Trying to Kill Each Other Doesn't Count as Flirting (or Does it?)

Chapter 4

The next day, a part of Okita wondered why the heck he'd thought it was a good idea to make that deal. He'd picked her up at her house, just as they'd agreed, and she'd told her parents they were going to the park with a smirk on her face that made him wonder if that was all there was to the story. This girl was completely evil. There was no way in hell this wasn't going to backfire.

As they drove to Shinsengumi Headquarters, however, he wondered why he was even worried. She sat in the passenger's seat with the window rolled down, sticking her head out and laughing like a child. Apparently, she'd only ridden in a car five times over the course of her whole life.

"This is absolutely incredible! We're going so fast! Sougo-kun, look how fast we're going! It feels like it's windy, but there's no wind outside! I can't believe it!"

"What are you, a dog?" he muttered under his breath.

In an instant, there was a kunai at his neck.

"I'm gonna kill you."

Right, that's why he was worried. She was absolutely insane.

"Weren't you the one who was going on about talking to each other as equals?" he asked. "And I'm hardly worried. I can disarm you easily while driving."

"I'd like to see you try, and just so you know, this is how I treat my equals."

Okita stifled a sigh. This was going to be one very troublesome friendship...

Then again, with any luck, it would be worth it. She was going to be very, very useful, after all...

~o0o~

"Listen, when we get there, I want you to put on that sweet, shy act. The same one you used on me the first time we met."

That was Okita's request, and while (F/N) hated to take orders from him, she complied. As he led her to the training hall, she walked a step behind him, hands clasped in front of her, eyes fixed on the ground. When Okita's feet stopped, so did she. The room was crowded, and she could feel hundreds of eyes on her, but didn't look up. All she had to do was play the shy, sweet princess, just like she always did.

"Everyone," Okita said, clapping her on the shoulder, "this is (F/N)-sama, she'll be joining us from now on."

There was a burst of laughter. (F/N) gripped the back of Okita's jacket, and stole a glance at the room. It seemed half the Shinsengumi was there, and at the center of it all was Hijikata Toushirou, the infamous Demon Vice-chief.

"What kind of joke is this?" he muttered. "What are you up to now, Sougo?"

"I'm not up to anything," Okita replied innocently. "All I'm saying is that (F/N)-sama is going to be joining us for training, and accompanying me on patrol."

"No she isn't," he said. "Now take her back home. We have work to do."

(F/N) narrowed her eyes. Okita had warned her Hijikata would be a hard sell. Fortunately, he had a plan. One that had (F/N)'s stamp of approval.

"You—you won't let me?" she said in the softest, sweetest voice she could possibly muster.

Hijikata paused.

"No. Now go home. Your parents are probably wondering where you are."

(F/N) took a deep breath, as if mustering all her courage, and spoke to his retreating back.

"Then I'll fight you! If I fight you and win, you'll have to let me join, right?"

That got his attention. He stopped in his tracks, and spun around, eyes wide.