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Inosuke faced a problem. Occasionally, his heart would begin to race uncontrollably, thumping loudly in his chest as if it were trying to escape. This unsettling sensation was often accompanied by a churning in his stomach, reminiscent of the time he had eaten some questionable tempura from a roadside stall. His palms would grow clammy and slick with sweat, and a wave of anxiety would wash over him, leaving him feeling flustered and on edge.
This disconcerting feeling showed no signs of fading, and he couldn't ignore the warmth spreading through his body, making him uncomfortable in his own skin.
After putting up with these bizarre symptoms for at least two weeks, Inosuke finally decided it was time to seek assistance from Shinobu. He respected her intelligence and expertise, so he hoped she could provide some clarity. When he arrived, she meticulously examined him from head to toe, checking his pulse and assessing his overall health. With a reassuring smile, she said, "You seem fine, Inosuke. Perhaps you're just overworking yourself."
Although he appreciated her insight, a nagging unease persisted. He trusted Shinobu's judgment, but he couldn't shake the feeling that something was not quite right. What on earth could be causing this distress? The mystery lingered in his mind as he pondered the possibility of unveiling the source of his discomfort.
"What is wrong with me?" Inosuke growled
"Is everything okay, Inosuke?" a voice called
"Oh, Gonpachiro," Inosuke smiled. "I'm fine," he said stubbornly. Still, Tanjiro said nothing, looking at him with that kind smile that always managed to disarm him against his will. "The butterfly lady says it's nothing, so it's nothing."
"You don't sound too sure," Tanjiro said
"It's probably just gas," Inosuke said
"Gas?"
"Yeah, I was with Aoi the other day, and I got all nervous and warm. Oddly enough, I felt really nervous," Insouke explained. "I was watching her make tempura, and my heart started beating like it wanted to fight me or something." Tanjiro raised an eyebrow at that. "Then Aoi asked if I wanted to help her gather some ingredients, and I was sweating the entire time. She even said my face was really red."
"So you were with Aoi every time this happened?" Tanjiro asked.
"I mean, yeah, she is around when this happens," Insouke replied, looking at his friend. "Wait, do you know something, Monjiro?"
"Maybe," Tanjiro smiled. "From the sounds of it, you might have 'butterfly disease'."
"What is that?" Inosuke asked, his brow furrowed in confusion. "I haven't been near any butterflies."
Tanjiro couldn't help but stifle a laugh at Inosuke's reaction. "Oh, but yes, you have, Inosuke," he replied, glancing at his friend with a playful grin. He considered spilling the truth, but the thought of Shinobu's laughter echoed in his mind, urging him to tease Inosuke just a little longer. "You've been around this particular butterfly almost daily, actually."
Inosuke's eyes widened in shock. "What?!" he shouted, his voice rising in panic. "How do I get rid of it, Jangoro? I can't take this!"
Tanjiro shook his head, still smiling at Inosuke's frantic expression. "Sorry, Inosuke, but once you have butterfly disease, it never really goes away," he explained, trying to sound as serious as possible while suppressing his laughter. "I have it too, and honestly, I'm fine."
Inosuke glanced at Tanjiro, still alarmed. "What do you mean, what do you do?" he asked, searching for some form of reassurance. The thought of being forever haunted by butterflies unsettled him more than he would admit.
"What's with all the shouting?" a voice called out, cutting through the chaos as Sanemi and Giyu appeared.
"Half-and-half, scar face! You're really strong!" Inosuke exclaimed, his eyes wide with admiration tinged with frustration. "How do I get rid of this butterfly disease that I've got?"
Without missing a beat, Giyu replied almost dismissively, "You don't. You just have to learn to live with it."
Sanemi frowned, perplexed by the conversation. "What are you idiots talking about? There's no such thing as butterfly diseases."
Tanjiro chuckled, shaking his head. "You would say that, Sanemi-san. You are the one who caught it first."
Sanemi's eyes narrowed. "No, I didn't! What are you even talking about?" he retorted, crossing his arms defensively.
"Butterfly disease," Giyu reiterated, a rare smile breaking through his usually stoic demeanor. "You caught it first, then I caught it, Tanjiro caught it, and now it appears Inosuke has caught it too."
Inosuke's face turned red with indignation. "You gave me this!" he shouted at Sanemi. "How dare you, scar face!"
"No, he didn't," Tanjiro interjected with a friendly smile. "You caught it from Aoi."
Inosuke looked back at Tanjiro, confusion etched across his face. "What? How does that even make sense?"
"Oh," Sanemi said, the realization dawning on him slowly. "Why not just say that from the beginning?"
"It's more fun this way," Giyu replied, a playful glint in his eyes.
Sanemi rolled his eyes, exasperated. "You two are spending way too much time with Mini-Kochou," he remarked. Then, turning his attention back to Inosuke, he added, "And as for you, you're in love, you freak of nature."
Inosuke blinked in surprise. "What?" he asked, his confusion deepening.
Tanjiro stepped closer and placed a reassuring hand on Inosuke's shoulder. "You want to court someone," he explained gently.
Inosuke's expression shifted as understanding washed over him. "Oh," he said slowly. "Why didn't you just say that in the first place?" Sanemi looked like he was about to scream, "So I need to fight her."
"No, you don't need to fight, Aoi," Tanjiro smiled.
"Good," Inosuke said. "She might have stopped making me tempura."
"Well, there is something you can do, Inosuke," Tanjiro said with a smile. "You can do something to show Aoi that you care."
"I could make her tempura!" Inosuke beamed.
"Or whatever her favorite food is," Tanjiro suggested. "I think Aoi went out to run some errands today."
"She went with Kiyo," Giyu confirmed. "So you have at least three hours to sneak into the kitchen."
"Perfect," Tanjiro smiled.
"Alright, get ready cause I'm coming through," Inosuke shouted as he ran off.
"Inosuke, wait!" Tanjiro shouted, sprinting after his errant friend. "If we destroy the kitchen, Aoi may never let us use it again!"
Tanjiro was well acquainted with the chaos that often reigned in his home, particularly in the kitchen. Growing up in a lively household meant embracing messiness, but he had learned through experience that some people hold their kitchens to an almost sacred standard. Aoi was undoubtedly one of those people. Her meticulous nature meant that very few guests were ever granted access to the kitchen without her strict supervision.
Though Tanjiro had long been a part of the household and Aoi had assured him that he no longer qualified as a guest, he still adhered to the unwritten rules out of respect. This consideration made his occasional forays into the kitchen feel all the more special.
Suddenly, Inosuke's boisterous voice broke through his thoughts. "So let's get started!" he exclaimed, his eyes darting around the room, excitement etched on his face. Tanjiro could only hope that his friend's enthusiasm wouldn't lead to chaos. He glanced at Inosuke, cautious yet slightly amused, wondering how they would manage to channel all that energy without invoking Aoi's wrath.
"If I remember correctly, Aoi mentioned that her favorite food is Tonkatsu," Tanjiro said to him.
"Why Tonkatsu and not Tempura, the superior dish?" Inosuke replied.
"We all have our preferences, Inosuke." Tanjiro laughed
"I guess I could make Kochou's favorite dish while I'm here," Giyu whispered. "She likes Ginger Tsukudani."
"Well, if you're doing that, I can make Kanao some Ramune," Tanjiro suggested.
"That's a drink, Tanjiro," Giyu pointed out.
"Yeah, but she really enjoys anything Aoi cooks, and having Aoi cook kind of defeats the purpose of this," Tanjiro scratched his chin. "I guess I'll make her some dango to go with it."
"Yeah, and make some extra Ramune for Aoi," Inosuke chimed in.
"You're going to make it, Inosuke," Tanjiro smiled. "It will be more special if you're the one making the food."
"But Saoi said"
"Don't worry, I'm here, and I'm sure she won't mind," Tanjiro reassured with a warm smile as the door suddenly swung open with a loud bang, revealing Sanemi, who stormed in, his expression a mix of annoyance and determination.
"Everything okay, Sanemi-san?" Tanjiro asked.
"Since you idiots are busy whipping up something for the girls, I figured I might as well make Kanae something too," he grumbled, crossing his arms over his chest defensively, as if the act would somehow justify his presence.
Giyu, leaning casually against the wall with an air of indifference, chimed in with a smirk, "He just wanted to be included, you know."
"Shut up, Tomioka!" Sanemi shouted back, his voice rising as he shot Giyu a glare, clearly irritated by the teasing.
"Oh, that great Sanemi-san." Tanjiro smiled. "What is Kanae-san's favorite food?"
"If you were to ask her, she would say she doesn't know," Sanmei laughed. "But I know for a fact she enjoys mushigashi. She gets this adorable grin on her face and always asks me to get her some whenever I have the chance."
With that, the unlikely group embarked on their mission, united by a single goal: to create a special dish to delight the butterfly sisters. Their task was twofold, as they also aimed to prevent Inosuke from wreaking havoc in the kitchen and thereby incurring Aoi's infamous wrath. Although Tanjiro possessed a calming aura that could soothe even the most frustrated individuals, Giyu and Sanemi were unwilling to gamble on that strategy; the thought of Aoi's anger was enough to keep them on edge.
The atmosphere in the kitchen was charged with a mix of excitement and tension. Tanjiro, ever the optimist, had convinced Inosuke to take charge of preparing the dish himself, hoping it would help him channel his energetic spirit into something constructive. However, that proved to be a challenge in itself. As they delved into the cooking process, the group often worked in a hushed, focused manner, the air thick with the aroma of fresh ingredients and a hint of apprehension.
Whenever they encountered obstacles—be it a knife that wouldn't cut right or a recipe that seemed baffling—everyone would turn to Tanjiro for guidance, relying on his wealth of cooking experience to steer them back on course. Though he was happy to help, Tanjiro couldn't help but feel a mix of hope and concern for his friend Inosuke, who was both exuberant and unpredictable. With each required step in the recipe, they navigated the delicate balance between teamwork and creativity, all while keeping a vigilant eye on Inosuke to ensure he didn't inadvertently send pots flying or trigger a culinary catastrophe.
As they surveyed the array of finished dishes laid out before them, a sense of pride washed over the group. Sanemi's mushigashi was a striking creation, its delicate layers infused with vibrant colors that mirrored the rich hue of Kanae's butterfly hairpin. Giyu's ginger tsukudani was nothing short of culinary artistry; expertly crafted, it showcased his meticulous attention to detail and seemed poised to rival offerings from any high-end restaurant.
Tanjiro's dango presented a delightful sight, arranged on a plate and highlighting his impressive cooking skills. The pastel colors of the sweet dumplings promised a burst of flavor and a homey feel, evoking comfort. To everyone's surprise, Inosuke's dish was also surprisingly well-executed. His wild presentation of the tonkatsu stood in sharp contrast to the others, yet there was an undeniable charm to the rustic style. The colors and ingredients harmonized in an unexpectedly appetizing manner, drawing curious glances from the group.
"How does yours look so good?" Sanemi asked
"I listened to Tanjiro," Giyu said. Sanemi rolled his eyes
"Everything okay, Inosuke?" Tanjiro inquired gently, his eyes narrowing with concern as he watched his friend's intense focus on the spread he had prepared.
Inosuke lifted his gaze, meeting Tanjiro's eyes for the first time in what felt like forever. "Hey, Tanjiro," he managed to say, his tone unexpectedly soft. This caught both Giyu and Sanemi off guard, their expressions shifting from surprise to disbelief. It was truly a momentous occasion—the very first time Inosuke had addressed Tanjiro by name directly to his face.
The pause that followed hung heavy in the air, and Tanjiro's concern deepened. "Is everything okay?" he pressed, his brow furrowing as he observed the flurry of emotions playing across Inosuke's typically boisterous expression.
"When did you know?" Inosuke blurted out suddenly, the words tumbling from his lips in a rush. His voice wavered, betraying a vulnerability that was unusual for him. "I mean, ah, I'm not making sense," he added, his frustration mounting as he buried his head in his hands, unable to articulate his scrambled thoughts.
Tanjiro's heart swelled with understanding as he took a step closer, a reassuring smile breaking through. "No, I get it," he said softly, hoping to provide comfort in this moment of hesitation.
"You do," Sanemi said.
"If I'm honest, I can't pinpoint the exact moment I realized it was Kanao, but if I had to choose a specific time," Tanjiro said with a warm smile spreading across his face, "it's when I noticed how easily she distracts me from everything else."
Inosuke tilted his head. "What does that mean?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.
Tanjiro paused, recalling his past as he continued. "You see, I had to start helping my father out around the house when I was just six years old. By the time I hit thirteen, I was essentially the one bringing in most of the income for our family," he explained, the tone of his voice shifting slightly as memories flooded back.
"My mother used to tell me that the woman I would eventually fall in love with would be the one to pull me away from all my burdens and responsibilities." He chuckled softly, shaking his head at the irony. "I used to argue with her, insisting that no one could ever draw me away from my duties, but it turns out she was right all along."
"When I'm with Kanao, I find myself enveloped in a sense of tranquility that shields me from my worries about Nezuko and the weight of being a demon slayer. In those precious moments, when it's just her and me, it feels like the chaos of my life has faded into a distant memory."
Tanjiro said, a gentle smile still lingering on his lips as he lost himself in the thought of her. He could almost visualize her bright smile, which brought an immediate calm to his heart.
"Once I came to this realization, my thoughts began to revolve around her more and more. Even in the most stressful situations, when my nerves start to get the better of me, all I have to do is picture her smiling face, and suddenly everything feels more manageable. Talking to her has become so much easier, as if the weight of my responsibilities lifts just by being in her presence."
"Seriously?" Sanemi inquired, his eyebrows arching in disbelief as he leaned back against the wall, crossing his arms.
"Yeah, it actually makes sense if you think about it," Giyu replied with a warm smile, his eyes glinting with fondness. "It's just like what happened with Kochou and me."
"Really?" Inosuke chimed in, his curiosity piqued as he leaned forward, eager to hear more about the incident.
Giyu chuckled softly, recalling the moment vividly. "I was sitting there, waiting for her to finish up with some herbs she had gathered, when she suddenly burst out complaining about how one of the labels was misspelled." He couldn't help but laugh again, the memory painting a vivid picture in his mind.
He remembered her expression perfectly—the way her sharp eyes widened with annoyance as she fixed her gaze on him. "What are you smiling at?" she had said, a hint of confusion in her tone as she caught him smiling. He shook his head, reassuring her, "Don't worry about it."
Giyu's laughter faded into a soft smile as he continued, "But for some reason, that was just the moment when everything clicked for me."
"For both your own safety, you must never let Kanae or Kanroji find out about this," Sanemi warned, his tone serious yet laced with a hint of humor. "If they discovered that your 'romantic epiphanies' were like that, it would shatter their hearts." He chuckled softly, shaking his head at the thought.
Tanjiro, sensing an opportunity, leaned forward with a curious expression. "What about you, Sanemi-san? You have to share your thoughts too."
"Why should I have to discuss my feelings?" Sanemi retorted, raising an eyebrow in mild annoyance.
Tanjiro gestured towards Inosuke, who was fidgeting with anticipation. "We're just trying to help Inosuke here."
With a resigned sigh, Sanemi's demeanor softened as he continued. "She stayed by my side through everything," he confessed, his voice reflective. "No matter how loud I shouted or how desperately I tried to push her away, she wouldn't leave. It was in those moments, when I realized she was unwaveringly there for me, that I knew she was perfect for me."
His gaze shifted to Inosuke, who was listening intently. "Aoi's a good kid," he remarked, a hint of pride in his voice. "You are too, despite everything you've been through. Just remember to be honest with yourself."
"Yeah, I can do that," Inosuke smiled.
"What is going on in here?" a voice said, making all four jump as they turned to see Aoi standing in the doorway.
"Aoi-san, perfect timing," Tanjiro smiled. "Inosuke has something for you," he picked up the plate and ramune and slipped by her, "don't mind us."
"Yeah, we're not here," Sanemi said as he followed Tanjiro. Giyu gave her a polite nod as he followed the pair.
Aoi turned her attention to Inosuke, who had since taken off his boar mask, sitting it the side. Aoi smiled; she remembered how many conversations they'd had about him wearing his boar mask while eating. "Well."
"I made you this," Inosuke said, "as a thank you for all the tempura."
"You didn't have to."
"I wanted to cause," Inosuke said, looking away, "cause you gave me butterflies."
"What?" Aoi asked
"You heard me!" Inosuke shouted with an intensity that echoed through the room. His eyes blazed with a fierce determination as he pointed an accusatory finger. "This is all your fault! Monjiro told me to make you this, and I—" Suddenly, he froze, his expression shifting from heated conviction to a vulnerable honesty. "Because I want you always to make me tempura."
Aoi couldn't help but let out a light chuckle at the unexpected admission. She looked down at the plate before her. "You even made my favorite," she laughed.
"Kanpachiro told me you liked Tonkatsu or whatever," Inosuke said. "I mean, it's no tempura, but I guess it's alright."
Aoi looked over the food that Inosuke had prepared. She picked up a pair of chopsticks and brought a piece to her lips. As she took a bite, her features softened, and a smile spread across her face. "It's a little rough around the edges, really loud in presentation, yet there's a kind sweetness to it. It has a very charming presence."
Inosuke's heart raced at her words. "So, you like it?" he asked, his voice tinged with a mix of hope and anxiety as he tried to reach for his boar mask. Aoi, however, playfully pushed it away, teasing him with a lighthearted grin. Then, as she rose onto her tiptoes, she leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek, catching him off guard.
"The food is good too."