Diana is a 28th years old single woman who's patient and caring for her bed-ridden father. The only joy and stress-reliever for her is when she played her favorite Otome game Love dating simulator ), Hakuōki Shinsengumi. Spending many years of takin...
That's what Shun always thought of every time she got the chance to be together with Hijikata. When Shun gave the struggle to approach Hijikata, she never felt confused or strange like this. Instead she was very happy every time she could be any help of him or make him laugh a little. However, when Hijikata suddenly did something like now, Shun did not know what to say to break the ice.
Even though they're in peak of spring, it seems the ice between them is still thick.
" Are you actually bothered by my sudden visit? Don't worry, I'm just going to walk you to home, I'll greet your parents next time. " He patted Shun's head which pumping a lot of bloods to her head in a moment, resulting obvious blush under those strands of hair.
" I-I'm not bothered at all! I just... didn't expect you to walk me to home like this. "
" Haha, when we first met, you were always the one who surprised me with lots of things. But who would have thought that you were easily defeated by simple things like this? " Again, the young guy didn't know what that smile actually did to Shun's heart.
She was walking beside him just fine before, but now she quickened her pace and stopped before Hijikata.
" Shun? " He called out to the girl who hang her head down.
Biting her lips, clenching her fist. Gathering all the courage she has in that little body of her. She knows how Hijikata probably is tired already hearing her confession and will make fun of it as always. But anyway... this time she thought she must say it again.
" No matter how many times it is... It will worth the time of my second life in here. " Encouraging herself with the same spell over and over again, she finally resolved herself.
" Shun? What's it? "
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" ... I... of course I'm surprised and... awkward... I just don't know what to do when the person I like so much suddenly want to walk me to home like this. " Wavering eyes but sharp enough to make Hijikata stare for a moment there.
Before any reply, Shun continue her walk and leave Hijikata behind. She knows how Hijikata would probably just take it casually like always, so she didn't think much about whatever reply he will give.
In the distance, walking silently behind the little figure, an unknown expression to Shun— even Hijikata himself didn't know that he actually can make such a face.
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Cherry blossom petals showering them like a pink-tinted snow with crimson-colored sky above them. The spring is around them, and yet they're still too immature to bloom yet. However, people often said that the late bloomer will bloom the most beautiful flower.
" What... was that with her? I'll be clueless what to do as well... if she suddenly make a face like that... " In silence of their voice, only the wind is there to play a nature's song with the forest as their instrument.
Will this late bloomer bloom a beautiful flower?
" Hijikata-San. " It's rare for Shun the first one to break the ice, but anyway, Hijikata seems to be glad that it's her this time.
" What? " He replied, still walking behind her.
" Are you tired? "
" No, not at all. This much hiking is nothing actually. "
" ... No, I didn't mean the hiking. I mean, with your current self. With your current life. "
True that it is unknown for Shun to be the first one to break the ice, but Hijikata somewhat has never been that shocked whenever she asked things like this.
There's always an aura of maturity around her that Hijikata slightly feel.
" Heh, does it look that obvious to you? But again, you've always been a sharp girl, Shun. " He snickered.
" Well, you know me, Hijikata-San. You see... Hijikata-San, I think you'll do something big in the future, later. " It's by any means, not a mindless words.
" Hahaha, tell me about it. "
" It's tru—! I mean... you gotta believe it yourself if you want to achieve something big, right? So... don't worry, Hijikata-San, I can tell... that this medicine work won't tie you down, but that's only if you have the gut to do so. "
Silence is now standing between their conversation. Even though it's just words that came from a mere little girl, Hijikata is thinking about it deeper more than he expected.
" It's strange how you can sound so sure of my own fate. " He scoffed, still not acknowledging his realization of his dissatisfaction with his current life.
" Of course sometimes I'm not so sure with myself. But I know I can believe in you at least, Hijikata-San. " She said almost instantly.
In the other hand, Hijikata almost tripped on his step after he heard those words.
" It's still a wonder to me how you can say something like that so casually, Shun. "
Finally they reached to Shun's house before dark.
" We've arrived. " Said Shun. Actually they're still not around her house, but they can see the house clearly near them from where they stand. Shun said it's alright for Hijikata to go back now.
After exchanging farewell, Shun reached out to Hijikata's sleeve. Usually her face will be as red as a tomato now, but right now she's not only blushing slightly, but her eyes filled with determination.
The determination that she already prepared for this past years.
" In the future, Hijikata-San... When you're going to do something big... Will you let me join you? " With clear mind, she look up to that amethyst pupil of Hijikata.
Never crossed his minds that this walk will lead to this conversation. But for many unexplainable reason, he couldn't just shove this off like a joke.
He grabbed her little hands firmly, with a determined smile, he reply her. " ... Sure, but only if you help me out with things too. "
And that's, how their first petal of the late bloomer begin to open.
