"Ms. Kanroji, are you listening?" Aoi's whining causes her to return to the conversation.
She nervously scratches her nose. "Er, yeah ... what were we talking about again?" Last she recalled, Aoi was talking about the boar-kid, comparing him to a caveman. But Mitsuri secretly wondered if Aoi liked that boy. Ali's face flushed a deep crimson the entire time she badmouthed him.
It made Mitsuri's heart flutter in joy at the thought of Aoi having a crush.
The hashira celebration was a garden party on a massive tiled courtyard on top of a hill.
The master strategically planted Wisteria around the entire demon slayer corps perimeter to prevent demons from entering. The corps itself lay hidden within miles of expansive forest, making them nearly untraceable to Kibutsuji. In case of emergencies, he had multiple locations like this ready, demonstrating the prestige of his Ubuyashiki bloodline.
They did post sentries in certain areas as a precaution through, which could explain Iguro's absence tonight. Initially, Kanroji worried it was related to her request, but then she noticed the master was missing too.
"Has anyone seen Shinobu?" Though Aoi's question was open-ended, she specifically directed it to Kanao.
"Such a beautiful night." Kanao says softly, eyes locked dreamily to the sky. To Mitsuri, it was like catching lightning in a bottle to hear Kanao speak. But Aoi huffs at her for disregarding her question. Her pigtails bounced while she scolded the flower tsuguko for zoning out, though not as badly as she wanted considering Kanao outranks her.
Mitsuri smiled. Shinobu definitely vouched for Aoi to be there, but a part of her wondered how Iguro would react. He's a stickler when it came to rules. Hashira were the backbone of the demon slayer core after all. If he caught Aoi scolding Kanao, he would undoubtedly unleash a verbal onslaught on the poor girl for disrespecting someone of higher rank. Then turn his sights on Shinobu, lambasting her for letting Aoi come...
"Oh, Iguro..." she shakes her head.
"You say something, Ms. Kanroji?" Aoi asks.
"It's nothing." She frowns.
She should be enjoying the night, not fretting about Iguro's whereabouts. She said she wanted space after all. Besides, maybe he was needed for a last-minute task.
She scans the rest of the pavilion.
... so Obanai, Shinobu and Muichiro as well... that makes 4 including Master...
As usual, Tengen was the center of attention, engaged in an intense game of slap-bet with Rengoku, mentioning a rule that 'loser had to chug sake'. Sanemi watched the two from across the room while eating with a pensive expression. She wasn't sure if he found their competition dumb or if he wanted to join in, but he was noticeably less angry than usual. Himejima was chanting (crying) to the gods how blessed they were to be together. though if the blind monk could see Tomioka's face, he might reconsider. The brooding water pillar sat reticent in a corner hawkishly eyeing the party like death at a funeral.
Amane sat at the helm taking charge in her husband's absence. Maybe Amane knew where the others are? before she could ask, someone tapped her shoulder.
"Kanroji, can we talk in private?" Kyojuro interjects.
Well, it wasn't the most prudent time, but she excuses herself anyway, telling the others she'll be back, and followed him into the wood line.
"I wanted to ask how you're doing?" he starts, once they're far enough. "Oh, I'm fine, Rengoku! Completely fine!" that response couldn't have been more forced if she tried.
"Oh," he blinks in astonishment (and a hint of disbelief) "Ah, I see." He laughs, catching himself. "Well, to start, if you wish to decline speaking with me, I understand Kanroji. I am breaking your rules, after all. But if you'd allow me the courtesy, I'll gladly explain my actions as of late."
She bobs her head up and down. "Yes, go ahead!"
He clears his throat. "very well, I want to begin with an apology. Although I can't comprehend why you are attracted to me... I know you've been smitten for quite some time and how I handled it could've been improved upon." He glances towards the purple sky horizon, observing the sliver of light fading with the sunset. "I've been thinking about what to say for a while now. And..." His voice drops surreptitiously, as if afraid others might hear. "The truth is I... have been having dreams, Kanroji."
Dreams?
"... of my mother."
"Your... mother?" Kyojuro loved his family, especially his mom, whom he admired more than anyone else. What made him feel so uncomfortable discussing this?
"As you know, her death was a heavy loss to all of us, my father particularly, so I don't enjoy talking about this..." he keeps his gaze fixed on the sunset. "In all my dreams, she's on the cusp of telling me something important before I wake up. I was worried it was a warning about my Father, so I went back home to check on him and Senjuro."
He looks at her, but his smile lacks its usual strength. "I'm confessing, because I now understand how poorly I handled your emotions after you requested space. I only meant to burden myself, not you, Mitsuri. Iguro told me to inform the master and leave immediately. It's why I asked him to eat with you that day."
She blinked. "Wait, Iguro did?" She shook her head in disbelief, stopping him. "W-wait, you're telling me he knew you were leaving?"
This deeply confused her. She thought he had no clue. He never mentioned that he knew at all, not until Sanemi asked...
"Wait..." she rubs her temples, attempting to recall that day. Her memory was fuzzy from drinking, but she remembered the conversation with Shinazugawa beforehand. Iguro never said he knew, but he also never said he didn't know. SHE was the one who interjected. He simply nodded, confirming what Kyojuro told her.
"Kanroji?" He intervenes, seeing how this had weighed on her mind. "I am sorry. Even saying this out loud feels foolish. I told you it was the master's wish, if only to save time and face. My apologies."
"Th-that's ok, it's not foolish at all! If anything, I'm the foolish one for overreacting like I did." She smiled. "But everything's fine, right? Besides, Iguro was a delight. So don't worry about it."
He was positively elated to hear that. A sense of relief washes over him as he warmly embraces her. "Thank you. We're lucky to have someone as genuinely kind-hearted as you." Her breath hitched. An array of mixed emotions surged simultaneously. On one hand, she wanted to melt. Rengoku's body always felt hot to the touch even through his clothes. And His embraces gave a sense of security, as if you could leave all your worries to him and everything would be fine.
"Kyojuro?"
But something was off-kilter. Kanroji had a penchant for thinking the worst, but something was definitely 've hugged many times before so she wasn't imagining.
His hugs were always affectionate but respectful. This embrace had a suffocating feel.
It was smothering and lingering like he didn't want to let go. A pain swelled inside her chest. She thought about how Iguro would feel if he were to witness it. She understood that Kyojuro was confiding in her, but it felt like she was betraying her own integrity by indulging.
She abruptly pulls back, maintaining a proper distance. He doesn't say anything, but his tone is less lively.
"Kanroji, there is something else too."
There's more? "Are you ok, Kyojuro?"
He nods and leans against a nearby tree trunk. "I... spoke with my family. Father... well, his reaction was to be expected," he furrowed his eyes, failing to hide his frustration with his patriarch's alcoholism, before respectfully continuing, "but Senjuro said he'd support the decision, should I move forward."
She gulps loudly. What could it be? What? What? What? The suspense was killing her.
"The Rengoku clan keeps producing flame breathers for the cause until all demons are defeated. We have for centuries, as you know, dating back to Sengoku." he pauses to gauge if she is following, she is but still not quite understanding, so he continues, "Our family has traditions we pass on to each generation, but the demands are costly, our mother while incredibly strong-willed succumbed to them..." he shakes his head, placing his hand softly on the tree's bark, "Sorry I'm beating around the bush. What I'm saying is strong partners are needed in order to endure these rituals. So what I want to ask you is... what your opinion is of me ... getting betrothed?"
She blinked, multiple times, "uhh... why are you asking me Kyojuro? Isn't the point of a betrothal for your family to decide?"
"Which is why I'm asking you. Senjuro and I consider you family, Kanroji." her entire face burned at the confession.
Is he for real? She could kick herself for the millionth time for thinking he was asking HER to marry him instead of asking her opinion on it. No. She needed to know his intentions. Surely he didn't bring her out here for... this?
"Wh-who did you... or rather your family have in mind?" her eyes wander down to a stone by his foot. "Do you know?"
She wished her words were as confident as her thoughts. No matter what, she needed to let him go. She can't let this new development sway her. Kanroji was all too familiar with this.
"I'm starting to," he answers vaguely. She lets out a most put-upon sigh. this was an answer she could not tolerate. "Kyojuro, please. if you won't pick me, then just say so..." she says boldly.
He regards her and then lets out what can only be a forced chuckle, "Just give me more time, Kanroji, and I'll have your answer. I know it's a shameful given the amount of time you've already given... but I only require a bit more." he answers truthfully, still non-committal but at least he addressed what they both knew was the massive elephant in the room.
He pushes himself off the tree to an erect stance. "I have until my 21st birthday or until Muzan is defeated, whichever comes first," he laughs jovially, completely back to his old self.
He holds out his hand for her to take. She does, but with steep reservations.
"I promise it won't be much longer now."
She nods solemnly, but couldn't bring herself to be excited by this. Like a jackass being led by a dangling carrot again.
but just because she was done didn't mean she couldn't worry about him. Though he was happy again like nothing changed, those dreams he mentioned were no mere coincidences. The marriage proposal was out of turn, but something tells her it was the nightmares that he really wanted to get off his chest. He wouldnt say it but they scared him. Scared him enough to go home.
The marriage sounded more like a cover to uplift conversation... unless she was delusional, which could very well be the case. She hasn't been able to trust her heart much lately.
But without a doubt, ever since he lied that day, Rengoku's behavior has been bizarre. In hindsight, it was very selfish of her to think he was only anxious about dating her, because it sounded much more serious than that.
When they reach the halfway, the sound of eoft voices grabs her attention. Positioned on a beaten dirt trail atop a ledge, she turned and saw two silhouettes, partially concealed by dark trees. The figures stood on a massive slope, not quite a ledge, but enough to be visible against the purple sunset.
She squinted. " It's Shinobu..." So she was here too. Huh, and Iguro? So they were both here! She was about to greet them until Shinobu placed a hand on Obanai's shoulder then pulls him into a tight embrace.
She stopped, perplexed.
Kanroji watched as Iguro returns the embrace and suddenly everything was silenced, as if underwater. Her vision narrowed.
... why... was he hugging her?
She forgot about Rengoku entirely as a wildly unfamiliar emotion washed over.
Her fingers twitched at her sides before straight up balling into fists, she was practically vibrating at the sight, suddenly feeling... mad. Not the disgust she felt witnessing demons hurting people, but a different kind that arose when witnessing something unfair and being powerless to intervene.
Rengoku approached her and asked what was wrong. She paid no attention and kept moving.
She had to look away.
But the image was burned into her brain. When she sat with the girls she was unable to engage in conversation at all. Her eyes were desperately searching for them; vehemently; anxiously. Anything signaling their return through the clearing.
She counted the seconds… minutes … potentially hours until they emerged.
If they re-emerged at all.
What if they don't? Her mind whispered.
She gulped. Had he moved on?! He agreed to friendship, not exclusivity, afterall. Her heart pounded in her eardrums; deafeningly loud. Images poured in her head: the two of them heading back together. To Iguro's? To the butterfly mansion? Didn't matter!
Panic shot through her, at the thought of Obanai's beautiful celestial eyes, filled with yearning and desire, looking at Shinobu the same way he used to look at Mitsuri with.
She broke out in a cold sweat, and loosened her collar which suddenly transformed into a noose around her neck. The rush of red in her vision was both blinding and dizzying.
Should she could go back and find them? Or remain planted and wait?
Her worry didn't last much longer, they finally arrived at the pavilion— together... but at least they weren't touching.
Tengen greeted them with enthusiastic shouts, claiming to be the God of Festivals, here to bless them with a fun and stylish experience. Rengoku joined in welcoming them by patting Iguro on the back. Obanai dismissed both and shuffled his feet around a corner out of sight.
She thought for sure he'd at least say hi. Didn't he notice her? He did see her sitting here, right? He should know because he always notices her before she notices him.
Always.
Wait, why does she care? Didn't she tell him not to check on her anymore? Wasn't he simply doing what she told him?
Kocho skipped over to a very gloomy (and very sober)Tomiokaa, handing him sake while engaging in friendly conversation. Though it came out like a slew of backhanded compliments:
'wow I'm impressed you showed up'
'I'm impressed sanemi hasnt beaten you up yet'
'It's been more than 5 minutes, and you're still here. Good job!'.
That sort.
Why did the sight resemble what Mitsuri saw in the woods? Did Kocho like broody types? Ugh... Why was her first instinct to think her best friend, had a thing for people like Tomioka... and Iguro? Sure, the two were superficially similar but-
"-Kanroji? You listening?" Aoi interjects loud and exasperated as if she'd been trying the entire time
She jerked visibly. "Uhhh, sorry but... I gotta go." She blubbered jumping to her feet, drink in hand.
"Uhm ok..." Aoi says eyeing her peculiarly, but again she wasn't gonna tell a hashira they couldn't do something, so she shrugs back to Kanao.
Mitsuri quickly turns the corner and nearly stumbles to a stop when she sees Iguro sitting with...
... Muichiro? He was here the entire time!?
The mist hashira's back leaned against a massive Boulder obscuring her view of him.
He sat crossed legged with Kaburamaru in his lap rubbing the snake's chin with his index finger. Tokitou was good with animals, the snake looked hypnotized. If he were a cat, she's sure he'd be purring.
... Well at least neither won't be remiss if she were to yank the serpent's partner for a few minutes. While cute and ridiculously talented, Muichiro was even more scatterbrained than Kanroji unless it pertained to fighting.
She didn't feel guilty. The boy wont even notice.
"Iguro can I talk to you?" she tugged his sleeve indicating the urgency. He searches her face, but mutely gets up and follows her back into the woods.
"Is something wrong?" he asks innocently once they were deep enough.
She spins on her heels. "You were with Shinobu."
He stares blankly, waiting for her to continue her point... which almost made her fall to her knees because that WAS the point!
"Uh, I... heard from..." she wracked her brain frantically for a name, "... Aoi. yeah, Aoi! She said she saw you two. You can't do that!" she lies, pointing at him sternly.
"I can't... 'do that'?" he echoes curiously, not comprehending.
"That's right, it's unethical! What if other lower ranks saw? Rumors would spread!"
He scratches his head. Now truly baffled, but he also looked as if he may burst out laughing, if that was the sort of thing Iguro did, but he doesn't. Instead, he tries to clarify what it is that she wanted.
"What are you saying, Kanroji? That I can't talk with other hashira or that I specifically can't talk to Kocho?"
She blushes fiercely. She has no idea what she's saying! She was so swept up in jealousy...yes, yes! That's the word! JEALOUSY! She was so caught up in her jealousy that she gave voice to thoughts she absolutely shouldn't have!
"I-I'm saying NO!" she shrieks, stomping her foot resolute.
He blinks rapidly, "N-no?"
"That's right, I said NO!" she repeats again, fists balled, face scrunched.
"No to what, Kanroji?!" he laughs openly, unable to stop the merriment from slipping through. "I genuinely didn't think anybody noticed or cared about who I talked to."
She marches until they are face to face, remembering their prior conversation in the garden. In a tone uncharacteristic of her otherwise sweet personality, she shouts, "It's YOUR OPINION that you think nobody notices you! But I can say for an ABSOLUTE FACT THAT I DO! "the force of her voice echoes through the hills, sending a flock of birds flying from their tree.
He stops laughing immediately when she yanks him by the hem of his shirt capturing his lips possessively in her own.
They battled briefly, jockeying to overpower the other for control, but in the end, it's Mitsuri's victory. She yanks him again by the scruff, deepening the kiss, before shoving him back for good measure.
But unfortunately in her zeal, she sends him flying through the air, slamming his back hard against a tree before slumping to the ground with a dazed look in his eyes. She cups her mouth, whimpering a teary-eyed apology. She didn't mean to use that much force!
But he doesn't respond.
Either too shocked or dazed to the point of silence that she assaulted him. Eventually, he grips the tree's trunk, pulling himself to his feet slowly when they both hear footsteps followed by a rough clear of the throat. Their heads snap in the direction of the unwelcome guest, who then whines at them, "Uh, perhaps you two lovebirds wanna take that shit elsewhere..."