Work Text:
“I am not like the rest of you” those were the last words Tomioka said before leaving the room, it wouldn’t be the first time the water Hashira did something like this, and it irritated Sanemi to no end.
Had he not been stopped by Himejima, the wind Hashira would have fought the bastard until he offered a decent answer. Now more than ever, with one of them dead in battle and another who was forced to retire, the Hashiras needed to work together in an attempt to awaken the “slayer mark” and if even someone as stubborn as Sanemi could understand it why Tomioka couldn’t?
“Just who does he think he is?”
“I know but I don’t pretend it's worth enough to go after him” Obanai clearly done with the whole Tomioka situation, and honestly Sanemi should follow his example, they had better things to than wasting their time on someone who believed to be above everyone else.
“Well I will” even so, Sanemi couldn’t help himself and without anything else to say he went right after the person who, more often than not, infected his mind like a parasite.
That was the thing about Tomioka. He would create his own form of breathing becoming one of the few in achieving it. He would disappear to save a kid and his demon sister then go unpunished for breaking a slayer’s most important rule. He would put his life on the line for said demon when no other Hashira would. He would leave a meeting with no further explanation even when their leader was on the verge of death.
The man was a walking mystery and Sanemi was done with trying to decipher him, it would have been ten times easier to go and break every bone on the other’s body. Unfortunately, they didn’t have the luxury of getting rid of someone as strong as Tomioka just because he was being an obnoxious bastard, then again Sanemi may not have the right to say that but that was beside the point.
“Tomioka!” The point was, he deserved an explanation.
At the very least, he had the decency to stop walking.
“Shinazugawa?”
“You and I are gonna fight.”
“I disagree.”
“Not this time idiot. I’m tired of this attitude of yours.”
Tomioka had the audacity of looking confused so Sanemi had to clarify himself “You always do this. Always act like you are better that all of us, well, fight me and prove it”
“You are mistaken. And I guarantee you there is no reason for us to fight, now if you excuse me” he said with the intention of leaving the place, Sanemi attacked him, but Giyuu dogged him with no trouble, his stoic expression never betraying him.
“It would be unwise to waste energy for no reason. You should rest, your training starts tomorrow.”
Tomioka was gone before Sanemi could say anything else.
“Just as I expected” said the snake Hashira who witnessed the whole scene.
“Shut it Obanai”
“I just don’t get why you even bother, we don’t need him”
Sanemi wouldn’t let his pride cloud his judgment, unlock the slayer mark was their priority and he doubted training with a bunch of weaklings could be any help, they needed to fight an upper moon in order to do that -at least it had been that way for Mitsuri and Tokito- and the closest they could get was fighting another Hashira. Tomioka was strong he could help, Sanemi refused to accept his rejection.
“We do”
Obanai wasn’t convinced, it would be better for them if Tomioka would be willing to help, that was true, but this was nothing out of the ordinary. For some reason, the water Hashira has always been a reserved person, he never participated in meetings and most of the time he trained on his own. It was a little frustrating to say the least, however, Iguro believed that even when he and Sanemi were irritated by the same person, it wasn’t for the same reason.
For Obanai, it was the constant indifference; Tomioka was strong and reliable and it was always a blessing to have him and his absolute defense in the battlefield, he was quiet, something Obanai appreciated to a certain level if it wasn’t for his constant apathy, somehow he managed to look bored still in battle and not even Tengen or Kyojuro -may he rest in peace- had ever succeed in getting more than a few words from the man.
At first, he thought it was the same for Sanemi, and while he was partially right, Iguro suspected there was something else. For someone who claimed to dislike the stoic guy so much, Sanemi constantly brought him in conversations even if it weren’t exactly related to him, he would also challenge him to fight, and yes Sanemi did that with almost everyone -nothing to be surprised- yet there was something peculiar about his insistence, as if Giyuu Tomioka was ceaselessly occupying his friend’s thoughts.
Of course, he was smart enough to never mention it but Iguro was sure he wasn't the only one who had noticed it.
Which is precisely why Iguro wasn’t surprised when the next morning Sanemi was, once again, complaining about how unfair it was that Tomioka was the only one who refused to participate in the training.
“I swear if that fucker has figure it out another way of getting the mark I will kill him”
“Doubtful”
“But not impossible”
“Maybe. Shall we continue our training? I don’t have much time left, I promised Kanroji I would help her with something”
“Then leave, we can resume this later”
“What about you?”
“Pretty sure it’s gonna take a while before any of those useless idiots get to my part of the training”
“Very well then”
The what are you going to do now went unsaid, but Iguru didn’t need to ask, if there was something that characterized him was his stubbornness.
.
“What on Earth are you doing here?”
“I need to talk with Giyuu-san”
“Well so do I, now leave”
“I’m sorry but I’m afraid I can’t do that, besides I was here first”
He has to recognize him, this kid is something else, but unluckily for him, Sanemi is not a very patient person and he is willing to ignore his wounds and kick him to the next mountain if that means he can talk and or fight with Tomioka.
“Tanjiro” Speaking of the devil.
“Giyuu-san!”
“I’m here too idiot!”
“I’m aware Shinazugawa but for my own sake I need to talk with Tanjiro first, whatever you have to say can wait”
“Giyuu-san may I come in?”
“You have been calling me for the last ten minutes, so sure”
The little idiot made himself at home and Tomioka allowed it. Dealing with his arrogance disguised as indifference was one thing, him prioritizing the punk over him was a different level of insulting.
“Listen you-”
“As I said before, there is nothing to talk about. We are not equals and we’ll never be, I would appreciate if you accept it already, it’s bad enough to deal with his insistence.”
That was the most words Tomioka has ever said to him, Sanemi would have been impressed if he weren’t so pissed about the current situation and while he had no intentions of giving up so easily, he decided he could wait a little more, after all he respects him enough not to break into his house -besides he can't guarantee he won't kill the kid and he would rather not deal with the consequences of that-.
However, as days went by, Sanemi realized talking to Tomioka or even approaching him was ridiculously complicated since, for some reason, the brat known as Kamado Tanjiro refused to leave his side at any moment. It was no secret that the idiot had some kind of loyalty and adoration but this was getting out of hand.
Now, while he was at his usual training with Iguru and their new partner Tokito, Sanemi was aware he was being more careless than usual, a fact he wasn't proud of.
“I didn’t think you will be able of not being focus on battle”
“Yeah, it’s something wrong?”
“None of your business!”
“You sure?” The worried tone on the younger Hashira was still something new, after whatever that had happened during his last mission, Tokito was more expressive, it was a welcomed change and Sanemi appreciated the concern, that being said, the last thing he needed was more people knowing about the origin of distress.
“Don’t tell me it’s because of Tomioka” answered Iguru, as if he could read his mind.
“Tomioka?” the younger Hashira asked and while he had the right to be confused, Sanemi had no intention of explaining.
“Forget it”
“No. Let’s talk about it, you have been more obsessed than usual”
“The fuck you mean” on normal circumstances, Sanemi would apologize for cursing in front of the younger man, even he has his limits and Hashira or not Tokito did nothing to blame. Iguro on the other hand was a different story. He was a good man, Sanemi would even call him his best friend so why was he acting as an enemy now.
“Obanai is right, you are always weird about him. What happened now?” Even when he made the question, Tokito managed to dodge Sanemi’s attack and go after Iguru, the kid was something special.
And what does he mean by always being weird about Tomioka?
“Are we just gonna ignore him? I know he has always been a bastard but he doesn’t have the right of getting away with something as crucial as this”
Wind Breathing, second Form: Claws-Purifying Wind
As expected, both of them dodged him with no trouble yet they both stopped fighting. It was their silent way of asking him to elaborate on the matter. It was a fair petition, training was useless if they weren’t giving their all and Sanemi had already proved to be ashamedly distracted.
The problem was he didn’t know why was he getting so overworked by this.
On a surface level it was obvious. He was tired of the whole I’m different bullshit. Sanemi would rather fight every single upper moon and Muzan on his own than admit it, but he truly respected Giyuu; his swordsmanship is nearly unmatched among them, his calmness allowed him to kill with ease to the point that demons were probably grateful of being murdered by his sword, he executed every technique in a way that was almost poetic, Sanemi couldn’t prove it but he genuinely believed no one has ever mastered water breathing as Giyuu. He was the exact opposite of him yet Sanemi recognized as an equal.
His frustration would have made sense if this was the only reason behind it, yet even then it wouldn’t explain why he refused to accept his rejection.
There was something else, something Sanemi couldn't process let alone put in words, he didn't know how to name this feeling so due to lack of a better term, he would call it worry. It goes against everything he is, not that he doesn't care about the rest of Hashiras but he knows how capable they are. This is different though, this time they are preparing for their final battle and maybe not all of them will survive. Tomioka is strong, definitely one of their best members, he easily is one of competent slayers and clearly superior to other Hashira even if without the mark, Giyuu Tomioka is the last person he should be worried about.
However, they also believed they didn't need to worry about Tengen or Kyujuru yet one of them was forced to retire and the other ended up dead, the upper moon proved to be worse than they had ever anticipated. It had been a miracle that Mitsuri and Tokito won the battle with all their limbs. They may not be so lucky this time and the idea of losing Giyuu exasperated to no end. No, Sanemi couldn't tolerate the thought of any one else getting killed, but for reasons beyond his comprehension, with Tomioka was different.
Now you're agreeing with him.
“Let’s continue tomorrow shall we” it was atypical of him to postpone a good fight, yet he knew there was no point if he wasn't giving his best.
“Fine by me” said Tokito.
“As you please” agreed Obanai.
With each passing day Sanemi's annoyment did little to disappear, not only wasn't he getting any closer to unlock the mark but the weaklings at his territory kept growing in number, how any of them managed to pass Tengen was beyond him but one thing was clear, none of them would survive a lower moon, let alone Muzan.
This is just a waste of time.
“Shinazugawa” a familiar voice called him and for a minute Sanemi though he was imagining it “I will be joining to the Hashira's training”
Could it be? After so long he finally realized his mistake? This was way too good to be true.
“Finally!” Why was he so excited about this “fight me” whatever, he had been waiting for this moment.
“I won't hold back”
“I'll kill you if you would”
Even if they weren't using their real weapons they were giving their all. Well, Sanemi was, Tomioka looked as indifferent as always, but it hardly mattered, this was everything he wanted.
“Could you be any slower?!” As expected, Tomioka didn't react to any of his provocations.
Water breathing, fourth form: striking tide.
Magnificent It wasn't the first time Sanemi saw Tomioka’s technique, but he was amazed every time. It was nothing like his own, while his style was wild and unpredictable, Giyuu's was calm and beautiful, subtle yet lethal, it was delightful and Sanemi would never get tired of it, if anything, he wishes this was a serious combat so he could see Giuy’s own creation in person, death calm he called it, Sanemi has only witnessed it once and he was perplexed by the elegance behind it, Tomioka managed to make poetry with every single on his techniques and Sanemi couldn’t help but admire him because of it.
It was such a shame they were using fake katanas, they weren’t made to fit their power, not even a fraction of it, and both of them broke sooner than expected. Sanemi didn’t mind get on physical terms if necessary, maybe this way he could finally get a reaction from Giyuu whose calm expression refused to abandon him even in the heat of a fight, was he even tired? Was he really trying? Sanemi was dying to know, he craved to see any trace of emotion on the other.
Of course, that’s when someone decided to appear an interrump his valuable time with the water Hashira. Not any someone, it was Tanjiro Kamado, the one who did. This brat will be the end of his existence.
Sanemi couldn’t decide what angered him more, the fact that he was protecting Tomioka, as if Giyuu was the kind of person who needed assistance, or the fact that the kid thought he could do anything against Sanemi. Sure he wasn’t an ordinary kid, and he wasn’t weak by any means, but he didn’t have a chance against him in a real battle.
And no, the time he managed to headbutt him doesn't count.
“Are you fighting over red bean mochi?”
Now what the hell is this bastard talking about?
“You love red bean mochi right Shinazugawa-san?”
What does this have to do with anything?
And why Tomioka isn't doing anything to stop his rambling?
“Shinazugawa, you like red bean mochi?”
Is that what you’re focusing on?
Alright, embarrassing him in front of Tomioka, that's what angered him the most right now. It shouldn’t be so important it’s just food, but Tomioka discovering something private about him shies him for some reason, so he wastes no time and punches the reason of headache out of his house, if he is lucky enough the kid would wake up without the ability to talk.
“Is that a no?”
Why are you still here?
“Because I thought he could go and it something after our fight is over”
“You-” what?
“But if you don’t like it we can eat some Sake Daikon”
“That’s your favorite food, red bean mochi is mine!”
“You remember it?” Tomioka asked with a subtle change in his voice, as if was genuinely surprised about this.
And honestly how could Sanemi forget? It’s something Sanemi learned against his will; long ago, Ubuyashiki-sama had been worried about the idiot in front of him, and he asked the rest of Hashiras to make Tomioka smile, it was a strange petition but anything for the master. In the end they all failed, even Sanami, who in order to succeed had accepted Shinobu’s suggestion, invited Tomioka to eat his favorite food, why the insect Hashira didn’t invite him herself was a mystery Sanemi had no intention in solving. Tomioka rejected the offer and Sanemi swore he would never do anything so stupid again, yet the knowledge of Tomioka’s favorite dish never left his mind.
“Listen, lets just resume our-”
“So you wanna eat with me later?”
Was he even listening? No, of course he didn’t, he had better things to do and- “yeah sure, why not?”
“Great. I just need to check on Tanjiro, then we can go.”
The water Hashira left before Sanemi could say anything else. Not like he had anything to say to begin with.
What the fuck happened?
.
Sanemi was a lot of things, but he was loyal to his word after all, and while he didn’t know what possessed him to accept this, he isn’t gonna chicken now.
“Shinazugawa” to his disgrace the bastard was already here, he thought he could have some time on his own, maybe that would have prepared him for the view in front of him.
“What happened to your haori?”
“Oh, Tanjiro got hurt so I gave him so he could be more comfortable. He’s awake now but I leave it with him in case he needed it”
That was really sweet of him, not that he cared. So what if this was the first time in his life he saw Giyuu without his haori, why was he looking at him so much?
“I already order for both of us, they should bring your order soon”
And just like Giyuu’s words had invoked it, a waiter appeared with a dish for him.
“Your Sake Daikon sir, the mochis will be ready soon”
“I order this just me, hope you don’t mind”
“Why would I?”
Tomioka was unusually talkative, maybe he had underestimated how much he liked food. Soon they were in silence, until they brought Sanemi’s mochi, something he appreciated since clearly none of them were good with small talk.
Perhaps it was because how weird -not in a bad way- Tomioka looked without his haori, but Sanemi could take his eyes away from him.
Seriously, why am I here?
He was about to ask Giyuu why he insisted on inviting him when he noticed it. It was subtle, so much that he would have missed it if he blinked, still Sanemi saw it, Tomioka was smiling. It was barely a movement of his lip, yet for someone as inexpressive as Tomioka, it was impossible not to perceive the change.
For Sanemi it was the first time he had ever seen his smile, but it wasn’t something he would be able to forget. It was small and just as discrete as everything he did but-
You’re beautiful when you smile.
Sanemi choked with his food the moment the thought appeared on his mind, luckily for him Tomioka was unaware of his troubled mind, he simply offered a glass of water, which Sanemi accepted.
Now what the fuck was that. Sure, his smile was beautiful, it was a fact, as Himejima being the strongest of them, that was not for debate, and neither was the fact that Tomioka was pretty right? It was just logical, everything he did was marvelously executed with grace and he, himself, was a handsome man.
So it was only logical to admit his smile was pleasing to the sight right?
For fuck sake man get a grip, you sound like Iguru when he realized he had a crush on Mitsuri.
Wait.
Oh.
Oh fuck.
“Iguru I need a favor” they both were as their usual training and Sanemi was grateful that there were just the two of them, he didn’t need Muichiro or anyone else involved.
“Sure”
“Hit me as hard as you can”
Obanai looked confused at his petition but complied anyway.
It wasn’t that bad, Obanai wasn’t as strong as him so Sanemi could easily win a physical fight -as in swordness Sanemi would admit his defeat but that was not important now- even so, it was enough to confirm his fears.
He wasn´t dreaming.
“May I ask what was that about?” He lowered his sword and sat next to him.
Sanemi debated for a second if he should tell him or not. He didn’t want to talk about it, hell he was still processing this epiphany, but he needed to say it out loud, just to be sure he wasn’t crazy.
“Don’t laugh"
Iguro said nothing and nodded.
Sanemi took a deep breath so he could put in words his thoughts “I think I like Tomioka.”
He was not the kind of person who opened with others, he didn't show vulnerability and he rarely talked about his feelings, so he wasn't sure how to proceed from here. His friend was silent for a while, Sanemi was waiting for anything, mockery even, but he couldn't handle silence.
Finally after what felt like an eternity Iguro spoke “I see, makes sense”
“What?”
“You truly don't realize how often you mention him do you?”
Sanemi could feel a shy blush taking over him “shut up”.
Kaburamaru smiled which means Iguro is probably doing the same.
“I thought it was because we hated him”
“No. We hate demons, I dislike the guy, you my friend are unable to not bring him up in one way or another every time we talk. The last few weeks have been a new record.”
Sanemi has never complained about Iguro's constant adoration towards Mitsuri, although he secretly wishes his friend just shut up and confessed, he wonders if that's how Iguru felt about him.
“How long have you known?”
“I’m the one who should ask that”
“Yeah well, apparently you noticed way before me” at this point Sanemi was unable to look at his friend -or his snake- in the eyes, but he was quite desperate for a confirmation.
“I can't tell. I just knew that if you hated Tomioka as much as you claimed, then you would avoid talking about him so often.”
It was a fair point. He didn't talk about demons unless he discovered something new -and that was usually not his job, he just killed them, investigation was Shinobu's area-, he eluded anything related to Tanjiro except for the times he did something particularly stupid. Tomioka, on the other hand, was someone he frequently acknowledged.
“Like he lives in your head”
“Alright dude, if you can read minds just say it”
His friend had the audacity to laugh.
“I'll kill you”
“Sure you will” he paused for a second and when the wind Hashira didn't talk, he realized he had to ask “So?”
“What are you talking about?”
“When did you realize?”
“You have made a fool of myself for a lifetime already”
“You did that to yourself. Seriously, what did you see in that man?”
Now he was just messing with him, as much as Obanai loathed Tomioka, he respected him, in fact part of the reason Iguru couldn't stand him was he hated how someone so apathetic could be stronger than him. So no, Sanemi wouldn't embarrass himself by listing everything he admired about his recently discovered crush.
“I saw him smile” he answered instead, it was the last piece of information he was willing to give.
“That's quite an accomplishment” Iguru said but was talking more about Tomioka himself, it was amazing how just the memory of his smile was enough to make his friend happy.
I wish you well. It went unsaid, but Iguro hoped whatever Sanemi was planning to do worked for him. He wasn't worried about his beloved being as dense as a brick -if there was someone who could handle him maybe that was Tomioka- but it's been a while since his friend fell for someone. The last time that happened, not only it was someone completely different from Tomioka -for starts, that time it was a woman so Iguru never even conceived the possibility of him liking a man, not that he was judging or anything, it was just unexpected- but it also ended in a tragedy; the poor lady was cruelly killed and Sanemi never was able to confess his love for her.
While he was never and he will never be fond of the water Hashira, he knew deep down he was a good man, so hopefully he would return his friend's feelings.
.
Sanemi had a hunch and it wasn't anything good. Perhaps it was just him being paranoid, however, these last weeks have been unusually calm, and considering how in the last past year they have been dealing with more upper moons than ever it was obvious something bad was about to happen.
Maybe that's what motivates him to walk right to Tomioka's residence. He is being impulsive, he knows it, and if he's being honest, he would rather go home and rest, he can do this after they defeat Muzan. Except, he doesn't have any guarantee they will survive, their days are counted and Sanemi doesn't want to have any regrets. As a Hashira, the higher rank between the slayers, his duty is to kill every demon he can and sometimes that means losing your life in the process. Sanemi trusts his strength, he believes he will make it out alive, but if he doesn't, then that means this is last chance.
“Shinazugawa?” He asks almost immediately after he called at his door.
Sanemi already regrets doing this, he doesn't even know how to start.
“Did something happen?”
“Of course” not really “the last time you left without finishing our battle!” again, not exactly how he planned to begin.
“Technically it was a tie, and our swords broke”
“I reject that result!”
“Shinazugawa” he sighed “look I know we are not equals, I'm working on being worthy of calling myself a Hashira but you don't need to come so late at night to remind me”
What? No, this couldn't be right.
“Hold up, what do you mean by that?”
“That we should rest, it's almost midnight-”
“Not that idiot, the other thing”
“Oh”
He tried to calmly wait, but as seconds passed and Giyuu didn't explain himself, Sanemi was slowly losing his patience.
“Well?”
“What?”
Why do I like him?
“What the hell do you mean by being worthy of calling yourself a Hashira?”
“Oh. I have said more than once I'm not like the rest of you, I don't know why are you acting like this all of a sudden.”
You are mistaken Tomioka said once after Sanemi called him out for his shitty attitude, at that time he thought it was mere arrogance, now it seemed the opposite. He just couldn't believe it, there was no way in hell this guy could be that blind.
“Alright listen up cause I have no intention of saying this twice” Sanemi said with more anger than intended but he didn't care “you're amazing and I can't believe you're so stupid to think otherwise. You know how relieved everyone is when you're on the battlefield? You're the death calm itself, you're efficient, quick, you have made killing an art with how impressive your techniques are, no breathing form is designed to be beautiful yet you somehow make it possible. For fuck sake, even demons desire to be perish under your sword. So don't give me bullshit about being worthy or whatever, do you think I would have fallen in love if you weren't? Don't insult me like that” he paused for a little, just enough to calm his heart beat and his frenetic voice, then he continued “So yes, you're different but not for the reasons you're thinking”.
Only now he dared to look at Giyuu's eyes and he wasn't sure what he expected but it was not the sudden shock and tenderness he found in them. It was too much yet not enough, but he had said a lot already.
“You- you like me too?” Tomioka asked in total disbelief and Sanemi's first instinct was to scream, because of course he only focused on that instead of everything else. Then it hit him.
“Too you say?” He should be ashamed of how fragile his voice sounded but he had more important things to focus on.
There were a million questions inside his head, this was just too good for him and life hadn't been exactly kind to him.
Was this a joke? No, this was not Tomioka's nature, someone who forgave a demon's life wouldn't be so cruel.
Neither of them were good with words, and Sanemi would wait forever until Tomioka found something else to say.
He was not a patient person.
No sooner had he made his mind, when he was grabbing Giyuu's face with his hands, he searched for any sign of rejection, anything that warned him to stop and when he didn't find it, he decided to take his shot.
He kissed Tomioka, he tried to be as gentle as possible, he wanted to put all his feelings in this.
It was a chaste and short kiss, and it ended sooner that he would have liked it. But Sanemi wanted an answer, he needed to know if Giyuu meant what he said.
“Sanemi” he said with a calm voice yet his face revealed something else. Tomioka was blushing, it was a divine sight, it would have been enough to kiss him again if not for one little detail, this was the first time ever that Tomioka used his first name.
He could believe how something like that could excite him so much, he probably was mirroring Tomioka's blush but he didn't have the energy to care, he only wanted to listen to whatever he wanted to say.
Tomioka surprised him again -although he should have expected it, giving how bad the other was with words- by kissing him again, it was a little deeper this time and Sanemi knew he would be ruined forever, there was no way he would be able to kiss someone else, not after knowing how Giyuu's lips feels against his, he can't resist the temptation of biting them and suddenly Tomioka is holding by the shoulders. It's better than anything Sanemi could have ever imagined, he doesn't even have the words to describe the pressure in his chest, like his heart was about to get off his body, like he will burn alive. He pushes Tomioka a little so his head hits the door and only now realizing that he never closed it so they both stumble into the entryway, which is what finally makes them stop their make-out session.
Their breaths are fast and none of them are able to say anything, both of them afraid of ruining the moment.
“Hey” even so, and as much as it scares him to say something wrong, he needs to be sure. Luckily, Giyuu and him seem to be on the same page for once.
“I've liked you for a while, and I wanted to get closer to you but I didn't know how” Tomioka says. Sanemi wants to kick him and then himself because how the hell were both of them so oblivious.
“If you kissed me like this you would have me on my knees”
Tomioka blushes harder and Sanemi can't hide the satisfaction that brings him to break that stoic phase of his.
Show me more. Let me see what other expressions you can make.
Only to me.
“I could not have done it. You made clear you hate me”
“My tongue was in your mouth, and I confess my love for you, I clearly don't hate you”
“And I know that know, but I knew what you and Iguru said about me, it made me sad sometimes”
New plan, he would punch Obanai and himself after this.
“I would make it up” and he was serious, it was obvious they have a lot of work to do if they wanted this -whatever it was- worked. Apparently it was the right thing to say cause Tomioka was smiling, and unlike the last time, this was not an involuntary action that he got lucky to see, this was a smile dedicated exclusively to him.
“Yeah okay” and for Sanemi that was more than enough.
He could worry about Muzan and the upper moons later, this moment belonged to them and no one else.
Little did they know this would be the last time they could enjoy real peace. The next night an explosion happened and while no one wanted to say it they all knew what it meant, their dear master was dead.
No one had the chance to mourn him since the demon king, Muzan himself was right in front of them and right when they were about to fight him the floor opened under them, sending them to an unknown nightmare.
At that moment, between all the pain and agony Sanemi felt, there was one clear thought…
Let not this be the first time you and I won't survive a battle my love.