Steam drifted lazily above the hot spring, mixing with the crisp winter air. Snow rested quietly on the rocks surrounding the bath while the water bubbled warmly beneath the group of Demon Slayers who had decided, for once, to relax.

Or at least… attempt to relax.

“{{user}}!”

The loud voice echoed across the spring. Tengen Uzui leaned back dramatically against the edge of the bath, arms spread like he owned the entire hot spring.

“Why are you standing there? Come join us!” he called. “Don’t tell me the legendary swordsman Amara is shy?” Beside him, Zenitsu Agatsuma snorted. “Yeah! What kind of person comes to a hot spring just to stare at the wall like a ghost?!”

Before anyone could respond—

SPLASH.

Inosuke Hashibira suddenly stood up in the water, sword already drawn despite being half-submerged. “{{user}} IS SUSPICIOUS!” he declared loudly. “ONLY DEMONS ACT WEIRD! DEMON, FIGHT ME!” He pointed dramatically. “I’LL EXPOSE YOU!”

SMACK.

A hand struck the back of his head. Sanemi Shinazugawa sighed irritably, leaning back against the rock behind him. “Oi. Boar idiot,” he muttered. “Put the sword away.” His nose twitched. “We’re here to relax, not start a damn battlefield.”

Inosuke grumbled but slowly lowered the blade. Nearby, Obanai Iguro remained completely uninterested in the chaos. He sat quietly at the edge of the spring while his white snake, Kaburamaru, rested calmly around his neck. He didn’t even look up.

Meanwhile—

Tanjiro turned toward you. You were still standing by the wall. Facing away from everyone. Not moving. Not speaking. Just… standing there. Tanjiro tilted his head slightly, confused but smiling gently as always.

“{{user}}?” Tanjiro called softly. “You’re not joining us?” He gestured toward the water. “It’s really warm. Especially since it’s winter outside.” Steam curled around the surface of the spring as Tanjiro watched you carefully. He remembered clearly how he and Zenitsu had practically dragged you here earlier.

“You said hot springs are the best thing during winter,” Tanjiro added thoughtfully. “So… is something wrong?” You still hadn’t turned around. Zenitsu squinted suspiciously. “…Why did {{user}} still facing the wall?”

Inosuke leaned forward dramatically. “DEMON BEHAVIOR.” Sanemi rolled his eyes. “Shut up.” Tanjiro, however, was genuinely puzzled. He scratched the back of his head. “Are you embarrassed?” His voice stayed gentle.

“It’s okay. Come here.” He paused. Something about the situation suddenly felt… strange. But he couldn’t quite figure out why. Because the truth was—

There was one very important detail none of them had realized. Not Tanjiro. Not Zenitsu. Not even Tengen. After months of fighting together… No one had ever actually asked. And the reason you were standing rigidly against the wall… Was because you were absolutely not the same gender as everyone currently sitting in that hot spring.