Disclaimer: I don't own Sengoku Strays and all credit for this story is given to フクロウ, who has given me permission to translate and upload her stories. I am merely a translator who wants everyone to enjoy reading her stories.

金木犀

Fragrant Olive

Gorouza x Kasane

"Such a nice smell," Kasane suddenly murmured as the two of them were hanging up the laundry.

".. The fragrant olives are now in bloom, huh." Gorouza relaxed his features as the sweet fragrance drifted softly around them.

"They always have such a nice smell, don't they? I really like it," Kasane grinned while Gorouza calmly smiled back.

"I also love them as well."

Hearing Gorouza's concurring words, Kasane's smile also broadened. After hanging up all the laundry, the two of them stood near the tree.

"The flowers are also cute, aren't they?"

"They sure are."

Kasane tenderly grasped one of the blooming branches and enjoyed its scent. As long as she could remember, she had always loved this faint sweet scent.

"That's right, Kasane-dono. Why don't we cut off a branch and decorate your room with it?" he suggested. Kasane gave him a perplexed expression.

"But wouldn't our lord become angry? Especially if we cut his tree…"

"When that happens, I will do something about it so don't worry." As Gorouza calmly replied back to her, Kasane happily laughed in return. Seeing her enjoying the flowers like this, made her look like a normal and charming young girl.

It would be nice if these tranquil days could continue on like this… If she didn't need to go to battle, if she could just live as a normal girl… If she could be at his side, just how blessed he would feel… Gorouza absentmindedly thought to himself.

"…Well then." From his cloak Gorouza produced a small knife, which he used to cut off one of the branches cleanly off the tree. He then handed it Kasane. "Here you go, Kasane-dono." He gave her a serene smile as she gratefully accepted the branch.

"Do you happen to know what the fragrant olive means in the language of the flowers?"

"Eh…? Eh, umm…" Kasane scratched her head with a perplexed expression at his question. Gorouza gazed back at Kasane's form.

"…It means-…"

Before he would say the next words Gorouza, all of a sudden, fell silent. He turned towards Kasane and brushed his fingers through her short black hair before stroking her head.

"Gorouza-san…?" Kasane's confused eyes gazed up at him and Gorouza couldn't help but think how adorable she was.

It would be nice if time stopped for all eternity. Then she could always be by his side. But he knows better. She is someone who will one day leave this place. It's not like she's his lover either. She is someone who likes people in general, Gorouza knew he wasn't the only one who she likes to be around with. When she's not by his side, she is always with other men. And he had no right to aggravate her for it.

His hand brushed through her hair to her cheeks and he moved in closer to her face, noticing how she turned crimson red in the process. It would have been nice if he wasn't so pretentious.

"…Never mind, it's a secret," Gorouza bitterly laughed after he slowly spun out those words. Kasane gaped at him then immediately puffed out her cheeks.

"But that only makes me curious! Please tell me."

"Haha, that's fine. Please feel free to remain curious," he laughed. Kasane seemed a bit dissatisfied, but brushed it off.

(This way, you can think about me)

Even if she doesn't become his, isn't it alright to for her to think of him like this? He wouldn't receive divine punishment for this right?

"…Well, let's go back now."

"Ah! Please wait for me, Gorouza-san!" she cried and chased after Gorouza who headed back to the castle. All the while, her hand tightly grasped the fragrant olive branch.

"Thank you very much, Gorouza-san!"

"…"

Hearing her gratitude, Gorouza's eyes slightly widened.

"You're welcome," he ruffled her head and gave her a gentle smile.

"But I'm still curious what the fragrant olive means," Kasane muttered. Draining out her assertive voice, Gorouza paused to think.

The fragrant olive's meaning in the language of flowers?

What was it again…

…Ah. It was-

(I want to catch your attention)

Remembering its meaning, he thought how eerily similar the meaning was to his feelings and subtly forced a smile onto his face.

Those who want to thank/review フクロウ personally, please go click the link on my profile, scroll to the bottom of the page and click on TOPへ which will lead you to her main page. After that, click on Clap and type in what you want to say in the open space, then click on はくしゅ to enter. She doesn't how to read in English, but I'm sure she'll still appreciate your comments!