"Inori-chan! I love you very much!"
"Yeah. I love you too."
"The fuck are they doing?" Sanemi asked, watching as Mitsuri and Inori hugged each other, squealing and twirling around the courtyard. It was times like these, with Inori acting like an idiot with Mitsuri, that made Sanemi ask himself why he was friends with her to begin with.
"Apparently it's a popular game," Obanai answered, internally swooning over Mitsuri. "Kanroji's little sisters play it a lot. You have to say, 'I love you' to one person and that person has to say 'I love you' to another person."
"Do they really have nothing better to do?"
"Why not? Oyakata-sama isn't here yet and that sounds flamboyant." Tengen snickered before calling out in a voice that was enough to disturb the birds. "Oi, kid! I love you! My wives love you too!"
"Much appreciated!" Inori yelled back without hesitation, smiling as if she didn't just throw an invisible arrow straight into Tengen's pride. "I love your wives too!"
"I knew this would happen but damn you, kid."
"Oh? This does sound fun!" Kyojuro laughed, crossing his arms and puffing his chest. "Then, I love all of you!"
"I love Rengoku-san too." Inori beamed back, ignoring the betrayed look Tengen gave her. "Send my love to Senjuro-kun too."
Sanemi felt a vein throbbing in his temple, wondering just what the hell was wrong with the four pillars who decided to join in on such a stupid game.
"Ara, ara, I love Inori-chan too."
Make that five since Shinobu decided to join in on the game. The Insect Pillar's smile brightened when Inori said 'I love you' to her in return. She then entertained Mitsuri who profusely confessed her platonic love. The three girls giggled with each other, throwing an 'I love you' every now and then.
"The hell is wrong with them?"
"Honestly. This is such a waste of time—"
"Iguro-san!" Mitsuri waved her hand with a smile so bright, it rivaled the sun. "I love Iguro-san too!"
Iguro Obanai's brain short-circuited when Mitsuri beamed at him, saying the words he had always wanted to hear from her. He could only stare into the distance, unable to say anything despite opening and closing his mouth like a fish out of water. Obanai eventually passed out, steam coming out of his ears.
"Iguro..." Sanemi sweatdropped at the man who suddenly flopped to the ground, earning a worried scream from Mitsuri. "What the hell happened to you?" He shook his head, snapping it to the side when he saw Muichiro making his way toward Inori.
Muichiro tapped her shoulder, garnering her attention. He then leaned forward to whisper, "I love you, Inori."
While his words went unheard by the other pillars, it didn't take them much to guess what he said. Especially not when Inori blushed scarlet. She stammered something into Muichiro's ear in return, causing his cheeks to turn slightly pink.
Ah, what oblivious children. Gyomei clasped his hands together, praying while tears streamed down his eyes. Their obliviousness rivals Shinazugawa's and I can't help but pity them.
"I can hear you," Tengen muttered, holding in his sniggers. He suddenly grinned, cupping his hand over his mouth, yelling in a slow yet echoing voice. "Kid! Don't be shy! Say I lo—gyah!"
Tengen couldn't finish his sentence. Inori had dashed from where she stood at the opposite end of the courtyard towards Tengen, slamming her foot sole-first into his balls, using enough force to make Tengen fall on his back. She then stepped on his balls, all with a smile on her face.
"Shinazugawa-san." Sanemi didn't flinch even when Inori addressed him, who was coincidentally yet, unfortunately, standing next to Tengen. He refused to admit that a bead of sweat trickled down his temple when Inori placed a hand on his shoulder, still smiling that creepy smile of hers. "I love you."
"Yeah, yeah. Whatever, brat." Sanemi pushed her head down, ruffling her hair until her bangs were all out of place.
"Aw, how cruel." Inori laughed his harsh words off, just as she always did. She stepped away from Tengen, making sure to add a bit more pressure before fully stepping off. "But you have to say 'I love you' to someone else now, Shinazugawa-san. That's the game."
"No."
"Yes. I'll help you. Himejima-san," she called out, gaining Gyomei's attention. "I love you, Himejima-san. Thank you for all your help. I really respect you."
"You're welcome, Hoshizora." Gyomei nodded, another batch of tears streaming down his eyes. "And thank you. I love you too."
"There." Inori poked Sanemi's shoulder, purposefully kicking Tengen's shin when the Sound Pillar tried to snatch her by her collar again. "Shinazugawa-san, your turn."
"I'm not playing your stupid games."
"Shinazugawa-san, how sad." Sanemi felt his eyes twitching as Inori gave him a pitiful look. "To think you don't have anyone you love." She suddenly grinned, mischievous and childish, as she stood on her toes to whisper in his ear.
"You should say 'I love you' to Tomioka-san."
"Like hell I will!" Inori dodged when Sanemi tried to shove her, giggling to herself. "Shut it, you brat! I'll slaughter your ass!"
His threat only made her laugh harder. "Come on, Shinazugawa-san. Surely, there must be someone you love. If not Tomi—"
"I love Oyakata-sama!"
Sanemi would rather die than hear Inori suggesting him to say 'I love you' to Giyu again. But as soon as the words left his mouth, he felt heat crawling up to his cheeks. The other pillars had an amused look plastered on their faces while Tengen and Inori straight-up grinned and snickered at him. He never wanted to die so badly.
The pillars were too caught up in their game, they didn't realize Kagaya was watching them from behind the doors. He stopped Kiriya from announcing his presence, deciding to surprise his pillars.
"You look like you're having fun." Kagaya's sudden voice caused the pillars to be still. They immediately got on their knees and greeted their leader. "Good morning, my children. Seeing all ten of you gathered here really makes me happy."
"Please pardon our rowdiness just now, Oyakata-sama."
"It's quite alright, Sanemi." Kagaya smiled, tilting his head slightly to the side. "On that note, I love you too, Sanemi. You're always going to far lengths to help people, but please remember that you are loved too."
Sanemi blushed, lowering his head as he mumbled, "Thank you, Oyakata-sama."
"Me too! Me too!" Mitsuri, slightly envious, raised her hand. "I love Oyakata-sama too."
"Thank you, Mitsuri. I love you too." Kagaya tilted his head toward her direction, earning a bright smile from Mitsuri. "You're always working so hard, and your existence is precious to everyone here, me included."
"Oyakata-sama! I love you too!" Kyojuro exclaimed immediately after. "I also have high respect for you!"
"Thank you. I love you too, Kyojuro," Kagaya answered back, "You're always doing your best. Thank you for always being people's ray of hope."
"Oyakata-sama, I also flamboyantly love you."
"I love you too, Tengen." Said Sound Pillar brightened at the master's words. "You've saved hundreds of people with your own strength, and you've never once wavered no matter how difficult it is. For that, I am proud of you."
"Oyakata-sama." Inori played with her nails, staring intently at the ground. "I...I love you too, Oyakata-sama."
"Thank you. I love you too, Inori." Kagaya smiled at her, unaware of Inori's pink cheeks. "You always go far and beyond for others, and your existence is also one that is deeply cherished. Some people will be sad if you get hurt, so please never undervalue yourself."
"Oyakata-sama, I would also like to express my love for you." Gyomei clasped his praying beads together.
"I love you too, Gyomei." Kagaya could slightly see the new batch of tears that just came out of Gyomei's eyes. "You're always so reliable and kind. I'm sure that as long as you do your best, you can overcome and achieve anything you want."
"I love Oyakata-sama too," Muichiro said, mildly surprising the others since he usually never said anything despite obviously placing their master in high regard.
"Thank you, Muichiro. I also love you." Kagaya nodded slightly, hoping Muichiro felt happy even though his expression didn't change. "You've put in a lot of effort to reach where you are. I'm sure everything you've done will bring hope to the future."
"Oyakata-sama, I would also like to say that I love you very much." Shinobu smiled gracefully as she placed a hand over her chest.
"I love you too, Shinobu," Kagaya said, earning a slight blush from the Insect Pillar. "You're always there to treat the others when they're injured. You're such a kind child. Thank you very much."
Obanai bowed a bit lower. "Oyakata-sama, allow me to say that I love you too."
"Obanai, you're a very compassionate and earnest child," Kagaya replied, "I love you too and I hope you can understand just how loved you are in many eyes."
"Hey, Tomioka-san, aren't you going to say anything?" Shinobu looked past the other pillars to smile at Giyu.
Giyu remained silent for a few seconds while Sanemi was more than ready to beat him up for not expressing his love toward their master. That was until he heard Giyu say, "I respect you from deep within, Oyakata-sama."
"You don't have to hold everything in by yourself, Giyu. There are plenty of people who love you, and I am one of them," Kagaya said, smiling at his Water Pillar. "I love you, Giyu."
His children were all so cute that Kagaya chuckled. "You are all precious to me and I am eternally grateful for all the love you have for me." He smiled at his pillars. "I cannot thank you enough for being my children."
Kiriya smiled in amusement when the ten pillars collectively grasped the fabric around their chests, withholding their inner squeals.
"Kiriya." Kagaya placed a hand, warm and soft, on top of Kiriya's head. "I love you too."
·̩̩̥͙＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚☆.｡.☆.｡.:*☆ ˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊·̩̩̥͙