7

༊*·˚

The mission was an easy one, and after a week Miko and I make our way back to the demon slayer corps headquarters where we reside whenever we don't have a mission. As we approach, I fiddle with the bandage around my hand which protects a slight injury I obtained. Miko however was able to walk away with only a few bruises and scratches.

"I wonder when my next mission will be..." I mumble and she looks at me confused.

"Already thinking about that? I'm looking forward to a nap in a nice comfortable futon!" She says as we both giggle together. "Haku was asking about you the other day~" She winks and I look at her confused. "He's on a mission right now, but he wrote to me asking whether you recovered fully and if you're alright~"

"How sweet of him!" I say and she deadpans at me.

"You're so dense sometimes Hanako," I look at her confused but she ignores me as we approach the estate. I run after her, pestering her to explain what she means but she ignores me. "Miko you're so cruel! Tell me what you mean-!" I'm cut off as I bump straight into her as she halts abruptly. I fall onto my bum, wincing as I glare up at her. "What the heck!" I say as I stand, dusting myself off. "Why did you stop-" I pause once I look to what stopped her, my own blood running cold.

Standing there talking to a kakushi, is none other than Haganezuka. At first I was excited to see him, that was until he slowly turned his head to look at me with a threatening aura which makes me shiver. Once he sees me, he then comes storming over and I freeze as Miko yelps, running to hide behind me and even the Kakushi runs in fear.

"Nakahara Hanako." He says in a deep voice and I yelp, holding my hands in front of me and shaking my head frantically.

"I-I didn't break my sword I swear! I was extra careful not to damage it and there's only one scratch on it-" He suddenly stops in front of me, his hands firmly by his side.

"Have tea with me." He blurts out, and I open one eye to look at him shocked.

"E-eh?" I stutter and he shuffles uncomfortably before straightening up once more.

"Have tea with me...?" He says a little more gently this time, and within seconds my eyes light up.

"O-Oh! Ok!" I say happily and he nods slowly.

"Wait... did you say you scratched you sword-"

"What are we waiting for come on!" I grab onto his wrist with two hands, dragging him behind me as he makes a startled sound and stumbles after me, shocked at my strength which contradicts my small frame. Miko stands there dumbfounded, not even sure what to think of the situation that just unfolded in front of her.

-

Similar to last time, Haganezuka sits patiently on a mat on a veranda as I excitedly hurry over with a tray of tea, trying my hardest not to trip and spill it. I place the tray down, sitting down on my knees and beginning to pour the tea.

"I wasn't expecting you to come! I mean you didn't reply to any of my letters so I assumed-" As I pour the tea, I look up at him only to be caught off guard from the mask staring directly at me. He seems a bit taken back as well as he suddenly straightens up and stumbles over his words, and I blink as I feel my cheeks getting slightly warmer.

I then yelp, not realizing the tea was overflowing from the small cup and pouring the boiling liquid all over my injured hand. I drop the tea pot, gasping as it spills and I immediately reach to clean it... however Haganezuka had the same idea. We both instinctively reached for the pot, making out hands graze together and our heads bang together. We both wince, pulling away and I rub the sore spot on my forehead as he grumbles angrily.

"E-excuse me..." I mumble embarrassed, beginning to clean the spilled tea despite my aching hand. He watches silently, noticing that the wound has been opened and the blood is starting to leak through the bandage.

"Your hand..." he mumbles and I look down, my eyes widening as I see the blood. I quickly hide it behind me, laughing awkwardly.

"Oh it's nothing just a small..." I close my eyes smiling, until I feel him reach over and grab my wrist... pulling my hand out and inspecting it. "...scratch..." I whisper, his rough hands holding onto my wrist gently as he looks down at the wound. He's close to me, closer than he's been before... and my heart pounds in my chest as I observe the mask up close. It seems old and has some scratches on the paint... and I can faintly smell smoke on the scarf around his head... mixed with slight hint of sweetness? I lean slightly closer, trying to get a better idea of the strange smell, until he pulls away making me pull back with bright red cheeks and an awkward smile.

"You should treat your hand," he says bluntly and I rub my neck.

"Y-Yeah I'll do that-"

"I'll get the first aid and do it for you," he says standing making my eyes grow wide.

"E-eh! No you don't have to do that-!"

"Shut up!" He calls out as he walks away to retrieve the first aid. I sit there, placing a hand over my beating heart as I fan my face trying to calm down. What is happening to me!? I feel like I'm burning up and my stomach feels all tight! Am I coming down with some sort of sickness or fever, I just got out of recovery!

He returns with the first aid, but instead of sitting across from me again... he takes a seat next to me. I sit there stiff and awkward as I can't bear myself to look at him as he pulls out the materials.

"Give me your hand," he instructs and I hesitate, my hand shaking uncontrollably. He groans, grabbing my wrist and pulling it towards him making me stumble forward and glare at him.

"You could be more gentle..." I huff and he scoffs.

"I thought you were a demon slayer, put up with it," I turn my head away proudly, sneaking a peak at him as he works.

His hands are rough and much larger than mine, scars and calluses all over them and I watch as he slowly unwraps the bandage. I wince, the deep cut on the palm of my hand bleeds intensely as the wound was opened during the tea commotion. Without hesitation, he pours the disinfectant making me yelp out in pain, trying to pull my hand away but he grabs it firmly and holds it in place.

"A-at least give me some warning!" I whine and he snickers softly.

"Suck it up you big baby," I gasp dramatically, trying to pull my hand away harder but his grip only gets tighter making me wince.

"You're hurting!"

"If you just stopped struggling I wouldn't have to be rough!"

"Jerk face!"

"Crybaby!"

We glare at each other, until he sighs and finally lets go. I pull my wrist away, rubbing the bruising skin while glaring intensely at him.

"Do it yourself then," he throws the clean bandage at me, standing and taking his previous seat across from me. I poke my tongue out at him, bandaging up my hand with a frown on my face.

Now, because of all the injuries I've sustained over my lifetime, I like to think I've become an expert when it comes to bandaging wounds. However, a wound on your palm is a bit of an inconvenient area to bandage. I huff, trying to use my teeth as another hand while struggling to properly wrap the material. Haganezuka watches, physically cringing as he watches the pathetic girl in front of him. I can feel his gaze, and I awkwardly look over at him, before looking to the side with a pout.

"Can you... help?" I mumble under my breath, and he chuckles while crossing his arms proudly.

"So now you want my help?"

"J-Just shut up and help me!" I hiss, throwing the bandage at him making him laugh more. He sits back next to me, holding his hand out to me. "But be gentle!" I yell, giving in and placing my hand in his. He snickers, mimicking me under his breath making me roll my eyes, however I look at him as I can feel that he's being significantly more gentle this time.

He doesn't grip my wrist tight, and instead gently wraps the bandage around my hand while trying to avoid the cut and the red marks he gave me. We sit in silence, and when he finishes he puffs his chest out proudly.

"T-thank you..." I whisper and he nods, looking up as we make eye contact. I look up at him, and he's silent as we stare at each other and he slowly lets go of my hand. He then clears his throat, standing and sitting back down as I stare at my lap embarrassed. None of us says anything, the tense moment lingering in the air as if you could see it.

"How did you... get that injury?" He finally says, and I look up laughing weakly.

"The demon managed to get a grip on my hand..." I rub my neck, clearing my throat. "I was just about to cut his neck, when suddenly he dodged so quickly it was as if he teleported! Because he suddenly disappeared, I fell forward and as I tried to stop my fall, he tried to slash me from behind! I quickly turned and tried to use my sword to defend myself, but before I could grip it he stabbed the palm of my hand with his really sharp claw! I was so shocked I couldn't even feel the pain until after the mission and Miko pointed out the blood pouring out of my hand!"

Haganezuka listens intrigued as she tells stories about her mission, and he finds himself smiling behind the mask as he thinks that this is exactly like her letters... although for some reason he's enjoying listening to her tell the story much more than him reading it and imagining it in her voice.

He tries his best to hold back his laughter as she imitates the demon, holding her hair up to try and resemble a spiky hair do however failing miserably and her black hair falls over her face making him softly chuckle.

"Anyway, we beat him easy peasy!" I say proudly and he hums. "Have you been getting my letters!?" I say leaning forward and he hums.

"Your crow is a little prick. Look what he did to me!" He holds up his hand, three band-aids in various places and I cover my mouth giggling. "What's so funny!?" He hisses and I clear my throat.

"Piiko only ever pecks people he really really dislikes... he must really not be fond of you..." I say softly laughing and he scoffs, crossing his arms.

"Well good cause I hate that bird!" He says and I laugh harder. "I...have been reading your letters..." I gasp happily and he rubs his neck. "Sorry I haven't written back..."

"That's ok, you have lots of clients I'm sure! Don't worry about making time for me!"

"Yeah... lots of clients..."

"Did you give Mr Takahashi my letter! What did he say! Did he say yes to meeting soon!?" I drill him with questions, dying to know what Takahashi's reaction was to my letter. I've been praying that he'll accept me visiting him, or at least him coming here to visit me. I never got to thank him properly so I've been-

"Takahashi... passed away 8 nights ago... that's why I came here to tell you..."

"...Eh...?"