Hakuouki Shinsengumi Kitan: Find Love in War (Hajime Saito)

Chapter 6

Chapter 6: Haruka and Sanan

The next day, they were having dinner.

Heisuke stole Nagakura's meat. "Shinpachi, I'll take that!"

"Hey! I was saving that for last! Rascal! If that's the case..."

Heisuke and Nagakura start arguing. At this point, Haruka usually stop them, or try to calm them down. But, she's just eating silently.

Chizuru notice and look at Haruka with a confuse expression.

Genzaburo decided to intervene. "Stop it, you two. You are troubling, Yukimura."

Heisuke and Nagakura stop what they were doing and look at Chizuru.

Chizuru laugh nervously. 'Inoue, are you setting me up there?' Chizuru thought.

Finally, Hijikata and Sanan came back and enter the room.

"I'm back," Hijikata said.

"Hey, Toshi," Kondou said.

"Welcome back," Okita said.

Hijikata and Sanan sits next to Kondou.

"Captain, Vie-Captain, thank you for your hard work," Genzaburo said.

"Welcome back, Sanan," Okita said.

"I'm back," Sanan said.

"Good job. How's your arm injury?" Kondou said.

"As you can see, my arm is quite weak now," Sanan said.

Haruka and the others give Sanan a look that said, 'I don't believe you'.

Sanan smiled. "I'm fine. It's not as bad as it looks, so don't worry. Well then." Sanan stands up.

"Sanan, what about dinner?" Heisuke asked.

"I'm okay. I'm a little tired, so I'll go get some rest in my room."

Haruka stand up. "Sanan, I'm coming with you."

"Oh, alright then, Haruka."

And so, Haruka walk with Sanan back to his room. Once they made it to Sanan's room, she offers to help him get into his night clothes.

Then Haruka help Sanan get in bed.

"You have been staring at me a lot lately."

"Huh? Oh..." Haruka look to the side. "Sorry."

Sanan sits up. "It's alright. I'm not bothered by it. In fact, I enjoy your eyes on me."

Haruka blushed and look at Sanan with a shocking expression. "Eh?! It's not what you think!!"

Sanan laughs. "I see. So that's what causes you to blush."

"Are you mocking me, Sanan?"

Sanan smiled. "Believe me, I am not. I'm just curious. You are a mysterious woman, Haruka."

"I know that, and so does everyone. What's your point?"

"You were able to best me and the other captains. You have the potential to become even the best swordsman, your case, swordswoman, and yet, here you are. A Co-Captain under Hijikata."

"I'm not looking for a higher rank or anything that has to do with title. I just want an opponent who has the skill and the will to go against me. It does not matter the gender or how strong or weak they are."

"I see. You are a very interesting woman as well then. By the way, I have an important question I want to ask you. Will you hear me out?"

"Sure."

"Would you still go against me even if I'm in this state, not being able to fully wield my sword with my right hand?"

"I...I'm not sure how to answer that question, Sanan."

Sanan sighs. "I see. I'm sorry to have asked you a question you can't answer."

"It's okay. Are you...disappointed?"

"A little."

"Um...if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."

"Haruka, what's gotten into you?"

"It's just manners. And, I guess I can never help it when it comes to worrying about a friend."

Sanan smiled and pet Haruka on the head. "You are such a caring child at heart."

"Who're you calling a child-?!"

"Who's also caring."

"That's beneath the point, Keisuke! I am not a child!"

"Oh...Then, how old are you?"

"I'm 18..."

"And yet, you're short-"

"Who're you calling a shrimp-size pipsqueak?!"

Sanan clears his throat so he won't laugh. "Ah, you are...sensitive about your height."

Haruka blush in embarrassment. "I-I'm sorry for yelling at you, Sanan."

Sanan chuckled. "It's quite alright. It was my fault to have made you feel insulted."

"N-No. It's alright. Anyway, if there's nothing else you need, I'll be going now."

"Wait. Just...one more thing."

"Oh, okay. What is it?"

"Come closer."

Haruka scoot a little closer towards Sanan, then unexpectedly, Sanan hugs Haruka with his good arm.

"Sanan?"

"I've been dying to do this ever since the day we met."

"What does that mean?"

Sanan let go of Haruka. "I just want a hug from you, that's all."

"Oh. Well then, good night, Sanan."

"Good night, Haruka."

Haruka went out of Sanan's room then went to her room.