Chapter Text
Giyuu was impressed.
The estate seemed endless.
Quiet hallways stretched on and on, twisting around corners before disappearing into new corridors. Every turn revealed another section of the sprawling residence. They walked slowly through it all—or rather, Obanai walked slowly for him.
Giyuu felt a little guilty about that.
The hallways were spotless, polished to perfection and organized with meticulous care. The rooms they passed shared the same atmosphere. They weren't decorated with excessive luxury or flashy displays of wealth. Not that Giyuu would know much about such things.
Instead, everything possessed a simple elegance.
Traditional tatami rooms filled most of the estate. Wooden beams supported the ceilings, and paper screens softened the sunlight that entered from outside. There was a sense of age and history woven into every corner.
His favorite part, however, was the verandas.
Several times during their walk, they passed wooden engawa overlooking the gardens.
Each view stole his breath away.
The gardens stretched beautifully beyond the estate, filled with carefully maintained trees, stone pathways, and blooming flowers. A gentle breeze swayed the branches, creating a soft rustling sound that soothed something deep inside him.
It felt peaceful.
Safe.
For the first time since waking up, he found himself imagining the future instead of dwelling on the past.
Obanai had promised to take him exploring there later.
The thought made warmth bloom in his chest.
He could already picture it.
The two of them walking side by side along the stone paths.
Holding hands.
Stopping beneath the shade of a tree.
Maybe sitting together near a pond.
Maybe...
Sharing a kiss.
The thought hit him suddenly.
Giyuu immediately blushed.
"Are you alright?" Obanai asked.
His concern was immediate.
"You look warm. Is the heat bothering you?"
"N-No," Giyuu replied quickly.
He turned his face away before Obanai could notice the true reason for his embarrassment.
Thankfully, Obanai seemed willing to accept the answer.
"We're almost at the dining area."
Giyuu's heart immediately tightened.
The pleasant daydream vanished.
He didn't want to do this.
Not yet.
Suddenly he became painfully aware of every movement his body made.
His legs.
His hands.
The way he walked.
The way he breathed.
His shoulders felt stiff.
What if everyone stared at him?
What if they expected something from him?
What if they asked questions he couldn't answer?
The thoughts spiraled rapidly through his mind.
Even so, he continued forward.
It was inevitable.
He couldn't avoid everyone forever.
Beside him, Obanai seemed to sense his growing anxiety.
Giyuu felt a hand squeeze his own.
He looked down.
Obanai was holding his hand firmly.
Comfortingly.
"It'll be okay," Obanai said softly.
His voice carried absolute certainty.
"If you start feeling overwhelmed, tell me. We'll leave immediately and go back to your room."
Giyuu nodded.
The knot in his chest loosened slightly.
"Thank you."
Obanai simply squeezed his hand again.
When they reached the dining room, Obanai slid the door open.
The room beyond was surprisingly large.
A low wooden table occupied the center of the room, already prepared with four neatly arranged place settings.
Sunlight filtered through the translucent paper screens, bathing everything in a warm golden glow.
The atmosphere felt peaceful.
Almost welcoming.
Giyuu looked around.
"...Why is there nobody here?"
"Only family members eat here whenever they want," Obanai explained. "They've probably already eaten."
He paused.
"Though Shinjuro was very determined to meet you after what happened yesterday."
Giyuu immediately flushed.
Remembering yesterday's incident was embarrassing enough.
Thinking about discussing it was even worse.
"He probably wanted to give us some space first," Obanai continued. "But eventually we'll need to have a serious conversation with him."
He sighed heavily.
Clearly, he wasn't looking forward to it either.
Giyuu released a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.
"I'm... thankful for that."
His shoulders relaxed.
"I don't think I'd be ready to talk if he was here already."
The tension that had accompanied him into the room slowly slipped away.
"Actually..." Obanai paused.
"I'm glad too."
Giyuu blinked.
"Really?"
Obanai nodded.
"I can't really explain it."
He looked toward the table.
"I just don't feel like talking right now."
Giyuu understood immediately.
Some feelings couldn't be explained.
They simply existed.
His stomach suddenly growled.
Loudly.
Heat rushed to his face.
Obanai immediately laughed.
"Time to eat then."
His own stomach rumbled in agreement.
"I'm hungry too."
Obanai lowered himself onto one of the cushions placed beside the table and patted the tatami next to him.
Giyuu hesitated.
Then he quietly sat beside him.
The room felt enormous.
Too enormous.
The silence felt heavy.
He found himself sitting carefully, trying not to make unnecessary noise.
As if someone might judge him for it.
Obanai, meanwhile, seemed completely comfortable.
The realization tugged painfully at Giyuu's heart.
How many meals had Obanai eaten here without him?
How many mornings?
How many evenings?
How many conversations had happened while he slept?
Two years.
Two years was a long time.
Obanai had continued living.
The Rengokus had continued living.
The world had continued moving forward.
And Giyuu had remained frozen.
Sleeping.
Missing everything.
Missing birthdays.
Celebrations.
Arguments.
Quiet mornings.
Family dinners.
Memories.
Entire years.
The thought hurt.
Then he remembered the kindness he had been shown since waking up.
The Rengoku family.
Obanai.
Everyone who had welcomed him without hesitation.
Right.
He wasn't alone.
Not anymore.
There would be more mornings.
More meals.
More opportunities.
He would sit here again tomorrow.
And the day after that.
Maybe someday this room wouldn't feel so intimidating.
Maybe someday it would feel like home.
The thought brought a small smile to his face.
His train of thought was abruptly interrupted.
"BREAKFAST!"
Obanai shouted loudly across the estate.
Giyuu nearly jumped.
His cheeks immediately heated with embarrassment.
Part of him wanted to scold him.
That wasn't how one requested breakfast.
But the words died before they could leave his mouth.
This wasn't his home anymore.
Not really.
At least it didn't feel like it.
Obanai had developed routines without him.
Habits.
Relationships.
A life.
Giyuu knew Obanai loved him.
There was no doubt about that.
Yet suddenly, a strange feeling settled inside his chest.
He felt like a stranger.
A stranger in his own life.
A stranger in Obanai's life.
The feeling was unwelcome.
Painful.
Two women entered the room a few moments later.
Both bowed politely.
"Good morning."
"Good morning."
Obanai returned the greeting and immediately ordered breakfast for both of them before Giyuu could even process what was happening.
The women smiled politely.
Yet something about their attention made Giyuu nervous.
Were they staring?
Judging him?
Whispering about him?
His breathing became uneven.
His pulse quickened.
Small black dots flickered at the edges of his vision.
The room suddenly felt much larger.
Much brighter.
Much scarier.
What was happening?
A faint memory surfaced.
Something similar had happened before.
Long ago.
Someone speaking.
Too many eyes watching.
The same crushing feeling—
"Giyuu?"
The voice felt distant.
"Giyuu."
Again.
"Giyuu!"
He blinked.
Obanai was staring at him with concern.
Apparently he had called his name several times.
"Obanai?"
"Where did you go?" Obanai asked quietly.
Giyuu rubbed his eyes.
"I'm fine."
The answer came automatically.
"Just lost in thought."
Obanai didn't look convinced.
"Are you sure?"
Giyuu nodded.
This time he forced a small smile.
"I'm sure."
The tension in Obanai's shoulders eased slightly.
He still looked worried, but thankfully he let the matter drop.
Giyuu had only recently awakened from a two-year coma.
The last thing Obanai wanted was to pressure him.
So instead, he simply moved a little closer.
Close enough that their shoulders brushed.
Reminding him that he wasn't alone.
Kaburamaru slithered inside from the open door.
He hissed in a grumpy way.
"Sorry Kaburamaru, j swear I won't forget you again"
Obanai apologized. Kaburamaru just slithered on Giyuu's shoulder not looking at Obanai the traitor.