We woke up in the same bed we had shared the night before.

Held loosely in his arms, his fingers combing through my hair, it felt so good—

(Since it’s a rare day off, I feel like going out on a date.)

(…It would be so luxurious to spend time together like that.)

Kate: “…Harry, that feels so good.”

I buried my face in his strong chest and gently inhaled the minty scent of my beloved.

Harrison: “…Yeah.”

His hands combed my hair down to the ends, then moved to the bare skin of my back, tracing a line to my waist.

His fingertips reminded me of last night, and my body gradually began to heat up.

Kate: “Mmm, wait a moment.”

Harrison: “What?”

He looked down at me with a cool expression, and I felt frustrated that I seemed to be the only one affected by it.

Kate: “Um… I don’t want that, I want you to continue with what you were doing earlier.”

Harrison: “I don’t really understand what you mean by ‘that’ and ‘what I was doing earlier’.”

Harrison: “You should do to me what you want me to do to you.”

Kate: “…Like this.”

Feeling a little nervous, I reached out my hand to his milk tea colored hair.

My fingertips touched his scalp, then I gently slid them down to the ends of his hair—

He narrowed his eyes and smiled faintly.

Harrison: “Was I touching you in such a gentle way?”

Harrison: “Or… Is that how you want to be touched?”

Kate: “Th-that’s right. The feeling I got when you stroked my hair…”

Harrison: “Ah, you’re lying. What you want right now is a different touch.”

Kate: “…!”

I felt like I’d been seen through and became even more embarrassed.

Harrison: “You lied to me, so I’m going to punish you.”

Kate: “Ah!”

He removed his arm from under me, distanced himself and sat on the edge of the bed.

Harrison: “For the rest of the day, I won’t touch you.”

Kate: “What? You’re lying…right?”

Harrison: “Well, I wonder.”

He was in his usual state, and I was left confused as to his true intentions.

(…Right. “Harry” can’t touch me.)

I slowly approached him and took a risk and hugged him.

Harrison: “What are you doing?”

Kate: “Isn’t it okay for me to touch you, Harry?”

Harrison: “…Ugh, haha, maybe. But it’s pretty bold of you too, dressed like that.”

(Hah, that’s right.)

I realized I was still wearing what I was wearing last night, just a sheet over my bare skin.

Harrison: “So, what are you going to do by hugging me?”

With me still clinging to him, he doesn’t even seem to move a finger toward me.

Unable to back out, I gave him a kiss on the cheek.

Harrison: “……”

(Ugh, no reaction… But, I can’t lose.)

Next I kissed his cheeks, chin, and neck, just as he does to me.

The places I kissed appeared to be slightly warm and colored.

My excitement grew and before I knew it, I had pushed him down—

Kate: “…Harry, I love you.”

I looked down at his lips and then kissed him passionately.

However—

There was no response from him.

He smiled softly and simply accepted it.

(Hmm, Harry should respond to more seduction…)

Kate: “Mmnn….”

I kissed him again and tried my best to slip my tongue in.

I did just as he did to get me in the mood, licking carefully around the inside of his mouth, but—

He couldn’t let go of his poker face.

Kate: “…gh-hah, haah.”

 (It’s too tough… Or maybe I’m just not that attractive.)

I wanted to prove to him that it was a ‘lie’ that he couldn’t touch me.

Just as I felt like I was about to give up—

Harrison: “…Aah, you look like you’re about to cry. Have you had enough?”

Harrison: “…Keep doing your best. And I’ll keep doing my best to refrain from touching you.”

Kate: “Huh…? Harry, you’re holding back?”

Harrison: “Yeah… I just can’t get enough of you begging for it.”

Glancing down, I saw his erection uncomfortably pushing up the fabric.

Harrison: “You being shy is arousing too… but when you want it so badly like you do now, it gets me really excited.”

Harrison: “…Don’t you want to keep going?”

His eyes were filled with his true feelings—

Harry and I had both been busy that day.

After finishing my report, I waited in his room for him to return home.

(…Harry, it’s late. I haven’t seen you today, so I at least want to see you before I go to sleep.)

(Plus… I overheard Victor telling Harry he needed to be very careful on this mission.)

(…I wonder if he’s okay.)

I sat up from the bed and looked out the window.

As time passed, I grew restless, and then the door slammed open.

Harrison: “…Aah, Kate, I’m home.”

Kate: “Ah, welcome back… wait, are you injured!?”

I instinctively ran over to inspect the bandage peeking out from his sleeve.

Harrison: “What the hell are you looking at? It’s just a scratch. Roger treated it a little too much just to be safe.”

He smiled faintly and shook his bandaged arm, but I didn’t miss the sweat building on his forehead.

Kate: “Don’t move it! Come here, quickly.”

I swiftly sat him on the bed, taking off his coat and making him comfortable.

Harrison: “…Thanks. But you’re worrying too much. It’s an injury that will heal quickly.”

Kate: “I can’t just accept you saying ‘don’t worry’, Harry.”

I was afraid I might become accustomed to his ‘white lies’, become spoiled, and become insensitive to real danger.

I sat next to him, gently stroking his bandaged arm.

Kate: “…Please, let me worry about you.”

As I stared into his mint-colored eyes and pleaded with him, the corners of his eyes relaxed.

Harrison: “You really are…”

Harrison: “You must be tired after your mission, but you’re still waiting in my room until this late, even though we didn’t plan to meet up.”

Harrison: “You think about me, you care about me, you worry about me, instead of yourself.”

Harrison: “…Hey, you. Since when have you become so helpless without me?”

Harrison: “You should practice tonight so you can be prepared to leave.”

Kate: “Such intense training…Aah.”

Before I could respond, I felt a sudden push on my shoulder from the hand that wasn’t bandaged.

As I sank into the bed, a shadow fell upon me stared down at me.

Harrison: “As you can see, I’m injured, so I won’t be able to hold you for a while. This is a good opportunity for some intensive training.”

Harrison: “Try to feel good, all by yourself.”

Kate: “What!? I can’t do that!”

Harrison: “Yeah, you’re lying. It’s not that you ‘can’t do that’ it’s that you think it’s embarrassing.”

Kate: “…gh.”

Harrison: “…Hey, wouldn’t it be okay for you to show that side of yourself to me, your lover?”

His whispering voice resonates hotly against my eardrums.

(Harry…I guess that means since we won’t be able to do that with me for a while, you want to see it.)

Kate: “…Okay.”

He nodded in satisfaction, got up from the bed, and sat in the chair opposite and crossed his legs.

I raised my torso, turned my back to him, and untied the ribbon myself, letting my blouse fall off.

Harrison: “Turn this way.”

The sound had such absolute authority, that my body, in only my undergarments, naturally turned toward him.

With his gaze entangling me, there was no way to escape or hide.

Harrison: “So, what’s next? …What would you want me to do to you?”

Kate: “…”

I slowly removed my underwear, and the tips of my breasts were revealed in an embarrassing way.

Harrison: “Mmm, they ripen so deliciously without any effort.”

Kate: “That’s because… you’re watching them, Harry.”

As I looked down to hide my burning face, I heard a sigh of laughter.

Harrison: “So, what would happen if I messed with them?”

Kate: “Huh?”

Harrison: “Why don’t you play with them yourself?...Like I always do.”

His sweet, pleading whispers made my feelings waver.

(…If Harry wants me to.)

Kate: “Ngh.”

I lifted both breasts from below and pinched the tips with my fingertips.

Harrison: “…Heh, do I really toy with you in such a dirty way? Do you like it when that happens?”

Kate: “Th-that’s right.”

Harrison: “Yeah, another lie. You did it on impulse because that’s what you wanted to do.”

Harrison: “…That’s what you want me to do, right?”

He saw through something I hadn’t even been aware of, and I couldn’t find the words to respond.

Harrison: “Okay, do whatever you like.”

Harrison: “What you want to do, how you feel about what I do to you all the time.”

Harrison: “I’ll take my time to observe.”

As if urging me to go further, his gaze fell on the peaks of my breasts and there was no turning back.

Harrison: “First, try closing your eyes.”

Harrison: “…Right now, it’s my hands kneading your breasts. It’s my fingertips that are teasing you. Imagine that.”

As instructed, I closed my eyes and tried to concentrate on the sensations of my own hands.

Harrison: “…Does that feel good?”

Kate: “Hngh…Mmmnn…”

Harrison: “…Mmm, that face is nice.”

As he used his voice to suggest things, I gradually began to feel as if he was touching me.

As I felt his gaze on my bare skin, I gradually began to feel a tingling sensation deep inside my body.

Harrison: “Don’t you want me to… touch you further down?”

Kate: “Down…ngh?”

Harrison: “You don’t realize?... You’re fidgeting.”

When he hit the nail on the head, my whole body grew hot in an instant.

Harrison: “Come on, let me see. How does it look now?...Your skirt is getting in the way.”

Kate: “Huh…ngh.”

I hesitantly opened my eyes and was startled to see the mint green eyes staring straight at me.

Silence fell, and before I knew it, I was drawn in by his gaze and took off my skirt.

When I pulled down my damp, clingy underwear, a new wave of viscous fluid began to flow out.

Harrison: “…Open it here and let me see.”

Kate: “…!”

(This is so embarrassing… but)

I want him to see it.

How obsessed I am with him.

How much his desire for me drives me crazy.

Suppressing my embarrassment and excitement, I slowly opened my body to him.

An obscene squelching sound filled the room.

Harrison: “Looks like you’re well prepared.”

Kate: “Gh, Harry… Are you still going to carry on like this…?”

Unable to bear it any longer, I let out a pleading cry—

Harrison: “Aaah… I’m just watching you tonight.”

Harrison: “So, do your best on your own.”

Harrison: “…You always remember what I do to you, right?”

My spiteful lover spoke without moving an inch.

However, I was taken aback by the heat hidden deep in his eyes.

Kate: “Harry…Are you really just going to look at me…?”

Harrison: “Well, is it a lie or the truth?”

Harrison: “I’ll answer if you can cum by yourself. That’s your reward.”

He was slightly smiling as he licked his lips.

I wanted that red tongue, his wet lips—and for him to pour his pent-up desire against my heated body right now.

Harrison: “…Look, your finger is mine. If one isn’t enough, then two, or three.”

Harrison: “Try and imagine that I’m the one thrusting deep inside you.”

--

Kate: “—Aah, Haah!”

Harry watched over me, urged me on—But no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn’t push myself over the edge on my own.

Harrison: “…I guess you really can’t do it without me.”

The bed sank, and he looked down at me lovingly, gently stroking my cheek.

Kate: “Ha…rry….I-I still…”

Harrison: “…I said I’d only answer if you could do it yourself, but that was a lie.”

Harrison: “I can’t… There’s no way I could remain calm seeing the woman I love in such a state.

He took my hand and led me to his warmth.

(…Harry wants it too.)

Kate: “Oh, but Harry, you’re hurt….”

Harrison: “I told you, it’s just a scratch.”

Kate: “…So, when you said you couldn’t do this for a while, that was a lie, right?”

Harrison: “Something like that.”

Harrison: “Besides…Making love to you right now is more important than my injury.”

Kate: “Ngh…”

The smoldering heat flared up in an instant as our lips met in a passionate kiss.

It was frustrating having to unbutton his shirt and undo his belt,

But as the heat of his flesh touched the place I had longed for, he flinched back—

Harrison: “…Kate, put it in.”

Kate: “…gh!”

I had long ago cast aside any sense of shame.

I pressed his swell against my dripping slit and slowly invited it in.

Kate: “Fuuh…Nngh”

When I felt it go in shallowly—

It suddenly pierced me in one go.

Kate: “Gaah!”

Harrison: “Ah, haah…You made me wait too long.”

The deep connection throbbed powerfully.

The eyes that sought me were filled with desire,

He slammed his hips into me violently, as if trying to penetrate deeper.

Kate: “I-I might … never be able to … leave you though, Harry.”

Kate: “But I don’t want to leave, so… gh.”

I let my thoughts go and clung to him.

As the nectar flowed endlessly and I squeezed him tightly, a smile of ecstasy appeared on his face as well—

Harrison: “…, that’s what… I like about you.”

Harrison: “Maybe, I’m the one… who can’t leave… ngh.”

The words that spilled out as he reached his peak were his true feelings.

Kate: “Okay. This mission was completed successfully.”

Kate: “…So, why were you laughing earlier?”

Harrison: “Remember when you tied up the criminal with a rope?”

Kate: “I wanted to be useful to you, Harry.”

(…Now that I think about it, I might have been a little too brave.)

In addition to being a fairy tale master, I am also Harry’s lover.

No matter what I do, I’m always worried about whether my lover sees me as a lover.

Kate: “Um, Harry.”

Harrison: “Hmm?”

Kate: “Would you like for me to be a little more ladylike?”

Harrison: “…”

Harrison: “Well, what do you think?”

Kate: “You’re so quick to dodge—”

Kate: “oof…”

After a sudden thud, I turned around and saw a child with a red waistcoat and a red nose looking up at me.

Child: “I-I’m sorry! I wasn’t looking ahead.”

Kate: “No, I’m sorry.”

Kate: “Did you get hurt? Are you okay?”

Child: “…N-no.”

Harrison: “Hey, are you handing out flyers? Is it for a travelling circus?”

Ferris Circus Child: “I’m a member of the Ferris Circus. We’re in this area now.”

Ferris Circus Child: “I’ll give this flyer to you. If you like, the two of you can come and play with me. Bye!”

The child disappeared like the wind, leaving only a flyer with a gorgeous picture on it.

(…A travelling circus?)

(Does that mean we can only see it now? That’s great, it looks like fun…)

Harrison: “Do you want to go see it now? Are you interested?”

Kate: “Eh? I didn’t say anything just now, right?”

Harrison: “I know you and I know your heart. Come on, let’s go.”

Kate: “Huh…”

I looked at Harry’s profile as he walked away, holding my hand, and I smiled involuntarily.

(I’m really looking forward to the circus and the unscheduled date with Harry.)

(Wow…!)

As we step into the tent where colorful flags are hoisted high,

It feels as if we had wandered into another world.

Harrison: “Wow, the interior of a touring circus is so neat.”

Victor: “It’s true! The Ferris Circus is indeed very popular.”

Kate: “Victor!” – Harrsion: “…Victor.”

Harrison: “Why are you here?”

Victor: “I’m in a fun place, come on!”

Victor: “How lucky I am to be able to meet you cute people in a place like this.”

Victor: “Harrison, don’t you think we’re connected by fate?”

Harrison: “I don’t want to be doomed with you. Shit, don’t hug me…”

Victor: “I love you, even if you’re a bit of a bore. Ah, Kate. Here’s some popcorn. And a drink!”

Kate: “Fufu, thank you. As expected of you Victor, you are fully prepared.”

Harrison: “Don’t take advantage of him like that. That’s why he’s such a nutter.”

Victor: “I’m famous for my modesty. I like to be taken advantage of.”

A fanfare rang out as Harry and Victor had their customary argument.

Leader of Ferris Circus: “Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls!”

Leader of Ferris Circus: “Prepare to be amazed! Tonight, we bring you a spectacular show.”

Leader of Ferris Circus: “We are ready to show off our captivating acts. Bringing you the ultimate excitement and surprise. Showtime!”

Kate/ Victor: “Wow…!”

Starting with that signal, performers demonstrated acrobatics and juggling tricks,

Soaring through the air.

Harrison: “Pfft, haha. Your eyes are twinkling, you look like a child.”

Kate: “Uh, because it’s amazing! Oh, look there’s a lion over there too.”

Leader of the Ferris Circus: “Now, next up is the appearance of the very popular Oliver!”

A boy with braided red hair called Oliver appears with his arms outstretched.

Oliver: “My special skill is that I can easily undo any kind of handcuffs or ropes.”

Oliver: “I’m going to put these handcuffs on someone here now.”

Oliver: “And I’ll remove them in an instant. Now, who would like to help me!”

Victor: “Yes, yes, yes, these cute lovers would like to participate.”

Kate/ Harrison: “What!?”

Harrison: “Hey, you can’t just—”

Victor: “You have to get up on stage as soon as possible. Have a good time!”

Oliver: “Hello! My greatest thanks to these devoted lovers. Now, here we go…”

There was a clicking sound, and my right hand and Harrison’s left hand were handcuffed together.

Then a brightly colored cloth was draped over the handcuffs—

Oliver: “Now to remove it, abra cadabra alakazam, and that’s it!”

(Th-that…?)

(…isn’t it coming off?)

Instantly, a storm of boos broke out in the venue.

Oliver: “W-What? I’m sorry, I’ll take it off now. Oh, the key… I don’t have it? Huh”

Harrison: “…Give me a break.”

--Crown Common Room

William: “—So, you return still tethered. That was a disaster.”

Liam: “Really. So, you couldn’t find the key after all?”

Kate: “Yes, that’s right. Moreover, the Ferris Circus is leaving here tomorrow…”

Harrison: “So, tomorrow we’re going to go look for the key. For now, we’ll just stay like this.”

Liam: “Al is an expert at picking locks, but it looks like he’s gone somewhere.”

Harrison: “…That guy, gets involved when he’s not wanted, but he’s not here when he’s needed.”

 Liam: “But, it’s not all bad. If you’re connected, you’ll always be together, right?”

Liam: “It’s true whether you’re awake or asleep.”

Liam’s meaningful smile made my heart skip a beat.

(…I see, it might be fun to be together 24/7)

Harrison: “Are you thinking of something naughty?”

Kate: “I-I’m not thinking anything naughty! Please don’t make such strange comments.”

Harrison: “Hmmm, am I thinking about it though?”

Victor: “I would appreciate it if you would think about me at least a little bit, Harrison.”

Kate: “Wah…!”

Harrison: “So many times today… is today a bad day or something?”

Victor: “On such a bad day, the Grim Reaper, or rather, Her Majesty, has a mission for Harrison and Kate.”

Victor: “The stage for this mission is the Ferris Circus.”

Liam: “Eh, that’s the circus Harry and his friends went to earlier, right?”

Victor: “Ah, apparently the leader fosters and protects children who have no relatives as performers.”

Victor: “—But that’s just the surface.”

Harrison: “…”

Victor: “There are rumors behind the scenes, they are using these children for his own gain and making them do bad things.”

William: “They help children who have no relatives and train them to obey. So much so that they can’t even refuse to commit sins.”

William: “The leader is not only a trainer for the animals, but also for the children.”

(Train the children…ah)

Kate: “When the boy named Oliver made a mistake, his hands were shaking really bad.”

Victor: “I also thought there was ‘something’. They had eyes that were far from freedom.”

The air surrounding Victor felt frozen, like a dark blue night.

Harrison: “The mission is to see it with my own eyes and find out what’s wrong with it. And if I find it to be evil, I’ll condemn the leader, right?”

Victor: “Ah, that’s right. You can find the keys and complete the mission. You can kill two birds with one stone!”

(There were a lot of small children in that circus group. I can’t overlook it.)

Liam: “But is it okay if it’s just the two of them? They are handcuffed together right now.”

Liam: “Can I disappear and stay with Harry and Kate?”

Harrison: “You were so excited about an important practice you have tomorrow.”

Liam: “That’s true…”

Kate: “We’ll just accept your sentiments. Thank you, Liam.”

Harrison: “The key is bound to be somewhere. Don’t worry, I’ll remove it as soon as I find it.”

Liam: “Okay, I understand. B-but if something happens, I’ll come running right away.”

Harrison: “Damn, you’re being overprotective, Yeah, yeah, I understand.”

Victor: “As I asked. Harrison, Kate.”

Kate: “Yes, then—”

Harrison: “Ah, then—”

At the same time, we stand up and start walking in the opposite directions.

Naturally, we were restrained by the handcuffs and we fell down on the spot.

Liam: “Wow, are you two alright? It won’t work if you walk in opposite directions.”

Kate: “…I was trying to go to the bathroom.”

Harrison: “I was trying to get a drink.

We stood up again, and again—we both fell.

Kate: “You’re going to get a drink, aren’t you?”

Harrison: “I tried to follow you to the bathroom.”

Kate: “For now, let’s catch our breath.”

Liam: “…is it really alright?”

Victor: “Kate is dynamic, and Harrison is static. Kate is the sun, and Harrison is night. They are actually opposites.”

--Kate’s room

After a night of being handcuffed, we awoke to the sound of birds chirping.

(…last night was really tough after that.)

I want to go out for an evening walk, and Harry wants to read a book in his room.

I want to have fun with everyone, and Harry wants to be alone and quiet.

At every turn, our behavior was the exact opposite, which as a result, meant we slept peacefully.

(Hm, Maybe, no, even if he is...)

(--Are we the exact opposite?)

Popping a dumpling into your mouth, you hum blissfully, savouring the flavour. The sweet tang of the sauce, and the-

The men on the other side of the table staring at you, biting back smiles. Shingen clears his throat, tapping his cheek.

"My angel, you have something on your face. Allow me-"

Before his hand is even a hair's breadth near your cheek, a hand to your left and another two your right shoot out with deadly efficiency, to intercept his touch. The temperature of the room seems to drop into the negatives, Kanetsugu and Kenshin both frozen in a defensive posture to clean your cheek, with terrifying intensity. The room falls into an awkward silence, your cheeks warming as both men slowly and reluctantly pull their hands away from you. Shingen sits back with a knowing smile, an eyebrow raised as his steel grey eyes flit between the two men who right now resemble cobras, coiled in tension and ready to strike.

"Do not touch her, Shingen, or you will lose both hands before they make it back to that disgusting excuse for a meal." Kenshin threatens through gritted teeth, earning a fond chuckle from Shingen who easily reaches his threatened hand back down to a sticky red bean dumpling perched on the edge of his plate, unaffected by the chilling glares. Kenshin's eyes briefly flick past you to Kanetsugu, his expression almost a mirror image of his own. It causes an uncomfortable feeling to claw its way up through his chest, jealousy. That glimmer of covetousness doesn't go unnoticed by the man on other end of the table.

"Agreed, Lord Shingen. Y/N is grubby enough without your paws on her. Respectfully." Kanetsugu adds, envy subtly rearing it's ugly head, Yukimura scoffs in agreement, trying to hide his grin, unsuccessfully of course.

"Excuse me? Rude! I am not grubby! And will the two of you cool it?! No violence while we're eating!" In an attempt to defend yourself, you seem to bring the temperature back up to a comfortable degree, the pleasant atmosphere returns. Kanetsugu shakes his head with a strictly subdued smile as Kenshin returns to his eye watering plums, covertly stealing glances at you to make sure Shingen isn't trying anything. You swipe the sauce off of your cheek and return to enjoying your meal, Shingen speaks up again.

"Can you blame these lovesick brutes, my princess? Even in the midst of this tantalising spread, you are by far the most delectable thing in the room." He coos, never lost for flowery flattery when it comes to you.

"Lord Shingen, I'm not going to stop these two when they decide to cut your head off. You deserve it for being such a shameless flirt, and over a boar woman no less-"

"If one more person calls me a boar, or grubby, or anything but pleasant company, I'm leaving! You guys can eat on your own!" You interrupt Yukimura with your declaration, giving everyone pause. Of course, for all their teasing, no one wants you to leave. Moments like these are precious, few and far between as war looms overhead, casting a shadow over Echigo.

Days go by like petals in the breeze, the tension has mostly been forgotten, save for envious glances and suppressed jealous comments that threaten to jump out from both Kantesugu and Kenshin. One crisp morning, you're on tenterhooks waiting at the castle gates. Soldiers stand around immersed in excited chatter but you find it hard to be so lighthearted, waiting for your friends to depart to face battle. Kantesugu takes his places beside you without a word, coolly surveying the scene. His demeanor gives nothing away except for the fact he's seemingly not worried at all.

"You may as well write 'terrified fool' on your forehead. It will save you the trouble of frowning so much and sighing yourself into a stupor." The words are teasing, but there's a hint of a soft smile on his face as he regards you. In his own way, he seems to be trying to comfort you.

"I'm allowed to be a terrified fool. I'll always worry about you guys, especially when you're about to go off to war." You look up at him, surprised to see such a gentle look in his eye, a rarity that makes something bloom in your chest. Something new but undeniable.

"Do you trust Lord Kenshin? And do you trust me?" He asks, his voice losing it's mocking tone and softening imperceptibly as he turns to face you.

"Of course I do. I don't know anyone stronger or braver than the two of you."

"Good. So you do have some brains in here somewhere." Smiling uncharacteristically sweetly, Kanetsugu taps your temple with two fingers. Half-heartedly smiling, your attempt to look away is intercepted by his steady hands cupping your face, his usually stern expression giving way to something more comforting.

"I swear on my honour, Lord Kenshin and I will return to your side. All you have to do is be patient. Can you manage it?" He knows the answer, you're a good girl to your core, good to a fault, it's what he loves-

He shouldn't say love, it burns him up inside, the words he wants to say die on his tongue. He shouldn't say love, not when he sees the way Kenshin softens for you. He knows because he softens the same way, weak from you and strong for you.

A throat being cleared agitatedly nearby snaps you both out of the haze, cool hands withdrawing achingly from your soft face. Kenshin stands nearby, something violently itching inside of him, something unnamed and ugly. It threatens to claw its way out before he puts a lid on it, addressing Kantesugu.

"Mount your horse. We march soon. And you, woman-" He lowers his tone for you, mismatched eyes locking onto you with frightening devotion as Kantesugu reluctantly releases you to find his steed, steadfast in his loyalty.

"If you keep looking at me like a frightened rabbit...I'll lock you in the dungeons. No one can see that look but me. Do you understand? Smile, and we will bring you victory." A large hand ruffles your hair as your heart pounds almost painfully, Kenshin turns his back on you without another word, and you're left to question which one of them has left you reeling more. You can only watch as they stride toward battle, comrades on the field and rivals in love. Each man painfully aware of the feelings starting to blossom in his chest, and more

Chapter 1: Part 1 || Part 2

Chapter 2: Part 1 || Part 2 || Premium || His Pov

Chapter 3: Part 1 || Part 2 

Chapter 4: Part 1 || Part 2 || Gacha

Chapter 5: Part 1 || Part 2 || His Pov

Chapter 6: Part 1 || Premium || Part 2

Chapter 7: Part 1 || Part 2 || His Pov

Chapter 8: Part 1 || Premium || Part 2

Chapter 9: Part 1 || Part 2 || Gacha

Chapter 10: Part 1 || Premium || Part 2

🦋 Full Love Bonus

🦋 Bonus Gacha Story

Romantic Route:

Chapter 11: Part 1 || Part 2 

Chapter 12: Part 1 || Part 2 || Gacha

Chapter 13: Part 1 || Premium || Part 2

☆ Epilogue

Dramatic Route:

Chapter 11: Part 1 || Part 2

Chapter 12: Part 1 || Part 2 || Gacha

Chapter 13: Part 1 || Premium || Part 2