Hakuoki Tenun no Shou: Chapter 2 - Go back to work

In the midst of all this, what was bothering me was...

• I was worried about Nagakura.

• I was worried about Hijikata.

• Go back to work.

I'm worried about Hijikata and Nagakura, but...

Helping around the barracks is probably the thing I can do at the moment to support them.

Chizuru Yukimura:

"...I'll get back to my chores."

"Cleaning up the barracks will probably help calm everyone's nerves..."

Hajime Saito:

"Yes, please."

~Next Scene~ 

Chizuru Yukimura:

"Well then..."

First, let's get some water from the well.

Just then, I could hear someone approaching from the other side of the hallway.

Chuji Matsubara:

"Ah, Yukimura."

Chizuru Yukimura:

"Inoue, Yamazaki, Matsubara..."

Genzaburou Inoue:

"I heard some arguing earlier... did something happen?"

Chizuru Yukimura:

"Well, actually..."

I explained to them what had happened earlier in the common room.

Susumu Yamazaki:

"I see. So that's what happened."

Chuji Matsubara:

"I think I can understand Nagakura's feelings."

"Lately, Chief Kondo has those two almost always by his side."

"It's not surprising that his comrades from Edo have doubts."

Genzaburou Inoue:

"Well... some things have certainly changed since he was in Edo."

"Being the chief of the Shinsengumi doesn't just mean cracking down on ronin."

Susumu Yamazaki:

"Indeed... It's true that Tani and Takeda are useful to have around during negotiations with outside contacts."

Chuji Matsubara:

"I understand what you two are saying, but still..."

Matsubara, who has a very honest personality, seems unable to let go of his suspicions.

Chizuru Yukimura:

"Now that I think about it, you and Yamazaki joined the corps around the same time, right Matsubara?"

Chuji Matsubara:

"Yes. Though they weren't called Shinsengumi back then."

Genzaburou Inoue:

"That's right. It's been a little over a year since then..."

Susumu Yamazaki:

"Maybe it's because of all the things that happened that it feels like a lot more time has passed."

Genzaburou Inoue:

"...Well, Toshi and Nagakura are probably on edge because things have been tough lately."

"Once the new recruits learn their jobs, things will be a little easier."

Chizuru Yukimura:

"...I agree."

Right now, they're so busy, they don’t have time to unwind.

Once things calm down, there shouldn't be any more quarrels like earlier.

Chuji Matsubara:

"Well, we're off now."

"If you need any help, please don't hesitate to ask."

Chizuru Yukimura:

"Yes, thank you."

...Well then.

I have a lot of things on my mind, but… I have to do my job.

~Next Scene~ 

And so... A few days had passed since Hijikata and Nagakura's argument.

Shinpachi Nagakura:

"All right, we're finally done with today's work!"

"Sano, Heisuke, let's go out for a drink!"

Sanosuke Harada:

"Again? We just went yesterday."

Shinpachi Nagakura:

"I know, but because we went yesterday doesn’t mean we can't go today."

Heisuke Toudou:

"Well, that's true, but..."

Shinpachi Nagakura:

"Come on, it’ll be my treat. So now you've got no complaints, right?"

Sanosuke Harada:

"Really? You better not forget your wallet like you did last time."

Shinpachi Nagakura:

"Don’t worry! Here, look, I got my wallet right here."

Chizuru Yukimura:

"Are you going out to drink?"

Shinpachi Nagakura:

"Yeah! This is what I live for."

Chizuru Yukimura:

"...Just don't drink too much."

Shinpachi Nagakura:

"It's fine! There's nothing to worry about!"

“We're grown-ups, so we know when to stop."

Sanosuke Harada:

"...You, of all people, got no right to say that."

Shinpachi Nagakura:

"Alright, let's go!"

"The other day, I saw a store that caught my eye while I was on patrol!"

Just then, the door opened and someone entered the room.

Toshizo Hijikata:

"...What’s this? You’re planning to go out?"

Shinpachi Nagakura:

"We don’t have patrol today, so we can go wherever we want."

Toshizo Hijikata:

"I'm not telling you not to go."

"But you have to obey the curfew."

"You’re senior officers, you need to set an example for the new recruits."

Shinpachi Nagakura:

"Pfft, I don't give a damn about curfew."

Toshizo Hijikata:

"Hey, Shinpachi...!"

Shinpachi Nagakura:

"Sano, Heisuke, let's go."

After that, Nagakura quickly left the hall with the others.

Toshizo Hijikata:

"...Geez, is he still holding a grudge about what happened the other day?"

Chizuru Yukimura:

"Is it okay to let them go like that?"

Toshizo Hijikata:

"...Well, as long as they're doing your job properly, I can't really say anything about their days off."

Chizuru Yukimura:

"But what happens if they break curfew?"

Toshizo Hijikata:

"If they break curfew, they'll be suspended."

"But if they do it repeatedly, then according to the Code of Conduct, we'll have to consider committing seppuku."

"Just because we're old friends doesn't mean we can give them special treatment."

Chizuru Yukimura:

"...!"

And just like that, Hijikata leaves the room.

W-what should I do...!

I don't think Hijikata is seriously planning on making Nagakura and the others commit seppuku.

But with how things are now...

~Next Scene~ 

That night–

After cleaning up after dinner, it was time to get ready for bed, but...

There was still no sign of Nagakura and the others returning.

If this continued, would they really be forced to commit seppuku?

...I'll go and check on them.

Maybe they'll be back soon.

Being careful not to make any noise, I quietly opened my door.

It was completely silent outside, and there was no sign of Nagakura and the others returning.

...I wonder if they’re alright.

I’m pretty sure it's already past curfew.

At that moment–

I heard footsteps from the other side of the hallway.

Chizuru Yukimura:

"...!"

I frantically tried to hide myself...

Kai Shimada:

"...Is there someone there?"

Chizuru Yukimura:

"Shimada?!"

Kai Shimada:

"Shh, please don't make any noise."

Chizuru Yukimura:

"Ah...Yes!"

Kai Shimada:

"What are you doing out here in the middle of the night, Yukimura? Are you thirsty?"

Chizuru Yukimura:

"No, it's not that..."

"I was just worried about Nagakura and the others."

Kai Shimada:

"I see, it’s about Nagakura..."

After muttering, Shimada seemed to think for a moment.

Then, after making sure there was no one around...

Kai Shimada:

"...Yukimura, there's one thing I'd like to ask of you. Is that okay?"

Chizuru Yukimura:

"What would you like to ask of me?"

Kai Shimada:

"Actually, when Nagakura comes back tonight..."

"I've been asked to remove the bolt from the gate..."

Chizuru Yukimura:

"That means..."

He wants me to help Nagakura break curfew?

Kai Shimada:

"...It would be terrible if they were to be suspended for breaking curfew."

"And what's worse, that could lead to them having to commit seppuku..."

Chizuru Yukimura:

"..."

It must have been a tough decision for Shimada.

When I remember Nagakura's behavior, if he was ordered to commit seppuku...

He would probably say, "Fine!" in the heat of the moment and commit seppuku on the spot.

Kai Shimada:

"But then I was given an urgent matter to attend to."

"So if it's okay with you, Yukimura... I was wondering if you could remove the bolt on the gate for me."

Chizuru Yukimura:

"...!"

Should I... remove the bolt in Shimada's place?

Chizuru Yukimura:

"But, if Hijikata finds out..."

Kai Shimada:

“...Well, that’s…”

"...No, I shouldn't get you involved after all."

"Forget what I just said. See you later."

Chizuru Yukimura:

"Ah...!"

Shimada just walks away.

As for me...

• I'll just wait in the courtyard.

• I'll go check on the front gate.

• I guess I'll give up.