Disclaimer: I do NOT own Hakuouki or anything related to it.

"Are you sure you're okay, Heisuke-kun?"

"I'm fine."

Heisuke's body language confirmed he was lying about being fine. There was a nervous tremble in his fingers and slight sweatiness that made Chizuru squeeze his hand. She gave him a few concerned looks that he dismissed with headshakes. Her attempts at small talk received curt replies and nods.

How was she supposed to enjoy the date when her companion wasn't even participating? That went against the point/definition of the term 'date'.

There still wasn't any word on Kazama. Whatever family business Shiranui claimed the blonde was occupied with must be very important if she hadn't heard anything from him for this long. Maybe it was related to his obsession with finding a perfect bride and hopefully finally getting a permanent reason to leave her alone.

Maybe Heisuke was worried Kazama would show up and ruin their time together? Had he contacted him to threaten him?

No. She knew what Heisuke looked like when he was on alert for danger and if he were being threatened and worried for their safety, he wouldn't have taken her out tonight. He would also have told her and their friends about the issue.

Whatever the case, they needed to discuss this at this very moment, or they might as well cancel the date.

Chizuru stopped walking. So distracted by his uneasiness was Heisuke that he tripped and almost fell, but Chizuru pulled him upright. He blinked at her, opening his mouth to ask why she'd stopped and closing it when he saw her stern expression.

Releasing him, she crossed her arms."Tell me what's wrong." Her tone brooked no argument.

Heisuke sighed."A-Are you...sure about this?" He gestured to the space between them, then to himself."...about me?"

Chizuru's eyes widened; her expression softened; her arms fell to her sides.

She probably shouldn't have been surprised. Heisuke had been very nervous about the change in their relationship two weeks ago and asking her out. She'd been nervous too, but never felt afraid or uneasy with him. After enduring years of Kazama's forceful and possessive behavior, seeing such carefulness touched her heart. It also irked her that he didn't feel comfortable talking to her about this, but at least his intentions were good, and they could work to improve that.

Stepping forward, she took his face in her hands. He blushed like a tomato.

"I wouldn't be here with you if I was unsure," she said."And you've made it clear that I can say no whenever I want. You've done everything Kazama never did for me. I've always felt safe and happy with you. If I ever feel uncomfortable, I know I can talk to you about it. You've been a good friend to me, and I," she took a deep breath."I like the idea of you being more." She kissed his cheek, and he blushed harder, looking like his skin had always been this red. She pressed her forehead to his and smiled.

Heisuke swallowed, managing to slightly reduce his blush as he grasped her wrists and nodded."I-I'm okay now. For real this time."

Her smile brightened in a way that lit up her face."Good." She kissed his cheek again, grabbed his hand, and skipped along the rest of the way, dragging a grinning and blushing Heisuke with her.

It was a good date, for both of them.