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kurayami-no-ko · 21 days

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The Visitor (Nightshade Short Story, focusing on Tokugawa Ieyasu)

Note: The original Japanse version of this story was provided to me by whitedogfestival, who kindly did it so the Night Shade fandom could have some much-needed content. From what I know, the story is included in a Tokugawa set. The set has two standees and one booklet, in which this short story is written.

This short story is set after the ending of Hanzo's route in the game so there might be spoilers for Hanzo's route in the story. Don't read this if you want to avoid spoilers. Without further ado, here is the story.

The Visitor

With some slight doubt, Enju came to visit Ieyasu but she was met by an immediate greeting from Ieyasu.

Then after everyone had cleared out of the room, for a short time, he kept his silence and fixedly stared at her.

She felt terribly ill-at-ease.

However, because Ieyasu was staying silent, Enju earnestly waited while keeping her silence.

(Hanzo-sama will probably act like this in this kind of situation.)

As she thought like this, Ieyasu finally opened his mouth.

“What a long time it has been. Have you been well?”

“Yes. Thank you for asking.”

“However, how nostalgic it is...and, you have become more beautiful. Because of that, I found myself unintentionally charmed by you.”

After he said those words so easily, Enju unintentionally casted her eyes down.

This master’s servant….Hanzo’s occasional habit of saying things so embarrassing that it shocks her might largely be due to Ieyasu’s influence.

“Did you come here alone?”

“Yes. I left a letter for Hanzo-sama.”

“Letter? Did you come here without having asked him beforehand?”

“I thought that if I asked him face-to-face, it would cause him troubles.”

After hearing Enju say that, Ieyasu laughed out look. His smile was a cheerful one and it was clear he was truly enjoying himself.

“You occasionally did very audacious things, didn’t you? Didn’t you think that Hanzo would be worried?”

“That...I did think that I would make him worried but…”

“Haha, that was fine then. I thought it was certain you abandoned Hanzo and came here.”

“How could I! I definitely couldn’t do something like that!”

“Yeah, it seems that way. I am relieved. It would probably be better if you bullied him a little bit. Until now, he lived without much disturbance. If you play with him a little bit, won’t it help balance his life?”

“I-Ieyasu-sama…”

Being pushed into a corner without nowhere to go was exactly the situation Enju is in. Enju’s face became a hot red and she shrunk into herself, not looking at anything but the floor.

During that time, Ieyasu stood up quietly and walked towards Enju, who was making almost no sound. It was absurd for a daimyo to descend from his chief seat to come here. Planning to stand up, Enju lifted up her face but at that moment, right in front of her eyes and nose were Ieyasu’s eyes staring straight at her.

Those eyes were so clear; it was as if they could see through everything clearly. Enju could not avert her eyes from them.

“Don’t you think it will be interesting if I capture you and do not let you go?”

“Eh...h”

“What do you think about it? Will you stay here?”

Enju could not read the meaning in Ieyasu’s eyes.

It seemed like he was enjoying himself or was making fun of her. However, in those eyes, she could feel...some slight amount of earnest agency in those eyes.

As she gazed at those eyes, she felt herself possessed.

Enju roughly blinked her eyes, moved her gaze towards the package wrapped in cloth which was put by the side and reached out her hand to grab it.

“I came here to bring something to deliver to Ieyasu-sama.”

Ieyasu put his hand on top of Enju’s hand, which were unwrapping the cloth. His beautiful, white hand gently enveloped hers and gripped it.

“Ieyasu-sama…”

“Let’s leave that to later. Please answer my question first.”

Capture her and not let her go. Stay here.

Enju was unsure how much truth there was in Ieyasu’s words.

Nevertheless, from the surprising strength that he used to grip her hands, his loneliness was transmitted to her, so she unintentionally held her breath.

(I am the person that robbed him of his most trusted shinobi.)

Because of that, Enju lifted up her face and gazed into Ieyasu’s eyes.

His eyes spoke of many emotions that were hidden deep inside them.

“I came here to deliver the medicine that Hanzo-sama made.”

“Hanzo…?”

“I spoke about the medicine that hasn’t been handed over yet. Hanzo-sama cannot come to deliver this himself but I understood his loyalty, so I came here to deliver it to you.”

Saying those words, as Hanzo’s expressions surfaced in her mind, she used her free left hand to release her right hand from Ieyasu’s grasp.

“I handed it over to you so I will leave now.”

After receiving the answer to his question, for one short moment, Ieyasu smiled gently.

After gently removing his hand, for once only, he softly stroked Enju’s cheek. Then, he spoke.

“I received it.”

Enju silently carved into her heart the gentleness transferred from his finger tip.

“I told him to bring his wife with him but only his wife came. He is truly a social recluse. Until he comes to bring you back, can you tell me the story of his travels after he stopped being a shinobi?”

Hanzo would definitely chase after Enju. Ieyasu knew that there was no doubt about it.

In response to his gentle voice and smile, Enju said “yes” and nodded her head.

#nightshade tokugawa ieyasu #Nightshade otome game #Enju #hanzo hattori #Hyakka Hyakurou

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kurayami-no-ko · 1 month

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lol I have a very similar fic idea in which Sannan is like working with Kodo and has close professional relationship with him because Kodo is like head of a research team Sannan is in but they both despise each other. Sadly, I never seem to find the time and energy to write it.

In a modern day dynamic, Kodo is definitely either Sannan’s thesis advisor in a research graduate degree, or head of Sanann’s lab, or the leading researcher in a field Sannan is working in.

Headcanon: Kodo, Kaoru, Sannan, Chizuru during dinner

As Sannan is the only love interest to receive parental approval (Kodo) to date Chizuru in his own route, I really want an AU in which Kodo and Kaoru remain alive (SSL perhaps?). Imagine how fun messy the family dinners will be. Imagine how absolutely hilarious awful it will be when Chizuru brings Sannan home to introduce him to her father and her brother as her boyfriend.

The atmosphere during the dinner is uncomfortable, nobody is fighting or arguing but there is this uncomfortable sense that the three men dislike the others and regularly direct snide and passive aggressive remarks towards the others. Imagine the mutual dislike Kodo and Sannan will have for each other, but they will still be fascinated by each other's research. Also imagine how Kaoru will dislike Sannan so much and keep trying to annoy him by snide personal attacks but, unfortunately for Kaoru, Sannan will remain calm throughout them all and just respond with seemingly innocuous words laced with barbs, which pisses Kaoru off every time. Then there is poor Chizuru, the only truly nice person in this family gathering, trying desperately to keep the peace but failing utterly because she is not sure how to proceed.

#hakuouki #Sannan Keisuke #Yukimura Kodo

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kurayami-no-ko · 2 months

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Kubota Hidetoshi and Sasaki Yoshihide will clash swords and create "a new legend" in "Musical Hakuouki - Hijikata Toshizou hen"

This interview was originally published on 22/03/2024 and translated by me. Please check the original website for the rest of the photoshoot. Source

In April 2023, "Musical Hakuouki Shinkai - Sannan Keisuke hen" became the culmination of the hard work under Nishida Daisuke, and was well received. One year later, Mouri Nobuhiro has accepted the torch from Nishida and will once again be involved with "Musical Hakuouki". The series is making its comeback in April with the newest instalment "Musical Hakuouki Shinkai – Hijikata Toshizou hen". Under this new system, "Shinkai Hijikata Toshizou hen" will see Hijikata Toshizou, played by Kubota Hidetoshi, and Kazama Chikage, played by Sasaki Yoshihide, clash blades and make sparks fly.

We ask both Kubota, who's fired up plenty to take the lead of this work on his shoulders, and Sasaki, who played Hijikata during the 2015 performance of "Musical Hakuouki - Reimeiroku" and is currently cast as Kazama, about their thoughts about "Shinkai Hijikata hen".

(Interview and text: Okino Shiori, Photography: Yasushi Yoshida, Hear & Makeup: Furuhashi Kanako (LaRME), stylist: MASAYA (PLY))

Hijikata Toshizou is a stoic person who cares too much.

--Kubota-san, you have been acting as the Shinsengumi’s Vice Commander Hijikata Toshizou since “Musical Hakuouki Shinkai – Souma Kazue hen” (2021) and will now be tasked with the lead role in “Musical Hakuouki Shinkai - Hijikata Toshizou hen”.

Kubota Hidetoshi: "I have had the privilege to stand in the centre for other works as well, but even amongst those, “Musical Hakuouki” is special. I feel like Hijikata Toshizou's character must be at the heart of the story, no matter which route "Musical Hakuouki" takes. That won't change in the Hijikata focused route "Shinkai Hijikata Toshizou hen", and I want to stand firmly in the centre. In addition, I would like to study the changes in Hijikata's heart even more in depth, and express those even more so than in the other routes."

--Sasaki-san, you play the head of the demons, Kazama Chikage. He's a key figure in "Musical Hakuouki", just like Hijikata.

Sasaki Yoshihide: "Although I've played Kazama thus far in “Musical Hakuouki – Harada Sanosuke hen” (2017), “Musical Hakuouki – HAKU-MYU LIVE 3” (2022) and “Musical Hakuouki Shinkai – Sannan Keisuke hen” (2023), I didn't play the role of the so-called final boss in the two routes. I think that now, in "Shinkai Hijikata Toshizou hen", it will be the most important high-level position thus far. The number of songs and battles is without a doubt the most substantial since I've started playing Kazama, so I'll be careful."

Kubota: "Really! You've only played Kazama in two routes so far? I felt like you’ve done way more.”

Sasaki: “I haven’t done a lot of routes, right? (laughs) But I’ve acted as Hijikata in the prequel “Musical Hakuouki – Reimeiroku” (2015), which depicts the Shinsengumi until they meet (Yukimura) Chizuru, so I’ve been involved with “Musical Hakuouki” for a long time.”

Kubota: “That’s almost a decade! It’s amazing how you got to play two completely different roles in a single series. Is “Musical Hakuouki” the only time you experienced this?”

Sasaki: “Yup. Just “Musical Hakuouki”. Of course Kazama’s role is important to me, but “Reimeiroku” is a work that left a deep impression on me, so I feel I can't forget about that in the future either.”

--As you’re more and more involved with “Musical Hakuouki”, what do both of you think is the charming point of your respective character that you have carefully nurtured?

Kubota: “Hijikata is a caring person, and I feel he cares too much about his surroundings, in the end.” (laughs)

Sasaki: “Hahahaha”

Kubota: “Although he takes on a dauntless attitude in front of everyone as the “Demon Vice Commander”, he has a tender side within his heart, and I feel like he’s been able to live because he was supported by the people around him. It’s exactly because he possesses that tender heart, that you can catch a glimpse of his masculinity the moment he’s faced with important situations. That might be what makes him incredibly fascinating. I think that Hijikata’s stoic side is something that we in the current time can relate to.”

--What do you mean?

Kubota: “I guess that even though things would go smoother if some things could be conveyed more directly and to the point, there are a lot of things we can’t say even though we want to, and all we can do is bear with it.”

Sasaki: “As head of the demon clan, Kazama is chasing Chizuru to prevent the pure-blooded demons from going extinct, but in both “Harada Sanosuke hen” and “Shinkai Sannan Keisuke hen” he gives up his chase in the end. However, in “Shinkai Hijikata hen”, he’ll finally be able to confront Hijikata directly. And yet, I feel like I will be able to learn about a lot of aspects of Kazama that I didn’t know about yet. Although Kazama is a demon, I’m thinking I would like to create a role that brings out a sense of human weakness.”

Hijikata Toshizou and Kazama Chikage, the experience of acting out two opposites

–I think one of the highlights of “Shinkai Hijikata Toshizou hen” is that it captures the direct confrontation between Hijikata and Kazama. What kind of person do each of you see when looking at the other’s character?

Kubota: "I think Kazama’s image gives the impression he only says reasonable things. Even the audience would agree with him and say he’s right, so I think he’s a character that’s easy to sympathise with. In addition, there’s also that sense that, as a man, he just cannot lose, so I guess he’s a character that even guys can be drawn to. Although Kazama is set up as the antagonist in “Hakuouki”, he, in his own way, is giving fair arguments, and Hijikata's way of thinking isn’t wrong either. It’s because both of them hold on to their own beliefs, that they can truly clash with each other.”

Sasaki: “Speaking of, I sure act out a lot of roles that are villain coded…” (laughs)

Kubota: “Hahaha! Now that you mention it, you sure do!” (laughs)

Sasaki: “Although Kazama takes the position of a villain, he fights to stick to his own conviction, just like Hijikata. Because the scene where Hijikata is told by Serizawa to become a demon is featured in the middle of “Reimeiroku”, I experienced first hand the process of Hijikata Toshizou becoming the “Demon Vice Commander”. It gives me a very strange feeling to now stand opposite Kubohide (Kubota) playing Hijikata who has already established his position as Vice Commander. I understand how Hijikata feels, but I also understand how Kazama feels. It’s a conflict between two convictions that cannot be defeated, and it doesn’t mean that either is bad.”

Kubota: “Exactly because Hide-kun (Sasaki) has experience with Hijikata’s role, he is able to hurl words that set Hijikata’s fighting spirit on fire. He understands what actions and movements of Kazama will light a fire in Hijikata’s soul. I feel that very clearly while acting as Hijikata. When I get pulled in by Hide-kun’s thoughts, even more zealous emotions start welling up inside of me. Now that it’s Hijikata’s route, I would like to express with Hide-kun the going back and forth of the emotions of Hijikata, burning brightly like a flame, and Kazama.”

The joy of catching the blade for the first time

—Mouri Nobuhiro-san was in charge of the script, directing and song lyrics from the beginning in 2012 until “Harada Sanosuke hen” (2018). In “Shinkai Hijikata hen”, he has received the torch from Nishida Daisuke-san and will once again make a comeback as scriptwriter and director. Mouri-san's version detailed the subtleties of a character’s heart and the love between the soldiers and Chizuru. Nishida-san developed a passionate story with the soldiers of the Shinsengumi at its centre.

Kubota: “Shinkai Souma Kazue hen”, the musical I first participated in as part of “Musical Hakuouki”, suddenly saw Nishida-san in charge of the script and direction, so this will be the first time I’m appearing in a “Musical Hakuouki” that Mouri-san is in charge of. There are a few lines in the script of “Shinkai Hijikata Toshizou hen” that make me feel a bit embarrassed, and it took me some time to get used to them. But as I gradually grew familiar with them, a new image of Hijikata was born inside of me, and I got incredibly excited. Exactly because there is the aspect of love, I feel like the clash between Hijikata’s and Kazama’s burning souls stands out more, and that the heart of the person Kubota Hidetoshi in particular will be clearly reflected in the Hijikata of this work. If I manage to do that well, I feel like I’ll be able to express the love between Hijikata and Chizuru.”

–Kubota-san, at the time when “HAKU-MYU LIVE 3” was held, I remember how you said in an interview that you only started to understand the joy of being an actor once you turned 30. When looking at you standing on stage, I feel like you are building your career while drawing on the experiences and various roles you have acted thus far.

Kubota: “That’s true. I feel, as a man, that the way Hijikata lived by sticking to his own principles, carving out a new era, and in the end falling gracefully, is simply cool. It might have some influence on the way I live my own life. That’s why I want to pour all of my heart and soul into acting the role of Hijikata, and I always end up feeling empty for several weeks after finishing “Musical Hakuouki”. (laughs) But, as an actor, I’m really happy to have found this work that I can devote my life to. I don’t think I’ll have the opportunity to do this very often in the future.”

Sasaki: “Outside of Hijikata’s route, Kazama never gets hit by a sword and he’s always fighting with a nonchalant air, but this time he will be hit by Hijikata’s blade for the first time. I’m looking forward to that a lot! Since I started playing Kazama in “Harada Sanosuke’s hen”, I’ll finally be able to receive a hit. Also, speaking of “Musical Hakuouki”, it undeniably is a combination of wonderful songs. I especially like “Yaisa! Yaisa! Yaisa!”, but I’m looking forward to what kind of songs might make an appearance this time.”

I will lead this work.

–Even outside Mouri-san’s return, I feel like “Musical Hakuouki” is a rare series that’s always undergoing a continuous “renewal” with a focus on the future in order to update the production, like cast members who once left the group returning once again.

Kubota: “It is the fate of a series that both the audience and the cast end up being stuck with the image of the first generation. If you get stuck there, however, you can’t move forward. To borrow some famous words, I guess it means “let’s stop admiring them”.” (laughs)

Sasaki: “Hahaha! Although I think it happens often in 2.5D works that once the story is complete, the cast changes so they can start all over. “Musical Hakuouki” is special in that regard because the cast comes back, and there are those like me who play roles on both sides. That’s something that rarely happens, and I think it is unique that “Musical Hakuouki” continues to evolve without being afraid of change. Even when I will one day graduate from “Musical Hakuouki” and come watch it as a member of the audience, I think I’ll still make new discoveries, and as long as the series continues, I will always be looking forward to it.”

Kubota: “Man, I would like to see “Musical Hakuouki” one day as part of the audience.”

–You will most likely keep focusing on the actor that plays Hijikata during that time?

Kubota: “I’m sure that’s exactly what will happen. When I play any role, not just Hijikata, I want to master it to the point where people think “I can’t keep up with him” or “I never want to play this role after he plays it”. If that doesn’t happen, I feel like I failed as an actor.”

–Sasaki-san, besides your experience of changing from Hijikata to Kazama, you acted as Kazama in the same period as Suzuki Shogo-san and Nakagauchi Masataka-san.

Sasaki: “Just like Kubohide was saying earlier, I also felt an incredible amount of pressure after inheriting Kazama's role after Shogo. I asked how I could change the image of Kazama that Shogo had created. I was uneasy about how the audience would accept that, but I knew I had to go beyond that. This is my 9th year of being involved with “Musical Hakuouki”, and I feel like I’ve been given a tremendous opportunity. I will let the emotions that I’ve hidden within thus far come to an explosion in the clash with Hijikata, and convey my thoughts while dripping with sweat every performance. Please look forward to it by all means.”

Kubota: “I think the time has come for “Musical Hakuouki” to create a “new legend”, to use the words of the first cast. In the time I’ve been acting as Hijikata, and not just this time during “Shinkai Hijikata Toshizou hen”, I’ve felt like “I will lead this work”, so please come to watch us with peace of mind! At any rate, I hope that I can deliver something passionate to everyone’s hearts through “Shinkai Hijikata Toshizou hen”.”

#hakumyu #hakuouki #kubota hidetoshi

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kurayami-no-ko · 2 months

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So for the Sakura parties, I think they ranked how good the Hakuouki guys are at seducing women lol. And there are different placements in the rankings during different performances because of different VAs and different circumstances.

It is kinda funny af that Sannan is ranked fourth on both rankings I found. Apparently, the guy can flirt when he wants to do so or when it is for his job. This means that Sannan isn’t bad at interpersonal relationships, he cannot be bothered most of the times to be pleasant lol.

Here are two rankings I found on Twitter. They are in Japanese but it is just name so can be easily translated by google.

https://x.com/yuzu_h_2/status/1764936524242563113?s=20

https://x.com/tsuiyameru/status/1764220192362725645?s=20

#hakuouki #sannan keisuke

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kurayami-no-ko · 2 months

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I love how Sannan and Harada are in the same category but they probably mean totally different things.

#hakuouki

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kurayami-no-ko · 3 months

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Finally finished crocheting a sweater vest based on the one Sannan wears in SSL. It took quite a while because the yarn I used was quite fine but I finally finished it.

#hakuouki ssl #sannan keisuke

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kurayami-no-ko · 4 months

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This is so cute.

This is from the new event in phantom parade.

Basically, Gojo said: “Yeah yeah, what is the matter grandma! Woah, what are you carrying seem quite heavy, do you need a hand?”

He said that in response to an old lady asking for his help. And the guy was so terribly excited to buy the last item he needed to finish his stamp collection and by helping, he had to delay it to the next day.

#jujutsu kaisen phantom parade #gojo satoru #jujutsu kaisen #jjk

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kurayami-no-ko · 4 months

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For my birthday, I bought a cake with a cute chibi Sannan drawn on top of it.

#hakuouki #sannan keisuke

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kurayami-no-ko · 5 months

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*taps mic* heyo friends

with the uncertainty around Twitter’s continued service reliability, I decided to start cross-posting (and polishing) my translations and other updates/posts from @soukatsu_ onto Tumblr for archival purposes and my own personal reference.

the official Jujutsu Kaisen fanbook is probably the largest ongoing project I worked on that was sidelined because of life and work reasons, but I’ve started back up on it recently by cleaning it up and adding in missing sections. so that will be my first post on here:

Jujutsu Kaisen official fanbook English translations

☀️ light mode

🌙 dark mode

general rules: downloading and copying the text is disabled because it’s still a WIP but you’re welcome to take screenshots to share. please link back to the document or at least my account because I do make changes (for accuracy or clarity, or I come up with a better way to word something, etc.)

hope things work out and we get to stay on Twitter but this will be a nice way to keep track of my work and translations as well so thanks to those who followed me here! ヽ(•̀ω•́ )ゝ✧

#jujutsu kaisen #jjk

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kurayami-no-ko · 5 months

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So basically I completed Shuuen no Virche (besides most of the bad endings but I generally don’t finish all the bad endings of a game anyway besides the important ones), making it the first Japanese Otome game that I completed without having to rely heavily upon a translation engine. I still used it occasionally, though, especially when the characters were talking technological bullshit.

For me, a reveal at the end of a story filled with mysteries can either break or make the game.

In this case, I believe it breaks the game and kinda ruins the experiences for me even though I really enjoy the first three routes. Ives’s route isn’s to my taste but the reveals in his route are good. The final reveal in the last route, though, kinda ruins the game in my eyes though, which is kinda unfortunate as it is a very solid game with amazing arts and tightly plotted story.

#shuuen no virche

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kurayami-no-ko · 6 months

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I am not even sad about the Virche boys as I am too irritated with the skip function that the irritation just overshadows my other emotions.

It literally takes forever to skip.

#shuuen no virche

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kurayami-no-ko · 6 months

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Yeah but my girl Chizuru wants it so much but she is so shy about it! They ought to give us a short story someday in which Chizuru takes charge or at least be a little bit more active.

Translation of Sannan short story from the Tsukikage Stellaworth booklet

Note: This short story is from the Stellaworth tokuten shousasshi for Hakuouki Tsukikage no Shou. I don't own a copy of this booklet.

Spoiler for Sannan's route.

Sannan Keisuke

“If one brings a woman along, I think that it is best to somewhat show her to an inn but…that was outside of my expectation.”

Opening the door and looking at the room we would be sheltering in tonight, I could not help letting out a sigh of disappointment.

Inside the room there were only two shabbily built bed. The room smelled faintly of mold and if one stayed long enough here, it was probable one would start to feel down.

After the battles in Japan had ended, in order to learn more about rasetsu and ochimizu – and also about the race of demons living in the West, Chizuru and I journeyed to Europe.

At the beginning, because of the very different climate and lifestyle from Japan, and also because of the languages we could not understand very well, we were extremely bewildered but somehow, we could say that they got used to it.

Because I had the body of a rasetsu, Chizuru had the body of a pure-blooded demon, we would only be fine if we received injuries that were not severe. In foreign countries, if we succumbed to illnesses, it was possible that just like that, we could lose our lives.

“I am sorry. Tonight, please endure. From tomorrow, I will try to make sure it will not be like this.”

However, Chizuru…

“I am fine. As long as there are a mattress and a blanket, I am okay.”

“Chizuru…”

“Because we are travelling in a foreign country with no place to go to, from now on, money is important, right? I think that it is best if we should avoid wasting money as much as possible.”

She did not voice out a single word of complaint and accepted everything.

I let out a sigh.

“I would rather you condemned this kind of situation.”

“Eh…”

Not being able to understand the meaning of my words immediately, her eyes rounded up.

After fixing my glasses, I leaned my face towards her left ear.

Then, when I lightly used my fingers to brush away the hair falling over her ear, she was slightly surprised and with a twitch, her shoulders leaped up.

While thinking that acting like this, she was so cute, I whispered.

“If you are able to accept everything in such a manner…I will take advantage of you without limitation.”

The moment I said those words, a bright red spread all over her skin until her ears were also of that color.

I kissed her red cheek.

The kiss was not even on the lips but was a trivial kiss on the cheek, but she became embarrassed to the point of being miserable. It was like she understood how to awaken my desire to tease her.

However, she continued shrinking, moving her lips and looked like she wanted to say something.

Thinking that this was strange, I moved my ears towards her mouth…

“I…think I don’t mind being taken advantage of more and more.”

The moment I heard those words, my mind literally became blank, and I was unable to follow up with anything else.

(Chizuru, you…)

She probably was able to guess only a little bit of what I was feeling after hearing those words.

No, she definitely was not able to imagine anything.

His young lover definitely could not imagine the effect of such defenseless words on the heart of a man.

“…Tonight, I planned to study the language of this country from the usual book but…”

When he spoke to that point and stopped, Chizuru leaned her head to one’s side, looking doubtful.

I grabbed her wrist and pulled her into an embrace.

“Ah…”

When we were close enough to the point that our breaths mingled, her face approached me.

I saw that because of surprise and confusion, her black irises were trembling.

“I have changed my mind. I think that I am going to take advantage of you to my heart’s contents. If I don’t do such a thing, I will not be able to concentrate.”

“Ehh? Ehh, eh…?”

There was no need to explain about Chizuru’s confused expression in more words.

I grabbed her small and slender chin and tilted it upwards. And just like that, following the course of the momentum, I stole her lips.

(Because I am much older than you, I want to show the moderation of an older man but…)

When they were alone together, especially if I heard such words as she said beforehand, no matter what, I became unable to do that.

As I kept giving her little kisses, it felt like my head was submerged in water, dulling me to the core of my brain

It was so strange that no matter how much I had fully tasted the lips of my charming beloved, I could not become satiated of them. Instead, I felt that the more time passed, the more I would become fully absorbed in them.

(I cannot count how many times that I used to think that it was so foolish when I saw the degrading forms of men of the world as they became weak because of women…Now I fully understand those feelings.”

Just like that, I supported her body and led her towards the bed.

And just like that, I pinned her body onto the bed.

I could feel what kind of expression that she was making from her breaths and from how her limbs were trembling slightly.

Though she expressed a little anxiety, in truth, the gaze looking up at me expressed trust in me.

And then…

“The Keisuke-san of this moment, seems…somewhat like a different person from the normal you.”

“This me, do you dislike it?”

She shook her head in response to that question.

“…I cannot ever grow to dislike Keisuke-san. No matter what happens.”

Listening to her whispering voice which reverberated in the dark, his reason was submerged in sweet nectar.

(A person such as yourself is, truly…)

Listening to such a phrase from his beloved, was there any man that could still keep his reason in such a circumstance?

“By such words, you allow me to take advantage of you. Today, it is likely that I will not hold back myself but…the person who made it happen is you, isn’t it?”

After saying that, I resumed kissing her intensely.

When the night deepened, while watching Chizuru breathing in her sleep from her side, I flipped through the dictionary of the language of this country.

(At this age, it is very hard for me to learn new things…)

Though I had knowledge of Chinese classical writing, the languages of Europe were different in their own ways.

However, I would definitely not resign only because of this much difficulty.

(In this strange country, I will definitely not abandon you.)

Until the day I could solve the riddle of rasetsu and ochimizu, cure my body of the poisonous effect of ochimizu and become a human once again, I definitely could not die.

In truth, it would not be strange if I had lost his life earlier on but, for some cause or effect, until this point when both the shogunate and the Shinsengumi had gone, I was still able to hold onto my life.

(Surely, this is also a coincidence of fate.)

Looking at the innocent sleeping form of the person I loved, unintentionally, a smile appeared on my face. Just having her by my side gave me unlimited strength.

(Some time, when I can solve the riddle of the ochimizu…let’s go back to Japan. Until that point, I cannot allow myself to die.)

While only gazing at the stars, inside my heart, I made a speech to my dearest lover.

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