Chapter Text
“Iguro… did we win?”
Unable to speak, Obanai’s mind flashed through the last few moments; Muzan was dead. He thought of everyone from that night: Ubuyashiki, Yushiro, the corps, all the hashira… And Tanjiro. It was only because of that Kamado kid that he had lasted this long. No, wait, it was thanks to all of them that he was still here. A small cough brought his attention back to the girl in his arms. Her voice sounded so distant, like she was nothing more than a spirit. He was already feeling his own spirit slipping away. Mitsuri…
“Yes, we won. Muzan is dead.”
“Oh...that’s good.”
He looked down at Mitsuri. Her pink hair had fallen uncharacteristically out of her usual braids and she was soaked in blood. He was too. Staring to the distance, she spoke again.
“I don’t feel any pain, so…I guess I’m dying. I’m sorry I wasn’t much use in the fight.”
“No, that isn’t true. Please don’t say that.”
Her eyes, no longer shining, rolled over to meet his. “Do you remember the first day we met? I was lost at the mansion and you helped me.”
Obanai paused. The topic was so abrupt it snapped him back to reality for a moment. Of course he remembered that day. How could he ever forget? She talked about her cats and her favorite foods the whole time while he nodded along, listening to every word. She was different from anyone else he had met; she was so bubbly and kind.
“No, it’s the other way around. You helped me. I enjoyed talking to you and was happy to feel like a normal boy. Your bottomless cheerfulness and kindness has helped many people, so you should be proud. I would never let anyone say otherwise.”
Mitsuri fell into a fit of coughs and hiccups. For a moment she sounded a little less distant. “Ah! I’m so happy. I…care about you so much, Iguro. Meals always tasted best when I was with you, because you looked at me with so much affection.” Tears mixed with blood as they began to stream down her cheeks. “Iguro, please, if we’re reborn and we come back as humans…can I be your bride?”
“Yes, of course, if you will agree to have me. And this time I will make you happy and protect you so you don’t die.”
He watched as a tear fell down from his own face onto hers; she was no longer moving. She’s gone. He took in a small breath. It’s so quiet.
•••
It was a warm day for early March and Obanai sat on a sturdy branch in a tree, away from the bustling streets. He held his sketchbook in his lap while he drew a snake. He’d never been close to one before, but something about it felt right. This was how he spent most days, alone and content with his drawings.
It was quiet except for the distant mumble of the town, until a bubbly, and much closer, voice called out, “Excuse me!”
“Tch.” Obanai did not want to engage in any sort of conversation.
“Heyooo! You, up there in the tree!”
So, she wasn’t going to give up. Obanai begrudgingly looked down at the girl in acknowledgement. She had bright pink hair with green tips that bounced when she moved and wore a long dress, which was also green. She held a small pink box in one hand. The whole thing was ridiculous really; the girl looked like a human watermelon. She noticed his glance and waved to him.
“Hello! My name is Mitsuri! I’m a bit lost looking for this popular tea shop, do you know if it’s nearby? I’ve been looking for it forever!”
Tch, she must not be from around here.
“There’s only one tea shop around here, you should find it if you...” He began to tell her the way to the shop, but as he was speaking he noticed the enthusiasm in her eyes turn to confusion.
Ah. Of course she’s not good with directions.
He sighed. “Do you want me to just show you the way?”
Practically jumping with excitement, she quickly nodded. Obanai shut his sketchbook and hopped down the tree. Why he was even bothering, he didn’t know. There was something about the girl, he felt he couldn’t just ignore her. At least he didn’t have to do much talking. It was about a twenty minute walk and after Obanai introduced himself, Mitsuri rambled on the whole time about her cats (she has four of them) and sweets (the box she was holding had her favorite sakura mochi in it).
They approached the tea shop as Mitsuri had been telling Obanai about how excited she was, having just moved to the area. She interrupted herself with a happy gasp. “Oh, there it is! Thank you so much for taking me!”
She began skipping ahead to the shop before she turned back and practically shoved her mochi box at Obanai. “Here, there’s one left. Take it!” She handed it to him so assertively he didn’t know how to decline. He took the box and she started running ahead calling back, “You’re really nice, Obanai. I hope I see you again!”
Obanai was at a loss for words. That girl was so bizarre, and not to mention exhausting. Though, there was something about her that was familiar but he couldn’t quite place it. Still, he wasn’t sure if he wanted to have to deal with her again. He looked down at the pink box in his hands and frowned. He didn’t know why he took it; he wasn’t one for sweets.
•••
It’s a couple weeks later and the cherry trees are in full pink bloom. The air and ground are filled with sakura petals falling like snow. Obanai sits in the tree again, taking in the view. He thinks of Mitsuri and her pink hair. They haven’t seen each other since their first encounter, yet he thinks of her more often than he’d care to say. She must love this time of year...
He had to admit, the thought of her wasn’t as dreadful as he’d first made it out to be. She was cute, if a little ditzy.
As if in response to his thoughts, Obanai suddenly heard a familiar, giggly voice. “Obanai! Hi!”
He stiffened for a moment before returning the greeting with a small wave. Why was he suddenly nervous?
Mitsuri twirled around as a breeze blew a bunch of pink petals around her. “The cherry blossoms are so beautiful aren’t they? I bet it looks dazzling from up there!” She gestured up to where Obanai was sitting.
“Do you want to come up and see?”
Squealing, she asked, “Can I really?” Her face was lit up as she scrambled over, not waiting for a response. Obanai silently cursed himself as he realized what he’d done. Yeah she’s cute, but why did he have to go and invite her to his personal space? As she plopped down on the branch next to him, she took a sharp breath in. The branch wasn’t particularly high up, but it was enough to give a surreal perspective of the area, like you were floating above everyone. Mitsuri was right; it is dazzling up there. “It’s breathtaking, look! The petals look like they’re dancing!”
Her eyes were sparkling and her cheeks had a subtle blush that matched her poofy hair. Obanai found that he preferred looking at her rather than the cherry petals. Mitsuri turned and met his eyes, a smile forming at her mouth. She got so excited over the smallest things. Obanai turned away, directing her attention to some birds below them to hide the blush blossoming on his own cheeks.
They stayed there for some time together, Mitsuri rambling on about anything. Obanai realized that he actually enjoyed listening to her; she talked without ever making him feel obliged to say anything in return. Normally, that’s the part of socializing that he found so irritating. Even when he did respond, he didn’t feel the need to say what he thought she wanted to hear, rather, he could say what he truly thought. It was like she wanted to talk to him simply for the sake of talking to him; she didn’t need to get anything out of it. He felt like he could be himself around her. Obanai closed his eyes and let the world around him melt away as he listened to her gushing over some street cat she likes to feed.
“Obanai!” He opened his eyes abruptly as he heard Mitsuri’s voice. He jumped when he saw her eyes only a few inches from his, but then bit back a smile when he saw two pink petals stuck in her bangs. He leaned up a little to pluck them off and let them flutter down in the breeze. She blushed a little at the sudden closeness before sitting back and saying, “Sorry! You zoned out for a minute there, I thought you might’ve fallen asleep.”
He thinks he might’ve fallen asleep too. The sun was lower in the sky than he remembered and he was feeling a little groggy. Once Mitsuri saw him fully awake again she continued talking. “Oh yeah I’ve been meaning to ask you! What’s that little book you carry around?” She gestured to the black sketchbook that had been in Obanai’s lap.
“Oh, it’s just my sketchbook,” he told her, but immediately regretted it when he saw her face light up. He knew what she was going to ask next. “No, I don't want to show you my drawings.”
In truth, he didn’t want to show her not because he thought she would criticize him, but rather it was just something personal to him. It was more like his diary, but without any words. But if Obanai had learned one thing about Mitsuri so far, it was that she was stubborn.
“Oh, come on, just show me one! Please?” He glared at her. “Pretty pleeease?”
He groaned and he knew he wasn’t going to win this. His heart was already giving out to that eager look in her eyes. Maybe just one wouldn’t hurt…
She squealed as he started flipping through the pages for something to show her. He stopped on a page he had done a couple of weeks ago. This one should be ok. He took a deep breath to calm his nerves before turning the book to hand it to her. He had never shown any of his drawings to someone before.
He watched as her eyes sparkled at the sight of his work. He often drew snakes, but this was one he was particularly proud of; it was a picture of a serpent with a butterfly perched delicately atop its head. He chose this one because he was proud of it, but also because it reminded him of Mitsuri. After all, he had drawn it not too long after meeting her. A sincere smile crept on her lips as she said, “Woah, Obanai, this is beautiful! Seriously,” she added as she saw the hints of doubt creep onto his face.
Mitsuri gently traced her finger around the butterfly. Obanai was scared she was going to start flipping through the other pages, but she just handed it back to him. Relief flooded him as he took back the book, taking one last glance at the sketch before shutting it.
She stared at him intently before saying, “You’re a really interesting guy, Obanai.”
“Er- thanks?” He wasn’t sure if that was a compliment or not. She just smiled gently at him so he figured she meant no malice. As she stared at him for a moment longer, he felt another blush rising up his neck. What is this?
Turning away she abruptly says, “Well, it’s getting late. I was only supposed to be going for a walk earlier. I should probably go!”
Obanai blinked and was suddenly aware of the world around him again. He was so focused on Mitsuri that he didn’t notice the sun was already beginning to sink below the mountains on the horizon. “Oh, yeah…it’ll be dark soon.” Was he actually disappointed that she was leaving?
She smiled again and turned to jump back down to the ground but Obanai interrupted her. “Wait.”
He picked up a small twig that had fallen beside him. It had two sakura flowers sprouting out the top. Acting on impulse, he leaned towards Mitsuri and plucked it in her hair, behind her ear. She looked at him like she was about to explode. She tried to neutralize her expression with a small smile, but she couldn’t stop her cheeks growing pink. “They match your hair.”
“Thank you,” she managed to blurt out before jumping down. Safe on the ground, she called up one last time. “I really like being with you Obanai! I’ll see you again!”
He waved as she turned and started walking away. Once she was out of sight he cringed at himself for doing such a dumb thing. It was like when he invited her up there in the first place; he couldn’t stop himself in time. She definitely thinks you’re a weirdo now. But still, he couldn’t stop thinking about her little smiles and blushes over the smallest things. ”You’re a really interesting guy, Obanai.” What did she mean by that? And does she really enjoy being with him? She could just be saying that…but still, he really hoped she meant it.
Damn it. Why was he even thinking about this?
Regardless of what he thought, Mitsuri appeared much more often to sit with Obanai in the tree after that. He didn’t mind at all.