Fortunately, Aoto guessed correctly.
The three people who have a relationship akin to siblings with Toshisuke do indeed know Toshisuke’s true gender.
Luckily, Kondo and the others were alert enough to realize Aoto was speaking with a hidden meaning, implying something.
Hijikata Toshizo made a great contribution!
Thanks to him successfully distracting Nagakura and others, Aoto and the group no longer need to worry about Toshisuke’s true identity as a girl being further exposed.
Moreover, judging by Hijikata’s earlier performance, he’s also the smartest and most perceptive of them all—just by Aoto’s subtle hints, he surmised that the bath-dazed Toshisuke was most likely hiding behind Aoto now, reminding Aoto "If too dizzy from the bath, remember to exit promptly, if necessary, get some medicine," also mentioning that there are still pharmacies open at this hour.
"Hmm." Aoto nodded vigorously at Kondo, "Mr. Chokata is right behind me now, she’s fainted."
Having said that, Aoto slightly turned his head, letting the corner of his eye scan behind him.
"Mr. Chokata, are you okay?"
"Mm...umm...still...still fine..."
Like a sleep-talking murmur, weakly drifting from behind Aoto.
Although Toshisuke can still communicate normally, her tone is very weak.
Aoto, Kondo, and Inoue saw this and all showed faces of anxious concern.
"The situation’s not great, that voice is so weak!" stammered Inoue.
"We have to hurry and get Toshisuke out of the bath!" Though Kondo didn’t stammer like Inoue, the urgent and worried expression written on his face was no less than Inoue’s.
Getting Toshisuke out of the stuffy bath and letting her rest in a cool place—this is undoubtedly the most important thing to do right now.
The tasks are clear...but now there’s a serious problem in front of Aoto and the three: how are these three grown men going to get Toshisuke...this now stark naked girl out of the bath?
There’s a gender distinction. They can’t look at Toshisuke’s naked body for reasons of propriety, and must avoid overly intimate physical contact with her.
But to get the now somewhat disoriented Toshisuke out of the bathhouse, how is it possible to not look, not intimately touch Toshisuke’s delicate body?
The three men, realizing this issue, looked at each other...
For a moment, the atmosphere in the bathhouse was awkward and embarrassing.
First, it’s definitely not possible to ask people from Qianxun House for help.
For one, it would be hard to explain why a girl suddenly appeared in the men’s bath.
Furthermore, doing so would make the true gender of Toshisuke, as a girl, known to more people, which Toshisuke herself definitely wouldn’t want.
"Mr. Kondo, Uncle Gen, do Mr. and Mrs. Inoue know Mr. Chokata is a girl?" Aoto asked quickly, "Can we ask Mrs. Inoue to help get Mr. Chokata out?"
"Father and Mother both know Mr. Chokata is a girl..." Kondo said solemnly, "But this is the men’s bath...Mother can’t come in..."
"Tsk..." Aoto clicked his tongue forcefully—he almost forgot they’re in a place where, except for the bathhouse staff, no women are allowed to enter the men’s bath...
Thinking anxiously about what to do, Aoto and others were like ants on a hot pan—frantically turning around.
And then, out of luck: someone’s sudden arrival made Aoto and the others’ expressions turn even uglier...
"Mr. Tachibana, good evening! Hmm? Yong, Mr. Inoue, you’re here too?"
Aoto stared blankly at the tall figure boldly striding through the Pomegranate Gate and entering the bathhouse.
"...Mr. Shigetarou?"
Haven’t posted such a short Chapter in a long time...My bad, my bad! (panther sprawled.jpg)
Yesterday the lock on my room door broke, had to go out all night to find a locksmith to repair it, resulting in a huge delay in writing time. Originally, I could have perfectly wrapped up this "Aoto and Toshisuke bonding" scene in one Chapter, but now I have to split it into two Chapters (panther head ache crying.jpg) I’ll try to write more tomorrow...

Comments

Loading...