The Life and Times of an Average Coward|| Demon Slayer

Chapter 23: Of Snakes and Suspicions

Obanai lets himself touch his partner's head, Kaburamaru's tongue flickering as he enjoys the gliding fingers on his smooth scales as a greeting.

With his friend's cold scale pressed around his neck, his stiff posture loosened, the tenseness leaving his muscles as he gave a sigh of relief.

Kaburamaru's flickering tongue on his cheek had Obanai glaring at the snake.

"You fucking worried me you stupid brat! I thought I told you not to wander off!"

The white snake only hissed and nuzzled against his bandaged cheek in apology.

"A-Ah..." He was suddenly reminded that they have an extra person with them.

At the sudden attention, the girl's cheeks flushed red, hand fidgeting with her long braided hair. An action that distinctly reminded him of Kanroji when she's nervous.

She bows again. "I'll be going now I-Iguro-senpai! Take care Kaburamaru-kun, and try not to get lost again! Bye!"

Before he can say anything, the girl turns around.

And with a near silent crack of lightning, she disappears.

She's fast. Obanai didn't even see her move like that obnoxious bastard Uzui.

A sound that attracted Kanroji's attention and made her come running towards him. Seeing Kaburamaru wrapped safely around his neck, tears gathered at her bright green eyes,

"Uwaaaaa! Kaburamaru-kun, I'm glad you're safe!"

Then she came running towards Obanai for a hug that he gratefully and gleefully received. He could smell her sweet and flowery scent up close and two soft things— no, his thought shouldn't stray towards this direction right now, Kanroji needs to be reassured first.

Obanai can feel his ribs squeak from the force of her hug but does not mention anything, instead, he cautiously patted her back softly.

"It's alright Kanroji, he's here now, so please don't cry." Obanai told her softly.

After a few more seconds in that position, Kanroji lets him go to stare teary eyed at him, sniffling.

Obanai immediately reaches for his pocket to fish for a handkerchief to give it to her.

"Ho-How," She sniffles cutely and blows her runny nose to the hanky. "How did you find him and where?" Kanroji reaches out towards his partner, patting the red eyed snake softly, smiling beautifully as she does so.

How can a person be so perfect?

Obanai inwardly shakes his head, his mind going back to the shy blonde girl from earlier.

"A mouse-like blonde girl found him and gave him to me." He said succinctly.

"A girl?" Kanroji's curiosity was instantly peaked.

His words seemingly did not sit well with his partner, hissing at him.

Obanai blinked at this. "You like her?"

The snake sways his body up and down.

Huh.

His partner hisses some more, tongue flickering as he swayed in an almost dance.

"What? What did Kaburamaru-kun say? Don't go having silent conversations without me?! You know that I'm not as well versed at Kaburamaru-kun's language as you!"

Obanai did not correct her assumption that he can speak snake, but he can understand Kaburamaru in his own way.

"He said she was nice to him even though she was afraid, and even fed him his favorite." Kaburamaru bears his fangs, flitting his tongue in both. "And... she was kind?"