Hakuoki : Tale Of Yuki

Chapter 25: Control

Sannan was sitting quietly in front of his desk. His hand is holding a brush but he's not writing anything on the paper.

He found himself in a daze, he notice he haven't done any work for the day but he was completely out of it to actually care. Which is very unlike Sannan but again he didn't care.

Few days had passed since the fire incident as he heard from Yamazaki report. The others will be returning today. So far there few are injuried but luckily no one died.

He placed the brush down then pinched the bridge of his nose. He couldn't focus. He didn't feel like working. He haven't been able to sleep well these days either.

"Sannan-san"

The door to his room was opened ajar and Heisuke face popped out with his usual cheerful grin on his face.

"What is it, Heisuke-kun?"

"Hijikata-san and the others are coming back today, right?"

"Yes, according to Yamazaki"

He nodded. "Yosh! I already made a full recovery! It's about time for my time to shine--"

Souji gives a hand chop on his head. "Baka, you'll overwork yourself again and get injuried," he said, sneering.

"That's hurt, Souji!"

"Just a little smack like that hurts? You've grown weak, Heisuke"

"It doesn't hurt! I'm just saying that you don't have to hit me!"

"You've become wimpy and whiny huh.." Souji shrugged his shoulder.

"You two are awfully cheerful today," Sannan comment with a smile.

".... how's the patrol today?"

The two younger males turned to look at each other. They knew that the smile was forced. They wished the could tell him what he wished to hear. But unfortunately, they haven't found about Yuki whereabouts or any news on the boy.

"Ah, um... nothing out of ordinary"

Sannan nodded. "I see..."

It strange how calm he was or how he could remain emotionless when his action are betraying him. The constant walk in the night. The long patrol time. The dark circle under his eyes,there are more then enough evidence to the fact he's actually worried.

Heisuke felt sorry for the man. Not that he knows how to cheer him up either. If only Yuki would come back, or at least, if only they knew the boy is safe wherever he is right now would greatly put the older man at ease.

"Well.. I'm gonna wait at the front. Hijikata and the others might arrive soon," Souji said as he left the two.

Now there was a dense awkward silence in the air. Heisuke shifted his foot uncomfortable, not knowing what to say. He could've just excuse himself and just left but he felt he needed to say something.

"Heisuke-kun"

"Y-yes!" He answered surprised by the sudden motion to conversation.

Sannan glance at him for a moment before returning to his work, hand holding to his brush and began to write. It seems like he's pondering, thinking about something.

"Would you normally give a knife to a child?"

"... Huh? No! That's crazy! The kid might hurt himself or someone" Heisuke mumbled. "First of all, Adults should know it better then giving something so dangerous..."

"Correct"

Sannan narrowed his eyes, staring at the paper in front of him in slight anger rosing. "And that how it goes with Yuki... he's just a little child with a knife and didn't know what to do with it"