6 ❀ Summer Citadel

[konnosuke]

Beach. Everyone has been working so hard lately so why not take a break and enjoy the beach? You can make sand castles, play in the water, and there are even umbrellas for those who'd rather just relax in the shade. There's a nice row of water melons ready to be smashed later in the day and when the sun goes down, that's when the sparklers come out. Suffering. It's the hottest time of the year and the citadel doesn't have central air conditioning. The few air conditions that were installed have given up on life after being used so much and now, we really have to make do with what we can while the Konnosuke try to fix it. There's a limited number of fans, plenty of ice cream to go around, and the citadel should be built to circulate air, right? ... Right?! Spooks. In Japan, summer is a time for horror. Gather around the camp fire and hear some spooky ghost stories or maybe head out into the woods just outside the citadel for a good ol' fashioned test of courage. It's all good, harmless fun! Of course, with so many spirits gathered in one place, what's to say a stray or curious outsider spirit won't join the mix... Rain. Summer is also known for sudden and torrential downpours of rain. The clouds always seem to grown and darken suddenly and the next thing you know, it's raining sheets and the ground is shaking from thunder. Once it starts, it never seems to stop. Maybe you were caught out in the rain or maybe this is day 7 stuck inside. Other! It's summer and there are tons of things to do. Go to the general store and stock up on ice cream, wake up in the middle of the night uncomfortable with heat, or run around screaming because cicadas are dying and flying at your face.

 

Comments

[oncealifetime]

[Ichigo looks up from where he’s sitting on the engawa fanning himself, his feet in a bucket of cool water. He smiles gratefully.]

Yes, I would. Thank you. What flavour is it?

[Then he frown a bit in concern.]

You don’t look so well, Shokudaikiri-dono... Why don’t you sit down and rest for a bit?

[candlestickslayer]

Ah... I really shouldn't. I still have deliveries to make you see...

[ Which wasn't really a great excuse. Everyone knew if they wanted some of the handmaid ice cream, they were welcomed to get it inside the kitchen, but Mitsutada just wanted to help out and make it easier on everyone. ]

[oncealifetime]

[Ichigo studies him for a moment, then he wipes off his feet, gets up and goes into big brother mode.]

The deliveries can wait, Shokudaikiri-dono or I can help you make them. For now, you need to rest. You look like you’re about to collapse from the heat!

[candlestickslayer]

[ Ah--! When was the last time he's heard that tone directed at himself. It was probably around the time he first came to the citadel and he kept trying to be a little too cool. He could continue arguing, but it didn't seem like it would get him anywhere so he finally shifts downward until he was sitting next to where Ichigo had just been. ]

I guess resting for a few minutes wouldn't hurt...

[oncealifetime]

[Ichigo smiles at that. Good boy! At least, he doesn’t pet Mitsutada on the head?]

Wait here, I’ll get you a fan and some cool water to soak your feet in. It makes a huge difference in this heat!

[candlestickslayer]

A-ah... you don't need to go that far for me. Honest...!

[ He was so used to giving this sort of treatment to everyone else, having someone do it to him feels so... strange. He was a little flustered. ]

[oncealifetime]

[Ichigo just smiles.]

It’s fine, Shokudaikiri-dono. You’re always working so hard for everyone all the time, so this is the least I can do to help you in return.

[And he’s off. He soon returns with a fan and a bucket of cool water. He hands Mitsutada the fan and sets the bucket down in front of him.]

[candlestickslayer]

[ While trying to hide the faint color growing on his face, he slowly lifts his feet so Ichigo could slip the bucket down underneath. He wasn't used to being pampered like this, always going out of his way to pamper everyone else. ]

Thank you, Ichigo-san... but you will still join me, won't you?

[oncealifetime]

You’re welcome. And of course, I haven’t eaten my ice cream yet!

[He resumes his place next to Mitsutada and takes a bite of his ice cream.]

This is delicious! Did you make this, Shokudaikiri-dono?

[candlestickslayer]

[ He leaned back on his hands a little as his feet finally slip into the bucket, a soft sigh slipping out. Ichigo was right, this? This was a whole lot better. He could already feel himself cooling down at least a little bit.

Ichigo's voice catches him off guard and he turns to face him with a smile. ]

I did, yes. I thought it'd be a nice cooling treat for a day like today.

[oncealifetime]

That's amazing! Is there anything you can't make? Oh, and you should have some as well.

[He takes another bowl of ice cream from Mitsutada's tray and hands it to him.]

[candlestickslayer]

Ah--

[ He lets out a soft laugh, slowly taking the bowl into his own hands. Yes, Ichigo was definitely a hard person to argue with. Even Shokudaikiri is having a difficult time telling him no. Eating a little ice cream... resting a little bit... he supposes it wouldn't be that bad. Though it is a little difficult to get used to. ]

All it takes a little patience and a lot of determination.

[oncealifetime]

[Ichigo smiles happily as he watches Mitsutada relax. The weather is much too hot for Mitsutada to be running around like that after all and Ichigo doesn’t want him to get sick from pushing himself too hard.

Ichigo also enjoys just having someone his age to hang around with for a change, since most of the time he is around either children or grandpas...]

Do you have a dish you’re especially proud of?

[candlestickslayer]

[ It's true, there did seem to be a large amount of children and grandpas in this place. Honestly it's probably one of the reasons he was so easily thrown off by Ichigo using his brother tone with him. They were closer in age, but that tone of his... it was hard to shake. ]

A dish huh...

[ It was hard to choose since he loved making so many different things. ]

This question shouldn't be so difficult for me to answer.

[ He laughed softly, taking a small bite from his ice cream. Ah... refreshing. ]

[oncealifetime]

[Well, he only used the big brother tone just now to stop you from hurting yourself, Mitsutada! Though it probably slips in subconsciously from time to time when he’s talking to Mitsutada... it’s just too ingrained in him.

Ichigo laughs as well and teases him.]

Now you’re just bragging, Shokudaikiri-dono!

[candlestickslayer]

[ The laughter just seems to be contagious, or maybe it's just that Ichigo had put him in a pretty good mood because he continues laughing at the light teasing and decides to tease back just a little. ]

Oh, am I? I hadn't noticed.

[ Tilting his head back a little to give Ichigo a small grin. Even a mother hen like him can still be playful.]

[oncealifetime]

[Ichigo smiles back playfully.]

Well, surely you can’t be that perfect?

[candlestickslayer]

Ah, but if I were to tell you that much, all of my embarrassing secrets would be revealed, and we couldn't have that, now could we?

[oncealifetime]

Well, I suppose we do have to protect Shokudaikiri-dono’s cool image at all costs. But... does that mean you have many embarrassing secrets then?

[And now he’s curious to know more!]

[candlestickslayer]

[ He lets out a soft laugh, setting the bowl of ice cream down so he could slide his tracksuit jacket off and set it off to the side of him. It was still pretty hot, but removing a layer made everything feel a little less troublesome. ]

Even I'm not immune to embarrassing secrets.

[oncealifetime]

[Ichigo looks away a little when Mitsutada removes his jacket, out of shyness, and concentrates on his ice cream.]

I see. Is there anything else you enjoy doing then besides cooking?

[candlestickslayer]

[ If it made Ichigo any more comfortable, at least he had a shirt underneath his jacket. Though it wouldn't really help in this situation since it was a black shirt today and black didn't mesh well with the sun... oops. ]

Besides cooking? Most things I can do with my hands I suppose. I like the feeling I get knowing I personally did this and that.

[oncealifetime]

[Stop stripping in front of him, Mitsutada! Also stop falling in love so easily, Ichigo, you already have a husband (that he’s just learnt he has) and a boyfriend! XD]

With your hands? Oh, are you good at sewing? I could use some help with mending my brothers’ things. Ah, that is if you don’t mind, Shokudaikiri-dono.

[Ichigo isn’t really good at most household chores since he’s lived a very pampered life both when he was a Toyotomi sword and as an Imperial treasure. He had servants to do all these things. He does try his best to learn though!]

[candlestickslayer]

[ Look, he can't help it. Ichigo just has a lot of love to give!! But it's hot. :( ]

All you have to do is ask.

[ He turns his head to give Ichigo a warm smile. ]

It can be a little difficult at first, but it's really rewarding, even if it comes out a bit sloppy.

[ He paused for a moment, tugging a handkerchief out of his pocket. Sorry, Ichigo, It was his turn to brother him as he reaches out with his handkerchief to wipe off a smudge of icecream from his cheek. ]

[oncealifetime]

[Don’t you dare flaunt that perfect body of yours in front of him, Shoukudaikiri Mitsutada! XD;;]

Thank you, Shoukudaikiri-dono! [He let out an embarrassed little laugh.] Well, I have been trying on my own but all of it has just been really sloppy... Perhaps I don’t really have the tal-

[Ichigo is caught off guard. His eyes widen in surprise and his cheeks turn a light pink.]