Love at first sight (Heisuke x OC)

(Mini) Chapter 9: New attire

I thought I'd post 2 chapters today, on account of taking so long to update the fanfic.

That and this is a mini chapter so it wouldn't make sense to publish it on its own.

Enjoy!

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I had just finished training with Heisuke-kun. "Good work Chiyeko-chan"
"Arigato gozimasu Heisuke-kun! I really feel like I'm getting the hang of this!"
"Believe me you are! You still have a bit more practice to do before you can move onto a real sword though"
"I know, but that's okay. Rushing things won't help me so I'll just take it nice and slow" Heisuke-kun nodded and went to put the practice swords away. When he came back I remembered to ask him something I'd forgotten. "So Heisuke-kun, where are you taking me today?" Earlier today during breakfast, Heisuke-kun had told me that he was taking me into town today, but he neglected to tell me where or what for.
"We're getting you some new clothes"
"That's cool, but is there a reason why?"
"I've noticed that you've had trouble completing some training exercises because of your kimono is restricting your leg movement"
"That's true..."
"So we're going to an attire shop that specialises in kimonos worn for fighting or battle"
"That'd really help me so I'm all for it!"
"Now that I think about it..." Heisuke-kun suddenly looked me up and down with a serious look on his face.
"N-Nani?" His gaze was making me uncomfortable and I began to fidget with a blush forming on my cheeks.
"...you could use a whole outfit upgrade"
"Come again?"
"It's for protection as well as mobility, I think your training would benefit from it"
"Well, you know best so I am in your capable hands"
"Then let's go, I know a guy who can help us. Plus, it'd be nice to stretch my legs after being under house arrest for two weeks"
"True, but um...aren't you forgetting something?"
"Nani?"
"Did you tell Kondou-sama or Hijikata-san that we're leaving the compound?"
"Oops..." He awkwardly scratched the back of his head.
"Imagine how much trouble you'd be in if you left without Hijikata-san's permission"
"Yeah I'd rather not" He shuddered and I giggled.
"You'd probably be put back under house arrest"
"Iie arigato, I think I've suffered enough of that" Heisuke-kun told our superiors we were leaving before we set out onto the streets of Kyoto. Heisuke-kun made me walk quite a bit into the city. "Here we are" He stopped in front of a building that needed repairs in several areas. Even the sign was old and worn with time. There were 3 letters missing from the sign, but considering the reason Heisuke-kun brought me here I could easily deduce that the sign used to read: 'Get Battle Ready'.
"This is the place? It seems...Nope, can't sugarcoat it. This place looks old and rundown"
"Well I happen to be the owner of this 'old and rundown' shop" I jumped behind Heisuke-kun at the unexpected voice.
"Hey Jakeshi, long time no see"
"Toudou Heisuke? It really has been a long time. You even have a girlfriend now"
"Nani!?" Heisuke-kun and I exclaimed simultaneously. We looked at each other and quickly distanced ourselves from one another with very obvious bright red blushes on our cheeks.
"W-We're not dating each other!"
"T-That's right! I'm a new recruit to the Shinsengumi! I work under Heisuke-kun!"
"I see, too bad Heisuke. She looks like a right keeper"
"Um...Can we talk about something else please?" I asked, trying to control my blush. "How about why we're here?"
"And she gets straight down to business! I like this one!"
"Arigato...?"
"Follow me" We followed Jakeshi to the inside of his store. The inside was in much better condition than the outside. I was amazed by the various styled kimonos and protective accessories that were displayed around the shop. "So why are ya here today Heisuke and lovely friend?"
"Chiyeko-chan here needs a new outfit she can fight in. It needs to be protective, but also light"
"To better protect yourself while also making your body lighter which in turn makes your movements faster? I think I've got just the thing. Wait here" He left and brought me back a box. "Go try that stuff on, see if it tickles your fancy"
"Oh, okay" I took the box from him and it was honestly heavier than I thought it would be. He took me to an area where I could change with no prying eyes. I opened the box and took the kimono out first. It was a very pretty short kimono. I'd love to get something like this for the normal day-to-day stuff. I put the kimono on then looked back into the box. "This explains why it was heavier than I expected" There were various protective metal pieces in the box. "Well let's get dressed" I pulled the black fishnet thigh high socks up, careful not to damage the purple ribbon weaved into the top of the sock. Each sock had a pretty string in the shape of a three leaf clover on their outer side. The string matched the colour of the ribbon. I slipped my feet into the black sandals with purple straps, the straps each had a small white cotton ball in the middle of them. They make these sandals look so cute! I admired the cute sandals for a while.
"Hey Chiyeko-chan!? You done yet?!" Heisuke-kun yelled questioningly.
"Almost!" Whoops, got a little sidetracked there...I put on the gold and brown shoulder pads and the protective abdomen piece. I tied the pink string around it to keep it in place. Lastly, I put on the wrist and hand guards. Woah...! I expected to feel weighed down with all this metal, but I feel as light as a feather!

I twirled around, content with my new outfit. I absolutely love it! I went back to where the guys were. "Tada!"
"Woah...you look beautiful..."
"What was that Heisuke-kun?"
"Huh!?" Heisuke-kun's face suddenly adopted a red hue. "I-I said, it looks good on you...! Suits you perfectly!" He chuckled awkwardly.
"Okay...anyway. I'm glad you think so because I love it!"
"Well, it's all yours Chiyeko"
"What about money?"
"I owe Heisuke here for saving my business from some annoying ronin. It's on the house"
"Arigato gozimasu!" I bowed in thanks.
"Don't worry about it" He gave me a bag to put what I was previously wearing into.
"I appreciate it Jakeshi"
"And I appreciate you saving my shop, I'll see you around"
"See ya!"
"Sayōnara!" I waved as Heisuke-kun and I left the shop.

We were walking back to headquarters, when a delicious smell graced my nose. I sniffed and closed my eyes, trying to imagine the taste of the food the smell belonged to. It was a habit of mine. I heard a chuckle and opened my eyes to see Heisuke-kun laughing at me. "What's so funny?" I asked as a red blush rose to my cheeks.
"Gomen, but you looked hilarious trying to sniff that smell's origin out" Heisuke-kun laughed.
"That's not what I was doing..." I crossed my arms over my chest with a pout.
"Then what were you doing?" He'd finally got over his fit of laughter.
"Imagining whatever the smell belongs to would taste like..." I mumbled in response.
"Why imagine when you can just try some?"
"Really?"
"Sure, just think of it as an 'after training snack'. C'mon!" Heisuke-kun grabbed my hand and led me to the source of the wonderful smell. It was a street vendor selling various foods. Heisuke-kun informed me that the smell was coming from the savoury dumplings covered in soy sauce. They were sold in threes on a stick. We joined the line and waited our turn.
"Are you sure this is okay? I mean, you've done nothing, but treat me since I met you. I feel like I'm just mooching off you..."
"Well don't feel like that. I'm treating you because I wanna do so"
"But you've already saved my life multiple times, I can't have you spending so much of your money on me"
"I saved you because I care about you. As for the money, you can repay me by doing your best in training sessions with your new outfit"
"Kon'nichiwa! How may I help you today?"
"Looks like it's our turn" We stepped up to the vendor. "I'll take two dumplings on a stick and two rice cakes"
"Sure thing!" Heisuke-kun paid the man and received our food.
"Arigato" He handed me one of the dumplings sticks and we found a nice stone bench to sit on and enjoy our food. "So, you're telling me you've never had dumplings before?"
"I've had sweet dumplings and I absolutely love love love them, they're delicious! But I've never tried savoury dumplings"
"Well you won't "love love love" them, but let me assure you that you'll at least "absolutely love" these too as they are delicious"
"If their smell is anything to go by, I believe you" I took a bite of the first dumpling and sighed in pleasure. I swallowed my first bite before exclaiming: "I love it, it's delicious!"
"Told ya" We ate our dumplings together, happily. I made sure to polish off the stick as well. "I'm guessing you've had rice cakes before?"
"If it's sweet then I've definitely tried it"
"Then here you go, a little dessert snack" He handed me one of the rice cakes.
"Arigato, now this I know I'll enjoy" I ate the rice cake before sighing pleasurably. "Arigato gozimasu Heisuke-kun! I loved the snacks"
"Glad to give you a new experience Chiyeko-chan" After that little shopping and snack trip, we went back to headquarters.

DISCLAIMER: SOME lines or scenes MAY have been taken or adapted from Hakuōki/Hakuouki: Memories of the Shinsengumi. THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO ALL CHAPTERS!!!

WAIT!!!

Before you go let me increase your knowledge on my fanfiction.

Fun fact: A Mini Chapter is a chapter with less than 2000 words in it.

Okay, just felt like informing you guys of that so until next time...

Fanfic Girl away!