Victoria J Rose started as an 18-year-old American girl currently serving her last year in high school as an exchange student in Japan. She's absolutely in love with the Japanese culture and everything that goes along with it. This includes the anim...
"Kosuzu and Hana-chan? Aw, that's so sweet of them" I cooed reading the little 'get well' note on the basket. Sanosuke was kind enough to bring me the gift when he visited me after his afternoon training session. I had finally gotten rid of Hijikata-San after complaining that I felt bad about wasting his time. He reluctantly agreed to leave stating he'd be back after finishing some business. Knowing him...he wasn't coming back. Just kidding he's quite the reliable person so I knew he would. Despite loving his proximity, I was starting to feel smothered by his presence and not in a good way. It was becoming hard to be near him without losing my cool. This simplest touch or hardened stare sent me shivers and don't even get me started on his voice, that's a rabbit hole I'd never get out of. "So what'd they get you?" Sanosuke voiced snapping me back into reality. I hadn't realized I was staring longingly into the note or rather into my own thoughts. "Oh uh...It looks like some thread and needles. Is this stuff for sewing or something?" I wondered out loud. "Oh that's for embroidery, hmm I guess that's one way to pass the time" Sanosuke breathed cooly.
I made an unsure expression. "I don't know how to embroider" I admitted sheepishly. "Well it can't be that hard can it, you just make a picture, it can be anything you want" He explained. I frowned still not convinced, I was never really the artistic type. Seeing my discouraged expression. "Here if you need inspiration why don't you make a portrait of my handsome face, huh?" He quirked cheekily causing me to giggle. "Ah see, look at you smile, I know you wanna~" He drawled flexing his biceps. I shook my head, a stubborn smile pressed to my lips. "Not feeling that, huh? How about some flowers? I could go pick some from the garden. The prettiest flowers for the prettiest lady" The red-haired samurai offered. His tone was coquettish and yet friendly. I admired his ability to brighten any room with just his smile alone. There were times when I wondered if chasing Hijikata was a childlike dream that I should give up. Give up and look at what was right in front of me, a man that had already professed his affections towards me. A man that I turned down in favour of chasing that silly little dream.
"What's the point of that, they'll only die before I finish stitching them. If anything, take me into the garden. I'd love to get some fresh air and sunlight" I voiced. Sanosuke scratched at the back of his head nervously. "Uhm I don't know if I should take you out, I mean, when Hijikata-San comes back-" "-You say that like he's my dad trying to catch me sneaking out at night" I rolled my eyes, my tone laced with dry humour. I made grabbing motions with my hands. "Come on, help me up" I demanded. When he saw I was determined to stand with or without his help he quickly rushed to support me. I smiled up at him, giving his chest a light tap. "See now we're getting somewhere, Sanosuke" He grinned. "I'm gonna get in so much trouble because of you" His words didn't match the cheerful tone he was using. "Oh, you know you love it" I teased, waving a finger at him. The wound on my leg didn't nearly hurt as much right now but I assumed this was partly due to Hijikata's medicine.
I had to remind myself that even though it didn't hurt too bad right now that I was still injured and capable of making it worse if I wasn't careful. Sanosuke and I slowly made our way to the garden. I leaned into Sano's lean yet muscular frame as he supported my weight on my left side. He was being really careful not to bump into me which I found funny. Every time his leg came close to mine he quickly muttered an apology which I dismissed each time stating he hadn't even touched me. Shortly we rounded a corner and the garden came into view. He helped me down the few stairs and brought me to a stone bench by one of the many garden beds. At this time, spring had just begun and only the early flowers had fully bloomed. Beautiful tulips of red, white, magenta and yellow with orange hues decorated the gardens,
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
