She loves him. She loves everything about him. His flaming hair, that beaming smile. The fact that he's always good. Mitsuri can't mask the giddiness she feels every time Kyojuro Rengoku steps into the room. Her master. Her light. her beacon. His presence in teh Demon Slayer corps is like a star that points true north for everyone, including the other pillars. His moral infallibility is almost other-worldly. He was the kind of person who if given the option between right and wrong, ALWAYS chooses right, even if doing so hurt him in the process. And she adored him for it..
"Apologies Mitsuri, but not today," he says a bit wistfully, "There's some important business the Master needs me to attend to."
….Which is why she is so sad right now.
After Master Ubuyashiki concluded their hashira meeting pardoning the kamados executions. Mitsuri invited Rengoku to eat as sthey had many times before. The flame hashira was one of few whose metabolism rivaled hers. Not to mention he LOVED eating like her too. And like a gentleman, he always paid, no matter how much the cost was which always made her flush in warm embarrassment. And yet this time he declined her, he declined!
"What kind of business?" not that she didn't trust his word but if it didn't require immediate attention what's wrong with getting a bite to eat?
"It is... related to the newbies Tomioka attests to." He looked like he wanted to elaborate- or rather he was expecting her to ask questions but she didn't bother.
"O-Oh ok" she says, eyes downcast, "Th-then next time."
"... Perhaps." There is a noticeable pause before he says it.
Perhaps? What did that mean? Rengoku always gave clear affirmations whenever he made promises. So to give such an ill-fitted 'perhaps' was deeply out of character for the flame pillar, at least to Mitsuri. Her gaze falls to the ground, toes twitching in her sandals rubbing against one another uncertainly. Did he… finally figure it out? But even if he did and was rejecting her, surely he would've said so outright, right? This is Kyojuro Rengoku after all. The impending awkwardness was about to sweep her into a maelstrom of word vomit if she didn't think of something to say quickly. She moves her lips to speak only to be cut off, "Kanroji can I ask you something?"
"Y-yes?" Why is he now serious all of a sudden?
"Do you…" he trails trying to be considerate, "Do you… admire me?" The unassuming question sends her heart alight. Does he know?
"Er, Well… yeah." she admits with cautious optimism "B-but I'm not the only one. Everyone admires you Kyojuro." He let her words sink in, musing a little longer before he responds.
"Then.." he turns his full body to her, his flame haori billowing behind him by the sudden gesture.
"...Is that why you care so much about me, Mitsuri?" he asks in a pitch even softer. What's more, he used her first name! Now she was really struggling to keep her wits from escaping into fantasyland where they often go. Why is he asking me this? Will he…finally propose to be with me? finally after all this time? No, no focus! Before she strokes out completely she has to give a response post haste.
"I…I care about you because." This is it. This is it. He waits for her to finish with a smile so faint it was barely on his face, it made her want to swoon but also incredibly uncomfortable. Kyojuro's eyes had a particular burn to them, not predatory but a raw, unfiltered feel, like how a fire lights a room exposing whatever is around no matter how pretty or ugly it may be.
"Because… I know you genuinely care about the people you commit to, and I think a person like that is worth caring about," her thoughts flowed out much easier than she thought she was impressed she didn't stutter this time. He heaved a deep sigh looking glum for some reason and uttered something so uncharacteristically quiet, she could only gape like a fish asking him to repeat it because she didn't hear right.
But he doesn't.
Instead something or rather someone catches his eye, "Iguro!" he waves boisterously, capturing the puzzled expression of the serpent hashira walking by.
"I have a favor to ask you." he gestures for him to come. Iguro saunters over curious as to what favor Rengoku needed, it was very rare for him to ask anyone for help, he was usually the one giving it. Rengoku spins Mitsuri firmly by her shoulders, not too rough but not limply either, and asks, "Mitsuri is going to get a bite to eat, normally I would go with her since she is -" he shakes his head, "...was my tsugoku." he corrects. The small but important detail makes her stomach flutter with butterflies, "But the Master… has other plans for me, would you mind accompanying her? Meals always taste better with company."
As they walked to the ramen shop, Mitsuri couldn't help but wonder how Iguro felt about the whole situation. She knew he wasn't the most sociable person, and he never ate when they had meals together in the past. she always went out of her way to make him feel comfortable, but still felt like she annoyed him. Was he really okay with it, or was he just being polite?
Even his expression was difficult to make out, half-stolen by the bandages he wore on his face, not that she's ever seen him without the bandages or anything. Like she said the guy never eats so she has no clue but from what she knows, Rengoku's father rescued him from a demon many years ago and his face is marked by the event.
"Rengoku-san, th-that's ok," she tries, "Iguro doesn't hav-"
"-Where to?" Mitsuri whips her head at around. Well, this was unexpected. "Uh...uh.. th-the ramen shop?" her voice lifted at the end turning what should've been a simple statement into a nervous question but Iguro pensively searches his memory before blinking, "ah. I know the place. Let's go", and he turns poised to exit the zen garden.
Well, this was completely unexpected...
Rengoku waves fervently as the two set off purporting that he will repay Iguro a thousand times over.
On the way there they run into the sound hashira Tengen Uzui who asks where the two lovebirds were headed. Mitsuri blushes fiercely at that, but Iguro answers unafflicted, "The ramen shop,"
Strange. He didn't exactly deny the sound hashira's lovebird comment. Surely, Iguro didn't think this was a real date, right? Not like it couldn't be construed that way. People thought that often when she went with Rengoku, te difference was that actually liked Rengoku.
"Well, have fun with that you two." Uzui waved dismissively, pulling her from her thoughts, he was definitely disappointed that his cheeky comment didn't receive more 'flashy' attention. He had a way of instigating people for his own entertainment. Like how he always gives Mitsuri side-ways glances whenever she talks about Rengoku. She thinks Uzui knows. After all he has the most experience when it comes to relationships. Iguro walks on and she silently follows still wondering how he felt about all this. Despite accepting the invite she still can't help but feel she was dragging him to eat with her.
"Kanroji? Isnt this the place you were talking about?" She jumped to the sound of his voice, spun and realized she had missed her mark entirely. He was waiting beside the entrance while she ambles forward; completely unaware.
"Yeah, i-it is" her voice sounded strange to her ear- a bit too high in fact. She trotted back over more than just a little flustered that her thoughts ran away with her again. But Iguro made no mention; either completely oblivious to her stupidity or respectfully disregarding her so as not to exacerbate that stupidity further.
Instead, he lifts the curtain and stands to the side. "A-are you holding it open f-for me?"
He cocks his head to the side, "Who else would I be holding it for?" he asked lifting his eyebrows. Why did she say that? It sounded so dumb once it cae out. What she meant to say was 'oh, wow how gentlemanly of you, thanks Iguro'. Now she was really feeling the heat on her neck moving up to her forehead, "Th-thank you…" she accepts his kindness for what it's worth and takes a seat at her favorite spot.
Why did he agree to come? He didn't eat ANYTHING. Only ordered a green tea that he didn't even sip. He did this last time too. Didn't eat anything, then gave her socks (which she absolutely adores, he had a good eye for color because it matched her hair perfectly) then paid the entire bill! Mitsuri couldn't help but feel bad inhaling all this food like a whale in front of him! She felt so guilty she packaged several dumplings for him to take home so he at least got something out of the trip.
Was he just being nice? Was he doing this because he owed Rengoku a favor for the amount of favors the flame hashira has done for all of them? She knew deep down Iguro had a soft side, he was a hashira afterall and no matter how rough some of them are (Shinezugawa in particular comes to mind), they ALL cared for the good of mankind one way or another. But still, he did come off a bit capricious at times, just earlier today at the hashira meeting he was ready to kill the Kamado boy at the drop of a hat (Along with Tomioka).
Iguro, like Sanemi, openly despised Tomioka to his face, he was also extremely sharp-tongued with the others namely Uzui, Gyomei and sometimes even Rengoku, she assumed it was his love language though it was very intimidating if people weren't expecting it. though she's never seen him treat shinobu or master, with disrespect. Kanroji blinks. Actually… now that I think about it, he's never treated me with disrespect either… she muses.
she can understand the other 2, but why did he treat her nicely? what has she given him to warrant such respect?
"You coming from training?" She jumped at Sanemi's voice. The wind hashira's scarred body glistened with sweat where he stood, no doubt finishing a training session.
"Ramen shop." she whipped her head at Iguro, Holy crap had we been walking in complete silence this enter time?! Until Sanemi greeted them she did not recall hearing Iguro's voice at all! How rude of her! How he was able to speak to him so nonchalant will forever baffle her. She could barely look Shinezugawa in the eye without feeling intimidated let alone speak so plainly, yet the wind hashira took no offense. They converse a bit more before Sanemi mentions Rengoku.
"You know he left today, You have any idea why he headed home?" he asked Iguro.
Now she felt the need to interject, "Wh-what? I thought the master needed him to check on the kamado boy and his sister?"
Sanemi casts a judgemental look as if wondering where the hell she got that idea from, "That's what he told us!" she added to justify. herself He glanced at Iguro not-so-secretly looking for him to validate her claim. He nods giving it credence. Which makes the wind pillar smirk wickedly, "So it seems our golden boy can do bad." he snickers at the revelation that Rengoku lied– to both of them, and seemingly for no reason.
Mitsuri felt numb, she couldn't explain why she felt so ill but before her tears could fall down to the ground along with her self-esteem, she excused herself running back to her home.
Mitsuri threw back another choko of sake in despair when she heard a knock on her door. Her first instinct was to ignore it, assuming it was just Shinobu or one of the sisters.
But then she hears a male announce himself.
Iguro? She was surprised he came. It wasn't a rule per say that males weren't allowed in female quarters at night but it was frowned upon unless they were in need of Shinobu's treatment.
With puffy eyes, and feeling guilty about running off earlier, she decided it was best to apologize and opened the door.
Iguro looked at her for a moment before calmly lifting a bag he had brought with him. "I figured these would make you feel better." he said calmly, showing a rare display of care.
"you didn't have to," she says with a sniffle.
"But these are your favorite, aren't they?"
"huh? " she takes the bag and Her eyes brighten just that much more when she opens it up revealing her favorite dessert. "Sakura mochi?! Igurooo! Thank you, but you didn't have to do that!" Did he go all the way back home to get these? She noticed Kaburamaru wasnt on his shoulder. If Kaburarmaru wasn't here then he must have! That's so sweet of him!
"I hope these make you feel better, Kanroji, Goodnight." he says turning to leave.
"Don't go!" but she blurbs out a little too loudly. he stops a few steps down the pathway a bit startled. she realized she had no choice but to say something before it got too awkward.
"Y-you don't have to if you don't want to, but I could use the company," she says mustered up the courage to ask if he'd stay and join her. Looking back at that night, Mitsuri wondered if it was the right decision.
Because it ended up being the first of many boundaries they would break that night.