Eros. (Benimaru Shinmon)

十九 ✾

I literally listened to this track when I wrote this chapter...

The egg yolk sun poured through my window and to my awaiting eyes, causing me to twitch them. Upon waking, I burrowed myself into the warm, soft sheets. I rubbed the remainders of sleep from my eyes and gazed out at the sky: Dappled sun shone through the trees, creating mysterious shadows, the blue sky was dotted with fluffy white clouds that drifted lazily in the gentle breeze, tiny specks of dust seemed to dance in the shaft of afternoon sunlight that slanted through my window. It was midday...CRAP!

I picked myself up from my futon and did minor stretches to get out the minor cramped and sore muscles from my body and from last night's workout.

"You never sleep in," Benimaru said.

I quickly wiped my head towards his voice and there he was, leaning against the door frame with a sliced watermelon in his hand. This guy was going to be the death of me. Maybe if I give him a deadpanned stare he will take me seriously when I say leave me alone.

"Hurry up," Benimaru said as he walked out of my doorframe while taking a casual bite from his watermelon. The nerve of this asshole.

I sighed and quickly got ready.

Once I finished my bath, I dressed in a short yukata that had a number of flying cranes amidst sunset and mountain printed on it. this yukata captured the meaning of Asakusa and traditional Japan. Given I was forced to date the proto-nationalist that could give a damn about the Empire, I found it suiting as it captured that ancient style quite well. Not to mention that the cranes were vivid and full of vitality.

I fixed my hair up in a braided updo and put a small charm necklace on around my neck and headed to the front of my abode. There stood Shinmon Benimaru munching away at his watermelon. He glanced my direction the moment he heard me and paused mid-bite. I could see his eyes travel from my face down to my legs after pausing at my breast and mid-section for a bit.

I instantly rolled my eyes and walked to the front of my home to place on my sandals.

"I pretty much would like to get this date over with," I complained.

"We haven't even started it yet," Benimaru said, "Quit your whining."

"Where are we going?" I asked.

"Considering you skipped breakfast," Benimaru started, "I wanted to take you down to the BBQ shop not far from here."

"Hn," I replied as I pushed my Noren to the side as Benimaru sighed lazily and followed at my side. Since I knew about the place he was talking about, I proceeded to walk a bit faster. The faster we get there and eat, the faster I could leave.

"Hey, Inori!" one of the citizens yelled out and waved causing me to smile back and wave.

"Benimaru! Fancy seeing you here at this side of town! Come to think of it you been here a lot!" another citizen pointed out.

"Yeah," Benimaru said lazily.

Exactly, it is usually some other member of the Hikeshi Brigade but because of our spat a year back, he made it his mission to be in this part of town a bit more than usual.

"Do you remember the time when we were 10 and you ran to Konro and I and began panicking," Benimaru said.

I sighed knowing where this was going.