TRAINING TIME! — CHAPTER #18 — A STABLE MIND MEANS A STABLE BODY! YOU MUST DO YOUR BEST (Y/N)!

Two weeks had passed, and everyone was getting better. You had already regained your normal size, but you were still waiting for your turn to start the rehabilitation training. Today, everyone else had begun, and you were left alone in the room.

As you lay in bed, gazing up at the ceiling, you felt a sense of solitude. The three girls, along with the boys, Kanao, and Aoi, were all out training. The place seemed empty without them. The only companion you had was Chuntarou, who rested on your head. Letting out a sigh, you gently picked up the sparrow, seeking a bit of comfort in its presence.

"Hello, Chuntarou! You cute as always!"

"Chu chuchu! Chu chu!"

"Haha, no problem! Me bored..."

"Chu chu?"

"Yeah, really..."

'Holy shit, wait! I could use this time to study my Japanese!! How can I be so fucking stupid!'

You gave Chuntarou a gentle peck on the head, showing your affection for the little sparrow, before reaching out to grab your book from the table.

Chuntarou perched on your shoulder as you studied, providing a comforting presence. It was important for you to absorb as much knowledge as possible. Your grasp of Japanese was already decent, allowing you to understand most of what you heard. However, there were still some areas where you struggled or lacked confidence. Whenever you felt nervous, it seemed like your Japanese skills vanished, leaving you feeling uncertain. Verb conjugations and unfamiliar words posed challenges that you needed to overcome through dedicated effort.

Lost in your reading, you suddenly heard the door open. You turned your head and saw that it was Shinobu, entering the room.

"Ah- Koucho!! Hello!!" You always gets happy whenever Shinobu is around you.

"Good morning, (Y/N)! How are you doing?"

"Good!! I'm happy!!"

"Oh? Can I know why's that?"

You blushed and couldn't help but fidget nervously. Looking at Shinobu, you stammered shyly:

"Cause'... You're here!! You make me happy!"

Shinobu's expression turned dumbfounded as she processed your words.

'She's happy because I came? Huh...' Shinobu found herself quite surprised by your response. It was a sentiment that she had rarely heard, apart from her sister Kanae.

Caught off guard, Shinobu struggled to find a suitable reply. Blushing faintly, she managed to utter a simple, "Oh..."

Realizing that it was pointless to dwell on her initial reaction, she let out a sigh and composed herself.

"It was nice to see you. I hope your training goes well tomorrow!"

"Thank you!"

"Oh! Before I forget..."

"Mhm?"

"You may call me Shinobu. There's no need to act so formal."

"Eh? Really?"

"Yes. I already call you by your name. It seems pretty fair." She smiled sweetly at you.

"Mhm, well, okay!"

With that, Shinobu excused herself, preparing to leave the room. "Bye-bye, (Y/N)."

"Goodbye... S-Shinobu!" You waved at her with excitement and energy.

As she smiled and left the room, you couldn't contain your excitement.

"YAY! Shinobu came to see me! And my communication skills are getting better! Let's gooooooo!!" You cheered to yourself, feeling a surge of confidence.

"Chu chu!" Chuntarou chimed in, sharing in your joy.

Meanwhile, Koucho, on the other hand, pondered her own behavior.

'I can't believe I got so flustered over that... What's wrong with me?' Shinobu clutched at her chest, trying to calm her racing heart. '...Whatever... it's probably just temporary...'

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"I'm bored, I'm bored... I miss having my phone/ipad/computer..." You thought at loud. "I think that by this time, the part two of chainsaw man is already publishing chapters! Dammit, I miss watching anime and reading mangas..."

...

"Oh jeez, when are they coming back?!" You were frustrated since being bored was consuming you.

"Chu chu chu! Chuchu!"

"At least I got you Chuntarou!"

"Chu chu chuchu!"

"Eh? Your name not Chuntarou?!" This was some shocking news.

"Chu chu chu chuchu! Chu chu chuchuchu!" Explained the sparrow.

"Ohhh! What's your name then?"

"Chuchu! Chuchu!"

"Ukogi?! That's sooo adorable! You have no rights to be so cute, Ukogi! Hahaha!" You hugged the sparrow, and Ukogi hugged your face.

Then, the door swung open, revealing two lifeless figures—Tanjiro and Inosuke—alongside a cheerful Zenitsu.

"Welcome back!" You exclaimed, your words met with silence.

'Well, that answers my question. Tomorrow is going to be a nightmare!' You thought, feeling a wave of apprehension wash over you.

"Hello, (Y/N)!! I missed you!" Zenitsu greeted you enthusiastically. While the other two simply went to sleep, seemingly unresponsive. He hopped onto your bed and embraced your waist tightly, seeking comfort in your presence.

"Holy shit, I'm not going to even lie. I had a great time but I'm exhausted."

"Was it... difficult?"

"Kinda. I just wished you where there though. It felt boring without you..." He pressed his face on your stomach, as if he was trying to hide it.

"Boring?"

"Yeah... I already got use to being with you AND IT DOESN'T FEEL OKAY WHEN YOU'RE NOT AROUND! It's like you're sorta of... of a comfort doll. Well, not doll but I don't know how to explain it. It didn't felt the same when you where not there..."

At this point, he was rambling and your understanding of Japanese was limited, so you simply stopped paying attention and began gently brushing his hair with your fingers.

"You know... you're really comforting... I think that's what I wanted to say... you have such a unique sound. Well, most of the time, you sound nervous or anxious, but there are moments like this when you sound so... peaceful... and I really, really like it. Anyway, I just think you have a nice voice, and I adore that. I feel like if I'm crying, I can just come to your side and I'll calm down—not only because of your soothing sound, but also because I'm with you... I just like your presence in general. Sometimes I even wonder if I can be by your side... Can I? I don't think I deserve to be with someone like you. That's why I want to get better. You deserve someone better. But I won't give up... So, just you wait! I'll make sure to become someone worthy of being by your side forever!" He smiled, his cheeks turning red.

You didn't quite understand what he was saying, as you had zoned out a while ago, but regardless, you returned his smile and patted his head affectionately.

'Ohmygodilovehersofreakingmuch!'

In the end, Zenitsu fell asleep while still holding onto your waist. You wanted to move, but you didn't have the heart to wake him up. Knowing how tired he was from the training, you decided to stay put and continued gently combing his hair. To your surprise, even Ukogi had found a comfortable spot on top of your head and had fallen asleep.

Just as you were settling into this cozy moment, Aoi entered the room to check on everyone. Upon seeing Zenitsu clinging to you, she scolded him for bothering you and gently lifted him back to his own bed, careful not to disturb his slumber.

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The next day, you and the remaining trio made your way towards the rehabilitation training. Tanjiro and Inosuke walked beside you, their lifeless bodies a solemn reminder of the battles they had fought. But Zenitsu, true to his character, happily clasped your hand, radiating with excitement.

Upon reaching the training location, your heart raced with joy as you spotted all of your favorite butterfly girls. A surge of enthusiasm engulfed you, and you couldn't help but approach them with a wide smile, eager to dive into the rehabilitation process and savor the company of your cherished comrades.

"Hello! Hello!" You said in a joyful tone with waving your hand like a mad person.

"Hello, (Y/N)!!" Said Kiyo, Sumi and Naho at the same time, returning your energy.

"Oh, you're here (Y/N)... good morning."

"Good morning, Aoi!" Seriously, why are you such a lady's girl? Aoi just looked at you and looked away.

"Good morning, Kanao!"

"..." The mentioned girl didn't respond but at least waved back.

"All right, since you'll be joining us from today, (Y/N), I'll explain the process again now."

"Ey, ey, Captain!"

Aoi took charge and began explaining the details of each exercise, using Zenitsu as an example. As she demonstrated each step, his enthusiasm was evident, and he seemed to be enjoying himself a bit too much.

The first exercise was massive stretching, aimed at increasing flexibility and improving muscle elasticity. Next came the reflex training, designed to sharpen reaction times and enhance agility. Lastly, it was time for the full-body training, a rigorous session that challenged strength, endurance, and overall physical fitness.

"That's everything. If you have no questions, then, let's start with you. To see how you do in all of this activities."

"Ehhh?" You weren't excited at all. "P-Please, train me well!" You had a comical sad, nervous face.

Sumi, Naho, and Kiyo joined you in stretching your body, and it was an absolute challenge. As someone who wasn't particularly athletic, except for your strength, it felt like hell. "AHHHHHHH!" You grunted, feeling the strain.

"Don't give up, (Y/N)!" Kiyo encouraged.

"You're doing great!" Naho added.

"Keep pushing!" Sumi cheered.

Finally, the stretching session came to an end, but you were completely exhausted. This was not easy for you at all. Now, it was time for the reflex training, and oh boy, it was a whole new level of struggle. You couldn't seem to keep up with Aoi's speed, and it felt like you were just terrible at this. It wasn't that Aoi was going hard on you; you simply struggled with the required speed and agility. At one point, Aoi started to feel bad about throwing so many cups at you.

"Let's, um... let's move on, (Y/N)." Aoi suggested, sensing your frustration.

"O-Okay!" You replied, feeling embarrassed by your performance.

Finally, it was time for the full-body training, and to your relief, this was something you excelled at. You and Aoi got into position, ready to begin.

"Begin!" Naho shouted.

Aoi tried to dodge, but you quickly followed her movements, keeping up the pace. It turned into a thrilling game of tag, and you couldn't help but enjoy every moment of it. You laughed like a child playing their favorite game, and it brought back memories of the training sessions you had with your Master. Eventually, you won by hugging Aoi above her shoulders, just like Zenitsu did in the anime. You realized what you had done and grew nervous, anticipating a punch from Aoi. However, to your surprise, the punch never came.

"..."

"...Aoi?" You asked, turning around while still hugging her, to see her face. Aoi's cheeks were slightly red, and she seemed a bit flustered by the hug, but she made no effort to break free from your hold.

"Yay! (Y/N) won!" Kiyo cheered, prompting the three girls to join in the celebration. You released your hug on Aoi and asked if you had done something wrong.

"A-Ah! No, you didn't do anything... I was just surprised." Aoi replied, still blushing.

"Oh! If you're okay, then!" You hugged her again.

"AH! (Y/N)!" She exclaimed as her face was as red as a tomate

"Hahaha!" You were having a blast.

"Yay!! (Y/N), let me hug you too!" Zenitsu exclaimed as he ran toward you, but Aoi quickly shielded you and punched Zenitsu in the face.

"OUCH! WHY DID YOU PUNCH ME?!"

"GIVE HER SOME PRIVACY! YOU'RE CLINGING TO HER 24/7!"

"AND WHAT'S YOUR POINT?!"

"God, I swear that one day I'll-" Aoi was interrupted by Inosuke.

"I'M GONNA KICK SOME ASS, TOO!" Inosuke declared, and he proceeded to mercilessly attack Aoi.

Inosuke and Zenitsu were able to beat the trainings with Aoi, while you managed more or less. Tanjiro, on the other hand, struggled to win. Feeling a hand on his shoulder, Tanjiro turned to see you standing beside him.

"It's okay, Tanjiro! Work hard!" You encouraged him.

"..." Now that Tanjiro was aware of his feelings, his heart raced at the sight of you. "T-Thanks, (L/N)!" He replied, smiling back. Now, the biggest challenge was Kanao. No one could defeat her, not even Aoi. If they thought Aoi was strong, Kanao was on a whole different level. Days passed, and despite their efforts, none of them could defeat Kanao. They couldn't even touch a single strand of her hair. And then, one day, Inosuke and Zenitsu stopped attending the training sessions, leaving Tanjiro and you to continue on your own.

"Please, train us well!" You two pleaded, determined to improve and overcome this formidable obstacle.

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"Haa... ha... Thank you for a good... workout..." Tanjiro said before leaving. He was so exhausted that he didn't even noticed that he left you in the training room.

'Goddamit! I'm fucking exhausted! I can't stop sweating! I hate being sweaty! It makes me all sticky, hot and disgusting... WHO THE FUCK INVENTED SWEATING?!' While you were busy panting on the floor, you didn't saw Kanao walking towards you.

...

...

*Swing*

You heard the sound of a coin. You turned at your side to see the girl swiping her coin.

'She's making a choice?' After completing your training, Kanao approached you, her breath steady as she gracefully knelt down and took a seat in front of you. She extended her arm, offering you a towel.

"Ohh! Thank you so much!" you exclaimed, taking the towel and using it to wipe away the sweat. The cool touch of the fabric refreshed you, making you feel more comfortable. "Oh god, thank you!" Sitting face to face, you and Kanao locked eyes, a silent connection forming between you. The moonlight poured through the windows, casting a gentle glow on the room, while the stars shimmered in the night sky, adding to the enchantment.

'Kanao is so pretty... she's petite and gorgeous, yet she possesses such incredible strength...' Admiration welled up within you as you gazed at her.

...

"(Y/N)."

"Ah! Y-Yes?" Your heart skipped a beat, feeling a mix of nervousness and excitement.

...

"Do you mind if I give you some advice?" She asked, her voice soft and gentle.

"I would love to hear your advice!" Your replied eagerly.

...

"Using the Total Concentration Breathing technique consistently can make a significant difference in your abilities. It may be challenging at first, but the results are worth it. All the Hashiras, including myself, have honed this technique."

"Ehhh? Really? Thank you so much!" A bright smile spread across your face. You knew it would require effort and dedication, but you were determined to give it your all.

"No problem. If you encounter any difficulties, don't hesitate to ask for my help." Kanao said with a sweet smile, her eyes gently closed.

"..." You were in awe, your eyes fixed on Kanao. She was captivating in every way. Without thinking, the words slipped out of your mouth. "So pretty..."

"Eh?" Kanao's expression shifted, caught off guard by your remark.

...

Your face turned as red as a ripe tomato, realizing what you had blurted out. Hastily, you stood up and bowed. "I-I should go now! BYE-BYE!" With a mix of embarrassment and excitement, you quickly turned and made your way out of the room, leaving Kanao behind, her expression slightly bewildered.

...

"Pretty, huh..." Unbeknownst to you, Kanao's face remained composed, but her ears turned a slight shade of red, a blush betraying her hidden feelings of embarrassment.

As you sprinted away, your face burning with embarrassment, a torrent of self-critical thoughts flooded your mind. 'UGH! Why did I say that? So dumb, so stupid, so cringe! AGHHHHH!' Mentally, you chastised yourself, tears of frustration welling up inside. The weight of your words hung heavily, and you couldn't help but replay the scene over and over, amplifying your feelings of foolishness.

You were so lost in your cringe-filled thoughts that you didn't notice someone standing right in front of you. As a result, the two of you collided, but just as you were about to stumble and fall, a hand swiftly grabbed your arm, preventing your embarrassing tumble. You blinked in surprise and realized it was Shinobu.

"Kouch- Shinobu?!" You stammered, flustered from the unexpected encounter.

"Sweetie, you should watch where you're going. You could have gotten hurt!" Shinobu said, her voice filled with concern.

"I'm so sorry for bumping into you!" You apologized, feeling a mix of embarrassment and gratitude for her timely intervention.

"Oh, it's okay! I'm not even mad. But, did something happen?" Shinobu asked, her eyes narrowing slightly as she noticed your reddened face. You panicked internally, scrambling for an excuse. "Uhh, no! Everything's fine!" you blurted out, trying to downplay any hint of awkwardness.

Shinobu chuckled softly, her laughter filled with warmth. "Are you sure? You look so intense right now, and you're not making any sense!" She teased, clearly amused by your flustered state.

Taking a deep breath to calm yourself, you replied, "Um, I'm really okay. It's just... training! I've been training super hard!"

Understanding washed over Shinobu's face. "Ah, training! I understand. It must be difficult for someone who hasn't trained for demon slaying. But don't worry, I know you'll do great!" She encouraged, patting your head gently with a reassuring smile.

"Thanks, but I'm not so sure..." You responded, your tone more composed now. "I think I might need to train even harder."

Shinobu's eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief. "Extra hard, huh?" She mused, deep in thought.

"Yes." You affirmed.

"Hmhm..." she pondered for a moment, a comfortable silence enveloping both of you. Then, her face lit up with an idea. "Ah! I have an idea!"

"An idea?" You echoed, intrigued by her sudden inspiration.

"Yes! I would love to train you or even turn you into my tsugoku, but right now, I'm too busy. However, I can ask someone to help you!" Shinobu offered, her words filled with genuine enthusiasm.

"Eh?! You'd do that for me!?" You exclaimed, pleasantly surprised by her willingness to assist.

"Yes! I'll ask around and see if someone can lend you a hand!" She confirmed, her smile brightening.

"Ohh, yay! Thank you so much!" You expressed your gratitude, a sense of relief washing over you.

"No problem at all, sweetie. Now, I recommend you go to sleep. It's very late." Shinobu suggested, concern evident in her voice.

You nodded in agreement. "You're right! Um... actually, I'm kind of lost. I don't know where my room is..."

Shinobu giggled softly. "Okay, I'll guide you to your room!"

You sighed with relief. "Ah, thank you again!"

"Fufu, it's no problem at all." She reassured you, her demeanor gentle and caring.