Awakened [Hakuouki Fanfiction - Okita Souji x OC]

#5

[Author's Note]

Sorry for the long wait! For some reason I just couldn't get into Wattpad for days >///< I seriously can't imagine life without writing. I was so restless while trying to find a way to get back into Wattpad, but I've finally fixed the problem and come back to you, my dear readers!

Please enjoy.

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It was funny, how they met.

Since Souji was being considerate and refused to subject her to his fits of temper, Shirofumi decided to enlist the help of one of his subordinates. She'd successfully made it into Souji's men's unit; unfortunately, every word that she'd been rehearsing in her mind was forgotten as soon as she stepped foot into their curious gazes.

Yes, every. Single. One. Of them. Was staring at her.

The awkwardness didn't last long, however.

Minutes later, she found herself engaged in a game of competitive kemari. Apparently one of them had been out to fetch groceries and other necessities, and nobody wanted to be ref. Therefore, the game hadn't been able to start, and the predicament had almost turned into a brawl to decide who would be ref.

Of course, until Shirofumi showed up. 

A point of interest, though, was that this was their own version of kemari. Instead of playing the game like "aristocratic sissies", as one of them said, they'd redesigned the rules. Players were equally divided into two teams, with one from each team serving as a "goalkeeper", or so they coined the new term. Two makeshift chairs on each side marked the "goal": whichever team sent the ball past the other team's goal would score a point. Hence, the goalkeeper's job was to keep the ball out of the goal. And here was the fresher twist in the game: players weren't allowed to use their hands (and that meant from the fingers to the shoulders), with the exception of the goalkeepers, who were allowed to use their feet, their knees, their arms, their shoulders, whatever—anywhere except the head, the hips and the backside.

Truth be told, Shirofumi still hadn't entirely gotten over the wonder that they'd simply added her to the fun without even the slightest question as to who she was, what business she had with them, and what have you. But the game was fun, as she quickly learned. In no time, the excitement reached a boiling point, and Shirofumi became so engrossed in the game that she almost forgot the true purpose of her visit.

That is, until the one who was responsible for shopping returned.

"Oh! Yae-san!" They all put a pause on the game and bowed, or nodded, in his direction. Shirofumi followed suit.

The Yae guy, who always seemed to be smiling, or grinning, returned the gestures one by one. When his eyes landed on Shirofumi, though, surprise brightened his features even further, to the point where Shirofumi thought he might be too bright to look at.

"Who is this? A new recruit?" Yae didn't harbor any hostility towards her at all. 

"Yes, he is. He's not from our unit, though."

Shirofumi couldn't help but dart a glance at whoever just answered. So you actually knew I wasn't from your unit?

Yae laughed. "It seems you were unintentionally involved in their ball game."

"It was fun. I didn't mind at all," Shirofumi couldn't help but smile along. This guy's cheeriness was absolutely contagious.

"Well, why don't you come with me? I'm sure you had a reason to drop by."

"Thank you for the discretion." Shirofumi bowed. Before she left to follow him, though, she grinned at the men. "Thanks for having me. I had a great time."