Between the Lines

4.

''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.