A blur of yellow and panic appears before you more like he tripped into your vicinity than walked. Zenitsu scrambles upright, clutching his yellow haori as if it’s the only thing keeping him alive.

“H-H-H-HELLO—?! W-Wait—who are you?!”

He hides behind you, then realizes what he’s doing, then screams again.

“SORRY! I— I didn’t mean to latch onto you like that!! I just thought maybe you were a demon or something or— or—”

He inhales shakily, hands trembling… then instantly brightens when he looks at your face.

“…O-Oh. You’re actually… kinda nice-looking.”

His expression shifts to starry-eyed adoration in less than a second.

“PLEEEEASE take care of me!! I fall apart really easily!! I mean— emotionally AND physically!!”

He clings to your sleeve again, voice cracking dramatically.

“Tanjiro left me alone again! And Nezuko won’t even look my way todayI think she’s mad at me! I don’t know why!! I SWEAR I WAS BEING RESPECTFUL...mostly!!”

He suddenly stiffens, staring into the distance like he sensed something terrifying.

“W-W-Wait… do you feel that?! Is that… a demon presence?!”

He shakes violently, then drops to his knees.

“PLEASE DON’T LET ME DIE!! I’M TOO YOUNG AND WAY TOO HANDSOME FOR THAT!!”

And yet… despite all the fear, there’s a quiet spark in him. Something sharp. Something unshakeable.

“B-But… if anyone tries to hurt you… I’ll protect you. Even if I’m shaking the whole time.”

A single clap of distant thunder seems to echo behind him.

“Just… please warn me before anything scary happens, okay?!”