<Right choices for Hijikata Rute>

1.何とかして逃げる
    -Run away somehow

2.逃げ出す
    -Run away

Bunkyū 3, 十二月 

(December 1863)

「……huh?」

……It’s morning?

「……Um……so…..」

What happened to me…..?

……

……

……OH

「……right…..」

When my eyes got used to the dazzling morning sun, the memories of the last night flashed back.

……I wish this was my room.

Completely tide up, I sighed lying on the blanket like a caterpillar. 

If possible, I really wanted to wake up in my own blanket as usual.

「I wish if it were all a nightmareㅡ」

The place where they had hauled me was the post of 「Shinsengumi」

「What will happen to me from now on……」

The time when I sighed once again, paper sliding door slowly opened and a harmless looking man came in.

「Oh, you already woke up」

That tender looking man introduced himself as “Inoue”.

「Sorry for such treatment..……I’ll cut the ropes right now so wait for a second」

「……eh?…..」

With a bitter smile, Inoue-san untied the ropes

……except the ones tided on my wrists.

「……Um…..thank you…..」

He smiled a little as I bowed.

「Will you come with me for a second?」

「huh?」

「The executives have been discussing about you all morning…….and they wanted to make sure what you saw exactly」

「……Ok」

I nodded and staggered to my feet…….Inoue-san was talking gently, but obviously, refusal won’t be a choice for me

.After seeing my overstrained face, Inoue san spoke in a bright voice.

「Don’t worry. They may look scary but they’re all good guys」

「Oh……」

……Really?

I’ve heard rumors about the murderer’s group called Shinsengumi several times.

 I couldn’t imagine executives of someplace like THAT as “good guys”……

「……」

Executives of Shinsengumi were waiting for me in the room where I was guided by Inoue-san.

My body stiffed unconsciously meeting their piercing eyes at once.

「Good morning. Did you sleep well last night?」

「……Oh」

……I suppose, his name was Okita-san…

Since I was surrounded by bunch of strangers, I felt a little relieved by his face.

 Even though I knew HE was the holy terror……

「Not pretty well」

I responded carefully.

「Hmm……was it?」

Okita-san made an insidious smile and looked at my face.

「A minute ago, when I called you, you didn’t even wake up」

……re, really?!

Saito-san made a tired sigh as he saw my face getting blushed.

「……He’s just making fun of you. Soji never went to your room」

……

Without a word, I looked at Okita-san.

 He turned to Saito-san with a smile and spoke in a teasing tone.

「I just wanted to see more of your reactions. ……It’s very unkind for you to lay bare the plot on your own, Hajime-kun」

…….

…….

「I think the unkind one is you……」

「Hey, stop chatting you guys」

As Hijikata-san spoke in a stifled voice, Okita-san shut his mouth hunching his shoulders.

 ……His face was still beaming with smile though.

「By the way, Hijikata-san. ……. Is he the witness?」

The one, who spoke with a glance at me, looked particularly young among executives.

 …… I thought there would be elderly people as “executives”, but it looked like there were only young people……

And plus, their image was rather delinquent.

「Looks small and skinny……. He’s just a kid」

……and he would be, perhaps Todo-san?

According to Inoue, as he told me before coming to this room,

…….Todo-san seemed to be the youngest executive in Shinsengumi,

「Do you think you’re different, Heisuke?」

A man who was watching me opened his mouth with a chuckle.

「Yeah. To the world, you’re no different from him」

One sitting on the other side of that man also nodded with a sober face.

Come to think of it, Inoue told me about a boisterous pair.

 Probably, the one with short hair is Nagakura-san and the other with long hair is Harada-san?

「Ah-, Hush you old misters」

「Don’t be ridiculous! Do you really think that word suits us?」

「I’m not THAT old to be called like that by you, Heisuke. …… except Shinpachi」

「You……are you selling me, Sano」

「HAHA- Shinpat-san,  you’re so childish to get mad by such word-!」

While squabbling with each other in joking tones, they still kept their curious eye on me.

But……

Inside their curious-disguised eyes, I felt a strong hostility.

 Even them, talking with a good countenance, were not admitting my existence.

…….I want to go home.

As I lowered my head, thinking that I really want to run away from here, someone spoke to me in a quiet voice.

「Sorry for their slanderous words, but don’t be so scared」

「Oh…….」

By his kind words, I felt much better.

「What are you talking about? You’re the most fearful man in here, Sannan-san」

Hijikata spoke sarcastically with a faint smile.

At that word, every other people nodded in assent.

……Is, is he that much?

「Well, I’m surprised that you of all people, should say that, Oni-Fukuchou*」

That man called “Sannan” was still smiling as he spoke in a surprised tone.

 Hijikata-san just made a faint smile without a word.

「Seems like Toshi and Sannan still gets along famously,」

……

…….Will that be the right expression for them?

Both were smiling but it must be impossible not to feel the tension between them……….

At least the one who spoke that seem to believe in that.

「Ah, I forgot to introduce myself. I’m Kondo Isame, the director of Shinsengumi」

……This man is the highest person in Shinsengumi.

「And there, Toshi is the vice-captain, and next to him, Sannan-kun is managing as chancellor- 」

「Wait, Kondo-san, why are you telling this or that」

「…….Huh? I, I shouldn’t?」

「It’s better to keep quiet if we don’t have any needs to give information」

「And there are no fidelity to tell it too」

Watching director going into a flap, Harada-san laughed as to placate.

「Well, actually, it has no problem anyway」

Kondo-san looked depressed for a while but soon got recovered and straightened himself.

Just by looking at that I could feel him being loved by others.

He had somewhat attracting atmosphere that you couldn’t hate.

「……Let’s get down to the case. First, would you tell us last night’s event again?」

Taking Kondo-san’s eyes, Saito-san nodded and began to talk.

「Last night, during the patrol of Kyoto, we encountered tramping Rounins and since they were holding swords, skirmish occurred. Our units emasculated them, but at that moment, he witnessed their [failed] form」

And he glanced at me after finishing his words.

……I made up my mind and opened my mouth.

「I didn’t see anything」

By my affirm words, Hijikata-san’s face became soft a bit.

Saito-san was an expressionless face and Okita-san was still smiling though.

「Hey, you really didn’t see anything?」

「No, I didn’t」

I replied in same words to Todo-san, who asked me as leaning his body forward.

「Eh? According to Soji, he said you helped our units…….」

「Th, That’s mistaken!」

Confused, I looked at Okita-san but he was still making that unreadable smile.

「I ran away from that rounins……and then Shinsengumi came……..and, and, I was the one who got helped!」

「So, you’ve seen them kill those rounins?」

「!!!!」

At that moment, I couldn’t deny.

Even though I knew it will be a concede if I breeze off here…..

「That means, you’ve witnessed everything……」

「…….ut……..」

What should I do……?

「You seem to be honest. That itself isn’t bad but……」

Harada-san cut off ambiguously.

My existence is the [obstacle] to Shinsengumi so unfortunately, I must be killed-.

As it felt like Harada-san was saying those words, I opened my mouth desperately and spoke in a trembling voice.

「I, I…….I won’t tell anyone so…..!」

「I wouldn’t say you belong in the same class with them as you’re saying you’ve accidently been chased by rounins………but there are possibilities that you might fall on their loaded questions」

「……Um……」

Still in that gentle tone, Sannan-san spoke the brutal reality to me quietly.

「It’s easy to speak not to tell anyone, but there are no reasons for him to be loyal on Shinsengumi to keep his words」

「Since there is no guarantee he won’t break the promise, it’ll be hard to release him too」

They’re right, but……

「See? Let’s just finish him off. You know It’s the easiest way to gag one’s mouth」

「WHAT……?!」

As I raised my voice like a scream,  Kondo-san gave Okita-san a scolding look.

「…….Don’t say such presumptuous words Soji. What will you earn from killing an innocent civilian recklessly.」

Hearing that, like a troubled kid, Okita-san lowered his eyes, withdrawing his smile.

「Don’t make such a face. That was just a joke.」

「……make jokes that can be accepted as jokes」

By Saito-san’s words, Okita-san made a bright smile once again.

「Anyway, is there any other way? ……. He’s just a kid」

「I, too, wish had another choice, but it will become serious if he blurts it out」

Gathering his brows, Sannan-san cut off saying “then” and looked at Hijikata-san.

「I would like to hear vice-captain’s opinion.」

Called by Sannan-san as [Vice-captain], Hijikata-san made a small sigh.

「Last night, we executed those who betrayed bushido* ……. He was there and just saw it by accident.」

「-are you trying to say “That’s all”?」

「……it must have looked like that to him anyway.」

「……but this shouldn’t be told to anyone for our cause isn’t it? If rumors like “ Units of Shinsengumi are starved at blood” spreads, you know we’ll hit the fan」

By Nagakura-san’s well-grounded point out, Hijikata-san made a pained expression on his face.

「I think Soji’s suggestion has a point though……. Well, I’ll follow Hijikata-san or Kondo-san’s decisions」

「……. I think it’ll be OK to release him」

Todo-san was making an awkward face.

「He doesn’t know the reason why they lost their minds on blood」

……Reason? Is there a particular reason……?

Seeing me blink my eyes, Hijikata-san tsked his tongue.

「Heisuke,……. Do not speak carelessly」

Realizing he had slipped his tongue, Todo-san covered his mouth with both hands hurriedly.

「Well, well. NOW it became more difficult to let you go」

「Ut.……」

「As a man, you are ready for death, aren’t you? Why don’t you give up and seppuku* yourself」

Man…….?

……

「OH」

……I’m considered as a man.

Now I remembered that I was dressing up like a man.

「Well, choosing death is an honorable manhood. I did seppuku in earliest days too……」

「In Sano’s case, he is still alive though」

I think I picked-up something very dangerous there…..

As two stopped their words laughing at themselves, Saito-san began to talk this time.

「Hijikata-san……….Since things are still in anarchy, will it be OK to return him to his room for now?」

He put his eye on me as he spoke.

「As he is accompanied, if someone accidently reveal classified things afterwards, ……. there will be no choice but to kill」

「……Ut!」

Just like Saito-san’s words,

If I stay in this room like this, I might hear more about those “Classified” things.

Even though I knew Saito-san did it just for Shinsengumi,

……his suggestion was thankful.

「Right, Thanks」

By Hijikata-san’s words Saito-san nodded.

「I agree with that too. Since there are lot of short-brained people here.」

「Howa, Sannan-san……. Does he really have to say that looking at us」

「Well, It’s true we’re the ones to kid around. Specially Heisuke」

「Do, don’t blame me!! I didn’t really mean it!」

As Todo-san got all the eyes upon him naturally, he raised his voice like sin.

And then, checking my face, muttered with hesitation,.

「I, I’m sorry…..?」

「Um……..」

As it has my life on, I couldn’t just say “Never mind-“……

But since I could feel him being genuinely sorry, I made an awkward nod.

「……Let’s go」

「Oh, Ok」

+++

Returned to my room, I looked down at my rope-tied wrists.

「Hmm-m……」

Unlike reputations I heard, they seem to be humane……

But they, the Shinsengumi , wants to get rid of me.

「Seemed like [we want to let you go If possible, but there’re no choice but to kill……I suppose」

 I will be killed if I stay like this.

「It’ll be hard to get released, ……」

They’ll definitely put Shinengumi first than me.

「……come to think of it……」

Everyone here seemed to think me as a boy.

If I say something like “To tell the truth, I’m a girl-“, will this situation change a bit?

But it might be meaningless, and just worsen the situation.

…..I’ve got to run away.

It wouldn’t get better if I just stay here off the fly.

Fortunately, bindings of my wrists were the only thing restraining me.

Of course it was uncomfortable, but it didn’t matter as long as my legs were free.

「The exit is…….」

I traced back last night’s memory and remembered how I got to this room from arriving here.

「……Ok」

It’ll go well, definitely.

Holding my breath, I stood up and approached to the paper-sliding door.

…….It will go against what’s right to run away, but I have no choice.

I tried to open the door with tip of my toe.

At that moment,

Paper-sliding door suddenly opened-

「WHA?!?! 」

「KYAAT?!?!」

I bumped straight into Kondo-san.

「……what an audacious person you are. You weren’t really trying to run away, were you?」

「Ut……」

「It’ll only make your situation worse if you move as you please」

Even though Sannan-san was talking in, he’s eyes wasn’t smiling at all.

「……」

Suddenly, I realized why they didn’t tie me up like I couldn’t move freely by myself…….

It’s because Shinsengumi was keeping their eyes on me at every second-

「I said I’ll put to the sword…… if you show your back」

I could feel anger from his low voice.

「Now there’s no choice but to kill you. We couldn’t trust a kid who breaks promises」

Without showing the slightest regret, Okita-san smiled at me.

………There’s no choice but to run now!

If I’ll get killed anyway, then I should at least give it a shot.

I tried to pull out from Kondo-san and rush down the hallway.

But-

「……. Did you really think you could get away?」

「Ut……!!!」

I simply got caught by Hijikata-san behind my neck and was hanged like a cat.

「Let, let me go!!!」

「If I do, you’ll try to escape again, you idiot」

Hijikata-san spoke to me in irritated voice as I struggled my legs.

「But I don’t want to die!」

I yelled as if trying to hide my fright.

「And I……I have things to do-」

「Ha, what is it for a young girl like you should ought even doing man’s attire?」

「That’s…….」

…….

「Huh?」

…….

「Um……Hijikata-san?」

Asking, as I studied his face, he looked very displeased.

「.....did you say…….”a young girl”?-」

Watching me carefully speaking out the words, Sannan-san nodded in convention

「……Indeed. You were a girl as I’ve expected」

「……Huh?」

「It’s obvious. You may have thought you dressed up like a man perfectly though,」

「……Huh?!」

......Did everyone notice it from the beginning….?

As I begin to feel tangled emotions,

「…….What a terrible blunder! I-I had no idea you were a woman!!」

「……」

It seemed like Kondo-san didn’t get the scent of it.

I rather felt more relieved by his reactions.

「If there is reason that worth risking your life, confide all……Understand?」

Looking out on Hijikata-san’s honest eyes I nodded.

-And

Once again, I got surrounded by executives.

「Surely thought what a beauty you are, but never imagined as a woman……」

Awkwardly, Kondo-san nodded several times as if he was impressed.

「Gee, after hearing that, you do look like a girl」

Todo-san was struck with wonder.

「Sorry for doing such cruel thing to you....... tied up a girl all night.」

Inoue-san was tendering a heartfelt apology.

After knowing my real gender, they made all sorts of reactions.

「Even though you say you`re a girl, There`s no proof for that, eh?」

「Well......」

Watching Nagakura-san scratching his head displeasingly, Harada-san laughed.

「Proof or what, it`s obvious. Well, we can strip her for proof if you want.」

「Th, that`s-」

「No! Absolutely not! It`s outrageous to make a woman take off her clothes in front of people!」

Even before I could make any protest, Kondo-san ranted and raved.

But it seemed like Harada-san didn’t have any ill intentions.

「I just thought it would be the fastest way.......」

I won`t force it if you don`t want to- and Harada-san made an abashed look.

Nagakura-san crossed his arms, thinking hard.

「If that`s true, we can`t just kill her.......」

「It doesn`t matter with gender」

On Nagakura-san`s words, Hijikata-san spoke flatly.

And Sannan-san showed agreement to that.

「In general, you shouldn`t kill recklessly, not because she is a woman.  Since we`re composed for maintenance of public order of Kyoto, we mustn`t do such thing.」

「Unless, if that person tries to break the public order.」

Okita-san spoke with a smile.

......From the beginning, reputation of Shinsengumi is bad.

Plus, if the existence of those blood-crazed members spread out, it will make it impossible for Shinsengumi to work in Kyoto. As a result, there will be no one to protect people and case break down of the public order in Kyoto.

…… at least, they seem to believe in that.

「To decide that, on the beforehand, will you tell us your story?」

Meeting Kondo-san`s eyes, I opened my mouth.

「......My name is Yukimura Chizuru 」

I told them in order.

First thing, that I`m from Edo,

and I just came here to find my father, whom I lost contact with about a month ago......

「Indeed....... You`re also from Edo! And came this far to Kyoto to find your father!」

Kondo-san`s eyes were swam with tears as if he was deeply touched.

「So, Why did your father come to Kyoto?」

「My father is Yukimura Kodo, a Western doctor who-」

「-WHAT?!」

「Huh.......?」

The moment I spoke my father`s name, atmosphere of the room changed instantly.

「Why......... you`re daughter of Kodo-san」

「You ……know my father?」

Everyone seems somewhat difficult.

A silence of not knowing what to say was broken by Saito-san.

「……Right now, we’re searching Kodo-san」

「Shinsengumi is……looking for my father?!」

「Ah, don’t be deluded. That doesn’t mean we’re after Kodo-san」

「Oh……」

By that, I gave a sigh of relief.

「He was a cooperator of Bakufu……but actually, he had been missing since long time ago」

「It is possible he might have been aimed by those who has antipathy on Bakufu」

「!!!」

As I strained my eyes, Saito-san expended his words.

「……Also it’s likely for him to be alive. Western doctors has utility value」

I just answered by nodding awkwardly.

My minds were so confused I couldn’t speak of anything.

The pressure of anxiety was suffocating my chest.

「Father……」

Will he be OK……?

「Thanks to you, the chances to find Kodo-san has remarkably rose.」

「……Huh?」

......According to Sannan-san’s words, the days my father visited Shinsengumi were pretty rare.

I, too, know it’s very hard to find a person who has a little acquaintance.

「But you, as Kodo-san’s daughter, you could recognize him even if his clothing were changed?」

「…….Yes I can」

By my nod, Sannan-san made a gentle smile.

「If you’re the daughter of that doc, we can’t just kill you off」

With an annoyed air, Hijikata-san looked at me.

「………We’ll protect you until we find your father, if you swear to forget what you had seen yesterday night」

「Don’t worry. We, Shinsengumi, will spare no efforts to find your father! 」

「Th, Thank you so much!」

Thank god…..!

I was happy to receive quarter.

And the fact that I had learned about my father, was the biggest delight.

「Good for you to end without dying. ……as for now though」

Okita-san was still smiling.

Something was rigging the bell, but I just nodded.

「Yes………Thank you」

Lot of things happened but apparently, I got a cooperator called Shinsengumi.

Since the day I arrived at Kyoto, I had a series of misfortunes. But I might be having fortune on my side now.

.......of course I felt anxiety but for now, let’s look on the bright side.

「Normally, I would send you to Shoshidai* or Aizu Domain* rather than keeping you here with bunch of men.......」

Kondo-san crossed his arms with anguish.

His word sounded like me staying with Shinsengumi was unavoidable.

「Tell us whenever you feel any discomfort. We`ll handle it within the range.」

「 Oh......」

Saito-san spoke unexpected kind words without even changing his face.

As I felt somehow awkward, I turned my face away.

「-Thank, you.」

「Well, we should treat her with courtesy shouldn`t we?」

「Shinpachi-san is always spoony on girls...... but even so, your shift in attitude is too fast」

「It’s not bad. Anyone will get excited if this adds more color to this post. 」

……

……Will it be possible for me be the color?.....

「We should think more about her treatment. We couldn`t just treat her as a troop」

「Then put her as Kondo-san or Sannan-san`s handmaid. That`ll do-」

As Hijikata-san spoke with an annoyed look, Okita-san broke in with a grin.

「Hijitaka-san, at a time like this, one who brought that up should take the responsibility」

「Ah, Toshi can be trusted!」

Kondo-san was expressing approval right away with a big smile.

「Then, we`ll count on you Hijikata-kun.」

And Sannan-san gave the final blow also with a broad smile.

……

…………

「……You guys.....」

……

Watching them, I became a little worried.

...... How would things turn out from now on?

( From Wikipedia)

Oni-Fukuchou*

-Hijikata’s nickname. Meaning “Demon vice-captain”.

 Bushido*

-Bushidō (武士道^?), meaning "Way of the Warrior", is a name in common usage since the late 19th century which is used to describe a uniquely Japanese code of conduct adhered to by samurai since time immemorial, and loosely analogous to Western concepts of chivalry. This code is said to have emphasized virtues such as loyalty, honor, obedience, duty, filial piety, and self-sacrifice.

Seppuku*

- Seppuku (切腹^?, "stomach-cutting") is a form of Japanese ritual suicide by disembowelment. Seppuku was originally reserved only for samurai. Part of the samurai bushido honor code, seppuku was used voluntarily by samurai to die with honor rather than fall into the hands of their enemies (and likely suffer torture), as a form of capital punishment for samurai who had committed serious offenses, or performed for other reasons that had brought shame to them. The ceremonial disembowelment, which is usually part of a more elaborate ritual and performed in front of spectators, consists of plunging a short blade, traditionally a tantō, into the abdomen and moving the blade from left to right in a slicing motion.^[1] 

Shoshidai*

- The Kyoto Shoshidai (京都所司代, Kyōto Shoshidai^?) was an important administrative and political office in the early modern government of Japan.^[1] However, the significance and effectiveness of the office is credited to the third Tokugawa shogun, Iemitsu, who developed these initial creations as bureaucratic elements in a consistent and coherent whole.^[2] 

Aizu Domain*

- Aizu (会津, Aizu^?) is an area comprising the westernmost third of Fukushima Prefecture in Japan. The principal city of the area is Aizuwakamatsu.

During the Edo period, Aizu was a feudal domain known as Aizu Domain (会津藩, Aizu-han^?) and part of Mutsu Province.

Bunkyū 3, 十二月

(December, 1863)

「So this is Kyoto…..」

Breath of admiration came out unconsciously.

Everyone in Kyoto seems to be nice and even their words looks alike with this city. But the atmosphere surrounding here was somewhat cold.

Something like a high wall standing and rejecting new comers,

「……it feels……」

Somewhat uncomfortable…….

「……never mind」

It must be because of the exhaustion, since I walked all the way up here.

But I couldn’t just stand there saying “I’m tired so I need rest-.”

「Um, Excuse me!」

I spoke to a person passing nearby with courage.

「Could you tell me how to get here-.」

……

「……What should I do……」

This time, I just stood there watching the sky… It was getting darker, but I didn’t know what to do from now on.

People in Kyoto wasn’t rude and told me the way kindly but,

「I never thought there would be no one here……」

Dr, Matumoto was the only one I could rely on without my father in Kyoto.

Though I never met him personally, He was a doctor serving the Bakufu* whom my father trusted much. He always told me to visit Dr. Matumoto first anytime I got problems.

But he seems to have left Kyoto shortly before now.

「……Maybe it’s because I rushed」

Since a sudden visit might be rude, I had sent him a letter before heading Kyoto but…..

It seemed that he must have not read the letter because he wasn’t in Kyoto too.

I should have waited for his reply…..

「……but……」

I just couldn’t wait for more.

+++

「Chizuru」

「……yes father?」

He was looking at me with a regretful smile.

「I think I should go to Kyoto for couple of days」

「Is it because of work again?」

That was the time when he was beginning to leave the house more often.

「……How long?」

「I’m not pretty sure. Couple of months perhaps……」

「……Oh……」

I couldn’t help but looked down in sorrow.

…..It is true I felt sad but I am not the age to say something like [I don’t want you to go. And I was anxious about him more than my own loneliness. .

「……Be careful father. They say Kyoto’s public safety isn’t good now days.」

At my word, his face lit up and nodded.

「Don’t worry, While staying in Kyoto, I’ll send you letters as many as possible.」

「……Ok, promise」

+++

As he had promised, he sent me letters every day faster than my reply. On the letter, he was always worrying about me staying home alone. But…..

1 month had passed since his last letter now.

「Father……」

Now days, Kyoto was not safe because of rounin* were gathering from everywhere.

Normally, they get their living expenses from their masters(lord) but since rounins doesn’t have their own master, they often pluck money from inhabitants.

An outrageous ones wielding power under the name of Samurai,

And Kyoto, the place which those people gathers……

Will my father be alright…..

I became more depressed.

     「......I should find a place to stay」

It was already middle of a night when my thoughts finally reached there.

I couldn’t figure how long it will take to find my father…….and also I didn’t have enough money to wait in this city until he shows up.  But I could stay here for about a month if I reduce expenses as much as possible.

It would be best to find him during that 1 month, or at least, Dr. Matumoto might come back.

…..Worst thing would be going back to Edo without meeting him and finding my father ……

「……Anyway, I should reduce expenses as much as possible……」

I begin to walk fast in bigger steps.

Normally, I couldn’t walk like this but since I’m wearing hakama*, it was possible. In many meanings, a girl traveling alone is dangerous as it sounds so I was disguising myself as a man.

And thanks to that, nothing had happened during all the way to Kyoto.

……….Maybe I had taken off my guard because of that.

This place is dangerous.

Even though I was aware of that this is [the Tokyo], like a story of strangers, I couldn’t feel any reality of it.

「Hey, you」

ㅡuntil Rounin actually accounted me.

「Huh?!」

As I turned back, three rounins where looking at me.

「…… Is there a problem sir?」

Trying to act calmly, I grabbed my kodachi*.

As my Father had made me learn defensive tactics and kept going to drill hall since then, I could match them with force.

But what if this situation is caused by that kind of overconfidence?

…….Oh…I’m in trouble now.

While blaming myself inside my mind, I calmly judged that I couldn’t match with three men.

「Howa, look at that」

It looked like they were interested in my Kotachi rather than me…

「That looks too good on you, kid」

「Hand it over. we’ll use it nicely for this country」

「This is……」

This kotachi is an heirloom handed down from generation to generation. I cannot hand it overㅡ.

But I suppose, they won’t be persuaded by my words.

…..If so, it’s time to run-!

I turned around and ran away

「……Wha……?! Stop there you little brat!!!」

……

「Argh, they’re still following……!!」

Even though I felt I have been running for a long time, angry roars of rounins kept on reaching my ear.

Once again I ran out of an alleyway, checking that those rounins have not reached yet, and squeezed myself into a space between two houses. I was completely covered by wooden planks leaned against the wall.

Please, pass without noticing me….!

「……huh?」

I tilted my head.

Even though how long I stood there waiting, imagining them jerking “where did that brat go!?” they never showed up.

But at that moment,

「ARGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!」

Their painful outcries were heard.

「Wh, what happened!?」

I thought it is a wise way to stay here but,

「You…! how dare you?!」

「Damn it! Sword is useless?! what the hell are they!? 」

…..I was afraid.

Something that could just take away lives is right there -.

By that thought, I couldn’t stand my fear and, at the same time, became curious about what “that” is.

I peeked out from where I was hiding and looked into the ally way.

And then, I saw-

Glare of a white blade bearing moonlight.

Pale blue haori* fluttering by the wind.

-did they come to save me?

That kind of easy thoughts vanished in an instant.

「KI, KIKIKIKIKIK………」

「H, help m-」

Despite of rounin backing off begging for his life, those who were wearing pale blue haori just flourished their sword without hesitation.

「ARGGGGGGGGGG!!!」

「KYAHAHAHAHHAHA!!!!!!」

Shrieks of their laughter covered off the painful death cry.

Sword was wield violently,

Slashing again and again

Until the ear-piercing scream finally died away.

-OH…….

A man just has been killed right in front of me-.

My legs gave out and I collapsed. I couldn’t even close my eyes.

They just kept on with a chuckle, sliced, stabbed, and shred the dead body of the rounin again and again and again and again and again.

Chopping off meat, smashing bones, and splattering blood,

Only Madness was there, taking away one’s live brutally.

-They were BROAKEN.

「……」

I couldn’t even breathe like having a lump in my throat.

As I realized the scent hanging around the tip of my nose was the smell of the splattered blood, the fear which was running down my spine began to soak into my body.

I’m scared.

What should I do…?

……What should I do?

「Run……」

I barely breath out through my trembling lips but.

「……!!!」

Immobilized by terror, I accidently knocked down the wooden planks.

…those who imbrued their pale blue haori in blackish red looked back on me. “They”, no longer as a human, were intoxicated with joy by the sight of a new game.

「-oh!」

Run……

-scared, I don’t want to die.

But still, my legs didn’t move.

Murderous intent filled with jeer and madness fell on me.

-am I going to die like this?

Not enough time to ask for help, I stiffed my body without a scream.

-at that moment,

「…….oh……?」

Right before the touch, they were cut in half by a silver track

With a splash- fresh blood spattered on the ground.

Something that is warm, fishy, and slick.

Right after that, strong wind blew toward me and took away the disgust formed in my mind.

「Ah, what a shame」

Strangely, unlike the meaning of the words its voice seemed to be jazzed up.

「I was planning to get rid of them all by myself, though, at a time like this, you’re too fast, Saito-kun」

He smiled as talking in reproachful attitude.

「I just fulfilled my duty. ……I’m not a crazed killer like you」

「Ouch」

It kind of sounds like I AM the crazed killer- and he laughed.

「……you don’t seem to deny it though」

With a sigh, the one called “Saito” looked at me.

「but, don’t you think it could have been much easier if we had let them kill this kid?」

By his somewhat innocent words, I realized my situation. Things were still going weird.

「Well……at least, it’s not us who could make that decision」

「Huh….?」

Does it mean there is someone else who has the authority……?

Thinking their conduct and words are somewhat organized, I remembered a group that wears pale blue uniform.

「Perhaps-?」

At that moment, suddenly a shadow showed up in front of me.

「Oh……」

I swallowed my breath by the sight of coal-black hair fluttering in the wind.

Illuminated moonlight was dazzling,

To me, it felt like flower petals dancing down

「……Seems like this is not your day」

Voice was cold like a sword made of ice.

And Regular figure was uncovered by the starlight.

Sitting on the bare ground, blade of a sword gleaming in sliver was aimed right before my eyes

But……

The most captivating thing was the eye.

Hidden under his hard eyes, something was faltering faintly.

This man, who is trying to kill me, now……..was showing human like waver of emotions such as anger and difficulty.

「Never run. If you show your back, I’ll put to the sword. Understand?」

Listening to the silent pronouncement, I nodded.

By that, after thinking a while, he sighed deeply with a frown.

「……Eh….?」

Haven’t expected him to withdraw the sword so easily, I let out a dazed voice.

It seemed to be I wasn’t the only one who was surprised by his act.

「Huh….? Is that all Hijikata san? That kid had seen everything.」

As he smiled as if something was odd ,the man called “Hijikata” made a sour face.

「…….Stop jabbering. Or else, there will be no choice but to kill」

……

Just as I expected, “that” was the one that I must NOT have witnessed.

They would have planning to cover it up thoroughly.

Even in this states, I understood the situation the way that seemed like they’ll become mad.

「I just think things will get more tiresome by letting this kid alive though」

After glancing on me, he made a comment like he had read my mind.

…….Let’s try not to make unnecessary thoughts……

「Killing will not help anyway. …….This kid’s disapproval will be decided after we get back」

「I agree with you vice-captain. Overstaying long might cause getting reached by public eyes…… 」

….. He was Saito, probably.

After looking around, he suggested to move.

And he looked down onto the corps that he had killed.

「Didn’t expect them to go insane on blood this far. Seems like this can’t become the substitute sir」

「……This is rough. I never thought things would be this worse」

His emotionless eyes looked down on his feet.

And suddenly, he scowled on other two, frowning with anxious.

「Don’t call me Hijikata or Vice-captain you two. Hide something like that」

「To Hid it or not, I think it already came out since we’re wearing our uniform-」

I already had heard about a famous murderer group that wears pale blue haori. But……

「……stop thinking unnecessary thoughts. Stop thinking」

I murmured inside my mouth.

Maybe it’s because I got convinced even without knowing I had

…..by those who keeps on talking without a blink in the night of a town, littered with corpses

「How should we handle the corpses? It seems there aren’t any bodily changes」

The man called “Hijikata” thought for a while and spoke.

「Just take their Haori off . …….Yamazaki will take care of it」

「Yes sir」

「Since it will be a great deal for us if the coped one is our men」

He agreed with a snicker.

「Well, as long as we keep our mouth shut, the world will convince itself」

……Without realizing it, I felt pressure.

In part, it may be because murder happens all the time in Kyoto.

But…….

But it was terrifying.

Humans die so easily.

……if they’re saying that is a daily event in Kyoto, it will be the proof that Kyoto has gone crazy

「Anyway, no gratitude for being saved?」

「……huh?……」

By an abrupt remark, I blinked my eyes.

「Gratitude…..?」

But resultantly, just as he said, I WAS saved by them.

I stood up and dust the soil off my cloth, straighten it, and bowed.

「Thank you, and sorry for a late appreciations……I was too confused by the happening……」

And as I looked up-

The man called “Saito” stared at me with dilated eyes in shock

And the man called “Hijikata” looked as sour as a lemon.

……

「I, I know this isn’t the right time to speak something like that?! But this man told me to……」

As I looked back, “That man” was splitting his sides with laughter.

「……」

「Oh, Sorry, you’re right. I WAS the one who told you to」

Because he had laughed until tears came out, after wiping his eyes, He stretched his back and stood up straight in front of me.

「Pardon me, my name is Okita Soji. ……I don’t hate courteous kid」

「……. um……no,  parden me too……」

Once again I bowed.

「……What are you doing?」

「Vice-captain, I understand your feelings. But beforehand, we should move sir」

Unlike his dumbfounded voice, the man called “Saito” pressed to move once again.

Okita san grasped my wrist and began to walk with a smile.

The strength holding my wrist made me realize the reality again.

If I try to run, I will be killed at the incident.

To spar my life or not, depends on these people’s minds-

As I crunched my teeth and looked straight ahead, my eyes met with Saito- san holding blood-soaked haori.

「Be prepared for the worst……Things may not go on so easily」

His words stabbed me sharply.

From now on, what will happen to me?

Am I going to be killed?

Once again the terror stroke back as I walked through the night of Kyoto.

But above all, the most fearful thing was not the anxiety of my future.

I……..

I listened and talked with them in the middle of a pool of blood, standing next to dead bodies.

….Such like myself, was the horror.

If there was a moment of the beginning of my madness, it was that very night.

(From Wikipedia )

Bakufu*

- The term bakufu originally meant the dwelling and household of a shogun, but in time 

it came to be generally used for the system of government of a feudal military dictatorship, exercised in the name of the shogun; and this is the meaning that has been adopted into English through the term “shogunate.”

Rounin*

- means “jobless samurai”

Hakama*

- (袴) is a divided (umanoribakama) or undivided skirt (andonbakama) which resembles a wide pair of trousers, traditionally worn by men but contemporarily also by women in less formal situations. It is also worn in certain martial arts such as aikido.

Kodachi*.

- A kodachi (小太刀 or こだち?), literally translating into “small or short tachi (sword)”, is a Japanese sword that is too short to be considered a long sword but too long to be a dagger. Since this sword was only about 59 cm in length, it did not exceed the blade length limits of non-samurai during the Edo period and could be worn by merchants.[citation needed]

Haori*

- (羽織) is a hip- or thigh-length kimono-like jacket, which adds formality to an outfit. Haori were originally worn only by men, until it became a fashion for women in the Meiji period. They are now worn by both men and women. Men’s haori are typically shorter than women’s.

So it contains game spoilers.

Since I translate it in Korean first and then in English, it will take a long time for me to upload one ;ㅅ;

If you need Korean translations,  click the links!

This is for my own study, so I would really appreciate your feedbacks about my work.

Thanks!