And I…
Keep holding on.
Chizuru Yukimura:
“...No. I won’t let go.”
Souji Okita:
"If you keep getting in my way, I'll kill you too. You got that?"
Okita's eyes were filled with murderous intent.
Just looking at them sends chills down my spine.
But still…
Chizuru Yukimura:
“... I don’t care."
"If you want to kill Miki, you have to cut me down first."
Souji Okita:
"Fine, as you wish— I'll cut you down first."
Okita's hand moved to hold the hilt of his sword–
He was ready to strike.
His bloodlust instinctively made my body go numb with fear.
However, as the tension was building.
Souji Okita:
“... Why”
"... Why didn't you move out of the way?"
Okita hadn't drawn his sword.
Instead, he looked at me with a mix of anger and sadness on his face.
Souji Okita:
"If you don't back off... I can't move forward."
“I’m sick and tired of this…”
"We come to Kyoto and set up the Roshigumi..."
"But ever since they joined the Shinsengumi, those guys have just been getting in the way."
"Even though the Shinsengumi was only formed to realize Kondo's dream…"
"And now, some ignorant assholes are messing around with Kondo's Shinsengumi as they please."
"Spreading strange rumors, getting people all riled up ... Damaging Kondo's reputation..."
"So I'll put an end to this mess."
Chizuru Yukimura:
"Then... you'll have to kill me fir—"
Souji Okita:
"There's no way I’d kill you!"
"If it were my adversary, if it were an enemy of the Shinsengumi, I’d kill them without hesitation."
"But you... you're not our enemy..."
"It may be frustrating... but still, you're just trying to help me..."
"Even I get that much."
Chizuru Yukimura:
“Okita…”
Souji Okita:
"There's no way I could kill you like that... I just can't..."
At that moment, I lost all strength and squatted down on the spot.
Souji Okita:
"... Hey, are you alright?"
Chizuru Yukimura:
"D-Don't worry, I’m fine. I'm relieved..."
Souji Okita:
"You're a pretty weird kid, you know that?"
"If I’d known you'd thrown yourself in front of me just to lose all your strength, and fall to the floor like this–"
"I could have just left you behind and gone after them."
"Looking back on it now, I feel like I’ve lost my mind."
"Haa... Who would have thought that I’d ever be detained by someone like you."
"But well... looking at you now, I’ve got trouble believing that."
Chizuru Yukimura:
“I’m sorry…”
Okita looked a little embarrassed and looked away, but before long…
~Picture~
Souji Okita:
"... No, you got no reason to apologize."
"You seriously stopped me…"
After muttering embarrassingly, Okita put his hand on my head.
And then…
Souji Okita:
"Thank you, Chizuru."
He said with a bashful expression.
Chizuru Yukimura:
“Ah…”
Souji Okita:
"What's wrong? You’re looking pretty goofy."
Chizuru Yukimura:
"I have a goofy look on my face?”
Souji Okita:
"Yeah, you're making quite a funny and cute expression."
Chizuru Yukimura:
"You're not praising me, are you?"
Souji Okita:
"I'm just calling ‘em as I see ‘em."
"So, why are you making that face?"
Chizuru Yukimura:
"... Because you thanked me."
"I never thought you'd ever thank me, so..."
Souji Okita:
"Is that right? Want me to take it back?"
Chizuru Yukimura:
“W-Why would you bother to take it back!?”
Souji Okita:
"… Just kidding."
"You saved my ass earlier. So thanks..."
Chizuru Yukimura:
"... You won't take it back?"
Souji Okita:
"You want me to?”
Chizuru Yukimura:
"No! ... I won't forget."
Souji Okita:
"Do as you like."
"... Well then, that's it. It's time to get up."
"Or do you need me to lend you a hand?"
Chizuru Yukimura:
"I-I'll be fine!"
Souji Okita:
“Really, well that’s good.”
His attitude is still the same as usual…
Still, I'm really glad that things didn’t get out of hand.
Souji Okita:
"Well then, let's head back."
Chizuru Yukimura:
“Right!”
Souji Okita:
"But absolutely no mention of me going out to buy medicine, you got that?"
Chizuru Yukimura:
"Yes, I know… I'm sure the others will be able to find some evidence."
Souji Okita:
“Well… I hope they can find something useful.”
And so, Okita, who had returned to his normal self, and I started walking towards the base.
~NEXT SCENE~
Later that night.
Toshizo Hijikata:
"... We've discovered Tani's actions before he died."
"Let’s start with the people he met in Gion just before he died— Hachiro if you would."
Hachiro Iba:
"Right. We questioned the owner of the shop where Tani had been drinking that day..."
“Apparently he visited the shop with the Shinsengumi’s deputy commander, Kashitaro Ito, and several others.”
Heisuke Toudou:
“So the person Tani was drinking with before he died… was it Itou!?”
“You haven’t said a thing about this to us, have you?”
Kashitaro Itou:
"... Oh, that might be the case."
Hachiro Iba:
“The shop owner and Nakai said they remember that day very well.”
"They said they wouldn't mind coming here to testify if necessary."
Kashitaro Itou:
"... Please hold on a minute."
"You’re making it sound as if we deliberately hid what happened that day."
Toshizo Hijikata:
“Is that not the case?”
Kashitaro Itou:
I was just waiting for an appropriate moment to speak up, hoping to clear this misunderstanding."
Shinpachi Nagakura:
"Really? So didn't you get Tani drunk so that he would be unable to resist as you cut him down on the way home?"
Kanryusai Takeda:
"Nagakura, watch your tongue. What are you even basing that on?"
Kashitaro Itou:
“It’s true that I went out drinking with Tani that day…”
"We were however first to leave the store, and after that, we went straight back to the base. Isn’t that right, Saburo?"
Saburo Miki:
"That’s right. I don't mind having the people of the store testifying.”
“Even the members of the squad should remember when you and I came back."
Judging from Itou and Miki's confident statements…
It seems clear that they have solid evidence that could clear any doubts surrounding them.
Toshizo Hijikata:
"... It seems that we need to investigate this incident more thoroughly in the future."
Saburo Miki:
"What about Okita? We still don't know where you went yesterday, do we?"
Toshizo Hijikata:
"In regards to that, Saito did another thorough check of Tani's body."
"If would, Saito."
Hajime Saito:
"Yes. The fatal wound was probably a vertical stab wound in the pit of the stomach."
"If the assailant was a practitioner of Tennen Rishin-ryu like Souji, the thrust should be at the throat, and the direction of the blade would have been horizontal."
"If however, you have enough evidence to overturn this argument, it would be a different story..."
Saburo Miki:
“Are ya trying to cover up with your pals again? Anyone could have done it if they changed their fighting style!”
Kashitaro Itou:
"... That’s enough, Saburo."
Saburo Miki:
"Why? Anyone–"
Kashitaro Itou:
"... You’re correct, anyone could have done it."
"So let's wrap things up."
After scolding Miki, Itou turned to face Hijikata and the others once more.
Kashitaro Itou:
"... The suspicions surrounding Okita have been cleared. It’s a relief for us as well."
Souji Okita:
"Is that all you have to say after treating someone like crap?"
Kashitaro Itou:
"That’s because you always say such crude things like 'killing' or 'taking care of' someone."
“Especially these last few days, it seems like you were bringing it up a lot more often.”
Toshizo Hijikata:
"By the way Itou, what were you discussing with Tani in Gion?"
Kashitaro Itou:
“… Well, for example, the rumors about Tani's younger brother, Shuhei, possibly being adopted by the chief.”
"Chief Kondo seemed to be quite troubled by them, so I told Tani to be more careful."
Toshizo Hijikata:
"... I see."
Kashitaro Itou:
"But I swear to you by the gods, it was not us who killed Tani."
Toshizo Hijikata:
"... I know that much. It's not like I doubted you guys."
Susumu Yamazaki:
"Commander. We will soon have to hold Tani's funeral, however..."
“What will be the public statement about the cause of his death?”
Toshizo Hijikata:
"Hmm, let’s see..."
Kashitaro Itou:
"We can't tell them that a rogue ronin was able to cut down a Shinsengumi executive."
Toshizo Hijikata:
"... So we have no other choice but to tell them he died a sudden death of unknown causes."
Kashitaro Itou:
"That seems to be the only solution."
Toshizo Hijikata:
"From now on, don't say anything unnecessary to the soldiers regarding Tani."
"Alright then, this concludes today’s discussion."
One by one, the soldiers left the room as the meeting was disbanded.
Kashitaro Itou:
"... I'm glad your name has been cleared, Okita."
Souji Okita:
"Giving up already?"
"It was a good opportunity to get rid of me."
Kanryusai Takeda:
"I've been thinking about this for quite some time, Okita."
“Aren't you being a bit too rude to Itou?"
“Itou is the deputy commander, he has a higher position than you, the captain of the 1st division.”
Kashitaro Itou:
"It's fine. Okita just likes to joke around."
Kanryusai Takeda:
"However… what would the others think."
Kashitaro Itou:
"Well then, let's go, Saburo."
Saburo Miki:
"... Hmpf. You've got off lucky this time, Okita."
Kanryusai Takeda:
"Please wait, Itou! So, after this–"
After Itou and the others disappeared, Harada called out to Hijikata.
Sanosuke Harada:
"... So what's going on? Hijikata."
"Was Itou really not responsible for Tani's death?"
Toshizo Hijikata:
"... He's not."
"If Itou was really behind Tani's death, he should be able to get around a little better."
Hachiro Iba:
"I think so too."
"No matter how you look at it, it would’ve been a pretty sloppy job if he was behind it."
Heisuke Toudou:
“Yeah you’re right, Itou wouldn’t have left behind any evidence of having gone drinking in Gion.”
Hajime Saito:
"Besides, Itou and the others wouldn’t gain anything from killing Tani."
Sanosuke Harada:
"... I see. So, at the moment we got no idea who is really responsible?"
Shinpachi Nagakura:
"It's a bit of an unsatisfying conclusion, isn't it?"
“I thought Tani was a pain in the ass, but not enough of a pain to want him dead…”
Sanosuke Harada:
"... Yeah."
“He acted like an annoying older brother, but he wasn’t that bad of a guy.”
Everyone seems to have their own thoughts about Tan’s actions during his lifetime.
Still, it seems that each of them was mourning his passing in their own way.
Harada, who had known Tani the longest, wore a particularly complicated expression on his face.
Toshizo Hijikata:
"In any case, your guys' hard work cleared the suspicions surrounding Souji."
"I'll let you drink as much as you want, whether at Shimabara or anywhere else."
Shinpachi Nagakura:
"Really!? Are you for real, Hijikata!?"
Heisuke Toudou:
"Yahoo! We can’t let this opportunity pass us by, now can we?"
Everyone left the room with much enthusiasm.
The only ones left behind were…
Toshizo Hijikata:
"What is it, Souji? Are you still sulking?"
Souji Okita:
"... Not at all. However, even though Tani is finally gone…"
"I just thought that the weird people that hang around Kondo will never stay away."
Chizuru Yukimura:
“Okita…”
Toshizo Hijikata:
"I understand how you feel... But you can't kill Itou without a good reason or evidence."
"What if Kondo gets blamed by the Aizu clan for it, how will you take responsibility?"
Souji Okita:
"Responsibility, responsibility, that’s all you ever talk about."
"How long are you going to let Itou do whatever he pleases?"
Toshizo Hijikata:
"... If this is about him, I'll do something about it, so just wait until then."
Souji Okita:
"Really? You’re not just lying to me to keep me in tow, right?"
Toshizo Hijikata:
"I'm not lying. Right now, I'm just waiting for the right opportunity."
Souji Okita:
"If you take too long, I'll get impatient and take care of Itou myself."
Chizuru Yukimura:
"You shouldn't say things like that, Okita."
Souji Okita:
"Ah man, now even this kid is scolding me."
Okita may have been joking, but…
His demeanor and facial expressions were strangely refreshing.
Hachiro Iba:
“The fact that Tani passed away will make the matter surrounding the adoption unclear.”
"Now I can rest easy too."
Chizuru Yukimura:
"But... if it wasn’t Itou and the others, then who did kill Tani?"
Souji Okita:
"... Who knows. Hijikata might know something."
Hachiro Iba:
"... Toshi, do you know anything?"
Hijikata wore a difficult expression for a while, but…
Toshizo Hijikata:
"Come on, he probably was cut down by a passing ronin."
"... I got to go back to work. You guys should get going too."
Souji Okita:
"What, do you really not know?"
"But even if you did know, I don't think you would tell me."
Toshizo Hijikata:
"I just told you I don't know. Now, get out of here."
Souji Okita:
"Fine. I’ll be leaving then."
Hachiro Iba:
"I will be taking my leave as well, Toshi."
Chizuru Yukimura:
"... Excuse me"
It may not have a satisfying conclusion, but…
The incident seemed to have resolved itself.
~NEXT SCENE~
Shinpachi Nagakura:
"Men, I'm glad it's sunny! The only time you get to drink during the middle of the day is during cherry blossom season!"
Hajime Saito:
"You guys seem to be drinking all the time despite the time of day."
Shinpachi Nagakura:
“But I've always been so stealthy about it!”
Heisuke Toudou:
“Anyways… Did something go wrong with the preparations?”
"Even though we get to hold a cherry blossom viewing, it doesn’t feel the same considering we have to hold it inside of the base!"
Shinpachi Nagakura:
"Well, yeah, there isn’t much we could do about that... things were a bit complicated."
According to Nagakura—
It seems that they were originally planning to hold the cherry blossom viewing at Shosei-en, which is next to the base.
But perhaps because of the Shinsengumi reputation, it seems that the other party was not willing to give them permission.
It seems that there is no choice but to hold the flower viewing at the base.
Hachiro Iba:
“Well, we still get to enjoy the alcohol here, so don’t blame Shinpachi too much…”
Souji Okita:
“You probably get invited to a lot of cherry blossom viewings back in Edo, don’t ya.”
"There would likely be a lot of women hanging around you, right?"
Chizuru Yukimura:
“Huh?”
Hachiro Iba:
“Okita! Please stop making such misleading remarks!"
"Okita is just joking around, Chizuru. So please don't take him seriously."
Chizuru Yukimura:
“A-Alright…”
“Come to think of it, I haven’t seen Itou and the others.”
Heisuke Toudou:
“I tried to invite him, but he turned me down because he had plans for a poetry party.”
Souji Okita:
"Well, even if they were to come, they’d only spoil the mood."
Genzaburou Inoue:
“Well then, now that everyone is here, let’s get started.”
Shinpachi Nagakura:
"Well then, to express my gratitude, please lend me a hand, everyone!"
As Nagakura cheerfully started the Ippon-jime–
Heisuke Toudou:
"Oh, that looks good! And this one as well!"
Genzaburou Inoue:
"There is plenty to go around, so there’s no need to rush."
Chizuru Yukimura:
"Um, Heisuke. Nagakura hasn’t finished the Ippon-jime yet..."
Heisuke Toudou:
"Ah, it’s fine. Let's let Shin do it by himself."
"This is not some fancy banquet, we’re just holding a cherry blossom viewing."
"And they say I can’t read the room…"
Shinpachi Nagakura:
"Hold it right there! You gotta do the Ippon-jime first!!"
Hachiro Iba:
“By any chance, did you make these dishes, Chizuru?”
Chizuru Yukimura:
"Yes. I prepared them together with Inoue and Yamazaki…"
Hachiro Iba:
"Is that so... I’ll savor these then."
Souji Okita:
“It looks like Iba would be happy to eat even the roots of the tree if it was a dish prepared by this kid.”
Hachiro Iba:
"What are you saying…!"
“In any case, she wouldn’t serve things like tree roots in the first place.”
Souji Okita:
"That sounds interesting, so why don't you try making it next time, Chizuru?
Chizuru Yukimura:
"I can't do that!"
“Besides, Iba helped you out a lot this time, didn’t he?”
Souji Okita:
“… Come to think of it, it was thanks to Iba that my suspicions were cleared this time.”
“Alright, I guess I should thank you. … Thanks.”
Chizuru Yukimura:
"Okita, when you say it like that..."
Hachiro Iba:
"Sorry Okita, but I couldn’t quite hear you."
"Didn't they teach you to express your gratitude clearly when thanking someone?"
Souji Okita:
"... I take it back"
“You really are such a nice guy, aren’t you Iba?”
Hachiro Iba:
"I'm honored to receive such a compliment."
Shinpachi Nagakura:
"... What's up with everyone? Why are y'all giving me a hard time?"
Sanosuke Harada:
"Stop complainin’ and just enjoy your drink. It's Hijikata's treat, isn't it?"
Harada pours sake into the cup in Nagakura's hand.
Shinpachi Nagakura:
"Well, you're right, but… you could’ve at least let me finish..."
Heisuke Toudou:
“By the way Sano, you seem to be drinking a lot less than usual."
“… You cared about Tani, didn’t you?”
Sanosuke Harada:
“… The life and death of a person depends on the luck of the moment, and it can’t be helped.”
“Anyway, Tani was a fan of lively things.”
"So let's drink and make merry, and send our liveliness his way."
Heisuke Toudou:
"... Yeah"
-As the warriors were talking…
Isami Kondo:
"Oh, it seems that everyone already has started drinking."
"A lot has happened, but today I want you to enjoy the alcohol and remember those who have passed."
Souji Okita:
"Kondo, you’re here! This spot is empty, so please have a seat."
Isami Kondo:
"Thank you, Souji."
~Picture~
Shinpachi Nagakura:
"Alright Saito, let's hold a drinking competition! No holding back, a serious drinking match!"
Hajime Saito:
"Since we got permission from the chief, I’ll accept your challenge.”
Hachiro Iba:
"Well then, I will be the referee."
"Whenever you’re ready, you two."
Heisuke Toudou:
"... Hey Sano. If I'm not mistaken, wasn't Hajime an extreme heavyweight?"
Sanosuke Harada:
"Well, I don’t think I’ve ever seen him drunk."
Toshizo Hijikata:
"You guys, make sure this doesn't affect your duties tomorrow."
Isami Kondo:
"It's fine, let them be. You should let loose a little as well."
After saying that, Kondo looked at the scenery of the party with a slightly lonely look in his eyes.
Isami Kondo:
“… Usually Tani would be here, too.”
Toshizo Hijikata:
“......”
Isami Kondo:
"It's a pity that an old member is no longer with us..."
"This may be something we just have to overcome."
Toshizo Hijikata:
"... He might be better off just because he has someone to see him off like this."
"Even we don't know when and where we will die."
While gazing at the cherry blossom petals floating through the wind…
Hijikata and the others narrowed their eyes a little sadly.
~Picture~
Shinpachi Nagakura:
"Haa...! No, I can't, my eyes are spinning...!"
Hajime Saito:
"You're getting sloppy, Shinpachi. Are you ready to surrender?"
Shinpachi Nagakura:
"Are you some kind of monster? You've been drinking that much, but you look totally fine..."
Hachiro Iba:
“Then, should I declare Saito the winner?”
Shinpachi Nagakura:
"N-No, not yet! I haven't lost yet!"
Hachiro Iba:
"As expected of you, Shinpachi. I must emulate that fighting spirit of yours.”
Shinpachi Nagakura:
"For the time being, let me take a short break. The real match will be after that..."
Hachiro Iba:
"Alright, let’s take a short break. But please don't push yourself too much."
Shinpachi Nagakura:
"Okay. After I’ve rested a little, things will get serious! So prepare yourself!"
Hajime Saito:
"Of course."
-And that’s how our spring of 1866 came to pass.
~NEXT SCENE~
Later that night.
Shinpachi Nagakura:
“Zzz… zzz… zzz…”
Chizuru Yukimura:
"Um... Nagakura, are you okay?"
"You'll catch a cold if you’ll keep sleeping here."
Hajime Saito:
"I'll take care of the rest. You should go back to your room."
Chizuru Yukimura:
"But…"
Hajime Saito:
"I always take care of this."
Chizuru Yukimura:
"... I understand. Well then, thank you very much."
As I thanked Saito.
Chizuru Yukimura:
“Speaking of which, have you seen Okita?”
I noticed that Okita had disappeared before I knew it.
Hajime Saito:
"I haven’t seen him... but he may have gone back to his room."
Chizuru Yukimura:
"I'll go look for him."
After that, I tried looking for Okita in his room, but…
He didn't seem to be back in his room.
So where did he go?
Thinking that, I headed towards the courtyard…
Chizuru Yukimura:
“Ah…!”
I spotted Okita and stopped in my tracks.
He was quietly staring at the cherry blossoms with a melancholy expression.
Maybe he’s thinking of something.
In that case, it would be better not to disturb him…
Thinking that, I tried to sneak away.
Souji Okita:
"... You don't have to run away, Chizuru."
Chizuru Yukimura:
“......”
Souji Okita:
"I won't threaten to kill you. Just come over here for a bit."
After being called out, I could no longer hide.
Chizuru Yukimura:
“… Were you watching the cherry blossoms?”
Souji Okita:
"I was just lost in thought while looking at the cherry blossoms, I guess."
"... I've been thinking a lot about this incident."
Chizuru Yukimura:
“......”
Souji Okita:
"If I were alone, I probably wouldn't have listened to anyone."
"I might have killed Tani and Itou without hesitation."
"... I wouldn’t even have thought about what would happen to Kondo after that."
Chizuru Yukimura:
“Okita…”
Even though Okita is always messing around and telling bad jokes…
I felt that it was very unusual for him to reflect on himself like that.
Souji Okita:
"This time I had Hajime, Shinpachi, Iba... and even Hijikata backing me up."
“I had a lot of people helping me out.”
“Among all of them, one person kept me from going out of control… and that was you.”
Chizuru Yukimura:
“Me…?”
Souji Okita:
"Because you were holding me down."
Normally, this would be the moment where he would make some teasing remarks…
But judging from the look in his eyes, he wasn’t trying to make fun of me.
Before long, Okita shifts his gaze to the mysterious cherry blossoms that bloom in the darkness of the night…
Souji Okita:
"... I have to become even stronger. Not only with the sword but with my heart as well."
"If I don't become strong, I won't be able to protect Kondo and the Shinsengumi... and even you."
Chizuru Yukimura:
“Okita…”
Those heartfelt words somehow made me feel a little depressed…
Is it because I know about the disease that nestles inside his chest?
~Picture~
Souji Okita:
"...You know something, Chizuru."
Chizuru Yukimura:
"What is it?"
The cherry blossom petals fluttered and scattered with a vague glow.
It felt like I was trapped inside a dream-like illusion.
Souji Okita:
"Cherry blossoms look pretty good on you."
Chizuru Yukimura:
"... You think so?"
Souji Okita:
"Yeah. I think they suit you– like the way they flutter."
I blink a few times in surprise at his unexpected remark.
Chizuru Yukimura:
"Well I think that..."
'–cherry blossoms suit you way better.’ is what I was trying to say…
However, the dark undertone contained within those words discouraged me from uttering them out loud.
Souji Okita:
"... I know what you were trying to say just now."
Chizuru Yukimura:
“......”
Souji Okita:
"You don't have to worry about me."
"Because I know my own body better than anyone else."
He made it sound as if he had come to terms with the disease nesting inside of him, but…
There is no way that Okita would’ve truly accepted his illness.
If he really had accepted his own death…
He wouldn't have gone out to buy medicine for his cough while being spotted by the other soldiers.
Chizuru Yukimura:
"... I'm not worried about that."
~Picture~
Chizuru Yukimura:
"Because I believe in your strength… and the advancement of medical technology."
"I'm sure you’ll be able to watch the cherry blossoms like this next year and the year after."
Okita stared at me with a surprised look on his face, but…
~Picture~
Souji Okita:
“... I see.”
"Well, you're a doctor's daughter after all, so you must be right."
Chizuru Yukimura:
"Yep. That's why, let's watch the cherry blossoms together from now on."
Souji Okita:
"As long as you’re willing to watch them with me."
No one knows what tomorrow will bring…
Even so, I wanted to believe in tomorrow with Okita... and everybody else in the Shinsengumi.
~END~
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