I will never let any of my friends die!

@animatrophy​ sent a crow: "I will fight until the end." (iguro)

『 💖 』  ～   SHATTERED DREAMS. SHIMMERING ILLUSION. A PHANTASMAGORIA OF A BROKEN HEART. His words rang through her ears, where once it had been synonymous with horror,  akin to the clashing noise of blades whipping keen hearing instantly after.

❝ IGURO-SAN NOOOOOOOOOO!  ❞  her screams have died and left a jarring hymn of sharp metal screeching whilst scraping along each other. Light Emerald hues smeared with scarlet pools dripping from her temple and body nigh limp betwixt her arms. ( palms fallen in their grip, weakened and unable to move a single inch of flesh. )

The mansion gives a peaceful ambiance that would soothe visitors upon stepping in. Perhaps Obanai was one of the few who would often drop by in the Love Pillar’s humble abode though and it saddens him to hear that no one was paying her a visit. Not even the other Pillars?

“For now, I don’t have any.” He doesn’t have anything to ask for the meantime but… “If anything, I could… visit this place more often if that would suffice.” Yeah, the least he could do for her. Mitsuri doesn’t deserve to be lonely, being the Love Pillar, or at least he believed.

♡ || The Kinoe hadn’t even heard the sound of the broom dropping from his hands, only hearing the sound of her voice. “Mistress you have always been helpful to everyone, and I believe you always will be. You’ve helped me more than once. You’ve helped to give me some kind of purpose in life.” He frowns, hands only holding tighter onto soft fabric as he tried to make he see the worth she had. Desperation as evident as ever. “But, mistress, I’m not as weak as I seem. I don’t merely serve as a Kakushi.”

Ah, foreign cuisine. Perhaps Obanai can only taste such delicacy in the Love Pillar’s manor, mostly because it was the only place he knew that serve foods that aren’t originated from their country. They were good, probably a bit too sweet when it comes to this… pancake but he didn’t really mind. They just taste better when he’s with Mitsuri anyway. Either way, he didn’t mind much for being dragged along despite that it momentarily made him unease. That didn’t matter as well since it’s Mitsuri.

“It’s fine. I’m already okay with this.” It’s not like he’s gonna eat a lot of these anyway with those… they’re called macaroons, right?

💖 — AND LIGHT FOOTSTEPS DRAGGED HIM INSIDE HER MANSION. This house is her second home, where the laughter happens whenever comrade visit her after a mission, a home that she can rest at the end of the day. A place where the lungs choose to fill a little deeper and the heart beat a little steadier. But it will be a bit better if the Love Pillar is to spend the time alone with someone whom she cares very deeply. She grabs the tray of freshly baked pastries and handed it to Iguro.

Despite her naivety when it comes to seeking for a future husband, her bright smile never ceased to make the Serpent Pillar feel enlightened even for a little. Perhaps the topic about marriage still rings in his mind, bringing him to uncertainty of when he’ll be able to confess his feelings for her. While he already set his mind sacrificing himself on defeating their main enemy and reborn in a new purified body, there was this urge to admit what he feels in an earlier time.

While his mind was clouded momentarily, Mitsuri’s invitation pulled his thoughts back to reality.

“Sure. I don’t mind.” He could only accompany the Love Pillar when needed. the least he could do to indirectly show he cares while not verbal about it.

💖 — EMERALD HUES FLICKERS EFFERVESCENTLY against a pair of odd ones. While Iguro is a man of few words, the Love Pillar continues to keep up the conversation so that he won't feel bored when he's with her. A quiet contentment spread through her after agreeing as she drags both of his arms to guide him inside her mansion.  

♡ || “A mission, mistress? Haven’t you only just returned back home from the previous mission Oyakata-sama had given you?” Clear hints of concern could be found within his voice, sapphire irises peering up towards the facial features of the older woman. The estate was a lovely place, but without her presence, it became a lonely place. He hadn’t even realized the hand around her waist had become firm, grasping onto the fabric of her haori. Anxious, she must be careful. “H-Hold on, do you have to go alone? Could I come with you?” He calls out to her as she begins to head off.

Obanai would hope the same despite verbally denying he didn’t one whom he wanted to be his significant other which just happened to be the person in front of him. Two-colored eyes had their gaze wander off as the Love Pillar’s words were stuck in his mind.

“I hope so as well.” Yet it would be near to impossible for now as demons still linger in this world. But once they eliminate their main enemy and maybe in next life, he’ll propose for marriage to her without hesitation.

💖 — THEN A FAMILIAR CURVE ROUSE UPON ETHEREAL FEATURES as heart's fluttering in delight upon his words. One of the reasons she joined the Demon Slayer Corps. is to find a suitable husband that is stronger than her, but she have to set aside that naivety as duty weighs her down.

He hated seeing her like this. Whoever dared did this was dead. He knows that it wasn’t a demon, a demon would have done far more damage if they were even strong enough to get a hold of the woman in the first place. 

When she began to sob he instinctively pulled her into a tight hug. “You have nothing to be sorry for…” he said in a hushed tone. The snake pillar wasn’t used to showing a lot of compassion but he would do anything to get her to stop crying. 

“You’re going to be okay.” he said moving his hand under her braid and rubbing her back.  

She’s not really sugarcoating her words just to make the Serpent Pillar feel nice, is she? While Obanai doubted he was a good person to begin with, he chose not to make any remarks about it as it would more likely ruin Mitsuri’s already good mood. Just when he thought seeing her happy had enlightened him even for a bit, her query made him blush for a second as he tried his best not to show it. He couldn’t just tell her who he’s planning to marry with in the future.

“Well… none at the moment.” Self-loathing held him back and lied. If he were to say he did have someone in mind, what if she asked who it was?

💖 — AND THERE IS NAUGHT BUT THREADS OF AFFECTION UNCOILING BENEATH HER VEINS while uttering those words of appreciation for the Serpent Pillar. Her curiosity piqued upon hearing that he wanted to get married, too. And there’s the lingering feeling at the back of her mind, hoping that she was the one on his mind. But then again, she can only hope that one day, he would notice him too.