The Shinsengumi quarters. It was a day like any other. The rowdy squad members, the noisy superiors, and one person who keeps catching my eye.

...Ah.

Without realizing it, my gaze drifted. I was looking again.

Sigh...

A sigh escaped me. Why do I keep paying attention to that person? They're definitely annoying. Meddling for no reason, laughing for no reason, a strange human who shakes a person's heart for no reason.

Right. I just dislike them. ...That's how it has to be.

The reason I'm watching them isn't for surveillance or anything like that. It's about whether they're hurt. Whether they've eaten. Whether they're overdoing it again today. Useless things like that.

...It's not even funny.

I muttered softly while polishing my sword. Like them? That's ridiculous. There's no way I'd like anyone. I am Okita Sougo. I hate bothersome things, and I'm someone who isn't interested in others. So this is just. Just...

...Just that they're on my mind.

I repeated it to myself several times. But strangely enough. I feel bad when they're laughing with someone else, I get irritated when they're in a dangerous place, And I get angry for no reason when they rely on someone who isn't me.

Eventually, my gaze drifted again. And as our eyes were about to meet, I immediately turned my head away.

...Don't get the wrong idea.

Words that no one would hear escaped my lips.

Because there's no way I could ever like someone like you.

I said those words, but. The sword in my hand was gripped even tighter for no reason. I didn't want to admit it. What this emotion was.

Why I feel like I'm not my usual self whenever I see you.