Hakuoki Tenun no Shou: Chapter 2 - I guess I'll give up.

As for me...

• I'll just wait in the courtyard.

• I'll go check on the front gate.

• I guess I'll give up.

After a while, I came to the courtyard, but...

...I should’ve come after all.

I was worried about Nagakura and the others, but I couldn't help them break the rules.

Thinking that, I tried to return to my room...

Toshizo Hijikata:

"...You're still a senior officer! What the hell do you think the Code of Conduct is?"

Shinpachi Nagakura:

"Shut up! Don't think you can get people to listen to you by yelling!"

Chizuru Yukimura:

"...!"

Nagakura has returned...!

Unable to stay still, I headed towards the gate.

There, I found–

Sanosuke Harada:

"Chizuru… What are you doing here?"

Chizuru Yukimura:

"Harada! Matsubara! What happened?"

Chuji Matsubara:

"I heard the two of them and got curious, so I came over."

Sanosuke Harada:

“Heisuke and I left the party midway and came back..."

"On the way back, the straps on our sandals broke. We had a hard time fixing them, so we ended up being late."

"Unlucky for Shinpachi, it looks like he got found by Hijikata."

Heisuke Toudou:

"Hijikata, can we talk about this later..."

Toshizo Hijikata:

"Quite! I’m not gonna let this go today!"

Shinpachi Nagakura:

"I see. So you want to make me commit seppuku? Go ahead and do it if you can!"

Hajime Saito:

"Shinpachi, you'd better stop."

Heisuke and Saito appeared to have joined in as well.

The argument seemed to have gotten out of hand.

Chuji Matsubara:

"...I know Nagakura is a bit of a clumsy guy, but still..."

"He didn't have to come back through the front gate so confidently at a time like this."

Sanosuke Harada:

"...No, I think that was on purpose. I think he was trying to see how Hijikata would react."

"In this situation… it seems like nothing can be done unless Kondo gets between them."

Chizuru Yukimura:

"..."

It's true, Harada is right...

The relationship between the two of them is now extremely strained.

Maybe Kondo will really have to mediate between them.

After that, I was sent back to my room first...

It seems that Hijikata and Nagakura's argument continued until late into the night.

~Next Scene~

The day after that commotion.

Chizuru Yukimura:

"There we go..."

I carefully wipe the wooden floor with a wrung-out rag.

Today, no new people wanting to join have come by...

I'd better get the floor mopped while I can.

Shinpachi Nagakura:

"Hey, Chizuru. You cleaning?"

Chizuru Yukimura:

"Yes, that's right. ...Umm, Nagakura..."

I wonder what happened last night. Should I ask about it...?

Shinpachi Nagakura:

"I've been watching the new recruits' training since morning."

Chizuru Yukimura:

"The new recruits..."

"How are they doing?"

Shinpachi Nagakura:

"Ah, to be honest, they’re not very good."

Chizuru Yukimura:

"So their sword skills are still lacking..."

Shinpachi Nagakura:

"Well... there are some soldiers who are reasonably skilled..."

"Whether it can be used in real combat is a different matter."

"It's going to be hard to make them understand that swordsmanship that involves hitting things lightly with a bamboo sword is useless."

Chizuru Yukimura:

"Is that so..."

Shinpachi Nagakura:

"Gen and the others said they chose people with swordsmanship experience."

"Some of them said they had studied for three years when they had only studied for six months..."

"That's a real problem."

Chizuru Yukimura:

"That must be tough."

Nagakura's words are the same as always, and I couldn't help but let out a chuckle.

However, even while we were chatting about trivial things, the memory of last night came to mind...

Chizuru Yukimura:

"...Um, Nagakura."

Shinpachi Nagakura:

"Hmm, what is it?"

Chizuru Yukimura:

"About last night..."

Just then, the door opened and someone came into the hall.

Appearing before us was...

Toshizo Hijikata:

"Ah, so here you are, Yukimura."

Chizuru Yukimura:

"Hello, Hijikata."

I greeted him as usual, but Nagaruka–.

Shinpachi Nagakura:

"...I'm going now. See ya, Chizuru."

Just like that, he left the hall, avoiding Hijikata.

Toshizo Hijikata:

"...There's no way he didn’t see me."

"It seems he doesn't even want to say hello to me."

Chizuru Yukimura:

"Um… Do you think he’s okay?"

Toshizo Hijikata:

"It has nothing to do with him being okay or not, he's just sulking on his own."

"He'll get over it soon."

"...Anyway, I'd like to ask you a favor."

Chizuru Yukimura:

"A favor? What is it?"

Toshizo Hijikata:

"Actually..."

~Next Scene~

Chizuru Yukimura:

"Hup, hup..."

Hijikata asked me to weed the garden.

Maybe because of the hot weather, the ground is lush with weeds.

Chizuru Yukimura:

"Phew..."

It looks like I’m almost done...

Chizuru Yukimura:

"...!"

Is that... Kondo?

He seems a bit depressed...

Chizuru Yukimura:

"Um... Kondo?"

Isami Kondo:

"Hah..."

I called out to him, but he didn't seem to notice me.

Chizuru Yukimura:

"What's wrong, Kondo?"

I called out to him in a louder voice this time, and he finally turned to face me.

Isami Kondo:

"...Oh, Yukimura. What are you up to?"

Chizuru Yukimura:

"Hijikata asked me to weed the garden."

"What are you doing here, Kondo?"

Kondo looked sad and hung his head.

Isami Kondo:

"Well... lately, I've been feeling that I'm not strong enough."

Chizuru Yukimura:

"Not strong enough? That's not true...!"

Isami Kondo:

"Thank you for your concern. But I know the truth."

"It seems that some of the corps members have been unhappy with the way I have been doing things lately."

"Because of that, the relationships between the corps members have become strained."

Chizuru Yukimura:

"..."

It's rare to see Kondo so depressed...

The bad atmosphere between Hijikata and Nagakura is probably also a factor.

Chizuru Yukimura:

"Um... I know this might be presumptuous, but..."

"I don't think they are dissatisfied with your leadership."

"I just think there was a small misunderstanding that caused a strain on everybody’s relationship."

"Everyone joined the Shinsengumi with the same aspirations."

"If you treat them with sincerity, I'm sure they'll understand."

Isami Kondo:

"I see. Sincerity, huh.."

Kondo nodded deeply, as if pondering my words.

But then–

Kanryusai Takeda:

"So this is where you were, Chief Kondo."

Chizuru Yukimura:

"Takeda, Tani..."

Sanjyuro Tani:

"Actually, I wanted to consult you about the marching record that we talked about the other day."

Isami Kondo:

"Ah, that. About that..."

"We were supposed to make a decision after hearing Hijikata and Sanan's opinions."

Sanjyuro Tani:

"It would be easier for Hijikata and the others to give their opinions if we solidify the plan here."

"We want to avoid a situation where a lot of people are throwing around all sorts of ideas and nothing is decided in the end."

Kanryusai Takeda:

"Regarding this matter, I will take responsibility for proceeding with the discussion as I have studied Koshu-ryu military science, so please rest assured."

Isami Kondo:

"But still..."

Sanjyuro Tani:

"You are the head of the Shinsengumi, Kondo. You have no reason to be afraid of them."

"...Also, I'd like to get a little more specific about the case regarding Shuhei."

Isami Kondo:

"Um, well, that's true..."

Sanjyuro Tani:

"Okay, that's settled. Let's go to our usual restaurant and discuss the details then."

Kanryusai Takeda:

"By all means, let's do that. I'll go and make the arrangements with the restaurant."

Kondo is taken away by Tani and Takeda and walks off.

...What on earth is this "March Record"?

And what was that about Shuhei...?

Maybe I can find out by asking the others later.

But now that things are awkward with Hijikata and Nagakura...

It's hard to ask them, but maybe someone else could tell me.

I hope there's something that will put everyone at ease...

Chizuru Yukimura:

"...! That's it, that might help..."

I'll talk with Inoue about it later.

~Next Scene~

That night. Around dinner time.

Shinpachi Nagakura:

"Dinner, dinner, dinner, dinner!"

"Finally, my favorite time of the day has come again!"

Heisuke Toudou:

"Now, as for today's meal..."

Chizuru Yukimura:

"I hope you all like it."

I set out trays of delicious rice in front of everyone.

Shinpachi Nagakura:

"?! No way, this smell...!"

Sanosuke Harada:

"This smells like Edo miso soup."

Chizuru Yukimura:

"Yep. After consulting with Inoue, we tried to recreate the taste of Edo."

"We can't get fish from the ocean, but we tried our best with what we had...."

Shinpachi Nagakura:

"This brings back memories! The saltiness seeps right into my body after a workout."

"To someone used to the taste of Edo, the miso here tastes a bit bland."

Chizuru Yukimura:

"I’m sure you’ve all worked up quite a sweat during sword training and patrols."

Heisuke Toudou:

"This miso soup is a real hit~"

Chizuru Yukimura:

"I'm glad you liked it."

"...How do you like it, Sanan?"

Keisuke Sanan:

"You went out of your way to prepare rice balls for me because of my injury."

"I feel bad for asking you to do this for me when I haven't been able to contribute anything to the squad..."

Chizuru Yukimura:

"That's not true..."

I wasn’t able to get rid of the awkward atmosphere completely...

But I'm glad that everyone is happy like this.

Souji Okita:

"By the way, where’s Kondo? I can't find him anywhere. He’s missing out on this delicious Edo flavor."

Keisuke Sanan:

"Is there a reception for a dignitary from the shogunate or the Aizu clan? Have you heard anything, Hijikata?"

Toshizo Hijikata:

"No, I don't think there was anything planned..."

Chizuru Yukimura:

"Ah...!"

Toshizo Hijikata:

"What is it, Yukimura? Do you know something?"

Chizuru Yukimura:

"No, actually, during the day..."

I told everyone what I heard in the courtyard earlier that day.

Heisuke Toudou:

"So you're saying he’s out eating with Tani and Takeda? That's crazy!"

Souji Okita:

"They’re probably at an expensive restaurant."

"Even expensive food would taste bad when you’re eating with those guys."

Chizuru Yukimura:

"Um... so, there is something I wanted to ask."

"What exactly is a marching record?"

Toshizo Hijikata:

"...The marching records are something we created after the Kinmon Incident, since we had trouble figuring out how to move our troops."

"I wanted to write down our military movements for times like that, but..."

Souji Okita:

"Oh, I was wondering what you were doing late every night, so you were secretly doing that?"

Toshizo Hijikata:

"This is also part of the commander's duties."

"But I didn't think Tani or Takeda would be interfering with it..."

Souji Okita:

"Maybe Takeda wanted to show off his military studies, which he's so proud of?"

"Since you always decide everything on your own, he probably wanted to interfere."

Chizuru Yukimura:

"If anything, I think they'd like to put it all together for Hijikata to take a look at..."

Shinpachi Nagakura:

"Well, I guess we'll go and see tomorrow."

"If the vanguard turns out to be Tani, I'll be laughing out loud."

Toshizo Hijikata:

"Even if he's that kind of person, he wouldn't do something so obvious."

"I don't think they would want to go to a place where they'll be the first to die."

Shinpachi Nagakura:

"Well, that's true."

"They're just a bunch of people who want to stick with Kondo and have a good time."

"So I guess I'll probably be the vanguard and Sano will be guarding the lord."

Sanosuke Harada:

"If things go as usual, that's probably what will happen."

Shinpachi Nagakura:

"But when it comes to war... is armor really necessary?"

Toshizo Hijikata:

"These days, guns are more important than armor."

Shinpachi Nagakura:

"Guns?! They're so unwieldy, we can't use those."

"How many people do you think you can cut with a sword while loading bullets into a gun?"

Toshizo Hijikata:

"Well, if you put it like that, you’re probably right."

Hijikata and Nagakura's conversation seemed to have gone back to the time before any animosity arose...

Relieved, I couldn't help but smile.

Toshizo Hijikata:

"Hmm, what is it, Yukimura? What are you smiling about?"

Chizuru Yukimura:

"Ah, nothing..."

"I'm glad you two have cleared up the misunderstanding."

Hijikata & Nagakura:

"...!"

My words seemed to have reminded them of their fight.

Shinpachi Nagakura:

"...Thanks for the food. I'm going to go and practice for a bit."

Nagakura roughly put his bowl on the tray, 

And then left the hall.

In the awkward atmosphere, Hijikata finished his meal in silence...

Toshizo Hijikata:

"I'm going back to work."

After those brief words, he left the hall as well.

Souji Okita:

"Oh no, you said something unnecessary and got them riled up again."

Chizuru Yukimura:

"I'm sorry. I just..."

Sanosuke Harada:

"Don’t worry about it. Fights of that magnitude happened all the time when we were in Edo."

Heisuke Toudou:

"That's right. It's a regular thing. So here's nothing to worry about."

Keisuke Sanan:

"That's a bit of an exaggeration, but... fights of that magnitude were quite common."

Chizuru Yukimura:

"But..."

Harada put his hand on my dejected shoulder.

Sanosuke Harada:

"...Hey, it’ll be fine."

"Tani and Takeda are acting like Kondo's entourage and are plotting all sorts of schemes, but..."

"Our bond isn't so shallow that it can be ruined by something like this."

Chizuru Yukimura:

"...Alright."

My anxiety hadn't completely disappeared...

But still, I'll believe in the bond that they've had for so long.

~Next Scene~

But the next day.

Shinpachi Nagakura:

"What the hell is this!? What on earth is going on with this ‘March Record’!?"

Nagakura's voice echoed throughout the hall where the senior officers were gathered.

Toshizo Hijikata:

"Those guys... They've made a lot of changes to the draft of the marching record I gave to Kondo."

Shinpachi Nagakura:

"Hey, hey, mine and Heisuke's names aren't on it anywhere!"

"... Surely they couldn't have forgotten to write it down?"

Toshizo Hijikata:

"Heisuke is scheduled to go to Edo soon, so maybe he's been left out..."

"What’s the meaning of this, Kondo? Have you heard anything from them?"

Isami Kondo:

"I'm sure that opinion was raised during the meeting..."

"I made it very clear that I couldn't leave Nagakura out."

Shinpachi Nagakura:

"But your signature is clearly here, Kondo."

Isami Kondo:

"That's..."

Shinpachi Nagakura:

"Well, knowing you, you were probably flattered by those two, as usual."

"Maybe you got carried away and they made you sign it?"

"And you didn't like my attitude lately, so you left me out from the marching records. Is that right?"

Toshizo Hijikata:

"Hey Shinpachi, watch your words."

"Kondo, this isn't your fault. If something like this had come around, I would have stopped it too."

Shinpachi Nagakura:

"What would you have done if this had become official before anyone noticed?!"

Toshizo Hijikata:

"I noticed it before anything happened this time, didn’t I?"

Shinpachi Nagakura:

"I'm saying there's no guarantee that it will be the same next time!"

"And isn't it wrong to decide things only in consultation with Hijikata and Sanan, in the first place?"

Toshizo Hijikata:

"What are you getting at?"

"We've been doing things this way ever since we came to Kyoto."

Shinpachi Nagakura:

"Just because it's been that way up until now, does that mean it's never going to change?"

"Are you saying we should just shut up and go along with whatever you guys decide on your own!?"

Toshizo Hijikata:

"Have you lost your mind! You know that’s not true!"

Shinpachi Nagakura:

"Well, whatever... I get it. I don't care what you guys, Tan, or Takeda think."

"...I have my own thoughts on this matter."

"Sano, Heisuke, let's go!"

Nagakura kicked the floor and left the room.

Heisuke Toudou:

"Sorry, but I feel the same way."

Harada and Heisuke also stand up, but...

Harada gave Hijikata a wink as he left.

And then, just like that, they disappear from the hall.

In the oppressive silence that followed, Hijikata spoke.

Toshizo Hijikata:

"...What is going on, Kondo?"

Isami Kondo:

"As I said before, I heard that opinion come by once."

"I don't remember saying that Nagakura should be removed at all."

Toshizo Hijikata:

"I figured as much. There's no way you'd say something like that."

"Where are Tani and Takeda right now?"

Hajime Saito:

"They're on patrol duty at the moment, so they'll be back by evening."

Toshizo Hijikata:

"When they come back, I need to hear more details."

Souji Okita:

"...I've got one more thing I'm curious about."

"Who is this 'Shuhei Kondo’? Shuhei is Tani's younger brother, right?"

Toshizo Hijikata:

"Now that I think about it, Tani said he wanted his younger brother Shuhei to be adopted by Kondo."

"The fact that Tani and his younger brother are stationed near Kondo..."

"...Does that mean the Tani brothers are planning to run the Shinsengumi?"

Isami Kondo:

"Now, wait a minute. That subject never came up during our discussions..."

Apparently, Kondo wasn't aware of it either.

Toshizo Hijikata:

"This method of making decisions before anything has even been officially decided... I don't like it one bit."

Keisuke Sanan:

"It's a strategy to create accomplished facts and solidify your foothold."

"It's bold, and blatant... do they really think we won't notice?"

Toshizo Hijikata:

"They think that if they can just get Kondo on board, they can do whatever they want after that."

"... They've made a fool of us, too."

Hajime Saito:

"Commander, Shinpachi seems pretty angry..."

Toshizo Hijikata:

"Yeah. This is giving me a real headache."

Souji Okita:

"From the looks of it, I don't think it'll end with him getting drunk and blowing off some steam."

"How are you going to take responsibility for this, Hijikata?"

Toshizo Hijikata:

"Even if you say that, there's nothing I can do."

"That Tani and Takeda... they did some outrageous things."

Isami Kondo:

"I'm sorry, Toshi. It's all my fault..."

Souji Okita:

"It's not your fault, so don't worry about it, Kondo."

"Hijikata is in the wrong, so let him take care of this mess."

Toshizo Hijikata:

"I get it already."

"Anyway, don't tell anyone about this. I'll start the marching records from scratch."

"I'll talk to Tani and Takeda first."

"Don't let them find out, you guys just do what you normally do."

Chuji Matsubara:

"Understood."

Susumu Yamazaki:

"Commander, what do you want to do about Nagakura?"

Toshizo Hijikata:

"Shinpachi, well..."

"No matter what I say now, it'll only add fuel to the fire."

"Maybe we should wait and see how things go. Just be careful with your movements."

Susumu Yamazaki:

"Understood."

Toshizo Hijikata:

"Well then, you're dismissed. If anything happens, let me or the supervisors know right away."

All:

"Sir!"

After that, the executives each left the hall as they pleased.

Chizuru Yukimura:

"......"

As I cleared away the tea I had served...

I secretly looked at Hijikata's condition.

Toshizo Hijikata:

"Really? They're causing one problem after another, at a time like this when we're so busy..."

Hijikata seemed to be quite worried.

Until now, the relationship between the senior officers has never been this bad...

I wonder what will happen from now on...

~Next Scene~

And then, that night.

It was time for dinner, and the senior officers gathered together as usual, but...

Chizuru Yukimura:

"Um, Nagakura...?"

Sanosuke Harada:

"He has no appetite. If he's not eating, it's probably gonna rain heavily tomorrow."

Chizuru Yukimura:

"......"

Heisuke Toudou:

"He seems to have his mind elsewhere, so why don't we just leave him alone for now?"

Chizuru Yukimura:

"But..."

Recalling the events of the day...

I was overcome with anxiety that something bad would happen.

Sanosuke Harada:

"Well, I'm sure he has his own thoughts about it."

"He's just that kind of guy, so please be patient with him."

Chizuru Yukimura:

"...Okay."

"How is Hijikata dealing with everything?"

Chuji Matsubara:

"It seems he's in his room right now."

"He's got work to do, and he's in a position where he has to think about how to deal with the situation in the future."

Chizuru Yukimura:

"...Should I leave some food for the two of them, or have it delivered to their rooms?"

He might not feel like eating dinner right now.

Genzaburou Inoue:

"That's a good idea... Then, let's split up and deliver the food. Who do you want to go to?"

Chizuru Yukimura:

“I…”

• I'll go to Nagakura.

• I'll go to Hijikata.

• I'm not going to either of them.