yahibame

Yahibame (Yahiko x Tsubame) is one of the couples that hooked up in Rurouni Kenshin. In many ways, this couple resembles Kenshin and Kaoru's relationship. Like Kaoru, Tsubame is very strong-hearted and will stand up to defend what's right. Both are very kind hearted and will go out of their way to help others. Yahiko, like Kenshin, is always trying to grow stronger to protect the one they love and hold dearest (in this case, Tsubame). Tsubame has come to change Yahiko in a myriad of ways. The once immature and childish Yahiko soon finds himself transitioning into a brave, young man who's heart is set on protecting the girl he loves. According to Watsuki's notes, Tsubame acts as a catalyst to Yahiko's thinking. Time and time again, Yahiko runs to the scene to save Tsubame without even planning/thinking of a plan. Clearly, Tsubame acts as a direct contrast to "think before you act" for Yahiko. There is not much to say to the progression of their relationship except that Yahiko becomes more mature in order to win Tsubame's young heart because all things aside, Yahiko is still a boy and a boy is always shy and too scared to make a move around the girl they like. Nonetheless, it is clear and evident that Yahiko falls for Tsubame. After the manga finishes, it is hinted in the extra story that Yahiko and Tsubame are a couple. After his return from a journey, the first place he goes to after returning to Kaoru's dojo is Akabeko. Kenshin is seen pondering why Yahiko wouldn't rather rest at home and Kaoru points out that it's obvious that he's going to Akabeko to see Tsubame rather than go there to eat. Upon arriving to the restaurant, Yahiko sees Tsubame sweeping outside. When she realizes that Yahiko is there, she smiles happily at him. The two walk into Akabeko as Tsubame offers to get Yahiko some food for his return from the long journey. The entire time, Yahiko only has a gentle face on for Tsubame. In the Seisohen/Reflection, Watsuki mentions in his notes that Tsubame and Yahiko become a couple in the manga storyline and later on has a son named Shinya.

Yahiko and Tsubame are, in my opinion, one of the cutest and most-needed couple to be adored by all. The way both protects each other throughout the manga/anime is so irresistably cute. Tsubame, being a strong-willed girl, tries her best to keep everything under control and away from trouble and despite the fact that she's weak against the stronger people, she doesn't give up. Seeing this, it's evident that our little Yahiko grows to fall in love with this amazing girl. Since Yahiko is shy and always denying it, he doesn't admit the fact that he likes Tsubame (even up till the special Yahiko bonus chapter in the manga, he still doesn't admit it, but he doesn't deny it either). Another reason why I absoloutely support this couple is probably because both characters are so pure and honest. In the earlier chapters/episodes, you see that Yahiko suddenly dissapears to the Abakeko almost everyday to help Tsubame who was a new waitress there at the time. I guess, you can call it "love at first sight" for our young Yahiko-kun. In the bonus chapter about Yahiko at the end of the manga series, you see that he goes on a trip for over a month to train some students at another dojo. Right after he returns, he tells Kaoru and Kenshin that he's going to the Akabeko and Kaoru says "But to go right to the Akabeko after the trip, no matter what he says, Tsubame is the only one girl for him, isn't that so?" and I found that really sweet and it absoloutely expresses how much Tsubame really means to Yahiko.

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