Karenai Hana Ch 3

The child wasn’t able to get up from the position she was left in. She watched the other child walk away from here with the woman of twenties. Tiny tears formed in her eyes as she reminisced what she saw and what stared at her.

Red mingled with the other child’s golden eyes as it shone dully. It wasn’t natural, she knew. What scared her most was the murderous look the other child gave her. And that loathing look the other child gave before the other child turn and left her. It was like the other child intended to kill her right there and then.

The sudden stop of footsteps made the fallen child snap out of her trance. The other child turned and walked towards her again. The fallen child tried to scramble back again, but her legs wouldn’t take her anywhere. So she squeezed her eyes shut again.

Gomen nasai. The fallen child’s eyes opened as she heard those words. She looked up and saw the other child’s hand outstretched for her to reach. The intent to kill and the feint reddening of the other child’s golden eyes were gone. They just stared at each other and then, the other child spoke again. Gomen nasai.

---
Chapter 3: Apology
---

Setsuna stared at the reddening sky. It’s almost evening and the sun was setting, but Setsuna didn’t bother moving from the spot Aoki left her.

You never change.

His words echoed through her head again. Setsuna grimaced. She wondered what he meant but looking back at the past, it still does make sense. Too much had happened, and Setsuna hadn’t expected it to turn out this way. Her thoughts had been consumed by the hatred she felt for Aoki that her senses had dull and made her unfocused. Resulting--- she lost.

Just like that day that Kono-chan almost drowned--- I am still too weak... I- I’m not worthy of protecting... ojousama in this state... I can’t protect Kono-chan like this!!!

Setsuna clamped her eyes shut, in attempt to stop the tears that had formed and threatened to fall. How could a Shinmei-swordsman get defeated by someone who can’t even walk straight!??

“Caught that, didn’t you?”

Setsuna shot her eyes open and saw Aoki standing in front of her. He held her bag and Yuunagi in his left hand and had it slung over his shoulder.

“How unsightly.” Then he stretched his hand for Setsuna to grab. “Get up.”

Setsuna stared at his hand, then his eyes. The murderous look was gone. His expression softened and a small smile crept across his face. He stretched his hand forward more. He shifted a little bit and slowly knelt down beside her. “You did well to face me in a confused state, as you are now. C’mon. Get up.”

Setsuna grimaced. How could I let my guard down so easily?? How could I not sense him coming? She clenched her fists and swatted Aoki’s hand away. Aoki expected it but didn’t avoid it. Setsuna proceeded to get herself up as she mumbled angrily. “I don’t need help.”

Aoki frowned as he lowered his hand and watched Setsuna. I told you it would make it worse. You should have listened to me. Aoki thought, seemingly to himself. Idiot. Slowly, he shifted and stood up slowly as Setsuna did, stopping when he saw Setsuna wince. He peered at her and noticed that her wrist was swollen.  I must have hit it too hard when I disarmed her... Aoki shifted Setsuna’s bag to his right hand and fumbled something in his coat. After a while, he brought out a first-aid kit.

Setsuna winced as she felt the sting on her right wrist. Just great. She couldn’t believe how bad her luck is right now. But she was caught surprised as someone grabbed her hand and a soft voice called her. A voice that sounded like a girl’s.

“Sakurazaki-san.” Aoki spoke softly, approaching Setsuna and grabbing her hand. Setsuna’s head snapped up. Aoki brought down her things before slowly and gently started to bandage her injury. “Gomen nasai.” He said lowly as he continued to tend on her, “I didn’t expect it to turn out that way. I thought that, if I proved myself worthy of this job, then you would accept me...” Aoki gave one light pat on Setsuna’s wrist as he finished bandaging it, then shifted again and took her things with his left hand. Unconsciously, he started to pat Setsuna’s back and skirt, dusting off the dirt that had dirtied her clothes. “But it seems like I did a bad job at it.” He paused. “Gomen nasai.” He stated again in a voice that neared a whisper.

Setsuna blushed at Aoki’s attention. “W-WHAT ARE YOU DOING??” Setsuna recoiled and distanced herself hastily from Aoki.

Aoki looked up to her with an incredulous look, “Eh?” then he looked around and back to Setsuna, “Did--- Did I say something wrong, Sakurazaki-san?”

T-This guy---! Setsuna look at him angrily. Aoki stared innocently at her face. But when he realized what the gesture meant, he giggled, “I see...” “Eh?” “Iya, it’s nothing Sakurazaki-san.” Setsuna stared back at the guy. His giggle startled her. Scratch that, a guy giggles??? He—He sounds like a girl!

Aoki straightened himself and faced Setsuna, “I didn’t mean to laugh at you, Sakurazaki-san.” And smiled again and raised his free hand towards Setsuna again. “So, what about it, Sakurazaki-san? Truce?”

Setsuna looked at him, still slightly blushing at what happened a while back. Her composure was a bit back to normal. Then her glance moved to his hand then back up. Setsuna stretched her left hand towards Aoki--- but missed his hand. “I’ll be taking those back.” Setsuna’s voice stated coldly.

“Eh?”

She shifted her hand and pointed at the items that were slung on Aoki’s shoulders, “My belongings,” her hand opened up again, “I’ll be talking them back.”

“But Sakurazaki-san, your hand--” Aoki said in a worried tone, but was cut off by Setsuna.

“I don’t trust you. And I’m still not convinced that you can protect Kono-c--- Konoka-ojousama.”

Aoki raised an eyebrow, shrugged and smiled. But he didn’t hand Setsuna her things. “I’m sorry, Sakurazaki-san. I can’t comprehend such destructive behavior. And even if you are currently my superior.” He patted Setsuna’s shoulder before he turned around and continued, turning his head towards Setsuna, “Saa, please lead---”

“SECCHAAAAA------------N!”

Setsuna’s head shot up and saw Konoka and Asuna jogging towards them. “O-Ojousama! What are you doing here?” Aoki look at the two, “Are you alright, Konoe-ojousama? Kagurazaka-san?” I often quite get cut off, don’t I? Aoki mused and knelt in front of Konoka as they stopped, and Konoka sort of squatting down to catch her breath.

After recovering from the marathon, Konoka stood up, almost hitting Aoki, and rushed to Setsuna. Aoki barely managed to dodge Konoka’s head, and just in time before it connects to his face. He fell back, almost dropping Setsuna’s things. Asuna offered him an apologetic smile. Somewhat amused, Aoki shifted and turned to look at Konoka’s destination.

Setsuna was glued on her place as Konoka stopped in front of her with a pout on her face. The half demon mentally cursed herself as the cute blush started to show up her face again.

"Secchan, are you all right? I was worried since it was getting late, so went looking for you!" Konoka worriedly started on Setsuna.

“A-Ah… O-Ojousama...” Setsuna stepped back a little, as Konoka’s face got closer to hers. She felt her face get more flustered.

“Muh! What did I tell you about calling me ‘Ojousama’, Secchan?” Konoka pouted then continued, “Did ojiichan made you do something hard?”

Setsuna waved her hands in front of her, “N-no o-ojou--” “MUH!” “K-Kono-chan! The headmaster and I---”

“AH!” Konoka caught sight of Setsuna’s bandaged hand and grabbed it, gently but suddenly.
“Secchan! What happened!? You’re hurt!”

Aoki peered at the two and turned to Asuna and asked, pointing at Konoka and Setsuna, “Are those two...” But decided not to, “They look like husband and wife.” He plainly stated. Asuna was caught off guard, surprised. “Newly weds, to be precise.” He continued, moved and walked towards Konoka and Setsuna, as the Konoe heiress try to extract information out of the other girl on what happened to her hand. Arriving there, he tapped Konoka’s shoulder, making Konoka stop at Setsuna and turn to look at him.

“Anou... Gomen nasai Konoe-ojousama, Sakurazaki-san’s injury is my fault.” He smiled apologetically and scratched his head, “I kind of... went overboard when I requested her to spar with me.” And then he laughed, but halted when Konoka gave him an eye.

“Yatsuka-kun! You should be more careful next time! I don’t know what I’ll do if Secchan gets hurt!” Konoka frowned, and then turned back to Setsuna. Konoka again took Setsuna’s hand unto hers. As soon as she got hold of the hanyou’s hand, it started glowing, healing the injury but in the process, keeping it discreet and away from Aoki’s eyes.

Setsuna felt the warm draft on her hand, and then the pain was fully gone.

“A-arigatou, ojousama... I-I’m sorry to worry you.”

Konoka pinched Setsuna’s cheek, “It’s Ko-no-chan.”

“K-Kono-chan...”

The faint glow caught Aoki’s attention. So she is a mage after all. He mused but didn’t mention it. That was a pretty careless course of action. He snapped out of his reverie as Asuna walked up and spoke.

“We should be going back at the dorms by now.” Asuna interrupted Konoka and Setsuna, then turned to Aoki who was a bit surprised, “And Yatsuka-san...?”

“Ah, yes. Would it be alright if I drag along with you guys?”

“Eh?” Asuna and Konoka reacted in chorus

“Well, I’m rooming with Sakurazaki-san...” He said, and smiled again.

“E-EHHHHHHHHH???!?” the redhead and the Konoe heir did the same reaction as Setsuna did.

“But... you’re a guy! Why are you rooming with Setsuna-san??” Asuna asked in disbelief.

Aoki smiled, “Because it’s what the headmaster said.”

“Is that true, Secchan?” Konoka looked at Setsuna, who cast her gaze on the ground.
“H-Hai...”

“B-But--! How could Ojiichan do that to you!?”

“There isn’t really a problem, Konoe-ojousama. I wouldn’t be a bother to Sakurazaki-san.”

“Secchan! We’re going to see Ojiichan and tell him to change his decision!”

Konoka grabbed Setsuna’s hand and proceed to drag her towards the schools direction. However, Setsuna loosened Konoka’s gripped and looked away.

“No, K-Kono-chan. It’s ok. The headmaster said there wouldn’t be any problems if Yatsuka-san’s...” Setsuna said lowly, only enough for the three of them to hear.

“Secchan...”

Asuna eyed Aoki, but Aoki turned to her, “Daijoubu yo, Kagurazaka-san.”

Konoka heard this and turned to Aoki, with a serious face. Aoki was quite taken aback.

“Ko-Konoe-ojousama?”

“Though it’s Ojiichan’s decision, I disagree with it... Yatsuka-kun,” Konoka’s eyes stared at Aoki’s and then she moved and whispered to his ear, “If something bad happens to Secchan, I won’t forgive you.”

“Eh?” Aoki was dumbfounded.

Konoka just moved away with her patented smile plastered in her face again, no sign of the seriousness she showed him. He watched her as she dragged Setsuna towards the dorms and with Asuna walking behind them. That was... unexpected.

Aoki shrugged and dismissed the thought. A little threat from an in-training mage isn’t enough to fend him off anything. He turned, shifted the things on his shoulder and followed them.


Next day, it was just a few minutes before the bell rings and homeroom starts. Asuna, Konoka and Setsuna came rushing in the room, heaving.

“SAFE!!” Asuna shouted.

“A-ra Asuna-san, Konoka-san, Setsuna-san. Have you three seen Yatsuka-san?” Ayaka asked as Asuna and Konoka struggle to catch there breathes. Setsuna shook her head.

“But I thought he was rooming with you, Setsuna-san.”

Setsuna looked elsewhere, remembering yesterday. “Gomen, Iincho-san. When I woke up, he was already gone.”

“That’s strange...”

The door slid open as the bell rang, a short girl clad in Mahora uniform stood there.

“EHHH? Y-Y-YATSUKA-SAN???” almost everyone in the room shouted.

“Hmn?” Aoki looked at everyone.

“W-What are you doing in girl’s uniform, Yatsuka-kun???” Konoka blurted out.

“...That’s because I’m a girl.”

Everyone’s face faulted.

“Is there something wrong with it? And I just got in my uniform...”


---
OMAKE:
“E-EHHHHHHHHH???!?” the redhead and the Konoe heir did the same reaction as Setsuna did.

“But... you’re a guy! Why are you rooming with Setsuna-san??” Asuna asked in disbelief.

Aoki smiled, “Because it’s what the headmaster said.”

“Is that true, Secchan?” Konoka looked at Setsuna, who cast her gaze on the ground.

“H-Hai...”

Konoka turned to Aoki, grabbed his hands and placed a determined face, “Yatsuka-kun, trade rooms with me!”