« Have I told you already how much I think this is a bad decision ? »
Kurozawa-sensei was grumbling again, just like he did every single time when she was putting on her sandals to go to the Shieikan.
« Not today. » smiled Haruhi « And maybe you should remind me tomorrow as well. »
« Count on me... » he muttered « that Okita-san is damn insane and you owe him nothing. He's just taking advantage of your kindness. Be careful, Fujita, the more you will give him and the more he will ask for. I know how it works... If one night you're late to come back, I'll send the police straight away and we'll see what happens ! That Okita-san may be gifted but lots of warriors reoriented in the police. They won't be defeated that easily and they have the right to carry firearms which clearly is an advantage... Okita-san'd better not lay a single finger on you... You're too kind, you know that ? You'll regret it one day. You should walk on him... »
« See you tonight, Ojiisan ! » waved Haruhi with a smile.
« You're not even listening... » he sighed « What value has the opinion of an old fool for a young woman in love, huh ? »
But he was right, Haruhi wasn't listening. She heard the same speech over and over for days now, every time she was leaving for the Shieikan. She thought it would probably be hard, to be in proximity with Souji again, but in the end, it was okay. He respected her decision not to be involved with him and it seemed like seeing her come back to him everyday was enough to keep his spirit high. He seemed pleased to see that she hadn't lie to him and actually took her position seriously. The boys were also very glad to have her back and they were training diligently. Some of them were really improving fast and Haruhi had mixed feelings about this. Of course, she was proud to see them getting better and follow her teaching but they would never wield real swords so was there really a point ? But that also meant that their hands would stay forever clean of the stains of blood, unlike Souji's, her father's and even hers and Chizuru-neechan's.
After her courses, Haruhi was ordering around the Shieikan and trying to reduce a bit the ambient chaos induced by her departure. Souji hadn't really bothered to tidy or clean and he even destroyed some furnitures with his swords or his bare hands out of anger. All the training mannequins were of no use anymore and many other things needed to be repaired. Haruhi was glad that Souji passed his nerves on inanimate objects and not people, but it still was impressive to witness the extent of his wrath. It was as if a typhoon had entered the Shieikan. She wondered how students couldn't have been scared by this but maybe they didn't see him in action and he found some clever, funny explanations to laugh about it.
She wasn't especially avoiding Souji but she was careful not to be overly friendly. Souji was engaged and they were now nothing more than collegues so she was cordial and polite but not more than that. She still had to figure out a plan and every passing day was increasing the anguish in her heart because of Souji's incoming wedding. If she were to fail and Souji married Tama, she would be glad that she put that distance and these boundaries between them.
« Do you need help, Haru-chan ? » asked Souji as she was tying planks of wood together to try and make a training mannequin.
« I'm fine. » she nodded « I just need one for tomorrow but I'll try to repair the other ones soon. If I keep making the boys slice the air, they're gonna loose their mind at some point. They need to hit something and I'd rather not have them hitting each other for now. »
She had the youngest boys and the least experienced ones, they could really hurt each other's due to their weak constitution and their lack of technique, even with shinai, bamboo swords.
« Yeah » chuckled Souji « sometimes it's better to have a target. »
« Yeah well next time you need to hit something, I'd rather not have you damage the dojo's stuff. »
« That's your fault. » he pouted.
« I didn't break the mannequins and other stuff. » she protested « the only culprit is you and your impulsivity. Stop trying to put your mistakes on my shoulders. »
« Stop hissing, kitten » he pated her head « let me help you. »
« I thought we were over the kitten nickname. » she stated angrily.
« Not my fault if you hiss and spit like a feral cat. » he chuckled « makes me want to shut your mouth with mine. »
« I hope you'll watch your mouth when Tama will be living here. » she frowned.
« So do I. »
Souji and Haruhi both turned to the entrance of the Shieikan to find Tsune standing there, bowing politely.
« A-Ah ! » stuttered Haruhi « Kondou-san ! Sorry ! »
« Haruhi-san » she smiled « I didn't know you were back. »
« It's only been a few days. » she explained as if she needed to justify herself.
« I thought you'd have the sense not to come back here since Tama is soon to be at Souji's service. » she said politely but Haruhi could feel the poison in her voice.
« I asked her. » stated Souji, arms crossed.
« You once had affection and respect for Tama, Haruhi-san » she continued, unfazed « trying to stray her futur husband from proper path isn't really the behaviour I expected from someone my daughter gladly refers to as a friend. »
« Kondou-san » said Haruhi « If Souji indeed marries Tama, be assured that I wouldn't bring shame on her in any way. »
An exterior eye could see this exchange as polite but the unspoken words of this conversation were heavy with meaning on both sides.
« I am glad to hear this. » she bowed « Tama wanted to put you on the guest list so I guess I will oblige. She will enjoy to have her friend supporting her for her special day. Maybe one day, she will support you for yours. »
In other words, you want to have me watch while the man I love marries another one.
« What do you want Tsune-san ? » asked Souji, probably able to read between lines and deciphering that the women would soon be at each other's throats.
« I wanted to have a talk with you about the wedding list, the guests and the meal. » she bowed respectfully « If you have a minute. »
« I'm at your disposition. » he said politely « I'll make some tea and we'll speak about it. »
« I can make some, Souji. » said Haruhi « don't bother. You and Kondou-san go somewhere private and I'll bring it to you. »
« Thank you, Haruhi. » he smiled.
She went to the kitchen, her heart heavy. Yet, even if the poison in Tsune's voice stung her, she knew that it was because the woman was afraid and considering her a threat. That marriage was based on nothing by filthy lies.
Haruhi put two cups on a tray and walked to the room Souji was usually using for private matters, the same one he locked her in. Kneeling, she wanted to slid the shoji but stopped her motion halfway, listening.
« You can't keep her here as a pet, Souji-kun. Isami always told me you were an honorable man and that you'll respect Tama. »
« I'll respect her. Haruhi is here as instructor so that the Shieikan can be prosperous. Nothing more. »
« A man would be better indicated to take that position. Allowing a girl to hold such responsabilities would only reflect poorly on the Shieikan's reputation. Isami wouldn't have tolerated this. »
« I don't think neither of us can speak for Kondou-san on that matter. He never spoke to me about forbidding girls here. »
« Have you already seen one ? You spent all your life here. Tell me Souji, have you seen girls students and sensei here ? »
« No. » he confessed « but that doesn't mean Kondou-san was opposed to it. Female warriors aren't common near Edo. It was a province too prosperous for that. Even samurai were putting down their swords for the appeal of coins and political power. »
« Souji-kun... » sighed Tsune « You know how Tama is fragile and naive. Having another woman under your roof wouldn't be respectful to her. When you two will be married, I hope you will decide to honor Tama and bless her with sons instead of loosing yourself in vain fantasies. »
« I will respect Tama and I will do my duty as husband but I cannot promise I'll be faithful. I have no reason to be. »
« I'm not asking you to be. Most men aren't and needs are made to be quenched. But not under this roof. You'll find all you want in Yoshiwara if Tama doesn't bring you satisfaction on that level. It is final that you must get rid of Haruhi before the wedding. »
« I can't. And I'm sure Tama would be happy to have a friend here and not be alone all the time with a man she doesn't even love. »
« Lust like all things, fades with the passing of years, sometimes even months or weeks. You may be clouded by desire for the girl's flesh now but you'll forget eventually. Tama's young too and she has remained untouched. You're about to receive a wonderful gift and you cling to an old toy. »
That was enough for Haruhi and she made her presence acknowledged by sliding the shoji. She quietly brought the tea and bowed, ready to get out again. She barged into the room because she wanted to say something, to defend herself and Souji, but now that she was there, she was out of words. Frustrating.
When she turned around though, Souji caught her hand and she turned back to the table, surprised.
« Don't ever say again » said Souji with eyes as dark as pine « that only lust guide my steps and don't ever disrespect Haruhi again or our relationship might deteriorate at a frantic pace, Tsune-san. »
Never Haruhi would have expected that Souji could stand up like this in front of Kondou-san's wife. What is more, for her. She felt so warm and proud that she thought her heart could explode under the pressure. Souji was threatening Tsune and her face was priceless. She probably expected that she could play him like a puppet and she surely could have, if Haruhi wasn't a part of the picture.
Take that, you snake.
« I think you owe Haruhi some apologies. » continued Souji « I will not let her be insulted under my roof. »
« Tama's roof. » corrected Tsune, red with shame and anger to see Souji turn against her.
Souji crossed his arms and waited for Tsune to apologize but she wasn't in spirit to do so. Instead, she stood up and held her chin high like a queen.
« I think it is better for everyone to report our conversation for a better time. I intend for you to come back to your senses, Souji. »
« I share that wish. » quipped Haruhi, bowing politely.
Soujo chuckled and Tsune became even more red, fulminating. She didn't ask for anyone to accompany her out and just walked on them, getting back to her house. She may not have lost the war yet, but she did lost that battle. Haruhi wasn't going anywhere for now.
« Souji » she said, turning to him « thank you. »
« I couldn't let her compare you to a toy. » he smirked « even if the thought is quite pleasant. »
« Can't you just accept my thanks without embarrassing me ? » she muttered.
« No. » he said, pulling her to his lap « because you're a lot too cute when you're embarrassed. »
« Souji ! » she scolded « That's not an acceptable behaviour in your current situation ! »
« I don't care » he said softly « Let me forget, just for a moment... »
He pressed his lips on hers and she put her palms on his chest to repell him but found herself too weak to do so. Instead, she replied to that kiss she craved for so long and Souji deepened it, pulling gently her hair and caressing her skin down her throat as he was biting on her lip the way he used to before his engagement, before all this mess.
« I love you. » he whispered in her mouth before pressing his lips again so that she wouldn't reply, reject or scold him.
Haruhi's palms quitted his chest to drape his neck, grabbing handfuls of his hair to keep him pressed against her. That wasn't smart, neither cautious, but love never had been known for making people act rationally.
« Haruhi... » he eventually said, releasing her mouth « Stay with me always. »
« I'll try to make that happen, Souji. » she replied.
« Even if I marry ? »
« I'm gonna stop this wedding. » she smirked.
« Ara ? » he smiled with a sparkle that had been too long absent of his eyes « How ? »
« I don't know yet » she confessed « But I'll find a way. »
« I don't think there is one. » he sighed « I'm not gonna stray from Kondou-san's wish. As much as I want to kidnap you and run away. »
Haruhi smiled and Souji kissed her again, this time with less passion and desperation. He trusted her. That's what the kiss meant.
« I love you, Souji. » said Haruhi, overwhelmed.
« Ne, Haru-chan ? » he said, nipping her neckside « you're not planning a bloodbath ? »
« Tempting. » she chuckled « I haven't thought of that. I'll keep that idea in a corner of my head as last resort. »
Souji escaped a bark of laughter and he pulled on her yukata to continue the course of his lips but Haruhi's hands stopped him.
« I can't let you. » she said « not when you're promised to another. »
« I know » he smirked « I might have tried to push my luck. »
Haruhi didn't say anything and Souji lifted both his hands in surrender. He caught the two cups of tea she brought and handed her one.
« Not gonna let this go to waste, huh ? » he smiled.
She took the cup and got off his lap to share the tea with him peacefully, happy to see that he was respecting her wishes. The tea had a taste of victory and she couldn't help but smile when she remembered Tsune's face. War was declared and it wouldn't be a pretty one.