丨Soar丨 Kimetsu no Yaiba x OC｜

Chapter 21

***
Amber lanterns illuminated the blooming sakura flowers covered in snow.

To blend into the surroundings, Chizuko and Obanai wore their demon slaying uniforms under their hakamas. Chizuko was clad in a black one decorated with dancing cherry blossom flowers and petals. It kind of matched with Obanai's outfit, which was also black.

"We're here," Obanai said to Chizuko who stood under the red umbrella with him, "The Shingashi River."

The rich aroma of the flowers tickled Chizuko's nose as they proceeded along the street beside the river. Pulling Chizuko closer, Obanai placed her hand on his elbow and whispered, "Like this." Chizuko nodded, steadying her quickening pulse. Stop it, we are only pretending.

Not long ago, a rumour about sakura flowers circulated. The flowers that usually blossomed in spring started flowering around different rivers around the country throughout summer, autumn and winter. Most thought of it as a sign of good fortune and claimed it was a blessing from above. But the demon slaying corps were alerted by the amount of people, especially young couples, that went missing after supposedly visiting the rivers.

After months of analysis, Obanai and Chizuko narrowed down the possible locations of where lower moon two would be, with Shingashi river on the top of their list.

"Careful," Obanai helped Chizuko onto the wooden boat. The boat drifted away from the small platform across the layer of petals on the water surface.

Chizuko glanced at Obanai, his mind seemed elsewhere. He must be thinking of Mitsuri. To be honest, she missed going on missions with Obanai. They travelled together, fought side by side, her pranking him with every chance she got, those moments were irreplaceable. She wanted it to last, at least for a little while more.

But he was happy, happy with her. She saw content in his eyes, as if she were the last thing he needed in this world. Mitsuri was the dawn he needed in his endless night. Chizuko knew she only shown with borrowed light, she could never become Mitsuri. She told herself Obanai had to be with Mitsuri, he had suffered and endured so much, he had to find his happily ever after, a person who sees him as an equal.

The petals painted their surroundings into a romantic pink hue, but she felt as if she had lost the ability to see colour.

Obanai gazed at the blossoming sakura trees, his mind was indeed somewhere else. He was thinking of Mitsuri. To be honest, he couldn't believe he missed her already. He had brought her to the restaurants in the nearby town, walked her home, gifted her green leggings. He was intoxicated, he yearned for more.

But he didn't deserve it, he didn't deserve her. He saw joy in her eyes, as if he was just another normal guy. Obanai knew he was unworthy of Mitsuri, his whole being tainted her. He told himself to stay away from Mitsuri, she deserved someone heroic and righteous, a person who loves her for who she is.

The sakura petals danced in the air, if only they would meet in a place like this in another life.

Glancing at Chizuko, Obanai suddenly remembered he had something to give her.

"Hey, Suzuki, take it," he handed her a sakura hairpin, "It's a gift." Chizuko blinked, "A-a gift? For me?" Obanai turned away to hide his face, "Your birthday is coming at the end of the month, right? And you passed the final selection, consider this as a formal congratulation."

Chizuko smiled, "Thank you, Iguro-sama. I-I'm sorry I didn't give you anything for your birthday." "That's fine, you didn't have wages back then. And you're my student, you don't have to give me presents," Obanai reassured her.

Chizuko examined the hairpin on her palm. It was lovely, exquisite even. The tiny petals were so well made they could be mistaken as real, glimmering under the swaying lanterns. She carefully pinned it to the side. She was grateful, but misery filled her heart again. She knew she was being sensitive, stop it, Iguro-sama gave her a gift because she was his student.

Obanai stole a look at Chizuko, he was pleased that the hairpin matched her hair. He had wanted to gift her something for a while, but he didn't know where to start. What should he give her? What did she like? Would she dislike it? He knew she wouldn't tell him even if the gift didn't suit her.

Luckily, Mitsuri was there to save him. "Maybe you should buy her a hairpin! Chizuko-chan really likes the butterfly one Shinobu-chan gave her! Or maybe some desserts! She also likes sweet food a lot!" He didn't want to buy Chizuko food, since Kyojuro had already done that, and he wanted to give her something that won't be consumed within minutes. After an afternoon of picking, Mitsuri and him decided on this particular hairpin.

A pungent smell shot through Obanai and Chizuko's nostrils, they gasped and stepped away from the edge. The river turned blood red. Obanai glanced around, a dense sakura forest had replaced the bustling streets. Chizuko sucked in a deep breath, the man rowing the boat is gone. What was going on? Were they trapped in a blood demon art already? She shivered, great job loosing focus in lower moon two's territory, Chizuko.

***
"Another delightful young couple?" a figure clad in red stood amongst the branches and flowers. Smirking, it dug its blood stained nails into the tree trunk, "Let our marvellous spectacle begin." The smell of flowers got even more intense.

"Enjoy my garden of sakura blossoms until you die in each other's arms," it chuckled.

***
Obanai and Chizuko stood back to back.

"Stay alerted, Suzuki," Obanai murmured. Chizuko nodded, looks like they were both unaware.

Chizuko sneezed and frowned, the floral scent got stronger. Where are they? What is this place? Where is lower moon two?

Thud. Chizuko jolted, searching for the source. She saw Kaburamaru hissing on the deck. Eh?

Excruciating pain came from her stomach, Chizuko looked down to see a curved lavender blade poking out.

Blood trickled down the corner of her Chizuko's lips, "I-Iguro-sama?"