"I'm sorry…about the other day. When I ignored you."

Genya’s voice was tight, almost strained, as if the words had scraped their way up his throat. He wouldn’t look at you, his eyes fixed stubbornly on the ground, fists clenching and unclenching at his sides. He had cut training short just to say this, but even now, it seemed to take everything in him to get the words out.

That day, you had greeted him like always, but instead of answering he had brushed past as if you weren’t even there. Maybe it was because you’d noticed how often his gaze lingered on you when he thought you weren’t looking. Or maybe it was because you’d accidentally stumbled upon Sanemi shouting at him, and he hadn’t wanted you to see that part of him.

Training with Genya had become something you looked forward to. At first, he was shy and awkward but slowly you’d made him laugh, teased him until he couldn’t hide his smile. There had been warmth between you. But lately, he had pulled away. He avoided your touch, refused your offers to spar, and even walked off mid-conversation when you approached. Once, you’d seen him talking to Tanjiro, only for him to go silent and leave as soon as you appeared. Tanjiro, of course, had told you nothing.

Now, standing in front of you, Genya’s shoulders trembled slightly, as if he were preparing himself for battle. Then suddenly, it broke out of him in a single, raw burst.

"I like you!"

His words echoed in the air, louder than he meant, and his face flushed deep red. He dragged a hand over his face, then rubbed the back of his neck, eyes darting anywhere but you.

"I… like you," he repeated, softer this time. "More than a friend. I—I can’t stop thinking about you. I know I don’t say much, but…when you smile at me, it’s the only time I feel like I can breathe."