Chapter 2: The blooming feelings.
Four weeks had passed since Chizuru started her first day at Virgo. She had grown closer with them and never cared about the envy glares and words thrown by the other female models. She still felt awkward whenever she was near Hijikata. He seldom talked to her but she sometimes sensed his gazed on her which she ignored completely. There was even time she felt goose bump whenever she accidently made eye contact with him. As for Saito, he was a man with a mouth of gold. He didn't talk much but she felt comfortable around him, she understood his quiet nature and never bothers to ask more. She would tease him and love to see his red face and apologizes later. Even Senhime, Kimigiku and Jade would stay at her place after their girls' night out. Heisuke and Okita treated her like their a family and it warmed her heart to the core. She already met with the two models that weren't at Virgo on her first day; Harada Sanosuke and Nagakura Shinpachi. They were really nice to Chizuru. Harada, Shinpachi and Heisuke were like idiot trio when combine them together, always fighting for foods during lunch and never fails to put a smile on people's face. On one afternoon, they received an unexpected job from Sannan.
"Hello people. I've a new job for you and I'm sure you will love it." Sannan said with a satisfied face to them. They gathered in a meeting room on short notice.
"What job do you have for us Sannan-san?" Harada asked, sitting on a chair with its back facing his front.
"Ah…I just received a call from Luxurious. They already finished with their spring/summer collections and wanted all of you to wear it for catalogue's photo shoot. The best part is you'll be away to a hot spring ryokan in Kyoto. How does that sounds like?" Sannan eyes widen in excitement.
Everybody was stunned for a second before chattering happily. "Sweet! Well I need an impromptu vacation after working so hard" Heisuke said out loud.
"Little kid doesn't need vacation. They have more than enough energy to work. Unlike us, we're grown up men. We deserve a holiday." Nagakura ruffled Heisuke's hair, earned him a slap on his hand from Heisuke.
"That's because you both are old men, Shinpachi-san." Heisuke said in irritated voice.
"I'm not old yet but Shinpachi is." Harada laughed.
"Oit! Which side are you in? You're supposed to be my agree with me." Nagakura narrowed his eyes at Harada. Sannan sighed before asking them to stop.
"Todou-kun, you'll still be working during day time though" said Sannan. Heisuke shrugged ignoring him.
"Ermm…Sannan-san, I still haven't asked my company yet if they'll allow me to go" Chizuru asked, receiving Sannan's attention.
"Don't worry Yukimura-san. I've taken care of that with Miura-san and Virgo. It's still part of your job anyways so don't worry" said Sannan reassuringly. Chizuru nodded in excitement.
"All of you will be leaving early tomorrow morning. Make sure to pack clothes enough for 5 days. These are the details and itineraries. Please bring it with you tomorrow. I won't be coming with you but my assistant, Fukuyama-san will represent me. If you don't have any more questions, you may dismiss." Sannan handed over the details to each of them. They took the paper and went out back to the studio.
"Nee Toshi, don't pack your Doraemon short this time and don't forget to bring your haiku book. I feel like reading it while soaking in the hot tub." Okita smirked, putting his arm around Hijikata's shoulder.
"Souji! Better keep your mouth shut or I'll knock those teeth off!" Hijikata pinched Okita's hand hanging from his left shoulder.
"Ouch! That hurts Toshi. Have mercy will you? It's not like I've never seen your favourite Doraemon short." Okita laughed at Hijikata irritated face, took his arm away.
"Were you two have known each other for long?" Chizuru asked.
"Yeah…Toshi and I are childhood friends. We were neighbours, grew up together and even went to kendo practises together. Although we're 4 years apart but Toshi really adores me when he was little. Right Toshi?" Okita nudged his elbow to Hijikata. A vein twitched on Hijikata's forehead.
"I never adore you. You were such a nuisance up until now." Never looking at Okita's face, Hijikata walked faster following Saito to get himself away from further unnecessary conversations. Okita clicked his tongue in annoyance. Chizuru, Senhime, Kimigiku and Jade just smiled watching their little fight.
Early next morning, Chizuru arrived slightly early to the workplace. She waited in the lobby with Kenji who was holding two suitcases. Apparently, he had to come along to Kyoto. He couldn't leave Chizuru as his job to always assist her but he won't be in the same bus as them. He'll drive a car following behind the crew. When Chizuru entered the lobby, she saw Hijikata leaning against a pillar in his casual collared t-shirt, faded jeans, black sneakers, his raven hair was half damp probably from his morning shower, arms crossed on his torso and a duffle bag on the ground. He saw her but didn't say anything. Chizuru felt weird for not greeting him and decided to approach him. She was standing in front of him without taking her eyes away from him. She inhaled before greeted him. God! He smells very nice. Like sandalwood with a hint of lavender, she thought.
"Good morning Hijikata-san! Are you excited for this week's get away?" Chizuru said happily. Oh dear. I can't help sniffing the smell from him. He smells so sexy. Ok. I better stop or he'll notice me. Unfortunately, Hijikata noticed that.
"Good morning Yukimura. I think you should stop acting like a Chihuahua sniffing its foods." Hijikata said without any emotion.
Crap! He did notice. Startled by her own action, she turned her face away with red face. "I'm not sniffing you. Don't be so cocky. I was inhaling. Human breathes oxygen to live." She put both hands on her hips and looked at him in the eyes in confidence. She tried her best not to look embarrassed but her red face betrayed her. It was until she heard a whisper next to her left ear and inhaled the intoxicated scent again.
"I know I smell good. Thank you very much" Hijikata leaned down in front her, whispered to her already red ears. He laughed and walked towards the entrance with a duffle bag hung on his shoulder. What is wrong with that guy? Chizuru huffed and stuck her tongue out towards Hijikata. Kenji saw the whole event and wasn't even pleased at all. Chizuru's red face and Hijikata whispering in her ear was not a good sign to start a day. He won't allow any men to get near Chizuru. He gripped the suitcases' handles tightly, turned his knuckles white.
They rode on a mini bus together with other few Sagittarius crews and will meet up with the crews from Luxurious once they reach in Kyoto. The journey took them approximately 9 hours with a stop at Hamamatsu for refreshment and arrived at the appointed ryokan located nearby Arashiyama Mountain at 6 pm. They were separated into two large family rooms; one for female and the other one for men. The ryokan was traditionally built with 30 private bed rooms, several open air hot pools that separate the gender completed with changing area, outdoor and indoor common areas and private dining rooms. Their rooms located next to each other, overlooked a vast garden decorated with a large koi pond surrounded by blooming cherry blossom trees, a Japanese wooden pavilion built nearby and a shishi-odoshi that breaks the morning silence. Everything was very beautiful, serene and peaceful. Even the ryokan staffs wear yukata to bring the sense of unique Japanese tradition and culture to every visitor especially the foreigners. There weren't many people as it was weekdays; only a group of foreigners spotted admiring the garden's view.
Before everyone was dismissed to their room, they were given a briefing regarding the whole week's itineraries from the photographer; Yamazaki Susumu. "Good evening people! Welcome to Kyoto. I hope you're excited to start your first day of shooting tomorrow. I believe you were already given the details and itineraries yesterday. Please take vigilant notes; I expect all of Sagittarius' models to be on time at the appointed places. I'll tell you more about this week's concept. Basically Luxurious has made rather a unique change this season; we have women's clothes. Before this, most of our designs were more to modern-men element but this time, we created a hint of delicate Japanese tradition into our spring/summer collections. So, for these 5 days, all of you will convey your own sense of modernisation but never forgets the graceful of traditional Japanese culture. That is why I promptly chose Kyoto for this season's photo shoot and we'll be seeing a lot of traditional temples. Is there any questions?" Yamazaki looked around the room. When no one raised their hands, he continued, "Good. Please get enough rest for tonight. Each room has its own open air hot tub that you can enjoy. I'll see you tomorrow morning." He bowed slightly before he left the room with his two assistants.
"Wow! Yamazaki-san is quite young. I imagined him to be in his mid-forties when I was told he's a very talented fashion photographer." Chizuru said to Jade curiously.
"Yeah. I thought the same when I first worked with him last year. Apparently he's the same age as me and Okita-san. Yamazaki-san is a very talented person. Many brands paid him quite a sum to produce good pictures." Jade answered on their way out from the room. They turned around when their name were called.
"Nee Jade-chan, Chizuru-chan, what do you guys wants to do after this? Wanna get in the hot tub with me after dinner?" Okita grinned at the girls. Jade rolled her eyes and Chizuru giggled. Before any of them could answer him, Heisuke interrupted. Smack! He slapped Okita's back.
"Idiot! How could you ask that to girls? Jade-chan, Chizuru-chan, let's play ping-pong after dinner. I want to exercise my muscles." Heisuke rolled up his right sleeve and showed off his arm's muscle. Jade suddenly felt very tired to get hold of the boys' jokes. Chizuru laughed even harder looking at Jade's expression.
"No thanks Heisuke-kun, Okita-san. We'll rest after dinner for long day tomorrow. Good night." Chizuru looked at Heisuke-kun and Okita-san.
She wrapped her hand to Jade's arm to drag her out of the room. She turned her body abruptly and collided with Hijikata whom standing in front of the door with water bottles on his hand. Before Jade could catch her, Chizuru lost her balance and were about to fall behind when a pair of strong muscular arms wrapped around her waist. She was too shocked to react when her brown eyes met his lavender orbs. She inhaled to calm herself and realised their bodies were standing very close to each other after her brain detected the familiar sandalwood scent; her right hand on his chest whilst her left hand on Jade's arm. Gosh! I don't mind smelling him every second. She quickly wiped away her thoughts when Hijikata's eyes narrowed at her wide eyes.
After felt like an eternity, Hijikata slowly released his arms after he knew she was stable enough to stand and smirked when he heard her slow sigh of disappointment. Chizuru felt like everyone's gazes fell on her and turned around to claim her justification; it was true. Every pair of eyes was looking at her, at two of them! Her face flushed in embarrassment and she bowed quickly without thanking Hijikata before storming to her room, leaving Jade behind looking flabbergasted. Kenji observed the event in jealousy. This is the second time today. I better watch out that pretty boy, he thought.
The dinner turned out quite awkwardly between her and Hijikata. She never dared to look at him and prefers to sit at the end of the dinner table to avoid his gaze. She spent most of her time laughing at Harada's and Nagakura's jokes about Heisuke, having light conversations with Saito at the point when Jade and Senhime decided to join, avoiding Okita's mischievous comments that left Chizuru more embarrassed especially he comments on what had happened earlier. Kenji chatted happily with Kimigiku when he just knew they went to the same high school but different classes. At the corner of his eyes, he observed Hijikata and Chizuru. He wanted to make sure nothing happens again tonight or he won't be sleeping peacefully knowing his rival is sleeping in the same room as him. During his 4 years of working with Virgo, he always looked at Chizuru from far. He knows he can't be near her without a reason. He fell in love with her on her first debut party as Virgo's top model. Her sincere smiles to people around her captured his heart and he was very happy when he was appointed as her assistant by Yukimura Kodo. Giving him more concrete reason to stay very close with her and he determines not to let any men take her away.
Early next morning after breakfast, the ryokan's garden was full with the photo shoot crews setting up equipment nearby the pavilion. The rented rooms were used as the models' dressing room making those rooms packed with people, hair styling equipment, tons of ironed dresses and clothes hung on the portable racks, chairs for the models and crews to sit on and a few large standing mirrors placed at every corner of the rooms. Each of the models was assigned with their own personal make-up artists, hair stylists and helpers. It was a lively morning as people were chattering, laughing and songs played from the phone. The concept this morning as briefed by Yamazaki would be west meets east. The men have to wear modern formal outfits while the women will dress up in modern-cut kimono inspired dresses and lots beautiful of hair ornaments.
Jade got her hair extended and straightened to be tied in a neat high updo style, two dangling gold butterflies' hair sticks complimented the dress she wore; three-quarter sleeve orange mid-calf length carnations patterned kimono with a flower embossed navy blue silk hanhaba obi in chocho musubi style wrapped around her slim waist. Her overall look was completed with 5-inch black-gold strapped ankle heels.
As for Kimigiku, her black hair was done a Marcelling style which made her shoulder length hair appeared shorter and left without any hair ornaments. She looked like some kind of 1920's actress with bright red lipstick, neutral eye make-up and knee length mint coloured kimono-inspired dress with Queen Anne neckline that fits her snugly. Her waist was wrapped with plain shiny beige Nagoya obi in taiko musubi style and she put on 5 inch red pumps to complete her overall outfit.
Senhime put on a plain cream coloured wide sleeve, boat neckline and mid-thigh length haori inspired dress together with a bright pink orchids patterned obi tied together with a gold beaded belt. Her hair was parted into two; each was tied up in odango style with a bit of lose hairs adorned with a purple orchid's clip. She completed her looks with a pair of neon pink sling back heels.
Chizuru's hair was braided in fishtail style with little bright yellow daisies hair clips that completed her overall appearance; deep V-neck full length pink purple ombre kimono inspired silk dress with a black belt wrapped around her waist instead of an obi and a pair of 5 inch shiny black open toe heels.
The boys couldn't believe their eyes when they saw the girls' transformations. It was Nagakura that broke the silence. "Wah! What a babe! I feel like having you girls to me alone. Hahahaha" Nagakura laughed, straightened his expresso coloured vest worn outside his pale pink long sleeve shirts completed with a pale blue-grey stripes tie and gave his flirtatious smile. Somehow his green eyes lingered longer at Kimigiku.
Harada saw the situation and decided to tease the two of them. "Oit Shinpatchi! Don't be stingy. You can't have the girls alone. You're not the only handsome man here. Right, Kimi-chan?" Harada put his arm around Shinpatchi's shoulder, earning his a loud growl.
Kimigiku turned red and looked away while Shinpatchi narrowed his eyes at Harada upon bringing up her name. Chizuru sensed something between the two of them and made eye contact with Jade and Senhime. They seemed to be on the same page as Chizuru and smile knowingly to her. Harada looked suave in dark purple tuxedo suit with gold long sleeve shirt and red bow tie.
Chizuru averted her eyes past Nagakura's shoulder and saw Hijikata leaned against the pavillion's pillar; his arms folded across his chest. He put on silver-grey vest with the same coloured pants together with a turquoise long sleeve shirt that left buttons unbutton at the top; shows a bit of his muscular chest. His hair was slicked back that emphasizes his whole face. He returned Chizuru's face with a crocked smile. Chizuru turned her eyes away and she saw Kenji was looking at her. She suddenly felt uncomfortable under his intense stare that she decided to walk away with Jade to where Heisuke, Okita and Saito were.
"Chizuru-chan, Jade-chan! Both of you are so pretty. I didn't recognize Jade-chan at first. Is that hair extension?" Okita circled around Jade to take a closer look at her new hair. He seemed to be too absorbed with the new hair. He put on burgundy vest with black long sleeve shirt and pale brown pants. The burgundy colour pops out his brunette hair.
"Yes. They gave me hair extension. It was very painful you know. I thought my scalp going to rip apart but I can endure the pain." Jade explained proudly. She giggled at Okita's expression when he touched her 'fake' hair. Okita wore an emerald green west with nude coloured long sleeve and the same coloured tie. His vest's colour made his already unique green eyes appeared even greener. As for Heisuke, he wore a peach coloured suit with a white long sleeve shirt on the inside without tie. The colour matches his outgoing personality.
"Amazing! I don't think I can stand having to feel my scalp about to rip apart. You're amazing Jade-chan. You look very different with straight hair and prettier. Isn't it Hajime-kun?" Heisuke nudged his elbow at Saito who seemed to be looking at Jade. Jade realised his gaze and turned pink slightly. Okita saw that and grinned widely.
"Hajime-kun, why are you looking at Jade-chan like that? Is she so pretty that you can't say a word? Say something to her Hajime-kun." Okita hung his arm on her right shoulder. Jade's eyes turned wide at his request. She was flabbergasted, too embarrassed to look at Saito in the eyes. He was wearing a baby blue coloured slim-fit tuxedo with black line on the collar with the same cream coloured long sleeve shirt and a black bowtie. Meanwhile, Saito's cheeks turned slightly pink, coughed a little before answering Okita's question.
"Y..yo..you look pretty today Jade. So does you Yukimura." Saito looked at Jade and Chizuru. He looked at the ground after that.
Heisuke laughed at his compliment. "That's so Hajime-kun. You should find a girlfriend soon. Maybe you can have Jade-chan. I'm pretty sure she's single." Heisuke winked at Jade and caused her face to turn completely red upon hearing his words. Chizuru saw where these whole conversations will be heading and decided to tease them more.
"As far as I know, Jade-chan is single and ready to mingle. Both of you will make a good couple." Jade looked at Chizuru in disbelief. She couldn't believe Chizuru will tease her in front of Hajime. She once told her about her feelings for Hajime during their sleepover. Chizuru, Heisuke and Okita laughed at Saito's and Jade's red faces like roasted prawns.
Minutes later, all of them were called by Yamazaki to get the photo shoot started. He started taking photos of the boys under the pavilion and around the nearby koi pond for 10shots and later he took the girls' photos near the oshishi-odoshi and the pavillion for another 10 shots. The first half of the photo shoot took them almost 4 hours under bright sunlight. They stopped 2 hours for lunch and resumed their photo shoot under the cherry blossom trees. Yamazaki said it will be perfect under the cool shades to produce the kind of pictures he wanted. This time, the boys will take pictures with the girls and follows by couple and trio pictures.
"Chang-san, can you please tilt your head to the right slightly and wrap your left arm around Saito-san's left arm." Yamazaki instructed Jade during her couple photo shoot with Saito. Saito didn't show any emotion and stood stoically. She was a little awkward to be too close with Saito but decided to put her awkwardness aside and acted professional. She did as what Yamazaki told her and she could blood rushing through her head. She prayed silently that Saito didn't realise her crazy heartbeat. "Good. Stay that way until I ask you to change your pose." Yamazaki got back to his camera.
Chizuru saw Jade's awkwardness and smiled slightly at her good friend before turning her head to look at Senhime. "Nee Sen-chan. Look at Jade-chan and Saito-san. They look so adorable together. I wonder why Saito never get the hint about her feelings."
Senhime contemplated her question before answering. "Well, it's hard to answer that especially we're talking about Saito-san here. He's a man of few words so I can't really predict what he thinks."
Chizuru shrugged her shoulder and continued looking at the couple under the cherry blossom tree. They both indeed look very compatible with each other. Saito's gentle manner and Jade's warm smiles will melt anyone's heart. Chizuru suddenly felt a hand on her left shoulder. She looked up and saw Kenji bending down towards her.
"Do you want some water? Today is quite warm. I don't want you to get sick later." He handed her a water bottle and left before Chizuru could say anything.
"Wow! I never met someone as caring as him. Is there something going on with you two?" Senhime whispered to Chizuru.
"No no no. He's just my assistant and responsible for my wellbeing. He's just doing his job." Chizuru answered to deny Senhime's suspicion and gulped the water. Senhime looked at her with eyebrow slightly raised as objecting her statement. Before Chizuru could ask the meaning of her look, Yamazaki called her.
"Hijikata-san, I want you to wrap your arm around Yukimura-san's waist and put your left hand at the back of her neck. As for you Yukimura-san, I want you to hang both of your arms on Hijikata-san's shoulder when you lower your body backwards and your right leg wrap around his left leg." Yamazaki looked at both of them.
Chizuru gulped as she turned facing Hijikata. He gave her his famous crocked smile before wrapping his right arm around her waist. She inhaled sharply when his arm took hold of her slim figure. She was trembling as she put her arms on his shoulder and wrapped her right leg around his left leg without breaking their intimate gaze. When Hijikata's slender fingers touched the nape of her neck, she swore it felt like electric currents all over her body. His fingers pressed slightly harder on her skin when he lowers his mouth to her ears.
"Yesterday's history repeats itself." He chuckled in her ears that made her legs lose all the energy to stand. He tightened his grip on her waist, looked at her in the eyes before moving to her small nose and slightly parted pink cotton candy coloured lips. His eyes continued down her exposed creamy neck and towards the deep V-neck line shape before returning to her brown eyes. His action was a jolt to Chizuru and she didn't know how to reply to his comment; the only response her brain could registered that moment was the euphoric feeling of his eyes trailed down her neck. His gaze left burning sensation on her skin like butterflies kisses that made Chizuru curled her toes. Her mind wondered how it felt to wake up every morning with his sandalwood smell on her pillow and having her forehead kissed in her sleeps.
Hijikata seemed to know that Chizuru was no longer in the reality world that he felt oblige to get her back to their workplace. He spoke slowly to Chizuru to make sure Yamazaki couldn't hear him. "Sending signals to planet Yukimura Chizuru. Please get back to earth as we're in the middle of working."
Chizuru's eyes snapped back to reality and everything came back to her senses. She promptly recollected all her thoughts before, bewildered by it that made her to push Hijikata away. Then she realised that she was in the middle of leaning backwards (supported by Hijikata), regretted for pushing him away and prayed her fall won't hurt that much.
Hijikata amused by her perplexed expression when her mind got back to reality, he loosen a bit of his grip on her waist. Chizuru pushed him off guard that made him released his arms completely. Damn it! I was supporting her. Hijikata abruptly grabbed her hands and both of them fell together with him cushioning her fall. I hope the vest won't be dirty. Then he heard a few screams from the people around him.
"Hijikata-san, Yukimura-san, are you ok?" Yamazaki quickly rushed off to them with Kenji and Fukuyama who happened to be nearby. The looked at the fallen couple worriedly. Hijikata massaged his nose bridge and wondered what exactly had happened. His left hand was at the back of Chizuru's head; buried on his chest. Chizuru was too embarrassed to look up.
"Yukimura-san, are you ok? Can you get up?" Kenji squatted beside Hijikata and put his hands on her shoulders. Chizuru just nodded whilst her head on Hijikata's chest. She gripped lightly at Hijikata's vest. Kenji shot a glare at Hijikata that made him raised his eyebrow. Hijikata slowly raised his upper body without releasing his hand on her head. "Yukimura, how long are you going to put your head on my sexy chest?" Hijikata asked with a playful tone at her, returned Kenji's envy glare with a smirk. Chizuru got up suddenly, startled both Hijikata and Kenji and bowed to Yamazaki. "Yamazaki-san, I'm very sorry. Can we be getting back to work? I promise I won't fall down again."
Yamazaki was quite for a second before continuing "Are you sure you don't want to rest first? We can start back after I'm done with the next models."
"I'm very positive that I am feeling better. I don't want to waste everyone's time with my childish mistake." Chizuru replied. That was when she saw Hijikata stood next to her from the corner of her eyes.
"We can get back to usual Yamazaki-san. I'll work better after this" Hijikata bowed slightly.
"Very well then. I should get your makeup fix a bit then we can resume." Yamazaki instructed two makeup artists to fix Chizuru's and Hijikata's makeup. The photo shoot went without a hitch. Chizuru able to control her bullet train heart beat and Hijikata no longer teased her. Kenji was furious with what happened just now. He couldn't control his angry aura, even Senhime could sense unpleasant vibes from her good friend's assistant.
That night after dinner, Heisuke, Okita, Saito, Hijikata, Senhime, Kimigiku and Jade hanging out at the indoor common area without Harada and Nagakura, they retired early to bed. Chizuru will join them after she finish soaking in the hot pool. Heisuke played Uno cards with Okita and Kimigiku while Hijikata and Hajime read books. Jade and Senhime was chatting on the sofa. Okita looked around the room for Chizuru but didn't see her. He then asked Kimigiku, "Nee Kimi-chan, where's Chizuru chan? I didn't see her after dinner?
"Oh! She's in the hot pool. She'll join us after she's done" Kimigiku answered, putting a blue number 5 card on top of green number 5 card. Heisuke followed with the same colour cards. Okita was processing her words before gave his infamous evil grin. "Ehhh…I know what to do." He smiled sweetly at Kimigiku and Heisuke, putting his cards down and went away from the group. Heisuke protested his sudden withdrawal which Okita ignored completely. He walked towards Senhime and Jade, they looked up when they saw him whistling happily with his hands at the back of his head.
"Can you girls be my partner in crime today?" Okita sat next to Senhime. His eyes were gleaming with mischievous light. Senhime and Jade looked at him suspiciously before nodding curiously. Okita's grin turned wider, he talked in hushed tones regarding his evil plan. Senhime's eyes turned wider and Jade clamped her mouth in excitement. Both girls got up from the sofa and went out of the room. Okita was satisfied with the cooperation and went back to Heisuke and Kimigiku. He walked passed Hijiakta and Saito, glanced slightly towards Hijikata. Saito caught Okita's glance and didn't like the way his eyes look because he knew something that might make the man next to him lose his temper will happen. He sighed wearily and hopes Okita and Hijikata won't kill each other later.
Senhime and Jade went through Chizuru's luggage suit. Jade picked up a spaghetti strap mid-thigh black laced satin peignoir with her hands and smiled at Senhime. Senhime's eyes widen upon looking at the piece of satin night gown on Jade's hand. They quickly returned Chizuru's luggage as it was before and hurriedly to the women's hot pool.
"I can't believe she brought this to Kyoto! What must she be thinking?" Senhime asked in disbelief.
Jade laughed and answered Senhime. "She said this peignoir is like a lucky charm. She'll bring this every time she has to work outside Tokyo. I guess she must be waiting for the right time to wear this."
"Hence, both of us think today are the right time for her to wear. I hope she won't kill us in our sleep." Senhime and Jade giggled. They went into the changing room quietly like mouse. The saw Chizuru's changing pyjamas, towel and a beach bag on the nearby bench. They took those two things away and replaced with the black peignoir and a small sized towel without touching the beach bag.
"Good. She won't get the chance to not wear this sexy peignoir." Jade looked satisfied. Both of them went out after they heard water splashing out of the pool, closing the door as slow as their hands allowed them and got back to the common room to signalled Okita.
Senhime and Jade nodded slightly to Okita when they got to the room. Okita smiled back, returned his gaze to Hijikata who seemed to not realise something will happen to him.
Meanwhile in the changing room…
Huh?! Where did I put my pjs? My beach bag is here but not my pjs. Hurmm… Wait a minute! Why on earth this peignoir is here. Don't tell me…Suddenly Chizuru felt a panic attack at the back of her brain. She picked up the black peignoir and the small towel in her hand, felt betrayed by those girls. It must be their doing! I'll pay them back later. Chizuru felt angry blood rushed through her veins. I have no choice then. She changed into her peignoir and dried her hair with the towel. She admired her view in the changing room's mirror. This is the first time I wear my lucky charm peignoir. She put her wet shorts and tank top she wore when in the hot pool inside her beach bag. She prayed silently to not bump into anyone on her way back to the room.
Okita sat opposite of Hijikata and smiled sweetly at him. Hijikata raised his eyebrow, felt goosebump at Okita's sudden expression. "What do you want Souji?"
Okita smiled before answering "Nee Toshi…can you go and buy me milk tea from the vending machine outside?"
"You can go by yourself right?" Hijikata flipped across the next page.
"But Toshi…I suddenly don't feel well. Oh Hajime-kun! Lend me your laps. Can you massage my head pretty please?" Okita pleaded to Saito. Saito looked at him. He understood the meaning behind his plea and chose to ignore Okita. Okita shamelessly jumped next to Saito and put his head on his lap and pretending to cough.
"You can ask the others to buy your drinks." Hijikata looked at Okita's peculiar behaviour. From all his past experiences, whenever Okita acted this way, there must be something that will happen to himself. Okita is a wicked person with full of plans to annoy him.
Heisuke and Kimigiku immediately lied down on the floor, pretending they didn't feel well too. Senhime and Jade did the same. A vein twitched on Hijikata's forehead. Are they cooperating with Okita's evil plan too? He looked back at Okita's puppy eye and sighed.
"Fine." Hijikata rose from the sofa and went out of the room. Okita smiled triumphantly at his plan. His head remained on Saito's lap before Saito coughed as a signal for him to get his head off. Okita is a famous man for his way of getting whatever he wants, chose to ignore Saito's signal and remained on his lap.
What's wrong with that kid? He could go get it himself. He muttered, putting coins into the coins slot and pressed button. He bent down to get the can and walked back to the room. As he was walking, he saw Chizuru closing the women's bath's door hurriedly. Her face was surprised when she saw him, dropped the bag she was holding. God! Is that peignoir? What the hell was she thinking? Hijikata fastened his strides, snatched her arms and pushed her inside the bath's area. He dropped the can drink when he grabbed her arm. His brain was clouded with angry thoughts that he can't wait to rent it out on her.
Chizuru clamped her bag across her torso and seemed shocked when she saw Hijikata standing a few steps away from her. She dropped the bag, exposed her décolletage to his view. She immediately picked up bag and about to run away when Hijikata's hand snatched her arms, opened the bath's door and pushed her inside against the clothes' locker. His hands gripped her arms tightly that it started to hurt.
"Ouch! That hurts you idot! What is wrong with you? Let me go!" Chizuru struggled off Hijikata with her right hand. Her left hand was holding the bag tightly.
"What's wrong with me? It supposed to be what is wrong with you? What the hell were you thinking wearing peignoir in public? Are you trying to attract men's attention that badly?" Hijikata looked at her in the eyes. He somehow felt uncomfortable in seeing Chizuru with damp hair, smelling fresh out from bath in a black peignoir. Any men walking nearby will look at her state right now.
Chizuru, exasperated by his comments narrowed her eyes. It wasn't her intention to wear this stupid peignoir in the first place. She is a woman with steel heart, she won't cry easily because of his inconsiderate assumption. She challenged Hijikata through her gaze.
"What if I say I want men's attention badly? What are you going to do then?" She emphasised the word you with a seducing tone. Hijikata is a wise man when it comes to women's seducing techniques, he knew Chizuru wasn't seducing him; she was just trying to put oil into his fire of rage. He returned her gaze as a signal of accepting her challenge. He brought his face closer to her until a few inch left in between their lips. He chuckled in her ears and whispered, "If that what you want my darling, I'll be very glad to be in service."
Chizuru started to feel panic. She was just trying to piss him off, not seducing him. She realised she got nowhere to run. His voice in her ear was like warm chocolate ganache on vanilla cake; so sweet yet so tempting. She tried to control her trembling hands and flushed face. Hijikata decided to tease her more. He brushed his lips against her jaws up to the corner of her left eyes. He left her lips on purpose. He continued trailing his lips to her right eyes towards the back of her right ear making Chizuru flinched. He smiled in his kisses as he just discovered her sensitive spot. He inhaled her beautiful blooming wisteria scent, awarded a few light kisses down her necks. He pulled her hair a little to tilt her head backward, given him more excess to her neck. He grabbed her waist to bring her closer to him until no room left between their bodies.
His lips sucked away all the energy in Chizuru's body. She dropped her bag and pressed both her palms against her muscular chest. Her eyes half closed eyes and rapid breath clouded her subconscious mind in ecstasy. She slowly glided her hands up and locked behind his neck. She grabbed his soft hair, earned a slow growl from Hijikata.
"Have you guys seen Yukimura-san? I have something to discuss with her." Kenji asked upon sliding open the common room's door.
Jade's eyes widen in surprised and looked at Okita. Okita caught her signal and nodded slightly. "Ah Miura-san. I think we can go look for Yukimura-san for you because we're also looking for Hijikata-san." Okita got up from the sofa, followed by the others. Kenji raised his eyebrows suspiciously. Hijikata is not in this room, so does Chizuru. I sense something here.
Okita made a joke about Hijikata. "I don't think he'll take a lot of time to buy milk tea from the vending machine. He's a slow man isn't he Miura-san?" Kenji didn't say anything. He kept quiet the whole time. His brain played many possible scenarios regarding Chizuru's and Hijikata's whereabouts. He knew one of them might have feelings for each other and that made his heart more agitated. As they reached on the hallway to the women's bath area, Kenji saw a glittering object against the wall lamp. He bent down to take the object.
"Milk tea? Why is this thing on the floor?" Kenji's eyebrow furrowed. He seemed displease with his new discovery. Didn't Okita said Hijikata went to buy milk tea before?
Okita smiled knowingly to Kenji. Hmmm..Milk tea on the floor and it's in front of the women's bath area. Could they be inside? He smirked upon his thoughts.
Before any of them could respond, they were startled by abrupt door opening. They saw Hijikata's indignant face and Chizuru sitting on the floor with a grey sweater around her shoulder. Her face was sullen in the verge of heavy tears. Hijikata didn't show any expression when he saw them in front of the door and simply went away like nothing happened. Kimigiku, Senhime and Jade quickly went inside, pulled her up on her legs. Kenji was too shocked to react. He looked at her state that moment; dishevelled hair, flushed face, tears in her eyes and black revealing peignoir. Enraged dominate his sober self. He went after Hijikata who weren't that far away from them. He grabbed Hijikata's shoulder and punched him off guard. Heisuke quickly went in between those men to step from blood shedding. He grabbed Kenji by his waist to calm him down. "You son of a bitch!" Kenji pushed Heisuke away and stormed off to the bed room. Hijikata chuckled, rubbed his swollen cheeks and went to the other direction.
Saito looked at Okita as if he was telling him it was all his stupid idea's fault. "Ok. Ok. I'll apologize later. I'll start with Chizuru-chan." Okita hung his hands in surrender motion. He walked towards Chizuru to apologise. "Chizuru-chan, I'm sorry. I didn't mean for all these to happen. It was just a stupid plan of mine to tease you and Hijikata together."
Chizuru looked up in teary eyes. She shakes her head vigorously. "No. Don't be. It wasn't your fault it turned out like this. It was because of what I said." Chizuru smiled slightly to Okita that made him felt even guiltier. Chizuru held on to the sweater tightly, walking passed Okita, ignored Saito's and Heisuke's stares. Senhime, Kimigiku and Jade followed after her. Jade pat Okita's shoulder to ensure it wasn't entirely his fault alone. They were in this together. Okita smiled in relieved, watching them disappeared from the corner of the hallway.
Chizuru tossed aside in her futons, buried her face in the duvet. She couldn't forget the incident in the changing room. Her face flushed in embarrassment when she remembered his lips on her skin. She sniffed Hijikata's grey sweater on her body. It smells like sandalwood. Just like him, she thought. Her maiden-in-love smiles falter when she recalled back the little fight they had before he put on the sweater on her shoulder.
Flash back…
Chizuru was in ecstasy from his touch. She suddenly felt the sensation disappeared and opened her eyes. Hijikata was looking at her, still smirking. "You desperately want men's attention right? Now you have what you want."
Chizuru felt disgrace at his remarks. Her breath turns rapid with rage. She pushed his away as his body burnt hers. Her eyes hot in tears. "You are such a cow! You stupid man!" Chizuru said with tears rolling down her cheeks.
"I'm a cow? I'm stupid? I was just giving what you want in the first place." His said in between his clenched teeth. The anger built inside her heart was released when she gave him a slap across his left cheek. Her legs felt wobbly, made Chizuru sat on the floor. She couldn't control her tears in humiliation. Hijikata felt guilty for saying such harsh words. He didn't mean to but he was just mad at her accusations. He took off his grey sweater, put on her shuddering shoulder and left the room.
Chizuru felt new lumps of tears threatened to fall down and wet her pillow. She quickly wiped it away and forced her eyes to shut. She just hoped tomorrow will turn out as usual and nobody asks her the incident's details. That night, Chizuru slept without taking her hands off at the edge of her borrowed sweater.
To be continued…
Hello dear readers. Thanks to those who "favs" and "follow" my first Hakuoki story and to Guest (I'm sorry I don't know your name. hahah) thanks for your review. That's a good suggestion. I'll include Takagi Tokio into the plot but not now. Maybe later to spice up the whole story line.
I'm too tired to reread the whole thing before publishing & I'm sorry if some of it might be weird/doesn't make sense/spelling mistakes etc. This chapter is slightly longer than the chapter before & I won't be updating until after 11th feb due to work. I'm very sorry again. Never the less, enjoy reading my story & please R&R.
Merci Beaucoup ^_^
p/s: I was listening to Joss Stone's song : It's a man's world, while creating Chizuru x Hijikata changing room's scene. Gosh..bad girl..bad girl :P