Disclaimer: I do not own Noragami.
Hiyori's first impression of Sakamoto Toshio was that he was a serious and quiet person.
Throughout the meeting, she kept catching him sneaking glances at her, his face completely expressionless. Their eyes would meet, brown clashing with pink. He wouldn't, however, look away in guilt for being caught, but hold her gaze long enough to make her start feeling self-conscious. Only then would he turn back towards the ongoing conversation.
They were now walking around the Japanese style garden surrounding the hotel; the sound of her geta hitting the rock path the only thing between them. He kept a few steps ahead of her, not even glancing back. It gave Hiyori the chance to observe him discretely.
He was too tall, she thought. Too serious looking. He even wore glasses. His dark brown hair was neatly combed back, except for the strand that fell between his eyes. He looked stiff. His back was straight, and he held his head high. His expensive looking suit was neatly pressed, no wrinkle, not even a crease in sight.
He worked as a doctor. Was certainly an upstanding citizen. The kind of man her mother would love her to marry.
She looked down at his hands that were swinging by his side. Delicate and smooth looking. The hands of a healer – not a fighter. She could smell his light cologne in the air. It still couldn't mask the distinctive smell that seemed to follow every doctor she knew.
"Iki-san," she startled at his voice. Looking up, she saw him glancing back at her.
He slowed down his pace to meet hers. In the process, his arm accidentally brushed against hers, causing him to jump away from the contact – flustered - the first real emotion she saw on his face since the start of the omiai.
His reaction surprised her.
She saw him clench his jaw, and then smooth his face back to the neutral expression from before.
"I will be completely honest with you. I work many hours at the hospital. I am far from perfect… My only girlfriend left me saying that I was too serious, too uptight, too focused on my work." He paused, waiting for her to say something. When she didn't react he confessed:
"But…I love being a doctor…helping people" - she threw a glance at him, slowly halting her steps until they came to a stop on a red, wooden bridge - "My most treasured moments are when I see my patients smile."
Hiyori couldn't help smiling at that. Sakamoto-san adjusted his glasses, looking slightly embarrassed.
"I have heard a lot about you from your Father, and from your Mother on the occasions she had visited the hospital. I understand that this is abrupt and maybe even unwanted attention… Frankly, you don't seem to like me –" she couldn't hide the wince that came over her "— it is understandable. We barely know each other," he was quick to add.
"…But if you let me…I promise, I will make you happy for the rest of your life."
He bowed deeply before her. When he straightened up, his glasses were slightly skewed; his neat hair now a bit messed up. He didn't move to adjust his glasses or straighten his hair. He stared right into her eyes, waiting for her answer.
Hiyori felt herself going red, a hot blush spreading from her neck to her cheeks and to he tips of her ears. She opened her mouth to say something, but nothing came out. She closed it, swallowing. Her hand tightened around her purse. Her eyes darted around before meeting his again.
Sakamoto-san looked nervous, but he didn't rush her, waiting patiently for her answer. They stood there in silence - seconds turning into minutes. Sakamoto-san's expression slowly turned to one of disappointment as he looked away.
Making up her mind, Hiyori straightened her back, and bowed.
"I'm sorry, Sakamoto-san…I truly appreciate your offer…but…I just… I just can't."
They stood there for a brief moment in silence.
"I understand."
She hesitantly looked up. Sakamoto was looking out into the distance. He held onto the bridge rail leaning forward to look at the creek running underneath the bridge. He looked resigned but at the same time less tense.
She hesitated before asking, "Should we head back?"
He turned slightly towards her, his eyes not really meeting hers. The smile on his lips – the first one she saw - looked sad.
He shook his head. "Please go ahead without me."
She lingered on the bridge for a brief moment, before turning around to walk back to the tea pavilion. Suddenly, Sakamoto-san grabbed her by the kimono sleeve, startling her into dropping her purse. Apologizing profusely, he bent down to pick it up. He brushed it carefully from any dirt, handing it back to her. She went to take it from him, but he firmly held onto it.
He looked straight into her eyes. "If it is all right…please keep my contact information, Iki-san. In case…well, in case you change your mind... I…," he trailed off, not finishing his sentence.
He slowly let go of her bag.
She nodded.
AN: Thank you for reading!
I feel that I have to put it out there - before I start losing readers. This is in no way a HiyorixOC story.
On another note, I now agree with a person that said 'Don't upload your story unless it's finished!' So yup, the last page of this fic has been written. I just need to polish things up. You can expect regular updates. Say, once a week, or every other week. Again, thank you for reading, follows, and reviews.
ed. 4/4/14 Sorry, minor edits. No matter how many times I reread before posting, there is always a mistake somewhere.