Kaoru
Urg. My head hurts. Misao really is a girl full of energy. I can't help but smile at her enthusiasm. I am glad that she's not mad at me anymore. She's kinda cute together with Shinomori. Well, basing from my observations, or at least until Megumi pointed it out, I can see that Shinomori fancies Misao. I have no doubt of that now. Not with the way I see how he is interacting with her. Well, I am like that towards Tomoe before. I just don't understand why does he thinks he likes me? Does this have to do with the wish? Making men fall for me even if they already have someone they really like? Arhg. Another headache.
"Kaoru-dono! Can you open the door for me!" yelled Kenshin, his voice muffled by the door. He's taking a bath, and I am in the living room watching something, or at least looking at that box not really paying attention to it. Not if my head hurts from all the tests that I have taken today due to my 3 days absence. And I also failed to greet Tomoe. I tried to greet her, but I can't have the chance to talk to her, my friends (at least that's what they say they are) always bothered me to no end.
I sighed as I heard the door was now being banged in different patterns and rhythm. "Sorry. Come in" I said not looking at all at the visitor. But when I looked up, I saw a very beautiful girl, together with an equally beautiful boy. Well I must admit that he's good looking. Although the girl appealed to me more. I'm still a man after all. The girl was wearing a white sundress, which was weird because it's rather chilly considering it's already night. She has black hair, which was tied into a messy bun. She has big violet eyes and a pale pink lips. The boy also has long hair tied in a high tail making it go everywhere, his bangs covering almost most of his face, he has sharp blue eyes and he's wearing a rather traditional light violet gi and dirty white hakama. "Uhm. Hello?" I said in a puzzled tone.
"Well, hello to you too" the girl greeted me with a small smile. The boy was still looking at me skeptically. He's like scrutinizing me. I should feel weird with his gaze, but I don't feel any hostility in his gaze.
"Uhm. I'm Kamiya Kaoru, I am er..Ke-Himura-san's housekeeper" I said bowing my head. Kenshin told me that if he got any visitor that I should introduce myself as his housekeeper.
"Kamiya Kaoru?" the boy narrowed his eyes to me. He has a deep voice. Damn it. Why is it with me today to observe such ludicrous things!? Maybe it's just the headache, I shook my head a little, not visible to the 2 visitor.
"Yes. Uhm-?" I wondered who these two are.
"I'm Toki, and this is my brother, Gentatsu. Nice to meet you Kaoru" the girl said as she held out her hand. I took it immediately and shook her hands and nod a little.
"You're really beautiful" the words slip off my mouth before I had the chance to stop myself. I immediately put both my hands in my mouth and I tried stopping the blush that I know is creeping in my cheeks.
Toki chuckled a little. "Thank you. Especially coming from someone as beautiful as yourself" said Toki smiling broadly at me. Well, this is really awkward.
I looked down, hiding my obvious embarrassment from Kenshin's visitor. "Are you gonna let us in?" Gentatsu asked in a rather calm voice, or cold.
"I'm so sorry!" I quickly apologized and stepped aside to let them in.
"Don't worry about it Kaoru-san" Toki said as she entered and smiled at me. His brother just gave me a short nod. Er. He's rather cold. Much like Shinomori in some ways, well at least with others. I closed the door after letting them in. "Uhm. Wait here for a minute, I'll go get Ken-Himura" I said to them and quickly went to get him.
I knocked in the bathroom. "Kenshin you have visitors. A Toki and a Gentatsu" I informed him. I heard him mutter a curse and heard a shuffling sound before the door opened. He was still wet and he's only in a short towel tied in his waist. I've already seen my body so there's really nothing to be ashamed of. "What do I do?" I asked him as I followed him to his room.
"Just let me change first. And don't talk to them" he glared at me as he slammed the door in my face. Damn this stupid redhead. I leaned on the wall next to the door of the redhead's room. He came out after a few while. His hair still damp was now in a low tail and he was wearing casual clothes. A blue polo shirt and a loose jeans. Although he's barefoot. I chuckled at his state of dress. "What are you getting so worked up for? Dressing like that?" I asked her as we strolled towards the visitors.
He gritted his teeth. He was obviously frustrated about something. "Remember when I told you that my father always compare me to my childhood friend?" he spat, his eyes narrowed to the boy's direction.
'Oh? So that's the guy who's oh so perfect?' thought of Kaoru looking at Gentatsu. "What about Toki-san? She's beautiful you know?" I said to him in a teasing manner. I rarely saw an opportunity to tease him so I'll make the best of it.
I heard the redhead sigh. "I know. I crushed on her for a long time since I was a kid. But I was rejected" he said sighing, forgetting about his hate to the brother.
"What?" I asked him. I'm really shocked that a guy like him would be rejected, er..although Tomoe rejected her, but she's different!
"Well, she's in love with another friend. It's hopeless. That guy is also in love with her. So I don't really stand a chance" he said looking at Toki. "Hey" he greeted the pair, getting their attention.
"Good evening Kenshin!" greeted Toki politely. She approached him and gave him a warm hug. Kenshin returned it. They separated after a few seconds.
"Good evening Toki-dono. Gentatsu" he greeted politely, not at all looking at the brother. "I believe you already met my housekeeper. Kaoru-dono" he said pointing at me, who was at his side.
"Isn't she supposed to be preparing something for us to drink?" Gentatsu said, obviously he did not buy the whole housekeeper thing.
"She's absolutely forbidden in the kitchen. The last time she tried preparing a meal, she wrecked the kitchen" Kenshin replied with venom, glaring at the guy.
"Onii-chan behave now. You know we are here for a favor" admonish Toki a little. "I apologize for his rude behavior Kaoru-san. Although I think he likes you, it's the first time he's talkative in front of a girl, other than me" said Toki smirking at her brother. Gentatsu clicked his tongue and bowed a little hiding his face from anyone. Toki chuckled as her brother shut up.
I ignored Kenshin's insult and favored the brother a look of utter confusion. He's really weird. I can't see his expression as his face was covered by his bangs. "A favor?" I heard Kenshin asked after a while.
"Yes Kenshin. We were wondering if you could help us with the orphanage?" came Toki's shy reply.
"Orphanage?" I wondered out loud apparently because Gentatsu looked at me and said in a calm voice
"We're conducting a play for the kids and we lack few characters"
"We actually need 2 more. A boy and a girl to be exact" added Toki, then looked at me. Shit. No. Not that! "Uhm. Kaoru-san. You'll help also, right?" Toki said to me with wide pleading eyes. How am I supposed to say no to that?!
"Uhm. Sure" I said immediately.
"Kaoru-dono" called out Kenshin in an eerie manner that sent shivers down my spine. Come one redhead! I really can't say no to that eyes! I just looked at him and hoped that he could get my inner thoughts. After some minutes of just looking at each other he broke contact and sighed. "Fine. I'll help too" Kenshin said as he looked at Toki.
"Thank you so much Kenshin! Kaoru!" she exclaimed and squeezed the two of us in a hug.
Kenshin
Toki and I talked after they told us the specifics of the play. Kaoru joined us time after time. I saw her from the corner of my eyes, looking at Gentatsu from time to time. Gentatsu never really changed. He's still not talkative. Very much unlike his sister.
"Is she your girlfriend Kenshin?" asked Toki to me in a low voice, so as not to get the attention of the other 2 occupants of the room who never really talked much.
"No. I told you, she's my housekeeper" I said to her with a straight face.
Toki chuckled. "Stop lying Kenshin. I saw the way you look at her" she chided.
"No. Really. She's not my girlfriend. She's not even my type. She's uhm..just staying here for the meantime, her payment is in the form of doing chores for me" I told her half of the truth, hoping that she'd stop teasing me or else I would explode from embarrassment.
"Fine. Don't tell me" Toki pouted. "But you should tell her how you feel" she insisted.
"What? So that I could be rejected again?" I blurted out without thinking.
Toki laughed catching the attention of the other 2 occupants. Gentatsu raised a brow at her laughter. Kaoru looked at her puzzled. "Sorry. Kenshin here just told me something interesting" she said smirking at me. I felt my face heat up and had to bow down a little to hide my face from them.
"Are you gonna tell us what he told you?" Gentatsu said with a straight face after a while.
Toki shook her head. I felt relieve that she's not gonna tell my secret to them. Shit I screwed up. I never actually told anyone how I feel about her. But I know I can trust Toki. "It's a secret" said Toki and winked at me. "By the way nii-chan, why don't you invite Kaoru-san to your soccer match next week" said Toki smirking at me. I know what she's doing! She's making me jealous. Shit!
"You do soccer?" asked Kaoru fully interested all of a sudden. Ah that's right, I forgot. She's really good at soccer, and she loves it.
"Would I be in a soccer match if I don't do soccer?" was Gentatsu's sarcastic reply.
"What?! I'm just asking!" came Kaoru's irritated reply. They were both glaring at each other.
"Onii-chan!" admonished Toki. Gentatsu ignored her and glared at Kaoru. Toki grabbed Gentatsu's shoulder to get his attention. It was actually the first time that I saw Gentatsu like this. I always saw him calm, solemn and cool. He'd only smile if Toki is happy or would do something silly. Maybe I really should watch out for him? I shook my head at that.
"Fine. I'm sorry. Okay? Yeah I do soccer. I love it. Happy now?" I heard Gentatsu looking at Kaoru. I saw Toki shook her head at her brother's weird behavior.
"Seriously, what's your problem?" said Kaoru in an exasperated tone as she slumped down the sofa she was sitting in. "And sorry also for snapping at you" she added not looking at Gentatsu. "Wanna play sometime?" asked Kaoru in a more friendly tone.
"Eh? Play?" wondered Gentatsu blinking at her. Toki remained silent, just observing them. I also followed her example and observed them.
And then they immediately fall into the topic of soccer. I couldn't believe that Gentatsu would be this talkative to a girl. I mean, he's always shy and cold towards a girl.
I saw Toki smiled just looking at the animated talk between the two. They were actually completely ignoring our presence. "I think onii-chan really likes Kaoru-san" I heard Toki –san. Great. Another guy to fall for her. Damn it. And it was Gentatsu for the love of God! Why does it have to be him! Arg. I just recently admitted my feelings towards her and now the perfect guy comes in as a competition?! I gritted my teeth, clenched my fists so hard while looking at them. I believe my eye color change because I felt Toki looking at me. I immediately hid my face from her. "Onii-chan I think we should probably go" Toki said after a while. "It's getting late and Shigure would flip if he didn't find us there. You know how he's a paranoid sometime" said Toki in a tired voice.
"Oh yeah. Okay" said Gentatsu and reluctantly stood.
Toki then looked at me and bowed politely. "Thank you Kenshin for accommodating us. And thank you both for agreeing to help us" she said as she bowed to Kaoru in a polite manner. "And it was nice meeting you Kaoru-san" said Toki smiling at her.
Kaoru returned the smile. Ah that smile again. I can't help but feel a little brighter. "It was a pleasure meeting you Toki-san" she returned the polite bow. "You too Gentatsu" she said smiling at him. And my gloom returned. I gritted my teeth, trying to calm myself. Why does she have to smile at him like that! She never smiled at me like that! Damn this woman.
"Yeah. Nice meeting you too Kamiya-san" Gentatsu returned in an equally polite manner.
"Kaoru will be fine" she said to Gentatsu
"Ah. Okay Kaoru then" said Gentatsu. Kaoru what are you doing? Flirting with this guy? You know I hate this guy, right? I mean father always compares me to him!
"I can still go to that soccer match, right?" she actually said. Kaoru! I know you like to watch soccer matches, but you have to be kidding me if you're actually going to go to his soccer match!
"Yeah. I'll give you 2 tickets so you can bring Kenshin along. Let's meet sometime and play" he actually said. What the hell. This is the first time he actually invited someone to meet.
"Alright! Just call or message Kenshin, I mean Himura when and where we'll meet" said Kaoru in a pretty excited manner. This is also my first time seeing her like this.
"Aren't you going?" I asked with venom, glaring at Gentatsu. No way in hell am I gonna let him make moves to my Kaoru! Er. No not my Kaoru. I mean Kaoru! Damn it! I want these feelings to go away!
Toki yawned. "Let's go nii-chan. Kenshin want alone time with his 'housekeeper' he wants to get rid of us now. I mean you specifically" said Toki then winked at me. Toki! What are you doing!
Gentatsu looked puzzled for a moment before nodding. He then held Toki's hand to support her as she's too sleepy. "Thank you" he said to Kaoru, not to me! And smiled a little to her.
"You should smile more often Gentatsu. You look more pretty, I mean handsome" said Kaoru smirking in his direction.
"Yeah, whatever" was his answer as they finally went out of the door to their car. Toki waved to us and Kaoru waved back.
Kaoru-day 1 of practice
"What's with you today?" I asked Kenshin as we were on our way home. We came from Toki-san and Gentatsu's house today, to practice for the play. It turned out that mine and Kenshin's role were not that important, I mean I am one of the servants and he's a bodyguard. The play is about a princess, played by Toki, in love with a commoner, played by her fiancé, Shigure.
Toki-san introduced me to Shigure. He's really tall. Has long hair too, tied in a tail with some strands lose. He has violet eyes. He's very friendly, always smiles. And very kind to their peers.
Anyway, the play. Well, how do I say this, it's kind of similar to Shakespear's Romeo and Juliet (at least that's what Gentatsu told me). The practice actually went well, the boys there didn't bother me or tried to hit on me.
"Nothing" was his reply, although his voice sounded very much pissed.
"Don't tell me nothing. You've been scowling the whole day" I said as I grabbed his wrist stopping him from walking, almost running.
I saw him grit his teeth and clenched his free fist. "It's none of your business!" he shouted and glared at me, then pulled his hand away harshly. He then rushed ahead leaving me behind.
What the hell is his problem!? He's been scowling since we went to Toki-san's house! Now that I think about it, maybe he's not yet over with Toki-san? Shit! Maybe he's scowling seeing his first love with her fiancé! Shit! How insensitive of me!
"Wait Kenshin!" I called out trying to get his attention. Luckily he stopped. "Er..Look I'm sorry for being insensitive. I know it must be hard to see Toki-san with Shigure" I said sincerely.
He grounded his teeth and sighed. And he finally looked at me! Eh? He looks dejected. What do I do?! I don't know how to comfort people like that!
"Nevermind. It's not really because of Toki" he said looking at me, seriously. "You got the tickets?" he asked.
"Tickets?" I kind of wondered. Oh Gentatsu's match! I nodded dumbly to him.
I saw him lean against the trunk of a tree near him. I did not notice at all that we're already in the park. "Are you really going? To the match I mean" he said.
"Yeah. You're coming with me, right?" I asked him. I really wanted to watch the match. I missed playing soccer, maybe watching will be enough? I also want Kenshin to be there, so he can see how exciting soccer is!
"You want me there?" he asked, hopefully?
"Well, yeah?" I was kind of unsure on what to answer.
And for the first time since I met him, he smiled, not smirk, or grin or that sarcastic smile not even that flirty smile. A real smile! And I just looked at him. His smile, how do I say this, made me want to hug him. But I won't ever do that! Not to Himura Kenshin! I shook my head and tried to smile back, although I knew that my smile looked really scary because Kenshin frowned. Then sighed.
"Okay. I'll go with you" he answered and strolled to our house, er their house. We walked home in an uncomfortable silence.
Kenshin-day 3 of practice
Damn it. Why are they getting closer everyday! Every time we go to practice, they'd usually talk to themselves. Gentatsu? Again? Defeated me?
"Are you alright?" I heard a female voice asked me. I looked at the girl who acted as the princess' best friend. What's her name again?
"Yeah. Don't worry" I answered and looked at where and Kaoru and that guy talking again. Geez. Every break they talk, Kaoru did not even talk to me during breaks. Grr. Am I really jealous!? Damn it.
"Kamiya-san is a very beautiful girl, ne?" I heard the girl said.
"Yeah" I answered without really thinking.
"Well, Gen-san seems to be interested in her. And she seems to like him as well. They'd make a cute couple. Don't you think?" she asked looking at the 2. Fuck. Does she have to rub it in my face that they look good together?
"Yeah. Whatever" I gritted out and excused myself. I really am trying to be cool now. What with what I just recently admitted my feelings and Kaoru being close with another guy. What the hell am I being jealous for!? It's not like I have the right to be jealous. Kaoru's not even my girlfriend. I slumped in a bench in the garden of Toki-san's house. I really should help Kaoru with the wish she made so everything will go back to normal, I want to stop my feelings for Kaoru. I can't be in love with a guy! No. Maybe that wish is also affecting me?
I suddenly felt something cold on my forehead. And I saw a shadow in front of me. Arg. Even my senses left because of all those thinking. I looked up and locked gazes with a worried sapphire orbs. "Are you sure you're alright Kenshin? You're frowning again" she said in a worried voice as she gave me a cold soda. I took it and she sat beside me. "Maybe we should go home?" I heard her say in a worried voice, I can feel she's looking at me. I kept looking at the drink that she gave me.
"I'm fine. I was just thinking of how to help you with your problem" I told her and looked at her. She looked quite surprised, then confused and then her lips twitched. Eh? What did I do to piss her off?
"Uhm. Thank you?" she sounded unsure, although I don't know why.
"Do you..uhm..you know like Gentatsu?" I asked without really thinking. "You don't have to answer if you don't want to" I quickly added. It was really hard trying to contain my cool façade.
"Yeah. I like him" she said. I was shocked and when I looked at her, she was looking up the sky. "He's the first guy that did not talk to me because I am beautiful? I mean, he likes soccer. But maybe if I'm a guy he'll not talk to me at all" she said and smiled at me with that smile she rarely shows.
I sighed. "Gentatsu isn't like that. He's cold yes, but he's not the type who'll talk to someone just because of what they looked like" I said. I know this because Gentatsu is well liked by everybody. He's not as popular as me but he's as kind as Kaoru is.
I heard her chuckle a little. Well, Kaoru is becoming more and more expressive these days. "Oh? I thought you hate him? Why are you suddenly defending him?" she teased me. Grr. This girl. She got the guts to tease me!
"What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be talking to your boyfriend?" and with that my heart ached. I know I said it, but I can't help but feel hurt with it.
Kaoru chuckled again. "Boyfriend? Are you kidding? Gentatsu is great and all, but I'm not in love with him. You do know that I still love Tomoe, right?" she said to me. Well, that hurts more. Tomoe again. I thought she already forgot about her. But then again, she's really a 'he.' Kaoru can't possibly like a guy with Tomoe around. But I heard from Takani that she and Akira is going steady.
"Have you heard? About Tomoe and Akira?" I asked her. I know this is hard for her but she had a right to know.
"Yeah" I heard her sighed dejectedly. I'm sorry Kaoru. I looked at her, she was looking up but this time her bangs was covering her eyes. "It hurts but I'm happy that Tomoe is happy. I still love her. But maybe, me being a girl is a blessing? I mean, maybe if I continue being like this I will be able to forget my feelings for her. Maybe me not being near her may help or so I hope" she said with a really sad voice.
I just looked at her. Is she loosing hope? Is she giving up now? Just like how she gave up on telling Tomoe that day? "You sure you really love Tomoe just like you say you do?" I asked her. She did not answer. "Then why are you giving up now?" I added, she remained silent. She never answered at all until Toki called us to continue with the practice. The rest of the day, Kaoru kept to herself. She didn't talk to anyone, not even Gentatsu.
Gentatsu-same day
Kaoru and I have become great friends. She's also into soccer like me. I thought all beautiful girls are condescending and brats but Kaoru isn't like that. She's a great girl, a beautiful girl. She's kind and always talks animated when she's talking about soccer. I sometimes see myself on her, loving soccer and all. I'm always shy around girls, but with Kaoru, I can always be myself without ever being shy.
I quite find it funny, although it does not show on my face, when I would catch Kenshin looking at us. He always frowns. I know he likes Kaoru but is just too conceited to admit it to the girl. Another thing peculiar about Kaoru though was that, I think she's not into Kenshin, which is a very rare situation. I've known him since we were little, and I know that he's a women magnet. He dated beautiful girls, like Kaoru, and it was the girls who confessed to her. So, Kenshin liking a girl and a girl not even bathing an eyelash at him is a very rare sight.
I find Kaoru attractive, really but I'm not in love with her. Toki did not know this but I like somebody else. Kaoru is more like a friend, a soccer buddy, nothing more. Yes she is attractive, but she's not my type. Although I find it annoying that every single person in the play would always ask me in private if I am in a relationship with Kaoru or if I am courting her. I told Kaoru about the girl I like, I know I can trust her even if I just met her, and she said that I should just go and tell my feelings. That I should not cower away, and that I should just be myself around her. I also told her that the others in the play thinks that I like her or that we are dating and she just laughed at that.
Kaoru usually, since the start of practice, after our breaks would talk to me about some things that she's not familiar with the play or about soccer or anything that we can think of. But when she returned from break this day, at least after she went out to look for Kenshin, she looked kind of down. She was fine a while ago, so I got really worried. Did they fight? Kaoru told me that Kenshin and her relationship is purely platonic, although I don't believe that, but it seems that she got down after they talked. So what really happened?
She did not talk to me for the rest of the day. I decided that I should talk to her after the practice, maybe there's something wrong.
I immediate approached her after the practice. "Are you alright?" she looked at me and I noticed that her bright blue eyes became a dull blue. Hmm, maybe there really is something wrong. I held her softly on her arm. "I am your friend Kaoru, so you can tell me what's wrong?"
I heard her sigh. "It's nothing, do you remember when I told you I like someone?" ah yes, Kaoru did tell me that she likes someone, I thought it was Kenshin but by observing her a little, I think it was not. I just nodded. "Well, that person had just become engaged" she said dumbly. I gaped. She was dumped? But she's so beautiful, not only in appearance but also her attitude. How could someone dump her! Then as if reading my thoughts she said "I was not dumped. I just never confessed" then bowed her head as if she was ashamed. "You see, I wanted very much to confess, but I got scared so I didn't" she scratched her head goofily and continued. "I know I told you to gather up courage to confess to Tae, but it was somewhat different in my case, things got a little…uhm complicated..so there" she tried to smile, really tried, but it was futile. Her eyes were dull blue, and her face totally devoid of any expression, it was like she was in a mask, only the color of her eyes is the indication that she was sad.
I seriously did not know what to do, the only thing I can think of is "Let's play soccer" then puller her slightly, for her to follow me to a space in our garden where I usually practice some kicks.
"Kaoru let's go" I heard Kenshin in the background but I did not stop from pulling her. I released her hand once we were in the garden and I got the soccer ball in the corner. We started passing the ball to each other with our foot. I can see that she's still depressed about it. But after a few minutes of playing, she finally relaxed a little. Then we played against each other, she on the offense and I on the defense. Then we were completely unaware of our surrounding as we were so immersed in our little game. At least she cheered up now, even if only a little.
When Kaoru kicked the ball, while I was on the defense, she tripped. I immediately ran towards her, "Are you alright Kaoru?" I asked, and I released a relieved sigh when I found she wasn't injured, nor was her foot is sprained. "So you're clumsy when you're down?" I teased her, looking at her. She was still lying on the grass while I sat beside her flopping my hands on the back to support my weight. She was silent. "Don't give up just yet Kaoru. Just tell him your feelings" I tried to console her. She sat up, then I looked at her and saw her looking on the front porch.
"Thanks Gen. It's really silly of me to give up now, ne?" at least she sounded more like herself now.
"Kaoru. We're going home now" we heard a very low and angry, I noticed from the tone, voice behind us. We both looked and saw Kenshin staring down at us. More like, he was shooting daggers at me with his glares. If looks can kill, I'd probably drown on my own blood by now.
"Okay. Thanks again Gen" Kaoru said then gave smacked my back then stood and walked out of the gate without waiting for Kenshin, who was busy glaring at me.
"Gen?" he quirked a brow at me. "You got her to call you Gen?" she hissed at me.
I looked at him, then smirked. Oh, is he jealous? I would probably laughed my ass off. But it would be so out of my character. "Yeah" I said with amusement, although I think it didn't show. I stood and dusted my pants for any grass remnants. "Bye Ken" I said then went inside the house, leaving a very angry and frustrated Kenshin.
