26

༊*·˚

My sword strikes the training post as sweat coats my forehead and my cheeks are flushed as I breathe heavily. I ignore the heavy feeling in my legs and continue to strike the post, determined to do anything... to just take my mind off the past few terrible days.

It's been a week since Haku confessed to me, and since then he's been avoiding me. I suppose I was expecting that kind of reaction, but each time he turns his back to me or frowns and avoids eye contact, I feel a pang in my heart. Miko has mainly been spending time with her brother, which I completely understand... but I've felt more lonely in this past week than I have in a while.

It's feels strange of me to say, but all these years where I've been wishing for someone to show romantic interest in me... I think I prefer being undesirable. Each time I've been confessed to, it's just caused problems...

It's times like these where I really wish I could see Haganezuka. I just desperately need a friend right now, and between having to write letters to him and hardly ever getting one in return, I feel as if I have no one to confide in.

My legs finally give out, and I collapse onto the grass panting and wiping my sweat from my forehead. I look at the beautiful sword Haganezuka crafted for me, smiling softly at my fond memories of spending time with him in the village. I'd give anything to be back there right now.

"Hey..." Miko's soft voice draws my attention away from my sword, and I smile at her. She crouches in front of me and I attempt to fix my messy hair. "How are you?" She says and I shrug with a forced smile.

"I'm good! Just thought I should get some training in while I'm waiting for my next mission you know?" I say and she hums, looking down at the ground. "How are you? How is... Haku?" She just sighs.

"I'm good... Haku is, good?" I tilt my head. "He's better, if that means anything. He's finally stopped moping around all day and is actually starting to get himself together again, not acting like a big man baby," she giggles softly and I just smile, unsure if I'm allowed to laugh at his pain that I caused. She notices my uneasiness and stops laughing herself, clearing her throat. "Don't feel bad Hanako, you did the right thing. Things would've been way worse if you were untruthful, and he deep down appreciates your honesty as well. He'll come around eventually, and then we'll all laugh about this in the future," she says and I smile.

"I just wish there was something I could do, to make it up to him."

"Don't stress too much about it. He's a big boy, he can handle a little rejection. Besides, you're not responsible for his happiness," I smile at her, flinging my arms around her and smiling as she happily returns the hug.

"Thanks Miko, you're a really great friend," I say and she hums, hugging me tighter.

"Hey Hanako?" She says and I hum. "I love you and everything, but you smell really bad..." My eyes widen as I quickly pull away, lifting my arm to my nose and gagging. She's right, I reek of sweat. She laughs at me as I also giggle.

"I think it's time for me to take a bath... talk to you later!" I say jumping to my feet, rushing to the bathhouse as Miko just rolls her eyes with a smile.

-

I sigh happily, feeling a lot better after my talk with Miko and my hot bath. I sit on the veranda, gazing at the stars in my pauses between writing the letter. I'm a bit late in sending my letter today, but I've been so focused on training I lost track of time. I hope Haganezuka isn't too angry.

I finish writing the letter, and whistle Piiko's call while swinging my legs back and forth. Not long after, Piiko lands next to me with a happy squawk. I stroke his chest, watching him puff his feathers making me giggle.

"Hello Piiko, how are you?" I say and he does a few little hops.

"Very well Miss Hanako! Should I go deliver your letter now?" He says and I giggle, nodding as he lets me tie the letter gently around his neck.

"Fly safe Piiko!" I say, giving him a gentle kiss before waving as he flies off and disappears into the night sky. After a bit longer of sitting underneath the stars, I decide to call it a night and head to bed.

Haganezuka huffs, cleaning the cuts on Genji's legs as Genji winces.

"You're an idiot you know that right?" Haganezuka scolds and Genji crosses his arms.

"It wasn't my fault," he says and Hagaenzuka smacks him gently over the head. "They were making fun of me! What was I supposed to do!"

"Walk away! Not try and beat up kids who are 10x your size! Stupid."

"I'm not stupid!" Haganezuka scoffs, turning his back to Genji to get the freshly heated water. "Miss Nakahara would've been proud of me," Genji mumbles under his breath, and Haganezuka pauses his movements before sighing. He walks back over, continuing to tend to Genji's wounds.

"She wouldn't have encouraged this. She would say the same thing I did."

"How do you know! You were so mean to Miss Nakahara, I know her way better than you do!" Haganezuka raises an eyebrow.

"Oh yeah? Then what would she say?"

"She... She would say that I should stand up for myself! She would also say to beat up anyone who is mean to me!" Haganezuka snickers, making Genji look to the side with a grimace under his mask.

"Is that really what you think she'd say?" Genji nods proudly. "Well, I think she'd say something more along the lines of... yes stand up for yourself, but in a different way..." Genji looks at him with a tilted head.

"Like how?"

"Like... in a way that doesn't involve getting your ass kicked!" He smacks him gently once more making Genji groan. "I'm not going to keep doing this every time you lose a petty little fight! So either learn to do this yourself, or stop putting yourself in that situation!"

"You can't tell me what to do! You're not my dad!"

"Then go back home to your dad and see what he says, because I can guarantee that I'll be a lot nicer than what he will be!" Genji goes silent and looks down at the floor with a sniffle, making Haganezuka feel slightly guilty for lashing out like he did. After all, Genji is just a kid. "Why don't you stay here tonight ok kid?" He says softly and Genji nods, climbing into the futon as Haganezuka sighs and begins to clear away the things. He hears the soft sniffling come from the boy and he's unsure of what to do. He doesn't want to listen to him crying the whole night, so with hesitant movements he moves over to the small boy. He bites his tongue as he slowly pulls the blanket further over Genji, hearing the sniffling pause as he gives a gentle tap on the boys shoulder before quickly leaving once again.

Ever since she left Genji has been clinging to his side non-stop. This isn't the first time he's gotten his ass beat as well. He thinks that he can be some sort of hero demon slayer or whatever, but he's just putting himself in danger because of it. It's not like his real parents give a shit about what happens to their 6 year old son anyway.

Haganezuka splashes his face with water before drying his hands and face, the water making his hair stick around his face as he takes a deep breath. He's been wondering when her letter will come today, and it's quite late but he has faith that'll it'll be soon.

As if he manifested it, the crow lands at his window and he grins to himself, flinging the towel over his shoulder as he walks over.

"Hello, flying rat," he snickers as Piiko gasps dramatically, turning his head away from him.

"Rude beast!" He scoffs and Haganezuka rolls his eyes, taking the letter from him. Piiko flies away and Haganezuka sits on his futon, gently unrolling the letter as he always does.

Good evening Mr Haganezuka!I hope I'm not bothering you with this letter so late at night, I'm afraid I lost track of time today and did not think to write earlier. I hope you're not asleep already, even though by the time you read this I may already be! I don't have much new to tell you as I've spent the entire day training, I did have a very helpful talk with Miko though. It only really reminded me of something though, I've been incredibly lonely without Miko and Haku's company this past week. Which brings me to a favor I have to ask you.Mr Haganezuka, please come and visit me soon. I know I always ask, but this time I would really appreciate it. I could really do with a friend's company, and right now your company is what I'd like the most. It doesn't have to be for long, we could just have tea together again? Or perhaps go for a walk together! It really doesn't have to be much, I'd just like to talk to someone. I hope that you will come! I'll be waiting!Nakahara Hanako!

Haganezuka's heart pounds against his chest as he slowly lowers the letter. He runs a hand through his long hair, his face feeling hot as he collapses onto his back and stares at the ceiling. He can barely process all the thoughts flooding his mind. Her words were so direct, so kind, he feels his stomach twist into a knot at the mere thought of what she wrote to him.

He covers his face with his hand, his chest rising up and down as he tries to calm himself. He's looking too much into this. She simply wants company, that's it. Even if she could ask anyone... and yet still asked for him specifically... no! It means nothing.

He reads over the letter time after time until he eventually falls asleep with it still in his hands. He was still unsure of what to do, not knowing if he would be able to face her after the strange feelings that arose that night.

-

"Good morning Miss Nakahara!" A Kakushi greets me as I skip down the halls. I greet her in return, heading to the kitchen for breakfast. I woke up feeling a lot better than I have been feeling for the past few days, but all I know is right now I'm starving.

"Good morning!" I sing as I burst into the kitchen, two of the resident worker girls turning to me with large grins.

"Good morning Miss Nakahara!" They say in unison and I walk over, practically drooling at the breakfast being prepared.

"Looks delicious!" I say, reaching out to grab one of the onigiri balls but one of the girls firmly smacks my hand making me pull it back with a pout.

"No eating yet! Wait for everyone else to wake up!" She scolds and I smile innocently before gasping.

"Koyumi! Someone is taking the food look!" I say, pointing behind her and she immediately whips her head around. I take this opportunity to snatch an onigiri ball before running out the kitchen, hearing Koyumi curse after me as I giggle.

I walk around the residency, happily munching on my acquired food as I greet everyone who walks past me. Just as I turn the corner, I crash into another Kakushi making her drop the blankets she was holding and we both yelp.

"Oh I'm so sorry! Here let me help you!" I say, already scurrying to pick up the blankets as she just giggles.

"I'm sorry Miss Nakahara," she takes the blankets from me as we bow to each other and begin to carry on our ways once again. "Oh Miss Nakahara?!" She calls out and I turn to her. "I forgot to tell you, your swordsmith is at the residence entrance asking for you!" With that she turns and leaves.

And I stand in the hallway with wide eyes and a pounding heart.