Aoto chose to be vague about this question...
This was Toshisuke’s request to Aoto.
Even now, Toshisuke still doesn’t want too many people to know she’s being pressured by her sister to give up Swordsmanship.
So Aoto used the excuse of "because Mr. Chokata has been in a bad mood for the past couple of days, I thought I’d chase him to the bathhouse to ask if he’s been bothered by anything recently, and ended up accidentally discovering Toshisuke’s real gender" to fool the questioning from Kondo and the others.
After dealing with Kondo and others, Aoto didn’t forget to add: although he already asked Mr. Chokata thoroughly, he still couldn’t figure out what was actually wrong.
Perfectly keeping the secret that Toshisuke and her eldest sister are currently having a major disagreement over "whether to continue practicing Swordsmanship".
The two sisters exchanged glances for quite a while...
"...Miss Toshisuke."
With a blank face, Chokata Mitsuo spoke softly.
"Why does it always feel like you’re hiding something from me..."
In private, with no outsiders present, Chokata Mitsuo would call Toshisuke by her real name: "Toshisuke."
"What could I be hiding from you?" Toshisuke feigned ignorance.
"...Forget it."
Chokata Mitsuo slowly withdrew her gaze, voluntarily ending the stare-down with Toshisuke.
"I guess you couldn’t possibly be up to anything unsavory."
Toshisuke’s eyes flickered with a guilty glint at that moment, her gaze instinctively started to wander... Fortunately, she quickly suppressed the unusual behavior before Chokata Mitsuo could notice.
"Is your head still dizzy? Do you feel anything else uncomfortable in your body?"
"Nope!" Toshisuke shook her little head like a rattle, "My physical condition is fantastic now! I feel like I can eat an extra bowl of rice at lunch!"
Chokata Mitsuo carefully examined Toshisuke’s face, seeing her bright eyes and rosy cheeks, she indeed didn’t seem to be lying, so she let out a long breath.
"Hmm... that’s good."
Chokata Mitsuo seemed to relax, displaying a gentle smile.
"Since your body is already fine, I’m relieved."
"You need to be more careful while bathing! Don’t do something as silly as soaking yourself dizzy again."
"Especially now that it’s hot, you need to be more aware of the bathing duration."
"Do you know how many people ended up with irreversible health issues or even died directly because they soaked too long in baths or hot springs?"
"I know, I know... Sister, I won’t make such a foolish mistake again."
"You always act carelessly like this... How are you going to manage a household in the future?"
"Not, don’t even mention managing a household, whether you can find a good husband is a concern."
Although Toshisuke had sincerely promised not to repeat her mistakes, Chokata Mitsuo had no intention of letting her off the hook.
Somehow, the conversation escalated from "how could you be so silly and faint in the bath" to "I’m worried about your future if you keep being this silly."
Faced with her elder sister’s nagging, Toshisuke gave a dry laugh... That smile was filled with helplessness but had no trace of negativity.
"If I can’t find a good husband... then I’ll have to ask you to take care of me forever, sister."
From time to time, Toshisuke would respond mischievously to Chokata Mitsuo’s nagging with cheeky words.
"Spare me."
Chokata Mitsuo curled her right hand’s index and middle fingers, lightly tapping Toshisuke’s forehead with the second joint of those fingers as she replied half-jokingly.
"We certainly won’t take care of a troublemaker like you."
"Ah! That hurts!"
The two sisters chatted in this back-and-forth manner, never seeming to tire of each other.
Although the topics of conversation were not particularly meaningful... it was these insignificant dialogues that formed the bond between the two sisters.
After chatting idly for a while, Chokata Mitsuo began adjusting her kimono hem, slowly standing up.
"Alright, I won’t disturb your rest anymore, Toshisuke."
"You were not disturbing my rest at all. I’ve already told you, I’m recovered! There’s no need to rest anymore!"
"Even if you’re fine, it’s never wrong to rest more when you’re freshly recovered. Lie down and sleep, even if you can’t sleep, at least close your eyes to rest. For the rest of today, unless necessary, don’t leave the bedroom."
Toshisuke: "How could you!"
It wasn’t just Aoto and the others; even her sister issued a "stay home order"... which saddened Toshisuke.
"No negotiating."
With that, Chokata Mitsuo intertwined her hands in front, leisurely heading towards the door.
Chokata Rintaro, who had been quietly sitting on the side, quickly stood up to follow.
"...Sister."
"What now?" Chokata Mitsuo, with her hand already on the doorknob, replied without turning around, "I’ve already said ’no negotiating,’ just lie down and rest quietly."
"That’s not it. I don’t want to haggle with you, I have something important to announce to you..."
"Hm?"
Chokata Mitsuo furrowed her brows, turned back to face Toshisuke.
"...What do you want to announce?"
"Sister, I’ve made up my mind! No... my determination will never waver again!"
With her head held high, Toshisuke gave Chokata Mitsuo a bright, sunny smile:

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