The warm spring breeze was like a caress for the exhausted men. It didn’t matter if it rained, snowed, there was a terrible electric storm or a blazing sun, practices would be held as always and nobody was more than enthusiastic about them than Kondo.
Having grown up with stories of brave warriors and with the wonderful task of representing the dojo was more than a good motivation for him to give his very best daily, even more especially now that he had this lively child by his side, that young promise called Okita Soujiro; more than ever he had to be not only an encouraging figure in his life but also a good role model and only that could be achieved with setting the example and being there for the child when he needed it.
Kondo couldn’t ask more for life for he seemed to have everything.
Well, it seemed, there was still something he really looked forward that one day would happen yet reality seemed to be against that ideal setting. It didn’t mean he wouldn’t try it as long as there was an opportunity but he really hoped things would turn out for the best, that he would be blessed to have such an exceptional woman by his side.
While temporarily lost in his idealistic world, Kondo did not notice his students mentally calling it a day as the soft voice of a woman was heard between the walls of the dojo, and like a knee jerk reaction Kondo turned around to the source of the voice with the happiest smile any man could ever had.
Matsui Tsune had such a powerful effect on him, her mere presence could turn a dull day into the most amazing one, and to have her drop by every now and every then just made his day and night for a long while.
But being the silly man he was, and as subtle as hiding a horse under a tiny square of cloth, Kondo just dried his sweat with a towel and practically ran, or incredibly fast paced him as certain sarcastic person had pointed out once, towards the woman.
- Otsune-san! Such a pleasure to have you around, what do we owe the honor of your visit? – He greeted the woman after bowing before her. Yes, he wasn’t subtle at all.
As the man, the Dojo owner, rushed over to her side, he welcomed her with a polite bow, a slight stain of red appeared on her cheeks by his choice of words. “ Kondou-san, please, you make my arrival that to be of someone of special.” Tsune rolled her eyes to the other side, no eye contact… ever…
The blonde woman held onto a small basket filled with all kind of delicacies. She couldn’t come with empty hand, now could she? Still her cheeks held the red stain as she offered the basket to the man in front of her. “ I brought you and your students some small titbit.”
On the side of the basket there was a small round wooden box filled with dumplings, wasn’t that the man’s favourite? “ I—” She stopped for a moment. “ I made you dumplings, they only need to steam them—” She didn’t wanted to invite herself, yet somehow she wanted to stay longer…
Quickly she looked behind the man as she saw two boys totally exhausted. “ Ano— Kondou-san…” Awkwardly she smiled at. These poor boys…