Iguro Obanai || Acceptance

It’s painfully obvious.

Obanai likes Mitsuri and it’s crystal clear to you apprehending the fact that you are the Serpent’s Pillar tsuguko specifically that you were invariably training with him and go on a mission together. That’s why you began to recognise his habits and personality since you were really a sagacious person despite that you don’t look like one. From always observing your master, that’s when you noticed how he treated the Love Pillar differently than the others.

From your research, you would tend to recognise how he’s not being hostile when talking to her and shooting her his infamous glare just like he ordinarily does whenever he would spot the Water Pillar or others. Instead, you would see how his eyes will flicker in the daylight once his heterochromatic eyes settled on Mitsuri. And what’s more apparent is the truth that whoever would approach the woman, he’d tend to bestow them a venomous glare and even hiss at them. Once Mitsuri would be out of sight, he would spontaneously tell them to back off and slip some rough words to them before he will follow his fellow Pillar.

That’s when you came into a judgment that your master was indeed in love with Mitsuri since it was really noticeable especially that you were always together.

If you were just some random person and not his tsuguko, you won’t even give the slightest care about it and would not give a damn thing if Obanai likes the pink-haired woman, you might even encourage him and root for him when you are. However, it’s not the case, because you notably harboured romantic feelings for your master and that pisses you off big time.

You don’t know the reason as to why you like the Serpent Pillar anyway, you just realised one day when you woke up in the morning, laying on your bed that you drastically liked him as a man. And that absolutely frustrated you because you knew how he’s so in love with Mitsuri and you don’t want to get your heart broken since you already prognosticated that he’s going to reject you in the end.

Moreover, although you are his tsuguko, he gave you no exception from how he treated others. He treated you similarly as to how he approached them, he would tend to degrade you on how weak you are and why did he even have you to become his tsuguko, to be precise, a female where he perceives them as a pain in the ass to handle and he didn’t foresee that the one he was going to train is a woman.

In spite of that, his words never get through you and you focused on becoming stronger and prove him to yourself that you’re going to be a Pillar someday. Despite the intense and harsh training with the Serpent Pillar, you didn’t mind, because you have this mindset that, the harder the training is the better you will improve.

Obanai expected that you were going to waver in the end and leave for a week, however, his presumption of you had pulverised once you survived for a month and still have the resolve and determined to train with him and endure the hellish training that he would proffer you. And surprisingly, for the first time, the Serpent Pillar was impressed and commended for your pertinacity, but he would never admit that to you, never in a million years.

The days of becoming his tsuguko went on, he would still give you intense training and you won’t go back from your home without having a wound or injury. Thankfully, you become accustomed to his day to day hellish training and your swordsmanship was gradually progressing. As a year passed of being his tsuguko, Obanai started to acknowledge your presence and accepting you as his tsuguko. His rude and hostile treatment to you had changed a little which is a good thing for you.

It really made you delighted, now that you get your master’s assertion, you wanted to celebrate, you really do, however, what was holding you back is the indisputable fact that Obanai won’t look at you just like how you look at him. There’s no way you can compete against Mitsuri and get his attention like how she does without any using of her efforts at all. Because in the first place, she doesn’t even know that your master likes him romantically, she was oblivious about his feelings for her.

How can she even know when Obanai is discreetly showing his interest on the female, treating her formally as his fellow Pillar when they would cross paths.

You don’t really mind if you won’t be able to get right through his heart, because first of all, Mitsuri got his attention first and he only sees you as his mere tsuguko. You were already satisfied by being beside him and train with you to improve yourself since the reason why you approached him is to become his successor after all.

Hence, you admitted the reality that you won’t win his heart because you won’t do anything to make him look at you. By just seeing him every day and talking to him normally was already enough, testifying him how his eyes would soften when he sees the Love Pillar and veiling his minuscule smile, you were already contented because you knew that you were the only one who could perceive him showing such expressions that no one had seen yet. You feel honoured about it and you will treasure it as long as you live.

● ● ●

Currently, you’re in the garden at the back of your house, drinking some chamomile tea in the fine morning. Cicadas were flying while chipping in the cerulean tinged sky, the faint wind blows in a droning manner as you can strongly scent the sweet fragrance of the flowers hitting your nose. It was a tranquil morning as the sun radiates the entire vicinity, proffering light with its rays. Today is your off from your job, so you want to enjoy this day that had given to you and rest for the time being, which you really needed after having a mission with Obanai and the intensive training you have almost every day.

As you were relishing the cold wind and savouring your tea, you suddenly heard a knock in your frontal door, grabbing your attention and querying to who was visiting you this early in the morning.

Standing up from your seat, you saunter over to the front door to find out on who it was. Once you opened the door, your eyes locked gazes with dazzling heterochromatic orbs, stunned once your mind processed that Obanai was the one who’s visiting you.

It was a shock to you, honestly; after all, Obanai won’t come to your house without any notice at all. If he will, his kasugai crow would come into your house and apprise you that your master will arrive later. That’s why seeing the Serpent Pillar on your doorstep was seriously unexpected.

“A-Ah, good morning, Iguro-san, do you want to come in?” you insinuated but the said man only shook his head.

“No need, I’m just here to ask for your suggestion, since I don’t know what I should buy,” Obanai said flatly, making you confounded at his statement.

“What is it?”

You stared at Obanai whose gaze instantly averted once you said your response. His looking to elsewhere as you fathom that he was being disturbed and uncertain for some reason. This is the first time he would ask you for some suggestion after a year of being his tsuguko since you knew how he doesn’t want to ask for anyone’s help knowing that he’s a prideful man. That’s why it’s rare for him to ask you for some help.

After a couple of minutes of waiting for the Pillar, he finally slipped the words that he wanted to convey.

“What… What’s the best present for a woman?” his voice was low and almost inaudible, fortunately, it was quiet today so you caught his words that indeed astonished you to the core.

Obanai was asking for your suggestion about what present he should buy. It seemed like your ears turned deaf and you were staring at him in disbelief, still couldn’t believe that your master would ask such a thing! Since you know that he doesn’t like to waste his time on something so frivolous. In so many things that he can request for help, and you expect that it will regard your jobs, but it seemed like it was the exact reverse of what you had presumed!

He needs your help to buy a present for a girl! And you already knew as to who it was, only woman who can make him do such a thing. A present for Mitsuri, by all means.

“Oi, did you even heard me?” your master’s harsh tone had snapped you out from your stupor. Blinking your eyes for a couple of times and returning to your senses, you frantically look at him and trying to come up with a right answer.

“Y-Yes, I-I’m sorry, I was just shocked is all,” you fumbled with your words and you wanted to slap yourself from acting so disgraceful in front of your master.

“Whatever. So what you think should I buy?”

Okay, this is making you pressured because Obanai is the type of man who isn’t patient specifically that he was waiting for your answer and glaring at you which is not helping your brain to come up with an idea!

‘Don’t pressure me please!’

That’s why you were trying to think about the best gift for a woman in tumult. Your mind was in a jumble; all sorts of kind of gifts were whirling through your mind, unable to choose on what’s the best gift to Mitsuri. You know that the Love Pillar will accept everything and will love it either way, but you don’t want to mess up with this one especially that this is the first time Obanai asked for some help so you really need to think about it thoroughly.

“You’re taking too long,” Obanai fizzed, startling you which cause you to answer him without thinking.

“Socks!” you squeaked, and then you immediately slapped your mouth with your hands as you absorbed the words that you slipped.

“Socks?” Obanai cocked his eyebrow while crossing his arms, deliberating if it’s a good gift to Mitsuri.

Ahh, you really messed up big time, why did you even say socks? Just because you saw someone passing by then looked down to see she was wearing blue high knee socks that caught your attention. Screw you, woman! And screw Obanai for pressuring you!

“A-Ahh—” you couldn’t think of any right words to say to him, you wanted to change your suggestion but it seems like the Serpent Pillar was pleased about that kind of gift, seeing how his scowling expression earlier had faded in an instant.

“I’ll go with that one. Thanks, (Last name).”

Afterwards, he left immediately without taking a glimpse at you whose mouth still agape and in disbelief that Obanai took your suggestion.

● ● ●

After the horrible encounter with the Serpent Pillar yesterday, your day off has finally ended and you didn’t even enjoy your off due to continuously remembering how screwed you were for thinking such gift! Although it’s Mitsuri you were talking about, you still wanted to help him as best as you can and make the pink-haired girl thrilled with his gift. However, you really screwed up this time.

“Oh, Kanroji, you’re wearing new socks today!”

Your head instantly snapped to the familiar booming voice and your eyes detected the Flame and Love Pillar, Rengoku and Mitsuri who stumbled upon each other. But what made your ears perk is Rengoku mentioning about socks, that’s why you immediately lurk in the corner of the street and peek your head to sight the green socks that Mitsuri was wearing.

“Yes, this is Iguro-san’s gift to me. He gave it to me yesterday, and I want to wear it as soon as possible,” Mitsuri cheerfully answered as she giggled. The Flame Pillar merely nodded and hummed.

“Oh, right, yesterday was your birthday. Sorry for the late greeting but happy birthday, Kanroji!”

You blinked several times upon comprehending just now that her birthday was yesterday. Now you know why Obanai asked for your suggestion because it’s her birthday! Why did you not think of it? You thought that the Serpent Pillar just wanted to give her a gift but you remembered that your master won’t do it without any reason at all!

You were busy cursing at yourself and ruffling your hair due to how stupid you were. Unbeknownst to you, both Pillars had ended their conversation and separate their ways, which is why Mitsuri instantly found you once she turned the corner to where you are right now.

“(Name)-chan?” the angelic voice of Mitsuri grabbed your attention and your eyes swiftly darted on her, smiling at you sweetly.

“Ah, Kanroji-san, good afternoon,” you hysterically bowed to which the pink-haired girl merely waved her hands and shook her head.

“You don’t have to be so formal, (Name)-chan, we’re friends, aren’t we?” Mitsuri beams and tilts her head. “By the way, what are you doing here?”

“I-I was about to go to Iguro-san’s dojo since we have a mission later, but… I see you and Rengoku-san talking…” you uttered, avoiding your gaze since you were too awkward to meet her pure eyes.

“Is that so? You should have gone to his dojo and didn’t mind us, though.”

“But I don’t want to disrespect you Pillars! And I really respect Rengoku-san because he’s like the sun to me! He’s shining even if you’re far away from him and you could eventually notice him because of his passionate and bright persona! How could I just pass the sun?! How disrespectful of me to do that!”

Mitsuri barked a laugh at your speech and you only noticed the words that you had said. Now, your face sizzles a bright red and you just wanted to dig a hole and insert your head inside just like an ostrich.

“Does that mean you like my master?” she giggled and your red face only enhanced, hastily covering your face with your hands.

“I-I like him but not in a way that you’re thinking!” also, you already have someone that you like and you have an unrequited love ever since despite you haven’t confessed to him yet. Because it’s crystal clear to you that he’s going to turn you down without equivocation.

“Is that so?”

“Yeah! I just admire him as a Pillar!” you defended and Mitsuri suddenly squealed that startled you.

“You’re blushing, (Name)-chan! How cute!” and in a flash, the Love Pillar hauls your wrist and give you a tight hug where your face was shoved into her D-cup breast.

● ● ●

After the rendezvous with the Love Pillar, you sighed in relief once you reached Obanai’s dojo. It felt like you were still suffocating because of how tight Mitsuri’s hug was, you even thought that if ever the Serpent Pillar had seen your position earlier, he would certainly shoot you a death glare for receiving that kind of hug from his crush.

Well, you were just glad that he wasn’t there at all.

Stepping inside your master’s dojo, you immediately spotted him on the tree branch with his pet snake Kaburamaru. Actually, you already knew that he was staying again on that favourite spot of his, whenever he would wait for your arrival and after your training session.

“You’re ten minutes late,” he lowly growled before jumping from the tree to glower at you.

“S-Sorry, Iguro-san. I stumbled upon, Kanroji-san earlier.”

Once Obanai had heard Mitsuri’s name, his scary expression immediately melted before facing his back at you. You feel your heart dropped upon witnessing how the heterochromatic lad’s face softens once you mentioned the Love Pillar’s name.

Well, (Name), just get used to it and you already accepted the fact that Obanai won’t return the feelings you had for him. He even used his effort to give her a present which is impossible for you to make him give you a present for your birthday as well. Heck, he doesn’t even know when your birthday is!

“By the way, (Last name),” Obanai spoke to which it caught your attention and looked at him, already facing you with his usual poker face. “Kanroji likes the gift I had given her. I thank you for that.”

Your breath hitched once you saw his eyes curved a bit, already have the knowledge that he was bestowing you a smile underneath his mask. You feel like your heart is going to burst and your stomach twisted, feeling your heart leaping in joy yet tearing into half. This is the first time he smiled at you, after a year of being with him together because you would only see him scowling at you or either giving you an impassive face.

You felt your eyes stung due to the tears that were threatening to fall at any moment. You bite down your lower lip to prevent yourself to cry, but it seems like it’s too hard to resist, considering how your heart was clenching in pain. You already accepted it, you accepted that you would support him to whatever he wants especially to his love life. However, your heart is the opposite of what your brain was shouting. This is unfair to you, how can you let go when you’ll always going to see his face and you’re stuck with him until you improve and master his breath style.

This is frustrating and heartbreaking.

But you don’t have a choice, he only loves one girl and you’re not that one, you couldn’t even hate Mitsuri because she’s too sweet and kind. And you can’t blame her since Obanai was the one who fell for her and she didn’t even do anything. That’s why even if it’s breaking you; you will root for him because since the very beginning before you and Obanai had met, his heart already belongs to Mitsuri.

And you accepted the reality that you would only stay in the sidelines and watch how your master’s love will blossom.

You’re only a side character to Obanai and Mitsuri’s love, and you don’t want to ruin it.

You composed yourself and took a deep breath before flashing Obanai the saccharine and genuine smile that you could ever muster.

“I’m glad that I could be of help, Iguro-san.”

Acceptance is the only thing that can stop the pain inside your heart.