Chizuru Yukimura:
"Then..."
Ask Okita.
Chizuru Yukimura:
“Then, if you don’t mind, Okita.”
Souji Okita:
“So you want me to do it, huh…”
Hachiro Iba:
“Okita, please keep her safe and make sure that she doesn’t get in danger.”
Souji Okita:
"Just because you weren't chosen doesn’t mean you can order me around as you please."
Genzaburou Inoue:
"Please, Souji. We'll be keeping an eye on Tani's movements as well."
Chizuru Yukimura:
"Yes, please take care of me."
And thus, Okita became my escort.
~NEXT SCENE~
Chizuru Yukimura:
"I’m sorry, Okita."
“I’m on lunch duty today, so you ended up having to help me out…”
Souji Okita:
"Don’t worry about it, I don't really care."
Okita seems to be very frustrated with Tani…
It's a bit difficult to be around him at times like this.
But I'm worried about leaving Okita alone now.
With that in mind, I started chopping the washed vegetables.
Souji Okita:
"... Aren’t those green onions? I hate green onions."
"Why would you put something like that in there? Are you trying to harass me?"
Chizuru Yukimura:
“Green onions are also nutritious, and some soldiers like them.”
Souji Okita:
“Is that so…”
Okita fell silent, probably because he got tired of talking to me.
For a while, the only sound that echoed through the room was that of chopping vegetables.
But then Okita suddenly spoke up…
Souji Okita:
"... I know that if I were to become Kondo's adopted child, everything would be fine."
My hands involuntarily stopped moving at his unexpected words.
Chizuru Yukimura:
"... Then why did you say that to Hijikata?"
Souji Okita:
"I don't believe much in family ties."
"I was born the eldest son of the Okita family, but I was forced to leave."
"I wondered what it would be like to be part of a family or something like it. But..."
"Kondo and I are connected by the bond of the sword."
"That is enough for me."
“Besides… even if I were to become adopted, Kondo would be sad if his son were to die before him.”
Chizuru Yukimura:
“...!”
As usual, he spoke in a matter-of-fact manner, but…
I had a feeling that Okita's true feelings were contained in his words just now.
Just then, I hear the sound of boiling water coming from the stove.
Souji Okita:
"It looks like the water is boiling. You shouldn't boil the miso soup."
Chizuru Yukimura:
“Ah…right!”
I hurried over to the furnace.
Then, using a poker, I moved the firewood in the back to a place where it would not catch fire.
Souji Okita:
"Let’s see how it tastes."
Okita lifted the lid of the pot and poured a little bit of the miso soup onto a small plate.
And then…
~Picture~
Souji Okita:
"... Hmm, I see.”
Chizuru Yukimura:
"Um... How about the taste? Does it taste good?"
Souji Okita:
"Well, something like that. It tastes good to you, right?”
"In terms of swordsmanship, it's about Kirigami level."
I think that means he approves.
I wonder if it's Okita who doesn't get a lot of compliments…
Souji Okita:
"I think it would be better if it had a slightly stronger flavor."
“After having worked up a sweat during training, I really want to eat something salty.”
Chizuru Yukimura:
"I see, that might be better..."
I remember Nagakura and others saying that after training, they wanted to eat something with a strong flavor.
Chizuru Yukimura:
“Well then, let's add a little more miso."
Souji Okita:
“Right, that should do the trick.”
After giving his approval, he moved away from the furnace.
Chizuru Yukimura:
“…But are you okay with strong flavors?”
Souji Okita:
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
Chizuru Yukimura:
"Because you’re…"
I hesitated and didn’t finish my sentence…
I choose my next words carefully.
Chizuru Yukimura:
"... I thought it would be better to eat something with a light flavor when your body is not feeling very well."
Souji Okita:
"Oh? So you’re treating me like a patient?"
Chizuru Yukimura:
"No, that's not...!"
Perhaps this was an insensitive consideration to Okita.
Thinking that, I tried to apologize.
Souji Okita:
"It's a hundred years too early for you to worry about me."
"... But well, it seems like you cared about me.”
"So I'll let you off the hook this time."
"... But, Chizuru. Next time you treat me like a sick person..."
Chizuru Yukimura:
"... You're going to kill me, right?"
Okita was stunned by the words that I let slip out…
But then, a smile appeared on his face.
Souji Okita:
"..... I’m not gonna do that."
Chizuru Yukimura:
“Huh?”
Souji Okita:
"Killing you would be letting you off easy."
"So I’m gonna bully you so much that you'll ever regret treating me like a sick person."
"Even if you cry and beg for forgiveness, I won't forgive you, so be prepared."
Okita's tone was so gentle that I got a bit confused.
He won't kill me, but he’s just going to bully me…
That won’t be so bad… right?
Souji Okita:
"What's with the face? It’s no fun if you’re gonna keep looking at me with that blank expression."
Chizuru Yukimura:
"I-It’s nothing... Please take care of me when that time comes."
Souji Okita:
“Hehe… Ahahaha”
Chizuru Yukimura:
"W-What is it?"
Souji Okita:
"...It’s nothing. You're just too funny. Hahahaha."
“Haha… Come on, we have to finish preparing dinner.”
Chizuru Yukimura:
"Ah, yes! That's right!"
Okita smiled and seemed to have returned to his usual self…
But for a while, I couldn't hold a proper conversation.
~NEXT SCENE~
The following day, the sky looked rather dreary.
In the meantime... All the captains who were aware of the Shinsengumi’s secret, were gathered in the common room.
Chizuru Yukimura:
"I brought you some tea."
The soldiers who were gathered all had a tense look on their faces.
Chizuru Yukimura:
“There’s your tea.”
I quickly distributed the tea so as not to disturb their discussion.
It seems that everybody has already been made aware of Tani's actions.
Everyone kept quiet and had grim looks on their faces.
Hachiro Iba:
"... Thank you, Chizuru."
Souji Okita:
“Why are you here so early in the morning, Iba?”
"Can’t you keep your nose out of our business?"
Hachiro Iba:
"I'm here as a representative of the shogunate, so..."
"So I can't return to Edo until Tani's case is resolved."
"... Besides, she is involved in this as well."
Toshizo Hijikata:
"Souji, Hachiro, save the conversation for your own time."
Hachiro Iba:
"Right, I'm sorry."
Toshizo Hijikata:
“First up… Saito and Shinpachi, you guys were watching Tani yesterday.”
"Please tell us your report."
Hajime Saito:
"During my investigation, I discovered that Tani has indeed been keeping an eye on Yukimura."
"He also seemed to be trying to investigate what was going on inside the garrison."
"When I called out to him, he dodged the question and ran away."
Shinpachi Nagakura:
"I saw Tani go to Itou's room in the middle of the night."
Toshizo Hijikata:
"... I see. Did you see anyone else enter the room?"
Shinpachi Nagakura:
"It was just him."
"He and Itou were in there for quite some time... I think they were talking for about half an hour."
Toshizo Hijikata:
"Itou, huh... It would be troublesome if he were to investigate what’s in the depths of the garrison."
Sanosuke Harada:
"Before he starts sniffing around any further, wouldn't it be better if we tried to explain the dinner tray to Tani?"
Toshizo Hijikata:
"That may not be a bad idea... But what explanation would satisfy Tani and stop him from sneaking around?"
Heisuke Toudou:
“Wouldn’t it be fine if we told him she was just carrying food for the sick and resting soldiers?”
Souji Okita:
"It would be nice if he were to believe that."
Sanosuke Harada:
"How about we tell em Shinpachi has secretly been eating two servings in order to grow his muscles?"
Shinpachi Nagakura:
"There's no way Tani is gonna believe that."
"But if you wanna let me eat for two, I won’t complain."
Souji Okita:
“… By the way Chizuru, when Tani confronted you, wasn’t that near Hijikata’s room?”
Chizuru Yukimura:
"That's right, his room wasn't that far away."
Souji Okita:
“Then why don’t we tell him that Hijikata has been having extra meals?”
Chizuru Yukimura:
“What!?”
Hachiro Iba:
"Wait a minute, Okita. I don’t think–"
Toshizo Hijikata:
"Tani isn’t stupid enough to believe that. Start thinking about this more seriously."
Souji Okita:
"Aww, but I really like that idea, so please push through."
Shinpachi Nagakura:
"Well, Hijikata is the Commander. It wouldn't be too strange if he were to have two meals."
Toshizo Hijikata:
"You assholes, saying whatever you want..."
...... I wonder, would Tani really believe such an odd explanation?
Even I was starting to grow anxious.
Hachiro Iba:
“… Are you really okay with using that excuse?”
"If it comes to light that you were having two servings behind everybody else's backs"
“Wouldn’t your reputation suffer greatly among the soldiers?”
Souji Okita:
“Hijikata already has a pretty crappy reputation, so this wouldn’t really change much.”
"It would be a trivial matter compared to if the truth were to come to light."
Hijikata looked unconvinced and folded his arms, but…
Toshizo Hijikata:
"... I guess it can't be helped. Let’s go with that form now."
“But you guys better try and come up with a proper excuse!”
"... Harada. Can you call Tani here?"
Sanosuke Harada:
“You got it.”
Harada then left the common room.
Will Tani believe the excuse that we had come up with?
My anxiety didn’t subside…
After a while, the shoji door opened again.
Sanosuke Harada:
"It seems that Tani is out at the moment."
Toshizo Hijikata:
"He’s not off-duty today... Do you know where he went?"
Sanosuke Harada:
"I haven’t a clue. I tried to ask the members of the 7th Division, but he didn't tell them where he was going."
Shinpachi Nagakura:
“Maybe he ran away because he heard Souji is out to kill him?”
Souji Okita:
"If that were true, it would make things pretty boring. I was just thinking of how I would cut him."
Toshizo Hijikata:
"... Harada, when Tani returns, tell him to come to see me."
Sanosuke Harada:
"Got it, I’ll let him know."
After that, they disbanded and everyone returned to their respective duties.
~NEXT SCENE~
However that night, things were moving in an unexpected direction.
I was clearing up after dinner.
Hachiro Iba:
"Chizuru, let me lend you a hand."
“Should I take this try and put it over there?”
Chizuru Yukimura:
"I-It’s fine...! I couldn’t possibly let you help me..."
Hachiro Iba:
"Please don't worry about it. It’s my way of thanking you for the delicious dinner."
Chizuru Yukimura:
“But…”
Hachiro Iba:
"When in Rome, you do as the Romans do, so please let me help out."
Iba seems to be in a good mood today…
Is he that happy to be able to eat with the others?
Souji Okita:
"... Oh, it seems you’ve already had dinner."
Chizuru Yukimura:
"Okita..."
"Have you ever been out? Where did you go…?"
I'm pretty sure I saw Okita heading out somewhere during the day.
Souji Okita:
"Well, I'm off duty today, so I just went out for a walk."
Chizuru Yukimura:
"If you're hungry, I can prepare you something."
Souji Okita:
"No need, I’m not really hungry."
Chizuru Yukimura:
"Alright…"
Sanosuke Harada:
"... I wonder what happened to Tani. It's almost time for curfew."
Ever since the meeting ended, Harada has been waiting for Tani to return…
But it seems that in the end, he still hadn’t returned to the headquarters.
I'm sure Tani is well aware that breaking curfew could end in honorable suicide…
At that moment, the shoji door opened…
Susumu Yamazaki:
"... Saito, Harada, Nagakura. Please follow me to the commander's room."
Sanosuke Harada:
"Why? Did something happen?"
Hajime Saito:
“I’m sure the commander will give us the details when we get there.”
Susumu Yamazaki:
“Okita, please join us as well.”
Souji Okita:
"... It looks like something pretty serious has happened."
"I hope I can finally get permission to kill Tani."
But Yamazaki didn't respond to Okita's joke.
And just like that, they left the room.
Hachiro Iba:
"... I wonder what happened."
“Judging by the look of things, it seems that something rather serious has happened.”
Chizuru Yukimura:
"I hope nothing bad has happened..."
Just as I finished saying that.
Susumu Yamazaki:
“Iba, could you please follow me as well?”
“And you too, Yukimura.”
Hachiro Iba:
“So you want us to join too. ……Alright, I understand.”
Maybe this has something to do with Tani…
We headed for Hijikata's room with a bad feeling in our hearts.
~NEXT SCENE~
Toshizo Hijikata:
"I'm sorry for calling you all out here so out of the blue."
"... Tani has been killed. It seems to have happened a little earlier today."
The moment Hijikata uttered the words, it felt like the entire room froze over.
Then, everyone's gaze turned to Okita.
Toshizo Hijikata:
"Souji, is this your doing? Didn’t I tell you to restrain yourself?"
Souji Okita:
"It wasn’t me."
"Where the hell did you find him? How was he killed?"
Susumu Yamazaki:
“He appears to have been cut down by someone as he was leaving the Yasaka Shrine.”
"His corpse smelled of alcohol... So he was probably on his way back from Gion."
"The people who found his body contacted the guard, and the members of the Itou faction were the first to investigate the scene."
Toshizo Hijikata:
"Yamazaki, were you able to check Tani's body?"
Susumu Yamazaki:
"Yes, I received a report from the corpsman. I decided that I should inform you first."
“It appears that the autopsy of the corpse was performed by members of the Itou faction.”
Sanosuke Harada:
“It’s hard to believe that Tani was killed… His opponent must have been very skilled.”
Susumu Yamazaki:
“It may have been because he was drunk, but considering his position, Tani should have been prepared for a surprise attack.”
"Okita, where were you, and what have you been doing until this evening?"
Souji Okita:
"... Don't know, I don't remember."
Susumu Yamazaki:
“Okita!”
Sanosuke Harada:
"Stop fooling around, don't you get that this isn't the time for jokes?"
Souji Okita:
"I am fully aware. I'm not joking."
“If I’d done it, don’t ya think I would’ve just told you guys I killed him?”
Shinpachi Nagakura:
"... Don't say that. What if others heard you? People might misunderstand."
Souji Okita:
"But I really didn't kill him. Look. I’m clean, I don’t got any blood on me."
"If you still have doubts, you can even check my sword."
Susumu Yamazaki:
"... The presence of your sword or the absence of blood cannot prove your innocence."
"You could have used a different sword, you could even have changed your kimono on your way back."
Souji Okita:
"... So in other words, you think that I killed Tani?"
Toshizo Hijikata:
"Stop twistin’ other people's words. Yamazaki is just asking for confirmation."
Shinpachi Nagakura:
“Hey, Hijikata, the fact that the members of the Itou faction were the only ones to inspect the corpse…”
Toshizo Hijikata:
“If they are the culprits, there is a possibility that they fabricated evidence that is convenient for them.”
Souji Okita:
"... Itou and his lackeys might be trying to make me out to be the culprit."
"If that's the case, I'd rather kill Itou."
"I'll probably be forced to commit seppuku anyway if I’m declared to be Tani’s killer."
Hajime Saito:
"...Souji, watch what you're saying."
Shinpachi Nagakura:
"Yeah, calm down. If you start acting rashly, you’ll be playing in their hand."
Hachiro Iba:
“Toshi…”
Toshizo Hijikata:
"Damn it… I've completely fallen behind."
“Considering that a captain was killed, I should have been the first person they should have modified.”
Susumu Yamazaki:
“It would have been understandable if the commander was out, but he was at the base all day today.”
Everyone seemed to be in serious thought.
Hachiro Iba:
"...Toshi. Do you know what Itou was up to today?"
Toshizo Hijikata:
"He seemed to have gone out somewhere. ... Why do you ask?”
Hachiro Iba:
“It’s nothing…”
Chizuru Yukimura:
“...?”
What was that about?
Iba appeared to be bothered by something...
Hijikata didn't pursue it any further, and turned to face the others.
Toshizo Hijikata:
"Alright then. I’ll go talk to Itou directly."
"You guys, don't do anything unnecessary, give priority to your usual duties."
"For those of you who are off-duty, try to stay in your rooms."
Shinpachi Nagakura:
"I think it’s better if we avoid being alone as much as possible."
"Who knows what they’ll accuse us of if we act even a little suspicious."
Susumu Yamazaki:
"Indeed. So please be careful."
Toshizo Hijikata:
"... I’m sure you already know this, but don't tell the other members that Tani is dead yet. Got it?"
Hajime Saito:
"Understood."
Before long, the group was disbanded, and I watched the others leave the room one by one.
Hachiro Iba:
"Chizuru, it's time for us to leave the room..."
Chizuru Yukimura:
"Ah... Right!"
I think I should just go back to my room…
However there’s one thing that has been really bothers me. That's …
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