Fedora Man

Chapter 13:16th Birthday

You stumbled into your room before sitting on the ground, sucking in mouthfuls of air.

Rengoku had been training you, you were so tired.

You were just so happy to get some sleep.

Ding!

You jumped.

Was that your phone?

You reached into your school uniform jacket before pulling it out.

You had forgotten about it, you thought it was dead by now.

It was a notification.

You opened it and gasped.

It was a reminder for your 16th birthday, you just turned 16.

You felt tears well in your eyes before sliding down your face.

You were 16 and your parents were not there to celebrate it.

Throughout your whole life, your parents always celebrated your birthday, they always tried to make it perfect.

But as time went on, the more busy they became, they couldn't throw a celebration but they always remembered a present.

And now to think that, they were probably divorced by now and you were missing.

You let out a few sobs.

"Y/N!"Rengoku called as he rolled open the shoji door.

You quickly hid your face.

Damn it, why at this time during one of those moments?

"Y/N?"Rengoku called as he walked into the room, concern in his voice.

You raised your head revealing your tear soaked face.

"Y/N!"Rengoku exclaimed sounding surprised to see you cry.

You sniffed before looking away, your cheeks turning red from embarrassment."It nothing really, I just..."

You raised your phone for him to see."It's my birthday and my parents are not there to celebrate it with me, I just turned 16."

You stared at him.

"I know it's childish but my parents hearts are breaking just knowing that their daughter is gone and they are doing their best, they must probably think I ran away but I never did, I never ran away, never really wanted to, I just wanted us to be a family."

You were surprised, you have never really opened up to your friends like that about your family.

Rengoku smiled before kneeling down and placing his hand on your shoulder."Y/N, I would never really know what made you to leave your family or what took you away but a birthday calls for a celebration!"

"Ah?"You said.

Rengoku handed you a brown box tried with a rope."Here, I was actually coming here to give you this."

You unwrapped the box carefully, taking your time, you gasped as you finally peeled everything away.

It was a white haori which faded into a purple hue at the down and edges.

"It's beautiful."You commented.

Rengoku nodded."It is, when you're done with your training, if you pass the final selection, I want to see you wear this haori with your Demon Slayer uniform."

You smiled."Right, thank you Rengoku-San."

"You're welcome Y/N, now get plenty of rest, much is to be done tomorrow."Rengoku said with a smile as he walked out of your room.

"Right!"You answered as the shoji door shot.

Rengoku was such a nice character.

You wondered why he had to die.

Well, no time to ponder that.

You landed on your futon with a stretch and a yawn.

All that training and crying had tired you out.

Your eyes closed and you were asleep, the haori beside you.