Chapter 313: Aoden in Danger! Sanako Meets Her Childhood Sweetheart [6600]

The moment Okita Hikaru's words were about to fall, Souji seemed to be out of breath, breathing in the air around him.

"You're lying! It's impossible for Mr. Tachibana to say such things!"

When Okita Hikaru heard this, he put on an expression of "What I said is true, believe it or not" and shrugged.

"I'm not lying to you. That's exactly what Tachibana-kun said. I just repeated Tachibana-kun's original words exactly."

There was nothing strange about Okita Hikaru's expression or eyes, it really seemed like he was telling the truth.

Upon seeing this, the Chief Secretary couldn't help but remove four out of seven points of doubt.

No way - when Souji shouted with his eyes, his expression was obviously shaken even more, and his eyes were wandering wildly, as if he wanted to measure this bedroom that he had long been used to living in and seeing with his eyes.

At this time, Okita Hikaru silently added more "oil" to the already burning "fire".

"Xiao Si, it's not surprising that Mr. Orange would give such an answer, right? Haven't you noticed that Mr. Orange's attitude towards you is obviously different from others?"

"Yes, yes?"

Under the dual influence of alcohol and shock, Souji's brain was already in a semi-shutdown state, and she was now answering questions entirely based on instinct.

"Of course."

Okita Mitsusha nodded slightly with reason.

“This is probably the so-called ‘obsessed by those in authority and obsessed by bystanders’.”

"Although it's a pity that Mr. Tachibana currently plans to focus all his energy on his official career and has no plans to start a family with anyone in the short term, but it's also understandable."

"For a man like him, it's better to get married later. If you start a family late, you can free up more time and energy to focus on your career. It's not too late to marry a wife after you've established your career."

"Anyway, it doesn't matter if a man gets married later."

"Ji Jun has revealed his feelings for you. Xiao Si, now it's your turn to express your opinion."

"A statement, a statement? What kind of statement?" Souji's tongue seemed to be tied up.

"You try to pretend to be stupid for me no matter what..."

Okita Hikaru sighed helplessly. Her expression and actions seemed to be saying to Souji: There is really nothing I can do against you.

"It's about time you face up to your feelings for Mr. Tachibana, right? You've had unusual feelings for Mr. Tachibana a long time ago, haven't you?"

"No matter how much you deceive yourself, no matter how many times you tell yourself, 'There is no such thing,' your feelings for Mr. Tachibana will not disappear because of your deceptive behavior."

Director General: "I..."

Normally, the director-general would have retorted immediately.

But now... Souji has been unable to say a coherent sentence. After hesitatingly saying the word "I", his throat seemed to be blocked by something.

She clawed at the edge of the quilt with as much strength as if she wanted to scratch it, and her eyes exposed outside the quilt were filled with deep thoughts.

During the conversation with Souji, Okita Hikaru conducted "real-time tracking" of Souji's face throughout the process.

After seeing the deep-thinking expression on the part of the general manager, Hikaru Okita's left corner of his mouth turned up slightly, making a "planned" arc.

In order to prevent the Souji from seeing her sister's "plan was successful" expression on her face, Hikari Okita flattened the slight curve of her mouth with brute force as soon as it appeared.

"Okay...it's really time to sleep now...I'm so sleepy."

Okita Hikaru raised his arms, stretched his waist, and let out a big yawn with a "haha" sound.

Only in front of her closest husband and sister would this charming lady not cover her mouth with her hands when making indecent gestures like yawning.

Okita Hikaru turned around and spread the bedding in his arms neatly on the tatami, side by side with Souji's bed.

While making the quilt, Okita Hikaru turned his back to Souji and spoke calmly to the air in front of him:

"Xiao Si, I have made a decision. I agree to let you continue to stay in the Trial Guard Hall and continue to practice swordsmanship."

"Eh?"

With a simple dumbfounded expression, Souji conveyed a complicated message: "Did I hear you right?"

In order to fight for the right to continue studying kendo, she had quarreled with her sister many times, but each time they broke up because both parties refused to give in.

Why did my sister suddenly change her gender? You suddenly agreed to let me stay in the training hall to practice swordsmanship?

Before Souji could turn his inner doubts into rhetorical questions, he heard Okita Hikaru calmly say:

"Don't be too happy. There are conditions attached to my making such a big concession."

When Okita Hikaru said this, she happened to have laid out the bedding, and she had her hands free. She turned around without moving her lower body and only turned her upper body to face Souji, and raised two fingers towards Souji.

"I have two conditions. As long as you can meet any of my two conditions, from now on, whether you learn swordsmanship or do other things, I will not care about you anymore."

"First, learn a skill that can support yourself, such as tailoring and pottery."

"Sister here, I suggest you learn Western languages. Just learn English and French. You don't have to learn other languages."

"According to my observation, the founding of the country has become an irreversible foregone conclusion. Facing the powerful ships and artillery of Western countries, this country can no longer be as 'closed' as before."

"No matter how fiercely those so-called 'rejecting foreigners' slogans of respecting people with lofty ideals shout, they can't go against the general trend of falling like a waterfall."

"From now on, the Edo shogunate's exchanges with the outside world will definitely become more frequent, and the demand for talents who are proficient in Western languages ​​will definitely continue to increase."

"So if you learn the Western language, you will definitely not have to worry about having food for yourself in the future."

"The British Empire is currently the strongest country in the West. When dealing with overseas countries, we absolutely cannot avoid the British Empire."

"The strength of France is second only to that of England, and France now has a very close relationship with the shogunate, and the two sides have carried out a lot of cooperation."

"So, it's enough to learn English and French. If you know these two languages, it will definitely be of great benefit to your future."

"To be honest, I am currently learning English on my own."

“Although I don’t know how to pronounce many words because I don’t have a teacher to teach them orally, I already remember the meaning of many words.”

"As for the second one..."

Okita Hikaru smiled enigmatically.

"That is to find a husband who can trust me to entrust you to him."

"Unless absolutely necessary, I don't intend to force you to marry anyone. I will give you the greatest degree of freedom in choosing a mate. But for now, I highly recommend Mr. Orange."

"Although I can't call it a reason...but my instinct when looking at people tells me: Mr. Tachibana is the person who can bring you happiness."

"I'll give you three years."

Okita Hikaru raised three fingers.

"Three years. Within three years, I will either learn skills and crafts that can support myself; or I will marry Mr. Tachibana or a man like Mr. Tachibana who makes me think, 'He will definitely bring you happiness.'"

"After three years, if you fail to meet either of these two conditions... then I'm sorry. Even if you take off your clothes and abdicate to me, I will never let you touch the sword again."

There is no intention to negotiate with the DG.

After finishing this one-sided announcement, Okita Hikaru let down his hair and took off his coat.

After taking off only a white bottom shirt, I took advantage of the fact that my body still had some heat from the clothes and the winter cold from the outside had not yet invaded me, so I slipped into the warm quilt.

Just as Okita Hikaru was about to close her eyes and enter a dream, she suddenly seemed to think of something and turned to look at Souji again.

"Xiao Si, I almost forgot to say... Although I admire Jun Ju very much, and I am happy to see such an outstanding man become my brother-in-law. But you must not do anything to belittle yourself."

"There is definitely no shortage of girls to like a hero like Jun Ju."

"If one day in the future, Jun Ju marries someone, we should find other outstanding talents."

"In short, you can't be anyone's concubine, including Tachibana-kun. Do you understand?"

"I know your character too well. You... like to give yourself too much. You would rather suffer yourself than see others suffer. You are too kind-hearted."

"Because you like someone so much, you unconditionally tolerate all the other person's excessive behavior... I think you can do this kind of thing... Hmm? Xiao Si, are you listening?"

Okita Hikaru found Souji dumbfounded, staring straight at the ceiling that was dimmed into gray by the night, and seemed not to listen to her.

In fact, it was true - Hikari Okita took off his clothes and was about to get into bed, and Souji entered a fugue state.

All sounds and movements from the outside world left him.

Her consciousness floated out of her body and flew to the past not long ago, four months ago...

…

Time goes back to 4 months ago, on August 14, the first year of Wanyan (1860) -

"Sister! I don't care! I will never put down the sword in my hand!"

"You... oh, forget it, let's not talk about this topic. If we continue to talk, we will quarrel again. Let's talk about something else - Xiao Si, what do you think of Mr. Ju?"

"Uh...how about what?"

"do you like him?"

"Hi...?! Sister! What are you talking about so suddenly?!"

"Xiao Si, it's time for you to think about the major events of your life. You are now at the best age to get married. I think Mr. Ju is a pretty good person. You... huh? Hey, look what I found. "

"W-what 'find something'?"

"Xiao Si, do you want to take a look in the mirror? Your face is very red now~"

…

August 15——

"General Secretary, you don't need me to tell you in detail that 'lack of concentration is a taboo in martial arts', right?"

"I am so sorry……"

…

Bang! (hit the wall)

"Okita-senpai! What's wrong with you? Is your forehead okay?"

"It's okay, it's okay, I just accidentally hit the wall."

…

"Okita-kun!"

"Tachibana-kun?"

"Okita-kun, you and your sister..."

"Tachibana-kun, I'm sorry, I, I suddenly thought of something to do."

"Huh? Okita-kun? Okita-kun?"

…

August 15th, night——

"Okita-kun, are you going to take a shower now? That's perfect! Let's take a shower together!"

"Huh? I...ah!"

"Let's go!"

"Orange, orange, orange, orange, orange! Wait, wait, wait!"

…

All kinds of embarrassing but inexplicably nostalgic memory fragments flew into the head and eyes of the Souji.

Souji's cheeks warmed up further than before.

If a snowflake fell on Souji's face now, it would melt into water in an instant.

"Uh-huh...!"

As if to delay his blushing face, Souji pulled the quilt over his head and wrapped it around his head.

Strange sounds like moaning kept coming out of the quilt.

…

That night, Qingdeng was tossing and turning in bed for the first time since he was copied into the "Sleeping God".

The same goes for the General Secretary...

…

…

The next day, God was good.

Since the beginning of winter in Edo, sunny days have been rare, but today the sky was rare and clear.

The white clouds, as loose as cotton, cover up the warm winter sun that is not strong enough. The clouds are dyed with a light red color, and the sky is rendered into the clear light blue unique to winter.

It's a good time to travel.

At five o'clock in the morning (8 a.m.), everyone from the Imperial Guard Hall went out to see off Okita Hikaru, who was about to leave for Hino-juku.

The atmosphere of farewell is always sad.

Although the distance between Hinojuku and Edo is not far, the Okita sisters don't know when they will meet next time.

Souji hugged Okita Hikaru and said many private words to his sister before reluctantly letting her go.

Thanks to Okita Hikaru's actions last night, Souji rolled around restlessly in the quilt until late at night, and finally managed to fall asleep with the help of alcohol.

Therefore, Souji has been looking at Okita Hikari with uncontrollably weird eyes that were so red due to hangover and lack of sleep that he looked at Okita Hikaru today with strange and indescribable emotions.

The same is true for Qingden.

When he saw Okita Hikaru now, he couldn't help but recall the scene in the courtyard last night.

Before heading west today, Okita Hikaru saw the opportunity and quietly told her the "three-year agreement" he had made with Souji.

Okita Mitsuo hinted... no, correction, it was almost explicit Aoto: Please help Souji complete this 'three-year agreement'~ As for whether to help her learn the skills she can rely on to make a living or marry her, that's all It all depends on what you mean~~

At the end of the secret conversation, she reminded Qingteng again: she only accepted the chief minister as her wife.

Hikaru Okita's figure disappeared at the end of Kai Street, the only way to Hino-juku, before everyone in the Imperial Guard Hall watched him off.

The "kendo battle" between the Okita sisters has temporarily come to an end - in a way that neither Ayoto nor Souji expected.

After Okita Hikaru returned home, the test hall suddenly had a deserted atmosphere.

Unknowingly, all members of the Imperial Guard Hall, including Aomori, became accustomed to Okita Hikaru's presence.

Suddenly, I could no longer see this beautiful figure that looked very similar to Souji. I was really not used to it for a while.

After that, Qingdeng's life became dull again.

When it was time to go to work, I went to the government office where the thieves were supposed to go to work on time.

Now that it’s time to take a break, I go around four places: Senshiya, Little Chiba Sword Hall, the Residence, and Tsukinomiya Shrine.

Qingto's daily life is no different from before - except that his relationship with Souji has become slightly more delicate.

Qingto now feels inexplicably embarrassed every time he sees Souji.

Let alone a normal exchange, I don't even know what kind of expression the team put on the director.

Whenever I see Souji's pretty face... Okita Hikaru's words - "You and Xiaoji should get married", "Xiaoji is very fond of you... To put it simply, I like you very much", I will feel uncomfortable Driven by Qingdeng's will, it echoed repeatedly in his mind.

On the other hand, Souji quickly returned to his former self.

For Souji, who has an extremely optimistic personality and seems to have no idea what sorrow is, troubles and depression seem to be innately insulated from her.

In just two days, her attitude and reaction towards Qingdeng changed back to their old self.

He laughs and laughs with Qingdeng every day and makes harmless little jokes to Qingdeng as much as he likes.

only……

Whenever Qingdeng wasn't paying attention, she would often quietly cast a glance at Qingdeng...with eyes that made people unpredictable...

Time moved forward to December 20th in a peaceful manner.

…

…

The first year of Wanyan (1860), December 20th——

Edo, Koishikawa Kohinagayanagicho, trial defense hall, dojo——

call--! call--! call--!

Outside the window, the cold wind howled.

Qingdeng, who had just finished his morning exercise, stood on the verandah at the edge of the yard, testing the sweat with a sweat towel around his neck, while quietly watching the snow scene in front of him.

It's late December now - the time when the cold air tightens around the streets.

Edo, located at 35 degrees north latitude, has always been a place frequented by "Snow General".

The first snow came very early this year.

Ten days ago, on December 10, Edo had its first snow of the year. From then on, the snowflakes fell intermittently.

Before dawn today, the fine snow like catkins began to fall gently, and it has not stopped until now. The ground is already covered with a layer of snow that reaches the soles of my feet.

Today is a rest day, Qingdeng can arrange today's itinerary to his heart's content.

After a short while, Qingden decided on today's itinerary - I haven't shown up at Qianshiwu for a long time. Today I will go see A Wu and practice the sword drawing technique.

Ah, no, that’s the other way around.

He should be practicing the sword-drawing technique and meeting Ah Wu on the way.

I almost spoke out my true thoughts.

If Boss Kiryu knew that he had changed the order of the two, God knows how Boss Kiryu would look at him.

After resting for a while, after his body stopped sweating and was no longer hot after the morning exercise, Qingden quickly put on his cotton-padded clothes, tightened his black scarf, put on his snow hat, tightened his snow boots, and wore both long and short knives. .

After returning to Edo from Kai, Seito immediately took the Sadukigami, whose arms were damaged in the battle with the Soma clan, to be repaired.

Although Edo was a large city, there were very few skilled swordsmiths.

Ayoto often asked a swordsmith named Meguro Kaoru to help him repair his sword.

Although he has a name like "Xun" that looks pretty at first glance, he is actually a rough old man in his late fifties.

In Japan, "Kaoru" is actually a very neutral name, unlike Souji's original name "Si".

The latter is undoubtedly a girl's name. No parent in their right mind would name their son "Si". As for the former, both men and women can be named "Xun".

Because the ghosts and ghosts were evil so frequently, Aoden had to visit Meguro Kaoru's blacksmith shop every once in a while.

After going back and forth, Aonto became familiar with Kaoru Meguro.

Now, every time Meguro Kaoru sees Aoden crossing the door of his shop with a knife, he always sighs: "Why is your knife broken again... If you continue like this, your knife will be broken in less than a year." It will be completely broken and can no longer be repaired.”

At the entrance of the trial hall, Qingdeng, who had put on a full set of equipment, made a final inspection of his clothes.

After confirming that all the necessary clothes were put on and all the items needed to be brought, Qingden opened the door and walked out.

The moment the door opened, the cold wind containing moisture hit Qingdeng head-on. Countless snowflakes poured into the entrance hall like fallen leaves along the cracks in the door.

Qingdeng quickly stepped over the door frame and closed the door behind him.

The huge temperature difference between indoor and outdoor made Qingden shiver involuntarily.

"ha……"

Qingdeng held up his hands, which were immediately frozen, and took a breath of hot air. The warm air came out thickly, and then disappeared immediately.

"It's so cold... I don't know if there will be a chance to copy the talent related to 'warming against the cold' in the future..."

After teasing himself in a joking tone, Qingden lowered his head slightly and walked away in the snow.

Edo, covered in white snow, has a unique flavor.

The time now is 7 o'clock in the morning. Although people are starting to go out to work one after another, the air is still rich in the refreshing smell that is not polluted by "human breath", like dewdrops melting in it.

While enjoying the fresh air, Qingdeng walked at a leisurely pace and watched with interest the street scene that was full of "white winter" and "new year flavor" as the New Year was approaching.

At this moment, Qingdeng suddenly saw a weak dark brown figure flashing out of the alley not far in front of him.

Although Qingdeng observed this figure with the peripheral vision of his eyes, and it was not very clear, Qingdeng was still keenly aware of this person for the first time... as if he had seen him before...

Just when Qingdeng turned his head to the side, preparing to take a good look at who this person was, this person walked quickly toward Qingdeng with small steps.

Qingden raised his eyebrows and stopped.

No wonder it feels like déjà vu...it is indeed someone I know.

She is about 20 years old, with her shiny black hair tied into a bun that only married women can wear: a bun. She is tall, has a beautiful face, and her slender red phoenix eyes have an alluring charm.

It was Aoto... To be precise, it was Otsuki Minoru, the childhood sweetheart of "Original Tachibana Aotobu", who reunited with Aotobu at the fireworks display four months ago.

I saw Otsuki Minoru approaching Qingdeng at a speed similar to a trot, and stopped three steps in front of Qingdeng.

She looked directly at Qingden, who was frowning at her.

…

…

Edo, somewhere——

call!

The cold wind like a knife, with a sharp "whoosh" sound, cut towards Sanako's delicate and pretty face.

"It's so cold..."

After muttering softly, Sanako lowered his head and hid half of his face in the scarf. At the same time, he tightly protected the medical book he just bought from the bookstore in his arms to prevent the pages of the book from being stained by snow. The water got wet.

"Go home quickly..."

Sanako doesn't like the cold, so winter...especially this kind of winter with falling snowflakes, has always been the season she hates the most.

If it hadn't been for the news that Suharaya in Nihombashi had a new batch of Western medical books, she wouldn't have gone out so early in the morning today.

Sanako, who just wanted to return to the Little Chiba Sword Hall as soon as possible, quickly retreated into the warm kotatsu. She held the book she just bought firmly in one hand and tightened her head with the other hand to block the wind and cover her head. She wore a white scarf on her face to prevent passers-by from discovering that she was "Chiba Ghost Town", and quickened her pace.

Because it was still early, there were not many pedestrians on the street.

The empty street had a good view - therefore, Sanako, who was concentrating on her way, suddenly noticed a tall figure standing out from the crowd in front of her.

Pat... The pair of high-toothed clogs at Sanako's feet, which could well prevent the snow from getting on her feet, stopped instantly.

The whole person froze on the spot.

The reason for this is because this tall figure is someone she is very familiar with.

It was also because this acquaintance was followed step by step by a beautiful figure she had never seen before...

Today’s word count is nearly 7,000 words, which is very conscientious, so please give me a monthly vote!

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

If you forget who Otsuki Minoru is, you can review Chapter 33 of Volume 2. Miss Sanako appears again after a long absence! Congratulations ~ Congratulations ~ Pa pa pa pa (slap the leopard's belly.jpg)

If nothing else, Qingdeng will face off against a certain force tomorrow. You can guess which force it is.