The World On His Shoulders | Demon slayer x Male reader

Chapter XXIX

Y/N's POV

Y/N's footsteps halted at the edge of the Butterfly Estate's gardens, his journey's urgency giving way to a momentary calm. The estate seemed a world away from the chaotic thoughts raging in his mind. His weariness was evident in the slump of his shoulders and the dirt on his clothes, signs of a long travel made in haste.

Inside the infirmary, Kanae was tending to a bandaged arm with a gentleness that surpassed her age.

She looked up as he entered, her expression brightening with surprise and a hint of worry. "Shinazugawa-kun," she said, with a warmth that made the room's cool air seem to soften around her. "You're back sooner than expected. Is everything alright?"

Y/N managed a tired smile, one that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Just tired, Kocho-san. It was a long trip."

Kanae finished with her patient and turned her full attention to him. "You look like you could use some rest yourself. Let's step outside for a moment."

As they stepped into the fresh morning air, Kanae's gaze remained fixed on him, Y/N avoided her probing look.

"Kocho-san," he started, then hesitated, a frown on his forehead.

Kanae led him to a secluded part of the garden where the only witnesses were the occasional butterflies. "What's on your mind, Shinazugawa-kun?"

He shuffled his feet, finding a sudden interest in the gravel path. "It's just... the trip to Tokyo, it was—"

Kanae waited.

He glanced up, caught off guard by the depth of concern in her eyes. "It was good," he lied, the words feeling like stones in his mouth. "I learned a lot. But I... I missed this place."

Kanae reached out, her hand on his arm a light but firm reassurance. "We missed you too. But you seem troubled. Is there something else?"

Y/N shook his head, still hiding the secret he wasn't ready to share. "No, it's nothing. Just... tell me about your day, Kocho-san. How have things been here?"

"It was well, busy as always despite that it was a very calm day, I did not have to do anything beyond just wrapping bandages and stitching open wounds but..." She let out a sigh.

"But?" He leaned forward a bit in her direction, trying to meet her face when she looked away.

"I just feel like I'm not contributing as much as I could be," she confessed, her eyes tracing the path of a butterfly. "I'm a slayer too, but here I am, day in and day out, tending wounds, preparing meals, watching over Shinobu. It's like... like I'm shielded from the real fight, people die out there, some have died here when I was tending their wounds." She looked soured after saying that. "But is not the same, I think sometimes I have it easier than what it should be, my hands get stained yes, but I get to be with my little sister all day, even if we are busy all the time." Y/N listened as Kanae shared her frustrations.

Y/N understood. "Kocho-san, healing is just as brave as fighting," he said. "You keep us going, mend our bodies. We'd be lost without you."

A smile broke through her unhappy face. "You always know what to say, Shinazugawa-kun."

He stared at her... the idea of being the last time he might be talking with her.

She smiled warmly, he wouldn't worry her, she already had much to worry about much like everyone else, so he would just... let her know how much he cared for her just in case... he died soon.

"Kan—Kocho-san, you... you mean a lot to me," He wanted to drop the formalities but the words caught in his throat, "Ever since that night, you've shown nothing but courage and brilliance. You're more than a doctor; you're an amazing woman, a protector to your sister and everyone you go out of your way to make people happy. You're... you're a dear friend. An outstanding person."