Love at first sight (Heisuke x OC)

Chapter 6: Nasty surprises

More timeskips! Sorry! 😅

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Harada-san took me to Ayame's Teahouse, we were greeted by a petite woman with shoulder length brown hair and bright brown eyes. She wore ribbons in her hair and had a kind smile on her face as she greeted us. "Welcome back Harada! And who may this lovely woman be? Your girlfriend?" The woman raised an eyebrow with a playful smile on her face. Her suggestion caused my cheeks to go bright red.
"Nah, she's a new recruit to the Shinsengumi's 8th Division" Whereas Harada-san reacted coolly in response to her unexpected assumption.
"Ah, I see. Well, I'm Mishami Ayame! Proud owner of Ayame's Teahouse!"
"You're the owner of this place!? Wow, you've done pretty well for yourself!"
"I'm hurt by the surprise, but I'll take the compliment. What's your name?"
"Oh gomen! I'm Kawaguchi Chiyeko!"
"Nice to meet you Chiyeko"
"Likewise Ayame!"
"So Harada, still haven't found that special woman then?"
"I'll find her eventually if fate allows it" He chuckled.
"What if fate has already given you your perfect woman? Hint, she's the beauty standing next to you"
"Huh!?" My face flushed even more as I put some distance between Harada-san and myself. He only chuckled and shook his head at my actions.
"Stop joking around Ayame, I don't think poor Chiyeko's heart can take it. Besides, her fate is already entwined with another man's"
"Really? Who?" Harada-san tapped his nose causing Ayame to pout. "Can't spill the beans just yet. Chiyeko here doesn't even know who her fate is tied up with"
"Oh, so that's how it is? Poor guy, hopefully his feelings will be returned soon" Ayame's face showed she fully understood what they were talking about whereas I had no clue. "Anyway, I should probably get you guys a table now"
"Much obliged Ayame" We followed her to an empty table in the corner furthest from the exit.
"Already know what you want?"
"Um, iie-"
"Two of your finest bowls of deluxe ramen"
"Coming right up, be back soon!" She walked away after writing Harada-san's order down.
"Um Harada-"
"Don't worry, I can guarantee you'll love her ramen"
"But did you have to order the deluxe?"
"The deluxe has things her usual ramen doesn't, things that make it taste much better"
"I get that, but-" Harada-san once again cut me off.
"You're hungry, I can tell. I've witnessed you training with Heisuke and your stamina is pretty good, but when Hajime was training you specifically on stamina you didn't last long"
"That's because my body wasn't used to training like that"
"Okay, answer me this. What did you have for breakfast?"
"Rice and green tea"
"How much rice?"
"Not much..."
"And that's why you didn't last long in Hajime's training. Because you had too light a breakfast"
"I never thought about it like that..."
"So I'm doing your stomach a favour, trust me" Just then, my stomach rumbled rather loudly.
"E-Excuse me!" I blushed at the loudness of my stomach.
"See? Even your stomach agrees with me"
"I guess so" I giggled awkwardly. "Hey Harada-san? What did you mean when you said my fate is already entwined with another man's?"
"Exactly what I said"
"But I'm not dating anyone"
"Not yet you're not. But you will be, that I can guarantee"
"How though?"
"Hmm, just a wild guess" He smirked knowingly telling me that it was more than 'just a wild guess'. "You'll have to wait and see to find out" That was the last thing he said on the matter. "So, how are you finding life with us?"
"It's only the most amazingly coolest experience I've ever had in my life!"
"Didn't know you were so enthusiastic about us"
"Yeah of course I am! Joining the Shinsengumi was my dream!"
"Joining us was your dream?" Harada-san sounded like he didn't believe me as his face adopted a serious expression.
"Yup! I'd heard so much about you guys and really admired you!"
"What exactly did you hear?"
"That you were a group that protected the streets of Kyoto and without you the city would descend into madness"
"That's a pretty high pedestal you've got us on there"
"You guys deserve it! I've heard bad rumours about you obviously, but rumours are just that. Rumours, based on nothing but speculation and opinion. I never believed any of them"
"Huh..." He suddenly smiled and lost the serious expression he had been sporting since this conversation topic came up. "Good to know Chiyeko, good to know" Ayame came over with two red bowls and sets of chopsticks.
"Two bowls of deluxe ramen as ordered" She placed a bowl and set of chopsticks each in front of us.
"Your finest?"
"I said 'as ordered' didn't I?" She rolled her eyes, but not in a serious manner. "Enjoy your meal!"
"We definitely will"
"Arigato Ayame!"
"No problem Chiyeko, hope you enjoy the food here" She waved before running off to serve another customer.
"I like Ayame, it's nice to know there's another girl in Kyoto I can now talk to"
"Hey, what's wrong with us guys?" Harada-san asked with his mouth full of ramen.
"You're male"
"So?"
"I'm afraid there are some things only meant for female ears, let's just leave it at that" I used my chopsticks to twirl some ramen noodles around before putting them in my mouth. "Mmm! This is delicious! I've never tasted ramen like this before!"
"Told ya you'd like it, I can almost hear your stomach thanking me as it digests that ramen"
"That's a bit of a weird thing to say Harada-san..." I sweatdropped.
"You can drop the honorific, you know. I'd prefer it if you just called me Harada"
"Not to be rude, but why?"
"Well, I feel like we're closer if you don't use a honorific when you address me. We are all members of the Shinsengumi after all"
"Technically, you hold a higher up position than me as well as being older than me so I'd feel like I'm being disrespectful if I addressed you without a honorific"
"But you-"
"I did say technically! Anyhow, if you so desire it then I'll drop the honorific Harada. Sound good?"
"Sounds great" He chuckled. We enjoyed conversing as we ate our deluxe ramen. When we were done, Ayame came over for our bowls and chopsticks.
"How was your first taste of food from Ayame's Teahouse?"
"It was great! I loved every mouthful of your deluxe ramen!"
"That's always nice to hear. So can I get you guys anything else?"
"Just some sake for me. Feel like dessert Chiyeko?" I eagerly nodded my head causing both Harada and Ayame to laugh at me. "Then fetch Chiyeko a set of your Three-Coloured Dango and a cup of green tea" Three-Coloured Dango!
"You got it" Ayame took our bowls away. I was bouncing up and down in excitement causing Harada to pin me with a questioning gaze, but I paid it no mind. I was too excited, I hadn't had Three-Coloured Dango in ages! I rejoiced when I saw Ayame heading our way. "Well, here's a bottle of sake and a saucer for Harada" She set down his drink and sake dish in front of him. "Try not to get drunk in front of your company"
"Hey! I'm not that irresponsible!"
"Sure you aren't" She stated sarcastically. "Anyway, here's a set of five Three-Coloured Dango and green tea for Chiyeko" She set a wooden tray and a cup in front of me. "Enjoy"
"If your deluxe ramen was any indication, I'll definitely enjoy this!"
"Good to hear Chiyeko" Ayame left and I quietly squealed to myself causing Harada to regard me with an eyebrow raised.
"Okay, I gotta ask. What's up with you Chiyeko?"
"Three-Coloured Dango is my favourite sweet treat of all time! I haven't had it in ages so of course I'm excited! And I don't care how childish that sounds!"
"Well I hope you enjoy them then" Harada chuckled.
"Oh I will" I picked up one of the dango sticks and put it in my mouth. I pulled the pink ball off the stick and chewed. My eyes lit up at the flavour spreading through my mouth.
"I'm guessing it's good?" Harada asked as he took a sip of his sake.
"It's amazing!" I exclaimed after swallowing. "Best Three-Coloured Dango I've ever had!" After finishing my dessert and beverage, I rubbed my stomach satisfactorily. "That was a great lunch! I'm so full...!"
"That's what I love hearing customers say" Ayame appeared and cleared our table. "It was a pleasure serving you Chiyeko"
"It was a pleasure eating what you served Ayame!"
"Hehe, I think I've taken a liking to you. Nakamas?"
"Definitely"
"Hey am I invisible here?"
"Only when I want you to be" Ayame teased. "I'm glad you enjoyed your food and I hope to see you again soon" Ayame bowed.
"You'll definitely be seeing me again, that's for sure. There's still a whole menu I haven't had the pleasure of trying"
"And I'll gladly enjoy the pleasure of serving it to you. Sayōnora" She left and we both stood up.
"Allow me to properly thank you Harada. Arigato gozimasu, for bringing me here!" I bowed. "I'm so glad you did so!"
"No problem Chiyeko, now let's get back to the headquarters. Heisuke might be back by now"
"Good point!" We turned towards the exit and were about to walk to it when three ronin walked in with their swords drawn. They gave off unpleasant vibes. "Harada...?" I asked fearfully, unsure of what to do next. One ronin stayed by the entrance while the other two continued to walk through the teahouse.
"This is gonna get bad quick...Get under the table Chiyeko"
"R-Right..." I quickly crawled under the table we were sitting at and Harada sat down in front of said table, to hide me from view. I so badly wanted to fight them off, but with my level of swordsmanship I'd have no chance against all three of them let alone one of them. I held my breath as I watched from under the table. The two ronin stopped in the middle of the teahouse. By now, customers were whispering worriedly amongst themselves.
"Hmm, let's see. You" The one on the left pointed to a random man sitting with a woman I assume was his lover. The man tensed and hesitantly stood up. "Go to the Shinsengumi and give them a message"
"Tell 'em we're done being ignored. We've taken over this teahouse and won't let no one leave until they meet our demands" The one on the right stated. "They've got three hours to respond before we start killing people until we get our money or everyone's dead whichever comes first"
"H-Hai..." The man ran out the teahouse.
"W-What do they mean by they're 'done being ignored'?" I whispered to Harada.
"A week ago some ronins demanded the Shinsengumi give them a large amount of yen, but they're demands weren't taken seriously" Harada spoke in a low voice as he watched the ronin. "My guess is they think this will make the Shinsengumi listen to them, but I know Hijikata-san. He'll still ignore their demands"
"But they'll kill innocent people if he does that!"
"He'll ignore their demands. There's no way he'll ignore the hostage situation"
"But how will he save everyone?"
"He'll come up with something, don't worry"
"O-Okay..." I was obviously worried, but I believed in Harada's words.