However, Toshisuke’s current situation is genuinely worrying.
Toshisuke is now in such a poor state that he keeps bumping into walls while walking...
How on earth did Mr. Chokata and his sister negotiate? Why has Mr. Chokata been so absent-minded these days? Did things fall apart when he talked to his sister? But even if they did, it shouldn’t be this bad... These doubts linger in Aoto’s mind and heart, unable to be dismissed.
As evening arrived and Shiwei Hall closed, Aoto finally couldn’t sit still.
He quickly ran through various places in Shiwei Hall, searching for Toshisuke’s figure.
After Aoto’s thorough search, he soon found Toshisuke — sitting cross-legged on the edge of the courtyard porch, reading an arithmetic book.
Aoto noticed at a glance that Toshisuke wasn’t really absorbing the contents of the book.
Toshisuke’s gaze was vacant and dull.
Although his eyes were on the pages, his thoughts had long wandered somewhere far away.
"Mr. Chokata!" Aoto called out Toshisuke’s name as he briskly approached him.
"Mr. Tachibana?"
Perhaps due to noticing Aoto’s serious expression, there was a hint of puzzlement in Toshisuke’s voice.
Aoto glanced around to ensure there were no "eavesdroppers," then crouched down to sit beside Toshisuke.
"Mr. Chokata." Aoto lowered his voice, speaking deliberately, "You and your sister..."
Upon hearing the words "your sister," Toshisuke’s expression immediately changed.
Before Aoto could finish speaking, Toshisuke hurriedly closed the arithmetic book he was holding and stood up.
"Mr. Tachibana, sorry, I... I suddenly remembered something urgent I need to attend to..."
With that, without waiting for Aoto to respond, Toshisuke clutched his book and hastily fled from Aoto’s sight.
"Hmm? Mr. Chokata? Mr. Chokata?"
Aoto hurriedly called out aloud, but no matter how he shouted, Toshisuke showed no intention of stopping.
Sitting there, Aoto looked bewilderedly at the spot ahead where Toshisuke’s figure had disappeared, then at the place where Toshisuke had just been sitting.
"What on earth is wrong with him..."
"Saito, did you see Toshisuke?"
"No."
"Mr. Chokata, finally found you, you..."
"Uh... Sorry! I need to go attend some personal matters!"
"Tsk... Where’s Mr. Chokata gone... Ah, Harada, great, you’re just in time, you..."
"Ah! Mr. Tachibana! Perfect timing! Saito told me today: the phrase ’bring to justice’ can’t be used to describe catching mice, is that true? Isn’t ’bring to justice’ about ’using all methods to catch you with a rope’?"
"Ah, Mr. Chokata! You..."
"Mr. Tachibana, sorry! I just remembered some urgent matters that need my immediate attention! We’ll talk later!"
Tonight is a clear, moonlit night.
At this time, as the moon rises, the white wall-like full moon hangs high in the sky, its clear moonlight casting a silver-white frost over the areas it touches.
Right now, Aoto is standing on the edge of the courtyard porch, arms crossed over his chest, gazing up at the full moon overhead.
Though his eyes are fixed on the moon in the sky... Aoto isn’t actually absorbing the scene before him at all.
—What’s really going on with Mr. Chokata... Why is he avoiding me all the time...?
In Aoto’s mind, now repeatedly "playing" are scenes of Toshisuke avoiding him today.
Although Toshisuke found many excuses, from urgent matters needing immediate attention to wanting to go to the toilet... Clearly, Toshisuke is deliberately avoiding Aoto, intentionally not acknowledging him.
—Could it be the result of negotiating with his sister is so terrible that he doesn’t even know how to talk to me about it?
Even though Aoto considered various possible answers... No matter how many answers he came up with, it wouldn’t help, if he wanted to know the truth, he’d still have to go and ask Toshisuke directly.
The more Toshisuke avoids him, the more Aoto wants to quickly find out what’s really happening with Toshisuke.
Toshisuke’s constant avoidance makes Aoto feel rather troubled.
The biggest challenge Aoto faces now is how to create an environment conducive to catching Toshisuke, making it hard for him to run away, while allowing them to talk calmly together.
As Aoto thought deeply about creating such an environment: he had no success.
The latter was still manageable, mostly the former was more difficult.
Perhaps because Aoto sought him out too frequently during the day, Toshisuke’s guard is very strong now.
Constantly evading Aoto, his movements are unpredictable, appearing and disappearing like a dragon, and upon realizing Aoto is approaching, he’ll immediately flee like a rabbit, escaping fast and impossible to catch.
Let alone catching him, due to his unpredictable whereabouts, even locating him is very difficult.
Thinking of this, Aoto couldn’t help but close his eyes in frustration.
—Is there really no place where one can absolutely catch Mr. Chokata...
Just as Aoto tightly shut his eyes, racking his brains over this question—
"Mr. Tachibana! Want to go to the bath together now?"
Beside him came the loud shout of Harada, the not-so-smart but cheerful fellow.
Aoto turned around and saw Kondo, Hijikata, Nagakura, Saito, and Harada each holding a bath basin filled with towels, soap, clothes, and other items, standing at the corner of the porch beside him.
Hijikata practiced swordsmanship very late at Shiwei Hall today, so he decided to spend the night here.

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