𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐊𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑 ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳ 𝐡𝐚𝐤𝐮𝐨𝐮𝐤𝐢 [ON HOLD]

⇛ 𝐂𝐇. 𝟓

"i'm going on patrol. see you later." heisuke said after giving keiko a tour of the shinsengumi. it didn't last long, but she knew she would get lost in the place at least once.

"have fun!"

"go hang out with shinpachi and sanosuke. just don't replace me!" he called out, walking to the entrance where his group of men were waiting.

"someone call us?" shinpachi's voice appeared behind her as he dumped his arm on her shoulder. one day at the shinsengumi and he already seemed to like the girl. he was comfortable enough to use her as an arm rest.

"i'm bored already." she said, throwing his arm away.

"me too." sanosuke said from where he was leaning against a pillar.

"can i call you by your first names?" keiko asked, sitting on the steps. the two joining. heisuke had told them to make an effort with her and keep her company so that's what they were doing.

"being informal, huh?" sanosuke joked.

"well, actually in my head i've been calling you by your first names already. i think it's fair since you call me by my first name."

"it's fine. we're not that bothered." shinpachi told her then the two laughed. they already enjoyed talking and messing with her. heisuke wouldn't have to force them to talk to her.

"by the way, if i'm staying here do i need to dress like a boy the way chizuru does?"

"ah! we completely forgot! we can't have the other people walking around knowing there's a girl here." he exclaimed, holding the bridge of his nose

"i have an idea. i'll be back." keiko got up and ran to the room she'd be staying in then came back a second later. "do you have any boy clothes?"

"heisuke might have some spare that will fit you. i'll go get it." sanosuke left to go get the clothes and keiko ran back to the room only to remember one more thing and go running back outside.

"do you have a sword?" she asked shinpachi.

"why do you need a sword?" he asked, an eyebrow raised. even so he handed her one and she took it so crazily, it almost hit him.

"you'll see!" she yelled rushing away just as sanosuke returned with some clothes.

"hey! i got it." she ran back and took it from him. "it might be a little big, but he's never worn these."

"thanks!" she ran back to her room. the two boys stared at each other, amused. she was so energetic and lively that it was refreshing.

"all that running around is making me dizzy."

keiko stood in front of the mirror in her room, the sword lifted by her hair. "1, 2, 3." she counted and on 3 cut her hair up to her back. her hand flew to her mouth, shocked by how different her hair looked, it used to be up to her knees but now rested by the middle of her back. it was still long so she was beginning to think she could cut it shorter later on. shorter hair sounded wonderful.

she began trying different ways to tie up her hair and fit the clothes. she wasn't satisfied with any of the looks. each one made her look like a girl.