Countryside Romance

[ At Lena's grandmother's home in the countryside - After dinner walk scene ] 

Aki and Hizen walked together along a forest path, as the stars started to appear in the evening sky above them. It was quiet out tonight, with nothing but the sound of crickets filling the air. The fresh countryside air filled Aki's lungs - it smelled different from the scent of the city, and even the Honmaru. 

"It's getting cold out," Hizen commented. 

"It is," Aki agreed, rubbing at her arms. "I should have brought something to cover my shoulders."

Silently, Hizen removed the scarf he was wearing and placed it over Aki. 

"Tch... You're so clueless sometimes," he said to her. Their eyes met and locked in place for a moment. Aki felt her face blushing and she quickly averted her eyes, embarrassed. Hizen did not comment on it. 

Aki's heart was beating fast, while she enjoyed being alone with Hizen, she wasn't sure if he had felt the same way. She wondered about his heart for a long time now.

As they continued walking their hands would occasionally brush against each other. Aki - uncertain if this was intentional on Hizen's part or not - wanted to test Hizen and see how he would react. As their hands brushed together again, Aki kept her hand in place, up against his. 

Hizen noticed that her hands were ice cold, without thinking he grabbed her hand and placed it in both of his.

"Geez! Your hands are freezing," he complained, rubbing his hands over hers to warm them up. "Geez! Dress more warmly next time!"

Aki laughed nervously, "They feel a lot better now that you're doing that..." 

"There's a bench up here, shall we take a moment to rest a bit?" Hizen asked.

"I like that idea, I am exhausted." After all, everyone did not sleep well the night before, on account of being put in the same room together.

A lone wooden bench was located just off to the side of the path they were on. Hizen brushed off leaves that were settled on the top. They both sit together in silence on the bench, the cool wind blowing in the distance, rustling the tree tops.

They were alone in the forest close to Lena's grandmother's house. No one was around to disturb them, there was only his Saniwa and himself, enjoying the peaceful night. No battles to concern themselves with, no missions, no repairs, nothing.

One of his hands was still gripping Aki's tightly, but he didn't mind. Hizen closed his eyes, thinking to himself that this could be something he could get used to.

Earlier - before Aki and Hizen's walk - Granny made a big feast for dinner, because she was pleased to have guests to cook for. The dinner consisted of different meat and vegetable dishes which were cooked, fried, grilled, and even some that were served raw! Granny was happy to see Lena, Aki, Mikazuki and especially Hizen enjoying the food.

"My, my, you're eating so quickly. Please slow down, take your time, ohohoho~" Granny said to Hizen, laughing at his eagerness. Everyone laughed together and the time was wonderful.

After dinnertime, Granny told everyone they should go out for a walk to exercise after eating a big meal. Thus, Aki and Hizen left for outside, while Lena insisted to stay behind to help wash the dishes and clean up - Granny should rest after doing the cooking, she said.

Mikazuki decided to stay behind too, as he was wise enough to let Aki and Hizen have their alone time to chat. And, of course, someone should keep Lena company. 

After an hour, when Aki and Hizen didn't yet return, Lena started to get worried.

"They've been gone a long time," Lena stated, as she finished wiping the dishes from dinner. "I hope they're OK..."

Mikazuki was standing in the kitchen with Lena, as she put everything away. "Don't worry, Hizen is with her. He'll protect her if anything happens. The countryside is so peaceful, I don't believe anything would happen here."

"You're right," Lena nodded in agreement, trying to calm her heart. She was only worried about Aki, she hoped that Aki was having a nice walk with Hizen. "I'll try not to worry so much!"

Once Lena put away all the dishes and wiped the table, she turned to Mikazuki. "Do you want something to drink? Maybe tea, or some fruit to eat?" she asked, since they were waiting for Aki and Hizen to return anyway.

"Ahh... whatever you want is fine with me," Mikazuki replied. 

Granny suddenly appeared out of nowhere with a smile. "Ohoho, I received a bottle of foreign wine from a neighbour the other day. Perhaps you would like to try it?" 

Granny hobbled over to a cupboard and pulled out a bottle of red wine. Lena's eyes curiously scanned the bottle. It was a bottle of rather ancient-looking cabernet sauvignon. 

"Granny, you're giving this to us?" She asked.

"I'm not fond of this flavour. Why don't you share this with your friends? Ohohoho..."

With one last laugh, Granny left back to her room to rest and perhaps watch some TV.

Lena glanced at Mikazuki, shrugging. "Well, let's try it? We are on vacation, after all?"

Mikazuki laughed and gave his usual smile. "I understand. Let's do it."

Since they didn't have wine glasses, the wine was poured into regular cups. Lena offered one to Mikazuki, and set aside some cups for Aki and Hizen if they wanted to try later, too.

"Hmmm... this tastes like fruit, with some spices. I'm not sure if I like it," Lena said, though Mikazuki seemed to enjoy it, as he never complained about anything. After one glass, Lena felt fine, so she poured herself another. "Aki has to try some of this when she gets back!" Lena said excitedly. "I wonder... when will they return? What are they doing...?"

"They are probably enjoying themselves. They'll return when they are ready," Mikazuki reassured her. Lena realized that she always looked to him for support, and his words always comforted and calmed her worries. When did things become like that? Was that the reason why she felt so attracted to him? 

She would have to ask Aki about it, later......

Suddenly, Mikazuki asked something unexpected. "So... are your thoughts only on Aki and Hizen, right now?"

"Huh?" Lena didn't understand his question. "Of course... it's late, and they went out and haven't returned. Why, is this not normal?"

"This whole time, I haven't been worried about them." Mikazuki placed his cup down on the table and moved closer to her. "Since you and I are alone here... are any of your thoughts focused on me?"

"What are you saying..." Lena felt her face grow hot. "I don't know what you mean."

She avoided looking at him, she couldn't face him when he was directly addressing her emotions. "Of course... I think about you. You... I... You?"

Fortunately, at that moment, the front door slid open and they heard Aki's voice: "We're baaaack~"

"Oh, Aki. I better greet them..!" Lena hurriedly stood and left Mikazuki to avoid having the conversation she knew had to happen, eventually. 

"Oh, Aki. I better greet them..!" Lena hurriedly stood and left Mikazuki to avoid having the conversation she knew had to happen, eventually. 

"Please excuse my rudeness, but I must stop your leave." Mikazuki moved like lightning before Lena could react. He cornered her to the kitchen counter, surrounding her with both arms on the counter so that Lena couldn't leave.

"Mi...Mikazuki, what are you doing!" Lena cried, shocked as he leaned too close to her face at this time. "What if they see, how will I explain...?!"

"Usually I do whatever I want, you see." Mikazuki put a finger under her chin, lifting her head up to look into her eyes. "I won't stop until I hear the truth from your lips."

"..............."

When Aki and Hizen entered the house, Aki shouted, „We’re baaaack~“.  She let go of Hizen’s hand to take off her shoes.  She didn’t notice when he tried to grab her hand again.  She turned to him happily: „Now I’m warm enough, thanks Hizen!“ She wasn’t sure if he just took her hand because it was cold or if he really wanted to be closer to her.  In any case, the second point counted for her.  She still kept the scarf on.  Aside from the fact that it made her feel safe and warm (same scent as his hoodie), she thought it matched her dark green sundress with black capri leggings very well.  Aki ran towards the kitchen and opened the door.  While she looked in and saw Lena and Mikazuki close to each other, she stayed outside, then closed the door again.  They probably would rather be alone now, she thought.  „What is it?“ asked Hizen.  „Erm…Lena and Mikazuki…“ „Oh, they’re in there…?  Well then, let’s…” “Nooooo” Aki interrupted him.

He was about to go in when Aki grabbed his arm to stop him.  He protested, „Yes, but they’re-„ „BUSY.“ Hizen wondered, „Busy?“  Is there more food?  If so, I’d like to try it too.” “It’s not about the food,” Aki tried to argue further.  „Then let’s just drink something“ „Ah, that doesn’t work either!“ Aki smiled at him.  Now Hizen is completely confused.  He said impatiently, „Why are you so persistent?!  What’s going on now?“ Aki checked: „All right… the two shouldn’t be disturbed now.  Mikazuki has Lena surrounded, he’s quite close to her.“ „Then we should stop him!  Why do you say it’s ok?  If he harasses her… that’ll be trouble!” “No, no, you misunderstand.  I mean… they talk!“ 

„Are you sure we shouldn’t intervene?“ Hizen wondered. Aki told him everything was OK, but from his perspective, there was no reason for them not to enter the kitchen. He asked Aki, „If they want to talk, why can’t we be there? Is something private or ‘?“

„Ahh, this is so annoying…“

Hizen put a hand through his hair and complained. They just returned from a long walk, so he wanted to get a drink for both Aki and himself.

Hizen did not want to disobey Aki, because Aki told him not to enter the kitchen. However, he knew that after a long walk in the forest, surely Aki was also thirsty. Whatever Mikazuki and Lena were doing, certainly they had enough time to finish it by now?

„Hey, we’ve waited long enough. Let’s go,“ Hizen told Aki, and before Aki can reply, he took her by the wrist and both of them entered the kitchen!

Meanwhile as Aki and Hizen had a conversation outside the kitchen in the hallway, Mikazuki and Lena were frozen together like statues.

„…..I… I don’t know what you want me to say,“ Lena sighed, sounding very defeated. She gently pushed his hand away from her face. „If you’re going to confront me, at least be clear about what you want.“

„I already said that,“ Mikazuki replied.

„I will forgive you, this time. It is unbefitting of you to act so roughly…“ Lena stammered, realizing she’s still trapped between him and the counter. „Especially when Aki-neesan and Hizen are outside…“

In this moment the door opened and Hizen burst in with Aki.

Mikazuki’s body had Lena pushed against the kitchen counter. Hizen couldn’t understand what was going on.

„…Somehow…it looks weird what you are doing right now…“ he said to them, and was about to say more when his sharp eyes noticed the bottle on the table. „Ooh? What’s that?“

He forgot about the weirdness between Mikazuki and Lena at the moment, and led Aki to take a seat at the table. „What is this? A new drink?“ Hizen pick up the bottle and read the label. „Wine? Ah… must be alcoholic.“

He gave Aki a tiny smirk. „You won’t be having any, will you?“ He asked her.

„I will try it~“ he announced.

„I would also like to try it“ said Aki.

She saw out of the corner of her eye that everything was quiet with Lena and Mikazuki.  Hizen poured himself some, sampled a sip, and then offered it to his master.  Aki’s cheeks flushed, her eyes catching Hizen’s as she took his mug and tried a sip as well.  A feeling of warmth rose in her, and not just because of the alcohol.  A few months ago she would have been very nervous about it, but now it’s a familiar feeling.  She notices how close they’ve actually become.  „But only the one sip.“ Hizen said, tearing her out of her thoughts.  He would immediately offer her a soft drink or tea.

 Meanwhile, Mikazuki’s trap had loosened, a gap has emerged.  Right now the two had to enter the kitchen…and apparently wouldn’t leave any time soon either.  He probably had to postpone his plan.

 "A-Aki.. welcome back,“ Lena’s soft voice said from behind Mikazuki.  He was now forced to step aside.  With an intense look, he let go of Lena’s proximity.  Lena looked to the side.

Then she joined the others to have some more wine.

"Do you like it?" Lena asked Aki. She sat across from Aki and Mikazuki also took a seat across from Hizen.

"It was sweet," Aki replied. She was glad Hizen did not let her drink a lot. He was worried about her ever since 'that time'. 

When the wine bottle was empty, Lena and Hizen were feeling relaxed - they were the ones drinking most of the alcohol. As a result, their faces were a bit pink.

"All the fireflies should be out by now," Lena said excitedly, "we should go watch them before we sleep. Come on!"

Lena led them to a small terrace overlooking the field. Hundreds of little glowing lights gently moved in the darkness. The fireflies disappear only to magically reappear elsewhere, giving one an illusion of something out of this world.

"It's peaceful, isn't it?" Lena sighed. "When I was little, I used to watch them every night in the summer... wow, that was a long time ago. I feel old!"

"You're not that old," Aki said with a laugh. "If you're old, I'm old, as we are around the same age."

"Both of you are young," Mikazuki informed them, "as human lifetimes are a drop in the ocean compared to us swords."

"Yeah, you and Hizen are -ancient-," Lena joked. "Soooo old!"

"Hey! Who are you calling old? I may be a killer, but I'm no old man!" Hizen retorted, crossing his arms.

They laughed together, enjoying the relaxing atmosphere. Everyone was silent for a moment. The friends knew their vacation wasn't to last forever. The short time they spent away from their missions was to be cherished. 

"Ah, I'm tired," Hizen finally said, "I'm going to bed." He tried to stand up but he stumbled a bit. Aki helped support him by holding onto his arm. "I'll help you," she offered, and guided him back inside the house. Again, leaving Lena and Mikazuki alone.

Lena suddenly didn't know what topic to discuss, and the silence turned awkward now that Aki and Hizen were gone. She thought, since Mikazuki likes baths, she could distract him with such a topic, and not talk about the previous conversation from the kitchen.

"So, we didn't visit the hot spring yet!" she said quickly. "Are you excited for that? We should go tomorrow..."

Mikazuki narrowed his eyes at her. He didn't forget things so easily. "Sure, we can do that if you want to do that," he said. "Firstly, I would like to hear the answer to my question. Do you think of me? Or only just the others?"

"Ah... well..." Lena was frustrated that she couldn't speak to him properly nowadays. Recently she experienced this issue, but there was no problem before. Was it because they had grown closer? Now, being alone with him made her heart race, unlike no other person. She desperately wished Aki was here to help her, but no such luck.

Finally she said, "Of course I think of you, you're my Touken Danshi and I am your Saniwa. That's my responsibility and job." No, that wasn't really what she wanted to say, it was just fake professionalism. "...That's not the only reason..."

"Hmm?" Mikazuki waited for her to continue.

"I... Why is this so difficult?" She sighed. "Maybe, can you give me some time to think about my words? I promise I will give you a proper answer." That was all they could say for now.

"Why don't you come closer," Mikazuki said, "sit closer to me, so you don't catch a cold."

Lena moved a little closer to him. Just a little bit. She felt exactly the same nervousness/embarrassment as when she gave him a massage to put back his back. So both of them sat together, the feelings still unspoken....
____________________________________

Back inside, Aki helped Hizen onto his futon. At this time, is yukata is no longer in place and was pulled open, exposing his chest area. Aki blushed at the sight of Hizen half-undressed. She was going to help him lie down and return to her own futon, but Hizen grabbed her and pulled her on top of him!

"Hey, where do you think you're goin'?" he asked, staring at her in a daze. "You said you were going to help me, right...?"

Help him? "With what?" Aki asked, covering her cheeks with her hands so he wouldn't see the shyness on her face...

Hizen gestured to his disheveled yukata. "I need to change before bed...  Can ya grab my night clothes? ...And you have my hoodie." Aki was still wearing his scarf, too 😂