Chapter 311: Souji's Best Husband [6000]

Okita Hikaru's eyes shone with a clear light that was reminiscent of the morning sun, as if he had the ability to capture people's hearts.

In fact, Qingdeng's "soul" was indeed taken away.

My eardrums suddenly felt numb.

Qingdeng: "..."

Okita Hikaru: "..."

Chief: "Huh...huh...huh"

Silence fell between Aoto and Okita Hikaru. Souji's breathing, who was sleeping soundly behind Okita Hikaru, sounded inexplicably distant.

It seems that all the sounds in this space are gradually drifting into the distance in the "present continuous tense".

A tense atmosphere instantly arose.

The person who created this atmosphere was, of course, Okita Hikaru, who had just made a violent comment.

After about five seconds, the surprise finally turned into sound.

"……ha?"

Qingden tilted his head and let out a dumbfounded "ha".

No wonder Qingdeng reacted like this.

In Aoto's world view, Hikaru Okita is synonymous with "reason" and "intellectuality".

Never do anything offensive or disrespectful.

Never say anything weird and confusing.

But Okita Hikaru's words and deeds completely contradicted the image Aonto had in his mind.

A few seconds ago, he was thanking Qingden who helped carry Souji back to his room. A few seconds later, he said, "You and Xiaosi will get married."

No room for joking.

Hikaru Okita exudes a serious aura.

Anyone who sees Okita's expression and aura under the light will be sure that this woman is not joking.

She said what she just said in a solemn manner.

Okita Hikaru seemed to be amused by Qingto's stunned look, and the corners of his mouth curved up a little more.

"Tachibana-kun, this is not a good place to talk."

Okita Hikaru turned his head and glanced at the Souji behind him.

What a coincidence, when Okita Hikaru's eyes turned towards him... Probably he was having a good dream, Souji's lips opened a few times, and then he pulled the quilt on his body to the right side, and the thick cotton Wrapped tightly around her body, a cute silkworm baby appeared in front of Qingto and Okita Hikari.

"..."

Okita Hikaru raised his eyebrows, his eyelashes trembling slightly and imperceptibly.

She stared straight at Souji, who turned sideways and exposed the back of his head, and then looked away after a moment.

"Tachibana-kun, please come with me. Let's talk slowly where we won't disturb anyone or be disturbed."

Without waiting for Qingto's response, Okita Hikaru stepped out of the Souji's bedroom in three steps at a time.

Qingto's body seemed to be controlled by Okita Hikaru's voice. He followed Okita Hikaru half a body away - he was eager to know quickly, "As long as you and Xiaosi get married, I agree to let you get married." What does "Xiao Si continue to practice swordsmanship" mean?

Okita Hikaru and Aoto walked down to the first floor of the Imperial Guard Hall one after another, and walked to the paper sliding door connecting the corridor.

Okita Hikaru reached out and grabbed the doorknob. The moment the door was opened, the sound of wind and cold air spurted out.

It snowed lightly this evening.

Although the snow has stopped long ago, there are still traces of their presence on the ground.

The light dust-like moonlight penetrated the thin clouds and sprinkled on the silver-covered courtyard.

The "silver" of the moonlight, the "white" of the snow and the "black" of the shadows combine to create a hazy atmosphere, like a misty wilderness.

"Tachibana-kun, please sit down."

Okita Hikaru casually found a seat on the corridor, hung his feet tightly together outside the corridor, raised his wrist and made a "please" gesture to his side, signaling Qingto to come over and take a seat.

Aoto didn't bother to be polite, and politely said, "I'm sorry," and then sat shoulder to shoulder with Okita Hikari.

Sitting on the verandah, with the courtyard in front of me and the dojo sleeping behind me...it was full of gentle breeze.

If you add a plate of persimmons and 2 cups of green tea with standing tea stems, it will be more Japanese-style.

"That...Miss Guang."

Qingden cleared his throat.

"Can you explain to me carefully? How come you... suddenly became Okita-kun's matchmaker?"

"I am Xiao Si's eldest sister. I act as a matchmaker for Xiao Si and find a good family for him. Is it something strange?"

Okita Hikaru smiled, his tone full of ridicule.

"Uh...that's not what I meant, I meant..."

Qingden paused and racked his brains to think about how to express himself more appropriately and efficiently.

"Okay, stop teasing me."

Okita Hikaru seemed to be tired from playing, and suppressed the smile on his face slightly.

"Tachibana-kun, as I just said - I have figured it out. As long as you can marry Xiao Si, then the big problem that caused conflicts between me and Xiao Si... is 'whether Xiao Si should be allowed to continue learning swordsmanship' , it will be solved perfectly.”

"...Miss Guang, please forgive me for being presumptuous. 'I will marry Okita-kun' and 'Can Okita-kun continue to learn swordsmanship'... Is there any inevitable correlation between the two?"

"Of course there is a connection. Not only that, but it's very strong."

Okita Hikaru raised his head an inch and stared at the distant sky.

"Ji Jun, has Xiao Si ever told you why I am so opposed to her continuing to learn swordsmanship?"

Qingden nodded.

"Because you think it's useless for a woman to practice swordsmanship. Just having sharp swordsmanship can't guarantee that you will have enough food and clothing in the future."

"Hahaha, it seems that Xiao Si really trusts you. He has no reservations about even such private matters."

After letting out a few teasing chuckles, Okita Hikaru changed into a serious tone.

"That's right, just as Xiao Si said to you. I think women's sword training is useless except for strengthening their bodies and gaining some self-protection abilities."

Speaking of this, Okita Hikaru seemed to recall some sad past events, and the corners of his eyes drooped slightly.

"My family was unfortunate. My parents died young. In order to raise my two younger sisters, I had to take charge of the family early and shoulder the heavy responsibility of feeding the whole family by myself, running around to provide three meals a day for my younger sisters."

"Therefore, I know better than anyone else in the world how difficult it is for a lonely woman to survive in this world."

"Not to mention the good jobs that pay well."

"Even if you want to carry wood and load sandbags at the construction site, there is basically no foreman willing to accept a woman who is born with poor physical strength."

"If you don't want to sell your body, then the only jobs a woman can do are serving plates and cleaning tables in restaurants and bars such as izakayas and teahouses."

"The hardships of that time... I still remember it vividly even now."

"It wasn't until I got married to Rintaro and had a strong man in the family that my life finally became easier."

Okita Hikaru had an indifferent expression throughout the whole process, and there was no ripple of emotion on his cheeks, as if he was talking about something that had nothing to do with him, but there was a deep topic hidden between the lines.

When his parents died, Okita Hikaru was only a teenager.

Just imagine: a girl who is not even twenty years old, raising two younger sisters by herself... This kind of thing is very difficult even in the information age of the 21st century, let alone the Edo period, which is still in the agricultural civilization?

Although Okita Hikaru told this past in a calm manner, anyone with a normal mind should be able to imagine that in order to support his sisters, Okita Hikaru must have made unimaginable efforts and endured countless hardships.

"Being obsessed with swordsmanship... Such a life is really insecure."

Okita Hikaru's words did not stop.

"Tachibana-kun, you are a swordsman, so what I say next may make you unhappy..."

Okita Hikaru looked at Aomori to confirm. This action means "Can I say this that may offend you?"

Qingdeng nodded without thinking and replied with his eyes: I don't mind, please speak.

After receiving Qingden's permission, Okita Hikaru no longer had any worries. She turned her gaze back to the front and cleared her throat:

"I think: Times have changed. Now is no longer the era of wielding swords and guns. The decline of swordsmanship and sword halls will only be a matter of time."

"Maybe 20 years from now, maybe 10 years from now, whether in the prosperous Edo and Osaka, or in the little-known backwoods, all the sword halls will be closed one after another due to the neglect... even the Xuanbu Hall and the training hall. , Big sword halls like Xiaochiba Sword Hall will not be spared."

"I was fortunate enough to witness the power of Western iron cannons and the majesty of black ships."

Black ship - the common name for steam battleships nowadays.

"The size of the black ship is unimaginable; the power of the naval gun is unbelievable."

"To be honest, compared to the size and strength of the black ship, the sword is like an embroidery needle that breaks easily."

"The shogunate began to introduce new Western weapons a few years ago, and modeled its navy and new army on Western systems."

"This shows that even the shogunate admits that swords have become outdated and outdated."

"I think... in the near future, no one will be able to support themselves solely by swordsmanship."

Qingto looked at Hikari Okita speechlessly.

"To tell me directly in front of me, a swordsman, that 'swordsmanship is no longer good'... Miss Guang, you are very brave."

When Qingdeng said this in a joking tone, Qingdeng slowly changed his expression and tone to a very serious one.

"Miss Guang, what you just said...just say it to me, but don't tell anyone else. Not everyone will be like me and won't be angry because of your criticism of Jiang Jian."

Japan currently lacks everything except devilish samurai with extreme ideas.

Even if the saber on his waist is hit by someone, a life-and-death duel can break out.

I dare say that the sword is out of date... and he will be beheaded to death on the street in minutes.

Therefore, Qingden is not joking, his attitude is very serious. What Okita Hikaru just said must not be spread freely to the outside world, otherwise some crazy warriors will definitely cause trouble.

"Well, don't worry, I know it well. Mr. Ju, I know your character well, so I feel confident and bold to say these personal words that have been hidden deep in my heart for a long time."

Okita Hikaru showed Aoden a playful smile in the style of a general manager.

"All in all - in my eyes, serving dishes at a teahouse has a better future than practicing swordsmanship."

"I have suffered enough of being helpless and suffering enough of being together at dawn and dusk, so I don't want my sisters to suffer like this."

"I hope that the General Secretary can live a stable and worry-free life without worrying about food and clothing - that's all."

"So... Mr. Tachibana, can you understand my good intentions in persuading Xiao Si to give up kendo?"

Qingdeng nodded silently and said sincerely:

"Yeah...that's understandable."

Whether he confessed how malicious the current world is towards women or stated that swordsmanship and the like have fallen behind the times, every word and sentence Okita Mitsukasa said, although explicit and harsh, was irrefutable without exception. insights.

Japan in the mid-19th century cannot be measured by the values ​​of the 21st century.

The civilization that still remains in the agricultural society is destined to make the living space of women very narrow.

As for "swordsmanship is out of date", it goes without saying - Qing Deng and Okita Hikaru hold the same view on this point.

Qing Deng is not sure how the history of the Edo Shogunate will develop.

But he, whose soul comes from the 21st century, knows that it is a foregone conclusion that swords will be replaced by guns and cannons.

Otherwise, he would not be obsessed with owning a gun of his own.

——She can actually see that swords have been eliminated by history and it has become a permanent thing... Miss Hikaru is very prescient.

As a woman living in the countryside, Okita Hikaru can have such a clear and thorough understanding of the current situation... This really surprised Qing Deng.

As far as Qing Deng knows, let alone the people, even in the officialdom, there are many officials who still naively believe that Western cannons and warships are not scary at all, and that the so-called "samurai spirit" is enough to defeat the overseas barbarians.

Times have changed.

Now is an era of the rise of hot weapons and an era of war.

The Edo Shogunate, the daimyo who were close to the shogunate, such as the Aizu clan, the daimyo who were at odds with the shogunate, such as the Choshu clan, the Sonnōjō patriots, the Kyoto court, the foreign powers, the various ambitious people hiding under the water... all kinds of forces were ready to move.

The pungent smell of gunpowder spread from the northernmost Matsumae clan to the southernmost Satsuma clan.

Generals like Aoto, who were paid by the government in the army, felt the coming storm more keenly than anyone else.

In such a situation and such a world, it was indeed a very rational choice to stop Souji from continuing to learn swordsmanship and to do some stable work instead.

Seeing Aoto nod in agreement, Okita Hikaru seemed very happy, and she showed a soft smile:

"Haha, I'm glad you understand. It's worth my effort."

At this time, Aoto suddenly found a blind spot.

Okita Hikaru had just been emphasizing how tiring it would be for a helpless woman to live in the current world.

He also specifically pointed out Okita Rintaro. Saying that he was married to Okita Rintaro finally made his life a little easier.

Combining all the known information and clues... Qing Deng held a certain certainty and said something that was difficult to say.

"... Miss Guang. You don't want me to be the pillar of Okita-kun like Mr. Okita Rintaro is to you, right?"

Okita Guang raised his eyebrows in surprise for a moment, and then immediately smiled with his hands clasped, as if admitting everything Qing Deng said.

"Hahaha, you are worthy of being Tachibana-kun. You understood my implication so quickly."

Qing Deng's whole body suddenly froze.

I don't know what words to say now.

I don't know what expression to make now.

Ignoring Qing Deng who was petrified on the spot, Okita Guang opened his red lips again.

"More than anyone else in the world, I sincerely pray that Xiao Si can always do what she likes and live a happy and happy life."

"As the eldest sister who watched Xiao Si grow up, how could I not know that Xiao Si loves swordsmanship?"

"I am not a demon, and I don't have the bad habit of 'seeing people suffer and I am happy'."

"Asking Xiao Si to give up her favorite swordsmanship... I am also very painful to be this 'evil man'."

"Especially after listening to your advice, Ju Jun, and putting aside all prejudices to look at Xiao Si carefully, this 'pain' has become much more severe."

"Ju Jun, you should still remember? Three months ago, you suggested that I 'try to look at Xiao Si carefully'."

"Of course I remember." Qing Deng nodded.

"To be honest - at that time, I didn't understand what you meant by 'watching Xiao Si'. I thought you were unreasonable."

"I am Xiao Si's sister. I started watching her when she was still a baby. Xiao Si grew up under my eyes. I watched Xiao Si for as long as you, an outsider who just joined the Shiwei Pavilion at the beginning of this year?"

"Not only did I fail to win you over, but I was inexplicably scolded by you... I felt really bad."

Qing Deng laughed awkwardly and raised his hand to stroke the back of his neck.

"But... I don't know why, I actually listened to your weird suggestion and followed it obediently afterwards."

"During the time I stayed at the Shiwei Pavilion, I kept looking for various opportunities to observe Xiao Si... especially when Xiao Si went to the dojo to practice swordsmanship."

When Okita Hikaru said this, he frowned as if in embarrassment, and then sighed with helplessness. The corners of his eyebrows that had been pulled down at last were raised again, and his helpless expression turned into a gentle smile - as if he had let go of something in his heart.

"Although I am very unwilling... I have to admit: Ju Jun, you are right."

"I know that the child likes swordsmanship very much - but that is only the extent of my knowledge."

"How deep is her love for the sword? What kind of sacrifices is she willing to make for the sword... All these things, I know nothing at all."

"Ju Jun, now that things have come to this, I am not afraid of you laughing at me... Before I was scolded by you, I had never watched Xiao Si's swordsmanship practice carefully; I had never learned in detail about Xiao Si's specific feelings about swordsmanship."

"Thinking that you know Xiao Si very well, thinking that swordsmanship is just an ordinary interest and hobby for Xiao Si... It's really stupid."

"It wasn't until I tried to look at Xiao Si calmly after listening to your words that I realized belatedly that when Xiao Si held the bamboo sword, he could actually show such a... bright smile."

"That is a completely different expression of happiness than meeting a cute puppy or eating the Jinping Candy you like."

"I can still vividly remember the smile that Xiao Si showed after we worked together with you to defeat the Xuanwu Hall in the 'Red and White Battle'."

"That kid... really likes kendo and enjoys it."

Okita Hikaru looked straight at Aoto's face with a gaze filled with gratitude.

"Tachibana-kun, thank you."

"You made me realize my dereliction of duty."

"You made me realize what swordsmanship really means to Xiao Si."

"Thank you very much."

When Okita Hikaru said this, he folded his hands on his lap and bowed deeply to Aoto while sitting sideways.

Okita Hikaru's sudden thank you made Qingto feel embarrassed.

Just when Qingdeng was about to politely reply, "You're exaggerating"——

"only--"

Okita Hikaru suddenly looked away from Qingto's face and changed the subject.

"Emotionally, I really want Xiao Si to continue to engage in the career I love; but intellectually, my original idea remains the same. The road to swordsmanship is uncertain. If Xiao Si continues to practice swordsmanship, I really don't want to. Don’t worry.”

“I want to strike a balance between the two.”

"Then... I found this 'balance'."

Qingden felt the smile in his eyes.

Looking up, Okita Hikaru had a happy expression on his face.

That look, like that of an old mother sizing up an excellent son-in-law, returned to her eyes.

"In the final analysis, the most fundamental reason why I oppose Xiao Si's sword practice is that I am afraid that Xiao Si's future life will not be guaranteed."

"In this case, if Xiao Si has someone beside her who can always support and protect her, wouldn't all these troubles and problems be put to an end?"

"And you - Mr. Orange, you are the most suitable and capable person I have found so far to stand beside Xiao Si, bar none!"

"Tachibana-kun, let me tell you the truth."

"When I first met you, I felt that you were very attractive to me."

"Other than not having shaved his head, which makes him look rather lethargic, he has no flaws in appearance. He is tall and has a handsome appearance."

"Not only is he talented and promising, he also has a great personality. He is kind to others and has good character. He also has a very good relationship with Xiao Si and they get along very well with each other."

"I have seen a lot of outstanding heroes and talents, but the more I look at you, the more I like you."

"Although it's vulgar to say this... but a marriage that is not based on 'money' is unreliable."

"I've seen too many families collapse due to poverty."

"If Xiao Si can marry you, then in the foreseeable future, I won't have to worry about whether Xiao Si can have enough food and clothing."

"Even if you put aside the mundane things like appearance and money...you have a quality that makes me classify you as 'Xiao Si's best husband' without any hesitation."

"Trait?" Qingdeng couldn't help but ask in reply.

Okita Hikaru showed an intriguing smile as if to show off, and deliberately stopped talking, not continuing.

For Qingdeng, every second is like a year.

It wasn't until Qingto's mood became anxious due to the torturous waiting for several years that Okita Hikaru finally slowly opened his lips and said quietly:

"Xiao Si is very fond of you... To put it simply, he likes you very, very much."

Today is still a big victory for Ms. Okita~~

Asking for a monthly ticket! Please vote for recommendation! (Leopard head crying.jpg)

What I hate the most while writing is that the timeline of the novel has advanced to winter. Every female character is dressed so thickly, even their feet are covered with stockings. It’s so difficult to develop a plot!

If this book had a world view like "Persona", then after this chapter, Aomori would have reached the "Pope" social level. (leopard laugh.jpg)

In the author's setting, Okita Hikaru is the "Pope" community, and Souji is the "Sun" community.

Sanako is the "Female Pope" community, Tenzouin is the "Queen" community, Kinoshita Mai is the "Lovers" community, and Elodie is the "Moon" community.

Leopard Leopard is so addicted to "Persona" that when designing characters now, he can't help but think, "Can this person be a member of the community?"