Hakuoki Tenun no Shou: Chapter 2 - I was worried about Hijikata.

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.

Hijikata told us to get back to work, but...

I wonder if things will really be okay like this.

Keisuke Sanan:

“...Oh dear. Both Hijikata and Nagakura are in quite the predicament."

Chizuru Yukimura:

"Do you think Hijikata is alright?"

Keisuke Sanan:

"As for whether he's fine or not, I think he's fine."

"If you're worried about him, why don't you bring him some tea?"

Chizuru Yukimura:

"Tea...?"

Keisuke Sanan:

"I'm sure Hijikata has a lot on his mind with the situation surrounding Kondo, Tani, and Takeda these days."

Chizuru Yukimura:

"...Yeah."

Keisuke Sanan:

"But he's not in a position to openly admit it."

"Knowing him, he's probably feeling ashamed of his own immaturity right now.

"It would be better if he had someone to listen to him."

Chizuru Yukimura:

"...If that's the case, wouldn't it be better for you to talk to  him, Sanan?"

Keisuke Sanan:

"In these situations, it's easier to reveal your true feelings to someone who doesn't know the details."

Chizuru Yukimura:

"......"

Keisuke Sanan:

"You seem reluctant, don't you?"

Chizuru Yukimura:

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

"But, after all that arguing,"

"I thought Hijikata would like to be alone for a while..."

Keisuke Sanan:

"...Well, if you don't want to, I won't force you."

"After all, they've been friends for a long time."

"I don't think their relationship will deteriorate over something like this."

"Well, I'll be off now."

Chizuru Yukimura:

"Ah... yes!"

After that, I went back to my assigned chores...

But even while I was busy, I couldn't get Hijikata out of my head.

~Next Scene~

And then, that night.

When I finished cleaning up after dinner, and was about to return to my room.

Chizuru Yukimura:

"...!"

I notice light leaking through the shoji door of Hijikata's room.

Is he working late again today?

Chizuru Yukimura:

"..."

Maybe it would be better to leave him alone, but still...

Unable to stay still, I headed back to the kitchen.

And then...

Chizuru Yukimura:

"Ummm... Hijikata. Are you going to go to bed soon?"

Toshizo Hijikata:

"What? You're still awake?"

Chizuru Yukimura:

"Yes. I've brought some tea, so if it's not too much trouble, why don't you take a break..."

Toshizo Hijikata:

"..."

Behind the shoji door, I could hear him let out a frustrated sigh.

...Maybe he just wants to be alone.

Chizuru Yukimura:

"...I'm sorry. If you don't need it..."

As I took the tea and tried to leave the room...

Toshizo Hijikata:

"No, it's fine. Come in."

"I'm not thirsty, but since you went to the trouble of making me some tea, I guess I'll just have to drink it."

Chizuru Yukimura:

"...Thank you."

Relieved by his reply that came from the other side of the shoji door, I pulled the door open.

Chizuru Yukimura:

"Excuse me."

I placed a teacup in front of Hijikata.

I could see the inkstone and paper on the desk, but...

There were many pieces of paper with mistakes left on the tatami mat.

Perhaps the events of the day were still bothering him and he couldn't concentrate on his work...?

I secretly peeked at Hijikata, who had his arms crossed and didn't say a word...

Toshizo Hijikata:

"...Did Sanan order you to do this?"

Chizuru Yukimura:

"Eh? How did you…?"

Toshizo Hijikata:

"I thought so."

"I knew this wasn't your idea."

Chizuru Yukimura:

"...I thought it might be presumptuous of me to say this, but…"

"Sanan seemed worried about you, Hijikata."

Toshizo Hijikata:

"...He hasn't changed at all."

"They say he's become a different person since his injury."

"But no matter what, at his core, he's still the same person."

Chizuru Yukimura:

"...Yes, I think so too."

Toshizo Hijikata:

"...I thought I'd grown up a lot compared to before."

"I guess from his point of view, I'm still too dangerous to look at."

Chizuru Yukimura:

"..."

I was confused and didn't know how to respond.

Hijikata took a deep breath.

And then...

~Picture~

Toshizo Hijikata:

"We scared you this afternoon, right?"

Chizuru Yukimura:

"Um, well... a little."

Toshizo Hijikata:

"Well, at least you’re honest."

Then he turned his gaze back to me...

Toshizo Hijikata:

"Don't tell anyone else what I'm about to tell you."

I instinctively straightened my back after hearing that preface.

Chizuru Yukimura:

"...Yes, of course."

Toshizo Hijikata:

"I guess it's not something I need to ask so formally..."

"Hah… whatever."

"Maybe it's because we've known each other for so long and we know each other well..."

"When I'm with those guys, I can't help but let my guard down."

"They should understand, so why do they say such rude things?"

"...What are they thinking?"

"Just like Kondo has his own position,"

"they have their own position too."

Chizuru Yukimura:

"Hijikata..."

Toshizo Hijikata:

"But I can't let Kondo be embarrassed in front of the shogunate and the bigwigs of the Aizu clan."

"...That means I have no choice but to rely on guys like Tani and Takeda."

"I'm not as familiar with the ways of the samurai as they are."

Chizuru Yukimura:

"..."

Toshizo Hijikata:

"If I have to do things like this to make the Shinsengumi grow..."

"To be honest, I'm getting sick of it too."

"Well, it won't last forever."

"But for now... I just need everybody to be patient for a little while..."

Hijikata's suffering is heavier than I could have ever imagined...

I'm at a loss for words.

It must be hard for him to scold Nagakura and the others he's known for a long time.

I don't know if my words will be able to cheer him up...

Chizuru Yukimura:

"...You've been having a lot of hectic days lately, and I'm sure you're all feeling a bit stressed out."

Toshizo Hijikata:

"Yeah, I get that."

"The same goes for Tani and Takeda."

"No matter what they're up to, as long as Sanan and I are keeping an eye on them, we won't let them do anything crazy."

"Sometimes I wish they'd understand that."

"I wish they'd trust Kondo and us a little more."

Chizuru Yukimura:

"...I'm sure Nagakura is worried about Kondo."

Toshizo Hijikata:

"Well, even if we fight, he's not the type to hold grudges."

"I'm sure he'll forget about it completely once he's sweated it out in practice."

"I just... can't help but worry too much."

Chizuru Yukimura:

"If Nagakura is willing to let it go–"

"Why don't you take advantage of that kindness, Hijikata?"

Toshizo Hijikata:

"You think?"

Chizuru Yukimura:

"Yes. I'm sure Nagakura will forgive you."

Toshizo Hijikata:

"...I hope so."

~Picture End~

After finishing his story, Hijikata picked up his teacup.

Chizuru Yukimura:

"Ah... the tea has gone cold. Shall I make you a new one?"

Toshizo Hijikata:

"No, it's easier to drink when it's lukewarm."

After saying that, Hijikata took a sip of tea.

Toshizo Hijikata:

"... Sorry for making you listen to my complaints."

Chizuru Yukimura:

"No, not at all..."

Toshizo Hijikata:

"But thanks to you, I feel a lot better."

"It reminded me of when I was a kid and my sister listened to me talk about all sorts of things."

Chizuru Yukimura:

"You mean... your big sister?"

Toshizo Hijikata:

"Yeah. Once, I had a fight with the neighbors, and I was feeling depressed."

"My sister would listen to my complaints while cleaning up after dinner."

"She never told me what to do."

"She never said anything comforting to me."

"Just having someone listen to me made me feel a lot better."

Indeed, when you're really worried...

Even without advice or comforting words, just having someone listen to you can sometimes lift a heavy burden from your heart.

Hijikata's sister may be the kind of person who can show subtle consideration in that way.

Chizuru Yukimura:

"Your sister must have been a wonderful person."

Toshizo Hijikata:

"Well, I suppose so."

"She was family, so I hadn't really thought about it."

"She was always on my side."

Hijikata lowered his eyes as if he were remembering something.

He took another sip of his tea.

Toshizo Hijikata:

"...You can go back now."

Chizuru Yukimura:

"Okay, I understand. Excuse me."

Toshizo Hijikata:

"Yeah, see ya."

There were a lot of misunderstandings, but...

Nagakura should be well aware that Hijikata cares about the Shinsengumi and their senior officers.

I hope that the bad blood will fade away and they'll go back to their old relationship.

~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.