Chapter Text
As the dark curtain of the night sky slowly gave way to the mesmerizing twilight, the slumbering city of Tokyo and its citizens arose from their rest. The streets were quickly filled with concerned workers and sleepy students who were rushing to their destinations. Even though everyone was either caught up in their own stress or glued to their phones, the initial cherry blossoms ignited a spark of joy and the excitement for the full bloom that was to come.
Meanwhile, his glassy turquoise eyes had seemingly sunken deeper in his sockets because of the late nights he had been pushing. It was difficult for him to maintain attendance at university. If it weren’t for his roommate, who always cheerfully woke him up every day, he wouldn’t be here at all. What did it even matter when he barely paid attention in class anyway? Like a fallen leaf in a stream of water, he was just drifting through life without much passion.
„Tokito-san, do you want to hang out at…“, before that fellow student could finish their invitation, they were interrupted by a friend.
„Ah, sorry, I just asked another friend to join us. If you came along, we would be too many. I’m so sorry. Maybe next time“, without waiting for his response, they left, and it seemed like they were having a little argument.
Perhaps another person would have been deeply hurt by this interaction, but Muichiro barely recognized them. Had he worked with them in a group project before? Would he have joined them? Unlikely. He was preoccupied with his own project at the studio. His instructor asked him for only one thing: to take risks, not only in his art but also in life. Yet he couldn’t even wrap his head around the idea.
Why let other people in, when you end up by yourself anyway?
The life of the art student hadn’t been an easy one. Somehow by chance, someone took him in and gave him a new place to live. The Ubuyashiki family was kind and cared for him as if he were their son. The siblings always made sure to include him and never left him out. He wasn’t quite sure why they took on such a burden on themselves. Was it out of kindness? Did they know his family? He couldn’t remember much after his accident years ago. The last thing he could remember was when he was in and out of consciousness and how the Ubuyashiki family had been by his bedside and in his life ever since. With them, other people had also more or less become part of it, like his roommates.
Without intending to, he found himself standing at that coffee shop that he had discovered a little while ago. Between the shelves of books which were personally curated by the shop owner and the intoxicating scent of coffee and freshly baked goods, he could be by himself without standing out, without being judged by others. After placing his orders, he wandered around to take a glimpse at the shelves that were placed with intention. By design, there were areas intended for groups and others for solitude. A small black cover with golden letters caught his attention. It was a collection of poetry and prose. With the small book in his hand, Muichiro headed to a seat by the window in the back. While he was sitting all by himself, he watched strangers on the other side of the glass window, sitting in the backyard of the cafe, chatting and laughing as they enjoyed the early spring delight. Did the sunlight feel warm on their skin? His hand reached up in the gentle, fragile sunlight…
So fragile, its warmth might slip between my fingers
“Doesn’t the early spring light feel so fleeting that it could slip between one’s fingers?” his thought was given life by a soft and gentle voice. Muichiro slightly turned to take a look at this person who just read his mind. He was greeted with a warm smile. The dark red color of his eyes lit up in the sunlight like ember.
“Who…”, to his own surprise, his voice faltered, “Who are you?”
“Oh, I’m Tanjiro Kamado.”
The soft melody in the background of the coffee shop was accompanied by idle chatter, laughter, and the eager tapping sound of someone who was probably working on schoolwork. The world moved on, yet for a moment, it seemed to be on hold for Muichiro. Standing in front of him was a young man with a radiant smile - so warm it seemed to crack the thick layer of ice around him. His deep red hair with a touch of brown nonchalantly framed his bright face. Was it the spring light that illuminated his beautiful features, or was it the warmth of his personality that radiated so brilliantly?
“Tanjiro”, mindlessly, he muttered the name of the other, “I haven’t seen you here before.”
“Ah, I was abroad last semester and just came back. Anyway, enjoy your drink”, the tall young man placed the cup of tea on the small round table in front of Muichiro. Just as he was about to dash off back to his work, he turned around to give the other another big smile, “Enjoy that book. I really liked it.”
Artwork by @chuupep (IG | vgen)
Do not repost artwork. This was commissioned for this fanfic by me.