"Mr. Kirishima! Tanjiro-!!!"
She sprinted toward the two of them at the post station entrance, shouting through her tears.
She moved so fast that she left only a pink-streaked afterimage on the stone steps.
Tanjiro's mind instantly buzzed at the sight of her far-too-revealing outfit.
Out of a young boy's innocent instincts and the Demon Slayer Corps' basic etiquette, his entire face flushed red to the tips of his ears, and his eyes went wide.
His body instinctively tried to turn away to escape the overwhelming visual impact.
"He... he hates me!!!" Mitsuri Kanroji had already rushed up to them in a fragrant breeze and a shower of tears.
She completely ignored Tanjiro's flustered attempts to avert his eyes.
She also seemed not to notice Kirishima Bupai beside him, radiating an unapproachable air. Right now, she only had eyes for someone to pour her heart out to.
Mitsuri came to an abrupt halt in front of them, the wind from her immense momentum even stirring Tanjiro's flowing, slightly singed hair.
She clasped both hands tightly before her chest, leaning forward slightly in her agitation and distress.
The already precarious neckline of her yukata slipped even lower with the movement, revealing dazzlingly white skin.
"I was perfectly friendly when I asked his name! I wanted to make a new friend!"
"But he... he actually! Waaa..." Mitsuri's tears fell like pearls from a broken string, her voice trembling with accusation. "He actually ignored me completely! He wouldn't even look at me!!"
"Does he... does he hate me?! Boo-hoo..."
As she sobbed out her grievances, she instinctively moved toward the seemingly gentler, more approachable person she could confide in: Tanjiro.
As she spoke, Mitsuri took another step closer, seemingly seeking reassurance and comfort.
Tanjiro was in a state of utter confusion and embarrassment.