CHAPTER TWO
Hitsuzen
"If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you always got."
― James P. Lewis
"Braids… Orange man…" she responded between hiccups and tears.
'Braids, orange man?' Tsukuyo silently wondered until the realization hit her.
"Don't tell me he's—"
Shiharu unknowingly interrupted her. "I think his name is Danchou."
Tsukuyo absent-mindedly pulled Shiharu's cheeks, frowning at the girl. The tender moment was obviously forgotten for a minute.
"His name is not 'Danchou', you brat. He's the new King of the Knight, Harusame's former 7th Division Captain, now an Admiral, Kamui."
Shiharu looked puzzled for a moment. "But the Abuto guy called him Danchou."
Tsukuyo could only slap her forehead in response.
It has been barely a week since the incident, and things have made a sharp turn for the worse.
Ever since then, Shiharu has locked herself up in the room, literally; she only went out whenever she had to eat or use the bathroom.
Apparently, for an extreme homebody like Shiharu, the almost-rape situation made her somewhat agoraphobic.
So much for finally making an effort to go out and stop playing video games.
Tsukuyo and Hinowa constantly took turns in checking up on her, Seita even tried helping out to convince Shiharu to go outside with him to play.
All they got in response was a blank look before turning back towards the screen of her PSP.
"I think I have no choice but to bring her over to the Yorozuya. Staying cooped up in Yoshiwara really does her no good, especially if this is the place that gave her trauma." Tsukuyo stated cautiously, eyeing Hinowa for any possible reaction.
The courtesan sighed in response.
If it were up to her, by hook or by crook, she'd have Shiharu by her side at all times.
However, upon seeing the state of the girl, nothing has ever been better. Yes, she has seemed to 'move on' from the incident, since the day after she hasn't been crying about it since; she has even given calm responses upon being asked by Hinowa. However, one noticeable change that has been made within was that no matter what, she would never leave the house.
Ever.
If having her get out of her room was hard enough, it was surely close to impossible to make her step one foot out the front door.
It was either she clung on to dear life on the furniture, or pretended to be dead.
Not that she could actually pull off being dead though.
Seita himself, being the brat he is, started to worry about her well-being. Certainly, it was possible to be on house arrest, but no sane person would love to lock oneself in one's bedroom.
Bedroom.
"Hinowa?" Tsukuyo said, placing a hand over hers, eyes full of concern.
Hinowa closed her eyes. There was nothing more she could do, right?
Shiharu may hate her for this, but she just wants the girl to live normally and happily as any normal teenager her age should.
"I trust you Tsukuyo, and I trust them as well. You have my blessing."
Tsukuyo gave out a small, pained smile. Having the girl leave would be just as difficult, since she was now considered as family, despite not being relatives by blood.
Also, despite her laziness, they have already been used to each other's antics, habits, and all.
So having one member leave their humble abode surely was painful.
But then again, it wasn't like they had any other choice. Hinowa was against flooding[1] , and was adamant that Tsukuyo should not resort to such measures; thus, they have settled with the method of having her gradually get over her trauma.
Considering how Shiharu has faced the hardships of life at such a young age, she should be spared further cruelties, Hinowa also thought.
"Thank you. I shall visit the Yorozuya and brief them about this then. I am having a gut feeling that we would be needing their assistance regarding this." Tsukuyo said, standing up.
Hinowa smiled back; it was an equally sad smile. "Alright, take care."
Tsukuyo smiled and turned her head.
"Always for you, my sun."
Tsukuyo silently made her way towards the Yorozuya and was about to knock on the door when suddenly a human-hole burst open, revealing a laughing Katsura, with Elizabeth behind him.
"Gintoki! Until next time, we shall plan for the revival of the Joui Patriots! You will be joining us soon! Haha!" Were Katsura's parting words as he disappeared with Elizabeth into a corner. He did not seem to see Tsukuyo by the door, with a gaping expression on her face.
A very mad Gintoki ran next, ignoring Tsukuyo as well, ran out in an attempt to chase Katsura. He was holding empty cartons of milk on his left hand, while the right held on to his bokutō.
"Come back here Zura! Nobody finishes my strawberry milk without permission. No, NOBODY IS ALLOWED TO TOUCH MY PRECIOUS THINGS!" He shouted, a vein popping on his forehead.
Katsura, either he was hiding or merely a distance away but surprisingly heard Gintoki, suddenly returned, shouting back an "It's not Zura, it's Katsura!" before running off again.
Gintoki, exasperated that his stress reliever was now reduced to merely pieces of carton, dejectedly walked back to the house.
"Ah, us poor people shouldn't be having to do repairs like this. Why must life be so cruel? Kami-sama, am I a bad boy? Was I too naughty?" He cried fake tears until he noticed a very much displeased Tsukuyo to his right.
"Oh, hello." He said, his dead fish eyes expression returning as if it was always there in the first place.
Tsukuyo frowned at his immaturity, and gestured for him to enter the house.
"Where are the two kids?"
"Outside enjoying their youth." He said in a bored tone, adding with a silent, 'I should be outside too, I never got to enjoy my youth.'
Tsukuyo decided to ignore his antics and sat down on the couch.
"I think now's the perfect time to get Shiharu."
Gintoki yawned and plopped to his own chair, taking out a Shonen Jump manga from one of the drawers on the table.
"What happened now?"
"She was almost raped in the alleyway near Hinowa's house some nights ago. Since then she hasn't been going out since, let alone leaving her own room was too much of a problem to make her eat and take a bath." Tsukuyo replied, taking out her Kiseru and lighting it.
At that statement, Gintoki looked seriously at Tsukuyo. "So is she…?"
"No." she immediately responded. "Apparently, there was someone who was conveniently at the same time and place, so she was spared of the more traumatic stages of rape. I assume that she was handled roughly though, based on her dirtied appearance and disheveled state."
Gintoki now had his manga discarded on the table, feeling an ounce of concern. He knew it was hard on Tsukuyo, especially Hinowa, who both treasured Seita very much, a lad. What more would it be for Shiharu, a fragile girl who never liked going out in the first place?
"Was her savior's identity known then?"
Tsukuyo scoffed. "Oh, you very much know him. Ironic, the so-called Baka Aniki of one of your foster children saved her on whim. It's quite a miracle that someone like him is actually capable of saving another."
Gintoki's eyes partially widened at the information that was given to him, but then returned to its normal state. He took the manga again and started to flip the pages.
"And Kagura does not know about this."
"Of course not, I'm somewhat sure that she doesn't know Shiharu either, just as you and Shinpachi."
"I see..." He drawled. "When's the brat coming then?"
Tsukuyo stayed silent for a while, only to respond once Gintoki gave her a pointed look.
"I was hoping if today could be possible."
The serious atmosphere was suddenly broken when Gintoki smiled as if he had won the lottery, and let out his right palm faced up.
"Pay up then."
"What?! I just paid you some days ago!" Tsukuyo replied, astonished; her Kiseru almost falling to the floor.
Gintoki smirked while picking his ear. "That's for the reservation fee. We also have the pick-up fee, and registration fee. Our labor fee counts too, since Gin-san here has a feeling he wouldn't be able to bring the kid as easy as it sounds."
Tsukuyo restrained herself from acting childish and rolling her eyes. Instead, she took out a small envelope filled with cash and tossed it to Gintoki, who in return, caught it flawlessly.
"Make sure to budget that. The brat is quite fond of bubblegum… and games."
"Hai hai. Take me to the girl, we don't have all day." He finally said, standing up.
Tsukuyo raised an eyebrow at this.
"Aren't you going to tell Kagura and Shinpachi about this first?"
"It's their fault they're enjoying their youth and leaving old Gin-san to rot. They'll know it later eventually." He smiled silly, earning a whack on the head by Tsukuyo who had her cheeks tinted in faint pink.
For the first time since they have known her, Kamiya Shiharu has finally expressed herself verbally...
…and not in a good way.
"I DON'T WANT TO LEAVE THIS HOUSE! NO! NEVER! NO! NO! NO!" Shiharu was practically wailing and stomping her foot at the same time as she clung for dear life on the leg of the dining table, praying desperately that Gintoki would give up and leave her alone.
They have only known each other for only five minutes and counting, and now she hates him as if he was the ultimate villain of her life.
If it wasn't enough that the silver-haired samurai casually yanked her PSP and hid it away in his pants.
Or rather, crotch.
Somehow, he wasn't really sure if he did the right thing. One minute, he could see Shiharu— a seemingly carbon copy of Kagura if it weren't for her eyes, all quiet and peaceful, who greeted him with a blank look before returning to her game.
The next minute, he decided to be an ass and get this over with.
So he decided to 'abduct' her PSP instead.
And for the first time, she snapped and acted really different from her usual demeanor.
"Quiet down, you brat. Papa Gin-san is not happy about this. Stop being a naughty daughter and learn more from Papa." Gintoki pleadingly said, trying to prevent the tears from coming out as Shiharu started to assault his perm as soon as he was able to pry her hands away from her only pillar of resistance.
"SHUT UP! YOU TOOK MY PSP TOO! GIVE IT TO ME YOU PERVERTED OLD MAN!" Shiharu acidly spat, embers seemingly flaring in her eyes.
"Don't make Papa Gin-san have a heart attack and follow obediently like what a child should— STOP PULLING MY HAIR! I DON'T WANT TO GET BALD LIKE KAGURA'S FATHER!"
Now it was Gintoki who was wailing.
Tsukuyo could only roll her eyes at the scene, with Hinowa softly chuckling behind her.
It still doesn't change the fact that they are very much saddened by the events that have transpired.
After all, nobody wants their family member to leave.
"YOU'RE NOT MY PAPA! GET ME DOWN!" Shiharu shrieked, kicking and screaming as if she was a toddler who had candy stolen from her.
Gintoki was at wits' end; the girl might be physically weak, but her surprisingly loud and tiny voice did his ear no good.
He had a tiny fear that somehow, his left ear would end up being deaf and bidding him goodbye, just as how Takasugi's eye left for the afterlife, making him become a Cyclops for life.
Also, he doesn't want to wear a hearing aid like actual old men do.
'It hasn't been a week since the almost-rape incident, and now I'm being thrown out by my family.', Shiharu thought briefly.
The girl vowed never to leave the house again, no matter what the circumstances are unless dire, and here Gintoki was, ready to ruin the vow with all her might.
At least in Shiharu's mind, Gintoki was the villain for now.
Or possibly her villain forever.
As they say, first impressions last. And her first impression of him was horrendous.
"This is for your own good, you brat. You're already 16 and you need to learn more about the wonders of the world." Gintoki said, , putting her over his shoulder, as if he was carrying a sack of potatoes. He secured his grip on the girl with his left hand, while his right continued to reach for her bags.
Shiharu puffed her cheeks, livid at the sudden change of situation.
She couldn't believe her ears as soon as Tsukuyo laid out the suggestion to have her live with the Yorozuyas after introducing Gintoki to her— whoever they were, for a while, in order to achieve and experience the 'independence' most girls her age should be doing.
Shiharu practically spit out the tea she was drinking due to surprise, much to the amused look of Gintoki.
And what surprised her the most was that her foster mother, Hinowa, had actually agreed to this plan.
"BUT I DUN WANNA GOOOOO— GAAAH!" Shiharu scowled as Gintoki playfully hit her head with his right hand, her bags hitting her in the head as well.
"Tsukuyo nee-san, will this be all of Shi nee-san's things?" Seita asked, wobbling over the bag containing Shiharu's gadgets and games, before handing them to Gintoki who seemed to hold them with ease.
'Shi? Such… a nice nickname.' Shiharu thought dryly.
Tsukuyo nodded and added gently to the girl, satisfied that now she was being quiet and cooperative. "Don't worry Shiharu-chan, I'm sure that your new housemates are really nice and… normal."
Maybe it was actually wrong to add the 'normal' part after all, she suddenly thought.
Shiharu rolled her eyes, gradually calming down as soon as she felt exhaustion get to her. Lovely, she thought. It feels as if she's going to have a new family now.
'Without a doubt you'll be safer there than here. I won't always be present to protect you, but they will.' Tsukuyo sadly thought, as she waved goodbye to a very much upset Shiharu who kept on looking at her pleadingly. Hinowa shed a tear, while Seita frowned, somewhat sad that there wouldn't be anyone anymore to get into arguments with.
Saying goodbye was really hard.
Shiharu, upon stepping foot outside, suddenly shivered in fear.
Gintoki of course, was very much aware of this, but continued to walk.
"Hey kid."
Shiharu continued to shiver; as much as she would like to respond, she could not help but feel afraid, rendering her unable to voice out a reply.
The silver-haired samurai stopped for a bit and smiled.
"Do you want to feel like flying?"
Shiharu frowned, her eyes in confusion. Gintoki didn't wait for her response and continued.
"Close your eyes and enjoy the breeze."
Immediately after, Shiharu felt as if her soul left her body.
But somehow, she felt as if she will take back her words of describing Gintoki as a villain.
He probably isn't that much bad after all, she thought.
"Ne, Shinpachi, where's Gin-chan?" Kagura asked as soon as they entered the Yorozuya; the silver-haired samurai was still nowhere to be found.
"GAAAH! WHAT HAPPENED TO THE DOOR?! KAGURA!" Shinpachi wailed in horror as he clutched his hair.
'Why won't people take good care of the house, we can't afford to repair this anymore,' he irritatingly thought as he stomped his way in.
Upon learning that their boss wasn't present, he threw a fitload of fits, with Kagura ignoring his rants.
"Be quiet megane, or you'll grow bald like Papi."
"WHAT?! Don't compare me to—"
CRASH!
Their mini argument was cut short as soon as a crash outside was heard.
"Ouch! Don't be like that to your poor papa—"
Kick!
"Not my balls! Anything but my precious and handsome balls!"
The two looked at each other confusedly before heading out the front door to inspect the commotion.
In all honesty, Gintoki would have preferred it if they stayed in their seats like good children and left him to wallow in his humiliating misery alone.
Kagura laughed loudly while Shinpachi let out a concerned look before silently chuckling as well, much to Gintoki's dismay.
There he was, sprawled on the floor, clutching his groin in pain as a vermillion-haired girl kept on glaring at him with both hands on her hips.
"That's thank you for being too fast and not stopping even when I was about to puke. I also want my PSP back."
As soon as Gintoki did not give any hint of recognition, Shiharu continued to invade his privacy by inspecting the exact location of the PSP.
"Stop my dear daughter, Papa is terribly disappointed at what you have become! Stop tainting my pure— NO NOT THERE!" Gintoki wailed.
It wasn't every day that you'd see Gintama's main character as helpless as a lamb in front of a little girl.
Seemingly little girl.
Shinpachi, deciding to be nice and help out, started to interfere.
"Hello, Uh… you are?"
Shiharu stopped embarrassing Gintoki further and looked at him with a blank stare.
"Kamiya Shiharu."
'Shiharu? That sounds awfully familiar.' he thought.
"O-oh… what.. err—" Shinpachi blushed, he wasn't used to situations like this.
Especially if it involves inappropriate inspection of crotches.
Shiharu, wanting to get this over with finally gave up and took her DS from the bag instead.
"I was thrown out to live here."
Kagura suddenly chipped in as well, after finally recovering from her boisterous laugh.
"Shi-chan! I'm Kagura, the Queen of Kabuki-cho." She proudly stated, puffing in an air of pride. "And this glasses cherry boy is Shinpachi."
"I AM NOT GLASSES NOR AM I A CHERRY BOY!"
Shiharu smiled in response.
And by means of smiling, it meant the 1.5 millimeter upward shift of the corners of her lips.
Gintoki finally stood up, retrieving the PSP and throwing it to the girl's head.
"Here you go, you brat. Papa is gonna die early if you keep that up."
Shiharu rolled her eyes.
Papa my ass, she thought.
Kagura, on the other hand, whacked Gintoki in the head.
"OUCH!"
"Stupid Gin-chan! Nobody hurts a lady like that!" Kagura huffed, looking at the samurai with accusing eyes as he clutched his head in pain.
No wonder he seems to be air-headed at times, the numerous concussions must have gotten to him.
Shiharu looked at them amusedly before retrieving her things and proceeded to sit on the couch in the living room, letting herself in unannounced.
Shinpachi sweat-dropped at the usual banter between Kagura and Gintoki before going to the kitchen to make tea for their guest.
As soon as he was done, he saw Shiharu in her natural habitat: sprawled with the game console practically glued to her face.
"So you're the Shiharu that Tsukuyo-san has been talking about." Shinpachi said with a smile as he laid out her tea on the table.
"Hn." Shiharu responded, her mind too much focused on playing.
Shinpachi tried to make conversation with the girl, until Gintoki came in.
"It's no use, Pachi-kun. Unless you're a video game she'll never pay attention to you."
Shinpachi frowned. "I know but—"
"Stop hitting on her megane. A lady will never fall for you, yes?" Kagura smirked before plopping on the couch beside Shiharu, who was seemed oblivious to the world at the moment.
"I AM NOT!" Shinpachi scowled. "I'M GOING TO COOK AND YOU'RE NOT GETTING ANY!"
Kagura rolled her eyes in response, completely unconvinced.
Gintoki looked at the girl with fatherly contempt. He realized that he shouldn't have taken away the girl's game console in the first place.
Then perhaps, it would have been easier for him to drag her here, he thought.
"Ne ne Shi-chan, what game are you playing?" Kagura candidly asked, somewhat amused that the girl had the same color shade of hair as hers, except, she had red eyes, while she had cerulean blue.
"Tokidoki Funeral." Shiharu responded, too much engrossed on the game.
Kagura, being the curious girl as she was, scooted closer to Shiharu and peered in the screen, eyes widening in delight. "Wow that monster looks like Gin-chan!"
Gintoki, resigned to reading his manga on his rightful chair, scowled. "Gin-san does not look like a monster!"
"Hmph. I wish." Shiharu mumbled.
"Do not talk back to Papa, young lady!"
Soon, dinner was served.
Well, that is, dinner with raw egg on top, if that could even be called dinner.
Surprisingly, and much to the relief of Gintoki, Shiharu seemed to blend in well with them. Although she gave vague and short responses while playing, she acted back to the way she was.
He made a mental note to remember to never attempt to yank away her game console, or all hell will break loose.
Shiharu, on the other hand, widened her eyes in surprise as she finally got to take a good look at Kagura and Shinpachi; but she had her attention more to the vermillion-haired girl with cerulean eyes.
She awfully looked familiar.
But then again, she found it awkward to ask her out of the blue, so she kept silent.
Besides, she wasn't one to talk that much anyway, unless it is related to something intellectual, or to that of sarcasm.
After dinner, Shinpachi left for home, leaving the remaining three in the living room.
"Ne ne, where will you sleep, Shi-chan?" Kagura asked. For some reason, she seemed to be fond of the girl, despite their recent introductions.
Shiharu was about to respond when Gintoki interrupted, earning yet a silent scowl from the former.
"She could sleep on the couch. Papa needs to punish her because she's been such a naughty— STOP THAT!"
"Hmph. Shi-chan's sleeping with me. Who knows what you would do, yes?" Kagura frowned after hitting Gintoki in the head, dragging a now busy Shiharu playing away.
It was almost a miracle how her game consoles never seem to die on their batteries.
"My two young daughters, at such a rebellious age…" Gintoki silently sobbed as he went to his room.
Shiharu rolled her eyes silently, amused.
'Stop with the papa act, you perm.'
"Danchou… are you really sure about this?"
"Why not?" Kamui cheerfully responded, a grin plastered on his face.
Abuto sighed in response; his boss has been going on a killing spree since forever.
And now, he wanted to target illegal traders who were involved in women trafficking.
According to a source, there were some higher-ups who were supposed to be strong enough for the Admiral to kill.
He was, after all, bored to death.
'I might as well be damned, it's either they die or me.' Abuto stressfully thought.
He sometimes thought whether Ungyo would start visiting him in his dreams to come and get him.
Hinowa was cooking breakfast while Seita remained seated on the chair, his head slumped on the table.
"Okaa-san, how do you think Shi-chan is doing right now?"
The courtesan looked at him with a small smile. "I'm rather sure that she's doing just fine, I hope she visits us sometime soon though."
Seita grumbled in response. Two weeks have already passed, and up until now, the girl still hasn't made any attempt to visit them.
'It can't be helped' she sadly thought. 'She must have felt abandoned, or probably her phobia getting the best of her.'
It wasn't really easy to get over extreme fear; even the strongest of the strong had to gradually desensitize over time.
They just hoped that somehow, she was okay.
Shiharu rolled around the couch in frustration. She really wanted to attend Otsuu-chan's concert at Shibuya Koukai Dou, but she was having one big problem:
She doesn't want to go out.
She was fully dressed and ready to go but…
… she's too afraid to go out.
'But I have to… curses, going out would do me no good. But not being able to attend Otsuu-chan's concert won't do me good either.' She grimfully thought.
She was almost at wits' end to give up until she heard another flip of the page of a book, or rather, manga.
Shiharu swiftly turned to her right and looked at Gintoki with seemingly pleading eyes.
'Yes, he's here!' She internally squealed, despite her lack of happiness emanating from the outside.
The samurai gave her a confusing look before returning to his dead fish eyes expression, briefly realizing that somehow, her current outfit looks familiar.
"What do you want now, brat? Can't you see that papa is busy?"
Shiharu frowned and looked outside. She really wanted to go out but she couldn't.
"There's a concert I want to go to today but I can't." she responded, ignoring the 'Papa' comment for once.
She looked at Gintoki again, and this time, she tried to look actually as if she was pleading.
The latter rolled his eyes and attempted to ignore her.
Oh no no, he was not someone to be used as a personal horse.
But somehow, he realized that Shiharu must feel at ease by using him as a mode of transportation.
Who knew that the 'flying' trick would actually work?
But then again, Gintoki referred to himself as Shiharu's Papa, not some… horse.
Leave the animal labeling to Kondou, he thought.
Puffing her cheeks, she silently muttered. "Fine, I wonder how Tsukuyo nee-san will say about this once she learns about how I am treated—"
Before she could finish her sentence, Gintoki had her up on his shoulder, covering her eyes with a mask and swiftly running away towards Shibuya Koukai Dou.
"SHOUT AND CHEER HARDER! OTSUU-CHAN CAN'T HEAR YOU!" Shinpachi authoritatively shouted, garbed in his complete 'Otsuu-chan Fanclub' attire.
His members complied willingly and with pride, cheering for Otsuu-chan as if there was no tomorrow.
"Minna~! I'm going to sing Omae no kaa-chan xx da! now! Go and get wildrunklikeafly!"
More cheers erupted as the song began.
Omae soredemo ningen ka!
Omae no kaachan XX shita!
Omae soredemo ningen ka!
Omae no kaachan XX shita!
Anata no hokuro
Sukoshi shikiso ga usui no ne
Anata no hokuro
Yoku miriyaakesho kegahaeteru
Watashi no hokuro
Koshi kara senaka hokutoshichisei
Watashi no hokuro, hito ni kuraberya
Choiraaji
Anata no hokuro
Watashi no hokuro
Ima futari
Kasanariatte
(cho-chottomatte! cho-chottomatte!)
Ah soredemo mada hitoburuno?
Ah datta hakkiri itteyaru
Ah iikagen ni shinaito
Sono hokuro hikichigiruso!
Omae soredemo ningen ka!
Omae no kaachan XX shita!
Omae soredemo ningen ka!
Omae no kaachan XX shita!
Omae soredemo ningen ka!
Omae no kaachan XX shita!
"OTSUU-CHAN WE LOVE YOU!"
The concert continued on until the last song ended. Shinpachi was more than satisfied to be able to attend yet another concert of his dear idol.
He was humming away cheerfully and was about to go outside when vermillion-hair caught his eye.
"Shiharu-san?!"
"Hn."
Shinpachi approached Shiharu, wide-eyed as he saw her dressed in the same garb as him. He smiled.
"It's a surprise to see you here! I never knew you were part of the fanclub!"
Shiharu shrugged in response. "I've been a fan for quite a while now. I don't always play video games you know."
'Finally… someone who understands!' Shinpachi thought as he wept tears of joy, earning a frown from the girl.
"Sorry… it's just that I'm so happy to find someone who could understand my feelings and passion!" he said, silent tears streaming down his cheeks as he looked as if he has won the lottery.
If it wasn't disturbing enough, there were twinkling gold stars decorated in the background.
Shiharu rolled her eyes and responded. "Otsuu-chan's songs aren't bad, as opposed to what most people perceive." Shinpachi eagerly nodded in approval, starting to talk about his fandom with the girl.
He was too engrossed in conversation as soon as he realized that Shiharu stopped once they were about to get outside.
"What's wrong, Shiharu-san?" He asked, a questioning look on his face.
Shiharu stared at him, willing as if he should have understood her actions. But then again, Gintoki was the only one fully aware of her fear.
"I…"
"You…?" Shinpachi looked at the girl confusedly before glancing outside again. "Don't tell me you're—"
Shiharu shamefully nodded, her face reddening in embarrassment.
Shinpachi smiled as soon as he was able to undertand. He's been wondering for a while now, but ever since the girl came to live with the Yorozuya, never has she stepped out of the house unless Gintoki carried her like a sack of potatoes.
He used to wonder if she just wanted to act like a brat, but upon seeing her fearful expression just now at the thought of going outside, he finally understood.
He looked towards outside again as he tried to strategize a plan, but as soon as he turned around to call for Shiharu, he saw no one.
"Shiharu-san? Where did you— mmff!"
Soon, Shinpachi's mind suddenly swirled before fading to black.
"Gin-chan, where is Shinpachi and Shi-chan?" Kagura asked while eating sukonbu. She was seated cross-legged on the sofa.
Gintoki lazily drawled as he watched Ketsuno Ana on the screen.
"Never mind them, they are singing their terrible voices off on Otsuu-chan's concert."
"Oh, okay."
Shinpachi tossed and turned until the metal pipe decided to make contact with his head, giving out a loud metal clang.
"OUCH!"
Shinpachi immediately rose from his position, his head writhing in pain.
"Where are we?" He asked out of nowhere, finally taking in his surroundings. They were in a room made of metal, with metal pipes at some places. It was dark and clammy as well, and it appeared as if there were other unconscious people with them.
Unconscious women.
"Calm down. We're at a room of I-honestly-don't-know where." Shinpachi sharply turned to the source of the voice, frowning as soon as he saw Shiharu busying herself with her game console, she seemed to be disinterested in the situation they were in.
Sometimes, Shinpachi thought if the girl would die if her game gets stolen, or worse, broken.
Or rather, he thought whether Shiharu treated gaming as breathing.
"Aren't you worried? How long have you been awake?!" He frantically asked, looking around his surroundings once again.
It was a shame how Shinpachi was close to pissing his pants from fear, while Shiharu, without a care in the world, kept on playing games.
"For a while now, I have to finish this episode or I won't be able to go to the next one." The girl mumbled.
Shinpachi was about to give her a good scolding when two rat-looking Amanto came in.
"So are these the goods we have gathered? We will be millionaires in no time!"
"Shiharu-san, hurry and pretend to be asleep!" Shinpachi whispered to the girl, who preferred to ignore his worried suggestion.
In response, Shiharu mocked him by turning up the volume of the game console to its max, earning a horrified look from the glasses boy.
"Hey! What's that noise?!" Rat Amanto #1 shouted, roaming around the area until his eyes locked on Shiharu. The other women who awoke shivered in fear.
"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" He snickered, as he approached the girl.
Shiharu ignored him and continued on playing, while Shinpachi was desperately shaking her to at least pay attention, since clearly, Rat Amanto #1 was very displeased at her manners, a scowl plastered on his face.
"How dare you human ignore me!" he shouted, yanking Shiharu's hair in order for the Amanto to take a good look at her.
"What? Just because I didn't talk doesn't mean I ignored you." She replied with a deadpanned expression.
"S-shut up! Don't get all cocky with me you brat?"
"I'm not a brat, I have a name. And I certainly do not have a cock."
Shinpachi shrieked. This was doing them no good.
"WHAT DID YOU SAY?!" Rat Amanto #1 shouted, a vein popping on his forehead. "Stop twisting my words! For all I care a cock will enter you shamelessly once I am done with trading you."
"A cock cannot enter if it doesn't knock. Besides, cocks are roosters. I don't get the point of a rooster entering me. Where would it enter? It's too big to fit my mouth." Shiharu rolled her eyes, frowning at Rat Amanto #1's seemingly slow processing.
'It's you who has gotten it all wrong, Shiharu-san.' Shinpachi worriedly thought as he was at the same time amused at the girl's responses.
Sometimes, he thought that maybe, Shiharu was actually Gintoki's child.
They have the same color of eyes and attitude after all.
"SHUT UP! GUARDS! TAKE HER TO MY ROOM! BITCH YOU'RE GOING DOWN!" Rat Amanto #1 threatened, while other miniature rat guards scurried towards the girl to carry her, while Shiharu herself proceeded to focus on her game instead.
"S-stop this!" Shinpachi shouted. He couldn't stand this ludicrous situation anymore. Moreover, he doesn't want Shiharu to be harmed.
Or else Tsukuyo might murder the whole Yorozuya.
"Silence, human. You have to wait for your turn!" Rat Amanto #1 chided, while Rat Amanto #2 approached the girl, briefly curious at what game she was playing.
"Hey kid, what game is that?"
"Tokidoki Funeral. I'm currently on episode 5."
"Are you kidding? That hasn't been released yet! How did you get it?"
Shiharu shrugged.
Shinpachi sweat-dropped at the brief commercial before scowling at Rat Amanto #1.
"What the hell is this anyway?! And why is this room full of females?!"
"As you can see, this room contains my merchandise. We'll be selling off these stinkin' women to Amanto as business." Rat Amanto #1 explained, as if he was talking to a child.
A vein popped on Shinpachi's forehead. "WHAT THE HELL?! WHY KIDNAP ME THEN?!"
Rat Amanto #1 looked at him with surprise. "Why not, you're a girl aren't you?"
Pfft.
Shiharu silently snickered for the first time, earning another fit from Shinpachi.
"STOP SNICKERING! AND I AM NOT A GIRL! CAN'T YOU SEE MY BODY! I AM A MAN!"
"Yup, clearly that of a blooming teenaged girl." Rat Amanto #2 nodded in approval.
"S-STOP THIS NONSENSE!" Shinpachi shouted, exasperated. He was certainly tired of dealing with things like this, and he didn't like what was currently happening one bit.
After all, who would love to have their gender mistaken as the opposite?
Certainly not Shinpachi, who seemed to be a cherry boy for life.
As he was about to let another retort, the wall behind them suddenly burst open, the debris falling over him in the process, rendering him unconscious.
'Rest in peace, Shinpachi-san.' Shiharu thought wickedly.
She was able to dodge the wall unknowingly as she rolled over to the left after staying in one position for so long.
"Danchou! We could have just entered through the door!"
"But it's more fun this way, Abuto."
'Ungyo, where are you? I am ready'. Abuto thought, rubbing his temples due to the overwhelming stress he was feeling.
He wouldn't want to face another workload of papers for damages, just as he was just done with the recent batch of paperwork last night.
Shiharu swiftly turned her attention to the source of the voice, immediately recognizing who it was.
Kamui stood with his cheerful grin on as always, casually inspecting his surroundings like a child visiting an amusement park for the first time, before he took notice of those wide crimson orbs once again.
"Are, if it isn't the little weakling rabbit?" He greeted cheerfully.
Shiharu could only gape in response.
A/N:
[1]Flooding – Flooding is a psychotherapeutic method for overcoming phobias. In order to demonstrate the irrationality of the fear, a psychologist would put a person in a situation where they would face their phobia at its worst.
BloodyCamellia: Thank you so much for the detailed review, I really appreciate this you know. I mean, not a lot of people take the time to sit down and explain their suggestions with me so I feel very much honored. w True, I'm still trying to get a grasp of what his personality is, and I hope I could maintain/improve his character in the future chapters— the last thing I'd want to happen is to have him, no, all of the characters, be OOC. Hihi I think so too, I wanted to have a protagonist who was really unique and different, one that could contrast completely to Kamui, hence, the gamer protag. XD Hihi thank you so much! I honestly find it refreshing whenever I bully Abuto so… 3:)
Unsui: Aww thank you so much! :`) I hope I manage to keep all of them in character though.
Peanuts: Hihi! Ah, Gintoki might be a master of sugar. XD Thanks for the review!
Tonki: Thank you so much! Hihi, I'd like to keep updating this constantly, for by far I myself am enjoying the story. *u*
Thank you so much for reading, everyone! ^-^