The World On His Shoulders | Demon slayer x Male reader

Chapter XXVI

Sanemi's POV

They made their way back to the Butterfly Estate, both bearing injuries from their latest encounter with demons. As they walked, the less injured Kumeno couldn't help but have a knowing smile.

 "So back to the estate, huh? I bet you've been wanting to be here for a while now." Sanemi grumbled.

Kumeno replied cheerfully, "Oh, you bet! I mean, it's not so bad when a beauty like Kocho-san is the one tending to your wounds, am I right? I've seen the way you look at her..."

Sanemi gave Kumeno a blank look. "For fuck's sake, you really are insisting on that? She's only helped me once, during our Final Selection. I haven't seen her much since."

Kumeno smirked, not buying Sanemi's argument. "Well, you did ask me to write a few letters to her..."

Sanemi sighed in exasperation. "Yes, idiot, that's because we were on a mission in the mountains with no way to stop the poison if that demon bit us."

Kumeno nodded, "Fair enough... But really, it's nice to be back here. There's something about the estate that makes me happy. It must be the company and the fact that there are always people to talk to."

Sanemi scoffed, "You're too friendly, Kumeno."

Kumeno retaliated by playfully squeezing Sanemi's shoulder, "And you're too angry and mean, Sanemi!"

Sanemi rolled his eyes, "Stop calling me so familiar!"

 "No can do! It's too fun to annoy you." Kumeno grinned and teased.

❛ ━━･❪ ❁ ❫ ･━━ ❜

The two were welcomed into the Butterfly Estate by a female Kakushi member, who bowed respectfully. "Sanemi-sama, Kumeno-sama."

Sanemi was very much proud of his body but he raised an eyebrow as he noticed the girl's gaze lingering on his unbuttoned jacket and exposed chest.  "My eyes are up here." He dryly remarked.

The girl quickly averted her gaze and cleared her throat. "I apologize, I was distracted."

 "Yes, I'm sure you were." 

The mortified girl stammered, "P-Please, this way," and led them inside to the infirmary room. Sanemi wasted no time and lay down on one of the beds while Kumeno relaxed on the other, stretching out.

The girl  stood beside Kumeno trying to regain her composure, "I'll be right back."

As the Kakushi girl returned with a tray of medicine, she asked with a hint of shyness, "May I see your wounds?"

Sanemi and Kumeno shared a brief glance, and Sanemi couldn't help but feel his heart race at the thought of someone else, even though he knew she was probably not available. "Where is Kocho-san?"

Kumeno laughed at his Sanemi's expense, and the girl nervously explained, "Kocho-san is... busy... at the moment."

She quickly corrected herself, "W-well, she isn't, but she is on break," in a clear attempt to avoid making it seem like Kocho-san was neglecting them.

Sanemi nodded. He knew she deserved a break, and he couldn't blame her for not being there to treat their wounds. 

A part of him wished to be taken care of by her like that night during the Final Selection when she had tended to him with patience and care. It reminded him of the feeling he once felt from his mother and his idiotic older brother, who always treated him with such gentle touch.

Sanemi sighed and removed his jacket slowly to expose his injuries, "Fine."

 "Please, no funny business with him. He hasn't been touched by a girl for months." Kumeno grinned.