𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫 [[Kimetsu Academy au]] (fem reader)

≋37≋

Out of the corner of his eye, Sabito takes notice of your sudden clinginess

"You're touchy today," he observed "did something happen..?"

The two of you step through the main door and you turn away to hide a raging blush across your cheeks

"You've got this healthy glow on your face," you mumble "...makes you look handsome. So I wanted to hold your hand."

Sabito leans over you to study your facial expression with a soft smirk

"Figures. I always look good." He shrugs it off with a laugh, and you laugh with him

Outside, there's a small garden surrounding a water fountain a few feet away from the hospital entrance.

Sabito spots a cut of black marble bordering the garden, which would serve as adequate seating for now

The two of you sat there for a while to catch up on everything.

You told him about Kaigaku, and the mysterious power of the charm bracelet. You explained also the circumstances in which Makomo was found, and you were shocked to discover that none of the information you'd provided was new news to Sabito.

"I've known about this, for a long time." He admitted

You stare at him wide eyed, kicking your legs idly over the edge of your seat "...how long?"

"Several days. Probably a week by now." He says timidly

Oh, Sabito...why..

"Oh," you tense your shoulders at his response

"Why didn't you say anything then?"

"I tried to," he sighs "I couldn't get in contact with you, and I couldn't call the police on my friend.."

You shake your head slowly

"How...did you know? Why didn't you even try to help her..?"

He shrugs "well, I was still in the hospital trying to recover...I remember it exactly. The night after you left your visit with me, I received a letter from Makomo detailing her whereabouts—naturally, I got nervous. I thought: nobody can see this before Y/N. It has to be her."

You turn to watch his eyes for malice. Thankfully, he looks sincere, so you decide to hear him out

"She said..that you would get a letter soon, too," he continued "She had a list of requests for me. She did this because she knew she could count on me to keep her secret."

Sabito tensed visibly at this point "I had hoped it wouldn't come to this...but now I feel like such a failure."

You immediately shake your head, nudging your face into his arm

"I know how you feel..but it's best not to sweat the small stuff," you exhale "it's all over anyways. This is the end—we can now rest, knowing the truth."

Sabito looked off into the distance in a forlorn manner

"Actually, there is something that she really wants us to do."

After your conversation, you'd explained to Sabito that you hadn't opened your letter yet. Although he didn't know if the contents within yours would be the same as his, he opened up to you about the very first thing on the list, which was to reach common ground with the new student Tanjiro Kamado. It was a simple and odd request, but it wasn't out of character of Makomo to request that. She'd always hated the rivalry Sabito had with the boy.

"...but there's just no way that guy wants to talk to me," Sabito said "we got off on real bad terms, you know."

Walking side by side with the occasional hop in your step, you and Sabito chatted casually while headed for the nearest bus stop

"I don't think that's the case." You blurt out

"No?" Sabito looks at you quizzically

You shake your head "no. I think that this time is him giving us a chance to reach out.."

He shoved his hands into his pockets and studied the ground in front of him. He doesn't really look ashamed; more like he was pondering the possibility of that

"If you do this...," you add "you won't just be fulfilling makomos wishes, but mine as well. And probably even yours too, deep down somewhere in that cold heart of yours"

"You think I'll do it just because you told me to?" Sabito teased, a sly grin spreading across his face "I have free will you know"

You stop to stand by the bus stop together. He's looking at you with a tantalizing half-lidded gaze. You turn to face him, playfully gripping his shirt with both hands. You want to close the gap between you—now would be the perfect time

Tanjiro...

"That's exactly why I think you'll do it. I'm telling you you're a jerk, but you want to prove me wrong," you smile softly at your old friend "so, we'll see what happens."

You release him from your grasp and his gaze lingers on your lips for a moment

"You're getting too crafty for me, it seems." He comments

You brush him off with a chuckle, and then lead him into the bus when it arrives