Sanada Genichiroh-So that’s the reason

/Aki/
I was training kendo in the dojo of Sanada Family. My sensei told me to rest for a while so I kneeled down and sat on my legs. I closed my eyes and meditated. I did not wish anything to bother me right now. Sensei said that he was going to introduce his son to me.

I have no interest in him. If he had the talents of Kendo, I might listen to him once. Then, I heard the door slides open and I faced the door. It was a boy that was so much taller than me. He had a head of black-blue hair and a pair of light brown eyes. He had a calm but strict features and he was talking to Sensei.

I noticed that they were looking and talking about me. I returned to my position of meditation. Footsteps stopped behind me and I took out my bamboo sword and hit him. However, he stopped the attack and I was impressed. I placed my sword down and bowed to him.

“I’m sorry for attacking without warning.” I said sincerely.

“I’m impressed with your concentration.” He responded.

“Arigatou.” I smiled.

“You must be Aki.” He said.

“Yes and you must be Sensei’s son, Genichiroh.”

“Yes, I am. Let’s resume practice.”

I nodded and both of us trained. After a few hours, I have lost against Genichiroh. I was sitting on the floor, panting heavily. Genichiroh sat beside me and I tilted my head to look at him confusedly. He had a strict face and I did not mind it at all. I liked the way he acted, serious and smart.

“Aki, do you know how to play Tennis?” Genichiroh asked.

“Yes, I do. Why do you ask?”

“We could practice together.”

“Thank you Genichiroh, but my body is not that well.”

He nodded and I noticed that there was a hint of sadness in his eyes. I shrugged it off and looked away. I picked up my sword and walked to the door. I opened and looked back to Genichiroh. I smiled while tilting my head.

“See you tomorrow, Genichiroh.” I said and walked out of the dojo.
/Sanada/
“See you tomorrow, Aki.” I muttered.

She left and I did not even know where she studied. I picked my sword and went to change. I was hoping that my father was not watching us when we were talking to each other. Otherwise, he would be starting to push me to marry some girl that I did not even know.

A few days ago, my father was saying that I have a fiancée. I was surprised that my father just agreed to it without telling me. I did not know how my fiancée looked like. I sat on my bed and thought of Aki. I really hoped that my fiancée was her. My eyes were slowly closed and I slept.

Morning came and the rays of light shone to my eyes. I turned to look at the clock and it was still early. I did my daily routine and went to the kitchen. My mother was already preparing breakfast for the family. I sat down and greeted her.

“Good morning, Okaa-san.”

“Good morning, Genichiroh. So, did you talk to the girl last night?” She asked.

“Are you pointing to Aki?”

“Yes, she’s a nice girl. I don’t like your father for forcing you to marry a girl that you didn’t even meet.”

“I know, but this is my father’s decision.”

“I understand.” She said and placed breakfast on the table.

“Where is Father?”

He’s in the garden.” She smiled and I nodded.

I ate my breakfast and prepared my things for school. I went out to the garden and saw my father was tending to his plants. I approached him and he turned.

“I knew that you want to talk me about your marriage.” My father started.

“Father, I wish to decline it.” I answered.

“Son, there’s nothing I could do. I have promised to my friend that when the both of our child grew up, they will marry each other.”

I nodded and left half heartedly for school. I was walking down the road. Then, I saw a familiar figure standing a few meters away from me. It was Aki. She was listening to her music and I saw her uniform. It was our school’s uniform. She studied in my school. I was too dense to notice her.

She turned and saw me. She smiled and approached me.

“Ohayo, Genichiroh-kun.” She smiled.

“Ohayo, Aki.” I greeted.

“So, we’re heading to the same place.”

I nodded and walked first. Aki was following me and I heard she was singing.

/Aki/
I was singing my favorite song: Heart of Sword.

“When I’m alone, tomorrow feels so far away.
And I must go over still into the darkness of dawn.
If I try to play it straight, it will no doubt fail, and tonight it won’t go well between us again.

You can’t see all of my hard efforts, because it’s only result is that it makes no sense.
It really is a ‘tightrope.’
More effort, more damage—this is my daily life.
Taking a cynical attitude may give me some comfort…

Hiding myself, heated and irritated; living only a short time.
When I’m alone, tomorrow feels far away.
And I must go over still into the darkness of dawn.

If I let my emotions free, my dreams will once again not go well.
I think the balance sheet of my life is imperfect.
If I add up the plusses and minuses, will it really equal to zero?
I want to control all my luck that may be used up before my life is ended.

You don’t know—you can change logic at your will.
I hurt myself because of you, over and over; but my love didn’t go away—it kept coming back.
The toughness gained from my damage is unbelievable.

I won’t be able to sleep at all tonight either.
However many times it’s repeated…
It revives again and again—because it’s love.
You can’t blame my emotion.

Because you should know it will never fade away.
When I’m alone, tomorrow feels far away.
And even though I’m in the darkness of dawn, I have to go.
I don’t care about ‘bad affinity’.
Even if our love is not doing well, nevertheless we have deep ties.”

I loved the song so much that I was crying because of the meanings. I felt so painful at the last part of the song. I looked at Genichiroh and I was blushing. I looked down and walked ahead of him. Then, I felt someone held my wrist and it was him. I stopped and looked down.

Both of us remained quiet. He pulled my arm and we walked to school hand in hand. I stopped half way and he stopped too. I struggled out of his grip and ran to my classroom. My heart was thumping so hard. I could not love anyone anymore. I was being engaged.

I did not even know what my fiancée looked like. I did hope he was Genichiroh. Wait a minute! What was I talking about!? I have just known him for one day and I was falling for him. I sat in my seat and took out my books for lessons. I saw Genichiroh was coming into the class.

I have the same class as him. He sat in front which was the nearest to the teacher’s table. I looked at him with sad eyes and he was just staring at me. I looked out of the window and he sat down. My heart hurts. I wished that I have not met him. After lessons, I was the last to go for lunch as I was struggling to study.

“Do you need help?” Genichiroh asked out of nowhere.

“Yes, may be a little.” I answered while looking down.

He grabbed a chair and sat beside me. He taught me and I have all of my homework with his help. I heaved a sigh and lay my head on the table.

“Genichiroh-kun, sorry about this morning.” I whispered.

“I’m sorry too.”

“Please don’t tell anybody about the things that I’m going to tell you.”

“I won’t.”

“I’m engaged. I don’t even know who my fiancée is. I felt I was trapped in cage that was set by my parents. I feel nobody cares about me. Nobody knows how I feel.” I cried.

“Aki, I understand.” He placed his hand on mine.

I looked at him and he had a look that he really does understand. Genichiroh held me tightly and comforted me. I wrapped my arms around him and cried in his arms. He lifted my chin up and wiped my tears away. I felt like I have known him for a long time.

“I’m engaged too and it was not my decision at all. I was hoping my fiancée is you.” He said.

“Me? Why?” I asked.

“Because I have fallen for you.”

“Genichiroh-kun, but both of us are…”

“May be it was the both of us. You’ll never know.”

“I hope so.”

“Do you want go to train tonight?”

“Yes, for some serious work.”

“Alright, I’ll be there too.” He kissed my forehead.

“Okay…”

After school, I went back home and changed. I got ready for the training of Kendo. I walked there and there was Genichiroh and his father. I noticed my father was there too. My younger brother, Soujirou, waved and I smiled at him. He was only six and he was such a cutie.

He rushed to me and I hugged him. I walked to my father and sat beside him.

“Aki, this is your fiancée, Sanada Genichiroh.” My father pointed to him.

“Son, Miss Aki will be your future wife. So, please take care of her.” Sensei pointed to me.

Genichiroh and I were staring at each other and we did not even know that both of us were already engaged with each other. I smiled at him and he did too. After that, I was left by them and I was alone with Genichiroh. We were training hard on Kendo. We trained until we could not stand and lay on the floor.

I took off the headgear and I was sweating profusely. I took off every gear that was needed in Kendo, but with the traditional clothes on. I was able to breathe normally. Genichiroh was already starting to doze off. I walked to him and bent down beside him. He smiled and I did too.

“Do you want to sleep?” I asked.

“Kind of.”

I sat down while placing his head on my lap. He reached up and touched my cheek. I held his hand and kissed his forehead.

“I told you that may be we’re together.” He said.

“Yeah, you’re right.”

“Aishiteru, Aki.”

“So that’s the reason for engagement. Aishiteru, Genichiroh.” I said and he kissed deeply and tenderly on my lips.