Chapter 1

[Won't you play with me?]

On a peaceful day in the Shinsengumi headquarters, Saito was walking out of his room towards the courtyard, thinking of what to do on this eventless afternoon. Might as well get some fresh air, he thought. It was mid-summer, and the heat indoors was rather unpleasant.

He slowed down his pace to enjoy the warm breeze brushing past his hair and cheeks, and sensed an abnormal presence not far off behind him. He tilted his head back sideways to check for the unknown being, only to see leaves rustling across the empty ground.

"Hmm.." Saito narrowed his eyes.

Saito, alert now, rested a hand on the hilt of his katana, ready to strike at any moment. However, as he took a step forward, there was a tug on his scarf, and he felt it slipping off.

"Wha-!?" The shocked samurai quickly grabbed the scarf from the front of his neck to keep it from falling. He quickly turned behind, and saw Okita squatting on the ground behind him with one end of the scarf in his hands.

"Caught ya, Hajime-kun!" Okita said with a goofy grin.

There was an obvious frown on the face of the man who nearly just had his scarf pulled off, but Okita didn't seem to care.

"Souji. It was you after all." Saito glared at his fellow captain.

Okita stood up and released his grip on Saito's scarf, which the latter quietly adjusted and fixed back to its usual position.

"I would appreciate it if you refrain from messing with my scarf." He said.

"Ah?" Okita cocked his head slightly. "I've never really asked, but could it be that... that scarf you always wear is really important to you?"

Saito stayed silent and stared at Okita blankly, signalling that he didn't want to talk about it.

"It's hot as heck right now though." Okita pressed on, wanting to know why Saito wore a scarf regardless of the season.

"It's just a habit."

"Hmm..?" Okita pouted a little, upset that Saito didn't intend to tell him anything. But after a few seconds, a playful smirk was the only expression left on his face.

"Ne, Hajime-kun." Okita scooted real close to Saito and bumped shoulders with him.

"What is it?" Saito asked, in a monotone voice, having a bad premonition of whatever idea Okita had.

Okita leaned even closer and whispered the question of the day into his ear.

"Are you free tonight?"

Saito felt goosebumps all over his body when the warm breath of Okita tickled his ear, but he quickly snapped out of it and pushed Okita's head away with one hand.

"I'm on duty for night patrol today." Was all he said before he turned to walk off by himself.

But Okita grabbed Saito's wrist before he could go, causing the shorter man to jerk his head back in slight surprise.

"Is there something you need?" He asked.

Okita stared at him for a while, but his usual grin returned soon after.

"No, it's nothing." He said and released his grip.

Saito shot him one last confused glance before walking off.

"Hmm…" Okita probably didn't realise how creepy he looked, smiling to himself in the middle of the pavement. I'll give you many more surprises, Hajime-kun.

/

Nights like these were a refreshing break from the afternoon heat in summer. Saito walked at the back of his patrol team as they made their rounds through the city. It was already dark, and not many civilians were out. As they walked through the streets, he couldn't help but think about what happened with Okita earlier in the afternoon.

Sure, he saw Okita as a valuable comrade, someone whom he was especially close with since their time at Shiei hall. They often practiced and sparred together, and forged deep bonds. But what Okita did back there was slightly out of place. He's been acting strange lately... I'll have to set things straight with him afterwards. Saito thought to himself.

/

"Hajime-kun~" a lyrical voice could be heard from the shadows as Saito and his men returned from night patrol.

The Shinsengumi soldiers look around in confusion and panic, wondering where it came from. Saito, however, sighed in exasperation as a bead of sweat rolled down the side of his face.

"Relax. It's just Souji." Saito announced and instructed his men to go back to their quarters. The men looked between each other with curious faces, but obediently went back as told.

Once they were left alone, Okita hopped out from the shadows towards the other male and snaked his arms around his waist, securing Saito in a tight hug.

"Patrol's over. You're mine now." His breath brushed against the back of Saito's neck.

Saito winced at the sudden intimacy but pushed Okita away from himself with a blank, emotionless face.

"Do you need something from me?" Saito asked, considering the possibility that all this fuss Okita was making was just him trying to earn himself a favour.

"The only thing I need from you is you, Hajime-kun."

"...Souji. What is the meaning of this?" Saito narrowed his eyes and observed Okita, thinking of a way to solve this complicated riddle.

"You couldn't outright decline my invitation after all, could you?" Okita smiled, placing a hand on his hip. "After all, you didn't refuse me when I asked you out tonight."

"Are you perhaps saying that you want to spar with me?" Saito thought out loud.

Upon hearing that, Okita raised an eyebrow, then burst out laughing.

"Well… Isn't it obvious enough?" He stepped closer to Saito, and gently caressed his cheek. He looked straight into Saito's eyes with an intense gaze, the smile never leaving his face.

"Do you want to spar with me, Hajime-kun?. Not here, but in my room, on my bed." Okita's voice dropped to an inviting whisper.

For a moment there was complete silence except for the buzzing of insects. They both stood their ground and maintained the intense eye contact; both were cautiously observing the other.

"I refuse." Saito suddenly stepped back and said. "I will not partake in that sort of scandalous act."

"Hajime-kun, you-" Okita was about to say something, but Saito cut him off.

"That's enough, Souji. You ought to practice some self control and discipline as a captain of the Shinsengumi. This is a critical period for Kondo as the head of the Shinsengumi. It's better if you don't cause unnecessary rumors among the soldiers." Saito raised his voice, effectively shutting Okita up by mentioning Kondo.

Saito turned away from Okita as the both of them remained silent, looking into the distance to avoid eye contact. So that was what he was after. Saito shook his head in disappointment. I didn't think Souji was the kind to vent his frustration on a comrade.

"Tch." Okita grunted with a slightly frustrated expression. "Well, I have something to do tomorrow so I'll head in first."

With that, Okita disappeared, leaving Saito standing alone under the moonlight.

/

Ever since that incident, there was an air of awkwardness around the both of them.

They'd walk past each other without a word of acknowledgement, even though many a time their opposing auras would clash and intensify, scaring those around them. They sit next to each other during meal times, but it felt like they were miles apart in mind, for they never once spoke or looked in each other's direction. Okita would often finish eating way earlier and head off to train alone, which further confirmed the other captains' suspicions that something happened between those two.

"Hey... There's definitely something on with them right?" Heisuke looked towards the others, worried about Saito and Okita.

"Saito and Souji have always been rather close...it's hard to believe something like this can actually happen." Harada mentioned.

They were all having a secret meeting excluding Saito and Okita, discussing on what to do with this troublesome situation. Everyone was actively voicing their thoughts. Even though there was no conflict, the cold war between two captains was detrimental to the spirit and teamwork of the Shinsengumi.

Chizuru glanced nervously at their troubled faces as she served them freshly brewed tea.

"It's really hard for me to see them like this...and here I thought I understood Souji well." Kondo gave a disappointed sigh.

"Don't worry about it, Kondo-san. Obstacles will only serve to bring people closer together." Hijikata said, trying to cheer him up.

"Ah! Right! We should come up with a plan to help them get over this obstacle as soon as possible!" Nagakura suggested, a fist landing in his other palm in a moment of inspiration.

"Hmm..." Hijikata took that in mind, and was deep in thought for a while.

"Well, if it's that, then...listen to this, everyone." Hijikaka slowly explained the plans he had in mind.

Not long after their discussion, Saito and Okita were called to meet Hijikata and Kondo.

"Saito, Souji." Hijikata greeted them. "I have a mission for you both."

They nodded and listened closely to the details Hijikata was about to explain. Even as he started the serious talk about an important job, the two captains assigned could sense a few sneaky, nosy boys eavesdropping from outside the room.

"One of the clans on very good terms with the Shinsengumi are holding a coming of age ceremony for their next heir. We have been invited to attend their party in Edo, and I want the two of you to go as representatives." Hijikata told them.

"Would it be alright for us to go, rather than the chief and vice commander?" Saito asked, concerned that they might be offended if the head of Shinsengumi was not present.

"We can't possibly leave our posts to attend a party." Hijikata gave a sentimental smile. "We've had good history with them. They will understand."

They nodded and Hijikata continued.

"Besides, there are still some of our enemies in Edo. If possible, I'd like you to observe their movements outside of Kyoto. But of course, that's not the priority. I will send Yamazaki for further investigation."

They nodded.

"Well then, the event is in two weeks. Accommodations have been arranged, follow the map here and look for the inn. A reservation has been made under the name Yamaguchi." Hijikata said, and passed them an envelope, which Saito took.

"Got it. Then we'd better head off tomorrow morning so we'll have some free time to sniff out the enemy before the party." Okita said and gave his usual grin, while Saito simply nodded and said "understood".

With that, Saito bowed and exited the room, followed by Okita. A few curious faces of those who've been eavesdropping watched from behind a corner as they walked away.

"Are they really gonna be alright?"
"Don't worry, I bet they'll make up in no time once they spend some proper time together."
They whispered among themselves.

Okita raised his eyebrows. It was obvious to him what they were plotting. Hijikata-san always does whatever the heck he wants, doesn't he? Okita thought.
"Busybody." He mumbled softly to himself. "And my Hajime-kun just does everything he says without question."

But Okita wouldn't deny that he didn't mind having Saito all for himself for two weeks.