AN: A random announcement (plus mini sneak peek of new draft) at the end of this chapter. Go check it out!!
CHAPTER SIXTEEN:
In the midst of Kyojuro's drunken state, Tanjiro kindly offered to help Senjuro carry their teacher back to his room.
Senjuro gratefully accepted the offer but admitted, "Thanks, Tanjiro, but I might need a bit more help. He's kind of heavy."
As Zenitsu and Inosuke continued their playful squabble, (Y/N) saw an opportunity to assist and offered to help as well.
"I can help you guys." She offered.
However, her kind gesture was met with a suggestive look on both Tanjiro and Senjuro's faces, which caught her off guard.
"Why are you giving me those looks?" (Y/N) questioned, feeling slightly flustered.
Before Tanjiro or Senjuro could respond, Inosuke hollered out with mischievous intent, "Ha! You just want to feel Rengoku-Sensei up. We know what you're doing, (Y/N)."
Inosuke's teasing remark made (Y/N) blush even more in embarrassment. She quickly clarified, "No, that's not it! I just want to help carry him back to his room, that's all!"
They started their heist down the stairs.
As Senjuro, (Y/N) and Tanjiro carefully carried the drunken Kyojuro downstairs, (Y/N) couldn't help but feel entranced by the scent of his cologne.
Her face flushed even redder, but she tried her best to focus on the task at hand.
Noticing (Y/N)'s distraction, Tanjiro couldn't resist teasing her with a playful smirk. "Are you feeling alright, (Y/N)?" he asked, trying to bring her back to reality.
(Y/N) shook her head, snapping out of her thoughts, and replied, "I'm all good, just got a bit lost there for a moment."
With determination, they continued their careful descent down the stairs.
As they made their way to Kyojuro's room, they passed by the living room, where the drunken Tengen was having a hilarious and comedic moment.
His eyes were closed, and his face flushed red from the alcohol he had consumed.
In his sleep, he flapped his arms around in the air, as if searching for something, and mumbled, asking no one in particular where his spooning partner was.
"Where is my Kyojuro babes...? Goddamit." Then Tengen rolled on his side, a snore coming out his lips.
The trio carrying Kyojuro couldn't help but chuckle at the sight. Tengen's antics never failed to provide amusement, even in his inebriated state.
"Looks like Tengen's having an interesting dream," Tanjiro remarked with a grin.
(Y/N) nodded, trying not to laugh too loudly, "Seems like it. He's always entertaining, even in his sleep."
Senjuro couldn't resist adding, "I wonder what my older brother looks like in his dream."
With determination, they continued their careful carrying until they reached Kyojuro's room.
"We can handle it from here, (Y/N)." Senjuro smiled, "We'll go lay him down."
"Ooh. Right right-Okay." (Y/N) quickly let's go of Kyojuro and gave space for Senjuro and Tanjiro to work.
(Y/N) stepped back, watching from the doorframe as they planned how to lay Kyojuro down on the futon.
Tanjiro and Senjuro had a moment as they carefully tried to position Kyojuro on the futon.
Just when they thought they had him settled, Kyojuro unexpectedly rolled around in his sleep and ended up in an awkward position.
"Oh, come on!" Tanjiro laughed, trying not to wake Kyojuro. "Stay still, Sensei."
Senjuro joined in the laughter, gently adjusting their teacher's position. "We got this, just a little more," he said with a grin.
After a few more attempts, they finally managed to get Kyojuro comfortably settled on the futon.
They covered him with a blanket, ensuring he was warm and snug in his slumber.
(Y/N) couldn't help but find the entire situation amusing. "You two are doing great," she commented, enjoying the camaraderie between Tanjiro and Senjuro.
"Teamwork makes the dream work!" Tanjiro chuckled.
Senjuro then chimes in. "That was such a hassle."
With the drunken Kyojuro settled in his sleep, they left the room, closing the door quietly behind them.
As Senjuro and Tanjiro began walking up the stairs, they noticed that (Y/N) wasn't following them.
Lost in thought, she was brought back to reality when Tanjiro called out to her. "You coming, (Y/N)?" He asked.
(Y/N) quickly came up with an excuse, feeling flustered, "Oh, uh, I just remembered I need to use the bathroom for a minute."
Tanjiro, being the observant and helpful friend, pointed out that obvious. "Oh? But there's a bathroom upstairs to-"
But before he could say more, Senjuro covered his mouth with a knowing smile.
"It's alright," Senjuro reassured (Y/N), "We'll head up now. Don't take long or Inosuke will eat your food, too."
(Y/N) appreciated Senjuro's understanding and felt relieved that he didn't push her for an explanation.
Blush quickly soared her cheeks, then she watched as the two quickly fumbled their way up the stairs.
Feeling flustered from trying to calm her rapidly beating heart, (Y/N) made her way to the bathroom to wash her face.
She shook her head, trying to clear her mind and forget about Kyojuro's cute snoring face that had left a lasting impression on her.
'No no no! Bad (Y/N). Stop thinking about his adorable sleeping face.'
After washing her face, she exited the bathroom and noticed that Kyojuro's bedroom door was unexpectedly open.
She recalled Senjuro closing it earlier, so the sight confused her. (Y/N) hesitated for a moment, debating whether to go and close the door herself.
'I should close it. Yeahhh-I definitely should.'
But then, she caught a glimpse of Kyojuro's sleeping form through the doorway-the sight drew her in.
Curiosity and a mix of emotions overwhelmed her, and she found herself stepping inside the room.
As she quietly approached the futon where Kyojuro slept, she couldn't help but feel a strange connection.
Her heart raced again, and she tried to understand her feelings.
She admired his peaceful expression and couldn't deny the fondness she had for him.
(Y/N) knew she should leave and respect Kyojuro's privacy, but a part of her wanted to stay just a little longer, cherishing this unexpected moment.
She lingered, conflicted between her emotions and the realization that she should probably return to the others soon.
"This is kind of embarrassing." (Y/N) started with a nervous chuckle, "I'm sorry for being a creeper, Rengoku-Sensei. But I just thought that I needed to check up on you-To make sure you were alright."
Feeling a mix of emotions and knowing that she had spent enough time lost in her thoughts, (Y/N) finally mustered the courage to say her goodnights to the snoring Kyojuro.
She gently leaned down and whispered, "I have to go now. Goodnight, Kyojuro. Sleep well."
Contemplating her feelings one last time, she felt a surge of bravery and affection.
With a gentle and tender gesture, (Y/N) planted a small kiss on Kyojuro's forehead, leaving behind a heartfelt expression of her feelings.
Feeling both nervous and content with her decision, (Y/N) stepped back and took one last look at Kyojuro before quietly leaving the room.
As she closed the door, she took a deep breath, knowing that she would cherish this memory and keep her feelings close to her heart.
But what (Y/N) didn't know was-Kyojuro was conscious and aware this entire time.
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You guys-Guess what? (◕દ◕)
Look at what I'm drafting mwehehehe- Expect a Gyomei × Reader book coming out after I finish this story.