Chapter Text
Fencing class was finally over, which meant it was time to talk to Zenitsu, make him apologize to me, and sort everything out. His seat in the classroom is always in the very back, by the window, right next to mine, actually. On hot days, he’s always complaining about the sunlight hitting his desk, pulling the curtain shut while muttering about how much he hates warm weather.
But to my surprise, when i walked into the classroom, Zenitsu wasn’t there.
"Tangtang!", I wanted to yell, but class had already started, so i whispered loudly instead.
"What is it?", Tanjiro whispered back.
"Where’s Monitsu?"
He looked around.
"I don’t know."
"It’s philosophy class, dude!"
He frowned.
"What does that have to do with anything? Were you paired up with him for an assignment? …Wait, there’s an assignment!?", He suddenly looked panicked.
"No! It’s just that he likes philosophy. He wouldn’t skip class for no reason."
"Do you think something happened?", Tanjiro asked, worried, glancing toward the teacher.
I looked at the empty desk beside me, where Zenitsu was supposed to be, and let out a heavy sigh.
"We’ll see him at lunch, right?"
"Yeah… He wouldn’t skip lunch.", I said casually. Or at least, i tried to sound casual.
Lunch came way too fast. I scanned the entire cafeteria, but all i saw were students sitting with their friends, laughing, messing around, some running with balls and card games, and some girls taking over a table with makeup instead of food.
"Did you see him?", I asked Tanjiro, who looked just as stressed.
"He’s not here!"
"Maybe he ate earlier."
I grabbed my tray. A full meal, grape juice, and an apple that looked smaller than usual.
"There’s no way to eat early, Inosuke. Unless he went home."
Tanjiro sat across from me with his loaded tray.
"Do you think he actually left?", I asked.
"Well…", He looked away.
I pulled my phone out of my pocket.
"What are you doing?", Tanjiro asked, chewing.
"Texting his mom."
Tanjiro choked and downed his entire juice in one go.
"You’re… you’re actually doing that?"
"What?"
"Is that really necessary? I mean, it’s 11:55. She’s probably having lunch."
I shoved my phone back into my pocket and started cutting the meat on my plate aggressively.
"He didn’t go home. His mom texted me a bit ago asking me to let her know if he needs anything… turns out he forgot his phone at home."
Tanjiro tapped his own chest, shocked.
"It’ll be fine. Now we know he’s here. We’ll look for him later, but first, we have to eat."
"Tanjiro!"
"Kanao! Where were you?", he asked.
"Eating in the student council room. Kanae and Shinobu wanted to talk."
"Did something happen?"
Kanao laughed.
"They were just talking about you, Tanjiro."
I couldn’t help laughing at him. He was red as hell and smiling awkwardly.
"I don’t really get that stuff, you know? But i can guess what they said, like… things people say when a girl starts dating.", I shrugged. "Honestly, they’re late. Didn’t you two start dating last year?"
"It was November, so it’s still recent. And don’t worry, Tanjiro, it wasn’t anything bad. They like you."
"Thank goodness.", He finally relaxed.
"So… where are the others? Nezuko, Aoi, and Zenitsu?", Kanao asked, looking around.
"Monitsu? No one knows. As for the other two… yeah, i’m not even gonna start."
"What?", Kanao asked, curious.
"They stayed in the classroom."
"You worry too much about Zenitsu and Nezuko, Tanjiro."
"Hey, they’re friends."Tanjiro argued.
"We were friends too, Tanjiro…", Kanao said calmly.
"Am i missing something here? Something other than Inosuke threatening to eat his tray along with lunch?"
I couldn’t even defend myself, i had my mouth full. I just wanted to finish eating and go look for that idiot Zenitsu. Honestly, what was i even planning to say when i found him? Just force him to apologize? Was i really worried about him disappearing? Since when did i care?
"Easy there, buddy, the food’s not running away.", Aoi said, patting my back.
"Where’s Nezuko?", Tanjiro asked.
"No idea."
"I think she ran away from being 'attacked' by someone…"
"What!?", Tanjiro yelled. "I will pass out."
Lucky for him, no one seemed to notice.
"Shut up, Inosuke. Nezuko’s not even my type."
Tanjiro froze, staring at Aoi in shock. The last time someone said Nezuko 'wasn’t their type', i had to sit through a whole speech about how amazing his sister was. Thankfully, i was already done eating.
"Calm down! That’s not what i meant!"
"But that’s what you said!"
"I’m heading out. See you later."
There were still two classes left and the entire break to find Zenitsu, but it was better to start now, definitely better than listening to a speech i already knew by heart.
I checked everywhere. Classrooms, gyms, bathrooms, the nurse’s office, the courtyard, heck, even the rooftop.
Nothing.
"Mezuko!", I shouted. "Have you seen Monitsu?"
She was smiling like an idiot, but suddenly went pale.
"Uh… why?"
"You know where he is, don’t you? Just tell me!"
"I… He didn’t– i mean…", She took a deep breath. "Just give it some time, okay?"
"What are you even talking about?"
She crossed her arms, scanning the hallway like she was choosing her words.
"He’s studying."
"Liar!"
"Look, i’m not telling you where he is. I didn’t lie, think about it. That’s your hint."
Then she walked away.
I stood there trying to figure out what she meant. “Think about it”? A hint? Was he really studying? I’d already checked all the classrooms. When i turned back around, Nezuko was gone.
It seriously pissed me off that she knew where he was while i’d been running around all day looking for him. Wouldn’t surprise me if they were secretly dating or something. Totally Zenitsu behavior, and honestly, not impossible for Nezuko either.
"Idiot!", I yelled.
I spent the entire break searching. When the bell rang, i had to head back to class. Skipping wasn’t an option, i didn’t want trouble with my mom this early in the year.
I couldn’t believe it when he didn’t show up for that class either. At that point, my imaginary conversation with him had gone from calm to: “Are you insane!? You can’t just disappear and skip every class!”
The rest of the day didn’t matter. I spent every class pissed off, staring out the window toward the hallway, refusing to look at Zenitsu’s empty desk.
When school finally ended, i stayed behind for a bit, just sitting there, spacing out.
"You coming, Inosuke?", Tanjiro asked.
"You guys go ahead."
I watched the four of them leave, Nezuko, Tanjiro, Aoi, and Kanao. I didn’t do anything. I didn’t even want to move. Zenitsu skipped every class, vanished all day, all because i told him the truth and he couldn’t handle it.
Then i heard it.
"What…?", I muttered.
Rain. Heavy rain. The sky was dark, the sound of the drops hitting the ground insanely loud. “Is the universe messing with me now?” I wondered. And of course it was, because i’d forgotten my umbrella too.
I walked down the school stairs, miserable. I’d fought with everyone, Zenitsu disappeared, it started pouring out of nowhere, i didn’t have an umbrella, and everyone had already left. Meaning i’d have to wait for the rain to stop.
I’d call my mom or dad, but naturally, my phone had died hours ago. Lucky me.
I changed out of my school shoes and headed for the main entrance. Then i stopped.
Zenitsu was standing there, holding his umbrella behind his back.
When i stepped closer, he heard me and turned.
"Inosuke…?", he said, strangely calm.
"What…? Where–"
"I saw your shoes were still in the locker area, so i decided to wait. Even though…", He hesitated.
His eyes were sincere. He looked a little embarrassed, but calm. Zenitsu looked away before i could react, running a hand through his blond hair and lowering his head.