At the moment, I was training with Sanemi, the wind pillar. I'm his Tsugoku. Once he dies, I'll be the runner up to be the next pillar. But that wasn't going to happen any time soon.

"Come on [Name]!" he yelled at me. We made a bet. If I was able to graze him, he'd allow me to paint his face, but it has to be before lunch or I have to make him some ohagi.

"Looks like I'm having ohagi for lunch!" he yelled.

"I'm not finished yet!" I shouted. I analyzed his movements trying to find an opening.

And I did.

"I've got you now!"

I thrust my sword forward. It looked like I was going to win. Instead, Sanemi pushed my sword away and put me in a headlock.

"Hey!" I said, trying to release myself.

"I'm not even holding you that hard. You can release yourself at any time," he said.

I stopped. I obviously wasn't going to win at this rate.

Before I knew it, it was lunch, I lost. He cheered at his victory, which was quite unusual. Maybe it was because I'm gonna make him some ohagi.

"Hurry up now, go make me some ohagi," he ordered and walked away.

I was about to leave but was interrupted due to a blinding light. "R-Rengoku-san?"

"Good afternoon [Name]!" he shouted with passion.

"Good morning to you too!" I said back.

"I saw you sparring with Sanemi, you almost had him there."

"Yeah, I almost had him..."

"You shouldn't have given up that easily. A demon could have killed you easily if you've given up like," he said to me.

He was correct about that. "I apologize. I promise to never give up again. As someone who could be a pillar someday."

"That's the spirit!" he said as he patted my head. "By the way, what are you doing for lunch?"

"I lost to Sanemi, so I have to make him some ohagi," I answered.

"Maybe I can help you," he suggested.

"Really? I don't want to waste your time. You should be with the other pillars."

"I insist, come on now." he lightly grabbed my hand and pulled me to the kitchen. His hand felt so warm.

I smiled, I just wanna hold his hand all day. I looked at him and saw that his face red. I wanted to ask why, but it was hot outside, so that could have been the reason.

We eventually made it to the kitchen. I brought out the ingredients and made sure I had everything.

I put on my smock and started to was the mochi rice. Rengoku insisted on washing the rice, so I let him. I left for just a little while. When I came back, the ohagi was already finished.

"Rengoku-san, did you finish making the ohagi?" I asked him.

"I did, I finished it quickly so we could spend our lunch together."

"But how did you make it so fast?"

"I just used my breath style, i hope that isn't a problem," he stated.

I assured him that it wasn't. I was kinda glad that i didn't have to spend most of my lunch making food for Sanemi.

I told Rengoku that I'll be back after I give Sanemi his ohagi.

After I returned, I couldn't find Rengoku in the kitchen anymore. I later found him sitting on the grass. I crept over to him. He was sleeping.

I knelt down next to him and place his head on my lap. He still looked passionate while he slept. "[-me]..."

I could have sworn he said my name. "[Name]..."

He did say my name. "I love you... [Name]," he said with a big smile on his face.

Not cheeks flushed red. H-he loves me!

That can't be right! I shook my head side to side really hard. My whole body swang to the side. My actions woke up Rengoku-san.

"[Name]? Are you alright?" he asked me.

"R-Rengoku-san!" I yelled. "Is it true that you love me?"

He blinked twice. "I thought i was making it quite obvious," he said as he chuckled.

"S-so you do..." I said blushing madly.

He lead in and cupped my face between his hands, his warm hands.

"Of course I do!" he kissed my forehead and laid back down on my lap. "You mind if i just lay here a bit?"

"N-not at all!" I stuttered.

He closed his eyes and whispered my name. I wrapped my hands around his face and caressed his face, whispering that I loved him.