Chapter Text
"Tanjirooooooooo!"
The familiar cry made Tanjiro pause even with his hand already shoved into the vending machine that had just dispensed his can of cold brew coffee. He blinked at the blubbering blonde head of his friend stumbling toward him as he rose from his crouched position, quickly taking a sip of caffeine in preparation for the dramatic monologue he was about to endure.
"Professor Kuwajima gave you another bad mark, Zen?" He remarked having heard this narrative all semester long.
Zenitsu was now repeatedly drumming his head into the side of the vending machine while Tanjiro tried to pry him away before he ended up with a bump that would only make him wail more. Sniffling, Zen turns and nods while Tanjiro procures a tissue from his backpack for him to wipe the snot dripping from his nose before someone saw. "He even went as far as to project all of our grades in front of everyone. It was unbearable, Tanjiro. I could die right now from embarrassment." Zenitsu explained with soap opera flair.
Tanjiro leads them around the corridor towards the main courtyard where a half-naked Inosuke is lying on a bench in the sun which is definitely not allowed on school grounds. He sighs and calls to Zenitsu over his shoulder, "Maybe if you didn't spend so much time trying to 'tutor' my sister you wouldn't be falling behind." Being the dad of the group is no easy feat.
Zenitsu is muttering gibberish behind him about something to do with being offended by said accusation but is quickly cut off by his own shrill scream as Inosuke throws a surprise kick to his throat when they reach the bench.
"Aha! I'm the quickest man alive. Quicker than lightning. You puny mortals are no match for m-" Inosuke rambles before having a shirt thrown over his face by Tanjiro whose eyes are glued to his cell phone. Both Zenitsu and Inosuke crane their necks to get a look at what has their friend's laser focus. Zenitsu leans into Tanjiro's shoulder, "They still haven't responded about the dance internship?"
Tanjiro has constantly refreshed his inbox with furrowed brows the past three days since he submitted his application to the best dance company in the city. His determination to be the best has led him to countless hours of practice at the expense of his health and oftentimes his fleeting youth. "I'm just being impatient, I know. But it means a lot to me, so I can't help but worry about it."
Inosuke chimes in, still refusing to put a shirt on, "Say the word and I'll break their noses until they take you, Tambourino." Zenitsu softly smiles and squeezes Tanjiro's shoulder as his own form of support as well.
Tanjiro can't help but chuckle softly and smile warmly at his best friends. "Thanks, guys. As long as you're rooting for me I'll be sure to make you proud."
Note: These three are sophomores. Tanjiro's major is dance, Zenitsu's major is computer science, and Inosuke's major is wrestling. More to come!