gifts, Obanai and Mitsuri got to sleep in the guest rooms, separately of course.
Obanai was content that he got to spend the rest of the night with the closest thing he had ever had to a family.
He fell asleep dreaming of Mitsuri and him with five children, working in a cafe.