My Gang of Swordsmen

Chapter 413: Chapter 152: Mukiwa: "Mr. Tachibana, Are You Free Tonight?

"Aqian, it’s the peak season when sakura is in full bloom and most vibrant."

"However, I have been extremely busy lately, unable to find the spare time to go sakura viewing with you."

"Regarding this... I feel quite guilty."

"Aqian, I’m sorry..."

After speaking, Mr. Hijikata gently bit his lower lip, his mouth corners slightly drooping, his cheeks filled with self-blame and shame.

"Mr. Hijikata, please don’t say that!" Seeing Hijikata’s expression, Aqian quickly said with concern, "As long as I can talk to you and be with you, I’m satisfied!"

"Viewing sakura or not makes no difference to me!"

"Aqian... thank you..." Hijikata smiled with gratitude, lowered his head and gently kissed Aqian’s forehead, "Although I am still too occupied with official duties to squeeze out time to go sakura viewing with you right now."

"But I promise you: before this year’s sakura season ends, I will definitely take you to see the beautiful sea of sakura!"

"So—I decided today to bring you this sakura blossom that fell onto my shoulder by chance, as a symbol of our connection."

Hijikata gently placed the sakura blossom in Aqian’s small palm.

"Consider this sakura blossom as a preview."

Hijikata’s smile grew even softer.

"Let’s look at this little sakura blossom together now."

"Afterwards, I’ll take you to see a thousand, ten thousand, even more beautiful sakura blossoms!"

"Mr. Hijikata...!" Aqian tilted her head, gazing deeply at Hijikata’s handsome face with starry eyes, with the same care as holding something fragile, she carefully cradled the sakura Hijikata had just given her in her hands.

"How is it? Is this sakura beautiful?"

"Yes!" Aqian said, her face already filled with emotion, nodding vigorously, "It’s so beautiful... Mr. Hijikata, thank you! I’m so happy tonight!"

"Seeing your smile, I’m satisfied too." Hijikata hugged Aqian tighter.

After saying a few more love-filled words while embracing, Hijikata suddenly said:

"Aqian, can you do me a favor?"

Without hesitation, Aqian looked resolutely at Hijikata: "Mr. Hijikata, please say!"

"Recently, our Shiwei Hall has recruited two new guests of honor, who were prominent figures in the previous ’Foreign Language Research Institute incident’ — Nagakura Shinpachi and Harada Sazō."

"Aqian, I hope that while working in the tea house, you will subtly promote this to all the customers who visit your tea house."

"Is that all?" Aqian blinked with curiosity.

"Yes, that’s it." Hijikata affectionately tousled Aqian’s hair, "Sorry... to trouble you with this task."

"No worries!" Aqian shook her head like a rattle, "I’m very happy to help you, Mr. Hijikata!"

Upon reuniting with Hijikata, Aqian was so moved and filled with love she lost her ability to think rationally.

She agreed immediately to Hijikata’s request without any hesitation or questioning why he wanted her to help.

"Aqian, thank you."

Using a slightly cheesy tone, Hijikata said "thank you" to Aqian before gently releasing her from his embrace.

"Alright, it’s about time, Aqian should head back now."

"If you return to the shop too late again like last time, your boss is going to scold you."

"I still want to stay with you a bit longer, Mr. Hijikata..." Aqian pouted.

"Silly." Hijikata chuckled, pinching Aqian’s cheek, "We’ll have plenty of time to be together in the future. Be good, head back to the shop now."

"Alright..." Aqian reluctantly nodded, then, clutching the sakura Hijikata gave her, she made her way back along the original path, quickly leaving the dark alley.

As Aqian’s figure disappeared from his view, Hijikata immediately lifted the fabric at his chest, bending down to thoroughly sniff his clothes.

After confirming there was no scent of a woman on him, he calmly adjusted his clothes, turned his body, and departed in the other direction.

Hijikata hurriedly passed through several parts of Castle Town, eventually... he went straight into an izakaya.

"Welcome... Oh! Mr. Hijikata!" The woman behind the busy counter in the izakaya, a woman around thirty, showed the same expression of surprise and delight as Aqian upon seeing Hijikata.

"Azao, it’s been a while." Hijikata leaned against the counter, glancing around the shop, "No customers right now?"

"Yes." Azao smiled wryly, "Business hasn’t been good these days."

After briefly discussing the lack of customers, Azao cleared her throat, planting her hands on her hips as she jokingly cast an annoyed look at Hijikata.

"Hmph, you, it’s about time you came to see me, huh?"

"Sorry, sorry." Hijikata, with hands pressed together, sincerely bowed his head to apologize to Azao, "I’ve really been too busy lately."

"Hmph..." Azao snorted coquettishly, "Honestly... busy with who knows what all day long."

"Many matters at Shiwei Hall need my assistance and management," Hijikata replied casually.

Azao pouted, "You’re not related to the people at Shiwei Hall, so why work so hard for them?"