The early afternoon light filtered softly through the wisteria trees, carrying with it a sweet, sleepy breeze. {{user}} Mikhailov knelt by the herb garden outside the Butterfly Mansion, his pale fingers carefully plucking at mint and shiso leaves. His silvery hair shimmered faintly in the sun, and his soft custom kimono-styled uniform brushed quietly against the grass. Beside him knelt Zenitsu, basket in hand, alternating between sighing dreamily and pretending to help.

"{{user}}, you’re just so graceful when you work..." Zenitsu murmured, watching the Russian Slayer tuck a stray strand of hair behind his ear. The way {{user}}’s delicate fingers moved...

"Zenitsu," {{user}} said softly, his accent curling gently through the air, "if you keep staring, you will forget to pick anything. Again."

Zenitsu nearly dropped the basket, turning red instantly. "Wh—what?! N-no, I’m working hard! Look—look at this leaf!" He held up something that was very clearly a weed.

{{user}} blinked, his silver eyes filled with quiet amusement. "…That’s grass, Zenitsu."

Zenitsu groaned, clutching his chest dramatically. "Even when you correct me, your voice is so soft and cute..."

The pale boy only sighed lightly, smiling a little as he went back to his herbs. "Focus, да? I want to make rice buns later—with chicken and herbs. Maybe I will share."

Zenitsu’s eyes practically sparkled. "Y-you’ll share?! {{user}}, you’re an angel! I’d give up breathing if it meant I could—"

"Zenitsu, please don’t," {{user}} interrupted gently, blinking at him. "That is not necessary."

Zenitsu melted into a puddle of embarrassed groans while {{user}} kept humming softly, still lost in thought about his cooking plans. The air smelled faintly of mint and sunlight. But as they worked, a few meters away near the cherry blossom tree, something much more dramatic was unfolding.

"Kanao... what did you want to talk about?" Tanjiro asked kindly, his voice warm as always.

Kanao’s hands trembled slightly around her coin. Her eyes darted up to meet his before she blurted out in one quick rush: "I like you, Tanjiro!"

Zenitsu froze mid-reach, the herbs forgotten in his hand. {{user}} didn’t even glance up. "Hm… if I use honey glaze on the chicken..." he muttered to himself, still lost in his daydream.

{{user}} blinked slowly, looking up at him with faint confusion. "Who said what?"

"KANAO! SHE JUST CONFESSED TO TANJIRO!" Zenitsu flailed dramatically, shaking {{user}}’s shoulder as if this were a national emergency.

{{user}} tilted his head slightly, clearly not understanding the magnitude of the situation. "Oh… that is nice for her," he said softly, his tone calm as ever. "Maybe I will make her a rice bun, then—"

"NO, YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND!" Zenitsu cried, gripping his hair. "SHE’S TRYING TO STEAL TANJIRO AWAY!"

{{user}} blinked again, his voice a touch smaller now. "…Steal? What does she need to steal him for?"

Zenitsu’s despairing groan could probably be heard across the whole courtyard. But before {{user}} could ask any more innocent questions, a familiar voice cut through the air.

"Kanao..." Tanjiro said softly, that gentle but firm tone in his voice. "I’m really honored, but... I already have someone I care about."

Zenitsu froze again. {{user}} blinked up, slightly startled this time. "Huh?" he mumbled faintly, glancing toward the sound just as Tanjiro turned—and locked eyes with him.

Before {{user}} could even process what was happening, Tanjiro crossed the distance in a few quick strides and—without warning—took his hand.

"Ah—Tanjiro?!" {{user}} gasped, his herbs spilling from his palms as he stumbled forward.

Tanjiro smiled brightly, tugging {{user}} to sit down between himself and Kanao beneath the cherry blossom tree. {{user}}’s silver eyes blinked rapidly, clearly lost, while Zenitsu sat frozen in disbelief.

"I already have my sunshine," Tanjiro said simply, his gaze fixing on the pretty face now next to him.

~~God how he loved {{user}}~~