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AUTHOR'S NOTE

This means a different Point of View:

 ‿︵‿︵‿︵‿︵︵‿︵‿︵ Name's POV:

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I jog to catch up with Tanjiro and Nezuko, my boots crunching against the dirt path. "Hey, Buddy! Wait up! You're not ditching me, are you?"

Tanjiro glances over his shoulder, his expression somewhere between worried and confused. "Why are you following us?"

"Because you're my ride to adventure town, buddy. Plus, someone's gotta make sure you don't trip over your own sandals while carrying your sister. No offense," I say, speeding up until I'm walking beside him.

Tanjiro gives me a quick side-eye, clearly unsure if I'm a blessing or a burden. "I can manage, thank you. Nezuko and I have been doing this for a while now."

"Uh-huh, and that's great for you, champ, but who's gonna keep you entertained? You think Nezuko's gonna crack jokes? Nah, she's got that whole silent support vibe going on. Me? I'm a laugh-a-minute." I grin, throwing a finger gun his way.

Nezuko, doesn't respond, obviously, but I swear there's a vibe of judgment radiating from her. Maybe it's just my imagination.

Tanjiro huffs a little but doesn't tell me to leave. Progress. "We're not heading to 'adventure town,' by the way," he says seriously.

"Yeah, yeah, I know," I say, rolling my eyes like he just explained that water is wet. "You're on a mission to get your sister out of here and avoid Butterfly Lady's science fair project. I get it."

Right as I'm gearing up for more commentary, something blurs out of nowhere and slams into Tanjiro, knocking him flat on his back.

"WHOA!" I shout, taking a step back, my hands flying up. "That was—what, a ninja ambush? Acrobat tryouts? A grand entrance, whoever-you-are!"

Before I can blink, the figure darts toward Nezuko. It's all clicks and swishes—quick and efficient. That's when I get a good look at her, it was Kanao. Oh great, another one with a permanent calm-and-dangerous vibe.

"Hey, hey, timeout!" I yell, waving my arms like I'm officiating a sports game. "What's with you insect-themed folks? Is it 'Pick on—uh..." I pause, remembering that I'm not supposed to know there names. "Wait, what was it again? Kid with crazy hair? A motivational speech kid? Whatever— Is it 'Pick on the siblings' day or something? And I didn't get the memo?"

Kanao doesn't respond—not that I expected her to—and her focus stays glued to Nezuko's box like it's the final boss of a video game.

"Hey, Miss Quiet-and-Deadly! Can we not traumatize the siblings today? That'd be super."

But before I can even brace myself, Kanao swings her blade straight for Nezuko's neck.

Tanjiro yanks at Kanao's cape, pulling her back on him. 

"Get out of here, Nezuko! Runaway as fast as you can!" 

Nezuko jumps up and takes off, running like her life depends on it. Which, you know, it kind of does.