AUTHOR'S NOTE: Heyya! It's been a while! Sorry for the late update!
As promised, starting this chapter will be about how Ginhiji happens.
Enjoy!
When I see him, he pisses me off.
When he's starting to care,
It pisses me even more.
~ Hijikata
Entered the usual restaurant, Hijikata strides in casually. He remembers to always put off his cigarette when he is inside. He has to respect the ground rules that are clearly stated by the owner of the shop.
Upon mentioning the owner, Hijikata recalls that the old lady who does not look well for the past few days. Her husband passed away a month earlier and she seems to struggle handling the business on her own. As a big fan of the restaurant's dishes, including his special request Hijikata special, he always comes by and eat. He may be busy with work but he will drop by at least once a day, showing support towards the old lady, even though she does not know it.
Hijikata hides his emotions effectively. No one can pick on them. In some way, he is living up to his position as the vice chief of Shinsengumi.
Taking a seat at the counter, Hijikata makes himself comfortable when he receives a message from his phone. He retrieves it, looking attentively on his screen.
Not to be rude, he places his order verbally without looking up. "Domo, Oba-san. The usual, please."
Hijikata cannot lift his gaze off the screen of his phone, as anger boils learning Yamazaki's lazy excuse of not writing a proper report because he is busy for his badminton tournament.
Like he gives a damn! Hijikata grits his teeth, about to call his subordinate when the bowl is landed right in front of him.
He hopes just with the sight of mayo will lighten up his mood. His indigo eyes widen in pure shock as he stares at the mayonnaise shaping into a kanji meaning 'Die'.
"Oba-san, this is not-"
Hijikata holds his tongue as he looks up to a white permed man with green apron over his usual black shirt and white kimono.
"Who're you calling Oba-san, Teme?" groans Gintoki, his dead red eyes glaring down at him. "Eat up and scram."
"Huh?!" Hijikata jolts in a stand. "What the hell are you doing here?!"
"Is your brain rotten from all those mayonnaise? Can't you tell what I'm doing? Ah, you're troublesome as always," Gintoki slurs, digging his ear. "Listen okay. Gin-san don't like to repeat himself. I'm here because Oba-san hires me to cook the dishes for the whole week. She's paying me and also promised to give me free food. Sounds like a good deal."
"Good deal, my ass!" Hijikata yelps. "You sound like you're taking advantage of her kindness. Call her out now."
"She's not here," Gintoki huffs, flicking his ear snot on Hijikata's bowl.
"Why did you do that?" Hijikata grabs Gintoki's apron. "You don't even have good manners to treat your customers. You are not eligible to work here. Quit now."
"Uruse!" Gintoki slaps his grip off him. "If you don't like me here, then don't come here anymore. I have better paying customers than you. Definitely ordering something more delicious than that stupid special of yours."
Hijikata stretches his eyes, hearing Gintoki mock his dish. One hand is already gripping his sword while he stares right into those dead red eyes. Hijikata never understands why everything about Gintoki pisses him off. The white haired mofo always appears randomly, when he is least expected. He does not look like he takes any effort to agitate Hijikata but he always does it without fail. Hijikata wants to really strike his sword on him, hard enough for a good scare so he will not mess with Hijikata.
From experience however, Hijikata knows where he stands in terms of strength and skills. Gintoki definitely has the upperhand.
Hijikata retreats and turns away. "What a waste of time. I'll come next week then."
"Don't tell me," Gintoki hisses. "As if I want to know."
"Ano, Gin-san! I'd like to place an order!" a customer calls for Gintoki who hurries to the table.
Hijikata cusses and marches to the door. He gives the idiot one last glance that surprisingly make him stop by the door. He cannot believe what he is seeing.
Gintoki is smiling at the customer, eyes upturned crescents and lips stretched softly, showing off his kissable cheeks. The sight of Gintoki treating with sincere and care is mindblowing. Hijikata seldom sees him like that, not with the Yorozuya kids or even with himself. The lazy arse who bosses around his kids is actually putting efforts to please the customers.
What wicked spell did Oba-san cast on him?
When the pair of red eyes connect with Hijikata's, the vice chief hurriedly exits and blows a sigh. What the hell was he doing? Staring at Yorozuya idiot? Why...
Why is his heart racing like it is about to burst?"
Calm down, calm down. Maybe he is deprived of mayo right now.
Yamazaki. Hijikata remembers his favourite target to vent his frustration.
"Thank you for coming!"
Gintoki bows at the last customer who leaves. As soon as the curtain of the doors fall, the white permed man falls forward, hugging the counter. He is tired beyond tired, and he regrets not dragging Kagura and Shinpachi along. They definitely are playing at Shimura's. Gintoki was just having breakfast at the restaurant as usual. He became concerned when he saw the heavy eyebags Oba-san have in the morning.
The poor old woman had not been getting enough rest and sleep. Gintoki kindly offered an advice that she should hire someone younger and able to cover her job while she took her rest. It was a matter of convenience that Gintoki was free and being the Boss of Odd Jobs, he could not refuse her request.
Who would have thought that carrying out business in a restaurant alone can be this tiring?
It is a bonus that Gintoki can cook the dishes she cooks. Only a certain dish he refuses to serve. Hijikata's special, what's with that dog food? It is not even special at all, just mayo on rice. Even a birdbrain like Hijikata can make that on his own.
Realised the time, Gintoki straightens up and gets ready to close the shop. Oba-san should be happy to see the earnings of today. Maybe he should take his share first and play Pachinko on his way back.
"I'm coming in."
A voice is heard from outside. Gintoki flinches looking at the door. "Please come back tomorrow. The shop's closed now."
"Good timing then."
Gintoki gasps seeing Hijikata enter. "You again? Oi, oi. Are you trying to pick a fight with me? I'm too tired. Come back tomorrow, tax robber."
"That's too bad," Hijikata sighs and raises a bottle of sake. "I have this bottle of sake confiscated from a robber and I cannot let my subordinates drink this. I thought of giving it to you."
Gintoki raises his brows in surprise. "Me? Oi, don't underestimate me. Do I look like I need your charity?"
"The sake at the end of the day like this tastes great, you know," Hijikata tosses the bottle to Gintoki as he catches it promptly.
Gintoki looks at the bottle before looking back at the vice chief. "Why?"
"Heard Oba-san was sick."
"You visited her?"
Hijikata shrugs his shoulder. "Just happened that her house is within my patrol designated area today. I'm here with her message too."
Gintoki clicks his tongue. "What?"
"That you won't stay very late and also get some rest," Hijikata takes a cigarette from the box and bites the white stick. "So hurry on your way back. There have been sights of robbers lately. Make sure you lock the doors and windows of this shop before you leave."
Hijikata turns around and intends to leave.
"Oi, is this expired or something?" Gintoki slurs.
"Teme," Hijikata bristles.
"If it is not, give someone else. You should know better I have no one at home who can drink with me. If that Kusobaba finds out, she will take it as rent payment. So take it back," Gintoki holds out the sake bottle.
"Fine then! I drink with you now! I prove to you it's not expired!"
Hijikata walks towards the four seated table while Gintoki is jawdropped. Did he even sound like he is inviting the vice chief for a drink?
A loud sigh escapes Gintoki as he grabs the saucers. Gintoki sits opposite of Hijikata and he pours a good amount on both saucers.
A quick chuckle escapes Gintoki.
"What?" Hijikata grumbles.
"This is really an unusual setting," Gintoki notes. "I never imagined drinking with you alone. Give me the chills."
"Stop acting like a high school girl," Hijikata grunts and holds his saucer. Before Gintoki can form a reply, Hijikata chugs down all and wipes his lips with the back of his hand.
"Oi, oi. Are you having a bad day, Ogushi-Kun? Control your alcohol," Gintoki smirks. "You're still in uniform. Are you sure you should be drinking now?"
"Shut up," Hijikata takes the bottle and pours some more. "It's none of your concern."
What the hell did he just blabber? That bloody white haired man should be bothered! Just sitting together, just the both of them in the empty restaurant! If anything happens here, Gintoki will be held responsible.
Hijikata hiccups. "You're not drinking."
"Seeing you like this ruins my appetite," Gintoki states, hooking his chin on his hand, resting his elbow on the table. "I didn't take you as a busybody. You're actually bothered about that old lady to have visited her."
Hijikata chugs another gulp and slammed the saucer down. "I'm not a man if I don't care about the person who prepared me food."
"Ah? You are that bothered," Gintoki sips his saucer.
"Of course I do," Hijikata says almly. "A samurai respects whoever gives him food. It is important to have food in stomach so he can work or fight effectively."
"But your meal is just mayonnaise and rice, idiot," Gintoki groans, pouring more sake onto his saucer. "That kind of diet can kill you! I honestly don't know why Oji-san even agreed making it for you."
"Yeah," Hijikata nods. "Only Oji-san and Oba-san do. Only them."
Gintoki freezes for a moment, noticing melancholy in Hijikata's gaze. He does not think Hijikata would appreciate this much. The sullen eyes prove that he missed savouring that dish specially made for him. At first, Gintoki thought he was being childish with his fetish. Now Gintoki can tell Hijikata is attached to the old couple, as though they were his foster parents.
Hijikata does not realise he is letting his guard down, acting like that stubborn child in the family. Probably because he is drunk, he is behaving this way.
"Nice," Hijikata hiccups again. "Nice folks."
With another gulp, Hijikata wipes his lips with the back of his hand again. He has no idea Gintoki is staring at him without a blink of an eye. The silverhead cannot resist staring, watching Hijikata unfold a vulnerable side of him.
Gintoki sighs. "Could it be Hijikata Special is not the dish but the ones who made the dish?"
Immediately Hijikata's face blooms red. "What rubbish are you talking about?"
"I was just asking," Gintoki nervously giggles.
"Seriously, you're an idiot, Yorozuya. We were just having a good atmosphere and you ruined it!"
"Good atmosphere you say? More like me watching you get drunk."
"What a waste of time! Enough already! I'm leaving!"
Hijikata rises to his feet and drags hiimself towards the door. Just when he reaches the curtains, his arm is grabbed from behind and he turns a bit. Warm red eyes dawn on him, a white smile stretched across his face.
"It can't be helped," Gintoki smirks. "I'll prepare your dog food until she comes back."
"Did you just call it dog food, Teme?!" Hijikata scowls. "I don't need you to do it."
"Don't get me wrong, Mayora. I'm only doing this for the old lady."
Hijikata is irritated. "Didn't you hear me? I don't need you to do it! Dig your ears, stupid!"
Even though Hijikata is rejecting Gintoki, Gintoki does not let Hijikata's arm go. Surprisingly, Hijikata is not pulling his arm away too. Stood closely to one another, with Gintoki's hand on Hijikata's arm, they both hardly realised they freeze like that longer than necessary.
In honesty, Gintoki does not know how to react to his rejection. For the first time, Gintoki is actually sincere with his words. To be told not to do it really hit Gintoki hard that made him quiet for a moment.
"What are you staring at, stupid?" Hijikata blurts out, not pleased with Gintoki's silence.
Gintoki releases Hijikata's arm and tousles his own permed hair. "You're really troublesome."
"Too bad for you, stupid Yorozuya!" Hijikata yells at him. "I'm leaving now."
"Whatever! Just so you know, I'm not taking back my words!"
Hijikata raises his brows, confused. Gintoki takes the chance to return back to the table and cleans up.
"What words?" Hijikata asks without hesitation.
"If you feel like eating that dish, just drop by and I prepare it for you. Understand?" Gintoki lifts up his gaze from the table and notices the vice-chief disappear from his spot, leaving the restaurant without a word.
A loud breath escapes the white samurai. "Seriously, how did Gorilla handle him? He's way too difficult to handle. I don't understand him at all."
Marching down the street, Hijikata blows a long breath of smoke and bites the cigarette. He puts off airs of confidence and calm but only God knows his heart was beating like a bullet train. He was too embarrassed when he heard Gintoki would stubbornly prepare his meal.
Why did his words make Hijikata happy that he was about to cry?
Hijikata shook his head. It must be the sake. It was playing crazy tricks with his mind. Gintoki was not acting all caring or anything.
No, no, no. That bastard did not care about Hijikata.
He was acting like he actually cared.
Yes.
He definitely had a secret agenda. Maybe he wanted Hijikata to buy him parfaits. Or lottery tickets.
Yes, Gintoki did not care about him.
Hijikata gazes at the moon above. "Did he really care?"
To be continued...
Thank you for reading!