''Oh? So you do like him~?"

"Kimiko, please stop this nonsense."

"Your big blush is saying something different though."

"Ugh," you glared at the girl across you.

Shimazu Kimiko was your friend since you came to Kyoto. She and her family helped you a lot with starting a business of your own. Even if they didn't exactly approve a woman of your young age owning a bakery on her own. Nonetheless, they did everything they could. You were thankful and doubted you would ever be able to pay the debt.

Kimiko was the same age as you, so the two of you quickly became friends. She was smiley and bubbly girl, who loved gossiping and drinking tea. Exactly what you two were doing today. But somehow she was sure that you and Okita had a thing for each other. She was speaking about your seemingly obvious feeling towards the Shinsengumi captain. It always made you squirm in your seat.

She didn't approve relationship with infamous Okita Souji, but liked to tease you nonetheless. You thought, that in your life there were just too many people, who made their life goal to get you embarrassed.

It wasn't like you didn't have feelings for him. You admitted them to yourself, but you weren't so keen on sharing them with anybody else. Especially not with Kimiko and her nature. You wouldn't hear the end of it. You were more or less content with the way things were now. Okita was dropping by your bakery when he was on patrol. Sometimes he came by when he had free afternoon. It was enough. You knew it was all you could wish for. You didn't believe he was ready for normal relationship. And if he were, he simply didn't want it. He was devoted to the Shinsengumi, and your feelings seemed trivial in comparison. You learned to live this way.

"Seriously though, you should find yourself a husband!"

"What? Look, I'm happy that you got engaged to Kanzaki-san. You know I'm not interested in marriage yet."

"You're just being difficult," she decided taking a sip of her green tea. You rolled your eyes at her. "But I guess I prefer you over that secretive girl you used to be."

"Kimiko..." she grinned. You smiled at her. She was truly the best friend you could ever have. Even if she didn't know your whole story, she was supportive and caring. You loved time spent with her.

"Well," she started. "as we are talking about my engagement, my mom's getting paranoid. Seriously!

"I bet she's just worried."

"Yeah, sure. She's already thinking about a guest arrangement!"

"Oh my," you laughed.

Next few hours you spent on gossiping and eating sweets you made. You left her house in the afternoon. With a soft sigh you walked busy street.

You wondered about your talk with Kimiko. You wished her the best about her engagement. She deserved a man who could support her through the life. As far as you knew, the man she chose was good person. Though you didn't know him that well, but you trusted her judgement.

Deep in thought you were pushed and almost fell. You regained balance.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't looking," you apologized to young girl in a bright kimono.

"Ah, it's okay."

"Haven't I see you before?" you mused. You blinked few times. "Chizuru-chan...?"

The girl before you laughed a little then looked you in the eyes.

"No, I'm Kaoru, but I've been told that I look similar to Chizuru-san. Though we met only once."

"O-oh. I see, sorry. I'm _____ by the way."

"It's okay. Nice to meet you. Are you friends with Chizuru-san?"

"Yes, we're good friends. He comes over my bakery a lot," you referred to Chizuru with 'he'. After all you sworn to keep the secret. Kaoru's smile twisted a little but then came back to being neutral.

"I see. I hope to visit your bakery one day."

"I do welcome!"

"If you excuse me, I have to go. See you, _____-san," she said. Before you could say your own goodbyes , she disappeared in the crowd. You smiled and went your own way.

***

"Do I smell delicious dorayaki?"

"Oh no, you don't, Souji-san!" you exclaimed and snatched the tray with the pancakes.

"Good morning, ____-san," you heard polite voice. You turned to the girl with a smile.

"Would you like some dorayaki, Chizuru-chan, I've got plenty!"

It was pleasant, though chilly afternoon. You didn't think you'd be visited by the Shinsengumi today. Okita of course pouted, but soon smile was back on his face. You treated them with dorayaki. Today Harada was also on the patrol so you treated him too. You didn't know Harada much, you saw him a few times at best. Red-head was actually polite and thanked you.

"Are you coming back from the patrol?"

"Yep. Though it was boring today," Okita replied. You rolled your eyes at his antics. He started to cough out of sudden.

"Souji-san!?" you rushed to him in panic. He held a hand to keep you at the distance as he continued to cough. "Are you alright?! You shouldn't be on a patrol!"

"I-It's alright. I'm fine," he sounded hoarse as he turned and wiped his mouth.

"Just how long are you having these coughs?" you asked as you held onto his haori. "You shouldn't be out. Is it a cold? I told you to be more careful!"

"_____, stop blabbering," Okita silenced you.

His warning glare made you shiver. You excused yourself and went to prepare tea for his sore throat. You were sure it got something to do with the lie he told you about the medical examination few weeks ago. Maybe it was asthma? But you don't recall him telling you about it, and it was too late for any allergies. No, you thought, it's just a common cold and I'm overreacting. You tried so hard to ignore that image lurking around your head. Image of blood on his hand. You told yourself that you were imagining things. And with that resolution you made your way to the front carrying tray with the tea.

"Here you go," you said.

They couldn't stay for a long. Your guests drank the tea and after little stretching decided to go to the headquarters.

"Ah, _____, here," Okita said handing you a package. You looked at him suspiciously and unwrapped it.

"Oh my, is that...?" you asked astonished. Okita nodded. You signed as you held in your hands the same haori you saw weeks ago. It was beautiful and pleasant to the touch. You knew it was good quality and costed much money. You tried to give him back the haori. "B-but I can't take it. It's too much!"

He signed and took the material in his hands. He wrapped the haori around you.

"You wanted that one right?"

"Yes, but-"

"Think of it as an payment for every free meal I got from you," he winked at you. He turned to join his companions. "See you, _____."

You were at loss of words. You watched wide eyed as the man in the blue haori walked away.

"Souji-san!" you shouted after him. With a blush on you face you shouted once again. "Thank you!"

~~*~~

A/N:

Evenfully-uneventfull chapter, but I hope you liked it anyway, it's kind of... calm before the storm I guess?

Please, comment below and tell me what you think!