#100+ follower event... eventually... haha...

It's during the mugen train when they genuinely start to realize things about each other.

Nezuko still largely ignores them. She's too focused on Akaza and the fact that he is gunning for Makomo's head (and he very, very nearly succeeds). Tanjiro is the one who really zones in on Gyutaro, and starts to process the implications of him having a demonic sister and working for the Corps. It's mostly just.... immediate projection on his part. He comes to all these conclusions about them being forced to work for the Corps like his family was, but there's also those complicated emotions regarding the fact that Ume clearly isn't... eating people. There's a demon out there that isn't eat people. Yes, she's muzzled, the situation can't exactly be good. But... it's possible. And Nezuko has adamantly refused to even consider ceasing the cannibalism.

Once Nezuko does actually process the existence of Ume after the chaos of the mugen train (yk, Akaza almost killing Makomo, Kyojuro almost kill Akaza, Akaza learning she's a demon and freaking the fuck out), like you predicted. She is.... hurt, but mostly enraged. After her partial transformation during the Final Selection, as soon as the Corps finds her struggling through the wisteria, they immediately decided she needed to die. It was never considered that she could still work for them, still deserve to live. Why did she immediately get written off while Ume was allowed this? If it had been allowed, her family would still be alive. Tanjiro never would have had to train to become a slayer. What was so bad about her? Well, unluckily for Nezuko, she had no Hashira to argue for her like Gyutaro and Ume did (because Akaza doesn't count and also didn't know), and she was written off as a lost cause because of how... volatile she was.

As far as her feelings on Ume herself, she mostly just... pities her. Because while Nezuko is angry she was never given a chance and a choice, she is glad it never happened because she's happier with the Kizuki and is reveling in her hatred of the Corps. She pities both Ume and Gyutaro, but in a really... condescending way. The fact that they lowered themselves to groveling to the Corps, Ume starving herself and allowing herself to be muzzled... it's pathetic! (No one ask her if her anger is a front for anything else, why would it be?)

This ultimately leads to Tanjiro projecting heavily on them, desperately trying to "save" them to prevent another family tragedy, while Nezuko resolutely ignores them and the path they represent.

As far as the Kizuki as a whole, it varies. Most of them are disgusted about the muzzling, but don't think too deeply about her. She represents the direction that the Corps is trying to go with tamed demons, but they were already aware that was happening. Nezuko and Zenitsu have already proven that. She's just the first... genuine success. A sobering thought, but not the worst thing the Corps has ever done. It's difficult for most Kizuki to hate them anymore than they already do. But admittedly, the Kizuki who have siblings are a bit more sympathetic to them... Kyojuro, Shinobu, and Sanemi especially have some really complicated feelings, though they keep it to themselves for the most part

As soon as Tamayo is told about Ume, she almost immediately figures out that she must be a demon of Kagaya's. She can't find any proof of Ume's existence within the (frankly massive) hive mind, not even an old broken link. That raises a lot of questions.... because one thing about Kagaya was that he did not want to turn more demons. So why has he suddenly turned one now? Why is she with the Corps? There had to be a point, but what?

It's due to this that Tamayo encourages Tanjiro to try and connect with Gyutaro and Ume. She frames it as being supportive of him and sympathetic to their situation, but really she just wants more information on them, and Tanjiro seems like the person most likely to get through to them

Ultimately if Gyutaro and Ume fled the Corps, they'd be welcomed with open arms. Many Kizuki know the feeling of trying to get out of the Corps and how difficult that can be and all the complicated feelings that go along with it. It's just that, Gyutaro especially, is vehemently against any type of help and distrusts it and hates it and is angry and spiteful and and and—

Which.... causes issues for him and Ume.

But Ume is viewed much more sympathetically by everyone. She seems to have no autonomy, she's starving, she's very young, it's easy for many of the Kizuki to want to help her, especially the members that have big soft spots for kids

As far as Gyutaro technically being Douma's tsuguko, it is eventually found out (via Akaza lol good job for revealing that one buddy). Certain demons want to use that somehow (I'm sure you can imagine who...). But it's also been realized that Gyutaro is like. never with Douma (his saving grace, I can't lie). But that's just another motivator for trying to convince them to turn traitor. Then they'll turn on Douma and potentially reveal information on him, mostly places he can be found

The fact that Douma is currently public enemy number one for the Kizuki is something he is entirely unaware of, btw. But also lucky for him, he's not expected to commit seppuku if Ume snaps. He has no real emotionally attachment to them, this is an experiment for the Corps, if it fails, it fails, and they'll kill Ume and Gyutaro. Douma gets off with no consequences

When Tang Bo came to, he was staring at the face of a crying baby.

Actually, it's been a while since he died. He's aware that time has passed since he was killed in the war. There was just a massive blank in his memory of what happened in between. But when he was conscious once more, there was just a newborn cradled in its mother's arms, crying the most obnoxious and loud wail.

No one acknowledged his presence then. And even after a while, no one actually looked directly or talked directly to him. It didn't take long for him to conclude that he's become a ghost. And somehow, he was not allowed to stray too far from the kid that he saw when he came back.

Anyway, after a few more years, that kid slowly started to gain consciousness. Apparently, he was the second child of the current Tang head. Tang Jan was his name. Many times, Tang Bo wanted to pinch the toddler's cheeks, if it wasn't for his inability to interact with anything in the physical world.

Tang Jan grew up like most in their family did—under the hardships and trials of learning the martial arts of the family.

As he grew up, though, Tang Bo noted with delight how the kid slowly started to look similar to him. Maybe it has something to do with how his soul was tied to the kid? He had no qualms with following behind the young Tang, although it disgruntled him to see that the same traditions of their family still exists in the present.

So it was all good and normal. Tang Bo's afterlife wasn't as boring as he thought it would be.

Until one day, Tang Jan's eyes zeroed in on him, and the kid paled.

So both of them were confused. It took an hour of Tang Bo trying to calm the kid down enough so that they could talk. Tang Jan could now see and hear him! How nice. The Dark Saint missed talking with others, and interacting with the young Tang kind of reminded him of his grandkid, A-Pyeong. Except this one was more stubborn and tenacious when it came to training.

He tried to ask his family multiple times about Tang Bo. Which was how the kid found out about their revered ancestor, the Dark Saint. During the first few weeks, Tang Jan had stared at him with sparkly eyes of someone who met their idol for the first time. Eventually, though, it got old, seeing as the other did nothing but lounge around and sigh about things he missed from the past.

One particular time when the kid was training, he decided to drop a small advice on a whim. It was getting boring just sitting in the corner and watching the kid sweat while doing one thing wrong. But seeing how the kid's eyes lit up as he got his training right, Tang Bo somehow ended up being some sort of ghost mentor for the young Tang over the years.

Time skip to the current timeline, Tang Bo was just trailing behind his kid as they stormed to the direction of some merchants' estate in search for someone. Actually, Tang Bo couldn't care much about the rising stars in the current time. Since he's dead, he's been far removed from the events. It should be Tang Jan's concerns now, not his.

So imagine how much of a surprise it is to see a brat—not even in his twenties, barging out of the house with a bottle of alcohol in his hand, drunk out of his ass and not caring about whether he's being respectful or not. What's worse, that guy looks and acts exactly like his Hyung-nim.

Surely not? From what he gathered, the Sword Saint died 100 years ago. And even if he didn't, he would've been an old man with graying hair. Not some brat.

Tang Jan fought against this Jo kid, lost horribly (apparently, the outsiders were from Mount Hua. Haha...the irony), and eventually had to back away.

But before that, he definitely swore that guy who looked like the Plum Blossom Sword Saint mentioned something about a twelfth dagger—something that outsiders weren't supposed to know about.

At this point, Tang Bo was convinced that the child was a reincarnation of his Hyung-nim, somehow.

So he had to ask Tang Jan to hang around for a brief while before going home so that Tang Bo can do his own investigations. And what did he find? The supposed kid drinking and talking to himself, toasting to the ghost of Tang Bo that he can't see.

The Dark Saint may or may not have teared up, but that's no one's business but his. The only guy who could see him is outside anyway.

So anyway, since that time, Tang Jan constantly had to deal with the ghost of his ancestor fawning and borderline swooning over the kid who declared himself the friend of the Tangs. He never got an explanation, though, so he assumed it was probably because that person helped fix some of the mess within the Tang family.

But back to NC, this is a great question and something that I'm already working on! I've been trying to leave sprinkles of Miguel accepting that what happened regarding Gaby's universe is not his fault. I've shared my thoughts in some of my author notes in previous chapters and in separate posts but to keep it short, I don't believe in the canon theory, so that's what my story is going with. I have yet to form a complete theory for my fic but it's going in the direction that the canon theory is wrong and Miguel will find out it was something else that led to the collapse of universes. He'll realize he didn't break a canon because there are no canon events - all the events spider people have experienced are just unfortunate tragic events.

So, with this in mind - Miguel will slowly start to heal from this trauma and learn to accept that him stepping up to be Gaby's dad was not a bad or selfish act, nor was it the reason for the collapse even before we get to the romance. By the time we get into it, he'll already be accepting of this fact.

Also, it's a smaller fact and I think it's being forgotten because I don't bring it up much but in the fic Miles and Gwen are dating, so Miguel is aware of two people from different universes dating already, and he's not against it because a part of him has already accepted his theory isn't 100% accurate.

Thus, when it gets to the romance with reader, Miguel won't back away from the idea of a partner from another universe because of this reason. At that point, he'll know that a relationship between two people from different universes is okay and not threatening to the multiverse.

I hope this makes sense! I wish I had the answer from the movie's writers themselves but we don't, so I'm taking liberties with this and hoping it makes sense in the end!

Thank you so much for the ask and the kind words, I appreciate it!! :)

Clavis: What will you do, Emma?

Emma: I'll go look for the gourmet set!

(Since it's a "dangerous" place, it's better to have a lot of people)

I look to Clavis and Luke who smile at me.

Clavis: Haha, you won't regret choosing me. We're going to have some fun.

Luke: Thanks Emma. Treasure hunting with this guy here's already a punishment.

Leaving Prince Chevalier and Nokto in the room, I head into the forest with Luke and Clavis.

(The ambience is totally different from daytime...)

As I look around, Clavis suddenly stops.

Clavis: Big brother Clavis is leading. I'm staying out of this and will just be observing your reactions. Enjoy treasure hunting.

Luke lets out a sigh at Clavis watching us from behind.

Luke: Let's find this treasure quick and have a cup of tea back at the room.

Luke takes out the guide that Clavis gave him and flips through the pages.

(Really don't understand anything...)

Since we can't read it, we'll have to go by the pictures. But even they're so abstract that I don't understand what's going on.

However, Luke gave a small nod after looking at the pictures as if he thought of something.

Luke: So we keep going if we solve these puzzles, right? Then let's start this way.

Emma: Luke, did you get it? What...

Luke: Kind of. I have a hunch.

Luke was vague but he continued on.

(Luke's pretty amazing)

As I follow him while staring with respect, Luke suddenly turns around and hugs me.

Emma: Eh?

As soon as I voice my confusion, a net falls onto the spot where I was just standing.

I blink at the familiar net and Luke speaks up in annoyance.

Luke: Be careful, alright? There's traps everywhere.

(That's right, this is one of Clavis' traps!)

I look behind us and see Clavis watching us in amusement.

(Even if I say something, he won't listen...)

Emma: It'd be nice if you didn't include traps in treasure hunting.

Luke: Yeah...makes it confusing

(What does Luke mean by "confusing"?)

(Not the treasure hunt, right?)

Tilting my head at the thought, I continue forward.

Emma: Wah!

As I feel something strange under my feet, I suddenly feel my body floating and realize that Luke had picked me up.

At the same time, a large hole opens up right where I had been standing.

(A pit trap! Luke saved me)

Emma: Thanks Luke.

When I look up, I realize that his face is close to mine and my face heats up.

Luke: I really can't let you out of my sight. Well, it's kind of cute.

Emma: S-sorry...

When I apologize, Luke smiles. And then he hugged me even tighter before moving on as if nothing happened.

Luke: Don't apologize. It's cute. Hey, we're almost there so let's keep going.

Emma: Huh...wait, Luke? I'm heavy!

Luke: You're as light as a feather. Don't need to worry about it.

As if to prove a point, Luke pushes forward without breaking a sweat and eventually stops in front of a large tree.

Emma: A treasure chest...

At the base of the tree is a massive treasure chest just like one you'd find in a story. Luke gently sets me down and knocks on the chest.

Luke: It doesn't look dangerous. Emma, open it.

Emma: Are you sure? You're the one that found it, Luke.

Luke: Yeah

Emma: Thanks Luke.

(This is kind of exciting)

Smiling, I open the chest and find a small jar of honey, a large bottle of mead, and some mottled square object inside.

Luke: Thank god. There's honey. And tea.

Emma: Yeah! Let's have these when we get back to the room.

Luke and I smile at each other.

Clavis: Haha, the most valuable treasure's big brother Clavis' special sweets you know?

Clavis comes over and pats us on the shoulder while laughing loudly.

Clavis: Emma, your reactions to the traps were splendid. You enjoyed the thrill, right? As expected of my little brother Luke. You're very skilled. It was very refreshing to watch.

(Is this a compliment...?)

(But the treasure hunt was fun)

---

Afterward, we left with the treasure chest and started heading back to the villa.

Emma: Wow! How cute!

A baby wild boar approached Luke as if drawn to him. I wanted to get closer because it was so fluffy and had cute, round eyes...

Luke: Emma, don't get any closer.

Taken aback by his unusually firm voice, I turn and see the mama wild boar glaring at me.

(W-what do I do...)

Clavis: She’s upset. Luke's right, you better stay away.

Luke: She’s anxious that something might harm her child.

Luke muttered to himself. Then he looked and Clavis and me, and gave a cheerful smile.

Luke: I'll go persuade her. Clavis, Emma, I'm leaving the honey to you.

Clavis: Haha! I've heard that a wild boar's charge has the power to blow through a wagon. I'd love to see it. A noble request from my little brother. Leave Emma to me.

(Will he be alright?)

When Clavis pulls my hand and leads me away, he sees me constantly looking back.

Clavis: Luke has superior physical ability, situational awareness, and reflexes. And the wild boar seems to like him so he won't get hurt.

I can tell from his calm tone that he meant what he said. They aren't just lies to assure me.

(Clavis has confidence in Luke)

As we continue to run, my body's suddenly floating. After a moment, I realize that Clavis is carrying me and my eyes widen.

Emma: Wah! Clavis?

(What are you doing all of a sudden?)

When I give him a questioning look, the corners of his lips quirk up.

Clavis: What do you think?

As my face starts to heat up at the way his golden eyes are closer than usual, I hear a rustling from the bushes nearby.

(Huh? What?!)

I blink and Clavis laughs out loud.

Clavis: Oops, we've been noticed. There's a parade of vicious animal dens around here. It could be a wild boar or a bear...or even a crocodile because of our proximity to a watering hole.

Emma: This is no laughing manner!

Clavis: Haha. The reason your heart's racing right now isn't out of fear, but love. Cling on to me all you want.

Emma: I don't want to!

Clavis: Hm, even now you're being tsundere.

While we were going back and forth, Clavis stopped.

(Huh? Is it okay if we don't run?)

I blink at the large wild boar approaching us.

Emma: Huh?!

A large net falls and catches the squatting wild boar.

(We're saved...)

Clavis: Haha, I'm a trap master, remember? I know exactly when and where a trap will trigger.

(This may be the first time I'm thankful for traps...)

Emma: Thank you Clavis.

While supporting me by the waist, Clavis stares at me with his golden eyes.

Clavis: Are you alright, Emma?

(My heart's racing...)

(This is from earlier, right?)

I was so unsettled by my own pounding heart...

Luke: Emma!

Emma: Luke!

I turn as Luke runs up to us with a smile. He gives me a pat on the head.

Emma: I'm glad you're safe.

Luke: You too. To think a trap would be useful.

Luke says, exhausted. He then looks at Clavis.

Clavis: I've never caught a wild boar before, but it was quite exciting.

Luke: There's that, but...you originally set that trap to keep us safe, didn't you?

(Huh?)

I look at Clavis and he smirks as if to avoid answering the question.

Luke: You said it rained a few days ago, right? There were a couple of places where the ground had loosened up, making it unsafe. You probably set traps so that we'd avoid it.

(Is that so...Clavis, for our sake...)

(And Luke noticed Clavis' incomprehensible kindness)

As warmth filled my chest, Luje smiled at me.

Luke: I'm beat. When we get back to the room, I'm going to make some tea with honey.

Clavis: My medicinal sweets are good for relieving fatigue.

Luke: I'm not gonna eat it at all.

(I'd be lying if I said I wasn't scared, but it helped me understand some things)

(Luke and Clavis acknowledge each other)

(Thinking about it, even trivial exchanges like this are heartwarming)

Afterward, the mood on our way back to the villa was light.

--

We meet up with Nokto, who had retrieved the "beautiful set" unharmed, and Prince Chevalier, who's reading in silence.

While passing time in the lavish room, I suddenly remember that the third treasure hadn't been found.

(What was that personal treasure Clavis had prepared for me?)

(I'll go ask Clavis!)

Eita and (Y/N) strolled through the park down a pebble path to a nearby bench to avoid walking on the wet grass when the rain had ceased. “Why don't you go first?” she suggested as they seated. The setter then takes her hands in his and says, “I'd be lying if I said I didn't have feelings for you, but I do. I'm sorry I dated another lady, but I wanted us to find a way to talk about us, and I thought-”

“Are you the one who has been dropping teddy bears on my porch?” she interrupted, taking her hands off Semi's grip. “No, no, I didn't, but-” he says, furrowing his brows. She then placed her hand forward to calm him, halted, and began to wonder who it could be, when she heard a familiar voice from a distance say, “I may or may not be secretly leaving teddy bears outside your house so I can see your delighted face in the mornings.”

The instant she turned around and saw Satori approach her, she had a rude awakening. Their bond felt more real than her crush on Semi over the preceding few months of phoney courting. As a result, she dashed to Satori and enveloped herself in his arms. As he clutched her, his fingers finding their way into the cracks of her locks, she confessed, her words muffled, “I need you to know, Satori Tendou, that I like you, and not in a fake way.” He chuckled, cradled her face, and pressed his lips against hers, eventually melting into each other.

Months later, in the kitchen in Paris, she hugged him tighter and said, “Thank you, for loving me, in every way possible.” He tilted his head so as to perch it on her, chuckling, “You know? We should thank Semi-Semi for bringing us together.” You chuckled but laughed along as well. Despite his remarks, she would never trade him for the world.

Childe:

He understands very well thay you're easily distracted and forgetful so he follows you all day or sometimes forces you to go with him to make sure you're kept in check hdjdh. Whenever he asks you something, if you pause for a while, you will usually pay attention to something else and then when you turn back to him you completely forget what he asked 😭 If you neglect for too long... Yes even to the point that you don't care to ask him if he could repeat it, because you simply don't remember the question existed- Childe is surprised that you can remember a bunch of random not-so-important events on your adventure, though if you take a break at the middle of your speech you sometimes won't remember to come back at it again... He taunts you everyday to remind you what you forget.

。"Over there! Don't you think that pigeon looks funny? ...Oh right, what were we talking about?" "Funny indeed... I forgot what we were talking about too, haha!" - He realized he asked a dumb question so it should be better that you forget it and don't ever answer :'D

Kaeya:

When you are talking to him, he prefer to do it in a private space though that doesn't sound like the usual Kaeya at all- but in public, you can be easily distracted so much by the surroundings and eventually forget you were talking to him. So he just has to-

When you linger in his office to wait for him, when you glance at the papers on the desk you will 100% see he wrote some notes of what you have forgotten today, and then panickingly remember you must do them asap. You immediately leave and Kaeya has to panic too and chase you to look after you djhdhdhdjdh.

He will do everything to make his schedules as free as possible to follow you around, making sure you actually focus...

。"I think you did great! However..." "...However...?" he raised an eyebrow at you suddenly staring at a group of children chasing an anemo slime... "Uh oh what were we talking about? R-right! However I d-don't think that's what sir Cavalry Captain here should be doing!" "You sure can keep in mind what one should do, can't you?"

Xiao:

Boy... Most of the time he isn't with you because of his duties, but at least Paimon is and he believes she can look after you. At night when both you and him can take a break, he usually wrap his arms around you and rest his head on your shoulder, waiting for you to pet his hair 😭 A sudden knock at the door is enough to withdraw you from him because 100% no one would look for Xiao. When you come back, you will just sit down and stare at him doing nothing, no clues why he looks like he's waiting for you to continue, but tbh you don't even remember what you two were doing and will confusingly ask him why he is looking at you like that- He looks disappointed- more like he is about to cry- but he will not answer, instead he turns away and picks up his polearm before lying that he has to leave. Instict will make you stand up and pull him back, hugging him again. You only do that mindlessly because you don't even remember that was what you two were doing.

。"Wait! Why are you leaving so soon? C-can you stay for a little longer...?" you worriedly ask but he doesn't reply right away. He pauses for seconds before letting out a soft "Mhm." and turns back...

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