Eros. (Benimaru Shinmon)

二十一❃

Once we finished our BBQ, we were left with the bill. The moment the waiter went to put the bill down, Benimaru swiped it at an instant and rose from his chair and walked over to the business owner to pay.

I was a blushing mess at this point. Benimaru really did spoil me with this fancy BBQ and seeing this kind of side of him was different from his usual personality. Despite Benimaru's reserved nature and seemingly, 'can't-be-bothered' air around him; he was actually genuinely kind and warmhearted during our date.

He came back towards the table.

"Ready?"

"U-um sure," I said as I got up from the table and walked beside him as he led us out. I couldn't help but steal a glance at the girl who held nothing but disdain towards me for eating a meal with Benimaru.

"Come on Inori, I want to take you to the Dango stand since it is your favorite."

"Say no more," I thought as I quickly walked beside him. It was quite nice to walk around the town and take in the street vendors trying to sell their product. Members of the Hikeshi Brigade helping some people out with their homes. Asakusa was really a community of togetherness and culture...something that was holding me back from becoming what I want to really become.

"Four Dangos coming right up!" the street vendor exclaimed as he readied the mochi to Benimaru's request. He happily handed over the savory Sanshoku Dango and Benimaru took it in his hand, Benimaru used his other hand to drop a couple of coins in the vendor's hands.

"Here," Benimaru said giving all four towards me.

"You don't want one?"

"I don't like sweets, you know that."

"O-Oh," you looked down to the dessert feeling a bit somber but you quickly shrugged it off. Food is more delicious when shared with someone you love but since he didn't want any.

I gazed down at the Dango and raised one of the skewers towards my mouth and took my first bite. My eyes glazed over as I tasted the Dango. When I encounter the green Dango, I thought about my garden that gave me solace during times of sadness, When I encounter the white Dango, I remembered my flames and how they burn hotter than the typical orange flame. But the pink Dango, that captivated me the most-as it reminded me of love.

I was positive during that festival that Konro and I would have kissed and probably began dating...then we probably would have settled down...but Benimaru prevented that because he wanted me for him. He wanted to prove that his love for me was stronger than Konro's and that I should be the one with him. But...in a way, he was holding me back.

It wasn't long until I feasted on my last Dango stick. the deliciousness of the sticky substance was almost about to be consumed by me until my half-eaten dango was taken away from me the moment I opened my mouth. My eyes met with the mismatch eyes of Benimaru as he chewed the sticky-textured treat a few times before moving it to the other side of his mouth to munch on it some more.

"Come on!" I pouted as I tried to reach for the last Dango on the skewer only to have him raise his arm up to prevent me for getting it, "Stop stealing my food!"

"I just can't help it. I don't like the way you stare at it like you're in love. Plus, it's not half-bad" as Benimaru feigned how the soft and sweet the Dango tasted.

I smiled at the fact that Benimaru was really confessing to the fact that he was jealous of the way I was looking at food.

"Well, it's delicious and I guess your taste-buds agree with me, right?" you questioned with a smile on your face.

Benimaru halted while in mid-chew of the Dango, "Yeah, I guess."

I chuckled as the two of us continued to walk along the street admiring the delicate cherry blossom trees that bordered the road. Benimaru turned to face me before saying,"Inori open up."

"Wh-" I started until Benimaru placed a piece of the Dango in my mouth. I took a bite and ripped it off and instantly gleamed in happiness from its sweetness and savored the sweet taste as we continued to walk the streets of Asakusa.

I unconsciously hummed, "Mmm...." which got a chuckle out of Benimaru.

"I don't know if I should be jealous of my 36 year old mentor almost winning your heart over or the Hanami Dango that stole your attention." He teased, taking the rest of the Dango I didn't eat and scarfing it down. He threw the skewer away into one of the nearby trashcans.

"That's for you to decide," I said as I shrugged.

The corner of Benimaru's lips lifted upwards as he half-smiled while looking at me, "I should return the favor from the restaurant. Here."

He licked his finger and lightly traced the outline of my lips with his finger before putting that finger in his mouth to lick away the glaze off. I blushed at his daunting action.

"A-arigatou..." I spoke softly as I averted my head to the ground. Within a millisecond, Benimaru swiftly bent down and kissed my cheek lovingly, causing my blush to grow even more pink. Stop doing this to me, it makes me feel weak and ...

"This day," Benimaru started, "Besides Aimi and the hostess, has been perfect."

"I-I guess it has," I said thinking about it, "Thank you Benimaru."

"What was that? I couldn't hear you." he taunted while slowly rubbing my hand with the timing of his words.

My cheeks flushed a rose color at his teasing. "I am not saying it again." I mumbled while turning my head away from his. I didn't even know notice that it was close to being night time and I was in front of my home.

Benimaru chuckled as he used his other hand to lift my chin upwards, and captured my lips in a deep and passionate kiss. I was awestruck, my mind completely blank. He pulled back too quickly and whispered once again, "I love you...Inori."