Chapter 4. Eyes on...
A/N: Chapter 3 appears and then disappears and nobody knows why. Just another perfect day in ffland LOL In other news, I am trying to be better about quotes and punctuations, but it is so hard!
Standard disclaimers apply
Without intending to, Kaoru spent the entire evening with Soujirou at the dimly lit bar. She had schoolwork waiting for her, but she couldn't seem to pull herself away. Something about the bar itself-the scent of Fallen Leaves, the clinking of glasses-made her linger. Or maybe, if she waws being honest with herself, it was the way Soujirou moved behind the bar that was mesmerizing. It didn't help that every so often, she would catch him glancing inn her direction, sending her heart skipping a beat.
By the time his shift ended, the bar had begun to thin out, leaving behind only a few older customers nursing their drinks.
"Are you ready to go?" Soujirou asked, untying his apron.
"Yes!" Kaoru slid off the barstool, stretching out her stiff limbs.
Stepping outside, the pair was greeted by the crisp fall air. Kaoru took a deep breath and smiled. There was nothing that could beat the smell of a late fall night.
"I hope I didn't distract you from your work," she said as they strolled side by side on the pavement.
"Not at all." Soujirou waved a hand dismissively, his usual easygoing smile in place. "It was good to have company."
Kaoru beamed at him, their footsteps falling into an unspoken rhythm as they moved through the near-empty campus. Here and there, students scurried past, their faces set with the anxious determination of last-minute cramming. The distant glow of the library beckoned them forward like a beacon in the night.
"So, do you have any exams this week?" Kaoru asked, her voice light.
"A few," Soujirou admitted, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "But I'm not too worried. It's a pretty easy semester for me. How about you?"
Kaoru turned to answer, but before she could, a sudden force slammed into her from behind.
"Eek!" she yelped, stumbling forward as the impact knocked the breath from her lungs.
"Kaoru!"
Soujirou reacted quickly, reaching out and catching her just in time. His arms wrapped securely around her waist, steadying her before she could hit the ground.
Kaoru gasped as she looked up—only to see the figure who had crashed into her disappearing into the shadows.
"Hey, you!" she yelled. "Come back and apologize!"
But the culprit was already gone, vanishing into the darkened pathways of the campus.
"I think he's too far gone to hear us," Soujirou said with a small, amused smile.
Kaoru huffed, only then realizing how close they had become. Soujirou's arms still encircled her, his grip firm yet gentle, their faces mere inches apart. As if realizing the same thing, his usually cheerful expression softened and his dark eyes locked onto hers with an unreadable intensity.
"Kaoru," he murmured, his voice was quieter now, almost hesitant. The way he said her name sent an unexpected shiver down her spine.
Her breath caught, her heartbeat loud in her ears.
Then—
"Kaoru?"
Another voice cut through the moment, shattering the fragile moment.
Kaoru jerked back, her cheeks flushing as reality rushed back in.
"I saw what happened. Are you okay?"
The soft glow of the streetlamp illuminated the newcomer's silhouette as he stepped forward, his crimson hair catching the light like embers in the night.
"Kenshin?" Kaoru gasped, her eyes widening. As if suddenly aware of the closeness between her and Soujirou, she hastily put space between them, her cheeks still warm from the moment before.
Soujirou, ever composed, observed the interaction with his usual placid smile, his eyes flickering between them as if he were watching a scene unfold in a TV show.
The night air felt heavier now, charged with something unspoken. The distant rustling of leaves filled the silence as Kaoru met Kenshin's gaze, her heart still pounding from the collision—and something else she wasn't quite ready to name.
"Thanks, guys. Good night."
Kaoru hurried into her dorm building without sparing another glance back—her face was already burning from the sheer awkwardness of the encounter. It had been uncomfortable enough when Kenshin had stumbled upon her and Soujirou, but then he'd insisted on walking with them the rest of the way.
She never should have gone to the bar tonight.
The heavy door clicked shut behind her, leaving Kenshin and Soujirou standing in the glow of the dim campus lamps.
Kenshin watched the door for a moment before turning to Soujirou, a small, polite smile playing at his lips. "I don't think we've been properly introduced." He extended a hand, his voice carrying the same calm confidence as before. "I'm Himura Kenshin."
Soujirou took the offered hand in a firm grip of his own. "Seta Soujirou," he replied.
"Ah, the new kid on set," Kenshin mused.
"That's me," Soujirou said, releasing the handshake, "Well, I'm heading back now. Good night, Himura-san. It was nice meeting you."
"Likewise."
Kenshin remained where he was, watching Soujirou's retreating figure with an unreadable expression on his face.
Instead of heading back to his dorm, Soujirou retraced his steps to the spot where Kaoru had been hit. He leaned against the lamp post, tilting his head back to stare at the night sky before sighing.
"That was really dumb."
A few second later, a voice muttered somewhere from behind him, "Sorry. I couldn't stop myself."
Soujirou didn't turn. "But it didn't do anything."
"Well, your plan isn't quite working out either, is it?"
For the first time that night, Soujirou's smile faltered. His gaze dropped to his sneakers, bangs falling into his eyes.
"Sorry." The voice said again.
"Nope, you're right." When Soujirou lifted his head, he had his usual smile glued to its place, "Maybe we can try something else, Yahiko."
"I heard what you did today."
Sano dropped onto the couch beside Soujirou, his voice laced with exasperation. The cushions sank beneath his weight as he leaned back, arms crossed. "What were you thinking?"
Soujirou didn't look away from the video game on the TV screen. His fingers moved easily over the controller, his expression concentrated. "You told me to do what I had to do," he replied, giving a brief shrug. "I just followed your advice."
"Not to that extreme," Sano muttered, running a hand through his unruly hair. "Now Kenshin's back in the picture-no thanks to that little stunt of yours."
Soujirou only hummed in response, still absorbed in the game.
Sano let out a sharp breath. "Look, Aoshi and I might be your roommates, but we're Kenshin's best friends. So if it comes down to it…"
"I understand." Soujirou finally tore his gaze from the screen, his smile never wavering. "I appreciate the warning, but I finally made it here. I can't give up now."
Sano studied him for a moment before shaking his head. "Well, good luck, kid." He pushed himself up from the couch, stretching his arms above his head. "I'm off to get a real drink. It's my day off."
The door clicked shut behind him, leaving Soujirou alone in the living room. The only sound was the quiet hum of the console and the rhythmic clicking of buttons. His eyes stayed locked on the screen, unwavering.
GAME OVER.
The words flashed in bold, red letters.
Soujirou blinked.
Kaoru pushed open the door to her dorm, finding only Misao sprawled across her bed, flipping through a magazine.
"Where's Megumi?" She asked as she peeled off her fleece-lined denim jacket.
Misao barely glanced up. "All-nighter at the library," she replied before turning another page.
"Poor thing." Kaoru cast a casual glance at Megumi's desk, but something made her pause. A black cord was thrown carelessly on the desk. "Wait, isn't that Megumi's laptop charger?"
Misao's magazine slipped a little in her grip as she stared at the black object Kaoru was pointing at. Her eyes flicked up to Kaoru's, hesitation flashing across her face before she forced a nonchalant shrug, "I think so?"
Kaoru picked it up and slung her jacket back on. "She'll need this if she's staying at the library all night. Remember how she had a meltdown last time when her laptop ran out of power?"
"No!" Misao bounced up into a sitting position, the action so abrupt that it sent her magazine tumbling onto the floor.
Kaoru turned, startled by the sharpness in her roommate's voice.
"Are you okay?"
"I mean-" Misao let out a stiff laugh, "her battery's probably fine. She won't need it."
Kaoru frowned. "For an all-nighter though?"
Misao scrambled down from her bed and she reached for the charger, her voice bright and eager, "You're right. We should get this to her. Actually, you know what? Since you just got back, why don't I go instead?"
Kaoru gave her a puzzled look. "We can go together. I'm already dressed for the weather anyways."
"No no no. Let me." Misao reached for the charger.
"It's too late and I don't feel comfortable with you walking alone in the dark." Usually, Kaoru would have given in already, but for she felt strangely stubborn tonight.
Misao looked like she might cry. She wailed dramatically, "What do I do?"
"Is everything okay?" Kaoru asked again, not understanding why Misao was so stressed for no reason.
"Of courses! I just-" Misao waved her hands in the air, as if the gesture explained everything.
Before Kaoru could press further, her phone rang.
"Hi, Megumi?"
"Did I forget my charging cord?" Megumi's voice was tight, almost irritated.
"Yeah, but Misao and I– "
"It's fine. I've got Sano's computer, so I don't need it." Megumi spoke hurriedly.
"Are you sure?"
"God, Kaoru," Megumi snapped, exasperation cutting through the line. "It's just a charger. I said I don't need it. Just drop it already." Without another word, she hung up.
Kaoru slowly lowered the phone with a frown on her face.
"Well, I'm going to shower now." Misaso hastily picked up the magazine on the floor, threw it on her own desk, and made a beeline to the bathroom.
Kaoru stood by herself in the room, trying to make senses of what had happened. First, Misao freaking out about going to the library and then Megumi getting angry at her for wanting to help.
Maybe Megumi isn't at the library.
The thought flashed in Kaoru's mind, startling her. She looked around her slowly and without realizing what she was doing, she dialed the only number she could think of.
"Hello?"
A/N: Hope this chapter doesn't disappear like the last one…also typing this on a new computer! Exciting! Read and review!
Updated: 3/6/2025 6:45pm EST.