Love at first sight (Heisuke x OC)

Chapter 85: I'll show you how much you mean to me

September 1869

Persistent shaking shocked me out of my sleep and I woke up to a handsomely dressed Heisuke. Handsomely in this case meant his western uniform. He was carrying a large tray with two bowls of rice porridge on them. It's a real good thing he knows how to cook now. "Ohayō Chiyeko! I thought I'd treat ya to a little breakfast in bed, Heisuke style"
"Breakfast in bed, huh? To what do I owe the pleasure of waking up to this...?" I asked sleepily as I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes.
"I  thought it'd be nice if I cooked breakfast for you just because, ya know?"
"Just because?" I raised an eyebrow at him as I sat myself up.
"To be honest, the last time I cooked for you you were sick, so I wanted to cook you a meal when you're healthy and able to really enjoy it"
"Aw, that's real sweet Heisuke!" I gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before accepting one of the bowls. After shovelling up a spoonful, I brought it to my mouth and sighed pleasurably. "Woah...This recipe really just melts in your mouth...! It's delicious Heisuke!"
"I added a little something extra to add my own touch to it so I'm real glad ya like it"
"I don't just like it, I love it! And I'm definitely gonna start using this recipe from now on!" I exclaimed happily after eating several more spoonfuls. I had to admit, Heisuke was on his way to becoming a great cook. "I'd love for you to teach me how to make this version"
"Afraid not. This is now a Toudou family recipe that I'll carry to the grave" He grinned mischievously after eating a spoonful of his own porridge.
"A Toudou family recipe...Well then, looks like there's an easy way for me to gain access to it"
"How's that?" Heisuke asked with his mouth full. I rolled my eyes discreetly before answering.
"I just gotta become a member of the Toudou family"
"How're ya planning to do that?"
"You really should learn to swallow before you talk..." I mumbled exasperatedly to myself.
"What's that?"
"Nothing. Anyway, isn't it obvious how I'm going to achieve that?"
"Um, iie...?" Gotta love that dense-ness of his. I quietly giggled to myself before looking him in the eye with a smirk on my face.
"I'd just have to marry you, obviously"
"Marry-!? *cough* *cough*" Heisuke appeared overly surprised by my statement. So much so that he caused himself to choke on his food.
"Heisuke!" Since it was only rice porridge, he didn't end up choking for long. Although, he did end up going into a coughing fit afterwards. I quickly patted hard on his back to help him cough easier. A minute or two later, with the help of a cup of green tea, Heisuke had recovered. "Daijōbu?"
"Yeah...I'm good...*cough*...Chiyeko, I have something I gotta tell ya"
"Nani?"
"I'm going on a trip"
"W-Why did you say "I'm" going on a trip?"
"Because I need to do this on my own"
"Need to do nani exactly?"
"I can't tell ya"
"Well then where are you going?"
"I can't tell you that either"
"Why not...?"
"Because it'll ruin the surprise if I tell ya"
"Then what exactly can you tell me?"
"I can tell you that this trip will take me a month" Nani?!
"A whole month!?"
"I know it's sudden, but it's something I just gotta do"
"...I-Is this because I mentioned marriage? Heisuke, I'm gomen if I surprised you with the marriage talk, b-but I was only kidding!"
"That's definitely not it Chiyeko" He says that, but it sure looks that way to me...
"Then nani? Why do you suddenly have to leave for a whole month?"
"I can't tell you, but I promise you it'll be worth it when I come back"
"...When are you leaving?"
"Tomorrow"
"So soon!?"
"Well...the sooner I make this trip, the sooner I can get back to you"
"Mhm..." We ate the rest of our breakfast in an awkward silence. When I finished, Heisuke offered to wash my bowl and I just nodded in response.

Heisuke walked into the common room which is where I currently was. He obviously noticed my downcast mood and stood behind me while wrapping his arms around my body. "What's wrong Chiyeko? Is it about my trip?"
"Hai and iie, i-it's kinda complicated...or maybe confusing is the right word..."
"I'm not as dumb as many people think I am so try me"
"I-It's just that...I know I shouldn't be worried about this, but your reaction to my marriage joke made me afraid...Afraid that you're gonna leave on this trip and never come back because you don't want to marry me!" I exclaimed as tears ran down my cheeks.
"Chiyeko..." Heisuke turned me around in his arms and caressed my cheek softly. "You couldn't be more wrong" He wiped away my tears with a soft smile. "I can't tell you much now, but I can definitely tell you this: I will never leave you Chiyeko. My life would be incomplete without you in it and I'd be baka to leave my star-fated soulmate behind"
"Heisuke...!"
"I love you Chiyeko and nothing in this world can make me stop loving ya, let alone leave ya" He then gently tilted my head up so his lips could join with mine in a tender kiss. I wrapped my arms around him tightly, scared he would disappear if I didn't.
"I-I understand, but I'm still scared to let you go..." For some reason, I'm feeling really emotional...
"How about this? I send you letters two days a week to let you know I'm okay and that I'm thinking of you. You won't be able to send me letters back because I'll be moving around a lot, but my letters should at least bring ya some comfort"
"That's...a really great idea Heisuke"
"Glad ya agree...So think you're willing to let me go now...? 'Cus you're kinda crushing me...!"
"Oh!" I didn't even realise I was still tightening my grip around him. "Gomen!" I quickly let him go and he took in a deep breath as I did so.
"...It's okay, shows how important I am to you" He stated with a smile after getting his breath back. "Imma get to packing, better to start earlier so if I forget anything I can just add it in"
"Very true. Well, I'll be outside painting if you need me" I went to retrieve my paper pad and brush before making my way to the back porch.