As days passed, Giyuu eventually healed up, finally bidding Shinobu a goodbye.
It was surprising as Sanemi visited Giyuu every single day, even going to meet him when he was about to leave.

"Tomioka, you're okay now?"

Giyuu nodded, walking to him as he held his hand. He looked back at Shinobu.
"See you later, Kocho."

Shinobu nodded.
"Take care!"

She sighed softly.
How cute...

"...So, how're you feeling now, Tomioka?"
Sanemi asked, walking beside Giyuu.

"I'm feeling good, better that you're here for me."
Giyuu smiled, blushing softly.

"...Don't mention it."
Sanemi wrapped an arm around Giyuu's shoulder.

"Hmm..."
Giyuu gently pressed his head against Sanemi's shoulder as they walked.

We're together... Despite all the things that have happened...

Is it fate?

Because if it is, I'm really grateful... For allowing me to enjoy my days with someone like Shinazugawa-San...

I love him... very much.

Giyuu smiled at his thoughts.
Sanemi noticed his smile.

"What're you smiling at?"
He asked curiously, a small smile playing on his lips as well.

"A-Ah! It's nothing..."

Sanemi sighed.
"Stop hiding things from me, Tomioka..."

Giyuu didn't reply.

"...You hear me? I don't want you to hide things from me and then end up doing something horrible..."

"You should say it, while you still have time."

Giyuu chuckled softly.

"Nah, I think I have just enough time to tell you everything..."
He held Sanemi's hand that wrapped around him, squeezing it gently.

Sanemi sighed, his gaze fixed on the road.

"I don't know, Tomioka..."
He looked at Giyuu.

"What if I don't wait for long?"

Giyuu's eyes widened, but he laughed again.

"Then... I will run after you!"

Sanemi looked at Giyuu, a small chuckle escaping his lips.

His mind slowly shifted to his thoughts as he watched Giyuu laugh and talk, so happily, as if there was no end.

...Am I going crazy...?
Even if I am, I don't care, I guess...

After losing almost everyone in my life, the people I loved so much...
I always had a feeling in the back of my mind...

It would tell me...

"Don't fall in love, it's stupid..."

"They leave you at the end, and you're left heartbroken."

"Just stop caring."

But the day Tomioka started spending time with me, showing me how he really is... Childish and clumsy...

I decided not to listen to my mind.

My mind tells me that love is stupid...
Well, if it really is, then I don't mind people calling me stupid.

It tells me I'll be left alone at the end...
Well, even if he leaves me alone...
I don't mind at all. I will keep looking out for him...

It also tells me to stop caring...

But how do I tell my unruly mind that it's impossible for me to stop caring for someone like Tomioka...?

The way he chuckles and pouts, just like a child, how can I ever resist it?

I don't care where this takes us... I just want to be by his side... And care for him like I always do...

But lately, I've been feeling a little uneasy.

Everytime I think of Tomioka, my heart beats fast, as if something bad is going to happen.

I have got him a charm, just to keep him safe, yet, the feeling of uneasiness in my chest grows more... It never seems to end.

As the time is ticking, I feel it coming closer and closer...

Everything my heart's ever said, has been  true.

And, I don't know why my heart says this...

But, I feel these little moments of love I share with Tomioka...

It's going to end.

"Shinazugawa-San?"
Giyuu looked at Sanemi innocently.

Sanemi looked at him.

"You've been so quiet... What happened?"

Sanemi didn't reply.
He pulled Giyuu into a warm hug.

Giyuu was surprised, but he wrapped his arms around Sanemi as well.

"I don't want this to end, Tomioka..."
Sanemi mumbled, his eyes shut close.

As his chest pressed against Giyuu's, he felt Sanemi's incredibly fast heart beat.

"Sh-Shinazugawa-San... Are you nervous?"

Sanemi's eyes widened, he pulled away, looking at Giyuu.

"How did you... know?"

Giyuu placed his palm gently over Sanemi's chest.

"Your heart is beating so fast!"

Sanemi sighed, looking at Giyuu's hand.

"I guess I'm just... scared."

"Scared?"
Giyuu tilted his head to the side curiously.

"Yes, scared of things just... Ending."
Sanemi replied.

Giyuu looked at the ground.
"I guess you're overthinking things, Shinazugawa-San... Why would this end, why would anything end...?"

Sanemi looked at Giyuu, caressing his cheek.
"I guess it's nothing."

He chuckled a little as Giyuu looked at him with concern.

The two didn't say anything now, just walking silently as time passed by.

___________________________________________

It was the next day.
Sanemi was in the Ubuyashiki Mansion.

"Sanemi..."
Kagaya smiled at the only Hashira there.

"Oyakata-Sama, this early in the morning?"

Kagaya laughed softly.

"I've only chosen you for this one."

Sanemi looked puzzled.

"You need to be careful Sanemi. I have a mission for you... It might last long..."

Sanemi tilted his head to the master.
"Last long?"

Kagaya looked serious now.

"It's a mission in a place where... There has been an Upper Moon sighting."

Sanemi's eyes widened.
"Upper Moon?"

"Yes, Upper Moon: 3."

"It's the same Demon... The one Rengoku fought?"

Kagaya nodded.

"You know Rengoku couldn't kill him in time and was really injured. Gladly, he's okay now... But the Demon left a huge impact on him."

"..."
Sanemi was quiet.

"I want you to head to the south, once again. But you don't have to walk a lot, so do not worry. Kill him off before he eats more people there... And return safely. It might take you a week or so..."

Sanemi bowed.
"I will not let you down, Master..."

Kagaya smiled.

___________________________________________

Do y'all hate Sanemi?
Answer honestly!

🍩🔥