Chapter 18: Hearing a confession is a pain.

Beta Read by AL19

The water from the faucet continued to run over my hands and dishes. I was still shocked on what happened a while ago. My eyes were focused at a long distance and I couldn't remove it from my memory.

He retreated his soft lips from mine. And around his mouth was a thin ring of the Popsicle juice that I just ate. I was utterly shocked by this, but at the same time, it felt like my heart raced. My face was really burning right now.

"Now do you get it?" Toushiro asked.

I immediately stood up from the bench with my burning face, "W-Wa-W-a! S-S-Sorry!" I bowed, "If I go out with you; things will get worse. I d-don't know how to reply, since it was my first time hearing a confession like that. So, umm, I-I don't kn-know how to give out a proper response, sorry!" As soon as I apologized to Toushiro, I immediately sprinted out of this awkward situation.

"Oi. Satsuki… Oi. Satsuki..."

Someone called my name. Who was that? Show your face. Please wake me from this dream. The water from the faucet continued to flow all over my hands while I held the sponge and plate. Just then, I felt a smack coming from the back of my head. Oh, I came back to reality.

"Hey! You're wasting the water, do you know how much my rent will increase if you do that?! Wash the dishes properly!" Gintoki shouted at me.

"Oh, shut up! You don't even pay the rent!" I shouted back.

"What the fuck is that?! For your information, I manage to pay rent!" Gintoki cried.

"Oh really? Then, why are you always on your strawberry shorts when paying?!" I quarreled back.

"Shut up girl! Explain it to me, why did you confess and kissed me?! Tell me!" Gintoki yelled.

Hearing the words 'confession' and 'kiss' made me heat up again, only this time, it was up to my ears. Damn it, I couldn't forget what happened a while ago! Sighing to this, I managed to give him a proper reply, "For your information, that kiss was rejected! Even though it was my first kiss, it was rejected! Rejected! I consider my first kiss to be with—"

"Huh?! Why rejected?! Also, who do you consider to be your first kiss?! Tell me, idiot!"

I stopped with my exclamation to him and blushed harder. What did I just say?! Someone, hit me!

"Oi. You're heating up, are you okay?" Gintoki asked.

As I look straight at his dead fish eyes, I blushed harder. Calm down, Satsuki. Calm down. I cleared my throat and asked, "G-Gin, ummm. I have a question. W-What if so-someone c-confessed to you...what will you do?"

"You just did it to me, you idiot." Gintoki deadpanned.

I smashed my fist against his face and glared at him, "Don't let me remember such things!"

"Why?! Oh wait, did your childhood sweet heart confessed to you?"

It was right on the money. I felt like a huge arrow just hit my heart. How did he guess it right?! I decided to ignore his question and proceeded to the table with Shinpachi and Kagura.

"L-Let's eat!" I cheered.

Gintoki also sat on the couch beside me. I felt like he was about to bring up something so I distanced myself from him.

"Umm. Satsuki-san…" Shinpachi squinted.

"W-What?!" I forcefully smiled.

"Why are you distancing yourself to Gin-chan, yes?" Kagura asked while eating.

"Listen, the tax robber just con-" I smashed Gin's face on the table as I felt my cheeks burning again. Damn him!

"I need to go to the bathroom..." I excused myself and headed to the bathroom. Slamming it closed, I went up to the mirror and faced myself with it.

"This isn't me! This isn't me! Why am I getting bothered by a confession and a kiss?! Damn it! Damn it, Toushiro!" I slapped my face hard until I heard a familiar voice coming from inside.

"That tax robber did made a move to you, huh?"

I instantly turned my face and saw Gintoki there, "What are you doing here?!" I threw several things at him. He stepped away from the bathroom.

"Hey! Listen to me!" Gintoki yelped.

"Like I will listen to a pervert!" I threw another random object at him.

"Stop it! You're making a mess in the bathroom! Jeez, what's wrong with you?!" He bawled and grabbed my wrists.

"L-Let me go, pervert!" I shouted at him while struggling from his grip.

"I am not a pervert! I don't have any interest in your flat bo—"

I punched him hard in the face again, causing him to sit down on the tiles while blood came out of his nose, "I told you to listen to me!"

"Fine!" I shouted.

Normal POV

Satsuki inhaled deeply and furrowed her brows, "Toushiro confessed to me a while ago. Well, I didn't even know how to answer since it was my first time hearing someone say that. Moreover, from my best friend!"

"That's simple, tell him how you feel. If you don't have any feelings for him then tell him, if you do then tell him." Gintoki exclaimed.

Satsuki frowned, "But, I don't want him to feel sad. I want to protect him, if I started going out with him maybe he will be dragged into this mess again. Plus, I am not ready yet, I don't have any plans on having a relationship, till I find him."

Gintoki was confused at her last word, "Him?"

Satsuki denied, "Nothing." She continued, "I'm just confused, that's all…"

Gintoki patted her shoulder, "You know, in the world of loving someone must be sacrificed. Come on, let's go."

Satsuki asked, "Where?"

"It's obvious; the Cherry Blossom viewing. Seeing Sakura petals will make you feel better, you know." He exclaimed.

She gently smiled at him, "Sure."

"Though, if your confession is true, I won't mind taking you out." Gintoki murmured.

"Huh? What did you just say?" Satsuki asked innocently.

"Nothing. Let's go, Shinpachi, Kagura!" Gintoki called.

"Yeah!" The two cheered.

Together, the five people headed to the Cherry Blossom viewing; it was very fun. As the Sakura petals fell, Satsuki couldn't helped but reminisce something. Just then, the Shinsengumi came to have the viewing. Suddenly, she felt a light jolt in her back. Well, it was going to be an awkward one because of that incident a while ago. So, Satsuki made up an excuse.

"Ummm. I-I need to go do something important." Satsuki exclaimed and dashed off.

Satsuki panted after dashing off. It wasn't really an excuse but it was really something important. The sun was already setting and she ran to the Cherry Blossoms where Toushiro and her always met when they were kids. While on the way, she managed to buy a bouquet. Again, she sprinted towards the place and finally, she was able to get there. She sighed and smiled; she squatted over to the tree and lay the flowers.

"Hello, mom and dad! Man, it's been 18 years since you died. How's the afterlife?" Satsuki asked.

"You know what, mom and dad, I reunited with Toushiro and it was very good! Also, I have joined the Yorozuya, even though it'll take too much time on having money to buy back the mansion. But still, I managed a life here! I am really happy here! I found a lot of interesting people! That's why, rest assured mom and dad, I'm okay here!" Satsuki acknowledged.

"So, you're just here? Jeez, if you love that Sakura tree, tell us."

Satsuki couldn't help but turn her head, seeing Gintoki scratch the back of his hair. She raised a brow, "What are you doing here? Also, how did you find me?"

"That's not the point. Besides, what are you doing here?" Gintoki marched towards her.

"Answer my question first." Satsuki shot back.

"No, answer mine."

"I told you to answer mine!"

"I told you, it's not the point! So answer my question!"

"I'm the one who asked first!"

"I'm not going to tell you…"

Satsuki held onto his collar tightly, "Tell me, damn it!"

"Fine, fine! I just asked some various people out there." Gintoki explained.

She let go of his collar and turned her back to him; she marched to the tree, "This is where my parents were buried. Today is their death anniversary, so I'm visiting them. My mother's name was Rilliah while my father was Vachel. Isn't it weird? By the way, want some strawberry juice? I'll get you one."

Gintoki nodded in response. So Satsuki, again, sprinted off to get some juice. While Satsuki was gone, Gintoki jaunted over the tree and squatted over it. He clasped his hands together to pay respect. Afterwards, he began to deliver his message to them.

"Hello, I am Sakata Gintoki, her guardian. Wait, that's completely wrong." Gintoki held his chin and repeated, "Hello, I am Sakata Gintoki, her friend. I'll tell you about her way of living so that you won't hunt me. She is in good hands, but sometimes her selfless personality strikes, causing her to get into trouble. I'll ask you a question, just how did you raise your daughter? She's a tomboy and doesn't know about girls' culture. Furthermore, she is selfless, glutton, a bully, and a thickheaded lady. Ummm. She is doing fine, she always helps us in terms of jobs... Also, she was very popular, I don't even get it now. She even gave me this crystal shaped necklace, trusting me like this. Man, your daughter is really troublesome. Even girls like her know how to shed tears. That's why I realized something, seeing your daughter in tears made me want to hold her tight and protect her from anything that may take her away from me." Scratching the back of his hair, he deeply sighed and continued, "Also, I realized something. You're really good parents. Without her, I wouldn't be like this. I think that I am in love with your daughter. Do you think I stand a chance?"

Right after his speech, Satsuki called out to him with a can of strawberry juice in her hands while tossing it up and down. While raising a brow, she questioned, "Oi. What are you telling to my parents? Maybe you said something bad; I'll beat you up!"

She marched next to him and squatted, "Mom and Dad, don't believe on what he said a while ago, he is a jerk!"

"Oi. All the words I said a while ago were the truth!" Gintoki retorted.

"By the way, he is Sakata Gintoki, my…" Satsuki wrapped her right arm around his neck, grinning, "Hero!"

Gintoki was stunned by this sudden act and couldn't help but smirk at her. The sun already set; Satsuki looked upon the Sakura Tree and smiled, "Do you know why I chose this Sakura Tree?"

"Hm?"

"It's because…" The moon began to lift and the Sakura petals continued falling, but the unique one was that it changed its color, "It changes its color and it's really beautiful. I haven't shown this to Toushiro so you are the first one to see this, huh?"

Gintoki stared at the blue haired girl with her delighting smile, "Satsuki, I have a question…"

Satsuki tilted her head, "Yes?"

"What will be your answer to your childhood friend?" Gintoki asked.

Satsuki didn't expect this but she managed to reply, "Hmmm. I have to think of the right answers, but I guess… Wait… Why am I telling this to you?!"

She was very close on answering, but if Satsuki started going out with Toushiro, maybe he'd break. So he couldn't help but be nervous about her answer; all he could do was hope that Satsuki wouldn't answer a 'yes', because he still wanted to make a move on her.

"Let's go home already, Shinpachi, Sadaharu and Kagura are probably waiting." Satsuki stood up while wiping the dirt over her kimono. He did the same thing and together, they went home to Yorozuya Gin-chan's.

Another confession

Now, what will happen?! What will be Satsuki's answer to Toushiro!?

Gyah, even me, the author itself were getting excited by this! Hmmm. Maybe, I'll move the announcement of couples to the next chapter.

Well, it's because Chii-chan loves you! I don't want anyone to be waiting!

By the way, I got some bad news for you. The bad news is that school started on our country already so I won't be updating quickly just like this past few days.

I'm very thankful for those who keeps on reading my fan fiction. I salute you sir and mam!

So that's all for now and continue to support my fanfiction.

I love you deep down of my heart!