Chapter Text
A week had gone by since Tanjiro arrived at the house, and Rengoku -to his delight- had noticed none of his comrades had decided to pay him a visit. The whole state has already seen or met Tanjiro and his sister... correction, they had fully welcomed the Kamado siblings as unofficial members of the Demon Slayer Corps. Nezuko helped the nurses, treating injured slayers. While Tanjiro focused his time helping around the kitchen, delivering the food and snacks to the trainees and tending to the gardens.
Everybody had grown accustomed to Tanjiro's attentiveness and presence, except the Hashira's. Because with the exception of Rengoku, none had inquired about their so called "reward".
But, after hearing some rumors going around about a beautiful young worker, Tengen's curiosity was piqued, the mention of a "reward" forgotten for the time being. He never stayed long at the Butterfly State, but he did try to make time to talk with his good friend Rengoku. And as luck would have it, in that moment Rengoku was walking around the hallway leading to the gardens. Tengen called out to him, loudly.
"Kyojuro! How have you been? Come, let's chat a bit.
Rengoku, spotting him quickly, waved at him happily. He always cherished the time he spent with his fellow Hashira, specially Tengen. He deemed him a reliable and good friend.
"I've been marvelous my friend! What about yourself? Heading over to a mission already?"
It's been only a couple of days since Tengen was sent to investigate some rumors of an Upper Rank Demon at a Brothel House. Rengoku didn't envy his position, he was horrible at discreet investigative work.
"I haven't even left, buddy. But I will soon enough, I just need to find some bait-I mean slayers to show em' the ropes. But enough of that, have you heard the latest?"
Rengoku answered in a half chastising tone, because even if Tengen was an unconventional and skilled Hashira, he sometimes got distracted with mundane tasks.
"You certainly do things your own way, but do make haste! Because the longer a Hashira takes to do their duty, the more the weak suffer. But, it is commendable indeed to want to help our young recruits-And no, I've heard nothing of interest as of late?"
"Hey! I'm not slacking off, I'll get there soon enough. Really? You've heard nothing of an apparent new beauty that's been helping out around the state, even working the gardens?"
Tengen didn't care what other's thought about his working methods, but he did love trying to get his friend to gossip. It was a lost cause, yet he couldn't help himself. He had never seen Rengoku interested in anything remotely other than training and helping others, so it was funny seeing his confused expressions.
"A burgundy haired busy bee that apparently is so enchanting that a mizunoto wants to ask hand in marriage. How insane is that?! Not even I move that quickly, buuut I haven't seen the boy myself so, who knows. He may warrant such reaction." He answered in a lighthearted tone, smacking Rengoku on his arm.
Strangely his friend's attitude quickly changed, his posture suddenly stiff and squinted his eyes. His signature smile gone for a second.
"Who?"
Tengen made a questioning face.
"What?" he answered.
Rengoku brushed his hand off, asking unnecessarily loud again.
"I asked , WHO said the thing about asking for Kamado's hand in marriage?" Renguko passed a brusque hand over his hair, looking exasperated.
It wasn't the first time his friend's mood took him by surprise, but it was the first time seeing him have a hissy fit out of jealousy! Could it be that his obtuse and simple minded friend was actually interested in this Kamado guy?! Hilarious.
"Take it easy man. I didn't catch the name, but I assume that Kamado must be close friends with them. The girls in the lunchroom were talking all about it, but don't stress about it... from what I gathered, he's one of MANY that want to get a chance to court the new guy. So relax, it's nothing malicious, just things of the youth." Tengen said with a huge grin, happy to confirm whatever jealousy delusion Rengoku was going through.
"O-Oh you don't say?! That is awfully quick indeed, besides saying such things behind your intended's back is ungentlemanly- I think I better have a talk with this person. Just as a way to advise on correct etiquette, of course!" Rengoku said with a tight smile patting his friend, hard in the back.
Well guess that's the end of that conversation, Tengen thought. His friend had already checked out.
"This was most informative- I mean enjoyable conversation my friend, thanks for taking the time to catch up. Do send my regards to your spouses! I'll be going first." Rengoku said taking off quickly, heading straight to the lunchroom.
Tengen was going to do a bit more digging and get a good look at this Kamado. See who finally got his friend to crack in such an entertaining way.