Chapter 29: When comparing someone to another person make sure it wasn't her counterpart.
"What's going to happen now?!"
Later that night, Kintoki somehow manage to soothe the blonde girl's heart by saying some sweet words as for the duo in the earth world; unfortunately, Satsuki and Gintoki didn't. However, Kintoki allowed the Yorozuya stay for a while until they defeat the evil queen. The two engaged couple figured out that Satsuki and Gintoki do have a fight going on therefore they decided to help out the two remaining members. Right now, they're eating their dinner. Earning a thought that maybe, things will work out if they have them seat beside each other...
….but unfortunately not….
Shinpachi cannot concentrate on eating his food because of the situation they're in. A cold atmosphere that any moment they'll be frozen to death because of those duo. This awkward situation were going on since they've decided to have them seat beside each other.
"Maybe… it is such a bad idea…?" Kintoki muttered while giving out a forced smile.
Satsuki continued eating in silence without disturbing his seatmate. But for Gintoki, this is really awkward for him. He cannot break the silence since Satsuki seems acting like not the usual self of hers.
"Well, ummmm…" He tried but was cut off by the sudden clatter of her chair. She stood up, took her plate and went towards the sink to wash her own dishes.
"Satsuki-chan…" Kagura called out her name in worry.
"Thank you for the food. It was delicious." Satsuki thanked the engaged couple and hurriedly went to their assigned room. Of course, the lady's room were separated from the men.
Shinpachi frowned to the situation going on. He doesn't like this at all, he wanted to return it the way it was. Sighing, he need to get over the melancholic situation and talk about other things.
"Anyway, Kin-san… Why are you here…? Moreover, you fetch out a complete opposite of Satsuki-san…" Shinpachi asked.
Kintoki explained, "Well, this machine was created by Gengai-san and he altered some data. Somehow put me here with a partner which is Satsuki. It seems that if I am the complete opposite of this idiot—"
"Who the heck are you calling idiot!?" Gintoki retorted.
But Kintoki completely ignored it and continued, "Then he should create a complete opposite of Little Lamb…" He stopped for a moment facing Gintoki, "You like her, right?"
The room was filled with silence when Kintoki asked Gintoki that question. Shinpachi was utterly shock with this also.
"It got nothing to do with you…" Gintoki stood up and walked out of the dining area.
Gintoki stared the starry sky with his dead fish eyes. As Shinpachi entered the scene with two cups of tea in a tray, "Gin-san, may I join you?"
"You do not need to be so polite…" Gintoki muttered under his breath; sighing.
Shinpachi sat laying the tray between them. He remembered what Kagura and he talked about the plan a while ago.
FLASHBACK.
"Listen, no-good-glasses!"
"Hey! That's nothing to do with our plan!"
Kagura ignored and continued on her way, "We need to get Satsuki-chan and Gin-chan talk no matter what!"
Shinpachi nodded in satisfaction. It was hard for the both of them to act in this situation. In any case, that is their top priority.
"Let's do this!" Kagura grinned as she continued, "I will listen to Satsuki-san's side and you'll listen to Gin-chan's side! After that, we will both combine their opinions and make our plan on how to make them be alright!"
Shinpachi agreed to that idea and both departed to their initial targets.
END OF FLASHBACK.
He adjusted his glasses while facing the blue night sky. With this awkward atmosphere, he cannot start a conversation at all. Moreover, to find some clues and let the two of them be on good terms again. This is really hard for the two of them.
"I wonder if Kagura-chan already talk with Satsuki-san… I hope the two of them will make up already…" Shinpachi thought worriedly. It was matter of minutes when Gintoki spoke up.
"Pattsuan…Can you hear me out?" Gintoki muttered under his breath.
Shinpachi was surprised. He wouldn't expect that Gintoki will open up to him. But this is a great part to him and immediately nodded, "Sure…"
Gintoki's POV
I sighed for the umpteenth time already and I haven't even start the conversation. This situation is good. Pattsuan is here so he can hear me out. Nice job Pattsuan! I know you can do it!
"The thing is… I really don't know what I will do…" I started. Damn, this just hysterical. I am going out of character if this continues. Damn! Damn! Damn!
I continued being this dramatic guy, "I do not know what I will do to that nagging woman… If this continues… I do not know what will happen later on… Satsuki is really mad at me…" I cover up myself with my palms as I groaned, "Uhhhhh. I am really stupid…"
"Well it is your fault, Gin-san!" Shinpachi interrupted.
Damn it, Pattsuan. You do not have to say it to my face! I already know that girl is depressed on me! Geez!
"Gin-san… You know what, people have different perspective in conveying their emotions. We always thought that it is only a joke. They'll get it. They'll go with the flow. Unfortunately, life does not go with it. People have different meters wherein it can measure on how long will it takes before they explode… Most likely, what you've done to Satsuki-san is not good at all. You've crossed over her line… And that's why you've hurt her…" He told me that long speech while sipping out his tea.
Well, I couldn't take this pressure at all to his words. I was surprised by his advice at all.
"Hey, for the first time you've said something nice." I quoted.
"What the heck is with that Gin-san?! Even I can make some good advices for the people I cherish the most!" Now, he retorted with his usual straight man character.
Should I tell him? That… Even though I've said those things to Satsuki… Even if consider that the blonde is more extravagant than her… Even though, that blonde is much better than her… Even though, that blonde is nicer than her… Even though that girl is more caring and not resorting to violence at all…
I like Satsuki…
…more than anything
Should I tell this to the unreliable glasses wearing human beside me? Man, if I don't express this I'm going to explode with my emotions…
"Gin-san… You should probably apologize already. If this takes too long it might make the possible worse outcome." Shinpachi pried up in.
"I know! I know! I know!" I sighed, "Well, I just became jeal—Oh wait forget it!"
I stop in the middle of my sentence! There is no way I tell him that I got pissed also to Satsuki because I got jealous with that Kintoki jerk! Hence, being with her while I brawl my eyes out just to search her! Moreover, he even flirt at her! That damn jerk!
"What are you about to say Gin-san?" He asked! .
I tried to change the subject, "W-Well, the moon is pretty, right?"
"Well, yeah it is pretty. Back to our—"
He doesn't even barged in at all. Just stop prying me already Pattsuan! It is embarrassing to say that because of jealousy I even tried to forget her just a little time when I saw that blonde bitch! I even tried to escape from reality when saying those things.
"Gin-san… Say. IT." Shinpachi tried.
"Oh, shut up glasses!" I retorted. This guy really is a tough one.
"Do not blame my glasses and just tell me what it is!"
Oh geez this glasses guy.
He sighed, "Gin-san… A while ago when meeting the blonde Satsuki… You're not yourself… I know you did joke about that blonde Satsuki-san is better than her but I know there is something in you that you won't ever say that."
I stared at Shinpachi. I do not know what kind of spirit had possessed him but he is doing a good job in here. Well, maybe, this time he was off used to this and he may give me some advices.
"Gin-san, the thing is that… I have considered you as my older brother… You are always there for us, protecting us and guiding us…though in the wrong way…"
What the heck is with that?! I twitched my eyes as I stared at him pissed at all.
And then he continued, "Just like an older brother right? But Gin-san is always thinking about us and never considered his priorities… Well, I thought that maybe you need a partner or something like that. So when Satsuki-san appeared and joined the Odd Jobs. I felt happy… Well, I found another Gin-san at all. Satsuki-san is always thinking about us, self-centered and cared for us. Therefore, I considered her as my older sister…" He smiled in explaining those things.
I was lost in words to his story. Never in my life that I thought that this glasses wearing human here considered me as his older brother.
"Wait, I have sister! B-But, Satsuki-san is… you know.. Hahahaha…" Shinpachi tried to explain things but is seems that he can't.
I cannot help but let out a satisfying grin from what I've heard from him. With this, I am relaxed with this… Thank you, Pattsuan… You made Gin-san better…
"Gin-san… I imagined when Satsuki-san joined the Yorozuya. I figured out that maybe this time you'll be able to have a partner in life… So apologize already Gin-san!" Shinpachi snarled at me. I cannot believe that he was the one that is scolding at me right now.
However, I am sort of irritated this time since this glasses over here is scolding me about life yet he haven't even found a girlfriend at all. I sighed and declared, "Fine. I got it…"
Scratching the back of my head, I stood up and stretch my arms upwards, "Thank you, you good for nothing glasses." I dashed inside the place not wanting to hear his eternal rants about that.
I slid close the sliding door and stroll upon the house. Again, I remembered Shinpachi's words to me a while ago and definitely he was right on this one. I should talk to Satsuki or else there are some possible outcomes that can lead to worse outcomes. As I stroll, I noticed Satsuki with a towel on top of her head sitting upon the tatami floors nearby the garden. And without noticing I hid…
"Why the heck did I hide?!"
I was about to show up myself when Kintoki walk towards her making me hid once again…
And why the heck did I hide again?!
Oh, might as well listen to their conversation at all. I need Satsuki's opinion as well and thus I can make my apology better. I leaned upon the wall at my back trying to listen onto their conversation.
"Sup, Little Lamb?" Kintoki greeted him.
Just why the heck is he calling Satsuki a little lamb?! For your information, she is a wild dragon! Anytime, she can plant her fist on your face!
"Good Evening…" Satsuki greeted softly.
"Done taking a bath? Well, that explains since water is dripping from your hair… Why don't dry up your hair using your towel?" The idiot asked. Man, do not bother her already! If she doesn't want to then leave her alone, get it? I want to jump off on their conversation, right now! Knowing Satsuki, she will just shot back and will say, "Do not bother me! If I wanted to let it like this then you've got no business in interrupting me in my way!" I screeched in my thoughts while imitating her voice.
Surprisingly the reply isn't what've I expected…
"I just wanted to… I wanted to contemplate what had just happened… Anyway, just leave it there until it dries off." Satsuki replied in a smooth tone.
Why the heck are you giving him a proper treatment?! When I am the one asking you like that you'll just brush me off with that agitated look.
Kintoki sat nearly to her… And I was somewhat pissed with this… Come on, I want to beat this guy already into pulp! Put some distance will ya?
"Got some problem, little lamb? I will listen to it… It is probably about that good-for-nothing idiot, right?" Kintoki offered.
What is with that good-for-nothing idiot? Do you want to die you jackass?! Just listening to their conversation makes my blood boil!
Satsuki turned her attention to him, "If you say so."
NORMAL POV
Satsuki gathered all of her courage to speak. She wasn't good at expressing her emotions though. Sighing, she started talking, "Fine, I'll tell you since you're Gintoki's counterpart in here. Even though, Gintoki is an idiot; he can be trusted… Well then, how about you, are you trustworthy enough to keep it?"
Kintoki stuttered for a moment, "Of course! Bring it on!"
Letting out a slight warm smile to him, she regained her cool, "Kagura… Kagura tried to speak with me… Telling that I could tell her everything that is bugging me… Not that I don't trust her but I know what they're up to… The same with you, Kintoki…"
"Eh?" Kintoki let out a puzzled look, "Then, why are you telling me this?"
"Just wanted to do it."
"HUH?!"
Satsuki replied, "You know, if I continue on hiding things or giving myself much burden to carry. Even I cannot hold it out either!"
Kintoki finally got what she had said, "Oh, I see! Anyway, just why the hell are you pissed off with him?"
Satsuki began to sway up her legs as she answered, "I was hurt. Way back to Heatherfield, I was filled by the people around me with hatred, comparison and condemnation. Thinking about it, I didn't even bother about it. Since way back when I was a kid, the kind of treatment that the people treat me is like that. But when I decided to join the Yorozuya; things changed. I became happier and sincere with my feelings. Never have felt the same thing as I felt when I was in Heatherfield…"
She smiled sincerely to those words she uttered however her expression changes as she continues, "Then again when Gintoki compared me with the blond me… I was hurt… Again, I was been compared moreover to my counterpart that is obviously more charming, prettier and perfect… I-I just cannot accept that the person I trust the most is the person who will bring back this such grief to me…"
Kintoki frowned from the sudden confession, "Little lamb…"
Her saddened look was replaced with slight sorrowful smile and disappeared with a second or two when she started to sarcastically laugh onto herself, "And yes! I am an idiot! I am an idiot who kept on thinking that this distress will end… I-I—"
Her assertion was stopped when Kintoki spoke up, "You can cry… You can express—"
But this time Satsuki is the one who interrupted him, "I'm not going too…" She replied with a straight blunt answer, "And I am not planning to… Once, Gintoki said this to me…" She reached out the heavens with her right hand while grasping the thin air, "He said he do not want to see me crying… That's why, I won't! Also.." She paused back with a fake grin plastered onto her features, "I am used to it…"
Spewing out her last statement, she let out a complete distress look and a frown into her face. Kintoki cannot help but be more worried to her.
She hop out of the tatami floors into the stony ground, "Do not make that worried face! I will be fine! Things will go back the way it was…" She continued with a soft mumbled, "Plus, I do not want to talk to Gintoki yet…"
She hop in again in the tatami floors and gave out a grin, "Good night!"
The conversation comes into its end and Gintoki with mixed emotions left his post.
Author's Note:
Okay the action will be starting in the next chapter so please bear with me.