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Kamiya Kaoru didn't wake until midday.
She sat up groggily and realised that she was in her own room, dressed in sleepwear she didn't remember putting on. Her head was spinning… Kaoru lowered her head with a pained frown. The last thing she could recall was accepting a cup from Takani Megumi—ah, right. It had been Megumi's birthday yesterday. They'd all gathered to celebrate. And after that…?
Her memory drew a blank.
She gave up trying to piece it together and slid open the paper door to step outside. But the bright midday light poured in all at once, blinding her. Her vision swam, and her limbs gave out—she collapsed weakly against the door frame.
"Kaoru-dono!"
Someone caught her just in time. She caught the clean, subtle scent of soap from the fabric against her cheek, and as she turned her head, she saw a familiar sweep of crimson hair draped over his shoulder.
"…Kenshin?" she murmured.
Relieved, she instinctively clutched a fold of his kimono with one hand and touched her forehead with the other. "I don't feel so good…" she mumbled, confused.
"Kaoru-dono, don't you remember? You were drunk last night." Himura Kenshin gently moved her hand aside and placed his own against her forehead, checking her temperature with quiet patience. "Come inside and rest for a while. I made some sweet soup—it should help you feel better."
Drunk?
Kaoru had no memory of that at all. But if Kenshin said so, then it must be true.
She let him help her up without protest, placing her forearm gently in his right hand while his other arm wrapped around her shoulders. The early autumn chill had begun to creep in, seeping through the thin fabric of her robe. His warmth behind her became more noticeable by contrast. Her bare feet touched the wooden floor, toes instinctively curling from the cold.
"This one has kept the sweet soup warm," Kenshin said as he ladled some into a spoon, testing it briefly against his lips before holding it to hers. "It should be just the right temperature."
The sweetness spread through her mouth, chasing away some of the lingering fog. As her focus sharpened, Kaoru noticed Kenshin's faint smile—and the red, swollen cut at the corner of his mouth.
That's strange, she thought. He doesn't quite seem like himself today. Was it the injury?
"What is it? Is there something on this one's face?" Kenshin asked.
Kaoru nodded and swallowed the sweet liquid. "Your mouth… did you get hurt? Did you get into a fight?"
"Ah, that." To her surprise, Kenshin's smile widened slightly—enough to make her worry it might tug at the wound. He looked down and touched the corner of his mouth lightly. "No need to worry. This one didn't get into any fights."
It had been a year since Kaoru confessed her feelings to him. Over that time, the two of them had grown undeniably closer—but only to the extent of the occasional brush of hands or fleeting touch. She remembered thinking: lips were the next step.
And so, with a quiet mix of shyness and anticipation, Kaoru found herself watching the shape of Kenshin's mouth.
His lips weren't particularly thin or full, and they held a pale tint that all but vanished when he pressed them together. But he didn't do that often. Most of the time, the corners of his mouth were lifted—like the soft curve of a drifting cloud, or a sliver of fish in motion. Yet Kaoru knew that wasn't his natural expression. When completely at rest, Kenshin's lips had a subtle downward slope, like the tip of a leaf weighed down with dew.
That smile, then, was deliberate. Not something he wore by default, but something he put on—out of politeness, perhaps, or for reasons she could only guess at.
But today was different.
Right now, Kenshin was smiling with genuine ease—unguarded, unforced, and quietly joyful. From experience, she guessed that his downcast gaze was more a habit than anything else—something he did when trying to hide his feelings, or when lost in a memory.
But whatever he was remembering now… it was clearly something too sweet to hide.
Wait—had she missed something while she was drunk?
"What exactly… happened last night?" Kaoru asked, blinking up at him after finishing the sweet soup.
"Nothing important," Kenshin said with a gentle smile. He wiped the corner of her mouth with slow, careful movements, then lifted the tray. "It'll be lunchtime soon. If you'd like to rest a little longer, this one will save you a portion."
Kaoru reached out and gave his sleeve a soft tug. "…I want to eat with you," she murmured.
***
Megumi had been invited to stay at the Kamiya Dōjō as a guest, and of course, she planned to remain for a few days before heading home.
Kaoru had freshened up and was now seated at the table. Whether her head was still a bit fuzzy or her mind was wandering, she blurted out without thinking, "Good morning, Megumi."
Megumi glanced at her, then at Kenshin, who had come in behind her, and let out a sigh before replying, "Good morning."
Yahiko, who'd been shooed off early the night before, was completely out of the loop. "Good morning? Seriously? It's already noon!" he said, pulling a dramatically exaggerated face. "You slept so long your brain turned to mush."
"Hey, who are you calling mush-brained?!" Kaoru snapped, and promptly smacked him on the head. That knocked the last of the drowsiness out of her the rest of the way.
"Ahh... now, now..." Kenshin said, waving a hand from the sidelines like a helpless background character. "Let's eat first, alright?"
Kaoru turned away from Yahiko and settled herself beside Megumi.
"Why didn't you sleep a little longer?" Megumi asked.
"You were all up already—how could I just keep lying there? Yahiko would never let me hear the end of it." Kaoru said, shooting a glare at the boy across the table. He met it with a scowl of his own.
Seeing the two of them at it again, Megumi couldn't hold back her amusement. She covered her mouth, eyes narrowing with laughter. "It's fine. Raccoon Girl already made a big enough fool of herself last night."
"Eh?" Kaoru knew full well she wasn't the quietest drunk, and her face quickly turned anxious. "I didn't do anything... weird, did I?"
"Well, unless you count causing a scene at my birthday party—then no, nothing too strange," Megumi replied, watching Kaoru's wide, pitiful eyes. "Though for a tanuki like you, I'd say it was pretty tame."
"Ehh?! That's awful—I'm really sorry! And it was your birthday, too... What on earth did I do yesterday? I'm so, so sorry…"
Watching Kaoru spiral into panic, Kenshin gave Megumi a sheepish smile , then reached out to pat Kaoru gently on the head, trying to soothe her. "It really wasn't that bad. Kaoru-dono… fell asleep pretty quickly."
"R-really…?" Kaoru looked up at him, eyes starting to get misty. "Then what about your mouth, Kenshin?"
"—He got bitten," Yahiko cut in offhandedly, mouth full of rice.
She'd only lost a single night's memory—how had so many confusing things already piled up? Kaoru watched as Kenshin scratched his cheek awkwardly, avoiding her gaze. His lips were faintly pressed together, and the red mark at the corner of his mouth stood out more than ever.
Kaoru stared at him in disbelief, then grabbed him by the shoulders and started shaking him in a panic. "Seriously?! Who bit you?! Was it some sneak attack? I'll go find whoever did it!"
"Oro oro oro... getting dizzy…" Himura Kenshin mumbled, swaying from the force of her shaking.
The scene was so absurd that Megumi doubled over, laughing uncontrollably.
Yahiko just stared, completely lost—but then again, Kaoru and Kenshin were always kind of weird. He turned to Megumi and asked, "What're you laughing at?"
"I've decided to stay a few extra days. Might as well stick around 'til the show's over."
To Yahiko, she suddenly looked exactly like a fox.
Utterly baffling.
***
Himura Kenshin had a way of dodging questions with vague replies. When he didn't want to talk about something, he'd simply let the matter drift away under the cover of gentle words. It was his way of saying he'd already made up his mind—he just chose the softer route to turn others down.
That afternoon, Kamiya Kaoru was resting in her room. Maybe it was the lingering effects of the alcohol, but she felt a tightness in her chest. The autumn air was dry, leaving her lips parched. She licked them absently, then opened her cabinet and pulled out the lip balm Megumi had brought over the day before.
Megumi was always so thoughtful, always looking after everyone's health. Kaoru felt guilty. This was supposed to have been a proper birthday celebration for her, and instead, she had made a scene—and on top of that, someone had barged in and attacked Kenshin. However she looked at it, it had been a mess.
That was also why she hadn't tried to ask Megumi about what had happened last night. If Kenshin didn't want to talk, pressing Megumi would only put her in a difficult spot.
If he wasn't telling her, then he must have his reasons. Fine. If he didn't want to talk, she wouldn't force it.
She pouted a little, then scooped up a dab of milky white balm with her fingertip and smoothed it over her lips. A faint herbal scent lingered near her nose. Her fingertip brushing over her mouth—skin against skin—it was just flesh touching flesh, nothing unusual… But the moment she thought of Kenshin, her face flushed slightly.
"All that over one little bite, and he looked so happy…" she muttered to herself.
"What was that?"
The sudden voice at the door made her jump. The lip balm tin slipped from her fingers and rolled across the floor.
Himura Kenshin was standing in the doorway. He bent down and picked up the tin near his feet. "Ah, sorry—did I startle you, Kaoru-dono? This one was just passing by."
Kaoru's gaze drifted automatically to his lips—then instantly dropped in embarrassment. She stared at the bit of ankle showing between his crimson socks and white hakama, flustered. "N-no, it's fine," she stammered.
"What's wrong?" Kenshin stepped into the room. "Were you putting on medicine?"
The loose white fabric of his hakama brushed gently at his ankles as he stepped closer, and Kaoru felt an inexplicable urge to retreat. She tucked her hands behind her back, trying to calm her nerves.
"It's not medicine," she said, looking aside. "It's lip balm. Megumi-san gave it to me."
"I see." Kenshin handed her the tin, his voice quiet. "The air's been dry lately. Your lips are more chapped than usual—if they crack, that wouldn't be good."
My lips are dry? Kaoru touched her mouth reflexively, then frowned at him. "You're the one who got bitten."
A sharp, bitter feeling crept up from some hidden corner of her chest—thin and red, like stray strands of crimson hair. Her gaze caught on the edge of his lips, still faintly stained with dark red, and the sight stung, leaving her feeling strangely wronged. It wasn't an emotion she felt often, but she recognized it immediately—and acted before it could take root.
She reached for him, head bowed. "Let me put some on you. Megumi-san said it's okay to use it like that." The words tumbled out before she could stop them.
"Actually, this one thinks it'll heal just fine on its own—"
"No way." Kaoru looked up sharply, brows drawn in firm resolve. She all but forced him to sit. "You're hurt. It should heal properly—and fast."
"All right, all right." Kenshin gave in. His eyes were shadowed with something unreadable, but they held a quiet light as he looked at her.
Kaoru settled on her knees in front of him and straightened slightly. As she leaned closer, a sudden uncertainty flickered through her—What am I doing? How am I supposed to do this?
Kenshin tilted his chin up, just a little, like someone expecting a sip of tea. His eyes angled down toward her, and for a moment, she thought she caught a glint of mischief in them—but when she looked again, it had already melted away, like salt vanishing in hot broth.
She pressed her lips together, dipped her fingertip into the pale balm, and aimed for the peak of his upper lip. But after a moment's hesitation, she changed course, beginning at the corner farthest from the cut.
Their distance shrank. Her fingertip brushed his mouth—warm, soft—and the sensation struck her as a novelty. It felt as if she was tending to the gentlest part of him. Like polishing a red maple leaf in early autumn: its surface, dried by wind, slowly regaining moisture and luster under her touch.
She grew more focused, more careful. And when she finally reached the cut, she didn't feel angry anymore. It just looked like a tear in the red leaf.
"Does it hurt?" she asked, dabbing on a little more balm.
Kenshin's eyes curved with a soft smile. "No," he said. "It tickles."
His breath brushed over her hands—both the palm and the back—warm and feather-light.
He kept smiling, which meant the inside of his lip stayed hidden. Without thinking, Kaoru reached up and touched his face, her fingers gently tracing along his jaw.
"Kenshin… can you open your mouth a little? Just a bit."
"Of course."
At her touch, his lips parted, just as she'd asked. Kaoru leaned in to look more closely. The inner edge of his lips, where skin met soft mucosa, was moist and flushed. A few of his teeth showed—small and white like stones. Warm breath drifted upward, brushing faintly against her knuckles.
Is this really the kind of mouth people kiss?
The thought made her fingers tremble.
"You used the balm too, didn't you, Kaoru-dono? Your lips look shiny," Kenshin said.
A bit of his tongue peeked out from behind his teeth, catching her off guard. Her hand slipped, smearing the balm a little too far. "Ah—sorry… does it feel strange?"
Kenshin instinctively closed his lips, and in doing so, his tongue brushed against her fingertip—hot and damp. The contact lingered. Then he said softly, "It's a little bitter."
The words slipped from between his lips like a breath against her ear.
Bitter? Kaoru felt lightheaded, as if the heat of his breath had gone straight to her head. She wanted to taste it too—but didn't dare part her lips or stick out her tongue. So instead, she gently cupped the torn edge of the maple leaf—and pressed her lips to it.
The maple leaf stilled.
A beat later, realisation crashed in. Kaoru flushed deeper than the red of autumn leaves. She looked up, nervous, only to find his violet eyes gazing back at her—soft, unguarded, as if they too had been touched with balm.
***
The mood at the mealtimes had been strangely off these past few days. Yahiko couldn't quite put his finger on it—only that Kaoru kept spacing out and barely argued with him anymore. He watched closely: Megumi remained unreadable as always, while Kenshin sat quietly, his lips oddly shiny, catching the light like a slick layer of oil.
At first, Yahiko thought Kenshin had snuck some food. Megumi explained it was from a cut—he'd put some ointment on it. But when he glanced over at Kamiya Kaoru, her lips gleamed with the exact same gloss.
And just like that, the mystery was solved: Kenshin had obviously tried to get affectionate, and Kaoru, not wanting to taste the ointment, had gotten upset.
Sensing someone's eyes on him, Himura Kenshin looked up to find Yahiko staring.
The kid gave him a withering look.
Oro? Kenshin blinked innocently.
Moments later, the dōjō acting instructor and her top student both excused themselves and left the table. That left only Himura Kenshin and Takani Megumi sitting together.
"My, my. I hear from Yahiko that you've been sneaking food every day, Ken-san?" Megumi teased.
"Nothing of the sort," Kenshin replied with a faint smile. "Thank you for the lip balm, Megumi-dono. The wound's already almost healed."
"Aren't you going to tell Kaoru what she did that night?"
"…Maybe later," Kenshin said, glancing toward the dōjō with a soft sigh. "She's already avoiding me out of embarrassment. If she found out, she might not even want to look at me."
Watching Kenshin look genuinely troubled was rare—and deeply amusing.
"So?" Megumi asked, grinning. "How did it taste?"
"A little bitter."
No lover would ever describe their partner's lips like that. Megumi found the two of them absolutely ridiculous.
***
The night was quiet and clear, the moon bright and gentle, casting a gauzy veil over the dōjō.
Kamiya Kaoru lay awake, breathing softly, fingers brushing against each other as if searching for lingering warmth. She curled slightly, one hand pressing against her lips. The ointment still left a slick, faintly warm trace.
She had shared her lip balm with Kenshin, hoping it would keep him from coming around every day under the excuse of "needing more." But whenever her fingers touched her own lips, she couldn't help but recall the shape, feel, and warmth of another mouth—and that made her hesitate to apply any more.
Did he like it?
Kaoru tossed and turned with the thought. She hadn't asked him that day, mostly because she didn't know how to handle whatever answer he might give. If he didn't like it, well… she'd be hurt, of course—but it would pass. But what if he did? She had absolutely no idea what came next.
Should I do it again?
At the thought of those violet eyes, Kaoru slapped her burning cheeks. There was no sleep in sight.
She got up and stepped outside for air. The September moon was full and bright, with pale grey markings scattered across its surface—said to be the moon rabbit pounding medicine. Kaoru took a deep breath and looked up—only to see the moon and Kenshin both occupying the rooftop.
Maybe it was a Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū thing. Himura Kenshin did seem to have a fondness for high places. She wondered if, when he was older and no longer able to climb, he'd wear that faintly regretful expression again. The autumn breeze played with the ends of his dark red hair and tugged at his sleeves, revealing the curve of his wrist. From where Kaoru stood, he was just a silhouette, cradling a small sake cup in his hand.
She frowned slightly. Megumi had specifically told her Kenshin shouldn't be drinking. Turning back inside, she grabbed a shawl.
"Kaoru-dono?" he turned in surprise as she handed him the shawl. He took it. "You're still up?"
"Yep. Thought I'd come up here, get some fresh air, drink a little, and enjoy the moon." Kaoru sat down beside him.
Kenshin smiled. Maybe he was a little tipsy—his hand reached over to cover hers. "Don't catch a chill."
Kaoru was suddenly reminded of that night in Kyoto—same kind of breeze, same gentle tone in his voice. And just like that, her restlessness quieted.
"I see you've completely forgotten what Megumi-san told you—and you're out here drinking alone," Kaoru said, taking the sake cup from his hand and hiding it behind her back.
"Well, this one has been caught now, haven't I?" Kenshin said with a smile, but made no move to take it back.
He was always like this—never saying he liked something, but never rejecting it either. Always waiting for someone to ask. Kaoru lowered her eyes, biting her lip. Whatever came next… she had a feeling she'd need a little alcohol to get through it.
"I want some too," she said, lifting the cup to her lips—only for Kenshin to gently press it down.
"That's not a good idea. Things get troublesome when you drink, Kaoru-dono."
"What's that supposed to mean—" she began to snap, but then something cool touched her lips.
Kenshin had brushed his fingers over them, the scent of sake still lingering faintly on his skin. "Just a taste like this should be fine," he said.
Was he… happy right now?
Kamiya Kaoru stared at the soft blur of Himura Kenshin's smile. She ran her tongue across her lips, licking away the cool liquid. Her mouth warmed instantly, making the fingers that had touched her feel almost cold by comparison.
The moon suddenly felt very close.
"Kenshin, could you close your eyes for a moment?" she said, turning slightly to avoid its light.
"Are you trying to sneak a drink?"
"No! …Just—please, close them."
"All right."
Himura Kenshin sat cross-legged, hands resting loosely in his lap, eyes shut and smiling—as if he already knew what was coming and was just waiting for it.
I've got to surprise him.
Kaoru leaned in slowly, shut her eyes tight, held her breath—and pressed her lips to his for the briefest moment, then pulled away.
"…Do you like it?"
Kenshin opened his eyes and caught her hand, looking confused. "Like what?"
Did he not even feel it?!
Kaoru tamped down her racing heart, leaned in again, and kissed him once more. His lips were soft—and smiling. She opened her eyes to find him looking right at her. She could taste the lip balm they shared, but not a trace of sake.
Before she could make sense of it, his lips pressed back against hers. A soft lick—warm and wet, unmistakably a tongue from somewhere behind his teeth.
A sharp heat flared from deep inside her, startling enough to make her shudder. She bolted to the far side of the rooftop like she'd touched fire, sucking in air like someone who'd just escaped with her life—every inch of her glowing red.
"Kaoru-dono…"
But before Himura Kenshin could finish, Kamiya Kaoru had already fled under the light of the moon.
Left behind, he looked up at the sky, alone, and muttered to no one in particular,
"…Honestly, it didn't taste all that bitter."
***
For some reason, even though Takani Megumi had clearly declined the invitation to celebrate her birthday at the Kamiya Dōjō in her letter, she suddenly changed her mind.
"Well, that's great news!" Kaoru said brightly, unpacking the gift box she'd prepared to send to Aizu: a stylish new scarf, a box of popular sweets, and a few healthy-looking medicinal herbs. "It's always better to give birthday wishes in person than to just mail them."
"If the sentiment is sincere, I don't think meeting in person matters all that much," Himura Kenshin replied as he put the herbs away. He glanced at Kaoru, who was now frowning in thought, trying to decide which wrapping cloth would make the scarf look nicest.
At that, she lifted her chin and gave a little huff, lips pressing together. "What would you know, idiot?" she muttered. Then her eyes lit up as she selected a furoshiki with a violet checkered pattern.
Kenshin had gotten used to these little scoldings from her. He let his left brow dip in resignation as he reflected: Kaoru had always been someone who valued expressing her feelings and holding tightly to her bonds with others. In that sense, she was the opposite of him. His instincts, shaped during the Bakumatsu, leaned toward passivity. Back then, just living to see another day was uncertain. Taking the time to nurture relationships had felt like a luxury. If your heart was in the right place, that was enough.
But now it was the Meiji era. In this age of peace, human relationships had grown strangely more complicated. Maybe those old habits were due for a change.
He rested his chin on the back of his hand, lower lip half-hidden behind it, lost in thought. His gaze wandered—only to meet Kaoru's. Like the clean snap of a lotus root, she straightened her back and turned away immediately, swift and decisive. Yet to Kenshin's eyes, her lashes still seemed lightly caught on some invisible thread, trembling ever so slightly.
She'd been looking at his lips again.
When had that started?
Himura Kenshin was usually sharply aware of everything around him, but Kamiya Kaoru's gaze held no hostility, no desire—only a quiet, petal-like curiosity, soft and natural, falling gently onto his lips. Perhaps she'd already been looking during lunch, even before he happened to meet her eyes.
Quietly. Like a squirrel hidden among the leaves.
There'd been no tension in the air, no sense of danger, so it made sense he hadn't noticed right away. The realization brought a flicker of unexpected delight—but he kept still, afraid that if he moved, he might scare the squirrel away.
A little curiosity was more than welcome.
His lips curved slightly, like a long leaf unfolding.
As for Kaoru—he had been watching her for a long time. And her lips had caught his attention from the very beginning. Back then, she'd been tending a wound, shoulder bare, her red lips bitten tight in frustration, face drawn with fierce determination.
Looking back, maybe it was that unwavering strength in the face of pain that had struck him—enough to make him stay. And those slightly distorted lips, from the pressure of her bite, had never quite left his mind.
The more Kenshin looked at Kamiya Kaoru, the more he realized just how expressive she was—and how much her lips brought her face to life. Most often, they curved up into a smile, arching like a delicate crescent moon at the corners of her mouth. When she pouted in annoyance, they'd puff out like a pink little hill, and when she cried, they'd pull to the sides like a narrow bridge too frail to hold back the flood.
It hadn't been long ago—probably July or August, in the kind of muggy heat where even the slightest movement made you sweat. After finishing a lesson, Kaoru had been flushed and overheated, hiding in the shade of the dōjō to cool off. Her face was red from the exertion, sweat sliding down her temple.
She'd taken the cup of tea Kenshin handed her and drank it slowly—not in gulps, but in small, deliberate sips. With each sip, her lips moistened and softened, blooming with the full, rich color that comes after physical effort.
Lips that could show so many emotions… they must be soft. Kenshin found himself thinking that without meaning to, as he watched her slightly parted mouth draw shallow breaths. He leaned in—and felt her breath, warm against his skin.
"Eh?" she made a small sound of confusion. "What are you doing?"
Himura Kenshin met her eyes—and was disarmed by the pure trust and flicker of puzzlement he found there. He lowered his gaze, then after a pause, let out a sigh.
That night, he lay on his futon in the guest room, staring at the ceiling. His face gave away nothing.
Kaoru-dono… has it never crossed her mind? She probably hasn't thought about it at all. Still a girl, after all… the idea of 'living together' must still feel abstract to her. Maybe she's just a little slow to notice these things?
But either way, he couldn't keep going on like this. To act alone, without anything returned, felt both unfair and pathetic. Still, he didn't feel defeated. It was bound to happen eventually. All he had to do now was wait.
She might still be a girl, yes—but she was growing all the time. From the way she'd reacted when he leaned in, sighed, and backed away, she seemed to sense something. Since then, she'd been thinking, trying to understand, and eventually, it seemed, her answer had settled on her lips.
Knowing Kaoru—someone who always put great value on expressing herself—progress wouldn't be far off.
So now, whenever Kenshin caught her gaze on him, a quiet joy would rise in him: anticipation, and the soft satisfaction of being seen.
"What is it?" he asked her with a smile.
Kaoru quickly finished tying the knot in her furoshiki, covering her fluster by saying, "You should rewrap yours too. I mean, it is a gift."
Medicinal herbs usually went in boxes, so there was no real need for a furoshiki at the moment. But Kenshin spotted a blue furoshiki lying behind her. Just a small test—to see how much Kaoru-dono had come to understand. He leaned forward, shortening the distance between them, and reached out his hand.
Kaoru's breath caught slightly, her fingertips grazing the floor. As Kenshin picked up the cloth, she tipped backward, as though she couldn't hold herself up. He caught her shoulders without hesitation and, feigning nonchalance, turned his head slightly and asked, "What do you think of this one?"
Kaoru lowered her eyes—maybe she didn't dare meet his eyes, or maybe she was just looking anywhere else. Her lips pressed together, then shifted, brushing softly. That small motion gave her away more than any words ever could.
"Y-you can choose whatever you like..." she mumbled, pushing him away. A blush rose from her neck to her cheeks, and she quickly grabbed another box of sweets. "I have to go tell Yahiko."
"All right. Be careful on the way," Himura Kenshin said, having gotten his answer. He let the squirrel go.
Old habits die hard.
Still, Kaoru-dono had always been sincere and perceptive. It seemed she understood well enough now.
***
From understanding to action would, of course, take time—Himura Kenshin drank his sake, making a private estimation in his heart, like a gardener calculating when young sprouts might bloom.
"Yahiko must've walked Tsubame-chan home by now, right?" Kaoru asked, clearly concerned about her top student.
"He just left," Kenshin replied. "It's late, and kids shouldn't be drinking."
Tae had brought over a bottle from the Akabeko as a gift. And though this was supposed to be a birthday celebration, the Kamiya Dōjō had—as usual—turned it into a general gathering for everyone once the congratulations were said.
"Now the grown-ups can finally have their time!" Kaoru grinned, scooting close until she was practically leaning half her weight onto Megumi's side. She was clearly tipsy already.
Takani Megumi pushed her off with a look of disdain, tugging gently at Kaoru's soft cheek. "Right? So why is there still a kid here?"
A flush crept slowly up Kaoru's neck, her smile sloppy as she protested, "Who're you calling a kid—?"
The moment Megumi let go, Kaoru lost her balance and toppled sideways—right into Kenshin's arms.
Everyone burst into laughter.
"Please be careful," Kenshin steadied her with one hand, smoothing back a strand of her tousled hair.
Kaoru suddenly sat upright, going quiet all at once. Like a little bird curling into itself, then fluffing its feathers to peek out from behind, she stole a glance, met his eyes for just a moment, then looked down. Clutching the hem of her kimono, she asked in a small voice, "Kenshin… do you think I'm just a child too?"
From the side, Doctor Genzai took a sip of his sake, smacked his lips lightly, and sighed, "Growing up fast, she is."
"Ah…" Kenshin faltered, clearly unsure how to respond.
Megumi laughed softly behind her hand. "Judging from that reaction… I'd wager she hasn't even had her first kiss." With deliberate flair, she leaned past Kaoru and poured Kenshin another drink. "Ken-san, why not share a drink with me instead?"
It wasn't hard to see why Megumi was teasing her. Kaoru always tried to fill the dōjō with warmth and energy—something Megumi probably wasn't quite used to. She must've turned down the invitation at first, expecting a noisy, crowded evening. But now that the gathering was winding down and the grateful patients who had dropped by earlier to thank her had all gone home, it seemed she'd decided to have a little fun at Kaoru's expense.
And obviously, it wasn't her first time. With just a few sharp remarks, Megumi had Kaoru fuming, retreating to the other side of the room to sulk in silence over her sake.
"Kaoru-dono, maybe take it easy on the drinking…" Kenshin offered gently.
She turned away without replying.
Takani Megumi took a small sip, smiling behind the rim of her cup. "Ken-san, you and Kaoru really haven't changed at all."
Himura Kenshin scratched at his cheek awkwardly.
Megumi's smile took on a sly edge. "Tough spot, huh?" Every now and then, she'd get that look—playful, cunning—and anyone who underestimated her in those moments was bound to regret it.
"By the way, Megumi-dono, what made you change your mind? This one thought you didn't like big crowds," Kenshin asked, deciding to shift the topic.
Megumi cast him an amused glance but tactfully didn't press further. "It's fine when it's just a small group like you all. But once there are too many people, it gets tiring. Especially with Kaoru—she'll happily welcome anyone who wants to stop by and celebrate. I've treated so many patients over the years… there's really no need for all that."
Her tone held a note of resignation. She caught Kaoru sneaking a look her way and shot back a smug little smirk that made Kaoru instantly look away in a huff.
"It was the same for your birthday, wasn't it? You don't mind the fuss. I just can't be bothered."
Himura Kenshin thought back to that day and couldn't help agreeing. "My apologies. This one will remind Kaoru-dono next time, that I will."
"No need. If I don't feel like coming, I won't." Megumi paused, then added, "I received a medical book in a foreign language not long ago."
"…From Sano?"
"Who else?" Megumi wrinkled her nose—not exactly ladylike. "I may be a practitioner of Western medicine, but sending me something like that out of nowhere? Honestly, it's kind of rude."
Kenshin chuckled. That does sound like Sano.
"He sent an English-Japanese dictionary right after, too," she added with a roll of her eyes. "What, does he think I can't handle it?"
"This one is sure that's not what he meant."
"Well, seeing those two books just pissed me off. And since he's not around for me to yell at, I figured I'd vent to you lot instead."
"I see," Kenshin murmured, thumb idly running along the rim of his sake cup. "...This whole thing was Kaoru-dono's idea, wasn't it?"
"Of course it was. She said she told that porcupine-head last time—something like, 'Isn't it nice to have one more person celebrating with you?'"
"That definitely sounds like Kaoru-dono." said Kenshin. He could picture her saying it with a smile tugging at her lips.
"Her and that porcupine-head—honestly," Megumi muttered. As she complained, her gaze drifted toward Kaoru—who was now sniffling while talking to Tae—and Megumi's lips curled into a rather satisfied smile.
"But you seem to be enjoying yourself, Megumi-dono."
Surprised by Kenshin's directness, Megumi arched her eyebrows. "And you, Ken-san, might want to stop pretending you're just a bystander."
"Oro…?"
With a glint in her eye and the corners crinkling in a mischievous smile, Takani Megumi rose and walked over to Kaoru to whisper something into her ear. Kaoru's eyes flew wide, then she frowned, then she shot Kenshin a fierce glare. Her neck flushed crimson—it was anyone's guess what Megumi had said, but it had clearly hit its mark.
Kaoru was completely drunk by now, far too easy to provoke. Kenshin saw the smile playing on Megumi's face… and had a sinking feeling that whatever she'd said had set something in motion.
***
The girl came storming over, cheeks flushed crimson, fists clenched in fierce determination. Her slim black brows drew low over eyes that shimmered with moisture, and she bit her lip as she stared him down.
Even like this, she was beautiful.
"Kenshin—!"
"Wh-what is it?" Himura Kenshin stammered for no reason he could name.
Kaoru grabbed him by the collar and yanked him forward. The faint scent of sake rose from the heat radiating off her face and neck. Her brow arched, lips pouted, and her tear-bright blue eyes looked at him accusingly.
"You didn't even pour me a drink…"
He could feel the warmth of her fingertips burning through the fabric of his collar. Catching her wrist gently, Kenshin sighed, "Kaoru-dono, you shouldn't drink too much. Let's head ba—"
But her burning hands—one on his shoulder, the other pressed firmly to his chest—cut him off. Drunk and determined, she suddenly bit her lip hard and shoved him backward.
He fell.
Dark hair spilled over her shoulders and neck, veiling those blue eyes.
Still half-focused on protecting her, Kenshin instinctively tried to sit up—only to freeze, taken aback. She'd used real force.
"Kaoru-dono…"
But the rest of his words never made it out—her lips sealed over his.
Warm and damp, they silenced him completely.
The scent of sake, the heat of her breath, and the faint fragrance of her skin flooded his senses. Her long, silky dark hair brushed against his cheek and ears. Kenshin had never imagined being close enough to see the soft pleats in the ribbon that tied her hair.
They were too close. That was the only coherent thought in his mind.
He had no time to process her fingers, her hair, her lips—before a sharp jolt pricked the corner of his mouth. Then her tongue pushed in—clumsy and headlong, like a flower bursting open too fast. Awkward, uncertain, it spun against the roof of his mouth, and a tingling shot through his scalp.
What…?
Kenshin's entire awareness collapsed to the sensation on his lips. It felt like someone had poured a whole shower of warm petals over him—into his mouth, his breath, his chest. They filled him to the brim, soft and weightless, ready to scatter at the slightest movement.
Kaoru let out a soft breath, just barely short of a moan.
And Kenshin's heart gave a sudden, uncontrollable jolt.
As their lips parted, a sharp sting bloomed at the corner of his mouth—caught on a thorn along the flower's stem. Blood welled up from the scratch.
Himura Kenshin squinted up at the girl above him, who now wore a look of smug satisfaction. She swayed toward him again—only to topple forward and collapse, drunk and fast asleep.
His lip still prickled and throbbed where it had been bitten. Kenshin stared up at the ceiling, mind blank.
Silence blanketed the room. Everyone around them had fallen speechless in shock.
Forget it. It doesn't matter anymore.
Gathering the dead-drunk Kaoru into his arms, Himura Kenshin said, "Kaoru-dono can't hold her liquor. This one will take her back to her room to rest."
Before anyone could respond, the two of them were gone.
***
The moon was bright tonight, casting a soft glow across the hallway. In the stillness of the courtyard, only Kaoru's murmurs stirred the air.
"Li…ke…"
"What was that?" Kenshin leaned in, trying to catch her words.
"...Do you…like… it?"
He lowered his gaze. A streak of red marked her lips—blood, vivid and glossy under the mist-blue moonlight.
He reached out and wiped it away—his fingertips left smooth and damp with blood.
I can't wait any longer.
Maybe it's time to break a habit or two.