Blaze Blue: The Crimson Rose

Chapter 21: Kicking back to relax

"Who wants takoyaki and meat buns!" Ichi asked

"We do!"

Ichi's POV

This is great, sitting back to relax after a battle, eating with friends, and most of all I finally killed Terumi. Hanging out at Miss Litchi's clinic is nice, at first she was a little freaked to see Ragna with us again, but she was just happy to know that I was alright. I'm really happy to see my mom again, she might not know me but I'm happy either way.

"These meat buns are the best!" Taokaka exclaimed

"Your right Tao, you must be a great cook." Litchi complimented

"I'm not that good, my brother taught me all I know." I said, laughing "Though I can only cook a few meals."

"There still good either way nii-san." Fu said, taking another bite

"Rachel, don't you want to eat?" I asked

"The princess doesn't eat commoners food!" Nago snorted

"Nago is right, I would never touch this kind of food." Rachel answered "But... if you could feed it to me, perhaps I could stomach it."

"Princess!?" Nago and Gii exclaimed

"Sure, why not."

I guess this is one way to thank Rachel for all she's done for me; when I saw her blush after tasting my takoyaki, I could tell that she liked it. She smiled and said "Thank you, you are a magnificent chef."

"Thanks Rachel, but Po deserves the compliment more than I do." I said blushing

"Come on Ichi, now your making me blush." Po said, blushing like I was

"Hey, where's Shifu?" I asked

"Over there with Noel." Ragna answered

Right, I'm still confused with how Noel likes cute things; she was holding Shifu closely, feeling his ears like he was a teddy bear... well, in a way he is.

"So Ragna, what are you going to do now?" I asked

"Don't know, the libray is gonna come after me sooner or later." He answered "I guess I'll travel somewhere until they give it a rest."

"Maybe Noel can help you out."

"What?" Noel asked

"He did save you, so the least you can do for him is owe him a favor." I explained

"Well, I'll try."

"Thanks Noel."

"Big brother!"

I turned to see a kid wearing a purple top hat and outfit; I smiled and said "Hey Carl, what's up?"

"Welcome back!" He greeted

I knew it might be wrong to let him think of me as a big brother, since I am going to leave sooner or later; which is why I asked my mom to look after him when I was gone. But he said he would be fine, after all he is a vigilante. I said "Thanks, want some?"

"Sure!"

"So what about you?" Ragna asked "Are you going back home?"

"Yeah, but I promise to visit you guys." I answered "Why'd you ask, would you miss me Ragna?"

"Yeah right!" He snorted

"Somebody's cranky, are you still mad that you lost your 'alone time' hand?" I teased

"You son of a..."

But before he could finish, Shifu whacked me upside the head and said "Watch what you say Ichi."

"Serves you right you little...!?"

Shifu then whacked Ragna on the head and said "As for you, whatch what you say to my son."

"Yes sir." He muttered

"Sorry, Ragna." I apologized

I gotta remember to watch what I say near Shifu; that's when I heard Rachel ask "So, are you leaving?"

"Well I thought I could stay for one more day." I answered "I realized that I never really got to know you, so I want to spend one more day with you... so I can get to know the real you."

"... Wait, then that means...!?"

"Yes Ragna, Ichi likes Rachel." Shifu answered, smiling "She likes him as well, which explains the kiss she gave him before."

"She what?" Po and Ragna exclaimed

"Don't tell him though."

Rachel's POV

"I see... well if you like I can tell you more about me." I said smiling

"I'd love that." He said smiling

He cares about me enough to get to know me, I never met someone like him before. Ichi's kind and caring, he knows how I feel, my desires. I wonder, can I tell him how I feel again? One more day, if I can... I'll tell him then.

"Princess?" Gii asked

"I'm fine... I'm actually looking forward to tomorrow." I said smiling

To be continued

Can she tell her true feelings before Ichi leaves? Chapter 22 coming soon.