Love Of The Sea (Takeru Totsuka x OC)

Chapter Twelve: A Moonlight Walk

After Hiromi showed up, Takeru decided to pull Mitsuko off to the side alone. She was annoyed, but didn't protest as he took her hand and dragged her over to a place to talk. 

"Listen, Takeru, I'm not dropping-"Mitsuko started. He turned on her, releasing her wrist. 

"That isn't what this is about, Brat,"he sighed at her. Mitsuko blinked at him. She rubbed at her wrist where he'd touched her, hoping to get rid of the warmth that had crept up her arm. He crossed his arms and stared at her. "Listen, I know we may not have a chance to talk for real about our argument from earlier. I want to meet up after the Moon Viewing Party is over." Mitsuko frowned. He adjusted his arms, sliding his hands into the long sleeves of his kimono. She sighed. 

"Takeru, I was trying to tell you...I'm not going to stop practicing swordsmanship,"She told him. He ground his teeth. Mitsuko looked down. "I know I'm weak and stuff, and I have asthma and things like that, but you know..." She trailed off. After another pause she sighed hard. She closed her eyes. "I have reasons I took up Swordsmanship...and I have reasons I still keep up with it." Mitsuko opened her eyes. She noticed he was giving her a strange look. 

"I wanted to explain what happened...Please just meet up with me later, okay?"Takeru told her. Mitsuko sighed and turned, her eyes finding Hiromi. She smiled.

"Hi-chan!"Mitsuko called her over. Takeru stiffened. Is she ignoring my...."I'll meet up with you after, okay? Just make sure you explain." Mitsuko looked at him hard once more and he gulped. That means she'll kill me if I don't... Mitsuko turned as Hiromi stopped beside them. Mitsuko beamed. "You look great! I love your kimono. It brings out your eyes!" Hiromi smiled at her gently, looking down at herself. She grinned. "So, I heard Loki took you to the nurse after you collapsed...are you feeling better?" Hiromi looked up.

"Yes, I was just tired,"Hiromi told her. She smiled at her friend. Mitsuko grinned, closing her eyes. Takeru slid his gaze between the two friends. He sighed to himself and shook his head, turning away. Girls, he thought. He spotted his brother and Eri sitting away from everyone else their hands still connected with the rings. I can't help but be a little glad it wasn't me and the brat he did that to. We'd kill each other. He snorted to himself and walked off, helping himself to some of the delicious snacks that his brother had set up on tables to the side. 

After a little bit, everyone was calmly looking at the moon. Mitsuko sat still, her hands holding her phone up and focusing on the moon. She took a picture, as she had done several times that night. She then moved, her hands resting on the bench beside her. She stared up at the moon, her eyes tracing over it. It's nice, she thought. She smiled, a different one this time. Mitsuko sighed to herself. I wish we could see it reflected on the surface of the sea. It would be nice too, wouldn't it? She smiled to herself wider. I wonder just what

Takeru was standing off to the side, his eyes on her rather than the moon. The moon was Tsukito's thing, Takeru preferred looking at the sea. He slid his hands in the sleeves of his kimono, finding the sight of the moon reflecting off of Mitsuko prettier than the moon itself. He sighed to himself, his brow furrowing. She wanted an explanation tonight. I'll have to give her one.... He focused on her. His eyes spotted her smile. Is it going to be what she wants to hear though? Will she want what I have to tell her? Takeru closed his eyes after a moment. I think part of me has come to realize just how important she is to me. Takeru sighed and opened his eyes. 

I just hope she'll see it the same way. 

******

When Mitsuko left the Moon Viewing Party, she found Takeru waiting for her at the bottom of the steps. He waved for her to follow him.