Mitsuri X Obanai - Blog Posts

2024 Christmas Event

Event Masterlist

Day 20: Decorations, Obanai Iguro and Kanroji Mitsuri

Warnings: Poly relationship.

(_____) laughed along with Mitsuri as they continued to bring in boxes upon boxes of decorations. “Oh I can’t wait till Iguro gets back! It’s going to be so much fun decorating together!” Mitsuri says happy as she spins around out of happiness. But as she was spinning she tripped and started to fall over. (_____) quickly reacted and caught her. “Careful Mitsuri, we wouldn’t want you to get hurt before the fun even starts.” She blushed and fangirled over them.

”I’m back.” Iguro said as he took off his shoes at the door. “IGURO!!!!!” Mitsuri yelled as she hugged him tightly. (_____) right behind her and hugging him as well. “Welcome home love.” They tell him as they kiss the top of his head. Iguro blushes as he thanks the two and lets them bring him to the Christmas tree.

The boxes were opened one after another as decorations upon decorations were pulled out and used. Currently (_____) had Mitsuri on their shoulders as Iguro handed her different ornaments to hang. “Kya~! It’s so pretty!” Mitsuri said as she got down from (_____)’s shoulders. “I’ll be back with some cookies for us!” She said as she ran to go get them, leaving (_____) and Iguro alone. Said man hugged (_____), resting his head against their chest. “Someone sure missed me huh?” They asked as they tilted his head up to look them in the eye. They leaned down and captured Iguro’s lips in a sweet kiss. The two stood there until they could hear Mitsuri’s footsteps.

”I have so many different flavors I hope you two like them!” She said as they sat down on the couch. (_____) sat in the middle with the other two leaning against them. They chatted and ate the cookies well into the night. A small yet happy smile never once left (_____)’s lips. They enjoyed seeing all of the decorations around their house. It was as if a visual representation of all of the memories they had with their lovers.

Obamitsu Doodles :)

Close ups below cut:

Color Palette from here → https://www.pinterest.com/pin/993536367788394552/

@boo-simplified :))

Happy Birthday to Mitsuri Kanroji!! :D

(Also happy pride month! I have some stuff planned for Pride that will be posted soon :))

Capa para a fanfic “Promessas que se cumprem com o tempo” escrito por IronPrincess para a seção de Kimetsu no Yaiba, fanfic com foco no ship Obanai x  Mitsuri.

Se inspire! Não copie! Créditos aos artistas ~

Been busy with stuff lately, but what do you think of Hashira centric arc ideas?

1. Obanai

Set during the Entertainment District arc, a few days before the fight against Uppermoons 6.

Two Hashiras -- Obanai and Mitsuri -- are sent to investigate a village rumoured to have a demon hiding in it. The villagers have that sacrificial ritual that hasn't been done for a few decades and suddenly resumed back out of nowhere.

Obanai finds a familiar face of his remaining cousin during his stay there, and to his horror, discovers that she was the cause of this.

A demon had captured her children and made a bargain for her to sacrifice other people in their stead. She manipulated the villagers in doing the rituals again until the demon is satisfied and will return her children. Obanai has to settle the dispute with the villagers who think he's trying to bother the ritual and endangers their lives while Mitsuri goes to save the hostages the demon has a hold onto.

A stand off between Mitsuri and the demon. She manages to defeat it, but not without some costs when the people she was trying to protect didn't listen to her warning to stay put. About three people died, and one of them was the cousin's child.

" Why do you have to go and ruin everything again?! " The cousin screams at Obanai as she clutches her dead child's body. " You've always been the one to cause disaster! All you had to do was stay put! LOOK AT WHAT YOU DID!!! "

Obanai can only stare and stare and says nothing, even if inside he knows that he should defend himself at least, to do something to make up for when she blamed him in the past. But his mouth remains sealed.

Later, when the villagers chase away the Hashiras due to still in confusion belief, Obanai and Mitsuri get to talk a bit.

He doesn't reveal much, just something along the lines that the woman was his cousin, and he wasn't even considered human in his family's eyes. That his cousin blames him for everything, for getting everyone killed, for not just to stay in his role.

" I am tainted with dirty blood, " he says in a soft breath, " this I will carry until I die and reborn. "

Mitsuri wants to tell him that his family doesn't define what he is, that he's not them, and that he's not dirty. In her eyes, he's such a strong and amazing person fighting for the innocence.

But as she keeps her gaze on him, and he doesn't even look at her since the moment they left the village, she realizes that it's not easy. Those comforting words would fall into deaf ears.

Perhaps her words would be listened, but not accepted.

So she takes his hand gently, noting the flinch as his response but no withdrawing.

" You're not alone, Iguro-san. I'll always support you. "

And at that moment, Obanai knows that he really doesn't deserve Mitsuri at all.

(he wants to love her, to show how much she means to him but she deserves so much better than what he is. She wants to love him, wants to give her heart but how can she, if he refuses it?)

are you able to do more of the kny pirate au? I really like the concept of it :3

(Someone asks about Mitsuri and I accidentally deleted it 🥹)

In this AU, Mitsuri is a barmaid and yes, Obanai is a merman :)

An old unfinished drawing that I've left for so long lol

Mitsuri comes back with a generous amount of fruits but no one is there when she returns.

[Masterlist]

Obamitsu empire has risen again

Gyomei's crow has the best tea among the other crows.

Glance at your crush

Based on my last post :)

Haha suffer

Why tf is there a lack of obamitsu gifs?

As if true love doesn't exist pt.2

The Best Friend Bet | Mitsuri Kanroji x Obanai Iguro x fem!reader

warning: NSFW, MDNI, kissing, poly, threesome, oral (YN to Mitsuri), oral (YN to Obanai), raw sex, vaginal sex, overstimulation, creampie, aftercare, I wish I was YN...

word count: 3.1k

a/n: you ever just sit in your bed using a squishmellow as a table and go from there?

The train ride in your home city of Tokyo was more appealing than you initially thought. The cramped car was nothing more than a homey familiar feeling – at least that’s what you told yourself. By the time you’re in front of the apartment door, it’s past sunset. You raise your hand to text the owner quickly, you weren’t crazy enough to knock on the door. 

Eventually, Mitsuri Kanroji, a longtime friend, opens up with a huge smile on her face. “YN! I’m so glad you made it!” Her bubbly excitement immediately lights up your mood. “Come in, come in.” She ushers you into the living room, kicking the door shut with her foot. Her apartment is eerily similar to when you last visited, except now there’s a ravenette sitting on her couch, glaring into your soul. 

Your eyes widen and an uncomfortable feeling swirls around in your stomach as you glance at Mitsuri. “Uh-uhm…hello,” you trail off, becoming bashful under the intense stare of the male. He clears his throat, standing from his position to wander over to where you stood. 

His eyes draw you in as he circles you. One, is like the deep ocean, swimming with a tycoon of emotion. The other is golden like a doubloon, glinting in the soft glow of the lamp in the corner. “She’s prettier than you mentioned,” He turns to Mitsuri, her smile turning into a mischievous grin. 

The comment strikes you with the straightforwardness of it. “I told you her beauty is hard to describe.” She bumps shoulders with you, though you’re still shell-shocked from whatever is happening. Therefore, a nervous laugh bubbles out of your throat, silencing both of them. The male has an amused smirk lining his lips – you want to wipe it off his smug face. “YN, this is Obanai, the guy I was telling you about. My boyfriend.” They clasp hands, smiling at each other. You’d assumed he was the infamous Obanai Iguro when you first saw him, but his comment had thrown you off. 

Mitsuri clears her throat and gives her boyfriend a secretive look that you almost don’t catch. An unsaid message passes between them and for once you’re stunned into silence. A part of you wants to ask, but another part of you is afraid of what you’d figure out by doing so. “Pleasure to meet you YN.” Obanai is quick to extend a hand toward you. His hand is warm as he shakes yours in greeting. 

It almost seems like he holds the shake for a little longer than proper when Mitsuri jumps you, wrapping her arms around your neck. “We have so many fun things planned for your visit!” She squeezes you tight and while you’re returning the embrace you catch a glimpse of Obanai slowly looking you up and down. Your blood freezes and your throat stalls. His brows raise when your eyes meet, sending a shudder down your spine.

What was happening?

You didn’t want to be mistaken, but should you tell Mitsuri about this? I mean the things he’s doing are downright suspicious. Your brows furrow and you move Mitsuri in front of your view of Obanai. She’s a ball of giddy smiles. “What’s the plan for tonight?” You ask, wanting to draw attention away from the present situation. Mitsuri glances over her shoulder as if to confirm the plans silently with Obanai. Were significant others just supposed to know what the other is thinking? It made you feel like the odd one out. 

Despite the growing ache of jealousy in your stomach, Mitsuri grabbing onto your hand makes you flourish. “Well, Obanai and I were thinking of taking our best girl out for a night on the town,” she starts and for the first time – or the first time you’ve noticed – her eyes grow dark with an expression that both confuses you and makes your stomach churn hot with desire. That’s new. “We were going to chill out before getting ready, but since you arrived so late we should be doing that right now.” She pulls you toward the hallway during the latter half of her sentence. You’re deposited into what you can only assume is their bedroom. Mitsuri’s green eyes light up as she starts digging through her closet. “Mmm, nope. Not this either.” She tosses articles of clothing behind her like one of those movie montages. “Ehh, no. Ouu…wait,” She pops in front of you with a short red dress held up to your body. “Perfect.” She waits expectantly for you to grab the hanger and when you do she whips around to find something for herself. “Go put that on.” She instructs, nodding toward the hallway bathroom. Crossing the hall you step into the cool green and black tile bathroom. 

Where exactly were they taking you that you’d need this kind of dress? You hold up the dress to your body in front of the mirror, glancing at the knit fabric and cold shoulder neckline. Once you slip into the dress you realize how stunning you look. The fabric clings to your curves, the shade of red compliments your skin tone wonderfully, and there’s a slit that rides up your thigh. You walk out of the bathroom with a newfound confidence pulling a grin onto your lips. “Hmm, lookin’ good.” Obanai rakes his gaze up your body from his position against the wall. You begin to shy away from his intense appreciative stare, but something inside of you cocks your head to the side with a side-swept smirk. 

“Like what you see?” You dare to ask, but relish when he rolls his lips under his teeth. A playful hum echoes out of his throat as he chuckles lightly. 

You’re not sure why you said what you did, but there was this weird compelling notion that you should bite back to see what Obanai would do. What you don’t expect is for him to stride over to where you stand. His large hand splays over your outer thigh, which the dress barely covers. A stuttered gasp gets caught in your throat as he leans into your neck, drawing his nose up the curve of your ear. “And if I do?” You meet his gaze, heart hammering against your ribcage. Stammering incomplete words fall from your mouth until Mitsuri bursts through the bedroom door. She’s in a silky and strappy emerald green dress. You yelp, shoving Obanai away from you, but it’s too late, she’s already seen you two pushed against the wall. 

Her face immediately falls but instead of yelling at you – which you much rather would’ve preferred – she turns to Obanai with a dull glare. “You play dirty,” She complains with a grunt. He shrugs, stepping back from you with a growing grin. “I thought we weren’t going to start until after we took her out.” A frustrated frown creases her forehead as she turns to you, an oblivious expression plastered on your face. 

Start what? “What’s…going on?” You question, glancing at both of them. You were frazzled by the whole situation. 

Obanai nods to his other half. “Mitsuri was so excited about you coming over that I asked her if she ever regretted not trying something with you. When she said yes, we made a bet. Whichever one of us could convince you to join us would get the first taste.” He explains, dragging Mitsuri closer to his side. Join…first…huh?

It must be obvious your confusion because Mitsuri angrily stomps over to you, grabbing your cheeks. “Sex YN, we want to have sex with you.” As the words fall from her lips a connection must be made because a slick feeling slides down your stomach. Oh. You glance at Obanai and he nods calmly. “He’s only doing this because I made him, but I can’t lie that seeing you ride his cock turns me on,” Mitsuri confesses as you maintain eye contact with her boyfriend. At the mention of riding Obanai your eyes fall to his lower abdomen, a heated bubble forming in your chest. “So? Are you up for it?” You don’t respond – well, in a way you do – instead, you pull Mitsuri in for a kiss. She’s taken aback momentarily but folds into your lips like this kiss was meant to happen. You keep staring at Obanai as you press into his girlfriend. He quirks a brow, his tongue darting out to lick his lips as if he were kissing you both. 

Mitsuri pops off your kiss panting with flushed cheeks. You turn her around to face Obanai, sliding your hands over the space on her chest. His eyes track your movements with bated breath. “You like what you see?” You press your mouth to Mitsuri’s neck, causing her to let out a breathless whimper. He meets your gaze, a smirk tugging on the corners of his mouth. 

He closes the distance between you, biting down on Mitsuri’s neck. She shudders in the middle of you both. He grazes his teeth down to her collarbone, glancing to meet your eyes. “Mmm, I think it’s only right if we give Mitsuri what she wants.” He purrs and it takes you a beat to realize what he means. The lady in question slithers out, grasping both of your hands. 

She leads you both into the bedroom, sitting herself on the bed. Obanai lays a hand on her thigh and she looks at you patiently. You grab her inner thigh, working to spread her legs apart with her boyfriend. “Want me to show you how to eat pussy?” You quip, sliding to your knees to gaze upon Mitsuri’s center.

Obanai laughs while peeling Mitsuri’s thong down her calves. “You should be grateful I’m even letting you go first.” He shoots back, positioning himself behind Misturi so she can lean in his arms while you work your tongue against her clit. You smirk, appreciating the view. Obanai has slipped Mitsuri’s dress down her chest, revealing her perfect tits. His fingers play with her nipples, enticing light moans from her as she leans into his chest. He brings her lips to his, enjoying a passionate kiss while you stare on. He breaks free, holding the junction of her neck. “Well? Come on then.” He smirks.

His words encourage you to make Mitsuri cum so hard all her attention is focused on you. Her pussy is pretty and pink, trimmed but not all the way – not that you’d mind a bit of hair in your mouth. You start by trailing kisses down the length of her thigh, captivated by how dense her plush skin is. You’d be lying if you hadn’t thought about being crushed between these thighs every once and a while. On your way back you make quick work with your tongue, using the flat side to lick up her seam. She pants out a moan, eyes widening as Obanai watches with a little too much enthusiasm. 

She tastes sweet, almost like she’d been preparing for this moment. “Mmm, like honey.” You groan into her sex, spitting a long strand of saliva onto her already soaked cunt. Obanai had never been one into sitting back to watch, but the way you gobble up his girlfriend’s pussy is downright hypnotizing. She’s a writhing mess under your ministrations, balling up her fists in your hair and squeezing your head between her thighs. You made Mitsuri beg for release, edging her over and over again. It was mesmerizing how much pleasure you seemingly gain from lapping up her arousal. It made him want to figure out what made you scream – better yet how you’d look if he overstimulated your pussy relentlessly. 

Mitsuri is panting wildly as she cums for the second time, grabbing your face to furiously kiss you. It’s something different to observe your partner kissing someone so passionately but in this context, Obanai could feel himself harden each second that passes. “Fuck, you did such a good job.” Mitsuri kisses the tip of your nose and you giggle together. It was an innocent exchange amid the thick air of her previous climaxes. Then, those sparkling green eyes are blinking at him. They fall the obvious outline of his cock, begging to be released from pant prison. “YN, sweetheart, what’dya say to giving Obanai some attention?” She grins, an understanding look passing between her eyes. He finds himself nervous like the first time he’d ever laid with Mitsuri as your eyes dart to gather information. 

A sweet smile takes over your face, one that hides the glint of pride you felt. “If that’s okay with him,” You start, standing from your knelt position. He gulps and slowly nods. Mitsuri moves to the side, propping herself on an abundant amount of pillows. 

Obanai slides off the bed, joining you on the floor. There’s a beat of awkwardness that passes before he gently helps you remove your dress by sliding each of your arms out with tantalizing steadiness. You stand before him bare and feel a flush of shyness crawl up your neck. “I can see it in your eyes, you want me to treat you like the worthless whore you are,” Obanai scoffs, grabbing your chin forcefully. A tiny whimper tries to escape your lips, but Obanai yanks you into his body. “Good whores always have their mouths full, don’t they?” He coos, guiding you to your knees once again. “Now suck my cock like you mean it.” He demands, curling strands of your hair around his hand. He shoves your cheek against the warmth of his hard-on, smirking when you gently press your lips against the fabric of his jeans. “Mmm, that’s my good girl,” His body cools with the warm fuzzy feeling of ecstasy. 

In truth, Mitsuri had told Obanai all about your kinks, maximum degradation being one of them. Hearing the words come out of his mouth reminded him of the way he acted before dating Mitsuri. She was his light and you? You were just some mouth to feel good in. 

Meanwhile, you’d managed to free his aching cock. The pressure was going to kill him if you didn’t do something about it. “Open wide, bitch.” He hisses, yanking your hair back until a gasp makes your mouth fall open. Obanai lines his cock up against your lips, his knees nearly buckling at the sensation of how plump they were. Your eyes are locked on him, innocently blinking your lashes with tears streaming down your face like you were daring him to fuck you without a care. He chuckles, running his knuckles over your cheekbone. “You love being full aye? Like a bitch in heat, raising your ass like you’re begging for more.” He croons, shuddering as you swirl the flat of your tongue around his length. “Haa, you’re going to wet my cock so when I burrow it in that sweet pussy of yours it’ll slide right in, huh?” 

A garbled moan hums around his cock, earning a guttural groan from the male in front of you. He pants, nostrils flaring as he yanks you off with a loud popping noise. “On the fuckin’ bed,” He growls, hastily helping you to your feet so that he can toss you toward the mattress. You stumble against it, falling onto your back. Mitsuri brushes your hair away from your face, placing herself in a similar position as Obanai did initially. 

You’re watching him slip out of his shirt, tossing it with abandon as he closes the gap between you. He leans down to peck Mitsuri on the lips then glances at you. “Open your mouth,” He orders and you do as you’re told. He spits into it with a devious glint in his heterochromic eyes. “So obedient.” He purrs before taking in your gleaming cunt. Your legs are spread so beautifully for him and he revels in the way you wiggle down the bed in complaint. 

His cock brushes against your clit, making you hiss out in pleasure. Mitsuri massages your head, using her nails to scratch your scalp. You’re paying so much attention to the way she’s making you feel that your next breath is sucked away as Obanai plunges his cock into your warmth. “Hmm, don’t make me jealous. I don’t do well with jealousy.” He lifts your legs over his shoulders, kissing your ankle before snapping his hips against yours. 

You yelp, feeling breathless from how Obanai stretches you out. “Come on, you talk a big game and suddenly you’re quiet? Let me hear you moan like a true slut.” He slides out before pounding into you with fervent thrusts. Quivering moans string together a melody of heavenly bliss. 

Obanai finds a spot that makes you wail with pleasure and hits it with no regard. By the time you’re done moaning, he’s croaking another one out of you. At this point, the noises you’re making are pitiful imitations of moaning. “Hngh, yes yes right there. S’good, fuckin’ me s’good. M’gonna cu-cum,” You hiccup across your words, clenching the sheets underneath you as the spring unloads in your core. 

You flutter and clench around his cock, cumming hard. A smirk lines his lips as he continues to pump into you. Your voice is so hoarse that only strangled mewls manage to come out as he hits the same spot over and over again. You’re a shuddering sobbing mess by the time you cum the next time, but he doesn’t stop fucking into you until his seed mixes with your slick, spilling out over the sheets. Your skin feels like it’s lying on a bed of nails as you try to catch your breath. “You were perfect,” Mitsuri kisses your temple, rubbing your neck gently. You feel like you’re going to faint so you don’t notice Obanai slip out of you to grab a warm towel and a bottle of water. 

He hands the water to Mitsuri and uses the towel to wipe the sweat and cum away from your cunt. Your body aches, but in a perfectly wonderful way. Mitsuri presses the bottle to your lips, helping you gulp down the water. It’s fresh and cool as it slides down your scratchy throat. 

Obanai smiles to himself as he cleans you up. You took him so well, it was honestly surprising how good your pussy felt considering Obanai never saw himself with anyone other than Mitsuri. Yet, something blooms in his chest, a feeling he can tell is affecting his girlfriend too as she studies you dribble water from the corner of your mouth. 

This is why Obanai was never really a betting man, unseen factors always fucked with the odds. 

Love Bite | Chapter One

Synopsis: "Just because your ancestors were in love doesn't mean you have to be in love with him." "It's not that." "Then what is it?" "It's fate." Great-great niece of Kanroji Mitsuri has just gotten a new job because her best friend's older brother, a descendant of Iguro Obanai, is looking to hire an assistant for his bakery. Airu has to navigate through her strong connection to Inkyo, who seems to be interested in everything except her. He only teases her when they're alone and is bland when with other people. Will she end up like her great-great aunt or finally fulfil those last words said in the arms of the one she loved?

Warnings/contains: DEMON SLAYER SPOILERS!!, fluff, mutual pining, mentions of soulmates, descendants of Obanai and Mitsuri, jealous Obanai

Word Count: 5K

a/n: This a little project I’m working on because I couldn’t live without giving somewhat of a happy ending {new beginning??} to Obanai and Mitsuri. I LOVE them and so “Love Bite” was born, a short story {this is only chapter 1 out of around 10} 

In each other’s arms that’s what I’m told. That’s how my great-great aunt died, in her lover's arms. Is it weird to think that my best friend’s family could have been actually family? Yeah, it is. Though, I’m sure fate has a reason for everything. Such as it just so happened that my best friend’s older brother, mysterious as he is, needs a new hire for his bakery. That’s why I’m here, picking on the skin on my middle finger, hoping the scary Obanai wouldn’t put me through the terror of an interview. I don’t think my mental fortitude could handle that today. Not after my friends insisted on celebrating a night early for my new job. I still haven’t recovered from the alcohol they forced me to practically inject into my veins. 

I was scared to even open the front door to the quaint storefront. Sora had informed me that her brother took Thursdays off and could usually be found working on new recipes and plans in his small office space near the back of the building. 

“Just knock on the door and he should come to see who it is. I told him you’d be stopping by anyway, so he may just leave it unlocked for you.”

My luck wasn’t the best, so I highly doubt the door would be unlocked- With a simple push of my hand the dark wooden door slid open allowing me to be hit with a gust of air conditioning. The inside space was a dimly lit calm ambiance. There were tables tucked away in secluded areas, some out in the open, and plants were absolutely everywhere. There was a sleek wooden nature theme throughout the whole building and I felt like I was transported somewhere else entirely. There was a counter off to the left side of the entry point that housed a display case and an array of decorative items lining the space behind the counter. A sword is displayed proudly behind a glass covering in the center of the shelves that climb the wall. I take a few steps toward it and notice the deep hue of purple that shines off the curved metal. The hilt was a mix of pink and white stripes with a lime green cap on the bottom. It was breathtaking. 

I catch a glimpse of myself in the glass and gasp lightly when I see another figure behind me. I turn around on my heel and come face to face with Obanai. 

“Airu.” He whispers, his eyes flitting around my body. He’s very close. So close I can smell the expensive cologne he’s wearing.

“Nice to see you Inkyo.” I bow my head, nervous to meet his intense gaze. I felt like he could see through anything. Especially how he made my body react. His long dark hair covers his face slightly as he steps closer to me. I feel my heart start to do gymnastics in my chest. Im scared if he gets any closer he’ll be able to either hear or feel it. 

“Your hair is different.” He notes blandly, reaching out a steady hand to swipe it away from my face. He was right. I had cut my long pink and lime green locks to a shorter, more mature bob haircut. I’d kept the bangs though. He fingers it gently and then drops his hand. 

“I like it.” He moves away to move something around on the counter and I try to not let out a loud sigh of relief. 

“Sora told me that you were looking for a new hire?” I decide to say. I’m not sure why I was so keen on working here anyway, I’d probably get super distracted by Inkyo and those damn eyes of his. He stops organizing things and glances at me. 

“Not anymore.” He moves behind the counter and scoots a few things on the shelves over the tiniest bit. He lets out a sigh when he realizes there's dust on his pale fingers. I must’ve had my mouth open or something because his gaze holds mine for a long time now. “What?” He inquires, furrowing his brows slightly. I shake my head and close my mouth. 

“Uh, well I feel like I’ve wasted your time now. I didn’t know you’d filled the position.” I bow my head and feel the urge to leave as quickly as possible but Obanai just shakes his head slowly. His undusty hand reaches up to his mouth as a small smile appears on his lips. 

“No Airu, you are my new hire.” He tilts his head to watch my slow reaction processing the information he’d given me. My mouth falls open again and I slam my hands on the counter and lean in close to him. 

“Really!?” I exclaim. His eyes widen slightly and then soften as he nods. “Oh thank you! When do I start!?” I clasp my hands together and hop excitedly. Money. I needed money. Plus I got to work with the man who I’d thought about for the last several years. 

“Well, I’ll have to give you a list of what happens here daily. What to do when you arrive, when you leave, when you man the counter, and when I’m not here. If you want to come with me up to my place we can discuss the subject of your contract.” He shuffles some things around on the counter absentmindedly again. His place? My everything says yes, but my will says that’s not the best idea. 

“Uh, well,” I try to find the words I’m looking for but draw a blank on all words I’ve learned. Inkyo positions himself in a leaning position against the back shelves, which makes his black button-up shirt clench around his torso. I gulp in, trying not to stare. “Is-Is going up to your place really a good idea?” I avoid eye contact like the plague. I hear him let out a small chuckle and suddenly he’s lifting my chin to look into his golden and blue eyes. 

“Airu Mitsuri what are you thinking about?” His smirk tells me I don’t have to answer that question for him to know. Maybe it was the atmosphere. Maybe it was my crush on him. Though, maybe it was fate trying to fix a travesty and who am I to get in the way of fate?

“Fine, but I get to show you this really cute picture I took of Bean.” I reach for my phone in my pocket and he lets go of my chin. Bean was the black cat I bought when I moved out of my parent’s apartment so I wouldn’t get too lonely. In a way, he reminded me of Inkyo, except Bean was clingy while Inkyo was offputting. If I tried to cuddle with Inkyo he’d probably throw up in his mouth. Not that I was the problem, just physical touch didn’t seem to be his thing. Even though he did just grab my chin… 

“You going to show me or keep dissociating in my bakery?” Inkyo teases, his voice sounding more comfortable with me. I quickly glare at him and then go back to retrieve my phone. I swipe into my gallery and try to hide the number of selfies and random videos that could be found there. I tap on the picture of Bean laying on his back, paws outstretched to the camera. My little baby looked so adorable in this picture I just wanted to gobble him up. Inkyo takes a look at the photo and gives it a smile but nothing else. I’m about to tell him he should be worshipping my baby boy, but he takes his pointer finger and swipes to the next picture. That picture happens to be me in a new black dress I’d ordered online that had a heart cutout on the chest. I’ll be frank, the dress was very short, very revealing, and if Inkyo really wanted to he could observe my pink lace bralette peaking out from the heart. I screech and grab my phone from off the counter. 

“What are you doing!?” I hold my phone to my chest and I catch Inkyo lazily staring at how my arms squeeze them together. “I haven’t even started yet! This is harassment!” I exclaim turning my front away from him. He chuckles again and moves out from behind the counter. 

“Sorry, I got carried away teasing you again. I just wanted to see if you were still as cute when you got flustered.” He brushes past me and walks toward the door. “Shall we move this upstairs so you can start preparing for tomorrow?” He nods his head toward the door and I can feel my face still warm from his pestering. 

“Am I?” I hear myself asking. Inkyo was on his way to leave the building but stops in his tracks. His body shifts toward me again, eyes engulfing me yet again. His massive hands flex by his sides and that god-given shirt exposes how muscular he really is. I take a few steps closer to him, my phone still clutched to my chest. He watches me like a snake about to strike a field mouse. 

“Are you?” He finally repeats like he’s questioning what I was asking. I sigh and shake my head, not courageous enough to ask him if he still thinks I’m cute. I should be happy enough with the fact that he even ever thought I was. I nod toward the door.

“Let’s be on our way boss man.” I walk past him and out the door. He stands near the door for a beat before catching up with me. His long legs cause him to walk a little faster than me, but he makes sure to stay on my right, the roadside of the sidewalk. 

“The stairs to my place are right here.” He points out, guiding me with a hand lightly on the small of my back. I can’t help but think about how people must see this. A young woman and man heading toward an apartment. If they didn’t already think we were together they must think that he and I were about to do something together. I climb the stairs slowly, trying to avoid flashing Inkyo my underwear if my skirt were to blow up. I reach the landing and he quickly enters a code and opens the door for me. “Welcome to my abode.” 

I can feel him watching me as I look around in amazement at his home. There was art everywhere, one, in particular, caught my eye. A regal-looking woman with a lovely kimono draped over her delicate-looking body. Her hair was a dark brown color and her eyes were shut gently. I felt drawn to her like I’d known her somehow or she’d done something extremely courageous for me. 

“Her name is Tamayo.” I feel Inkyo say from behind me. I turn my eyes away from the painting and look up into his. He’s not looking at me, he’s looking at the painting. “She was an incredible woman.” His eyes seem to soften carefully when looking at her. I can’t help but feel a slight pang of jealousy course through my body. I wasn’t a normal-looking girl, even in this day and age. I had bright pink and lime green hair and don’t get me wrong, I loved it. Though, it did attract a lot of attention from people, sometimes not the best. My eyes were almost the same green as in my hair and my pale skin made them stand out like bright lights. Then there was my body, I was a curvaceous girl. The curved blade downstairs didn’t hold a candle to the number of dips and round areas on my body. I was ideal by western beauty standards, but here in the east the amount of food I ate and my body type were looked at with judgment. The one thing that brought me any amount of comfort was my grandmother smiling at me with tears in her eyes when I was 16. 

“Come here Airu.” She whispers softly and beckons me to her side. I walk to where she was sitting on the bench. The sunlight was illuminating her soft features and light green eyes. I sit down next to her, expecting a scolding for how much I’d eaten at the restaurant, but she extends her hand and rubs my cheek softly. 

“Soba?” I question, trying to understand her emotions right now. She was touching me so gently, yet there was an incredibly confused look on her face. She looked sad and happy at the same time. 

“You look so much like her.” She mumbles, her fingers moving to my bright hair. She smiles when she touches it. “I had just been born when I met Kanroji, but I remember her contagious smile and beautiful braided hair.” I tilt my head in confusion. I’d heard that name before in stories my grandma would tell of her great aunt Kanroji Mitsuri, a swordswoman in the 1900s. She weaved stories about demons and a great battle against their Lord. How my great-great aunt had excitedly told my great-grandmother about a man whom she fought with. He was mysterious and more than handsome, she was sure they’d fall in love and get married after the war between dark and sunlight. Though she never got to see the sunlight of the next day, she finally found the love she was looking for in Inkyo’s ancestor. “When I pass I want you to have her nitchiri sword, I think she’d want that too.” Nitchiri? 

“Soba, are you feeling okay?” I ask in the most respectful way I could muster. I was worried this was some weird way for her to tell me she was dying and didn’t have long. My Soba was a source of flowing wisdom, I don’t think I could navigate this world without her. She smiles sadly and pats the top of my head. 

“Don’t worry Ruru chan, I’m not dying just yet. When the time does eventually come though, I want you to know fate has a path for you, but you can also have a path for fate.” 

Soba passed 3 years later and a similar sword to the one downstairs is displayed in my own home. I looked like Kanroji Mitsuri and that was enough for me to know I was going to be just fine. Hell, maybe those genes would get me in good graces with Inkyo. Being attracted to people who looked like me is kind of in his genetics right? 

“Airu? Airu where did you go just now?” Inkyo’s eyes are finally looking into mine and a small shudder runs down my spine. 

“Sorry, just reminiscing about Soba.” I smile, trying to hide the fact that the memory I was recalling led to me hoping he’d be into me based on my looks. 

“Obaasan Mitsuri… she was also an incredible woman.” He presses his lips into a thin line as if trying to stop himself from crying. I lower my brows as I stare up at him. 

“Do you call every woman you know an incredible woman?” I huff, crossing my arms in front of me. Inkyo looks off to the side and scratches the back of his head. I must be mistaken, but it looks like there’s a hint of red on his cheeks. 

“Not all.” He mumbles in response. I puff out my cheeks and lean forward, trying my best to intimidate him. 

“Oh yeah then what do you say about me when you talk about me?” He shuts his eyes and lets out a sigh. Oh no, did I push him too far? He covers his face and turns away from me. “Answer me Inkyo,” I demand. He lets out another breath and turns completely around, now facing the door we’d walked through a couple of minutes prior. 

“Jeez, do I have to fire you just to get you off my case?” He mumbles against his hands. I stand up straight again and grumble a few words about how he’s an asshole and then turn toward his (of course) black couch. I plop myself down on the soft cushions and huffily brush my skirt out over my legs. 

“Fine, then if you’re all business, then let’s get started,” I state plainly, a little hurt he wouldn’t answer me. Inkyo turns on his heel and walks toward me. 

“Well, since we are in my home I feel like it would be rude for me to not offer you something to drink.” He looks over to the steel-accessorized kitchen with the same warm wood as his bakery. I sink into the plush couch and wave my hand dismissively. 

“I’ll be fine with some apple juice if you have it.” Why’d we even have to come up here again? Why couldn’t we sit at one of the tables downstairs? My eyes widen and I watch Inkyo rummage through his stainless steel refrigerator. Oh my goodness…was he…going to murder me? No…surely not. Well, I was a major pain in the ass so it’s plausible. Whatever the reason, I may have been to quick to follow him up here. Damn this lovey-dovey brain of mine. The clink of a glass being set on a coaster in front of me breaks me out of my thoughts. Inkyo’s eyes watch me carefully as he sets himself in a sleek (black again) armchair across from me. He steeples his hands under his chin a serious look on his face. 

“So let’s get down to business.”

ಊ♡ಊ

It’s been about 2 weeks since my meeting with Inkyo Obanai and I had no idea how busy a small bakery on the outskirts of Tokyo could get. 

“Could I get one of those small muffins?” A tall teenage boy asks, pointing to a blueberry muffin in the case. I smile brightly and nod. 

“Of course! That will be 3.40 please.” I relay. The boy flushes and fumbles with his wallet. I giggle to myself and gather his purchase in the signature black and white paper bag. He hands me the money and I smile graciously. “Thank you, have a nice day.” I wave to him and he bows his head and waves goodbye. I wipe my brow and sigh. Phew, it’s not even noon yet and all our tables are packed with students, employees on break, and a few elderly people. 

“Wow, it was never this busy before.” A familiar voice observes. I turn my attention to the figure in front of me and a smile instantly appears on my lips. 

“Sora!” I exclaim and nearly jump over the counter to give her a hug. She welcomes me into her arms with a smug look on her face. 

“The one and only.” She chuckles. “But seriously, how are there so many people in here? I didn’t think Inkyo had it in him.” Her eyes fall to my slightly shorter stature and then she rolls her eyes. “That’s right I forgot you worked here. That’s why there are so many people.” She groans and nods toward the counter. “How has he been treating you?” She asks walking behind the counter with me. 

“Good, but what do you mean that’s why there are so many people here?” I question. Sora laughs and a piece of her thick raven hair falls in front of her face. Just like her brother’s. They looked identical except for their eyes. Both of Sora’s eyes are a piercing greenish-blue hue, still as intense as her brother’s though. 

“You. Airu you’re absolutely stunning. People are coming to see you smile at them.” She answers with another small laugh. I pause. Really? Did people come to see me? What about Inkyo though? He was extremely attractive, people had to come for him too, right?

“Oh.” Is the only thing I can manage to say. Sora pats me on the back and looks out into the crowd. 

“Just make sure Inkyo doesn’t see any of these dudes flirting with you.” She advises. I furrow my brows and look at her questioningly. “Just, keep that in mind.” She pats my back again and moves toward the small trinkets on the back shelves. I’d grown fond of a lot of them while working here. There was a beautiful handmade pot with intricate blue flowers painted on them. Then a calico figurine stood proudly with a little backpack on it. Then there was, of course, the sword. I caught myself staring at it at all times of the day. Wondering how it would feel to wield such a magnificent piece of weaponry. It made me miss my sword all alone at home. Maybe I could ask Inkyo to display mine too?

“Sora.” I whisk around to see Inkyo staring at his little sister with a blank expression. “What are you doing here?” He asks. He glances at me, but then his eyes are back on her. She turns toward him slowly and shrugs. 

“If I’m being honest I was a little hungry. Lucky for you the taste of you being an asshole doesn’t get into your food.” She smiles innocently and Inkyo lets out a loud groan. “Oh, I also wanted to see Airu in her cute little apron,” Sora adds, her fingers playing with the tie on my back. I squirm under her touch. 

“Sora that tickles.” I giggle. Inkyo’s eyes narrow and he catches Sora’s wrist. 

“Why don’t you get your food and go sit down?” He grumbles, releasing her quickly. Sora’s eyes light up mischievously and I can tell she’s about to annoy her brother. I want to tell her to just do as he says, but she’s a stubborn girl. 

“Okay, but I’ll be taking your little girlfriend with me.” She grabs me by the waist and picks up a muffin from the display on top of the counter. Inkyo’s eyes trace her arm around my waist and then flit up to my eyes. They look like they’re subtly burning with some sort of emotion. I want to ask him what’s wrong, but he turns away before I can. 

“Fine. Do whatever you want.” He places his palms on the counter and greets a new customer with a tight smile. Sora leads me away to a free table near the breakroom. 

“He’s so weird.” She says when we’re finally sitting down. I nod slowly but feel a bit confused by that whole interaction. 

“I think you tease him too much,” I mumble absentmindedly. Sora’s eyes widen and she bites angrily into her muffin. 

“He deserves it. He’s always acting like he’s better than me and it’s only because our parents favor him. You look so much like our ancestor, the great swordsman Iguro Obanai. You’re the best Inkyo. We love you so much. It gets a little old after a while.” She mutters. I soften at her plight. Her parents did favor Inkyo, I’d witnessed it all our life. 

“I’m sorry Sora. I just think there are better times for you to enact goblin mode.” I reach out and caress her hand. She smiles through bites and turns to watch her brother at the front counter. “Do you want to hang out after my shift?” I ask in hopes she’ll say yes. It’d been a while since we had gotten together. She presses her lips into a thin line and turns her gaze back to me.

“Thanks, Airu, I’d like that.”

Sora leaves after we chat for a bit about our plans for later. She makes sure to flip her brother off as she leaves. He rolls his eyes as I walk back toward my station. 

“I love that little goblin.” He chuckles. I bump my hip into him and he startles. 

“I think she’d like to hear that from you every once and a while,” I say, enjoying the way Inkyo stares at where I had bumped him. 

“Yeah, probably.” He mumbles, still engrossed in where we’d touched. Sora was right, he is weird. I grin to myself and resume standing by the display case. Since our chat, the bakery had emptied, and only a couple of the students remained working away on their computers. 

“I don’t know how to thank you for this job, Inkyo.” I voice, not sure where I was going with the conversation. He looks at me and shakes his head. 

“You don’t need to. I’m glad I get to work with you.” He replies, a small smile tugging on the corners of his mouth. He lifts his hand to cover it but I catch the sleeve of his dark shirt. 

“Why do you do that?” I ask, turning my body toward him. He watches me with the same intensity a few weeks ago. 

“Do what?” He questions back, his voice barely above a whisper. 

“Cover your mouth when you smile,” I explain. His eyes widen slightly and I can feel my heart pick up speed. What was I doing? This was brave, asking him all these personal questions. We were friends, but we weren’t as close as Sora and I. Was I being rude?

“Whenever I smile around you I feel like the corners of my mouth are being ripped open. The amount of joy you bring me splits me open.” He breathes. My eyes are the ones to widen now. What did he mean by that? 

“Excuse me? Can I get that last cinnamon roll please?” Inkyo’s gaze lingers on me for a beat before attending to the customer in front of us. I, on the other hand, still stare at him as he goes about running a business. The joy you bring me splits me open. I let out a shaky breath and cover my mouth as a smile forms. I can’t help it, it’s wide and almost painful. 

Ah. So that’s what he means.

ಊ♡ಊ

“Oh give me a break. He’s not dreamy!” Sora rolls her eyes and punches at the pillow next to her. I laugh at her reaction. 

“No really! I swear. I know describing him doesn’t paint a very good picture, but let me pull up a photo.” I scramble to find my phone. 

“Bean are you hearing this shit? Your owner is bonkers!” Sora gestures to me wildly and Bean, who is laying next to her, blinks twice before closing his eyes again. Sora sighs exasperatedly and flops back into the couch cushion. I finally find a good photo of the scraggly anime character I was talking about. Sora’s eyes study him for a while before she nods once. 

“Okay, maybe I will be hearing you out.” She shrugs and I pump my fist in the air. 

“I told you! He’s evil but so damn attractive.” I kick my feet and hug my phone. 

“You have problems.” Sora teases. I nod my head as I think about my type in men. Yeah, I do, but that’s what makes me special. 

“Hey now, remember this is my house. I can kick you out.” I narrow my eyes and Sora holds her hands up in the air in surrender. I throw a pillow at her. “Get some sleep you dingus. It’s nearly 2 am.” I groan as I push off the ground to a standing position. Sora sticks out her tongue and stuffs the pillow next to her. 

“Weeeeeeaaaaaaak.” She mocks and then flips herself to get more comfortable on my couch. I roll my eyes and flick off the light. 

“Goodnight Soblin.” My nickname for her is a mixture of her name and goblin. 

“Goodnight whore.” Her nickname for me is any insult she can think of. I smile to myself and walk the short steps to my room. I open the door and Bean scurries to come to sleep with me. “Traitor!” Sora calls from the couch. I close the door behind us and take a deep breath. My eyes catch the glint of the moon’s reflection on something shiny. I look up at the wall above my bed. There hung my sword. It had a pink and white hilt, with a guard that was four hearts around the bottom of the blade. The blade was a mixture of black and a redder pink. 

“Kanroji Mitsuri, what exactly were you like?” I mumble to myself. Bean mews softly from my bed and I crawl in with him. I catch myself staring at the sword above me as I drift off to sleep. 

“Here.” A voice mumbles. In front of me is a boy about my age. He wears black and white stripes and a mask over his mouth. His eyes are blue and gold, beautiful. He holds striped green socks in front of him with his head turned away from me. I smile happily and take them gingerly from his grasp. 

“Thank you.” I bow my body and when I look up his eyes are on me. My smile grows and his eyes widen. He stumbles back a few steps and I tilt my head in confusion. 

“It’s-It’s no big deal.” He stammers and before I can say anything else he runs away. What a strange boy. I peer down at the socks he’d given me and can’t help but feel my heart flutter slightly. What was the serpent Hashira doing giving the love Hashira a pair of socks? I look up to where he’d run off to and think about hunting him down, but I highly doubt I’d be able to find him. He probably blended in with the shadows. 

“Whatcha got there?” A voice from behind me asks. Kyojuro Rengoku stands behind me, his usual wide stare looking back at me. I glance at the socks and then back at the flame Hashira. 

“Some socks…” I reply. He smiles widely and studies the socks. 

“They remind me of Iguro Obanai.” He nearly yells. I smile and nod. 

“He’s the one who gave them to me,” I confirm. Kyojuro nods and then gestures to me. 

“By the looks of your face, he set your heart ablaze!” He exclaims. I gasp and touch my cheeks. Warm. So warm. My heart nearly explodes with a feeling of excitement and happiness. Could my goal of finding a man to love me finally be fulfilled? I glance behind me, where Iguro had run off to. 

“Yeah, I guess he did.”