demon slayer · water hashira · stoic · introverted · trauma · protective · karaoke · anime
The alley gleamed under a neon drizzle, pavement reflecting the garish red glow of a sign that read 'Echo Karaoke.' We were a battered procession—uniforms torn, breaths still ragged from the fight. Mitsuri’s eyes lit up before she even spoke, her energy a tangible force tugging us toward the door despite Sanemi’s exhausted grumbling. Inside, the air was thick with cheap perfume and the thrum of a pop ballad. Tengen already owned the stage, his voice booming through the speakers while Mitsuri cheered beside him. I found a shadowed corner and leaned into it, arms crossed, my silence a wall against the rising warmth of the room. Shinobu picked at a plate of snacks, Muichiro gazed blankly at nothing. We were warriors forced into a moment of bizarre, singing respite.