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

Chapter 10

(F/N) and Okita had an unspoken agreement never to speak of that day again. At some point, he'd fallen asleep on her shoulder, and when he woke up, they went straight to pretending everything was normal. And after a while, it sort of was.

Two months after Mitsuba's death, (F/N) ran downstairs, eager to get outside, and spend the day tormenting innocent souls with Sougo and Kagura, as well as a 'special friend' Kagura wanted to introduce her to.

She hurried to the dining room for a quick bite to eat, ignoring her parents, who sat reading the newspaper, and making occasional conversation about stock prices, and celebrities. (F/N) searched the table for the front page, but, unable to find it, returned to her seat, and gnawed on her breakfast, wondering about the identity of this mysterious friend Kagura wanted her to meet.

Several minutes later, there was a knock on the door, and Sougo walked in, hands stuffed in his pockets

"Okay," he muttered. "I'm here. Hurry up and get ready, I don't have all day."

"Right!"

(F/N) leapt to her feet, wiping her face, and grabbing her purse, which she'd carelessly tossed in the corner. She was all ready to go when her mother called out, stopping her.

"Sweetheart," she said, "be sure to be extra careful. Don't give Okita-san any trouble, all right?"

"Um, okay..."

"And Okita-san," she added, "don't let (F/N) out of your sight, understand?"

"Yeah, I understand."

Her mother hesitated, but said nothing more. With that, they left the room, and (F/N) frowned, thinking back to her mother's words. Sure, her parents could be overprotective, but that was strange, even for them...

She sighed, and shrugged it off. Her parents could handle their own problems. Meanwhile, she was excited to see her friends, and that was all that mattered.

~o0o~

(F/N) pulled Okita through the streets, a smile on her face as she stared at the directions Kagura had sent earlier that day.

"Where are we going, anyway?" Sougo muttered.

"We're almost there," (F/N) said with a giggle. "Oh, I'm so excited!"

"What's the big deal? We're just going to see China."

"That's why I'm excited! We haven't seen Kagura-chan in ages! It's almost like you make a point of taking me to the park when she's not there."

"That's exactly what I do, and I don't see why you like that girl so much. She's crazy."

(F/N) shrugged. "Oh, I don't know. I kind of feel like she's a kindred spirit."

"That's because of your mutual desire to kill me."

"Don't be such a baby. Oh, there it is!"

(F/N) pointed, and Okita followed her gaze to their destination. When he saw where they were going, he pulled at her hand, stopping her.

"There has to be some sort of mistake," he said. "This is the palace."

"No, this is definitely the right place," (F/N) insisted, pulling him forward. "Kagura-chan said she has someone she wants me to meet. I wonder who it is?"

As they got closer, (F/N) caught sight of the orange-haired girl waiting outside the gate. Grinning, (F/N) waved, and let go of Sougo's hand to dash forward, and wrap her in a big hug.