Hakuouki Shinsengumi Kitan: Find Love in War (Hajime Saito)

Chapter 21

Chapter 21: That Embarrassing Night

Haruka couldn't bear being embarrassed so she decided to get drunk. Chizuru was shocked and like a worried mother.

"Haruka, don't drink too much," Chizuru scolded.

Haruka didn't care as she rather gets drunk and not remember what occurred afterward. Nagakura let out a laugh.

"Now that's the spirit, Haruka!" Nagakura cheered.

Chizuru did not appreciate Nagakura's attitude towards Haruka's drinking. "You shouldn't encourage her!"

Harada butt in, "Lighten up, Chizuru. Let's get wild tonight."

Chizuru let out a sigh of exasperation. She wonders how some of the boys can be so carefree; unlike Hijikata, who is enjoying the meal elegantly. But one look at Hijikata while Kimigiku is serving him well up strange uneasy feeling inside her.

'I'm a woman too,' Chizuru thought as she compares herself to Kimigiku.

While Haruka is busy with drinking, the others were discussing serious business. Apparently, someone who looks like Chizuru interfered with the fight against the Tosa Clan while Harada was on patrol. Kaoru Nagumo.

To Haruka, the name didn't ring a bell.

The conversation suddenly takes a turns to have Chizuru get a makeover and change of clothes. Heisuke and Nagakura, who stand up from their seat, suggested it.

By the time Kimigiku is done with giving Chizuru a makeover, Hijikata had already left to another room.

The men were in awe of how much Chizuru change with feminine clothes. Chizuru was so embarrassed that she ran out of the room to another.

Okita turns his attention to the already half-intoxicated Haruka. He smiles mischievously. "Hey, how about you, Haru-chan? Want to try it out?"

"No thanks," Haruka nonchalantly said. Once she finished her last cup of wine, she gets up from her seat. She stumbles a bit as she does so.

Heisuke, who she was seated next to, have his hands out and ready to catch her if she falls. "Oh! Haruka, where are you going?"

"Toilet," was all Haruka said before she left.

Haruka didn't really need to use the toilet. She stops by in the hallway outside to clear her head. She looks at the illuminating moon and took a deep breath.

Haruka was taking her sweet time to get back to the others that Saito decided to check on her.

Haruka looks away from the moon and turns her attention to the indigo-haired captain who is now standing next to her. But being filled with so much wine, her eyes were playing tricks on her.

'Hikaru?' she thought. She blinks a few times, hoping it helps clear vision even a little bit. Once her vision became clear, she realized the person standing beside her was not Hikaru, but Saito.

"You're missing out on Harada's belly dance," Saito informed.

Haruka looks at Saito, not sure whether to take him seriously or not.

"You're...not joking, right?"

Saito turns his attention toward Haruka with the same calm expression he always wore. "Do I look like someone who would make jokes?"

Haruka stares at Saito without uttering a reply. She just continues to stare which caused the latter to become confused.

"Haruka?"

Without a warning, Haruka places her hands on Saito's cheeks and massage them. Unexpectedly, Saito was not against it.

Haruka finds massaging Saito's cheeks so amusing that she laughed. And the latter continue to look back at the petite blonde, unamused.

'I am so drunk,' Haruka admitted in her thought.

As if Saito has had enough with Haruka's shenanigans, he grabs her hands which cause her to stop with a jolt.

Haruka was sure she is seeing things. There was no way in real life would there be a pink background behind a person, with flowers falling.

'He is so handsome,' Haruka unconsciously thought.

"Haruka, are you okay? Your face is turning red." Saito slowly leans in, getting closer and closer to Haruka's face.

Haruka seems unfazed. 'Is Saito...going to kiss me...?' she thought.

Just as Saito was almost close enough to taste Haruka's lips, the latter leans away at the last second. She was quick to do so, and because of the alcohol in her system, she became dizzy. In result of her action, she lost her balance and end up dragging Saito down with her.

Saito tries to keep himself and Haruka from falling, but the latter was strong even though she was half-intoxicated. 'So strong!' was his last thought before he fell on top of Haruka.

The people in the building must have heard the loud thud and come to check by now.

Unfortunately, Haruka will forever remember that embarrassing night.