Aoto went straight to the point, without any unnecessary delay.
Although his tone was firm and powerful... there was a hint of cautiousness hidden in his intonation.
To tell the truth, when Chokata Mitsuo suddenly approached him, saying, "I have something important to discuss"... her action made Aoto feel somewhat uneasy...
This led Aoto to self-doubt: Could it be that what I did to Toshisuke last night has been exposed? Is his elder sister here now to settle accounts with me?
Thinking of this made Aoto feel a chill running down his spine...
To figure out what exactly was happening, Aoto didn’t hesitate to nod and agree to Chokata Mitsuo’s "invitation" this morning.
After lunch, he went with the Chokata couple to a tea house near Shiwei Hall, booking a secluded room where they wouldn’t have to worry about anyone eavesdropping on their conversation.
In response to Aoto’s straightforward manner, Chokata Mitsuo did not immediately answer.
Instead, she took a moment to carefully observe Aoto’s face.
"...Up close, Mr. Tachibana, you really are quite distinguished."
"Huh...? Uh... you’re too kind."
With the sudden compliment, Aoto looked bewildered yet responded modestly.
"Mr. Tachibana, there is no need to use formal language with me, feel free to speak more casually, as you would with a friend."
After finishing her words, Chokata Mitsuo picked up the teacup in front of her, lightly sipping the tea inside.
When she placed the teacup back to its original position, Chokata Mitsuo lifted her gaze, casting a solemn look at Aoto, and said word for word:
"Mr. Tachibana, the reason I suddenly troubled you today is to ask for your help."
"Help?"
"Yes. Could I ask you to help persuade Toshisuke not to continue studying... no, to not be obsessed with the Sword Dao?"
A shadow of surprise immediately appeared on Aoto’s face.
When mentioning "obsession," Chokata Mitsuo used an especially sharp tone... the latent edge in her words cut through the air in the room, producing a "ching" sound.
"Toshisuke is the eldest son of the Chokata family, meant to inherit the family business in the future."
"But Toshisuke is now completely obsessed with the Sword Dao, unable to extricate himself."
"Except for the Sword Dao and gold flat sugar, he is completely indifferent to everything else."
"His obsession with the Sword Dao has completely surpassed the realm of ’learning self-defense techniques’ and ’strengthening the body.’"
"I do not oppose him practicing the sword... but in his current almost possessed state, I cannot let it be."
"Mr. Tachibana, you are one of Toshisuke’s closest friends."
"The words of Master Kondo, Young Master Kondo, Mr. Hijikata, and Uncle Gen might go in one ear and out the other for him."
"But your words... there’s a chance Toshisuke would listen!"
"I would like you, in private, to help persuade Toshisuke."
"To help him to stop fixating his eyes on the sword in his hand."
"To get him to pay more attention to the world outside of Sword Dao."
Chokata Mitsuo has always been gifted with eloquence.
Her words were truthful, brimming with intense emotion.
After eloquently stating her request to Aoto, along with the reasons for such a request, Chokata Mitsuo gazed at Aoto expectantly.
This action naturally meant, "So what do you think?"
Aoto met Chokata Mitsuo’s gaze with a blank expression.
After a moment, his expression transformed into a wry smile filled with mixed emotions.
Although Chokata Mitsuo spoke quite convincingly... Aoto was very aware — her earnest speech was partly true and partly false.
Aoto raised his right hand, vigorously scratching the skin on the back of his neck.
He sighed internally:
They truly are sisters... both are the type who will not easily back down once they have made up their minds...
The fact that Toshisuke’s sister would seek his help to persuade Toshisuke to give up the sword was indeed beyond Aoto’s expectation.
— So be it...
Aoto put down his hand scratching the back of his neck, letting out a "huff..." to express his complicated feelings aloud.
Then —
"...Miss Chokata, you’re not merely wanting Mr. Chokata to not be obsessed with the Sword Dao, you’re wanting him to give it up altogether, aren’t you?"
This time, it was Chokata Mitsuo and Chokata Rintaro who looked at Aoto with blank expressions.
Aoto seized the opportunity to continue:
"I know why you want Mr. Chokata to give up the Sword Dao."
"You know?" Chokata Mitsuo’s eyes slightly flickered.
Aoto nodded: "Not long ago, I accidentally overheard your conversation with Mr. Chokata at the tea house he often visits."
"And... around the same time, I also accidentally found out Toshisuke’s true gender."
Last night was also not long ago—Aoto justified to himself.
Shock and confusion... appeared on the faces of the Chokata couple, their expressions turned from blankness to unadulterated astonishment.
Aoto concisely recounted how he learned about the dispute between the two sisters over "whether or not to practice the sword" and how he discovered Toshisuke was a girl.
Of course—in terms of how he discovered Toshisuke was female, Aoto remained vague, glossing over it with a simple "discovered by accident."
Ever since first realizing that Chokata Mitsuo was forcing Toshisuke to give up swordsmanship, Aoto had considered talking to this domineering elder sister.
And upon learning from Toshisuke last night about the sacrifices this young girl made for sword practice, Aoto’s resolve deepened significantly.

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