HijiGin - Bittersweet

Chapter 23

  Hijikata's POV

I sigh, not even knowing what to do anymore. For now, we have decided to keep Gintoki in the quarters to make things easier just in case he gets attacked like that again. He did protest but immediately shut up when we mentioned free food plus deserts.

I felt my lips curl slightly at that memory and sipped some more of my coffee before realising that it was empty. I let out another sigh, I feel as if things are constantly running out to make my life difficult.

I was about to call for Yamazaki but decided to refill it myself since there really isn't much to do right now. I passed by a few officers and nodded my head in greeting, making my way slowly to the cafeteria.

Upon arriving, I instantly spot that lazy perm, eating what seems to be his fifth pudding. My gut pools with jealousy when I am yet again reminded of his carefree way of living.

I do my best to ignore him and opted to go for my coffee refill instead. I felt his gaze on me throughout the entire process, however, and when I turned the bastard didn't even seem the least bit concerned in hiding it.

I stared into his dead fish eyes and he stared into mine. We kept at our little staring contest before I figured that there was no point to wasting time like this. I arch a brow at him and his puddings.

"So, is sugar the only thing that keeps you going now? I'd recommend you eat healthier food for breakfast, as it is the most important meal of the day, you know?"

Gintoki snorts at that. "Uh huh, totally. I totally feel the truth behind that when someone who drinks cups of black coffee covered in mayonnaise in the morning lectures me about having a 'healthy' breakfast."

"What can I say, I'm a working adult. A busy one, too."

"Well, if you're so 'busy', why didn't you just call Anpan Man to get your refill instead?" Gintoki gives me an unimpressed look.

"Maybe it's because I feel like getting some exercise to stretch out my legs and get some fresh air?"

"Yep, totally."

Figuring that there is no point in dealing with this idiot, I huff and turn away, taking a sip of my freshly prepared coffee with the oh-so-good creamy flavour of mayonnaise. I seriously don't get how some people don't appreciate it merits still.

As I make my way back to my room, however, I catch sight of something moving past quickly on the walls and immediately draw my sword. I wait patiently and sure enough, someone was there.

"Show yourself, intruder!"

I steadied my sword, preparing to strike or defend at a moment's notice, but all I get in return is laughter as if it was mocking me. The figure makes a sudden dash towards me and before I knew it their sword almost cuts me in half.

I was being overwhelmed by the sheer strength of the blade and look to see a pare of cold, red eyes stare back at me. They looked familiar though, but I couldn't pin a name to those eyes.

I have deduced that the intruder was definitely a male from the body build and strength but that unsettling feeling of familiarity keeps coming back and distracting me.

I use all my strength to redirect his blade away, metal sliding on metal as we both break free. He comes back fast with silent but deadly strikes each time, and it takes all that I have to parry the blows.

Still concentrated on revealing my opponent, I failed to see an attack and didn't quite manage to evade nor block it, and the blade slices into my shoulder painfully.

Luckily the cut wasn't terribly deep, but it bled rapidly and my right arm started to shake slightly. I willed myself to keep calm and remain focused on the enemy, but the injured makes my moves slower and sluggish.