"Tanjiro! Inosuke! Wait up for me." Zenitsu screamed, following them behind. "Zenitsu, you should quicken up your speed. We will miss both of them. Reader san and Douma san are already ahead of us." Zenitsu screamed in pressure.
How do they expect him to follow up their insane speed? His all intense training is not helping a bit. No matter how fast he runs, they are still ahead of him. Finally, after noticing the trio missing behind them, Reader stopped on her track.
She was merely walking with Douma while talking. Why is it taking them so much to follow up? Maybe it's because Douma and her both are fast walkers. After seeing Reader stop walking, Douma also waited beside her for others.
"Huhh....S-sorry, Reader san. We are... pulling you behind." Tanjiro apologised after catching up with her and his own breath. "It's ok. You seem to be all tired. We are still far from Ice estate. We should rest a little." Tanjiro tried to refuse, but Zenitsu smacked his arm.
"We will rest here, Tanjiro!!" Zenitsu huffed while laying on the ground. Suddenly, Zenitsu felt pleasant coldness despite the harsh sun and its heat. He realised that the coolness was radiating from Douma.
In the night and in shades, Douma's presence always brings unbearable coldness. But, being in the sun's mercy, it reduces to somewhat pleasant feeling.
Zenitsu was scared of Douma, but he won't hurt him while Reader san is here. Right? Zenitsu decided to get rid of the harsh sun. Douma was grabbed and forced to sit beside him by Zenitsu.
"Reader san, you won't mind if i take Douma san for a little bit?" Reader laughed seeing Zenitsu wrapping himself around Douma to keep him cool. "Sure. Why not?" She snickered.
"Bahaha, He is nothing in front of King of Mountain Inosuke sama. He gets tired so easily. Isn't it kamaboko gompachiro?" Inosuke went on to self praise. Tanjiro just nodded at Inosuke, tired of Inosuke's antics.
"You boar head!! Shut up. You were also out of breath a few moments ago. You are lying." Zenitsu screamed while still laying on the ground. Inosuke pounced on Zenitsu shouting and accusing Zenitsu of lying.
"You young boys shouldn't fight like that. It's very improper." Douma tried to break fight with a smile on his face. Both didn't even bother to listen to what Douma said. Tanjiro also tried to break the fight only to fail. "I got this." She said to them.
"It's almost afternoon. So, it's time for lunch. There is a restaurant which sells tempura. Let's go there to eat. You all must be hungry." Reader suggested. That stopped the fight immediately. Inosuke stood up after hearing Tempura.
"Let's go, [Mispronounced name]. Inosuke sama is hungry for good tempura." Reader laughed at her wierd nickname given by him. "Yes. Sure, let's go." Zenitsu also stood and strolled beside Reader. "As you say Reader san~~" They all followed behind her.
They arrived at the restaurant. They went on grab on the table before settling in. They ordered according to their taste and preferences. After food arrived, they all digged in. Lunch was chaos with Zenitsu's screaming, Inosuke's wild laughter, and Tanjiro playing peace maker.
This was the most lively lunch she ever had. She was stunned when she saw Inosuke's face. How can he look so beautiful? Anyone can mistake him for a girl if not for his open bare chest. Douma wasn't even paying attention to anyone but Reader.
He was only talking to Reader. Reader is used to such attention by Douma. Douma gives her attention like no one else is present on this planet except her. He also demands constant attention and approval, like his life depends on her validation.
"My hair dye is fading. Maybe i should colour it black again." Douma muttered. "I don't think so it's needed anymore. You should let colour fade naturally. It's been years since i saw your natural blonde hair. Only wear contact lenses on missions." Douma beamed at Reader nodding his head enthusiastically.
Not for once, he diverted his eyes from her since they sat in that restaurant. Soon, their lunch session came to an end. As soon as Inosuke was done eating, he wore his boar mask again.
Tanjiro and Zenitsu also cleaned up after them. The waiter came up with a bill telling her total. She went on to grab money only to fail as Douma already paid up the whole bill. "Why did you pay?" She asked.
"It's my turn. Last time you paid, remember?" He simply reminded her. "I remembered you paid the last time. Anyways, it was my idea to treat them." He shrugged. "Next time, you pay." Trio exchanged looks awkwardly after seeing them fight verbally over bill.
"We can pay our part." Tanjiro suggested politely. "No!!" Both Reader and Douma shouted in unison. "We are adults. We have to pay the bills. You are just children. You shouldn't worry about it when we are here." Douma said.
"This one is a century old adult." Reader teased Douma. Douma didn't catch on and just nodded while agreeing with Reader. "Douma, i just teased you." Reader deadpanned at him. "You did?"
"Never mind." She shook her head. "Let's start our journey." They got up and started with their walking till they reach Ice estate.
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"Woah!! This Ice estate is so big. It's even bigger than the Butterfly mansion." Zenitsu was in awe with widely flourished estate. This indeed was the most beautiful piece of land he had ever seen in his life.
Not only Zenitsu , both others were also shocked. This is indeed the type of estate that screams luxury. "This decorated very well. It looks so lively." Tanjiro complimented. "It's nothing, really. It's been four years since this place was abandoned. We had to work on it. Estate is not at its best right now -"
"Reader san." Giyu kun's voice made Reader stop her sentence in middle. She turned around to find Giyu kun staring straight at Douma. "Giyu kun! What's wrong? Why are you glaring at Douma?" She asked, confused.
'I didn't notice earlier. But, it's true that Giyu kun doesn't like Douma. First, he showed up here, and now it looks like he is going to kill Douma.' She grimaced at thought. "Why were you out with him?" He finally shifted his gaze to her.
"I was at Butterfly mansion. I wanted to make peace with Kocho sisters. I also wanted to visit them." She pointed to trio, who were confused by Water hashira's action. Reader can swear she saw something shift soft at Giyu kun's eyes when she mentioned Kocho sisters.
"But, why with him?" He had a slightly annoyed tone while pointing toward Douma as if accusing him. Douma's smile never faltered even for a second. "Why not? Douma has been my companion for four years."
Giyu kun wanted to argue. But, he let go of this instance. "I was just worried about you. When Akaza san said you were out with Douma, i couldn't..." he sighed. "Never mind. I am glad you are fine."
She also let go of conversation. Giyu kun's eyes softened, and a small smile came on his face. He was glad that Reader wasn't in any danger. His eyes shifted to Tanjiro.
"Hello, Giyu san." Tanjiro and Zenitsu bowed while greetings Water hashira. "Hello." Giyu kun briefly greeted Slayers. "Fight me, you mismatch haori. Last time, you were able to get away from Inosuke sama."
"I won't. What about you train more? You are still weak." That made Inosuke kun shut it completely. Zenitsu laughed at Inosuke while Tanjiro had to hold him back from attacking Zenitsu. Giyu kun was confused with their presence in Ice estate.
"What are they doing here?" He asked, confused. "They will be living with me. They don't have a fixed home as such." Reader beamed. Giyu kun looked a little shocked, but knowing it's Reader, not too much.
"That's great." Giyu kun's lips broke into a small smile. "Uhh. What's that? Giyu san, are you smiling?" Tanjiro asked, confused. How come Water hashira has a major personality switch up while talking to Reader san.
"Hmm? Is that rare?" Reader asked hesitantly. "Well, i haven't seen him smiling before." Tanjiro confirmed, still sounding wary, thinking he is dreaming. "Giyu kun? Am i hearing it right? You were not smiling while i was around?" She asked in a guilty tone.
"I was not happy while you were away. I couldn't make myself forget about your missing status. I...." He sighed again. "It was hard for me after losing so much." He admitted, not holding back. He could've lied, but he won't. Not in front of her.
"I'm sorry, Giyu kun. You must have been very sad and alone. I know you have problem making friends with other hashira's. I should've at least sent you a letter." She is regretting this decision.
She should've known him. He would lose the little personality he had built while she was with him. "It's ok. It's not your fault. I am fine as you are here again. Just don't go ever again. At least not by leaving me all alone." He tried to lighten up the surrounding little bit.
She nodded. "Why were you here?" She asked, trying to change the conversation. "Well, i was here to spare with Akaza san. After that, we have to go on a mission together." He explained the reason. "Ok. We will talk about it later."
"Ohh. I totally forgot what i was talking about earlier." She tried to think. "Never mind. Let me show you your rooms. Follow me." She went ahead to a section of estate showing them way around the estate.
Everyone followed after her. She gave them a tour. After assigning everyone their room, she told Slayer Trio to make themselves at home and freshen up. Reader provided Nezuko and her box a different kind of room, which is sun proof.
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