Chapter 9: Breakdown
A communication disorder is a condition that often refers to someone who's having difficulty in speaking to others. There are many kinds of disorders and they all vary according to several factors such as from a bad childhood past to simply being shy to speak. But that doesn't meant that the person in question doesn't want to speak-
"Shut up. I don't need to hear it again."
'Komi-san?! Who are you even talking to?'
Uhm, well in this case, such things could happened when a person is having a massive emotional breakdown. But it wasn't the case-
"Just shut up! You're the reason we're stuck here!"
"Komi-san?! Why are you yelling at the wall?"
Kanao doesn't seemed to be in a good mood, but thankfully the class was already almost empty because it's recess. It spared her some embarrassment of having to yell at a wall in public.
"Calm down Komi-san. What's the matter? What happened last night?" Tadano quickly tries to calm her down
"I- We saw, who the demon was." She finally calmed down a bit
"You saw it. Do you know who?"
"Unfortunately, yes." She looks down
"How is that an unfortunate thing? That's a great news." Tadano tried to cheer her up
"It was unfortunate because," She looked at a specific direction. "It was one of your friend."
"Who?"
"It's her." She pointed. "I'm sure of it."
Tadano looked towards where she points at and it lead him to a girl minding her own business on her desk. He couldn't believe at first but judging by how upset she was, she isn't lying right now.
"Nakanaka-san? But she looked normal to me." Tadano was sceptical
"Exactly. I was, so sure of it. It couldn't be anyone else. But if we were wrong, we could've slain an innocent person. If we don't, we won't be able to return home." Kanao put her face onto her desk
'I see, that's how it is huh?' Tadano thought
"Then, maybe I could help."
"How?" Her voice was muffled
"I could talk to her and figure out if she's really herself."
"Be careful. Yesterday when I hear the demon spoke, you were the next target." Kanao explains carefully
'And so is Tanjiro.' She thought
"Is that so? Then I should try and be careful to not fall asleep."
Tadano got up from his seat and slowly walks over to the front seat by the window. He felt nervous of getting close to her after knowing the truth. And with him being the next target really got him scared to become the next victim. He approaches her nonetheless and managed to stood by her side.
"Um, Nakanaka-san?" He began
"Oh, Tadano-kun. What has the dark lord sent for you to be here?"
'Ah yes, chuunibyou. Reminds me of someone.' He nervously thought
"Actually, I was thinking about this question. Do you happened to know how to solve it by chance?"
From afar, all three figure stared at Tadano having a conversation with the target. All three of them were on guard ready to attack if anything were to happen to him. Even at the risk of their own life. Not long after, Tadano went back towards his seat with a calm face.
"So, how did it went?" She asked the man
"She was fine. There's nothing different about her, at least from my perspective." Tadano briefly explains
"Tadano-kun, I will have to warn you. If we found out that she's really a demon, we won't have much choice but to kill her. But of course that would be the last resort."
"But I do have some good news. I got us invited over to her house. That's where we can find out the truth."
"Are you serious? That's a suicide mission."
"Of course, I won't be alone. I have you three remember? And with your defensive skills, I'm pretty sure we will be alright."
"Right. When will we be going?"
"Today, after school."
"Okay, I will tell the other two."
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"Tanjiro-san? Tanjiro-san."
In the butterfly mansion, a man sat inside his room all alone reminiscing the memories he had. All those years he had fought the demons, he thought it would be over after the man was defeated. The thought of having to face one more had him feeling down considering his own conditions. But he couldn't have anybody else involved in this matter as it is his friends and he couldn't have someone else carry the burden that was his responsibility. All of those thoughts has been lingering inside his mind to the point he didn't realize a voice was calling him.
"Tanjiro-san."
"Ah, Aoi-san." He was startled. "Gomen, I didn't see you there."
"Are you alright? You seemed to be, stressed." Aoi came into his room
"Daijoubu. I was just thinking about those three." Tanjiro displayed a fale smile
"I know you're thinking about the demon. I can't help but be worried for you. You shouldn't be doing this alone you know." Aoi sat down in front of him
"I'm not doing this alone. I have you and Nezuko. I also have Oyakata-sama helping to search for that demon."
"And yet, you sat here thinking you shouldn't have us involved in the first place." Aoi harshly said
"Look, I have admired you ever since that day you left for the mission with Rengoku-san. You trained hard just to improve all for one goal. To defeat the man and cure your sister. But it's different now."
"It isn't. It never has and never will. As long as demon is here, there will always be something for me to fight it, even at the cost of my own life." Tanjiro looked downed
"Your days are numbered, you know that well enough. And so is Kanao. If she sees you acting this reckless, even if you returned back safely, she would definitely scold you for it." Aoi sternly said
"At least I have to try. For her sake as well as Zenitsu's and Inosuke's. If I failed, then there's still you right?" Tanjiro stared into the blue orbs
"Who me? I- I can't fight the demon-"
"I believe in your ability Aoi-san. You're much more smarter and wiser than me. You'll definitely know what to do if I failed." Tanjiro confidently said
"But-"
"There's no more time. I've already gotten the information on the demon. I will be leaving soon."
"Alone?! You can't! At least wait for some reinforcement." Aoi yelled
"You know I can't. If I wait any longer, the demon will escape and we will never know where it will appear next." Tanjiro stood up
"You're not serious about this right?! You must be joking!"
"Tell Nezuko I will be back later than usual. Goodbye." Tanjiro grabbed his sword rwady to leave
"Wait!" Aoi stopped him
"I will return safely. The crows are watching my back."
"I know but, please take these with you." Aoi hands over some vials
"What are these?" Tanjiro questions
"Those are wisteria poison. It was stored by Shinobu-sama in one of her drawers. But I don't think these ones are for her sword." Aoi looked down
"I see." He gripped the vials together. "Then, I will be going now."
"Be careful!"
"Oh and Aoi-san. If you could, please don't tell those three about this matter." Tanjiro sternly said
"If it means that it will help you, then maybe I will. Don't fail us Tanjiro-san."
"I won't."
Tanjiro showed her a smile to reassure her before closing the door behind him. She was left alone having mixed feelings building up within her. She wasn't sure if she should follow through his request. But if it is his will, then she will keep her mouth shut and believe in him. All the meanwhile a figure with yellow hair who happened to be in the garden had already heard all of it.
'I need to tell the others.'
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'Here we are. The demon's den.'
In present day Japan, a group of people is gathering in front of a house. They're here for "studying" purposes and it didn't took long for the host to answer after the bell was rang.
"Ah, Tadano-kun, Komi-san and the others."
'She seemed to be calm even with the sun out.'
"Also, why is she here?" The host points at a figure
"Huh? You got a problem with that? Can I not join them with your studies?"
'Since when did we invite you Yamai-san?' Tadano wonders
"Like I would let you in. You must be jealous that's all."
"Thank you for inviting us over." Zenitsu tries to break the tension
Nakanaka Omoharu, their host for the afternoon eventually let everyone into her house and into their room. Immediately, they were greeted by posters on the walls, a desk with a computer on it and bookshelves filled with various kinds of books and manga. In the middle of it all was a table with cushions surrounding it. Without thinking much, Tadano took his seat and so did Zenitsu and Kanao. Inosuke took a seat on the bed that was right beside the table. Not long after, the host came in with a tray in hand.
"Anybody want some tea?"
"Thank you, Nakanaka-san."
After some tea are served, they all began to work on their homeworks. Only Tadano, Nakanaka-san and Yamai Ren who does their task. Kanao and Zenitsu can only pretend whilst Inosuke uses his high vantage points to look around.
'These things are creeping me the hell out.' He thought to himself
'The demon is right in front of us. I couldn't get a good look yesterday but I trust her judgement. We need to be careful.' Zenitsu glares at Nakanaka-san
'She isn't fooling no one. We will get her exposed.' Kanao confidently thought
The group studies for three whole hours and it was silent. Usually someone would've sparked a conversation but surprisingly they all didn't speak a single word. That is until,
"Ah, look at the time. I think I should head home." Yamai-san got up
"Eh? Already?" Nakanaka-san was surprised
"Well, it can't be helped. Be safe on your way." Tadano wished her
"I will see you tomorrow at school, Komi-san. Goodbye now."
'Be safe Yamai-san.' Kanao wrote
After the third party had left the room, the others continues on with their task. But it didn't took long for a symptom to show up. Nakanaka-san who they thought to be the demon got hazy as she slowly bobbing her head up and down. Then, all of a sudden, her face fell and was planted firmly on the table. The four was shocked to see such things happening all of a sudden.
"Nakanaka-san?! Daijoubu?!" Tadano quickly shakes her lifeless body
"Was it poison?!" Zenitsu checked the tea
"No it wasn't. She's just asleep." Inosuke quickly noted
"Asleep?"
'Was she that tired? We've been doing this for three hours so it make sense.' Kanao thought
"Should we just put her on the bed and leave?" Tadano asked for second opinions
"We don't have any choice."
"Wah! I fell asleep! The patients! I-" Suddenly she woke up again
"N-No way." Kanao began to shake
"Eh? What's the matter?"
"They did it again."
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"Tired already?"
Back in the Taisho era, a certain redhead was having some difficulty to breathe. He had traveled across the lands trying to find the one threat so that his friends can return back into their own bodies. Armed with the knowledge and a single sword, he steps into the house where the demon was believed to be hiding in. Not a moment later, he was attacked by something and now he's in a predicament. He falls back and got struck again by a trap from behind. Already his body is feeling the pain but the adrenaline is starting to kick in nullifying the senses. He took out his sword and took a stance to face the demon.
"You're quite brave for a young man. I'm sure that you must be from the disbanded corp right?" The demon taunted
"Brave? There was someone who was braver than me. He wouldn't hesitate to cut your head even when his body was full of slash marks and blood." Tanjiro tries to regain his composure
"Hmm....... It was sad then. You're bold to assume that you can defeat me alone."
"This is a matter between you and me demon. I don't need someone else to do the work for me."
"Oh really then? What about your precious friends then?" The demon taunted
"Even if I failed and died here, there will always be someone else to replace me. So that your head will no longer be with your body." Tanjiro confidently said
"How nice of you to assumed that I'm the only one who's doing the deed."
"What do you mean by that?"
"You know, friends are a cute way to call your comrades. But your friends to me are potential victims. One of them has become one as we speak."
"No, there's more than one of you bastards?!" Tanjiro is enraged by this
"Aww, someone is angry I see. Lets see if you can survive the night." The demon taunted
Tanjiro looked at the demon with a disgusted look on his face. He grips his sword a lot tighter even with only one hand that he could use. His left arm are useless as he can't feel a thing from it and his vision is no longer as good as it was before. He was at a severe disadvantage but he knew that very well. The only reason he kept on fighting is because of his friends.
"Lets get this over with." Tanjiro starts charging forward
"Blood demon art: Voice of the angels."
As Tanjiro was surging forward, the demon took a deep breath and began singing. The song was sooth and calming as if the angels are singing themselves. But it doesn't seem like Tanjiro was affected by it, not even the slightest.
'Huh? He isn't even falling for my trap!'
"Sing all you want you damn demon! But I know your trick already!"
Learning from his encounter with the demon from before, Tanjiro had already placed a plan. That is to stuff his own ears with damp cloth so sound won't travel into his ears that well. He jumps up with his sword held up high.
"Water breathing, second form: Water wheel!"
He rotates mid air generating enough momentum to create a powerful concentrated single slash. He delivers a slash onto the demon's body and quickly the demon jump back to avoid him.
'The cut was deep but it wasn't something that I can't handle.' The demon thought. 'But he's still strong even when he's using one arm.'
"Don't underestimate me, demon."
"Water breathing, fourth form: Striking tide."
Not wanting to let it get a chance to retaliate, Tanjiro continues to surge forwards deliver multiple slash according to his body movements in a smooth fashion. He push until they burst through the back wall and out of the house. They're now on a level playing field as there was nowhere to hide for the demon.
'This guy is really strong! What the hell?!'
"Water breathing, first form: Water surface slash!"
"Blood demon art: Overlapping voices."
Tanjiro ran as fast as he could and manages to close the gap enough for his blade to reach the demon. The blade was merely millimetres deep into the skin, but it was pulled out immediately right after. This was caused by Tanjiro being blasted by voices that came from the demon's mouth. He flew back and stopped the momentum by stabbing his sword into the ground. He looks up and saw the demon readying another charge.
'Oh shoot!'
"Blood demon art: Crushing scream."
The demon lets out a high pitch screams loud enough to shattering all nearby glass and clay products. It was so ear piercing to the point that it penetrates through the dampen cloth reaching into his ears. Tanjiro instinctively covers it with his hand but only one as his other hand cannot be moved no more. Once it was over, his left ear was seeping out blood through the dampen cloth. He knows if she hits him one more time, he will not be able to hear again. And that's exactly what she intended to do.
"Hmm? Looks like your ear is bleeding a bit. Seems like your method is no longer working." The demon taunted
"It's not working at all! My ear is bleeding because they worked hard to interpret your stupid voice! Stop fooling around and lets end this!" Tanjiro yelled
"Very well."
'This time,'
"Blood demon art:"
'I will win for sure.'
"Crushing scream."
As the demon was taking a deep breath, Tanjiro pulled out his sword and make a dash for it. The scream was only seconds away and he still has to close the gap. He know he will be hit but sacrificing his ears for the sake of his friends is more than worth it. He sees the air vibrating and the scream is more louder since he was closer to her. But it only lasted a split of a second when a sword flew past his head. Wait no, two swords both flew past him and one hits her in the shoulder and the other in the neck, right where her vocal chord would be. He took this chance and stomp his left foot hard into the soil.
"Water breathing, first form: Water surface slash!"
Without any hesitation, he swings his blade with all his might and it went through the flesh and bones. The head is finally departed from the body as the face it makes was really shocked. The blood sprays in the air making it hard to breath. It finally landed and rolled onto its side. The lifeless body fell down to the ground and disintegrates into ashes.
"How, did this happened?" The demon mutters
"How? Because you were careless. You think you've already won. And now, you shall go to hell with him now." Tanjiro coldly said
"No wait. This can't be it. Not after what I've been through." The head began to wither
"Sayonara."
"This is not over. You hear me?! This is not ove-"
Her words was cut off as her mouth was no longer there. The whole head as well as the body had turned into nothing but ash and it got blown into the winds. Neither bones nor bloods remained on the ground. The only ones that's still there are on his blade and his face. Now that remains a mystery to him,
'Who's blades was that?'
He stood up and looked at the two blades that was dropped on the ground. One has a pink edge and a flowery hand guard whilst the other one was bare steel wrapped in cloth with jagged edge. Already, he knew to whom these belongs to.
"Tanjiro-san!"
"Minna?"
He looks back and there they were. Three figure who he recognised as his friends. From afar, he knew it wasn't them. But he was grateful nonetheless. He picked up the two sword and walks over towards them.
"Oi mister, that was dangerous you know?! Why did you fight that thing alone?!" Najimi yelled
"Why, are you here? You shouldn't be-"
"I heard what you've said with Aoi-san. I couldn't just let you so, I brought them along." Agari confessed
"But still, it's dangerous. You people are not trained for this kind of stuff." Tanjiro scolded
'And yet, a well trained person like you almost gave up your own life.'
"K-Komi-san?"
".............Surprising considering this comes from you." Tanjiro suddenly gave her a hug
Komi was surprised seeing his reaction. She didn't thought that a man like him would do such reckless thing. She hesitates but, she hugged him back and he felt warmth surrounding his body.
"Thank you, Komi-san." He muttered
"Y-y-you, a-are w-w-welcome, T-Tanjiro-kun."
All four of them stayed in that one spot for a while. Tanjiro is enjoying the comfort of the hug whilst Najimi and Agari both are watching them. Najimi had definitely confirmed how mad he is in love with his partner. Not Komi-san, but at Kanao. Willing to sacrifice his own self for the sake of others. That's something not everyone could do. Then, Tanjiro suddenly remembers something and broke the hug.
"Wait, we need to go back." He quickly said
"Whoa slow down. You still have a bloody ears." Najimi stops him
"There's another one right at the mansion! Aoi-san and Nezuko are in danger! We need to go!" Tanjiro ran as fast as he could
"You heard him. Lets go." Najimi followed
"Eh?! Wait for me!"
The four had their heart pumping by how fast they're traversing the land. With how far they were from the mansion, it will take at least an hour to reach it. He moves his legs ignoring how tiring and much pain he's feeling. All he cares about is one thing.
'Nezuko! Please be safe!'
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"We're too late."