Muichiro's pov

I woke up to my uncle shaking with me "Muichiro wake up, you're going to be late for school". I yawned and sat up while rubbing my eyes. Then I realized "Wait, I was outside with Tanjiro. How am I at home? Did I fall asleep while I was outside with him?".

Muichiro : uncle?

Uncle : Yes Muichiro?

Muichiro : How did I come home yesterday?

Uncle : Oh Tanjiro carried you home. You fell asleep when you were outside. That's why you are still in clothes from yesterday.

He said as I looked at my clothes. He's right, I didn't even notice. I could feel my cheeks getting warmer as I thought about the things that happened yesterday. I smiled to myself and walked towards the bathroom.

---

I walked out of the house ready to take my headphones out and listen to music before I get to school but before I could I noticed Tanjiro standing in front of my house. He waved at me as I walked up to him.

Muichiro : W-What are you doing here?

Tanjiro : I live like 10 minutes away so I decided to wait for you.

Muichiro : Oh I see, well let's go.

....

While we were walking, most of the time we were talking. Until I felt someone wrap their hand around my neck. It was Genya. He greeted me as I just smiled, not being able to get the words out of my mouth again. I felt bad that I couldn't do that, he's my friend right? What if he realizes that I am able to talk with Tanjiro normally? Will he get mad and eventually end our friendship? These questions circled my mind making me space out.

I just stared at the ground and kept walking. When we got to school I immediately went to class with Tanjiro and Genya went to his. We both sat down at our seats as I took out my phone. Girl that sat in front of us turned around to face us. I assume her name was Mitsuri?

Mitsuri : Not even going to say hi?

She said with an annoyed tone looking at Tanjiro. Tanjiro rolled his eyes and greeted Mitsuri. She then looked at me and waved while smiling slightly. At first I just looked at my phone trying to ignore her but then the guilt hit me, so I forced myself to at least wave back at her. She smiled wider as she said.

Mitsuri : Sorry for scaring you the last time I tried talking to you. I shouldn't rush you to talk to me so much.

I wanted to answer her, I really did but the worry and fear of messing up appeared again. So I just looked at my phone and kept being silent. I felt the guilt slowly rising as I sighed.

Tanjiro's pov

I heard Muichiro sigh deeply as I looked at him. He looked sad. I wanted to know what was wrong. I wanted to make him feel better, but I knew I couldn't rush him. I can't make him talk to me, but still can't expect him to tell me himself.

I thought that maybe at lunch, when we will be alone with only each other. I can maybe get him to talk to me again.... and I could finally know what was wrong, what makes him feel this way.

The teacher walked into the class and began to talk. As the class continued, I couldn't get my eyes off of Muichiro. "Why do I want him to tell me so much? He was just fine in the morning but when we got to class, it was like his mood changed immediately. " I thought and sighed.

From the corner of my eye I could see Muichiro look at me for some time before he grabbed his notebook and began to write something on it. "Are you okay?" That was what he wrote. I pulled my gaze from the notebook to Muichiro and said "I could ask you the same thing"

Muichiro seemed surprised by the question. His expression changed from surprise to sadness once more before he wrote something again "I'll tell you the next break at the school's yard". I nodded and looked at my desk.

..........

Tanjiro : so? What's wrong?

I said as we both sat down on a bench. Muichiro signed before saying something.

Muichiro : I feel.... guilty.. for not being able to talk with Genya even though he's my friend... for not being able to talk with Mitsuri... even though she tries to talk to me...

He said looking down. I then remembered what his uncle said ".....So please promise me you will try to make him capable of talking to others again....". I promised him to make Muichiro more social again... and I always keep my promise.

Tanjiro : No need to feel guilty... Genya and Mitsuri already know what problems you have with talking. I am sure they understand why you're not ready to talk with them.

I said and laid my hand on his.

Tanjiro : I will help you.

Muichiro smiled and thanked me. He then looked at his hand that was held by mine. I took my hand away and looked away. My face heat up again, making me question why. "Why is my body reacting this way, I've never felt like this" I thought and looked back at Muichiro. He sat next to me with his hands on his lap while swinging his legs back and forth.

He then looked at me. We stared in each other's faces for a while before Muichiro started laughing. "H-Hey! Why are you laughing?!" I yelled. Muichiro didn't answer, he just kept laughing. My face got even warmer while I listened to his laughter.

Soon after the bell rang and we headed to our class again. While we were walking to our class Muichiro looked at me once more and said, "your face is all red. Are you okay?" he asked. "Y-Yeah I am fine" I answered and looked at the floor, still confused why I feel this way.

"Also I was wondering, do you want to try having lunch with my friends?" I asked, trying to avoid any other question involving my face. Muichiro stayed silent for a while before answering "I-I don't know..." he said looking back on the floor. "I am scared that I might embarrass myself again or just feel uninvited, making me eventually run away like last time." He sighed.

"If you don't want to, it's fine, we can eat alone together" I said, placing my hand on Muichiro's shoulder. "No.. I promised Yuichiro I will try my best. He already has enough of me being so useless that I can't even buy something myself and not being on a edge of tears"

Before I could say anything we were already in front of our class. We both sat down at our seats and stayed silent.

----------

When lunch time came I went to my locker to grab my bento. I was still thinking about what Muichiro told me about his brother. I couldn't believe that he makes him feel like this, makes him feel so useless. He told me that he already ruined his relationship with Muichiro but I never thought about how he ruined it and how much it affected Muichiro.

I grabbed my bento and closed my locker to see Kanao standing next to me. "Heyyy Tanji!" She said and clung to my arm.

Kanao : You know what you promised!

Tanjiro : I know but I promised it to Muichiro too, you can eat with others while Muichiro can't... and I don't want to leave him alone.

Kanao : So you're going to leave me out like this?

Tanjiro : What are you talking about o-

Kanao : Then come with me!

Tanjiro : I c-

Before I could say anything she grabbed me by my hand and wanted to lead me away but I pushed her hand away. "Sorry but I can't really leave him alone." I said and walked away.

Kanao's pov

I stood there looking at Tanjiro as he got farther and farther away from me. "Did he really just pick him instead of me!?" I thought and punched one of the lockers next to me. "God and I thought he'll be fun to talk to... and instead of that he'll steal Tanjiro away from me.... but I'll get him back" I thought and put my bento closer to my chest.

"I will get him back.... I will make sure Tanjiro won't even think about Muichiro... just me and him... " I thought and blushed to the imagination just me and Tanjiro. I had a crush on Tanjiro for a long time now, but him being popular as he is, it's hard.

Girls are always coming to him asking him to go out with him, confessing to him and others... but I was never this confident. I am scared that he will reject me.

But now... I need to concentrate on getting him away from Muichiro..... or make Tanjiro get away from Muichiro himself...

Muichiro's pov

I waited in front of the classroom for Tanjiro. It was taking him longer than normal. I waited a couple more minutes and Tanjiro was nowhere to be seen. "Maybe he decided to be with someone else? Maybe he really wanted to eat with his friends.... and when I told him I didn't want to he got mad?" I thought and looked around me one more time hoping I'll see Tanjiro somewhere, but no.

I sighed, walked into the classroom and closed the door behind me. I was in the classroom alone so that was nice I guess.... but I would be happier if Tanjiro was with me.

I sat down at my seat and opened my bento box. I laid my head on a palm from my hand and sighed. "I never minded being alone... why is it bothering me now?" I thought as someone immediately opened the door to the classroom making me jump a bit. It was Tanjiro.

"T-Thank god *pant* y-you're here I am *pant* sorry Kanao s-stopped *pant* me" He said while panting. "You came" I said quietly but still enough for Tanjiro to hear me. "O-Of course I did." He said and closed the door to the classroom before walking to me. He sat down in front of me and placed his lunch on the same desk as I did mine.

"I thought you would be with your friends," I said looking down. "What? No, as I said if you don't feel ready to be with a larger group of people it's okay.... and I wouldn't leave you alone" He said smiling. My cheeks felt warmer as I looked at his smile.

"Anyway I should get to eating, I am starving"

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