Seven years have passed. I'm now sixteen. Kasumi is fifteen, Kyara is seventeen and Ennosuke is eighteen. We've all grown up. Gekkamaru is three years older than me. Even though he oversteps my boundaries sometimes, he is a great friend to me. Niisama is twenty-three. He's already... an adult.

My determination to serve the village has never been wavered. As long as I can become a strong shinobi and help niisama's favourite missions one day, I'm satisfied. You can say... that has always been my dream. I want to become useful to the village... to niisama, and stay with him most of my time. I admire niisama as his disciple and cousin, I'm always amazed by his shinobi skills. Perfect... professional... unlike me, who can't even "kill my own emotions", one of the fundamentals that a shinobi should acquire.

Niisama's never been a talkative person. However, his stoical attitude has become worse. Maybe it is because he is an adult now...? He doesn't smile often... even lesser than when we were children. He no longer has the same haircut as he did when he was younger, his hair is now down to his chest. Long magenta hair. I think it accentuates even more of his dignified nature.

I've changed too. I'm more introverted and quiet now, I guess.

Since embroidery is my forte, I decided to thank my teacher by making a haori for him, for always taking care of me and teaching me ninpou.

Enju spotted Ennosuke when she walked past the bridge in the Kōga village.

"Ennosuke, do you have a minute?"

"Oh, Enju. What's up?"

"Um... have you seen niisama? I've been looking for him everywhere."

"Chounii? No, I haven't. Kyara! Kasumi! Have you seen him?"

"Hm... I saw him once this morning, but haven't seen him since."

Kyara said.

"I haven't seen him today at all. Do you have matters to discuss with Chou-niisama?"

Kasumi smiled and came over as she replied.

"Yes... it isn't a big matter, but I have something I want to ask him. I thought he was at home but he wasn't..."

"Hm~? Seems there's something more about it~ I'm curious. For what reason are you actually searching for him?"

Ennosuke asked energetically as it piqued his interest.

"Right. It doesn't seem to me that you're searching for him due to training either. I'm curious about it too!"

Said Kyara, excited to know what Enju was up to.

"It's..."

Enju paused. Somehow, a very faint blush was spread across her cheeks as she continued, she moved her gaze slightly downwards to the ground.

"Niisama always teaches me ninjutsu, so I want to show my gratitude to him."

She smiled slightly.

"As his disciple, I think succeeding in a shinobi mission is the best way to repay him, but I still haven't got that chance to do so. That's why... I've found another way."

"Heh~ I see. So, what are you planning to do?"

Kyara asked with a smile on her face.

"I've thought about many different ways to show my appreciation... but I'm planning to sew a haori and give it to him as a present. After all, the weather's going to be cold soon."

"Wah! That's wonderful! Since nee-sama is good at sewing, I'm sure that will please nii-sama!"

Kasumi cheered.

"Fufu, thank you, Kasumi."

"Hm... So, you're searching for Chounii and planning to ask him the design and patterns that he likes?"

Ennosuke asked.

"Yes... Also, I need to know his measurements, that's why I want to ask him to borrow me the clothes that he usually wears."

"Oh, that makes sense. Chou-nii has quite a well-built physique, so it will be too tight for him if you don't measure it carefully."

"Whoa! Kyara's saying it like she's a pro! ...Huh? Wait, I don't think you know how to sew?"

"Hey! D-don't make fun of me! I've seen my grandma doing it, so it's easy-peasy for me!"

"Kyara-neesama, you can learn something just by watching it? T-that's amazing!"

Kasumi said excitedly.

"That's not possible! There's no way you can sew just by watching someone else doing it!"

Ennosuke said.

"What are you talking about? I can do it! Ne~?"

Kyara's gaze met Enju's, asking for her consensus.

"Eh? Aa, yes. Since Kyara's good at repairing weapons, I think she's skilful with her fingers..."

"You see? She's saying I can do it too, which means I can do it just fine."

Kyara smirked at Ennosuke. Ennosuke pursed his lips together and glared at her, unconvinced.

"Oh! Then, how about Kyara-neesama try to tailor a haori for En-niisama?"

Kasumi asked.

"Huh?"

Ennosuke stopped glaring at Kyara, instead, he was round-eyed after hearing Kasumi's little idea.

"Eh?"

Kyara too, had the same kind of reaction as Ennosuke's.

"Oh, that might be a great idea. Since this is a rare opportunity, how about you start sewing, Kyara?"

Enju asked.

"T-that's..."

"Don't worry, if you have anything you don't understand, I'll teach you."

"Don't need to bother! Why do I need to sew for Ennosuke in the first place?!"

Kyara pouted as she said.

"Oh...! I, i-it's not like I want something she makes either! What if I get something weird from her?!"

"What?!"

Kyara glared at him with pouty lips.

"You wanna fight?!"

Ennosuke looked back at her, his hand landing on his weapon.

"Wah! Why have this turned out to be a quarrel?! P-please! The two of you, stop!"

Kasumi looked at them, worried.

"No! Since it's turned out to be like this, I'll win against him by ninjutsu, he'll then learn his lesson and not say anything cheeky to me next time!"

Kyara lifted up her chigiriki as she said.

"That's my line! I'll go to the woods right away then!"

"Oh! The two of you!"

Enju tried to call out to them, but they disappeared in the woods already.

"I-I'm sorry neesama, both of them..."

"No Kasumi, it's not your fault. I'm just a bit worried about them though, so it might be better if I check on them."

"Oh! If that's so, then I'll check on them by myself! Neesama, please go search for Chou-niisama. If he isn't in this area, I'm sure he's training."

"That means it's the outskirts of the village. I'll try there then.

Enju and Kasumi then went to different directions.

Enju walked through the woods and searched for him.

I wonder if niisama is here... Oh!

It was the usual training grounds. When she headed over there, she successfully found the person she was looking for.

"Hah!"

A powerful attack with a single slash, straight and neat.

He was jumping from tree to tree as he swung his large weapon, his very big double-edged sword. His long purple hair was tied with a very simple black hair tie in his hair ends. His gaze, as cold as ice, concentrated on his moves as he performed them.

Another slash. It is perfect.

But... Niisama must be thinking he still isn't good enough. That's why, he's training himself so hard like this even during the breaks between his missions. Niisama is one of the top shinobis here in the village. Of course, he has lots of missions to carry out and has very little time to stay in the village. But even so, when he returns to the village from his missions, he'll make time to teach and train with his disciples. The way he pushes himself so hard, always aiming for higher standards... his strong and diligent figure... I'm dazzled by all of that.

As Enju observed his profile, it seemed to her that he was performing a beautiful sword dance. He was yielding his large heavy sword and immersing himself into the dance. His curtain bangs were swaying in the air, each of his movements was magnificent and powerful. The scenery definitely attracted her inner heart of a shinobi's, she was gasping in admiration... again.

Such a powerful and beautiful sight.

I also want to become a shinobi like that, like niisama... strong and kind... I want to become stronger, a person who is capable of helping niisama, supporting him when he needs...

As she wished silently in her heart, Chōjirō stopped his moves abruptly, he turned his head with an emotionless gaze.

"Is it you, Enju?"

"Oh, niisama. I'm sorry for disturbing you during your training. Can I have a minute with you?"

"Aa, I don't mind."

He replied coldly as he put the large weapon back to his back and walked towards her.

He then looked down at her nonchalantly, waiting for her to speak.

"Actually, I have a favour I'd like to ask you."

"A favour?"

"Yes. If you have any kimonos that you don't usually wear, can you borrow them to me?"

"Kimono...? Why do you need it?"

He asked hesitantly, not having a single clue about what she was going for.

"Em... I want to know niisama's measurements, because I want to thank you for always teaching me ninjutsu by giving you something in return. The weather's getting cold soon, so I'm thinking to tailor a haori for you."

Enju said and looked away from him, worried that he would reject it.

He opened his mouth after thinking about it for a second or two.

"Something for me... but there's no need to do so. As a teacher, teaching you is what I should do, I'm training you because it is my duty. I think it's not something you should thank me for."

"No! That's not true! I'm always being taken care of, by niisama, not only when I'm training, you always treat me so well. Originally, showing you my ninjutsu skills is the best way to thank you, but I still don't have the confidence, nor any opportunities for that... I thought then, that I should make you something which can support you and boost you up instead. Please let me do this for you."

"..."

He widened his eyes a little after hearing what she said.

"Do you not want it...?"

"Oh, ...no. I was just surprised that you care about me that much. Although I had taken care of you when you were younger, we don't see each other recently at all, only when we train together."

"That means, you don't hate it?"

"Hate? You're saying something strange. It's a gift from my disciple. It can only make me happy, no way I'll feel annoyed."

"Then! Please let me tailor it for you!"

Her bright voice couldn't hide her excitement and happiness. Realising her enthusiasm, Chōjirō nodded his head gently at her.

"Does that mean any of my kimonos would do?"

"Yes. Also, can you tell me if there're any patterns that you like?"

"Then, I have a suggestion. Among the kimonos I wore in the past, there's one where the hem of it has worn out. I quite like the pattern, but I never had the time to get it fixed. Will you be able to turn that into a haori?"

"It depends on how worn out it is, but I think it should be fine."

"Then, you can use that kimono. If it's not useable, let me know. I still have other old ones."

"Thank you, niisama."

Enju smiled at him faintly.

"I have matters to talk to Kandō-sama about tomorrow's mission now. As I planned to head back home once before meeting him, I'll bring the kimono then. Wait for me in your estate."

"Hai. I'll wait for you there."

After returning to the common room, Enju sat down and took out her embroidery tools, waiting for his arrival patiently.

Speaking about embroidery, I'm wondering whether niisama is still keeping the doll I gave him when I were younger. Come to think about it, it was actually really shameless of me to give such a thing to him... After all, I was thinking about myself and niisama while I was sewing them...The one I gave him was the female doll and it looked a lot like me...

...As if niisama really looks at the doll every night before he sleeps, like he told me he would. Ahahaha...

Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard the fusuma opened.

"Niisama."

She greeted him as he came.

"Sorry for letting you wait."

"No, not at all. Thank you for bringing the kimono here."

Enju brought out a cup of tea and bowed her head to him, he shook his head quietly.

"No, I'm the one who's getting my clothes tailored. Bringing a kimono here is not a problem."

Chōjirō then looked around.

"Kandō-sama seems not here yet."

"No, he isn't. It seems that he's receiving a report from the shinobis who have just returned from yesterday's mission."

"I see. Then I shall wait here a little. Since we have time, can you take a look at my kimono?"

"Hai. Please come over here and let me measure the size."

As he sat beside Enju, he handed out a furoshiki to her. Enju then unwrapped the cloth, it was a fine kimono with small samekomon.

"Waa, it's a beautiful kimono with nice patterns."

"Aa. Though, I'm not too fond of fancy and flamboyant designs, so my other kimonos also have similar patterns..."

"I actually think it looks very nice. It suits you a lot, niisama."

"Hmm. Is that so?"

He widened his emerald eyes slightly at her after hearing about her thoughts on his clothes.

"Yes. Oh, but I think for niisama, you'd dress very well with the flashy ones too. Maybe you should try them out sometime. For instance, sayagata or seigaiha patterns... oh, how about diamond-shaped patterns?"

"...No, I think I feel the most comfortable in this."

He revealed a troubled expression, seemed to be thinking about how weird it was if he wore kimonos with fancy patterns.

"I'm more used to wearing these kinds of patterns..."

He then opened his mouth and murmured something more.

Looking at his slightly troubled expression and the way he muttered to himself, Enju couldn't help herself but let out a small laugh, as it was an expression she rarely saw from him. She found it a bit funny.

Chōjirō lifted up his head and looked at her, slightly startled by her laugh.

"You look awfully happy."

"Fufu... do I? I don't always get the opportunity to talk with niisama relaxingly like this... somehow, I just feel enjoyable..."

"...I see."

After hearing she said that, his expression changed a little. She saw him smile, but only faintly. Very, very faintly. His smile was so small that normally people wouldn't notice it if they didn't pay enough attention to it.

A time different from when we train ninjutsu. This kind of time makes me feel even a little bit ticklish, that I get to spend time with him together like this.

Niisama went through the trouble of giving this kimono to me. Since this is a rare opportunity to do this for him, I must fix it the best I can.

"Then, I'll make the inside of the kimono the same colour as the outside, a calming colour for you. The material too, if I cut out the area where it has been torn out, I can then make a haori properly."

"I'll leave it to you."

After confirming that he nodded his head and agreed, Enju spread out the kimono and took the measurements, then she started to remove the stitches to return the kimono back to a piece of cloth, so she could start sewing the haori from scratch.

"Hm."

"Oh, sorry. Am I bothering you?"

"No. I just thought that you're really great with this, you've already removed the stitches in such a short amount of time."

"This is simple. I'm sure niisama can do it too."

"There's no such a thing. You can say this only because you're good at sewing."

"Really? ...Oh, right."

Seeing that he was observing her handwork intensively, she came up with an idea and lifted up the kimono softly

"Then, how about niisama try to sew it a bit too?"

"...What?"

"If you're interested in it, I can teach you. We have lots of time too..."

She said, somehow a bit excited.

"But it'll be a disturbance to you."

"There's no such a thing... It'll be fun if I can do something with niisama together. It pleases me..."

Enju furrowed her brows a little and gazed at the kimono, she seemed to look a bit sad.

I really cherish this kind of relaxing time with niisama, it makes me don't want to leave... this kind of space. Nor do I want him to... I just want to spend more time with him...

As she started to think maybe she was a little pushy and moved her gaze to his direction, she heard a small sigh.

"...Then, I guess I'll try to do it a little."

He answered in a calm tone.

"...! Really?"

She exclaimed.

Her eyes are sparkling. Fu. I guess I made the right choice.

"It's hard to reject if you look at me with such imploring eyes, and beg me with that kind of face."

They look like puppy eyes.

He thought while gazing at her with a soft smile, like he had found something precious to look at.

"Eh?! ...I, was I making that kind of face?"

"Yeah."

His tone was firm and held no hesitation. Hearing such a straightforward reply like that, embarrassment had overwhelmed Enju.

"I, I'm sorry! Um... if you hate it, you don't need to force yourself..."

Enju adverted her eyes and lowered them, looking sad again.

How emotionally abundant.

He thought and looked away from her as well, smiling softly.

"It's not that I don't like it. It's just that, it's rare to see you look at me pleadingly like that."

Enju moved her gaze back to him again, she pursed her lips a little.

"Somehow, that even made me feel strange."

He referred to her expression, and then giggled, softly.

"!"

Niisama. He laughed. Lightly.

Seeing that kind of expression makes my brain go wild, I'm confused and I don't know what to do.

Niisama himself is making these kinds of rare expressions too. Does he... not realise that...?

Enju thought as he continued to look at him.

But, niisama is smiling at me, that alone makes me feel very happy. Since I don't see him smile often, it makes me want to look at him like this always.

Enju handed over the fabric to him with a smile while thinking all of that. She then let him sew the inside of the kimono.

However—

"Ah... I'm sorry."

He sighed heavily.

"No! It's not something niisama should apologise..."

"But this looks bad right?"

"Um..."

"It's alright. You can just tell me honestly."

"...Yes, it might be better to sew it again."

"...I knew it."

Niisama sighed again... His sighs have filled all over the room.

In front of them, it was an awful piece of cloth. It was difficult for Enju to even comfort Chōjirō that he had sewed it just fine, because it indeed looked quite horrible. Although he tried sewing the fabrics together, the stitches looked too uneven. Some of them were not sewed in a straight line, the seams were all in different directions.

It seems that niisama isn't quite flexible with his fingers. Or maybe I should say, he isn't quite good at exquisite craftsmanship and detailed handwork.

Enju felt apologetic that she invited him to do this with her, so she hung her head.

"Don't mind me. This just means that, this is not my kind of thing."

"Niisama..."

"Besides, I can once again feel how handy you are. Just like I thought, you're really talented at embroidery."

Hearing that Chōjirō praised her embroidery skills that much, Enju was overwhelmed by his compliment. So she quickly shook her head .

"Talented? I'm not talented! Not that much..."

However, Chōjirō stopped her gently as he said, "It's not good to be over humble. Too much humility results in self-abasement. Stop further putting yourself down. You know, I'm pleased to know about the things you're skilled in."

Oh...

"I'm looking forward to the final product of the haori."

He looked at her with a gentle gaze and reached out his hand slowly, it landed on the back of her hand and overlapped her small one, which was resting on her own lap.

Enju fluttered her big blue eyes at him with slight shock, because he tried to give her encouragement and confidence by giving her hand a soft squeeze, gripping it lightly. His warmth that spread through the back of her hand had made her heart beat faster all of a sudden.

"Th-thank you! I, I'll do my best!"

Enju smiled with her eyes closed, feeling extremely happy by his actions and words.

"Aa, I'll leave it to you then."

Rose-pink blush spread across her cheeks unconsciously, she averted her eyes from his face and lowered them slightly to gaze at his black scarf, feeling ticklish all of the sudden.

I'm very happy that niisama is counting on me to do something for him... I'll definitely tailor a great haori that suits him!

...

The next day, Chōjirō was ordered by Kandō-sama to go on a mission. Of course, Enju was there to send him off.

"Niisama, I promise that the haori will be all ready when you come home. Please look forward to it and stay safe on your mission! Itterashai!"

"I will. Thank you, Enju."

After he left, Enju was really focused on tailoring the haori for him. Of course she was motivated by this, after all, this was a very rare opportunity for her to do something for the shinobi who she admired, ever since she was a child. Besides, he praised her skills, she knew it was something that he was counting on her to do, and she couldn't be more happy than that.

Author's note

Originally, I was planning to publish "Haori" in a single chapter. However, I think separating them in parts one and two might be better to have a more balanced word count. I would probably publish part 2 two or three days after part 1 because I've already written out some ideas in part 2, so it wouldn't take me long. I hope you can look forward to it!

I've been thinking of them a lot nowadays...