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Muichirou was going to make sure those three idiots had a nice grave in the ground when he was done with them.
Muichirou sighed, staring at Tanjirou, remembering why he was even here in the first place.
A neighboring school festival was open, the school being known for having amazing school festivities. Hashibira, Agatsuma, and Kamado-San had all wanted to go. Excitedly talking amongst themselves while he watched on with Genya. When Kamado-San noticed their staring she had tried convincing them to come. Muichirou and Genya were firm on not attending. That got complaints from all three of them but he could care less.
That’s when Tanjirou walked in and asked what they were talking about. Agatsuma immediately started his spiel about the school festival that was this weekend. Tanjirou seemed intrigued but hadn’t offered any insight if he was going or not. Kamado-San had chimed in stating it would be fun and a good way to relax. She had also started to pester her brother into going.
Muichirou’s eyes had wandered to stare at Hashibira. Hashibira, who was too busy stealing Tanjirou’s lunch, and Muichirou was not jealous that Hashibira was getting some of Tanjirou’s food. He wasn’t!
Tuning back into the conversation he heard Tanjirou reluctantly agree on going to the festival with the three. He saw the three’s faces when Tanjirou had then turned and asked if he and Genya were also going with a hopeful smile. The three had been smirking, knowing they weren’t getting out of going now.
Muichirou may have no compassion for others at times but he was no monster. So, of course, he replied that he would be going, and because he wasn’t going to suffer alone he had said Genya would also be going along. Genya had made a disgruntled noise beside him but Muichirou’s kept his eyes on Tanjirou.
Tanjirou had given both of them a truly heartwarming smile when hearing they would attend. Muichirou thinks having Genya glare at him and shove an elbow in his ribs was very worth it.
The day of the festival arrived and Muichirou was determined to stay far away from the grander festivities that day. Muichirou had been distracted staring at the clouds when he felt something cold wrap around his wrist. He instinctively flinched away from the coldness, only to have a body collide into him.
Muichirou glared at the body in front of him until he saw those warm red eyes that made him feel fluttery and at ease. His gaze softened as he stared at Tanjirou.
“Sorry, Tokitou-Kun! Zenitsu, Inosuke, and Genya apparently signed us up for this ‘love trial’ thing. The people running the event said they needed more participants and I didn’t mind joining.” Tanjirou explained taking a step back from him. “They said you agreed to join me? Although I’m not sure why Nezuko and Zenitsu didn’t do it instead.”
This was punishment for something, Muichirou was sure of it.
“Do you not want to participate? I could just ask them to give us the key to the cuffs ?” Tanjirou asked him, his excitement gone down. Worry overtook his features as he seemed unsure how to continue. Muichirou figured it couldn’t be bad. So he’s going to give it a go, he can’t avoid his feelings forever after all.
“No, I agreed. I was just lost in thought .”
“Oh! Okay! Well, they gave us a map! We’re supposed to go to these three locations on the map and get clues to where the key might be. It’s more of a scavenger hunt than a love trial!” Tanjirou exclaimed, his happiness reaching Muichirou as he smiled.
“Alright well lead the way.”
Tanjirou turned and started following the map, Muichirou following closely behind.
He stared at his cuffed hand then at the one connected to his companion that just happened to be Tanjirou. It’s not like he didn’t want to be in this situation with Tanjirou but Muichirou would’ve preferred it on his own terms.
Dammit, now how he had to get through this dumb ‘Love Trial’ without exposing his true feelings for Tanjirou. Just because he said he wasn’t avoiding his feelings anymore doesn’t mean Muichirou was going to confess. No chance in hell.
There is some hope for him though. Tanjirou could be oblivious and that just benefited him, in this situation at least.
Muichirou did not want to be like those poor girls who tried to confess to Tanjirou. They’d confess only to realize that Tanjirou didn’t understand they wanted to pursue him romantically.
It was truly a relief most of his competition for Tanjirou’s affections would never actually have it. Muichirou felt a bit vindictive watching the girls get heartbroken but could you blame him? It was only a matter of time before Tanjirou realized what those girls actually meant and when he did Muichirou would have to actually make a move.
Tanjirou had come to a stop staring at a booth that had balloons pinned to a board. There were vast color balloons on the board, other participants of the trial already having a go. This didn’t seem so bad?
Tanjirou pulled him along as he greeted the student working the booth as she gave them their instructions for this trial.
“Good job making it to your first location! Pop all the balloons matching the color on your cuffs to continue! You only get five darts for your five balloons! If you can't succeed you fail your first trial together and are disqualified! If completed you’ll get the clue for your final destination!” The petite girl spoke cheerily handing them their darts. Muichirou looked down at the color on their cuffs, red it is.
“Uwah!! Aren’t you nervous Tokitou-Kun? We can’t mess this up or else we lose!” Tanjirou asked, gripping onto the darts. Well, this was interesting, he could make sure they failed now and have this end quickly. The second option was to see this through to the end. Looking at Tanjirou’s excited face Muichirou knew his choice was already made.
“Then we just have to make sure we don’t mess up then,” Muichirou spoke more confidently than he actually felt. He couldn’t mess this up, not after saying that.
“Yeah! Let’s do this!” Tanjirou cheered as they looked for the balloons they had to pop. Muichirou took two darts and quickly popped the first two, very thankful he managed to pop them. He looked over at Tanjirou who managed to pop two of his very own. Tanjirou turned to face him, his smile still as bright as ever. Muichirou would go blind one of these days just staring at him.
Looking away Muichirou reached for the last dart, his hand touching another. Glancing down he notices he’s Tanjirou is holding Muichirou’s hand that holds the dart. His hand is warm and rough. Muichirou wants to hold Tanjirou’s hand, but would Tanjirou want that? Muichirou looks up to stare at Tanjirou who is looking back at him and Muichirou turns his face away. His cheeks turning red, this is embarrassing.
Tanjirou just wants to complete the trial and here he is thinking unnecessary thoughts. Tanjirou lets go of his hand and Muichirou already misses the warmth.
“Ah, sorry Tokito-Kun. Go ahead and throw it.”
Muichirou huffs pushing away that nice feeling of when their hands touched. Grabbing the dart he quickly pops the balloon as they get congratulations and the clue.
Muichirou barely pays attention as Tanjirou takes them to their next location. He can’t get the feeling of Tanjirou’s hand holding his own out of his mind. He’s going to kill those three idiots for putting him through this. Muichirou will make sure to apologize to Kamado-San for killing her boyfriend.
The second location is a food stall, they take their very big bowl of ramen and sit at one of the tables. Sitting someone comes and explains the rules.
“You must finish the bowl of ramen in the time given! Please try your best and stop if you can’t finish! We wouldn’t want you to become sick!”
Muichirou looks back at the bowl. He can’t eat much but Tanjirou can. They can do this next trial no problem. Turning to Tanjirou he sees him give Muichirou a sheepish smile.
“The hand I eat with is cuffed so you’ll have to feed me Tokiou-Kun. I hope you don’t mind?” Shaking his head to show he doesn’t Tanjirou hands him the chopsticks, he does though! He’s going to be feeding Tanjirou like they're a couple! He very much minds! Especially when he’s enjoying this and Tanjirou probably isn’t!
Taking the chopsticks in his hand Muichirou began the challenge of feeding Tanjirou without combusting into flames on the spot. Tanjirou didn’t talk much while eating and Muichirou doesn’t know if that’s a blessing or not. Tanjirou had also seemed more reserved since the beginning of the trial but that could just be his excitement.
After what felt like forever Tanjirou finally finished before time was up. Tanjirou kept apologizing to Muichirou as if it was an inconvenience. Muichirou didn’t honestly mind feeding Tanjirou, he just wished they were actually together.
After getting their second clue they went to their third location which would give them their final clue to get to their last location.
Their third location was a classroom. The students running this event gave them the instructions; they had to find the item on the notecard given to them then answer the question that came with the item correctly to continue. The task seemed simple enough.
Soon enough Tanjirou and Muichirou entered the classroom filled with items and other people trying to find their object. The silence continued to fill their search with couples laughter in the background as their white noise.
“Tokitou-Kun... I hope I didn’t overstep any boundaries during the last event.” Tanjirou broke the silence. Muichirou kept focused on the task of searching for the stupid teddy bear. This whole thing was stupid! Muichirou should’ve ended this in their first objective. It would have saved both of them from this mess.
“You didn’t overstep any boundary I didn’t want you to.” Muichirou should just keep quiet. He had been doing so well but going through this just made him sure he couldn’t avoid the way he felt any longer.
“Ah, I’m glad then.” Tanjirou seemed relieved and that’s what mattered. Tanjirou being happy.
“Tokitou-Kun, look!” Muichirou turned and saw Tanjirou holding the bear in his hands. Time for their final clue.
After Muichirou answered the question they got their final clue and Tanjirou seemed to know where to go. Tanjirou led Muichirou much like he had done through this whole trial. Muichirou was just glad it was finally over. As much as he enjoyed their time together, Muichirou wanted to do this again when he wasn’t forcibly chained to Tanjirou. Muichirou would go on an actual date with Tanjirou when he confessed. Whenever that was.
Their last location was a large fountain in the middle of a quad where other couples faced their last challenge.
“Welcome! You made it to your last trial congratulations! All you have to do now is name three things you love about your partner and you’ll get the key!”
Muichirou choked on his spit. Well, there goes his life! Might as well take his dignity and dive into the fountain when Tanjirou politely rejects him. He stared at Tanjirou, he seemed to be hyping himself for something. Muichirou guesses Tanjirou will just name three things he values in him as a friend. Muichirou will just follow his lead.
Tanjirou looked straight into his eyes, determination lighting Tanjirou’s eyes.
“I love how Tokitou-Kun always helps me even if it’s a major inconvenience to him.” Tanjirou starts and Muichirou supposes he could’ve said some generic bullshit like his eyes.
“I also love how Tokitou-Kun never fails to make me happy and warm inside when we spend time together. Like today!” Tanjirou continued his hands reaching out and taking Muichirou’s hands into his own. If Muichirou didn’t know any better this sounded like a love confession, but that couldn’t be. Tanjirou just saw him as a friend. Right?
“And most important,” Tanjirou squeezed Muichirou’s hands. “I love you Muichirou.”
The words repeated in his head. ‘I love you Muichirou’
After staring blankly for a while it seemed the words finally registered in his mind.
oh, Tanjirou loves him.
wait...
OH, Kamado freaking Tanjirou loves him???
Muichirou stared into Tanjirou trying to spot the lie, No way. Things liked this did not happen to him. They just didn’t! The longer he stared at Tanjirou though the only thing he could find was growing anxiousness.
It seemed like Tanjirou did love him. That alone sent a wave of euphoria through him. Muichirou could now die happy.
Smiling up at Tanjirou, he sees the nervousness Tanjirou had when confessing slowly dissipating as Tanjirou realizes he doesn’t hate him for his confession.
“My turn,” Muichirou states firmly holding onto Tanjirou’s hands as a reassurance he won’t run away. Not this time. “I love Tanjirou’s way of smiling and doing his best in everything even if he might get in trouble sometimes.”
Tanjirou sputters trying to deny it, causing Muichirou to laugh.
“I also love Tanjirou when he pays attention to me and tries to cheer me up when I have my bad days.” Muichirou continues getting ready for his confession. Well here goes, “And I love you Kamado Tanjirou.”
Tanjirou is quiet for a moment, neither of them say anything. Muichirou is about to take back his confession when he feels Tanjirou’s lips on his own. Tanjirou’s lips are chapped and taste a bit like the ramen he ate earlier but Muichirou doesn’t care. It’s perfect for him and he’d gladly go through those stupid love trials again if it meant getting this ending.
Muichirou can’t help his smile as he feels Tanjirou’s lips leave his own. This, he wouldn’t trade this for anything. He guesses he’ll just have to thank the three idiots for putting him through this.