Recap:

Tanjiro smiled contently as he chewed his food, he was starving.

But then, a painting on the wall caught his attention.

It depicted a very beautiful woman in her mid 20s. Tanjiro instantly recognized the painting.

"Sumihiko, tell me about the artist of that painting."

There was only one person in the world who could've painted that. And if Tanjiro could find him, he would be on his way home in no time.

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3rd Person POV:

At 6:00 Sumihiko's friends left the restaurant. 

Even after finishing their food, everyone stayed and chatted for 3 hours until Touko said that she had to go home and everyone else realized what time it was.

Touko asked Tanjiro for his phone number and before he could tell her that he didn't have a phone, Sumihiko covered by saying that Tanjiro broke his phone a few days ago. 

After Kanata agreed to walk Touko and her brother home, it was just Sumihiko and Tanjiro.

Sumihiko offered to take Tanjro back to his house and they both started walking.

"What were you trying to say earlier?" Sumihiko asked as they strolled through the city which was now outlined with the evening sunset.

"Who was the artist of that painting in the restaurant?" Tanjiro repeated

"That painting is the work of a mysterious man named Yushiro Yamamoto. All of his paintings depict a woman named 'Tamayo'. His paintings are famous works of art and they're highly praised world wide."

That means my assumption was correct.

" Where does he live, is there any way to contact him?"

"Like I said, almost no one knows of his whereabouts." Sumihiko replied. "He shot a reporter with a rifle when they tried to interview him." 

"He did?" 

"Yeah, I guess he doesn't like visitors."

Well I guess I can't blame him for that. Tanjiro thought. After all, he's probably the only demon still alive and he has to maintain his cover. It's a good thing he kept the memory of Miss Tamayo alive like I told him to. I wonder how he's doing.

"Why do you care so much about that painting anyway?" 

Tanjiro thought for a moment before answering.

"I know Yushiro. He might be the only other person who could help me." 

"But that's impossible, there's no way he could still be alive after all that time! Unless-"

"Yushiro is a demon." Tanjiro finished. "Before I was brought here I told him not to die and to keep the memory of Tamayo alive." 

"Yushiro must have liked Tamayo a lot."

"Yeah, a lot." Tanjiro replied thinking that a lot  would be a sever understatement.

  "So you and Yushiro were friends?"

"Well.... -"

*Flashback

(A/N: Which do you think was the most brutal? I think Imma go with the last one.)

"Yeah we're friends!" Tanjiro finished with a smile. He was not lying.

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The two reached Sumihiko's house a few minutes later and Sumihiko tiptoed inside the quiet house

"Maybe Kanata didn't tell mom what happened. Or maybe mom isn't home yet." Sumihiko whispered 

"Why are we whispering?" Tanjiro whispered back.

Sumihiko didn't answer as they both made their way to the kitchen

"I think we're in the clear." Sumihiko sighed with relief.

He spoke too soon. Again

"SUMIHIKO KAMADO! GET YOUR IDIOTIC, TROUBLE MAKING BUTT UP HERE IF YOU KNOW WHAT'S GOOD FOR YOU!!!!!" A voice boomed from upstairs, most likely his mom.

Both of their shoulders tensed and Sumihiko gulped nervously as he walked slowly up the stairs.

"I'm dead." He peeped. 

"Yeah, it was nice knowing you." Tanjiro replied meekly

"Wait down here."

Tanjiro POV:

I tried not to listen to the conversation between Sumihiko and his mom but I heard parts of it.

" What in the world were you thinking?! Jumping out of a window?!! You could've died!!!"

"But I didn't!"

"You're missing the point!" she yelled back

But then I found something on the wall.

It was the group picture we took a few days ago. Well, it was actually 100 years ago but it's still in perfect condition. I miss everyone.

But even more surprisingly, I found my earrings in a glass case next to the picture and my sword right above that. They were all in perfect condition. 

I reached for my sword hesitantly. Was it okay if I took it? I mean, it was technically mine and I might need it in an emergency. With a new demon king on the loose, who knows what could happen.

But before I can do anything I heard footsteps descend down the stairs.

Sumihiko looked alright but his eyes were drained of all life. Then again, it could've been worse.

His mom was about to start yell at him some more before she saw me. 

Her expression changed from deadly to friendly as she smiled at me.

"Hello there! Are you a friend of Sumihiko's? I didn't know he was bringing someone over for dinner." She turned and gave Sumihiko the look. It was the kind of look that said We will end this later.

"What's your name sweetie?"

"Um.." I came up with the first name I had in mind. 

"Gompachiro Kamaboko." I blurted

Sumihiko stared at me. I could practically read his thoughts: Seriously? You could've chosen literally any other name in the world and that's what you chose?

"You two can have a seat. I'll set the table."

~Time skip because im lazy. Here's the summary: Kanata was staying over at Touko's house so he wouldn't come home until tomorrow morning. And at dinner, his mom somehow didn't notice the similarity between Sumihiko and Tanjiro. Sumihiko asked if Tanjiro could stay the night since his parents wouldn't be back until the next day and his mom agreed. After dinner, the two boys went upstairs and when they made sure Sumihiko's mom wasn't listening, they started brainstorming ways they could find Yushiro. When it had gotten late they went to sleep. They shared a bunk bed. Tanjiro was on the top and Sumihiko at the bottom.~

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Tanjiro's POV:

On my first night in the future, I couldn't sleep. 

How could I sleep after everything that's happened. So I stayed wide awake gazing up at the ceiling, trying to force myself to shut my eyes. It proved to be pointless. 

When I finally fell asleep, the nightmares came. 

Me and my friends were relaxing in a field of tall grass.

Nezuko, Zenitsu and Inosuke were all having a competition to see who could catch the most fireflies. 

Nezuko giggled hysterically when Zenitsu accidentally ate a firefly and they both started laughing even harder when Inosuke ate one on purpose to see if he would start glowing. 

I was sitting under the shade of a nearby tree and I was also laughing. It made me happy seeing them happy. They reminded me of my deceased family when they had picnics

But the nostalgic moment ended soon afterwards. The evening sun turned black and all the fireflies turned into actual fire. 

I screamed to warn them but no sound came from my mouth. 

They screamed at the burns and stopped trying to catch them. But the fireflies fell into the grass, setting it on fire.  They tried to escape the burning grass but instead started sinking into the ground as if it were quicksand.

"Tanjiro!! Help us!" Nezuko screamed as she was sucked under the earth

But I couldn't move. Couldn't speak. I couldn't do anything. All I could do was watch in horror as my friends and sister disappeared from sight until only a burning field and black sky was visible.

I then heard the voice of a young girl.

"Why didn't you save them?" 

I whipped my head around but no one was there.

"Why didn't you move that useless body of yours and save your friends?"

"Who are you?! Show yourself!" I wanted to say

"You were the one who killed your sister. You could've prevented this from happening. But the last thing your sister sees is you. Not even lifting a finger to save her."

"SHUT UP!!" I yelled drawing my sword. 

But what scared me was that the girl was telling the truth. I couldn't save them. 

"Farewell Tanjiro. We'll meet again soon. I'm sure of it."

And with that, I was thrown out of the dream.

"Nezuko!" I jolted awake with a gasp, sweat covered my entire face and body. Thankfully, I was still in Sumihiko's room. 

"Are you all right Tanjiro?" he asked groggily from the bottom bunk.

"I had a nightmare. But I'm fine now ."

"Okay. Whatever it was, you don't have to worry about it, you must be pretty tired. Goodnight."

Just a dream. It was all a dream. 

 I tried to slow down my heart and control my breathing but I couldn't.

I couldn't stop thinking about the voice. It was the exact same voice I heard before I was brought to the future. 

Something strange was happening. And if I didn't get back home soon, my nightmare would turn into a reality. If it hadn't already. 

End of Chapter 3

A/N: I realized that this chapter would be way too long so I decided to split it into 2 parts to give my one and only braincell some rest. Writing is sooo hard. I mean, I might have the idea but actually putting it into right sentences takes forever. I don't know if this is for all authors or just me. 

Here's a jealous Yushiro gif for y'all. In his view of the world, no one hugs Tamayo. 

Anyway,  Byeeee ❤️

4/20/24  - I decided to rename this chapter just becuz. :)