The Ordinary Life of Chizuru Yukimura
Disclaimer: Hakuouki isn't mine.
"Yaah!"
"Do you have to scream like that?"
"It's for effect!"
"The effect being, you look like a dumbass."
"Hijikata, Sano called me a dumbass!"
"Heisuke, stop whining. Sano, good job." Sano and Shin high-fived and Heisuke stood, mouth agape at the sheer unfairness of it all. "Now get back to practice idiots."
Chizuru stifled the laugh as Heisuke turned back towards her and she attempted to put her face back into a neutral expression. At least he couldn't see much of her face through the mask, and the armour would protect her if she got hit because she was too busy laughing at her opponent.
This weekend had been something she had been both dreading and wanting at the same time. Chizuru had never managed to go on a trip with school friends before since she had been ill for the big middle school trip. When Hijikata had said they had managed to get a space in the sports building to stay for a weekend in the holidays, she had been excited. They were having a training camp. The problem was that she would have to share a room with all of them since they were one of the many clubs using that building. That and the communal bath… Chizuru hadn't fancied her chances.
All she had was her back up- AKA Souji and Sano. She couldn't be hopeful though since all they had done since they had arrived was annoy other people and give her crafty looks. It seemed she wouldn't be able to relax at all.
"You're getting better with your blocking." She hadn't heard Hijikata coming up behind her but it was a surprise to get a compliment.
"Really?" She turned towards him, practically sparkling with enthusiasm. He gave her a nod and the smallest of smiles.
"You're not quite confident enough with the striking but you'll probably improve with time."
"Thank you!" It was the first time she had been complimented on her kendo and immediately she felt giddy with excitement. Maybe she had only joined the club because she'd been dragged into it but if she was actually improving, maybe it was worth it?
"An opening!" A wooden sword bopped her on the head just as she turned back round.
"Ow!" Even through the helmet that had been hard.
"Heisuke you dumbass!"
"Ruo wasn't paying attention! That wasn't my fault!"
"You still don't hit someone like that!" That Hijikata hit him on the head to make his point did ruin the argument a little. "Ruo, switch with Souji."
"Why?"
"Yeah, why?"
"Because you're sitting on your ass and it's annoying me." Souji stuck his tongue out at Hijikata when his back was turned. "And I saw that." Psychic… He must be psychic.
This had been the first time Chizuru had practiced kendo for more than a few hours so by the end of the day she was achy and exhausted. And there were still two more days of this. At least Chizuru was actually learning from it. Their afternoon sessions were fun and interesting but the whole days meant they had more time to focus on individuals and having practice duels.
It was a novelty to not have to go home at the end of the day too. In spite of her worries, she liked being with these guys.
They were staying in the large building that held a lot of club rooms, along with kitchens and baths. It had been designed for this kind of training camp and although they didn't get much of a sign apart form an occasional laugh or shout in the distance, there were a few other clubs using the same building that night.
"We better be having some good food." Shin slumped down by the table and started massaging his shoulders.
"I don't know, you haven't cooked it yet." Hijikata was smirking. Shin nearly fell over.
"What?! Why am I making it?!"
"Because you asked."
"Shit!"
"Have fun Shin!" Sano waved at him and smiled smugly as Shin huffed out the room. "Our food is gonna be terrible isn't it?"
"Definitely."
"It's ok. I packed instant noodles." Saito held up a couple of cups. This had apparently been a problem in previous years.
"Well done man."
"I guess you guys can have a bath before dinner if you want." Oh no.
This had been the part she had been dreading the most. The one place she couldn't hide. And it wasn't like she could go without either, if she had spent all day exercising in thick armour. A quick sniff at the armpit area confirmed this.
How do I get out of this? They wouldn't let her go in alone and they would notice if she didn't go at all.
"Hey Ruo, you want to go now?"
"Umm…" Out of all people, it had to be Heisuke.
"Heisuke, you should go help Shin." Oh thank you Sano.
"Why me?"
"Because I want to go now and you will annoy me. Ruo can come in with me and Souji."
"O-Ok!" It wouldn't be great but it wouldn't be so bad either. Sano ushered her out whilst Souji trailed behind, knocking back Heisuke as he went.
"There's not enough space for more than three so you can wait."
"Screw you guys!" They shut the door on him and laughed.
"Thanks for your help…" Inwardly she took back everything she had thought about them being unreliable. They were great.
"Any excuse to piss off Heisuke."
"How are we going to do this?" This could still involve them seeing her naked.
"We'll wait just outside for you. You're gonna have to be quick though."
"Or we'll have to come in." She glared at Souji and backed into the door to the bathroom, slamming it shut as she went.
That guy is annoying. Chizuru wasn't going to waste any time at this point and she stripped herself quickly, dumping her stuff in one of the boxes in the changing area. There would be no time to idle around.
She was thankful for her short hair since she managed to get it washed within a couple of minutes and then submerged herself into the main tub.
I have to stay in here a little while I guess… She sighed, enjoying the warmth of the water on her aching muscles. Her upper arms and shoulders in particular were feeling stiff. Chizuru wasn't sure how she would cope with the rest of this training camp but she hoped she would become accustomed to the aching. Perhaps it would be good if she really did improve.
It's been fun… I'm glad I joined this club. Considering that she had always been put off by most sports, kendo was actually something she was improving on. Perhaps it was slow going but she was happy. Maybe one day she would even be able to go to a tournament. Though this did seem a little too ambitious for her right now.
Chizuru was pulled from her reverie by the sound of voices increasing outside of the door. Souji and Sano were probably getting bored so she figured she should probably get out now. One of her legs had been extracted from the water when she heard the door open. For a few seconds, she froze. There was enough steam and they were still in the outer area so no one could see her yet.
The voices were approaching so she had to quickly throw herself back into the water. For a moment she was stuck; if the wrong person came in she would be screwed. She sank as low as she possibly could, keeping her eyes over the outer edge of the bath.
"Sorry… Heisuke came past." Sano had appeared, a towel thankfully wrapped around his middle. "Just wait a second and creep out."
"Thanks…" I will have to try not to look. She turned and leant up against the wall so she couldn't see any of it. Not long after this, she heard the sound of more footsteps entering as what she assumed was Souji joined them. Now to wait for them to finish.
"You guys lied!" Her heartbeat sped up and she tried not to react too much. "You said we could only fit three!"
"We just didn't want to have to put up with your ugly face."
"Ha ha. Hilarious."
How am I going to get out of this? He's going to see. And he won't be able to hide it like these two. We're so screwed. Chizuru couldn't even move, could barely breathe. This club was one place she felt comfortable and happy and now she was going to lose it. Hijikata probably wouldn't forgive the lying.
A leg entered the water next to her and she curled herself up, trying to hide as much of the female areas as was humanly possible. Someone lowered down, sitting so close they were nearly touching her.
"Hey." Souji? She glanced up. He wasn't quite looking at her. "Just stay close. We'll work something out."
"Ok…" He seemed more serious than he usually was so she decided to trust him.
It was a strange and vulnerable position she was currently in being naked and within touching distance of an also naked man. Whilst she was next to him, she found herself eyeing his back out the corner of her eyes. For someone who was apparently lazy, he didn't have much body fat, and his shoulder blades and spine were well defined, something she had only observed from a distance before.
Stop it! You've seen them topless before! Though she had to admit, the way his wet hair was sticking to his jaw was fascinating. He moved a little and for a second their arms made contact. She froze up and he pulled away with a quick apology.
It's because it's hot in here. That's why I'm so warm. No other reason. Chizuru was tense and she didn't know how much longer she'd be able to handle this.
What's wrong with me?! Why am I doing this? She didn't want to stare at him but her eyes kept flickering over, sighting his back, his arms, some of his chest….
"Ahh, this bath is good." Heisuke had hopped in at the other end just at the right moment. The situation changed to a different kind of tense.
"Oh hey Ruo."
"Hey…" Souji moved over so he was hiding as much of her body as possible.
"Wanna play a game Heisuke?" Sano slid in next to him and was grinning.
"What kind of game?" Sano did look quite sly so she couldn't blame Heisuke for sliding away.
"You have to hold your breath." Sano had his arm around Heisuke at this point.
"Really?"
"Yep."
"That sounds easy…"
"Oh it is."
Like the gullible fool he was, Heisuke breathed in deeply and Sano pushed down on his shoulders, catching him by surprise and shoving him under the surface.
"Run!" Chizuru did not need to be told twice. She shot up out the side and was in the changing area before the splashing and spluttering sounds began.
"You jerks! I could have died!"
"You were fine. Don't exaggerate."
I need to get out of here… As she dressed, she thanked every deity that she had gotten out of there alive.
-Page Break-
"That was a close call." Chizuru had been facing the vending machine, completely in a daze when Souji's voice appeared from the gloom. She flinched and pinned herself against the machine before she knew what she was doing, eliciting a chuckle. "You're jumpy."
"I didn't hear you coming."
It was difficult to make eye contact with Souji at the moment. Normally it was easy to glare at him and meet his gaze now that she knew him but whenever she looked at him tonight, she could just imagine how close he had been.
It had distracted her through dinner and was making her into a zombie now. She'd seen him topless at a glance before but never like that. The image was forever burned into her mind and she wasn't sure why it kept jumping to the front of her brain. Much like Souji himself, his naked body was teasing her.
"You look a little flushed; you ok?" Is he worried? Or does he know? Risking a glance upwards, she could see the usual lazy smile but a small amount of concern in those eyes.
"I'm fine… It's just hot." It was a warm enough evening for this to work as an excuse.
"Sure you can't just get my pretty self out of your thoughts?" What?! Chizuru immediately began choking on air, and Souji started laughing at her.
"Sh-Shut up!" Her cheeks were probably flaming now and no one would believe she was speaking the truth. She couldn't even try to deny any of it.
"Haha. Well I am nice to look at." You conceited bastard! If I felt capable, I would be calling you that right now! Instead she settled for looking determinedly at the vending machine and glaring, not giving him the satisfaction.
Chizuru stayed silent as he leant over her and pressed one of the buttons, so close she could feel his warmth and the smell of him. It was that deodorant he was using; the one he usually found annoying but today found intoxicating.
What is wrong with me today? I'm never like this! Not with someone I know! She thought she had gotten past all this with Souji.
As he pulled away with his bottle of water, there was a momentary relief of tension and Chizuru felt a small ache in her chest. She was disappointed? Her emotions were becoming difficult to comprehend.
"Mind you." Chizuru froze. She hadn't expected more of a conversation. "You're not too bad yourself."
And with this parting shot, Souji ambled off to the bedroom, leaving Chizuru to freak out internally over the weirdest statement she had heard all day.