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~~~~~

"I have friends."

—Giyuu Tomioka, Demon Slayer

~~~~~

"I-I'll be trained by the Water Pillar?!"

Your face's temperature rises at the thought of seeing him every day. You covered your burning cheeks with your bandaged hands. You felt a ripple of pain from various points in your body, causing you to wince in pain.

"Don't move too much, (Y/N)-chan," advised Shinobu, who was—in clear contrast of your flushed state—calmly sitting beside you. She was fully-informed of your "little" crush with Giyuu. She's more than happy to play the Cupid for the two of you. It's also her time to shine her match-making skills. What would be the best approach than for Giyuu to train you every day?

H-how am I going to survive this? You thought. You uncovered your face, lay down on the bed, and pulled the covers over your head.

With the signature smile of hers, Shinobu said, "The demons are getting powerful every day, (Y/N)-chan. I highly advised you to train with one of our Pillars since you barely got out of your situation last time."

Your voice was muffled under the covers, "Why does it have to be Tomioka-san? You can just let me train with the Fire Pillar or with anyone."

"You want to be trained with Shinazugawa-san then?"

"NO!" A hiss escaped your lips at your abrupt rise from the bed. Again, Shinobu reminded you, "Refrain from sudden movements, (Y/N)-chan."

***

Can I melt and evaporate? I want to be with nature.

You were sitting on the engawa that overlooked the Butterfly Estate's garden. You're fully-healed and train-ready. The only thing that is missing is your trainer. You were dreading and excited at the same time. You just hope you're not about to faint at the sight of him. Speaking of which, where is he?

"(Y/N)-chan?"

You were called by Shinobu. Obedient, you went to her aid and saw Giyuu standing a few feet behind her.

God, help me. I can't—

"Tomioka-san, this is (Y/N) (L/N). She's the one I was talking about."

Shinobu introduced you to Giyuu as you bowed in respect. Despite your fangirling inside, you kept your composure steady, though you don't know how long it will last.

At first, you thought you were going to train in his estate. Too bad you won't know the location of his estate, so you can visit him anytime. Pfft, it's as if you have the guts to do that. You're too shy and you even lack the courage to simply approach him.

Ah, yes. He saved you once from a demon and that's where you fall into this depths of love-sickness.

You smiled at him. You felt it was a strained one since it took all of your will not to smile from ear to ear like a some freak girl. You said, "I'll be in your care, Tomioka-sama."

Shinobu left the two of you alone. The first thing he did is he pointed out not to mention his name with honorifics. He doesn't like it. Yikes, that's a minus point. But, you're simply expressing your respect to him. After all, you're just some middle-rank Demon Slayer.

So, you called him, "Tomioka-san."

He didn't respond. He waited for you to continue. You caught up with the silence. You averted your eyes from him and started to play with your fingers. You said, "T-thank you for saving me last time." Curse this shy nature.

Giyuu recalled the countless battle he had. He remembered you. That's why your face was familiar to him. "Don't worry about it."

The two of you started training rehabilitation. You cursed yourself for not being strong enough. If you were as strong as Giyuu, then you probably won't be in this situation right now.

Oh, wait. You want this situation. You want to see him every day.

You weren't able to sense a hit coming at you, causing you to receive a hit on the head. You fell to the ground with the thud. The clanking of your fallen wooden sword can be heard as it landed on the soil. Your vision started to spin.

Giyuu went to your side quickly. He said, "I thought you can parry that."

You scratched your nape. An awkward laugh erupted from your lips as your dizziness was starting to recede. You apologized, "I-I'm sorry."

Giyuu helped you up. "I think that's enough for today."

A sigh escaped your lips. You felt so disappointed with yourself.

A pat on the head made your cheeks red. You quickly avoided eye contact with Giyuu, acting interested with the butterflies that flutter by.

"You did your best." With that, he left.

***

You and Giyuu continued training for the next couple of weeks. The routine was starting to be boring to you. You want to get out of the Butterfly Estate and kill some demons, even Giyuu won't take you out of the estate. You even begged your own crow to send you to a mission. But with all your pestering, your crow never visited you anymore. You were pushed deeper into the hole of boredom.

You do enjoy training with Giyuu, but he's so professional. You wanted to talk to him, but you never got the courage to do so. You're so nervous of every word that slipped out from your lips will cause him to drift from you more.

"I guess, I don't have to train you anymore."

At the end of your training with Giyuu, nothing happened. After this, you two will only be strangers.

On the bright side, you'll be able to go out again. You swore to yourself you're rotting inside the Butterfly Estate.

"Thank you for all your hardwork," said you, rising from your bow. Shinobu said, "It's nothing."

You were ready to slay demons again. Now, you've never felt more confident than ever. Sadly, you'll miss the silent and seldom interactions you had with Giyuu when he was training you.

As you were about to leave, a VERY familiar voice spoke, "Wait."

You stopped yourself from walking. Your lips were now sewn shut. Why does he have to be here when I'm about to leave? I don't mind though. It'll give me inspiration.

You turned to Giyuu and saw him looking at you with the same neutral expression on his face. His blue eyes burned into your soul. Can I have a picture?

He started, "There's something I want to say."

Your cheeks went bright red. "W-what is it?"

Giyuu seemed hesitant about it. Then, he remembered Shinobu's words.

"This is your only chance of having a friend, or maybe more."

Giyuu inhaled and said, "I like you, (Y/N)."

If you're cheeks were only red before, your whole face was now.

T-this man! He likes me too? Really? This is not my hallucination working, right? Oh, please tell me this is not a daydream. Giyuu likes me? Someone as lowly as me?

You noticed Giyuu was looking away, appearing bashfully at his confession. You giggled at his cuteness. With a smile, you told him:

"I like you too, Tomioka-san."

Giyuu looked at you. You swore you can see a small pout forming. He told you, "Don't call me Tomioka-san anymore."

The honorifics, right. "Then, Giyuu. I like you too, Giyuu."

"I like you the most, (Y/N)."

~~~~~