I DON'T KNOW WHO YOU PRETEND I AM — CHAPTER #62 — YOU KNOW WHO YOU PRETEND I AM

The third day came, and with it, your mood soured even further. You were sick, exhausted, and fed up, but today's frustration was rooted in something—or rather, someone—specific. Tengen Uzui and his wives came to visit. Normally, you wouldn't have minded the presence of Tengen, Makio, or Hinatsuru—they were fine, easy to tolerate.

But Suma?

Oh, Suma.

THAT DAMN NASTY HOE.

"..." You were glaring daggers at her from across the room, your eyes narrowing as she awkwardly shifted under your intense gaze. Of all the people to show up while you were bedridden, sick, and grumpy, why did it have to be her? She was already giving you that innocent, teary-eyed look, the one that usually made others forgive her, but you were having NONE of it.

HOW DARE SHE EVEN VISIT YOU?!

"Hey (Y/N)!!! How's my baby doing?" Makio arrived with energy, happy to greet you.

"Hello (Y/N). I hope we're not making you tired by our presence..." Hinatsuru came in second, already feeling guilty since she was sensing that perhaps they were going to be too energetic for you.

"Hi, princess!" Uzui smirked at you, his smile looking more charming than usual. "Are you doing good?"

"...I suppose." You answered him but your eyes did not stop gazing daggers at the ugly creature called Suma.

"Aw, that's nice to hear!" He ruffled your head, snickering at your face. You looked funny. "(Y/N), come on! Smile a little!" He tried tickling you but nothing worked.

"What if I try this?!" Makio began playing with your face, trying to make you smile but the results were the same.

Hinatsuru gave you an apologetic concerned look, clearly used to her husband's and wives antics by now. "We're really sorry for barging in like this. Tengen thought it would lift your spirits."

"It's alright." You replied dryly, not really paying much of attention to her words.

...

Suma, visibly nervous, shuffled forward and dropped to her knees, clasping her hands together as if in prayer. "WAHHH!!! I'M SO, SO SOOORRYYYY!" she wailed, her voice high-pitched and shaky. "I—I didn't mean to vomit on you the last time! It was an accident! I s-swear! I just got too excited, and my stomach couldn't handle the celebration—"

"No."

You tuned her out.

You didn't care.

At all.

You did not give a single FUCK about what she had to say to you.

Suma continued, her voice rising in desperation. "PLEASEEEEEE, (Y/N)! WAHHHH, forgive me! I've been feeling awful ever since! I swear I'll make it up to you!" She threw herself forward, pressing her forehead to the floor in a deep bow, practically groveling at your feet.

"...bitch." You gave her a cold, dismissive glance, your arms crossed, and turned your head away.

"I'll never do something like that again! I regret it with every inch of my body!" Suma's pitiful cries only grew louder as she began to full-on whine. "You have to forgive meeee!"

Makio, clearly fed up with the stupid display of her wife, stepped forward and smacked her lightly on the head. "Get a grip, Suma! You're embarrassing us all! If she doesn't want to, then she doesn't have to forgive you! You fucked up pretty badly!"

"I can't help it!" She sobbed louder. "She hates me now! I WANNA DIE! WHAT'S WORSE THAN (Y/N) HATING ME?!"

"You should be focusing on getting better, that's why I told you to not drink and yet, you didn't listen... these are the consequences of your actions." Hinatsuru said gently, her voice a stark contrast to Suma's wailing. She gave you an understanding smile, but your eyes were still locked on the stupid bitch, your expression unchanged.

"So, how's our favorite patient doing today? I bet it must be pretty boring being sick—sucks to be you." Tengen asked, trying to change the topic. He lounged back on a nearby chair, a smirk playing on his lips as he propped his feet up on the edge of your bed.

"...I'm alive. That's about all I can say."

"Eh... You're looking better (you are not) already," Tengen said with his usual confidence, though this time, there was a softness in his eyes. His broad hand gently resting on your shoulder, his thumb tracing a soothing pattern. "A little more of that Uzui Tengen sparkle, and you'll be shining brighter than ever."

"You really are strong," Hinatsuru added as she sat on the edge of your bed, smoothing out your blanket. "To be dealing with this and still have that spark in your eyes... It's amazing. You're amazing."

You felt the warmth of their words sinking in, making you forget, if only for a moment, just how sick you were.

Makio leaned in closer, her eyes full of a soft concern. "You know, not just anyone can handle being sick and still look as good as you do," she teased lightly, but her smile was warm. "I mean, honestly, how do you do it?"

"Aww, shucks, I don't even look good right now..." You blushed at her words, trying to laugh it off, but Makio wasn't done.

She brushed a lock of hair away from your forehead. "You're tough, okay sweetie? I can't wait until you're no longer sick! We're all so worried about you. We need you healthy, alright?"

You opened your mouth to protest, but Tengen cut in smoothly. "Basically, you're perfect. And don't even think about arguing with us."

You couldn't help but laugh. "...I'm not perfect," you mumbled, trying to look anywhere but at them.

"Oh, hush," Hinatsuru said, giving you a playful nudge. "You don't get to argue when we're busy complimenting you. Just take it."

Your face flushed with embarrassment, and if you hadn't already been blushing, you definitely were now. The others were obviously trying to cheer you up, to make you laugh, or at least distract you from your stress. Though it wasn't exactly subtle, their efforts were surprisingly effective, and you found yourself beginning to feel a little better.

Until...

"(Y/N)!!" Suma suddenly wailed, her eyes already glistening with tears as she looked at you with an almost pitiful expression. "I think you're beautiful too—!"

"Shut the fuck up, you loud, whiny cunt bimbo."

"WAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!" Suma burst into hysterics, her loud sobs echoing through the room as she threw her hands up.

Before you could muster some sarcastic remark to shut the hoe down, the door to your room swung open with a loud bang, revealing Sanemi, Rengoku, and Inosuke.

"Hey," Sanemi greeted. His sharp gaze swept across the room, not even bothering to acknowledge anyone else as his eyes immediately landed on you. It was like you were his sole focus, his top priority. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine..." you muttered, already mentally bracing yourself for the overwhelming crowd that had now entered. Why did they always have to show up in groups? It was exhausting trying to deal with everyone at once, especially with Suma wailing in the corner.

"HELLO, MY BRILLIANT RAY OF SUNSHINE!" Rengoku boomed, his enthusiasm filling the room as he struck a dramatic pose. "I AM HERE TO BRING THE GOOD VIBES AND MAKE YOUR DAY AWESOME!" His sheer energy made you feel tired just looking at him, though in an oddly comforting way.

Hinatsuru sighed softly, covering her mouth in mild disbelief. "Oh no... Not this again."

Makio clenched her teeth, rolling her eyes with visible annoyance. "Great, my day was going perfectly fine until someone had to come along and ruin it."

"NOOO! IT'S RENGOKU!!" Suma wailed even louder, her voice climbing to a new pitch of despair.

Then, as if things couldn't escalate further, Rengoku suddenly turned towards Tengen with wide, excited eyes. "OH MY! IS THAT WHO I THINK IT IS?!"

"Oh, my god..." Tengen shot up from his chair, equally as excited, his eyes lighting up. "IT'S MY SWEET BOO BOO BUNNY FACE!"

You groaned internally. Here we go again.

"Oh fuck," Sanemi muttered under his breath. "It's too damn early for this shit—"

But before anyone could stop them, Rengoku launched himself at Tengen, wrapping him in a tight, affectionate hug. "MY LOVE BUGABOO! HOW I HAVE YEARNED TO SEE YOU AGAIN!!"

"MY CUDDLE PUFFIN!" Tengen laughed as he caught Rengoku, his excitement matching the other's. Despite Rengoku's sudden attack, Tengen's towering form barely wobbled. "I MISSED YOU TOO, MY SMOOCHIE WOOGUMS!"

"OH, YOU SILLY SQUISHY PUDDING PIE!" Rengoku squeezed tighter. "YOU JUST SAW ME YESTERDAY, BUT IT FEELS LIKE A LIFETIME!"

"I KNOW! THAT'S ENOUGH TO MAKE ME WANT TO DIE!"

"NO! IF YOU DIE, THEN I'LL DIE TOO!"

"OH, MY SWEETHEART!"

"OH, MY DARLING!"

Makio's temper finally snapped. "WILL YOU TWO KNOCK IT OFF WITH THIS NONSENSE?!"

Hinatsuru crossed her arms, standing beside Makio with a determined glare. "That's right! He's our husband, not yours!" Her tone was firm as she backed Makio up, clearly not willing to let the pair get away with their over-the-top display.

And then Suma began to hiss at Rengoku like an angry cat, the sound startling everyone. "STAY AWAY FROM HIM, HIZZZZZ!!"

Of course, this led to the inevitable—the five of them started bickering and fighting like they always did.

But a soft sigh pulled you out of your trance. You glanced to the side to find Sanemi sitting beside you, shaking his head in exasperation. His face held a look of deep disappointment. "Tch—it's like they don't know how to act like civilized people when someone's sick."

You couldn't help but laugh softly. "I'm starting to get used to it..."

"You shouldn't." Sanemi's eyes softened slightly as they flickered over to you. His gaze took in the sight of the handkerchief on your forehead, now warmed from use. Without saying a word, he grabbed it, walked over to the basin of cold water next to your bed, and wet it again. With surprising gentleness, he wrung it out and placed it back on your forehead. "...Is that better?"

You smiled weakly, feeling grateful for the gesture. "Yeah, thanks."

Despite your smile, Sanemi's eyes lingered on your face longer than usual.

He tried to mask it, but there was something in his expression—concern? You looked sick, obviously, he couldn't deny it.

Perhaps your weakly state reminded him of his mother.

Your face was flushed, beads of sweat clung to your skin, and each breath you took seemed labored. The sight of you like this made it hard for him to keep up his usual attitude.

You were always full of energy and now you were...

He turned away abruptly, his expression tense, and sat down heavily in the chair next to your bed. Resting his elbows on the bed, he leaned forward, hiding his face behind his hand as if trying to compose himself. His voice, when he finally spoke, was barely above a whisper, almost as if he didn't want you to hear. "...Can't you just get better already?"

"...?" You glanced over at him, but his words were so quiet, you couldn't quite catch what he said. "What's up with you? You're acting weird."

He barely glanced at you, his face still half-hidden behind his hand as he muttered, "Huh? Weird how?" His voice was low, as if he were too tired to care.

"You look... calm. Knock it off. It's creepy," you teased, narrowing your eyes at him suspiciously. It was rare to see Sanemi this relaxed, and it unsettled you more than you cared to admit.

He scoffed, shooting you a sharp look. "Bitch."

You couldn't help but laugh. "Ha, even your cursing sounds soft today." A mischievous grin spread across your face as you reached over, moving his hand away from his face and poking his cheek lightly. You noticed that despite your teasing, his calm demeanor wasn't draining your energy like it usually did when he was more intense. In a strange way, his laid-back attitude was actually making you feel better.

Sanemi raised an eyebrow (OMG U GUYS I KNOW HE DOESNT HAS EYEBROWS BUT I MEAN LIKE THE PART WHERE HIS EYEBROW SHOULD BE FUCK), not moving away from your persistent poking. "So what? You want me to yell at you or something?" His voice was still calm, despite the challenge in his tone. He didn't seem bothered by your prodding at all—if anything, he seemed to be tolerating it.

You paused, considering his offer for a moment before shrugging. "Mmm... nah. I'm just testing your patience."

Sanemi didn't respond immediately, but his silence was telling. He seemed to be letting you get away with more than usual today, which was odd for someone like him. Usually, he had a short fuse, but right now, he seemed strangely unbothered.

Shinazugawa Sanemi couldn't quite understand what it was about you that got under his skin.

Sure, you were undeniably pretty, and sometimes you made him laugh—not that he'd ever admit it, of course. You were smart too, not like some of the idiots he dealt with on a daily basis. Though, you could be dumb as well. But despite all that, he just couldn't bring himself to like you. There was something about you that made him feel... ew.

You made him feel unsettled. His stomach twisted when you were around, his palms got sweaty, and his throat felt dry like he'd swallowed sand. His heartbeat picked up, and it felt like his blood was boiling beneath his skin. It was an unfamiliar sensation, and he hated it. Hated the way his body seemed to betray him whenever you were near.

He didn't like it. Not one bit.

"Can you stop poking me?" Sanemi's voice broke through his thoughts as you kept jabbing your finger into his cheek.

"Nope. It's funny," you replied with a childish snicker, clearly enjoying how you were getting under his skin.

"It's gonna be real funny when I break your finger," he growled, though there was no real bite to his words. It was more of a half-hearted threat, and both of you knew it. You weren't scared of him, not even a little bit. You knew he wouldn't actually hurt you. He knew it too—and it irritated him to no end.

That smug confidence of yours... it infuriated him.

You always managed to anger him in ways no one else could. Everything you did seemed designed to provoke him, whether it was your constant teasing or the way you never backed down from him, even when most people would. Everyone told him he was difficult, insufferable even—but you? You never stopped talking to him. You never pulled away.

And he didn't understand why.

All those times you touched him—playfully, casually—those times he wanted to say something, anything, to let you know what was going on in his head but couldn't find the words. All the moments you shared, moments where he wondered why you never seemed to get tired of him. He was used to being told he was a pain in the ass, that he was too hard to deal with. Yet here you were, poking at his cheek like it was the most natural thing in the world.

It drove him mad.

Despite the frustration, despite how much you annoyed him, there was something in him that couldn't let go of you. He hated how much you lingered in his thoughts, how much he found himself looking forward to seeing you. The truth was, you were occupying more space in his heart than he'd like to admit. He couldn't ignore how much you meant to him, no matter how much he tried to shove it down.

He wanted to tell you, so many times. Every time he was with you, he found himself wanting to say something, to explain why he sometimes treated you harshly, why he had such a hard time showing how he really felt. He wanted to apologize for the rude things he'd said, the way he'd brushed you off before. But the words always got stuck in his throat.

He wanted to tell you that out of everyone he knew, you were the only one whose presence didn't grate on his nerves. You were the only person who made him feel... calm, even when you were being an annoying little brat. He wanted to explain that nothing he did for you was a coincidence—it was all deliberate. Every little thing he did for you was because he cared.

More than he wanted to admit.

And it was stupid.

It was so,

so,

so stupid.

But the truth was,

you were the most lovely soul he'd ever come across,

and he couldn't help but be drawn to you. Even now, as you poked at him with that playful grin on your face, he couldn't bring himself to push you away.

"...You're a pain in the ass, you know that?" But even as he said it, he couldn't deny the warmth spreading in his chest—the warmth he felt whenever you were near.

"Eh, I know I am, thanks," you teased, your voice dripping with playful sarcasm.

Without missing a beat, he fired back. "Yeah, and if you keep poking me, I'll stuff your face in a pillow."

You couldn't help but roll your eyes. "Wow, such a charmer. I'll be sure to swoon later."

The look on his face when you said it was priceless—his brows furrowed just slightly, and he clicked his tongue in that annoyed way that always made you feel a little too proud of yourself.

But then, in a way that completely blindsided you, his expression softened.

Not the usual scowl,

not the usual glare,

just a softening, as though something in him had cracked open.

And before you could fully process it, you heard something you never expected:

Sanemi laughing.

It wasn't a chuckle or some gruff, sarcastic scoff. No, it was an actual, deep laugh that spilled out of him, the kind that made his whole face relax and his eyes crinkle at the corners. You froze, stunned. Sanemi was laughing. And it wasn't at anyone's expense or from frustration—it was from you. The sight was so rare, so beautiful, that it nearly took your breath away. The sound of it—warm and rich—wrapped around you like a comforting embrace.

For a moment, all you could do was stare, completely lost in the sight of him like this, so carefree and human. You'd never seen him like this before. The way his usual stern expression gave way to something almost gentle... you couldn't stop yourself from thinking how beautiful his laugh was. It made your chest tighten in the most unexpected way, warmth flooding through you.

"(Y/N)," Your stunned silence didn't go unnoticed. Still smiling, Sanemi reached out with that same surprising gentleness and patted your head. "I'm glad." The rough edges of his usual tone were smoothed over by an emotion you couldn't quite place. As his hand rested on your head, he ruffled your hair gently, the motion tender in a way you never would've expected from him. He then sighed. "...Don't die, ok...?"

He kept his hand there, warm and steady, continuing to rub your head like he wasn't in any rush to move. You felt a strange comfort from his touch, a soothing reassurance you hadn't known you needed.

Before you could get lost in the moment any further, a loud crash interrupted the peace, jolting both you and Sanemi out of your little bubble. Your eyes shot wide as you saw Inosuke—of all people—launch himself onto your bed without any warning.

"WHAT THE HELL, YOU IDIOT?!" Sanemi immediately barked, shooting to his feet with an angry glare, his protective instincts kicking in. "YOU COULD'VE HURT HER, YOU RECKLESS MORON!"

Inosuke, of course, was completely unfazed by Sanemi's outburst. Ignoring him entirely, he turned to you, his wild eyes gleaming with a strange kind of determination.

"(Y/N), I need to give you something," he declared, rummaging through his belongings as if this was a matter of life or death.

You blinked, still a little dazed from Sanemi's earlier tenderness. "...What is it, Inosuke?" You couldn't help but feel slightly wary, considering his track record of 'gifts.'

He finally pulled something from his pouch and thrust it out in front of you. "Here!" he said, holding up a small, familiar rock. You immediately recognized it—it was the same old rock you had given him.

Confused but touched, you looked up at him. "Why are you giving me this?"

"It's my good luck charm..." he explained in his usual blunt way. "You gave it to me when I needed luck, so now I'm giving it to you. You need it more than I do right now. I'm sure that with this, you'll get better in no time!"

"...!" Your heart melted at his earnestness, a soft smile tugging at your lips. "Aww, Inosuke, that's so sweet of you," you cooed, genuinely moved by the gesture.

Sanemi, ever the killjoy, groaned beside you. "Ugh, gross."

But before you could respond, Inosuke—being Inosuke—reached into his pouch again and dumped a pile of acorns all over you. Acorns rained down like confetti, bouncing off your head and blankets, scattering across the bed in every direction.

"Oh!" you shrieked, caught off guard by the sudden acorn attack.

Inosuke grinned like a proud kid. "Acorns are lucky too! I'll go find more just for you, OKAY?!" he declared before bolting out of the room without another word.

"YOU IDIOT, DON'T YOU DARE BRING MORE ACORNS IN HERE!" Sanemi yelled after him, his face flushed with frustration, but it was clear Inosuke wasn't listening. He was already gone, probably halfway across the courtyard by now in search of more acorns.

The door then creaked open once again. You didn't need to look to know who it was—Shinobu always had a graceful, almost eerie way of entering a room without making much noise. She glanced around at the group, her delicate eyebrows lifting in disapproval at the sight of everyone crowding around your bed.

"Alright, everyone," she said in her usual sweet but commanding tone. "Visiting hours are over. (Y/N) needs to rest."

"Aw, come on! Can't we stay a little longer?" Tengen groaned dramatically, throwing his arm around Rengoku, who had been trying to steal one last affectionate glance at you.

"Nope!" Shinobu replied, her smile widening in that deceptively pleasant way of hers. "Out. Now."

Rengoku, Tengen, Hinatsuru, Makio, and Suma all began offering you a chorus of enthusiastic, if chaotic, goodbyes.

"WE WILL CONTINUE THIS TOMORROW, MY SHINING STAR!" Rengoku bellowed, waving with far too much energy for someone who was just asked to leave.

"Rest up," Hinatsuru said gently, offering you a warm smile before grabbing Suma by the arm and dragging her out.

Suma, still teary-eyed from earlier, sniffled. "(Y/N), you're the prettiest—!"

"Shut up, Suma," Makio hissed, pulling her out the door. "Bye (Y/N)!!"

The door clicked shut, and just like that, the room was quiet again. Shinobu walked over to your bedside, placing a small vial of medicine on the table beside you. "You know the drill," she said lightly, but you could hear the authority in her voice. "Take this, and you'll feel better by morning."

"...yup!" You gave her a weak smile, nodding in agreement though you had no intention of taking that awful medicine. She lingered for a moment, studying you carefully, before turning on her heel and leaving you alone in the room.

As soon as the coast was clear, you grabbed the cup and made your way to the window. Just like yesterday—and the day before—you were planning to toss it out. But when you opened the window, you were greeted with a pair of glowing blue eyes staring up at you from the shadows.

Akaza.

FUCK.

"Going somewhere?" his deep voice asked, his tone laced with amusement as he leaned casually against the wall outside.

You froze, the cup still in your hand. "Seriously? Again?" you muttered under your breath. "Don't you have a life!?"

"None of your business." He arched an eyebrow, clearly not amused by your antics. "I know you didn't take it yesterday either," he said, his gaze narrowing as he studied your face. "You look exactly the same. No improvement at all."

You rolled your eyes, gripping the cup tighter. "I'm fine! I don't need to take the stupid medicine to feel better!" you argued, trying to sound convincing, but the raspy edge to your voice betrayed you.

Without warning, Akaza leaped up, landing effortlessly on the windowsill and snatching the cup from your hand. "No more games. You're taking it," he ordered, holding the cup out to you.

"GAH!" You glared at him, crossing your arms defiantly. "I'm not taking it," you shot back. "It tastes like death!"

"Death tastes better than how you look right now," he retorted, his eyes flashing with irritation. He uncorked the cup and moved it closer to your mouth.

"WHORE!" You leaned back, shaking your head. "NOOO! NO WAY! I'm not doing this!"

With a swift movement, he grabbed your chin, tilting your head back slightly. "You don't have a choice."

You struggled, but Akaza was far stronger, and before you knew it, he was tipping the cup toward your lips. You clenched your jaw, refusing to let him force the liquid down your throat.

"God—YOU'RE STUBBORN, WOMAN! Just drink it!" he growled, clearly getting frustrated.

As soon as the medicine touched your lips, you instinctively spat it right back out—directly onto Akaza's face.

...

...

...

He froze, his eyes wide in disbelief. A moment later, his nose twitched, and he recoiled in disgust.

"Ugh... what the—what is this?" His face scrunched up as he took a step back, wiping the liquid from his face with his hand. He shivered, visibly disturbed. "That... smells horrible!"

You watched as he grimaced and gagged, clearly repulsed by the potent odor. Seeing his reaction made you break into a wide grin, your earlier frustration forgotten. "See?! I told you I wasn't exaggerating! That stuff is awful!"

Akaza let out a low groan, his usual stoic composure shattered. He furiously tried to clean himself off, swiping at his face and pants as if the medicine had left a permanent stain. "What the hell do they put in this?!" he gagged again, his usual bravado replaced by genuine disgust.

Still laughing, you clutched your stomach. "I don't know, but you made me try to drink it!" You were clearly enjoying this far too much, watching Akaza's rare, almost human reaction to something as simple as bad-tasting medicine.

He shot you a glare, his lips pulling into a tight scowl. "I didn't know it smelled this bad! I thought you were just being dramatic."

You waved a hand in front of your nose for dramatic effect, playing into his discomfort. "Yup. And now you know why I've been throwing it out the window for days."

Akaza, still gagging slightly, turned his head away, trying to find some cleaner air. "It's like they brewed this stuff with rotten herbs or something. How do they expect anyone to drink it?"

You laughed, feeling oddly vindicated by his reaction. "I told you, didn't I? But nooo, you just HAD to force me to take it."

For a moment, there was dead silence. Akaza blinked, his expression utterly blank as he wiped the sticky liquid from his face. You couldn't help it—you burst into laughter. "HAHAHAHA! SUCK IT UP, PUSSY!"

He sighed deeply, tossing the now-empty vial onto the windowsill in defeat. "You're impossible," he muttered, shaking his head. His eyes then drifted to the pile of acorns on your bed. "What the hell is that?" he asked, nodding toward the ridiculous mountain of acorns Inosuke had so lovingly dumped on you earlier.

"Oh, those," you chuckled. "A friend's idea of a good luck charm."

"...alright." Akaza stared at you for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then, without answering, he crossed his arms and leaned back against the windowsill, his gaze sweeping the room before settling back on you.

You wiped the last remnants of the medicine from your lips and narrowed your eyes at Akaza, who was still standing near the window, clearly in no rush to leave. His usual intensity seemed muted, replaced by something calmer, almost as if he were in no hurry to return to wherever he came from.

Folding your arms, you gave him a scrutinizing look. "So, why'd you come here again? I mean, you've been showing up more often than usual lately. You don't seem like the type to drop by just for fun. Is Muzan ordering you to watch over me?"

Akaza shrugged nonchalantly, his arms crossing over his chest in a casual stance. "I'm just checking up on you."

You stared at him, dumbfounded. "That's it? You came all the way here just to check up on me?"

He nodded as if it was the most normal thing in the world.

You couldn't help but let out a short laugh, shaking your head. "That's... stupid. And kind of dumb. You're silly."

Akaza's expression remained unchanged. "You can think what you want. Doesn't matter."

You blinked at him, slightly incredulous at how nonchalant he was being about the whole thing. "Seriously? That's it? No other reason?"

"No," he said flatly. He looked away for a moment, as though contemplating something, but said nothing more. His silence was both baffling and infuriating.

But it didn't seem like he was leaving anytime soon, and the awkward silence that followed made you shift uncomfortably . You figured if he was going to stay, you might as well make some conversation to fill the quiet.

"So..." you started, trying to find something trivial to talk about. "Do you, uh, have a favorite food?"

Akaza glanced at you with a raised eyebrow, probably not expecting such a mundane question. "Favorite food?"

"Yeah, I know you eat people but like... if you were still human. What did you like to eat?" You leaned back, trying to make it seem like you were just killing time, but you were genuinely curious.

He considered your question for a moment, his eyes drifting to the pile of acorns Inosuke had left by your bedside. "...Peaches," he finally answered. "They were sweet. Simple."

"Peaches, huh?" you said with a small smile. "That's a pretty good choice. Very coquette. 1000+ aura."

Akaza nodded slightly, though he didn't seem particularly invested in the conversation. Still, he wasn't walking away, so you pressed on, trying to keep things light.

"Do you ever miss eating? Like, real food?" you asked.

He seemed to hesitate before answering. "Not really," he said quietly. "There are other things to focus on now."

"Yeah, I guess fighting all the time doesn't leave much room for cravings," you mused, glancing at him. "But still, it's kinda sad. Life without any of the little pleasures... like food or—" you paused, thinking for a second, "—or sleeping in a warm bed."

Akaza's expression didn't change, but there was something in his silence that made you think he was listening, even if he wasn't going to admit it.

"AHA! BETTER QUESTION! What do you do in your free time?"

Akaza raised an eyebrow, clearly not expecting the question. "Fight," he answered simply.

You rolled your eyes. "Besides fighting. What do you do when you're not, you know... killing people?"

He seemed to think for a moment, though his expression barely changed. "Training, mostly. I don't need much else."

You scoffed lightly. "Wow, what a thrilling life you lead," you remarked sarcastically. "No hobbies? No guilty pleasures? You've got to have something. Like—do you ever just sit and watch the sunset or something?"

Akaza turned his head slightly toward you, his brow furrowed as if considering your words. "Sunsets?" he echoed. "Did you forget that I'm a demon? Besides, what's the point in that?"

You sighed dramatically. "You know, for someone who's been around for who knows how long, you really don't appreciate the little things, huh?"

"Doesn't seem important," he replied, shrugging.

"Well, it kind of is," you said. "It's calming, for one. Just sitting there, watching the sky change colors—it makes you feel... grounded."

"Grounded?" he repeated, as if the concept was foreign to him.

"Yeah, like connected to something. Like you're part of the world instead of just passing through it." You paused, thinking for a moment. "Do you ever feel like that? Like you're just... here? Going through the motions?"

He was silent for a while, his gaze drifting toward the window again. "Maybe," he muttered after a beat, though his tone suggested he wasn't used to reflecting on things like that.

You smiled softly, finding it interesting that he was actually considering it. "It's nice to stop and breathe sometimes, you know. To feel like you're alive, even for a moment."

He didn't respond immediately, but the way his eyes softened ever so slightly made you think he was at least mulling it over.

"Do you have any friends?"

"No. Don't need them."

You tilted your head, not buying it. "Really? No one? Not even Muzan? Douma?"

Akaza's lips tightened at the mention of those names. "Muzan's my master. Douma's... annoying."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"Shit. It's not mandatory to answer."

"Just say at least someone! It's kind of sad that you don't have any friends. - 5000 aura."

"I do have."

"Who?"

"...I guess you could say Daki and I get along pretty well."

"Awwwww! That's cute! ...I bet you miss her..." You yawned, rubbing your eyes as the medicine you had taken earlier seemed to be kicking in, despite the small amount you actually swallowed. Your body was growing heavier, and you could feel the pull of sleep beckoning you. You went to sit by your bed.

"What about sleep? Do you ever sleep?" you asked groggily, feeling yourself drift in and out of consciousness.

"Demons don't sleep," Akaza replied simply. His voice was soft now, almost like he didn't want to disturb the quiet that was settling over the room.

"Must be exhausting... fighting all the time, being awake all the time..." Your words were starting to slur as you struggled to keep your eyes open. "I'd go crazy."

Akaza didn't reply, and you weren't sure if it was because he had nothing to say or if he was letting you fall into sleep without interruption. You forced your eyes open one last time, glancing at him through the soft haze of exhaustion.

"You're weird, you know that?" you mumbled, feeling the last traces of wakefulness slipping away. "But... thanks for keeping me company, I suppose...zzz..."

Akaza glanced down at you, his expression unreadable.

He said nothing,

only watched as your breathing evened out and your eyes finally closed. The room was quiet again, save for the soft rustling of leaves outside the window. Without a word, he stepped into the shadows, disappearing into the night.

————————————————————————

On the fourth day, Shinobu came in. She placed the usual tray with your medicine on the table and gave you a searching look. You could feel her eyes probing for the truth, as if she already knew the answer to the question she was about to ask.

"Have you been taking the medicine properly?"

You hesitated for a moment, forcing yourself to nod. "Yeah... of course I have," you lied, trying to keep your voice as casual (KNEE DEEP IN THE PASSENGER'S SEAT AND U ARE EATING ME OUT, IS IT CASUAL NOW?!) as possible.

Shinobu's eyes narrowed ever so slightly, the hint of suspicion growing stronger. She wasn't buying it. "You don't seem to be getting any better," she commented, her tone a little more serious than usual. "I was sure this medicine would help you recover, but you're still just as sick as you were when I first prescribed it."

A pang of guilt settled in your chest. You knew why there was no progress, but you couldn't bring yourself to admit the truth. Lying to Shinobu wasn't easy—she was perceptive, and deep down, you could tell she suspected something was off. Still, you held your ground, trying not to crack under her watchful gaze.

"I—I don't know," you muttered, shrugging lightly. "Maybe it's just taking longer to work?"

She gave you a long, hard look before sighing. "I'll see if there's anything else I can do, but you should be honest with me if something is wrong. Your health is important."

You forced a small smile and nodded, feeling the guilt settle deeper as she turned to leave. The moment the door closed behind her, you let out a long breath, slumping back against your bed. Lying to Shinobu didn't sit right with you, but you also couldn't bear to take that awful medicine again.

Dodo was besides you, rubbing his head against you to give you emotional support.

Later, you found yourself surrounded by a rather lively group—Tanjiro, Zenitsu, Giyuu, Kanao, Muichiro, and Mitsuri.

Wow, what a combination.

"My sweet (Y/N)!!" Mitsuri was the first to speak, her bubbly voice cutting through the air. "I brought some snacks!" she announced, beaming as she presented a small basket filled with treats. "I thought it might cheer you up!"

You smiled at her kindness, grateful for the distraction. "Thanks, Mitsuri! You're always so sweet!"

"Are you feeling better...?" You almost jumped at the sound of Giyuu's voice. He had poked your shoulder to catch your attention.

"...I sure am (no you aren't, don't lie)!"

Zenitsu, on the other hand, was sitting on the edge of your bed, fidgeting nervously. "Are you sure you're okay? You don't look so good," he muttered, his eyes darting around the room as if something might jump out at him.

"I'm fine (you are not)!" you reassured him, though you could tell he wasn't entirely convinced.

Tanjiro offered you a warm smile. "If you need anything, just let us know, okay? We're here to help."

Sensing how quiet everything was, you realized someone was missing. "Where is Inosuke?"

"Oh, you know," Zenitsu shrugged, not really caring about the boar boy. "He's doing a quest or something. He told me that he was trying to find more acorns...? I don't know."

"Yeah! He did say something like that!" Tanjiro agreed with him. "He seemed to be putting a lot of effort into that!"

"Mhmh." Kanao nodded. "Aoi is helping him along with the other girls." She was sitting beside Tanjiro.

"..." Muichiro, meanwhile, seemed lost in thought, staring out the window, only half-aware of the conversation around him. You're suprised he even came to visit you.

"Anyways," Mitsuri clapped her hands together, her enthusiasm radiating through the room like a warm sunbeam. "I thought of dropping by to cheer you up! I bet it must be boring being alone while sick!"

You chuckled softly. "Well, maybe..." you replied, "it would be boring, but the thing is, I'm never really alone. Someone is always visiting me..."

"Hehe," Mitsuri's eyes sparkled with excitement. "I even convinced him to come!" She turned to Muichiro and affectionately patted his head, a gesture that made the two of them look like the most adorable duo. "I thought he wouldn't remember you, but he does! How cool is that?"

You raised an eyebrow at Muichiro, trying to gauge his reaction. "I do find it odd that he remembers me..." you laughed, hoping to engage him, but he seemed lost in his own world, his gaze fixed somewhere far away, as if he were pondering something profound.

"How could anyone forget you?" Mitsuri exclaimed, her voice bright and unwavering. "You're such a wonderful person, (Y/N)!"

"Aww... I'm not that wonderful," you replied modestly, though the compliment warmed your heart.

Mitsuri gasped, a dramatic hand placed over her chest. "You're kidding? I love you so, so, so much that my heart feels like it's going to explode sometimes!"

"You probably tell everyone that, though..."

"Well..." She paused, her cheeks turning a soft shade of pink. "I do."

"Huh?"

"I do tell everyone that I love you!" Mitsuri insisted, her voice earnest. "You're just that amazing! I can't help but share how I feel. It's like, when you meet someone as incredible as you, it's impossible not to shout it from the rooftops!"

"Okay, okay, I get it," you said, trying to hold back a smile. "You've got my back."

"Always!" Mitsuri grinned widely, her cheerful demeanor infectious. "And if you need anything, just let me know! I'm here for you, and I brought some snacks too!"

"Oh, snacks?" Your interest piqued, and your stomach growled softly. "What kind?"

"Only the best!" She exclaimed, rummaging through her bag. She pulled out a variety of treats, each more colorful than the last. "I've got rice balls, some mochi, and a few sweet dumplings. I thought they might help brighten your day!"

You seriously can't believe there's people who can hate on this adorable woman of a character. "You're too sweet, Mitsuri. Seriously, I appreciate this so much."

"Anything for my favorite person!" she chirped, beaming with pride.

Muichiro, still somewhat distant, finally turned his gaze towards you. "You should eat, it would make you feel better."

"Okie-dokie." You began eating some of the mochi that was brought for you. They were supper yummy.

'Oh my, (Y/N) looks SOOO adorable right now!' Mitsuri thought, looking at you with awe. Your cheeks were full of mochi, making you look like a hamster.

Just then, Tanjiro chimed in, his voice gentle yet cheerful, "And we're all really glad to see you, (Y/N). I'm always praying so you get to feel better!"

"Yeah!" Zenitsu added, bouncing in place. "You've gotta get better soon! We've got things to do, and we can't have you stuck in bed forever!"

As you sat down with a big plate of mochi in front of you, you couldn't help but indulge. Each bite was soft and sweet, melting in your mouth, and you were so absorbed in the deliciousness that you hardly noticed the way everyone else was watching you.

Zenitsu, who had been glancing your way for a while now, finally blurted out, "You look so cute eating like that, (Y/N)!" His eyes sparkled with admiration, and his cheeks flushed slightly.

Mitsuri gasped dramatically, her hands flying to her mouth. "Oh no!" she exclaimed. "I thought the same thing but forgot to say it! Now Zenitsu beat me to it!" She pouted, clearly upset that she missed her chance to compliment you.

You gave him a smile, thanking him, and that's all it took for him to spiral into a full-blown meltdown. His eyes widened, his entire face turning bright red as he clutched his chest like he was about to pass out. "GYAAAAA!! (Y/N)! MY ANGEL! Y-You must be a hell of a thief," he stammered, "because you managed to steal my heart the moment I met you!"

Amused by his confession, you responded with a smirk, "Well... I have no intention of giving it back."

That does it. "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! FUCK! MY HEART!" Zenitsu let out a high-pitched squeal, giggling uncontrollably as he started fanning his flushed face. He was bouncing on his toes, completely overwhelmed by your words. "Oh my gods, you're killing me! I'm going to die right here!" he squeaked.

"..." Tanjiro, watching from the side, clenched his fist, a small, jealous pout forming on his lips. Without a word, he stride over and kicked Zenitsu in the back of his leg, not hard enough to really hurt, but enough to send the love-struck boy stumbling forward with a yelp.

"HEY! WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT!?" He yelled, grabbing his leg to ease the pain.

"What was what?" Tanjiro played dumb.

"WHY THE HELL DID YOU KICKED ME?!"

"I dunno what you're saying..." Tanjiro furrowed his brows in concern, putting a hand on Zenitsu's shoulder. "Are you okay? I think you're imagining things! Those might be signs of schizophrenia, how awful! Do you want me to call Shinobu—"

"MOTHERFUCKER—"

Kanao, also feeling a pang of jealousy, quickly slide up next to you, her usually quiet demeanor faltering as she tried to start a conversation. "So, um, (Y/N), how are you finding the mochi? Do you like it? Maybe I can get you more?" she offered, trying to shift your attention away from Zenitsu's chaos.

"F-Favorite Mochi? I think, all of them? I'm not sure?" You tilted your head.

"..." Meanwhile, Giyuu was seated nearby, quietly observing the whole scene. He sweat dropped, his expression unchanged as he ate his dumpling in silence. '...These dumplings are very good...'

Mitsuri, on the other hand, couldn't hold back her laughter. She was clutching her stomach, tears forming at the corners of her eyes as she giggled at the absurdity. "(Y/N)! Your friends are really funny!" she choked out between laughs.

You laughed alongside her, her contagious giggles making it impossible to resist. Caught up in the moment, you didn't notice that Muichiro had been quietly watching you, his expression thoughtful. His gaze lingered on you, and though he wasn't fully aware of it, something about you reminded him of someone who was perhaps important to him—a faint, distant feeling of worry forming in his chest.

Before you realized it, Muichiro had silently moved closer. Without saying a word, he gently replaced the cloth on your forehead with a cooler, damp one. The sudden chill was refreshing, and you blinked up at him in surprise. His eyes remained focused on you, but there was a softness in them you weren't used to seeing.

Mitsuri cooed at his gesture. "Aww, look at him being so caring!" she gushed, clasping her hands together with delight.

Muichiro tilted his head slightly. "Are you feeling okay?" he asked in his usual calm tone, though there was a subtle undercurrent of concern.

You smiled and nodded. "Yeah, I'm okay. Thanks, Muichiro! That was so sweet of you."

Before the moment could settle, Giyuu, who had been quietly observing the entire interaction, spoke up. "You don't look like you've made much recovery." His voice was blunt, and his narrowed eyes showed concern.

At his remark, Kanao, Zenitsu, and Tanjiro immediately tensed up, their attention turning to you. Kanao stepped forward first, her eyes scanning you with worry. "Are you sure you're okay? Have you been resting enough?" she asked softly.

Zenitsu was practically shaking with anxiety. "Yeah, (Y/N), have you been taking care of yourself? What if you've been overdoing it again? You need to rest!" His voice rose in panic, as though imagining the worst.

Tanjiro placed a hand on your shoulder, offering a warm smile, though it didn't quite hide the concern in his eyes. "If you need anything, we're here. You've got to make sure you're really taking care of yourself, okay?" His tone was gentle but firm, protective as always.

You chuckled softly at their sudden outpouring of concern. "I promise, I'm fine. I've been resting, really," you reassured them, hoping to ease their worries.

The conversation lightened after that, and the group chatted. But as the sky began to darken and the stars appeared, the others reluctantly decided it was time to go, encouraging you to rest.

"We'll see you tomorrow, okay? Don't overdo it," Tanjiro said with a smile before leaving with Kanao.

Zenitsu waved enthusiastically, still gushing about how adorable you were, while Mitsuri threw you a wink and a bright grin. Muichiro gave a quiet nod before walking away, and Giyuu lingered a moment longer, telling you to rest well before he finally left.

————————————————————————

The familiar sound of the door sliding open barely registered in your tired mind as Shinobu quietly entered, carrying a small tray with your nightly medicine. She placed the medicine on the small table next to your bed.

She gave you a knowing glance before turning to leave. You watched her disappear through the door, and for a moment, you tried to muster the energy to sit up. But it was no use. You were too weak, too drained to even think about lifting yourself, let alone drinking that bitter concoction.

Your body ached, and you felt feverish, your skin cold to the touch. The usual stubbornness that had kept you going through so many tough nights had vanished, leaving only a heavy fatigue that weighed down your limbs. Even reaching out for the medicine seemed impossible.

The minutes passed in a blur of exhaustion. You vaguely registered the creaking of a floorboard, a familiar presence approaching. It wasn't long before Akaza appeared in the dim light, his tall form casting a shadow over you as he knelt by your bedside. His piercing eyes immediately scanned your face, and you saw the concern darken them as he took in your state.

"You were thinking of throwing it away, weren't you?" he asked, his voice low but edged with frustration.

Normally, you would've had a witty retort or a stubborn refusal, but tonight you didn't even have the strength to respond. You could only glance at him.

Akaza's frown deepened, his sharp features twisting in worry. He crouched beside you. This wasn't the stubborn, reckless you he was used to. This was something far worse, and for the first time, he didn't know what to do. "Hey... You've really let yourself get this bad, haven't you?" He colocated a hand on your clammy forehead. You saw the worry in his eyes deepen. "You're burning up," he muttered under his breath, a rare hint of panic slipping through his usually composed demeanor. "This is what happens when you don't take your medicine, (Y/N)."

He glanced at the untouched medicine on the table, and for a brief moment, uncertainty flickered across his face. Usually, he was the one pushing you to rest, telling you to take care of yourself, and tonight it was clear that his worst fears were materializing.

"Damn it," Akaza muttered, running a hand through his hair as he debated his next move. "You need to take it, but..."

He gently picked up the cup of medicine and held it near your lips, trying to coax you to drink. "Come on, just take it," he urged, but you weakly turned your head away, refusing. The bitterness of the medicine was something you couldn't bear, and in your state, even the thought of it made you nauseous. You groaned, resisting despite knowing it would help.

"Don't be so difficult," He growled, his worry making him more aggressive. He tried again, but you turned away once more. "This is ridiculous! You're going to make yourself worse!"

Akaza's seemed annoyed but there was an undeniable delicacy in the way he looked at you. He sighed deeply, knowing that he couldn't force it down your throat.

He was at a loss. And then, a sudden thought crossed his mind. It was risky—something you would definitely protest if you had the energy—but desperate times called for desperate measures.

With a determined look in his eyes, he muttered an apology under his breath. "Forgive me," Before you could process what he was about to do, he tipped the cup back and downed the medicine himself. The bitter liquid hit his tongue, and his face immediately contorted in disgust. But before he could let it fully sink in, Akaza leaned forward, his hand cupping your face gently, and pressed his lips to yours.

You barely had time to register what was happening before the bitter taste of the medicine entered your mouth. It was warm—the heat of his breath as he transferred the liquid from his mouth to yours, sealing it with a frail but firm kiss. His lips lingered, softly against yours, as he made sure you swallowed the bitter concoction.

It was a strange sensation—his breath, the taste of the medicine, and the closeness of him. But in your dazed state, you could only respond weakly, your body too drained to fight it. You swallowed, feeling the awful liquid slide down your throat.

You blinked in dazed confusion as Akaza pulled back, his lips still hovering close to yours as he whispered a quiet apology, his cheeks slightly flushed. Quickly, he turned his head to the side as he gagged, his face scrunched up in sheer revulsion. "Ugh," he groaned, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "That stuff is disgusting." He looked at you, slightly embarrassed but relieved that you had taken it, even if it wasn't the conventional way.

Akaza rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, avoiding your gaze. "I... had no choice," he murmured, his voice soft but insistent. "You have to get better."

"...!" Dodo this whole time was attacking the Upper Three Demon by biting his cheek to defend you but the demon did not even flinched at all.

Your body, exhausted beyond reason, began to give in to the effects of both the medicine and the fever. Akaza watched over you, his expression still tense with worry, but he stayed by your side until your breathing became more even, your body relaxing into a deeper, more restful sleep.

————————————————————————

The fifth day came.

Woo-hoo?

When you finally opened your eyes, the morning light was soft and gentle, and for the first time in days, you didn't feel like you were drowning in fever. Your body felt lighter, the sickness was not very strong, and your strength was slowly returning. You stretched out and sighed.

As much as you hated to admit it, the medicine had worked.

"Fuck, Dodoooo.." you muttered under your breath, realizing the truth. You pat your crow. It seemed like you'd have to take the medicine from now on, no matter how awful it tasted.

————————————————————————

WAHHHHHHHHH!! IM SO TIRED. I WANNA ROT IN BED. I WANNA HIBERNATE FOR A WEEK. WHY WASN'T I BORN AS A CAT?! FUCK! FUCK RESPONSIBILITIES! (😡😡😡😡🐺🐺🐺🐺🔥🔥🔥🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹😂😂😂😂😂).

Chapter #65 is close. Be aware.

Xoxo, azamishomie.