III | Rehabilitation Training

"So, you'll be doing... what was it called again?...Oh, right. Rehabilitation Training..?" I asked Tanjiro, who was sitting on his—what's that word again? Ah, the 'hospital bed'. He just told me that he and boar-head had recovered well enough to attend Rehab. But the blond boy... not so much. Not that it concerns me anyway. "Hai." Tanjiro softly responded, to me, his voice was... so melodic. Even if it was just a small murmur.

"...Maybe you should try to master Total Concentration: Constant. It might be able to help you during Rehab." I suggested as his violet orbs turned to look at me in slight confusion. Adorable. "Total Concentration: Constant is.. the act of maintaining Total Concentration Breathing from morning to night, and even when you sleep," As I explained, his eyes widen slightly, I didn't know why, though. Perhaps he hadn't known about Total Concentration: Constant until now.

"Maintaining Total Concentration Breathing every single hour of the day?..."

I nod my head. Huh, I guess he really hasn't heard of it. Tanjiro looked down on his petite hands that were on his lap as he clenched them tightly. "Tanjiro?" I called out to him as he snapped out of his thoughts. Though, my mind drifted to one thought; why were Tanjiro's hands really cold that day even though they were bandaged? I couldn't really get it out of my mind, to be honest. "Yes.. Master?" Tanjiro's violet orbs made contact with my teal ones more.

"...What's under those bandages? Also, I swore I heard a metal creaking sound that day, and it came from your hands." I pointed at his hands as all Tanjiro could do was widen his eyes. He slowly averted his gaze away from me and looked down...Did I hurt him in some way? I shuddered at the thought. Watching as Tanjiro opened his mouth to speak, yet nothing came out, I definitely brought up a sensitive topic... Ugh, great job—wait, what was my name again..?

"..." "Tanjiro...?"

I saw him bring up his hand to his mouth as he gently bit and began to unravel the bandages. There was one finger, then two, then three, then four...

Then five.

My eyes widened in shock of what I was seeing. Metal... metal prosthetics had substituted for hands. With each movement of each joint, the sound of metal creaking was heard. Tanjiro shoved the sleeves of his clothing up, revealing that it was not only his hands, but also his arms, the metal ending just below his shoulders. I noticed that Tanjiro had some sort of a sad smile on his face and without a second thought, I quickly grabbed hold of his petite prosthetic hands. I can tell it startled him, the expression on his face proves it. My heart pounded heavily.

"If you think these prosthetics are ugly, then you're dead wrong." I stated sternly as I thought I heard Tanjiro let out a small and soft, yet audible, gasp. My hold on his metal hands tightened slightly. They were cold, yes, but I didn't care at all nor did I mind it.

"But..."

"...Shush. These prosthetics will always be beautiful in my eyes."

His eyes widened at what I said, and to be honest, I was surprised, too. I didn't expect those words to come out of my mouth, but it did. Soon enough, I let go of his hands. And perhaps deep down... I didn't want to let go. I watched as his lips parted, saying; "Thank you... Master..."

And once again, a smile was plastered on my face. A genuine smile. My so-called friends, AKA the other Hashiras, kept bugging me about a sudden change in my behavior after Tanjiro became my Tsuguko, and let's say... I had to beat the Tim Burton shit out of them. They're so annoying sometimes... Actually, sometimes is an understatement. They're annoying, almost, all the time. But whatever, I guess you could say that one can get used to it...

"Tanjiro, why do you hide them?"

"My.. arms? Oh, well, you see... A-Awhile back, during my mission in Asakusa, one of the demons who have a high amount of Kibutsuji's blood coursing through their veins tore the gloves I normally wear and let's say.. He didn't like my prosthetics too much." He answered as I tensed up when he mentioned that the demon didn't like the metal substituting for arms that were oh so beautiful in my eyes. I didn't lie when I said they were beautiful, yet nearly anyone could look disgusted at the fact he has metal for arms, that.. made me feel a familiar feeling... the feeling of... hatred, was it, or anger? Maybe it was a mix of both. I couldn't really tell.. I'm not really experienced in this sort of thing anyway, nor did I really care about it at first.

"...I see." was my plain reply. I clench my fist, gripping the bedspread tightly. "Hey.. Tanjiro?"

"Hm?"

"Promise me.. you won't become anyone's Tsuguko other than mine.." I watch as his lips curl into a warm smile as I felt my heart skip a beat.

"I promise, Master."

.

.

It had only been five..or six days, yet Tanjiro already mastered Total Concentration: Constant. I was surprised, to say the least. Guess that proves how hardworking and determined he is... Cute. So now, I think today is the day for Rehabilitation Training? Or is it tomorrow? I can't really remember.

❀

The past few weeks, Tokito Muichiro kept coming over to the Butterfly Mansion, which surprised Kocho Shinobu quite a bit. She didn't expect one of the most forgetful and aloof Hashira to visit her estate of all places, but after the Pillar Meeting, she's slowly starting to connect the dots that Tokito might have taken a liking to the petite burgundy-haired boy Kamado Tanjiro. If she were there with him, Tokito wouldn't hear the end of her annoying teasing. Now he gets to feel what it's like to be living in Tomioka Giyuu's world. Kocho then noticed the Mist Pillar wandering around the hallways of her estate, seemingly looking for his Tsuguko.

"Ara, Tokito!" Kocho called out as Tokito turned around, looking at the shorter, yet older girl with his usual stoic and unserious expression. Although Kocho was smiling, a genuine smile, she was greeted by silence as Tokito just stares at her quietly, not saying a word.

"Looking for Tanjiro-kun?"

Tokito just hummed and nodded his head in response. Kocho explained to him that Tanjiro and Inosuke would be participating in Rehabilitation Training today, once she told them where to go, he walked off without hesitation, leaving a baffled Kocho letting out a chuckle as she walked off, knowing all too well Tokito immediately went to find Tanjiro and see him. For he had gotten closer to the younger boy and even started to change because of him. Kocho knew, Tanjiro might—no, is the very one who can help bring Tokito's memories back to him, and she felt relieved knowing that. She, also, knew that Tanjiro was unaware of the amnesia Tokito is currently suffering from, so she intends to tell him after the first day of Rehab.

"I hope—no, I know you can restore Tokito's memories, Kamado Tanjiro."

Once Tokito arrived, Tanjiro's violet eyes immediately lit up when he saw his familiar face. Though the Mist Pillar wouldn't show it, his eyes showed a glint of happiness for a split millisecond. Aoi and Kanao had just finished introducing themselves by the time Tokito arrived on the scene.

"Sumimasen... Kon'nichiwa, Master!" Tanjiro spoke out with a smile on his face as he waved his bandaged metal hand. Tokito swore he felt his heart skip a beat the moment Tanjiro flashed him an adorable smile he often shows. Tokito just waved his hand back and walked off to sit on the wooden flooring to watch what was currently going on.

Aoi explained the things they need to do in Rehabilitation Training, while Tokito was looking down on the floor, wondering what kind of wood was this again..? Ehh..

First, Tanjiro and Inosuke needed to endure the harsh stretching from the butterfly triplets, Terauchi Kiyo, Nakahara Sumi, and Takada Naho. Second, they need to win a cup game against Kanao and Aoi. And third, a simple game of tag.

"Huh... I wonder how this'll turn out..."