Chapter Text
The bright lights of a red carpet event were always a little jarring for a young actor like Kamado Tanjiro, from growing up out in the sticks to being thrust into the limelight on the celebratory event of a new hit series was something he’d never imagined would happen. He’d simply spent his life being as kind as possible, and one way or another his compassion translated to the screen, and people seemed to love it. He’d never considered being an actor, but seeing the joy he could bring people through the medium of T.V and film made him fall in love with it himself.
So now, standing side by side with his sister, Nezuko, who he’d had the privilege of working with on this new series and being faced with the rapid flash of cameras and the shouts and compliments from reporters and the public was a serene experience. It was no surprise really, that a new series by highly coveted Koyoharu Gotouge would pull in so much attention after just its first season, but that didn’t stop Tanjiro from being starstruck by the scene around him.
A quick peek to his side confirmed Nezuko seemed the same way, staying close by his side and looking a little nervous, he was about to reassure her when he felt a gentle hand on his shoulder, and one on Nezuko’s as-well.
“Daunting isn’t it? Gets to us all the first time around.”
A look up found him facing the friendly smile of Urokodaki Sakonji, free of his prop mask and bringing relief to both young actors.
“Y-yes, it is. But it’s not a bad thing! It’s kind of fun, isn’t it Nezuko?” He swung the attention to her, making her break out of the miniature trance she was in.
“Ah, y-yes? Sorry… I wasn’t really listening.”
The older man behind them chuckled to himself, giving both of them a reassuring pat on the head before leaning closer to whisper.
“Don’t worry about it. For today just enjoy yourselves! You’re stars of a hit show, just flash smiles to the camera and wave, everything will be fine.”
With a wink their older co-star headed further down the carpet, leaving Tanjiro and Nezuko to look at each other before breaking out into laughter. Their worries of a minute ago seeming a little less prominent.
“That’s a pro for you I guess.” Turning to the crowd to wave, Nezuko kept a smile which made Tanjiro happier too,
“Sure is.” He took a deep breath, turning to his sister, “Shall we move to the interviews?”
With a gulp his co-star nodded, and they strolled down to the scariest part of the carpet.
“Ne, ne, Tomioka-san~”
The actor suppressed a sigh, he could’ve sworn everyone else had already passed through to the carpet, he’d hoped to have his own quiet trip down.
Fate, however, seemed to have other ideas.
“What are you doing over here all by yourself? Everyone’s already having interviews! Wait… could it be? No one else wanted to walk with you?! Is it hard? No one else liking you…”
He closed his eyes and fazed out the rest, the same old tedious speech from the same old tiny woman. Whatever god he’d angered to be paired up with Shinobu Kocho on a new series must’ve been seriously pissed, because this was certainly divine punishment.
With a defeated drop of his shoulders he turned to make way for the entrance, and barely heard the careful footsteps of the actress behind him. Followed closely by the looping of his arm and hers.
“Hey, I was talking! This is why no one likes you y’know! But I guess if you have no one else I’ll accompany you.”
“Hmm.”
“Oh! Maybe people will mistake us for a couple! Imagine that headline, famous actors Kocho and Tomioka involved in passionate love affair, arms linked at the red carpet!”
“Hmm.”
“It would be the story of the century, oh but then we’d have to trick them into thinking it was true! How far should we take it? Dating?”
“…”
“Marriage?!”
“…”
“More?! You can’t mean… kids! What should we name them Tomioka-san?”
Gritting his teeth he walked straight past the photographers, only being pulled aside by a staff member to make sure he partook in an interview.
“Tomioka Giyuu! We’ve seen you close with fellow actress Kocho Shinobu before, what’s the nature of your relationship?”
“Hell.”
“Mrs Kanae Kocho, your sisters with star of Demon Slayer, Shinobu correct? It seems sibling actors are popular on this show, just what it is like working with relatives?”
She’d expected the question, after all there were a number of sibling pairings working in this series, and she was very proud to be able to share the screen with hers. She was in the middle of recalling their first shooting day when the actress was pulled from her stupor by a small tug on the sleeve of her right arm, turning and smiling kindly at Kanao, who’d chosen to slightly hide herself from the reporters.
“It’s fantastic! I’m very proud as a big sister to see Shinobu shine! And we got the chance to meet Kanao here through this series, and she’s like the third sister in our family at this point, we adore her!”
A shy smile was what the cameras received as the young girl bashfully grabbed Kanae’s hand in thanks.
“That’s a wonderful story! Although, Kanao, there is very little known besides your early acting regarding your past, was there something…”
“I’m sorry, we’re being called up ahead. Thank you all so much for coming out today!”
Giving her hand a reassuring squeeze, Kanae followed through with the lie and moved on down towards the panel room, leaning a bit closer to her adoptive sister to whisper.
“You never need to answer anything like that, okay?” She received a nod from the younger girl, “Just deflect like I did and move on, you’re not entitled to tell them anything just because you’re famous, kay?”
Kanao furrowed her brows, with a pout Kanae found adorable. “…I’m not famous.”
“Hmmm, is that so?”
Waiting at the backstage for a panel to start was nerve wracking for someone as inexperienced as Tanjiro, but it filled him with a sort of excitement he rarely felt at the same time. Nothing but his fellow actors chatting amongst themselves and the dark curtain separating them and hundreds of loyal fans.
Nezuko was preoccupied with her calming ritual she liked to use before events, it was much easier to do when Zenitsu wasn’t around harassing her, with both him and Inosuke reluctantly being whisked away to photoshoots across the country, Tanjiro figured he should leave her to it.
Urokodaki was talking with one of the staff members, his older friend just oozed professionalism, Tanjiro wondered if he’d ever be like that some day. Shinobu, however, was virtually the opposite, messing with Giyuu like there was no tomorrow. He decided to leave her to that for now, it seemed like being around Giyuu was one of her favourite things to do, outside of official events he seemed to distance himself from everyone else, the Kamado could let them enjoy their time together for now.
That left Kanae and Kanao, who seemed like a much calmer alternative to the others. Calm and quiet conversation seemed appealing to the boy right now, he took a deep breath and stepped towards them, hoping to calmed his frayed nerves at least a little.
“…cover for you as much as you like, oh Tanjiro! How are you?”
His mind went blank for a moment before bowing to both of the girls before him. “Ah, Kocho-san, Kanao, nice to see you!”
The girl seemed completely impassive, while the older woman chuckled and waved her hand.
“Please, no need to be so formal. I take it you’re trying to calm down too?”
Tanjiro rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly, a bit shocked to be called out so easily. “A-ah, yeah… it’s all so, grand?”
“Don’t worry about it, it always is at the start.” A quickly glance around from Kanae told her all she needed to know about the other actors among them. “Seems like we were your best option for a conversation huh?”
“Yes you could say that. I’d normally stay with Nezuko, but she seems like some space would benefit her for now.”
“I agree, and Shinobu… good grief, when will she leave that poor boy alone? I’m going to hop over really quick, keep Kanao company for me?”
“Huh? Oh, y-yes!”
She strolled off into the distance, cutting into the one sided conversation of their fellow actors, Tanjiro noted Giyuu’s face became considerably more relaxed, while Shinobu pouted about being interrupted during her ‘Tomioka-san time’.
Tanjiro shifted his attention back to the actress next to him, who was looking at the ground a little anxiously, idly wringing her fingers together.
“S-sure is scary, huh?”
The girl quickly looked up as if she was shocked to be spoken to, which Tanjiro considered a fairly normal reaction, they didn’t know each other too well after all.
“Yes.”
He swallowed a little, a small awkward silence ensuing.
“Is this one of your first panels too? I’d heard you were a actor when you were even younger, that’s amazing Kanao!”
She nodded with a fairly emotionless smile, and Tanjiro began to feel even more awkward. She’s just like her character huh?
“W-well, let’s do our best!”
She kept the exact same expression and nodded again, before bowing and moving past him back towards her sisters.
Tanjiro sighed with a tinge of sadness, he’d tried to be closer friends with Kanao multiple times, but she was yet to ever hold a conversation with him. Hopefully they’d get better eventually, he’d like to be friends with everyone he could.
Before he could continue, the staff began to call out for the actors to be ready, pulling Tanjiro himself to the back of the line to head out last, as the main character.
Main character, it was still shocking to think, but it was the truth, and he was ready to show off to the world the job and show he loved. With the tapping of a mic a man’s voice carried through the curtains, warning him of what was to come.
“And finally, give a big welcome to your main man, Kamado Tanjiro!”
Taking his cue, the young man walked out with a smile on his face, as countless fans erupted into loud cheers and excited shouts of his name. He faltered for a moment, surprised at the sheer amount of people celebrating his presence.
Making his way to the free seat along the big table, he found himself right in the middle, with Nezuko on one side of him and Kanao on the other, the others seemed to have expectant looks on their faces as if he was meant to do something, only realising once the crowd started to quiet.
“A-ah, it’s wonderful to see you all today, I’m new to this sort of thing, so go easy on me please!”
He sighed in relief when the crowd began cheering for him again, with a lot of supporting shouts he could faintly make out.
“Ahh our same old bashful Tanjiro is here ladies and gentlemen!” Shinobu chimed in from beside Tomioka, which he wasn’t overly keen on.
“Well, not everyone can be as adept at this as you young lady!” The crowd laughed as Urokodaki chimed in as if it were a regular conversation and it made Tanjiro realise, this might just be easier than he’d expected.
Some time later, Tanjiro had gained full control over his nerves, and was actually having fun. The event host asked them questions about the series, what it’s like working on set with famous actors like the Hashira that had been introduced, it was free-flowing and enjoyable.
“Now, of course we’ve covered a lot today already, so I believe it’s time to hand over to some fan questions!” The man took a pause to allow a large cheer to break out, then informed the other staff members to prep the mic for their guests.
Him and Nezuko had been asked questions by fans in the street before, but at an event like this it was a new experience entirely. The actors around him seemed comfortable though, whether Kanao counted as comfortable he wasn’t sure, she had the same expression she always did.
“… and I’d like to ask a question to the whole cast, who’s the biggest prankster on set?”
A common question at least.
“It’s gotta be right?”
“Oh yeah, 100%.”
“There’s really no one else.”
“I think we’re all in agreement, it’s Uzui for sure. He’s hardly even been here for long and I think he’s pranked us all at least once.” As Kanae finished speaking Shinobu was already laughing, trying to recover to add more.
“I think the last one he did was… Zenitsu wasn’t it? Oh god I can’t even.”
The purple haired woman broke into more giggles as the crowd eagerly shouted for an explanation, one which eventually nezuko had to take over to explain.
“Well, Uzui told Zenitsu there were a group of cute girls waiting for his autograph in the back, and once he charged in there he locked him in. The producers were looking for him for 20 minutes.”
Laughter broke out amongst the panel and the fans, and somewhere across the country Zenitsu sneezed.
A shy looking girl stepped up to the microphone next, she had a butterfly hair clip in which clearly showed who her favourite characters were, Kanae couldn’t help but smile.
“Um, my question is for Tsuyuri Kanao.” The girl in question perked up suddenly. “We know your character has a tough background, with her scenes in the latest episodes with Tanjiro, do you think she’s coming out of her shell?” Kanae glanced to the side at her younger sister, trying to relieve the pressure of an expectant stare, but hopefully willing her to answer.
“I think with a background like that, it would be hard for anyone to change so quickly. But I think her recent experiences certainly helped a lot.”
Tanjiro was watching intently from beside her as she spoke, she sounded so… mature. Like she was effortlessly managing the perfect answer.
“And of course Tanjiro played a big part in that, his character is very kind hearted, and that sort of warmth spreads to the people around him, I think he’ll be a great friend for her in the foreseeable future.” She ended that by turning to the characters actor and flashing him a small smile, one that left his mouth hanging open a bit. Quickly realising and turning to the crowd again, with his face feeling a little hot.
“Y-yes, despite her challenges I think Kanao is a kind hearted girl still, I believe that’s what my character thinks and he wants her to know that too.”
The crowd muttered their agreements and cheers as the actors ended their conversation, and Kanae couldn’t help but smile at the two young actors beside her who were now obviously avoiding each others eyes.
“Well, unfortunately that will be all for today ladies and gentlemen! Let’s give a huge thank you to our amazing actors for coming out here today!”
The cheers rung out as loud as they’d been all day as each of them stood to bow, and tanjiro could happily say he’d enjoyed today completely.
“Onii-chan, we have our hotel rooms booked right?”
“Huh? Oh, yeah. I think yours is the room across from mine, we may as-well stay here for the night.”
That meant Nezuko could count on some good sleep tonight at least, normally when the actors were away from home they’d have a small party in their hotel rooms and Zenitsu and Inosuke would make sure that no one got any sleep. She did enjoy the get togethers, but those two were relentless.
“I think Giyuu and Shinobu are here too.”
Nezuko raised an eyebrow at that, she hadn’t seen either of them on their way back. “Really?”
“Yeah, I think they got back before us.”
“They? As in together?”
Tanjiro shrugged his shoulders with a smile on his face, knowing full well how Giyuu was feeling right about now.
Giyuu was in one word, annoyed, right now.
He wasn’t overly fond of big fan events, they weren’t necessarily bad, sometimes they could be fun. Getting to see and meet lots of fans who were there just for him reminded him nicely that there were people out there who found happiness through his acting. Although he didn’t speak much, whether it was in person or on social media, it didn’t mean he didn’t appreciate them.
Probably the most difficult part of doing this job, was his fellow actor Shinobu Kocho. He at least assumed she meant well, but her idea of friendship was completely different from his. It was unfortunate too, because he sensed a sort of kinsman-ship with the small woman. She never seemed to be honest with herself and others, like there was something she was hiding.
She was pretty too, and they worked a lot of scenes together, it wasn’t hard for him to see her as more than just another actress. But the way she pestered him, he had to imagine she saw him as not much more than a funny joke to play.
“Hey Tomioka-san, we’re in the same hotel! Shall we spend some time together? I can visit your roooom~”
“I’ll pass, goodnight Kocho.”
He motioned for the staircase and stopped with a small grip on his sleeve, seeing Kocho look a little apprehensive.
“Ah, w-well, we could go grab some food? We haven’t eaten yet I believe.”
Giyuu sighed, another plot to embarrass me in public.
“I’ll order room service.”
She pouted at him, and he’d admit it was cute if he didn’t believe there was murderous intent behind it. He was about to make his reply when Shinobu turned her head towards the entrance of the hotel, seeing both Tanjiro and Nezuko entering discreetly.
“Oh, good timing! Over here guys!”
The siblings lifted their heads and clocked onto the two in the lobby, making their way over with a small wave. Tanjiro could tell as he approached that Giyuu was not keen on being here right now, he figured he could help him out with this conversation at least.
“Say, you two haven’t eaten yet have you?”
“Well, no. But I’m heading up to my room already, todays worn me out y’know?” She punctuated it with a yawn which made Shinobu feel for her a little, events like this when you weren’t used to it were exhausting.
“I totally get that, don’t worry. How about you Tanjiro?”
He scratched his head in thought for a moment, it was true he was hungry, and he wasn’t that tired either.
“Sure, I could go for some food.” The small actress perked up significantly, bouncing slightly in excitement.
“Well, why don’t we go out for some food, all of us!”
“Uh, I would but-“
He doesn’t wanna third wheel huh? Smart boy! “I know! I’ll get Kanao to join us, that way it’s less awkward!”
Tanjiro stilled a little at that, he seemed to be in deeper thought for a moment, which only made Shinobu happier.
“I-I mean, that’s sounds okay, but-“
“Right! We’ll have to decide on a place! And then-“
“Kocho-san!” She stopped when his voice got suddenly louder, she wasn’t used to hearing that outside of when they were on set, she raised an eyebrow in confusion. “Giyuu’s already gone!”
“Eh?!” She swung to her side to notice the man in question had already disappeared, when he had and how he’d done it so silently was a mystery. “When…?”
“He left with Nezuko right after she said she was going to bed. Sorry, I assumed you knew.”
She grit her teeth in annoyance, of course that asshole would just leave! Aaaah he’s so frustrating!
“It’s okay, it isn’t exactly your fault. I should expect stuff like that from him at this point.”
Tanjiro hummed, feeling a little awkward. He’d had his suspicions that his older co worker was putting a kind of façade on all the time. One similar to her believed older sisters personality, perhaps out of jealousy, or love?
“Y-yeah, I was under the impression you two didn’t really get on well anyway.”
Shinobu turned to him in surprise, confusing tanjiro with her own confused face.
“You were? What do you mean?”
“Ah, I think everyone was, he just seemed very closed off to you, and it seemed like you got on his nerves on purpose or something.”
Her eyes widened as he carried on, is that how she’d came off? The whole time, be it on set or ins public? She hadn’t meant to!
“W-well, that isn’t the case at all! I’d like to get to know him better if anything.”
“Oh. Well if I could make a suggestion, I’d say maybe be a bit nicer? He seems like a fairly sensitive person as is.”
Nicer, yes, she could try that. She was pretty sure they’d be on set together sometime soon! Despite not having any actual scenes together, maybe this would be the perfect chance.
After her small eureka moment, she eventually decided on heading to her room anyway, it was shared with Kanae and Kanao for the benefit of the younger girl, any time she could spend with her siblings was hopefully another step to coming out of her shell more.
She slammed the door open with more force than necessary, drawing the attention of the two girls sat on their beds, both of their attentions being pulled from their phone screens.
“Good evening, fellow actresses!”
Kanae giggled, and even Kanao smiled a little more genuinely. “Hey Shinobu, what’s gotten into you?”
“Ladies, tonight we will be discussing… seduction!”
“Eh?”