Love at first sight (Heisuke x OC)

Chapter 15: What's seen cannot be unseen

Ooh, what is the thing that has been seen? I'm guessing you already know, but I'd still love to hear some funny guesses as to what it could be, but will never be. If that makes sense, anyway comment your guesses please and let's get on with the story.

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June 1864

It had been a successful day of patrol for the 8th Division and it was now late in the evening. Everyone had retired to their rooms for the night. Instead of getting ready to sleep, I paced around in my room. My mind was debating over whether I should ask Heisuke-kun to join him on night patrol or not. I mean, as a member of the Shinsengumi I'm obligated to protect Kyoto at night as well as in the day...One night patrol couldn't hurt, could it? That's it! I've made up my mind! I'm going to ask him! I slid my door open and closed it behind me. I made my way to Heisuke-kun's room. No backing down now! I knocked on his door. "Hey Heisuke-kun, it's Chiyeko! Can I come in?"
"Sure" I slid open his door to discover that there were two other men present in his room. There was also a strong smell of sake present. "Oh, gomenasai! I didn't realise you had company!" I quickly bowed. "I can come back tomorrow if you're busy"
"Relax Chiyeko, come join us"
"Are you sure Harada? I really don't mind coming back when you're finished"
"It's cool Chiyeko, we don't mind. Come on in" Nagakura gestured for me to come inside.
"Well if you're sure" Although, I suspected they only invited me in because they were drunk, I decided to accept their invitation. I stepped into Heisuke-kun's room and closed the door behind me. I sat opposite Harada.
"Why don't you try some of this sake? It's really good" Harada held out a saucer to me.
"Sano's not kidding, this stuff's real good! You can't pass this up!"
"Well, I guess one couldn't hurt..."
"That's the spirit" Heisuke-kun showed me a wide grin. Harada poured me some sake and I brought the saucer to my lips.
"Mmm! It's sweet, but has a sharp taste!" Nagakura suddenly scooted closer to me and wrapped an arm around my shoulder, bringing me closer to him.
"Heisuke here bought it, hoping to seduce ya. That's why he chose a sweet one!" Nagakura stated in a whispery voice, but he was doing anything but whispering. My cheeks instantly heated up after hearing that.
"R-Really...?" I stuttered.
"Damare Shinpachi! You baka, don't tell her lies! I only bought this because you were pestering me about it!"
"He's just shy"
"Argh, I'm gonna make you sorry Shinpachi!"
"You have to catch me first! Ha ha!" Nagakura leapt up and ran out of the room with Heisuke-kun hot on his tail.
"Sometimes I wonder what I did to deserve nakamas like those two" Harada sighed, but the warm smile on his face as he stared after them portrayed that he loved his best friends. Despite their imperfections.
"Won't they disturb the others?"
"Ah, you're right. Better catch 'em before they accidentally disturb the Demon Commander"
"The Demon Commander?"
"Oh, it's what we call Hijikata-san sometimes. I'll be right back" Harada got up and left the room. The Demon Commander eh? Suits him to a T. I took another sip of the sweet sake. I could feel my body heating up and my cheeks beginning to flush. It was a good buzz. This is some really good sake. I finished my saucer and poured myself another one. A few minutes later, the three of them returned after my fifth saucer of sake.
"What happened?"
"I caught them outside about to have a sword fight"
"Nani?! Are you two crazy?!"
"Shin started it..." Heisuke-kun mumbled.
"Why don't we all just have another drink and calm down?" Harada advised while standing between the two men to stop them from hashing it out in here.
"I can get behind that" Nagakura sat back down on the tatami mat and drank.
"Fine..." Heisuke-kun reluctantly sat down and poured himself more sake. I finished off my sixth saucer of sake. I feel a little dizzy so I should probably stop now.
"Great, now Chiyeko why don't you tell us why you came here?"
"Oh yeah, I completely forgot! What did bring ya here Chiyeko-chan?"
"I was wondering if you'd allow me to join you on night patrol"
"I don't know...Kyoto's more dangerous in the night than day..."
"I know the risks I'd be taking! I joined the Shinsengumi knowing the risks I'd be taking!"
"She sounds pretty determined Heisuke, what's your decision gonna be?" Nagakura asked after taking a swig from the sake bottle in front of him.
"Well..."
"Please Heisuke-kun! How about one? I just want to know what it feels like to be fully doing my job as an 8th Division soldier!"
"Come on Heisuke, entertain her. It's just one night"
"I know, but you know how dangerous it can be at night Sano-san. Especially with them around"
"Hijikata-san's got a handle on them, it'll be fine. Stop trying to find excuses"
"Please! Just one night! Then I won't go on any more night patrols unless I'm told to!" I bowed my head deeply. Perhaps a little too deeply. I must've miscalculated the distance between my head and the floor as I ended up hitting my forehead against the floor hard. "Ow!" I winced as I put my hand against my forehead.
"That's one way to bow down" Nagakura snickered.
"Good one!" Heisuke-kun laughed.
"It's not funny! It really hurt, you know..."
"Maybe you should call it a night?"
"That's probably a good idea Harada" I stood up to leave, but found my legs were unsteady and couldn't hold me. My vision was also blurred. I collapsed, but Heisuke-kun caught me before I hit the floor.
"Are ya okay Chiyeko-chan!?"
"Iie, I must've hit my head harder than I thought. That and the sake"
"You only had one or two saucers"
"Actually, I had six..." I admitted shamefully.
"Six?!" All three men exclaimed in shock.
"Gomen, okay! But the sake was so sweet and I love love love sweet things!"
"This is a pretty strong sake so that's probably why you can't use your body properly"
"Yeah, we're men and can handle our sake, but little girls should watch their drinking"
"You did not just say that" I jumped for Nagakura, but Heisuke-kun held me back.
"Let me go! I am sick and tired of people calling me that! And how sexist can you be?!" I wrestled myself out of Heisuke-kun's grip and managed to slap Nagakura before I was restrained again.
"Bravery's more of a male thing so I'm surprised you're so brave Chiyeko" Nagakura smirked.
"You're asking for it!"
"O-O-Okay! Let's get you to bed!" Heisuke-kun lifted me up carried me to my room before I could try and hit Nagakura again. He set me down on my futon. "Just ignore him. He tends to be like that when he's drunk"
"Like what? Rude and sexist? That baka kuso!" Heisuke-kun's eyes widened at my language.
"He tends to get under people's skin when he's drunk, but only if you give him the chance" Heisuke-kun awkwardly defended his friend.
"Mhm..."
"About night patrol..."
"Yeah?"
"The 8th Division's next night patrol is in two days. Be ready by then"
"You're really letting me come?"
"Only for one night, like you asked!"
"Hai, one night! Arigato gozimasu Heisuke-kun!"
"You're welcome...Well, Oyasumi Chiyeko-chan" He was about to leave when I called out to him. "Nani?"
"I-I..." I looked down with a huge blush on my cheeks. "I need help getting changed..."
"Nani!?" Heisuke-kun's face also reddened.
"Don't take it the wrong way and don't get any ideas! I just can't move around properly and that'll make changing difficult..."
"But you managed to get out of my hold and slap Shin"
"That was an adrenaline rush, I can't even stand now"
"R-Right, that makes sense...I guess I have no choice..." Heisuke-kun kneeled down in front of me and closed his eyes tightly.
"What are you doing?"
"Respecting your privacy. You can at least move your hands to guide mine, right?"
"Y-Yeah, arigato" Why didn't I think of that?! I undid my obi and guided Heisuke-kun's hands to the right places allowing him to remove my kimono with ease. I handed him my night kimono and he helped me get into it, keeping his eyes closed the whole time. "O-Okay, you're done" Heisuke-kun opened his eyes and for a while we just stared into one another's eyes with blushes clearly present on our faces. Heisuke-kun moved closer and I began to panic. What's he-? He closed his eyes and kissed me on the forehead. He then pulled back and smiled at me.
"Hope the bump goes down as you sleep. Oyasumi"
"Oyasumi...Heisuke-kun..." He left and I was left alone, laying in my futon. My forehead felt warm where he kissed it. A small smile made it to my lips before my consciousness floated off to dreamland.