Something To Protect (A Hakuouki Story)

You're Pissing Me Off

(Mitsuru's POV)

"One of what types?"

Was he really that stupid? Or was he just playing dumb? Regardless, I explained what I'd meant. "Those handsome men who always tell a woman what they think she wants to hear and I'll bet you fool around with a lot of women."

As expected, he focused on the one part of it that wasn't bad. "I'm handsome?"

"Don't change the subject," I growled, my anger slowly growing. Arguing with Kazuto about joining the Shinsengumi had irritated me, but now Harada was really beginning to annoy me.

Harada's face stayed fairly calm, which only added to my irritation. "I'm not like that. Shinpachi maybe, but not me."

"Oh really?" An attractive man like him didn't fool around? Yeah right. And I suppose that birds don't fly either, right? Wait a minute, did I just admit that he was attractive?

"I'm just an honest guy," Harada said with a shrug. "If you don't believe me, then ask Chizuru."

"Ask me what?"

While I'd been busy with my discussion, a young woman dressed as a boy had entered the room. Until now, I'd never seen her.

"You, your name is Chizuru?" I asked and she nodded. "Help me up." Chizuru nodded once more and quickly moved to my side. Putting an arm around my side, she helped me up.

"You know, you're not supposed to be up moving around," Harada scolded in a playful tone. "Might reopen your wounds again."

"Yeah, well, you're pissing me off."

At my words, he faked a shocked expression. "Those are some nasty words coming from a little girl."

That did it. My eyes quickly scanned the room. "Where's my sword?"

"You mean this?" At the sound of his voice, I glanced up at Harada. In his hand was what I'd been looking for.

"Give me that," I demanded, holding my hand out for it.

But much to my annoyance, he shook his head. "I don't think I should." I tried to reach for the sword, to take it from him forcefully, but he just held it out of reach. "You might try to stab me again."

I wouldn't admit it, but that actually had been what I wanted to do right now. I mean, he had been the reason I'd gotten injured in the first place. Not to mention he seemed to have a talent for pissing me off.

Ignoring all the protesting that my healing body was doing, I lunged at him. If he wouldn't cooperate willingly, then I'd just force him. "That wasn't a request!"