Chapter 33
Just a Drink
Visitors mingled, sharing a buffet of Japanese delicacies, but also typical dishes from other countries. Moved by the theatre play, Kazuki wandered around the elaborate display, lost in the vivid past that unravelled by all sides.
The re-enactment had called forth emotions that still churned in his gut. The impermanence of the Republic of Ezo, Hijikata’s refusal to bend, his subsequent death… and perhaps, reincarnation. Too many notions that rattled his usual composure.
Kazuki internally scoffed. Who was he kidding? It wasn’t history that unsettled him, no matter how poignant. No. The true source of conflict was blessed with bright blue eyes, and a personality that matched their depth.
Elyna, whom he’d wronged by adjusting his rounds to avoid meeting her too often. Hurt, perhaps. Kazuki couldn’t bring himself to face her. Yet, as he refused a glass of non-alcoholic plum wine, he found his gaze settling upon a woman with familiar features.
The resemblance was uncanny; he could only recognise her. Katrine Eriksen, Elyna’s mother, stood not two feet from him.
Kuso! There’s no avoiding her!
The woman looked conflicted, her expression oscillating between admiration and worry. Her blond hair, lighter than Elyna’s, was tightly bound in an elaborate hairdo. So similar, yet so different. Why he decided to greet Katrine Eriksen was beyond him. But he did so anyway.
“Hello,” he ventured in English, bowing respectfully. Katrine watched him warily, green eyes narrowed. She seemed ill at ease in this historical setting.
“Hello?” The accent was different from Elyna’s, more neutral.
“Your daughter worked very hard on this event,” he added, feeling clumsy in a language he didn’t speak often enough.
The woman sniffed. “Don’t I know it! I had to adjust a dozen period costumes for her. My daughter is brilliant, but not very handy.”
So this was how Elyna had handled the sewing crisis. “Then we give you our thanks.” Kazuki bowed again, hoping to appease the woman’s defensive tone. Katrine gave him an assessing look that pinned him into place. Despite his formal attire, he suddenly felt naked.
“We are in debt,” he added. “The event is a success, and it is very important for our school’s future.”
“Yeah, well. I hope it’s not too often,” Katrine snapped. “My days are long enough without having to sew my nights off.”
Annoyance rolled off her, emphasised by the formal attire. Straight skirt, blazer and shirt; the epitome of a businesswoman. Beautiful, too, but so stern. Where Elyna radiated warmth and curiosity, her mother lived in arctic latitudes.
Don’t think of Elyna’s warmth, damn it!
Katrine’s keen eyes followed his to the other side of the room, where her daughter stood. Elyna looked amazing in her period costume! A lady of old, stepping straight from the past to grace them with her presence. The little green hat, in particular, looked absolutely delectable.
Makoto and Sarah flanked her, the discussion lively. Katrine Eriksen nodded with pride, then turned tail, planting him there.
Too lost in the turmoil of his heart, Kazuki didn’t even find the strength to feel offended. His eyes kept returning to Elyna, queen of the ball, the one who had moved heaven and earth to make this festival grand. People had followed in good faith, her enthusiasm dragging many in her wake.
She is a catalyst.
A tide that had swept through all his carefully constructed walls to light up the spark in his guarded heart. He couldn’t even resent her; she was impossible to dislike.
Kazuki breathed out evenly. He’d learn a very harsh truth those past days; Elyna had just proved his presence was unnecessary for her to thrive. His support, perhaps, behind the scenes. But nothing more. She didn’t need him to loom over her shoulder like a paternalistic creep.
That his dreams had crossed the line shouldn’t affect his professionalism. It shouldn’t affect her.
I am an idiot.
His feet moved on their own. One moment he was watching from a safe distance, the next he was standing beside Elyna.
This is a mistake.
“Can I interrupt?” The English words came out rougher than intended.
To his chagrin, both Sarah and Elyna immediately reverted to Japanese—a testament to his poor language skills. Makoto caught his eye across the group, looking every bit the Vice Commander of the Shinsengumi.
“You both look like you’ve stepped from the past.” A compliment did not make an apology, but it was the best he could offer. Elyna gave him a considering look, as if wondering if he would bolt in cowardice again. The furrow of her brows finally eased.
“My mother helped with the costumes.” Elyna’s voice carried a lilt that betrayed her nervousness. “Speaking of her, is she gone already?”
Those wide blue eyes returned to him, begging him to craft a lie. She already knew, and he didn’t want to deliver the disappointing truth. Kazuki chose a diplomatic answer instead. “I lost sight of her.”
“Oh, I’m sure she’s around,” Sarah tried. But Elyna only shook her head, dislodging a blond strand that he longed to tuck back under her little hat. Would it feel as silky as the one in his dreams? He caught himself, crushing the longing harshly.
“Nah,” Elyna said, smiling through the disappointment. “She said she couldn’t stay long.” His heart ached for her. “I bet she’s returned to her back-to-back meetings.”
The way her shoulders dipped was painful; one quick glance shared with Makoto revealed they were of the same mind. Their motto was always children first, and Katrine Eriksen’s attitude betrayed their every principle. But he wouldn’t judge; parents did their best, according to their values.
“Oh!” Elyna suddenly exclaimed, turning to Sarah. “I believe your human resources lady is a little lost.”
The redhead whirled around, immediately distracted.
“Bloody… erm,” she caught herself. “Come, darling, we need to secure a deal before they can forget how awesome the kōkō is!” She grabbed Makoto’s sleeve, already moving away.
That the Vice Principal trailed behind her like a puppy, absolutely nonplussed by the public endearment, was almost comical.
For a moment, Kazuki feared for Makoto’s heart before remembering that he was just as much in trouble.
“Good luck!” Elyna called after them.
Sarah threw her a thumbs-up before disappearing into the crowd, and then it was just the two of them beside a table laden with chicken wings and a bottle of sparkling non-alcoholic brew.
The festival noise suddenly seemed distant.
The setting too intimate, even though people milled around them in period costume, or plain shirts.
Leave. Walk away. You’ve done your duty.
Instead, Kazuki reached for the bottle and poured two glasses.
As if his body didn’t even obey his mind anymore.
Then, he picked one of the glasses up, and held it out to his assistant like an offering.
He couldn’t apologise without exposing himself, but he could at least voice his appreciation for her talent and perseverance.
“To your success, Elyna.”
Kazuki’s heart stuttered. Kuso! The honorific.
He’d meant to say it. He always meant to say it.
But her name felt so right, as natural as breathing.
Elyna’s eyes widened, her cheeks turning a delightful shade of pink.
But that stubborn, amazing woman refused to avert her gaze, fingers deliberately brushing his to retrieve the offered glass.
“It is shared success, sensei, not only mine.” Despite her defiance, she stumbled slightly over the words. His heart danced. To think he could fluster her so easily! His rational mind was screaming. Stop it. This is dangerous.
“Of course. But you set things in motion and inspired all our students to embrace their roots.” He grinned, hiding behind humour. “Vice Principal included.”
Elyna looked into her glass, and for a moment her expression shifted to melancholy. “Yeah. That is a bit eerie, I admit.”
The sadness in her voice caught him off-guard; he wanted to uproot it. What goes on in that pretty head of yours, Elyna? Kazuki searched his mind for a subject that could bring back her radiant smile… food?
“Have you tried any of the food stalls yet?” he chanced.
Her laugh sounded like victory. “Ah, a few, yes! I even tried the grasshoppers in soy sauce.” She wrinkled her nose. “That was strange… but not bad. I might return for more at some point.”
His jaw dropped. Grasshoppers, really? “And now I am worried about your tastes, Elyna…” He caught himself. "...san.”
Too late. Her eyes pinned him in place—ocean blue and fiercer than he remembered. He felt his chest tighten under the intensity of that scrutiny. “You’d be surprised,” she finally drawled.
What the hell? The words were layered with secrets, like a language he wasn’t supposed to understand. Was she flirting? No, impossible, she never would…
As he stewed in a turmoil of his own making, Elyna drained her glass in a long gulp. When she looked up again, a professional mask had slipped over her features. Guarded.
The sudden distance caught him off guard. This is what you wanted, so why does it hurt?
“Now, I have many guests to attend to,” she said, looking every inch the dignified Victorian lady. “Forgive me, but I shall have to take my leave.” Shocked, he watched her curtsy, the movement elegant. “Until later, Sano-sensei.”
Elyna walked away before he could respond. The crowd swallowed her green jacket and little hat, and Kazuki stood there holding an empty glass, realising he’d just been dismissed.
Cheeky girl.
But beneath the indignation, something else stirred. Something warm and painful and entirely inappropriate. Three days of avoidance, undone in less than five minutes.
Aksel: How did the festival go?
Elyna: Fantastic, but I’m beat. couldn’t lift a finger to type a message
Aksel: ?? What are you typing with?
Elyna: dolt!