Once upon a dream (Hakuouki fan-fic) (Hijikata x OC)

Chapter 34

Third Person POV

Two souls sat inside the Demon Vice-Commanders room. "You know I like you" was the only thing heard between the two. One panicked while the other sat in shock. Hijikata was in shock. The words he had worked up the courage to speak had not come out of his mouth but from the girl next to him.

Meanwhile, Victoria was mortified; she couldn't believe she'd just gushed the words like that. She couldn't help herself; he just looked so handsome and vulnerable at that moment. Her heart was fluttering, and in a moment of weak bliss, she just let it slip. Now she felt doomed. Oh, how she wanted to be swallowed up by a black hole at that exact moment. 'Just let me die with dignity,' she inwardly pleaded.

The Vice-Commander let out a sigh—of content? The girl wasn't sure, but she was nervous all the same. Instead of backtracking, uttering nonsense about how she 'didn't mean it' or was 'just joking,' and undoubtedly embarrassing herself further, she opted to stay silent. Maybe the world would implode and swallow her whole. Who knows, it could happen—any second now, please—

"So I'm not completely insane. At least I know the feeling isn't one-sided," Hijikata mumbled softly. He hadn't even made eye contact with her, but the sound of his voice and his words were enough to make her feel like she'd been hit by a truck named 'Reality.' The very man in front of her just admitted that he had feelings back. She should be ecstatic, but all she felt was shock. She couldn't even form a single thought, and all the emotions in her head brought about only one response—tears.

"You're crying," Hijikata deduced, eyebrows furrowed. Was it something he said? It couldn't be; she was the one who admitted she liked him first. Victoria wasn't sobbing, she was happy, but she was so happy that she didn't know how to voice her emotions. Happy tears streamed down her cheeks which had become bright with warmth. "I uh," She uttered between sniffles. Realizing how ridiculous she must've looked, she quickly muttered "Sorry" to the man next to her. Desperately wiping away her tears with her kimono sleeve, she managed to get her thoughts under control, admitting, "I'm so shocked. I don't know what to say." Intrigued by her reaction, Hijikata raised a single brow in her direction. "Shouldn't I be saying that? You confessed to me." "But I didn't expect you to reciprocate," Victoria

A gentle hand brushed away a stray tear left on her cheek, the gesture making her heart pound and her stomach flutter. "I can't express my feelings the way you expect me to. I'm sorry," He apologized regretfully. Victoria shook her head. "Don't apologize. Can't you see I'm in love with you, idiot? I don't need more than what you've already shown me." Not even thrown off by her choice of words, he sat up straight with a look of thought, lightly humming, "I see."

"Kondou-San's going to have a field day when he finds out," Tori half chuckled. Hijikata frowned at her words. "He doesn't need to know yet. I can't have him bothered or distracted by anything until after we've dealt with Itou-San," The Vice-Commander voiced seriously. "And for god sake, don't go blabbing to all of the others," Hijikata added, his cheeks flushed. The girl chuckled, shaking her head. Of course, she wouldn't expect anything less than shyness from him.

Victoria's POV

"That reminds me. I want to be a part of Kashitarou Itou's assassination—correction, I need to be a part of it," I pressed. "Kondou-San and I have yet to discuss-" "-I know what you both ultimately decide on, and I'm telling you I need to be involved," I pleaded, placing my hands on top of his. He glanced at our hands in his lap, blushing at the contact. I always surprised myself with my boldness. Pulling away, I regained my composure. "I'll think it over" "Please, just think about the hard work I've put into training-" "-Yes, and it'd be all for nothing if the well-trained samurai under Itou's faction soaked the streets in your blood," he bit back harshly. I flinched back at his cutting tone, lowering my gaze to the floor. "You have no faith in me?" It wasn't really a question to him, and he knew. Pinching the bridge of his nose with a groan. "Women always argue like this—I have faith in you. What I don't have is the peace of mind that you'll come back to me in one piece." Every nerve in my body seemed to flutter with warmth at his words. His sincerity was refreshing in a way.