I normally prefer to address differences between the edited version and the explicit (AO3) on the bottom of the authors' note, but in this case, I'm doing so here. There's only one difference, though I'm sure you all know what said difference is in this chapter.
Though her stroll didn't take too long, Michiru assumed it to be the contrary. Rather, the small part in the back of her mind wished it'd take longer.
However, before she knew it, her feet halted not far from the designated boat. One with the same faint orange lighting; despite the heavy rain, Michiru recognized it in an instant through said rain.
The stiffness in her chest returned, much to her irritation.
Keep your composure, Michiru.
She already knew that was easier said than done. She couldn't simply switch her tenseness off like a robot. Nevertheless, Michiru becoming nervous to the point of barely containing herself didn't help her case. If anything, her feet were glued to the concrete.
Instead of reprimanding herself as she often would, Michiru took deep breaths. She couldn't be bothered to count how many times, as she went into a temporary trance.
Fully regaining her surroundings again with one last breath, she muttered, "Okay…" Most of her thoughts went empty right after trailing off. Michiru's feet started on their own, going at a quicker pace than expected.
As the distance between her and the boat shrunk, music formed at a rapid speed from inside, causing Michiru's head to perk up with wide eyes.
He's playing it beautifully, but this is the most energetic I've heard him play.
She couldn't pinpoint how or the reason for it, but her feet moved to a virtual run. Michiru didn't stop—she didn't want to stop until completely inside.
Reaching the pair of doors at last, she went under the roof before shutting her parasol. It was then the image of her nearly crying at the music studio brought her back to reality.
That's right…
Soon after shaking most of the rainwater off, Michiru wasted no more time opening the door. There, she witnessed Bansai with his legs crossed, shamisen in one hand and a bachi in the other. Although heat rammed into her face along with her heartbeat increasing, the woman attempted to ease her nerves by stepping inside to shut the door and removing her sandals.
Taking a second glance at Bansai, she spotted a small paper bag beside him. What rested in it, Michiru couldn't figure out.
Deciding to ignore it, for now, she rested her legs underneath the rest of her body.
As his pace slowed, Bansai finally spoke.
"Welcome."
After a slight bow, Michiru replied, voice somewhat low yet clear and devoid of hesitation, "Kawakami-san…even though you didn't give me details other than asking me to come here, I believe I know why."
Raising his head until facing her, Bansai said, "Really? Would you mind telling me? I was going to explain in the text message, but a sudden mission prevented me from doing so."
In any other instance, Michiru would've held a broken smile while forcing out a laugh, but not this time. Instead, it was another long intake of breath.
With as much tranquility as she could hold, the woman answered her guess of Bansai's possible reason for his earlier request.
With a slight tilt of his head as well as increasing the movements of his hands, he responded, "I'm glad to see we're on the same page. You often have difficulty holding back your awkward nature, making your feelings toward me evident. However, there's something within your tune that is causing it to quiet down. Be too quiet, in fact. It recently occurred to me that the more intense you were, the harder it became for me to hear, especially as of late."
"So what're you saying?" Michiru inquired, subconsciously inching forward.
He brought his fingers to a halt with one last brush on the steel strings from the bachi.
"I'm interested in listening to your chorus, I daresay."
Michiru internally repeated the word with a brow-raising, Chorus?
She contemplated Bansai's description, lasting a little less than a moment.
When a spark hit her mind, Michiru's eyes broadened, but scarcely. Another—though last—shift in her face were parted lips. A bit of damp lips.
"Michiru, I want to make something clear."
The husky voice snapped the woman out, fully bringing her attention toward him.
Bansai continued, "If you're not comfortable with it, you're free to decline. The last thing I want is for you to feel pressured. The reason I brought this bag was for preparation instead of doing the opposite and possibly risking your health, both physically and mentally."
Heat returned in full force, coursing through every fiber and vein throughout her body. However, not a trace of shock was etched on her features.
She brought her knuckles to her chin, thighs rubbing against each other in addition. It's embarrassing but true…
Eyes shutting, Michiru ordered herself while Bansai waited for her answer in patience, You know you don't wanna hold back anymore. Just this one night, allow yourself to be selfish. Forget about everything. Block the outside of this boat other than the rain, don't think about your other life issues, and most of all, don't think of his status until you leave. Worry about all those then, not now.
Her eyelids peeled open until the dim-lighted small room entered her vision, the last sight to discern being the man himself.
The corners of her lips twisted into a tiny smirk before answering in a soft intonation, "All right."
Without a word, Bansai rested his instrument beside him. Upon standing, he took a few steps, stopping as soon as the closeness between them became near physical touching. His legs rested aside, face mere inches apart from the reddened woman despite the lighting.
His hand lifted until making contact with her chin. He asked in a near whisper when staring into Michiru's dark blue eyes, "Is there anything else you want to say before I start?"
She heaved small, nearly mute breaths, taking little time to ease her voice. At this point, she stopped paying attention to the hotness flowing through her body, including her groin.
"Kawakami Bansai…I love you."
Catching a glimpse of his mirrored smirk, Michiru brought her lips close to Bansai's, eventually planting a kiss on them.
They're warm and soft, Came the first thought amid shivers crawling up her skin, most of them on her spine.
Loosening her legs, she deepened the kiss, savoring it with Bansai placing his hands on her shoulders. With a gentle push, Michiru's back rested on the tatami mat.
.
.
.
.
.
For a while, I did forget he was an assassin. I would say I want to forget it completely, but that's not possible nor would I want it to happen. I do not agree with what he and the rest of the Kiheitai want to do and yet…I can't help how I feel for Bansai.
.
.
.
.
.
.
After dealing with the condom, Bansai lay next to Michiru, using one hand to support his head while having the other massage her navel. Neither did much since finishing, only enduring the smell of sex and sweat wafting throughout the boat.
The silence broke at last.
"Say, Bansai."
"Yes?"
Shifting to the side, the woman asked, "Did you think of anything specific music-wise while hearing my 'chorus'?"
"I didn't initially, but around halfway through it, I was reminded of a certain style."
"What would that be?"
"Beethoven."
Michiru blinked twice as the corners of her lips twitched, soon releasing a boisterous laugh while having a hand over her mouth. Bansai arched a brow; of all the times they spent together, he couldn't recall one where she let out genuine laughter, much less one this hard.
"You really are weird," Michiru said, a chortle in between. A visual of Mika appeared in the back of her mind, bringing the wide grin to dwindle.
She heaved a sigh. "Well, I'm gonna need to head home sooner or later so I should start putting my clothes back on." Elevating her upper body, Michiru attempted to push herself from the floor…only for her legs to remain in place.
"Eh?" Her eyes broadened, gawking at her thighs.
"What is it?"
Turning to Bansai and blankly staring at him, she replied, "I can't get up. Seems like I'm far sorer than I thought."
"Would you like me to help?"
"Yeah," Michiru murmured. "I'd greatly appreciate that."
It took around ten minutes for the woman to redress and stand without entirely losing her balance with Bansai's assistance. When certain her feet would—hopefully—support the rest of her body, Michiru kissed him one more time before ultimately leaving the boat.
Like her personal trail to the boat earlier, she said nothing during her walk home. In contrast, however, her body didn't tense in any way. Alternatively, she held another smile, this time with some of her teeth revealing.
Paying little attention to her surroundings aside from the rainfall and occasional stomping through the street, Michiru pondered, I feel more relaxed...
A few more images of her twin popped into her mind, though they included Tsu and Ichi as well.
It doesn't change the fact that I'm in love with a criminal. I wish I didn't have to be so scared of other people discovering this…including Mika.
To be continued…