Suggestion by : Dazhiya264

Tanjiro’s pov

“Something wrong, hun?” my mother asked and I sighed “I don’t want to go to school..” I mumbled as I was paying with my spoon, not being hungry anymore from all the stress. My mother sighed and sat down next to me, saying “don’t worry, hun, I am sure that people in this school will treat you much better.. just.. try to talk to them, make friends and stuff, hm?”

I shook my head “I don’t want to.. you know what happened at my last school” I said and leaned back against my chair. “Tanjiro you can’t be so negative all the time, I am sure there will be someone who’d love to talk to you.. those guys from your last school were assholes”

“You’re right, mom.. I’ll try” I lied. I didn’t want to talk to anyone but I had to keep an act in front of my mother so she doesn’t talk about it so much. “Alright, just try your best, alright? And if something happens, don't be scared to call me, okay?” She said and I gave her a smile nod “mhm, I promise mom.. thanks”

…

I stood in front of the school, staring at it anxiously. Each move was harder and harder to do, my chest felt tight and my hands couldn’t stop shaking. I knew how this would go.. I knew I wasn’t going to find any friends, it was clear that I would get picked on again.

I took a deep breath and walked in the school, immediately being met with so many students that were laughing and talking around, it made me feel so anxious. Once I found my locker, I pulled my books out of my bag and placed them in, only taking the ones I needed for the next lesson.

I sat down at my seat and looked around the class, seeing that literally no one was paying attention to me. Everyone was just minding their own business.. it was like I wasn’t even here… I guess it was better than getting picked on but still.. I was already feeling lonely.

But everything changed in just a matter of a couple days. Everything went wrong.

“Come on Tanjiro! Will you not defend yourself or something?!” One of my classmates yelled out and slammed me against a locker, making my breath hitch in pain.

“Tanjiro! Do something! Or will you just let everyone pick on you like this?” He laughed and I looked away from him when suddenly, I heard someone yell out “hey! Leave him alone!”

“Ohoho look who it is, Muichiro Tokito himself '' one of the guys said as the male who was apparently named Muichiro came towards them “Yeah it’s me, surprise! Do you not remember what I said about picking on others!?”

“Ohh someone is being really aggressive right now, don’t pop a vein M-” before he could finish, Muichiro slapped him across the face, making his head turn the other direction. “Get the fuck out of here” Muichiro said and the guy chuckled “do you think I am scared? What will you do? Send me to detention again?”

“Exactly, get the fuck out of here on I’ll tak to the principal so he can give you detention on Saturday, no? We both know what happens on that day” he smiled and the guys eyes widened “fucking hell, fine! You win this time!”

They then left, only leaving me and Muichiro alone. He looked over at me with a smile and helped me stand up, asking "are you alright?" He touched my cheek "your cheek is really red.."

"Oh.. yea, I am okay" I mumbled and looked down on the floor, pulling his hand away from my cheek. He nodded with a smile "alright, that's good.. I am glad"

There was a minute of silence before his mouth opened again, it was clear he wanted to say something but I interrupted him "I got to go, thanks for helping me" was all I said and left.

…

Couple days passed and we barely talked to each other, until one day when Muichiro suddenly sat down next to me in the cafeteria "hi Tanjiro! Do you mind if I sit down with you?" He asked and already sat down.

I prefered to eat my lunch alone but when he was already there and sat down, it would be embarrassing for him if I just told him to walk away. "I don't mind" I mumbled and he smiled.

"So, how come you don't talk to anyone? You seem nice" he said and started to devour the food he got from the cafeteria. Sometimes people who enjoy food from the school cafeteria scare me.. that thing looks like it has been eaten, vomited back up and served on a plate again.

"We barely talked, how do you know that I am nice?" I asked and he shrugged "I don't know, you just seem nice!"

I sighed "I don't know, okay? I just prefer to be alone" I said with a bit of an annoyed tone.

"O-Oh.. sorry" he whispered and looked down at his food, asking "do you.. want me to leave?"

I didn't answer.

"Okay, I am sorry for interrupting.." he said and picked his plate up, slowly walking away. I felt.. bad? For some reason? I don't normally feel that way when I push people away.. how odd.

…

"Hey ehm.. I know you like to do stuff alone but.. I didn't study for this test and.. I thought that you could maybe help me?" Muichiro asked when he came to my desk. I raised my eyebrow and said "why don't you ask someone else?"

"Because no one studied and if someone did, they already have someone to sit next t-" he said but I interrupted him "so you're basically using me just to get a better grade?"

He quickly shook his head "what?! Of course not! Just.. Please help me with this, if I don't get a good grade on this my parents will disown me" he said, making me chuckle.

"Fine, fine, sit down" I said and he sighed in relief "thank you so much, you're a lifesaver!" He said happily and I nodded "I know"

We sat there for a bit in silence until I noticed that he seemed very tense, he didn't seem to be able to sit still and kept looking around the class. "You good?" I asked and he smiled awkwardly "y-yea just.. not really used to being quiet.. or sit on the same spot for too long.. Can we talk? Pleaseee? I'll go crazy if I'll be quiet for five more minutes"

I chuckled "ADHD I see" I mumbled and his eyes widened "huh?! No, I don't have ADHD.. well, maybe but that doesn't matter"

"Okay okay, just talk about whatever you want, I'll listen' I said and he nodded excitedly, starting to talk about some video games and movies he's been watching lately while I just sat there, not paying attention to most of it.

…

As days passed, we continued to talk more and more and the more we talked.. the more time I wanted to spend with him.

He was annoying at first but now.. all I wanted to listen to was his voice. Listen to him while he talks about his day, about what he did, anything..

I'd never expected myself to fall for someone like him.. he was popular and I was nothing, just a loner who barely talked to anyone other than him and teachers.

Those feelings grew and it was harder and harder for me to hide them. I knew what I had to do.. I had to confess to him but.. how? What if I get rejected? Will he laugh at me? Will I get picked on even more?

Those thoughts were circling my mind every time I even thought about confessing my love to him. Through all the worrieds, I decided to confess to him.. I knew I couldn't keep hiding it for longer than I already did.

As I walked into the class, I spotted Muichiro already sitting by my desk, waiting for me. He gave me a small wave and said "hi Tanjiro! You came quite late today" he smiled as I laid my bag down next to my desk.

I nodded "yup, I overslept" I said and he chuckled "why am I not surprised?"

I smiled but the smile quickly fell when I said "hey.. can we talk.. somewhere in private?"

Muichiro seemed surprised by the sudden question but nodded and followed me out of the classroom. We stopped at the end of the hallway and Muichiro asked "So what is it?"

I took a deep breath, my hands trembling slightly as I struggled to keep an eye contact with him, eventually just saying "I-I like you! F-for.. a while now"

The time seemed to stop for both of us. Muichiro tried to say something but it was clear that the words were stuck in his throat, impossible for him to let out even a single word.

I looked down and smiled to myself, saying "it was too good to be true.. I knew you wouldn't like me" was all I said before walking back to my class.

Muichiro's pov

He.. likes me?

Was a question that repeated in my head over and over again until I was forced to snap out of my thoughts when in the corner of my eye I saw Tanjiro leave. I tried to call out for him but couldn't.. the words just didn't come out.

…

Days passed and Tanjiro completely ignored me. Every time I wanted to talk to him, he either ignored me or just walked away.. never even spoke a single word to me.

It hurted.. if really did but I understood why he was doing it. He thought that I didn't like him back and that was good enough of a reason to ignore me like this because.. he was hurt too.

I wanted to give him as much time as he needed to, have a one to one talk with him and tell him that I like him back but the time seemed to stretch more and more. Each day it seemed like we were growing more and more apart from each other.

And one day, I had enough. At the end of the school when Tanjiro was packing his bag, I walked into the classroom and closed the door behind me, immediately walking over to Tanjiro who just gave me a cold look and looked away.

I groaned and grabbed him by his shoulder, slamming him against the wall and saying "stop ignoring me, goddamnit!! Just listen to me already!"

His reged widened as I let my anger get the best of me. I let go of his shoulder and apologized quietly, saying "sorry I didn't mean to.. just.. please listen to me"

Tanjiro sighed "what do you even want to say, I already know that you don't like me back"

"I do like you back, Tanjiro!" I yelled out and Tanjiro's eyes widened "you.. do?" He mumbled quietly and I nodded "of course I do.."

His face turned red as he looked away "shit, this is so embarrassing.. I should have l-" before he could say anything more, I interrupted him as I placed my lips on his, kissing him softly.

It took him a while to process but returned the kiss soon after, his hands roaming around my back before we pulled away from each other once again.

...

Word count : 1940