She blinks startled for a moment at his sudden comment. Pity? Pity was the last thing that tethered her to him. There were much better terms to describe why she spent so much time around him. Concern, admiration, even duty as an honorary Shinsengumi member, but it was never pity. Perhaps overarching above it all, what truly tethers her to him is a feeling that she would give voice to, but she’s content to allow it to remain this way as long as she can continue to support him, to remain by his side. He has come to mean so much to her in their time together that she thinks he should know by now. Maybe that’s the reason he enjoys tormenting her so, maybe she’s a masochist.
The teasing edge that lingered at the end of his words does not go unnoticed. It makes a pout pull at the corners of her lips, but doesn’t stop her from continuing to dress the wound on his forearm. “You know that’s not the case Okita-san.” She glares at his arm, slender fingers moving to tuck the bandage in place. “I help because... because well.. I really do consider you my friend.”