Chokata Mitsuo actively sought him out for a private conversation today... which suited Aoto just fine!
At this moment, Aoto had made up his mind—he wanted to lend Toshisuke a helping hand! Help mediate the conflict between these two headstrong sisters!
"Miss Mitsuo."
Aoto spoke in a sincere tone.
"Although it may be presumptuous of me to say this as an outsider... please pay more attention to your younger sister."
"...Pay more attention?" Chokata Mitsuo furrowed her brow, casting a shadow of doubt.
"Mr. Chokata..."
"Mr. Tachibana, you can call us by our true names directly," Chokata Mitsuo interrupted Aoto, "My husband, little Miss, and I are all ’Chokata’, so calling us by our real names would be more convenient for both you and me."
Since Aoto had already been forthright about being among those who knew Toshisuke’s true gender, Chokata Mitsuo felt no need to hide anymore and boldly called Toshisuke by her true name.
"Uh... Alright then."
Calling them by their true names... Aoto found it convenient as well.
Aoto cleared his throat vigorously, then continued:
"Miss Mitsuo, Toshisuke left home at the age of 9 to join Shiwei Hall as an inner disciple. If I’m not mistaken—after Toshisuke became part of Shiwei Hall, the chances of you two meeting must have significantly decreased, right?"
"..." Chokata Mitsuo remained silent.
"Have you ever watched your younger sister practice Swordsmanship without any prejudice?"
"Have you ever looked closely at the smile on your younger sister’s face when she makes new progress in sword skills?"
"Have you ever tried to understand the determination of your younger sister to change her name, dress as a man, even risk a fallout with her most respected elder sister, just to not give up her sword?"
"I can understand why you, Miss Mitsuo, want Toshisuke to give up Sword Dao."
"Indeed, this world practically offers no space for female swordsmen, and I do not intend to dismiss your perspectives."
"I just hope you can attempt to look at your sister with an unbiased and ordinary mind, paying more attention to her."
Aoto straightened his back a bit more and smiled.
"Miss Mitsuo, recently, there will be a good opportunity."
"There is still some time before Mr. Kondo’s wedding, and you need to stay in Edo for a while."
"You might as well take advantage of this period of temporary residence in Edo to visit Shiwei Hall more often, to see how your sister spends her days with the sword."
"In doing so... perhaps the ’distance’ between you and your sister might close."
Finishing his speech, Aoto bowed slightly—signaling to Chokata Mitsuo that he had nothing more to say.
Having finally expressed all that he had long wanted to say to Chokata Mitsuo, Aoto felt relieved and displayed a gentle smile.
The tea room returned to silence after Aoto finished speaking.
Aoto waited calmly for Chokata Mitsuo’s response.
In contrast to Aoto’s leisurely demeanor, Chokata Mitsuo’s expression was solemn.
She pursed her crimson lips, eyes fixed on Aoto, exuding an aura of "strangers keep away."
In simple terms—a look that suggested she might argue with Aoto at any moment.
Nearby, Chokata Rintaro, intimidated by the aura emanating from Chokata Mitsuo, had a tense body, stiff expression, trembling...
After a while, the tension in the tea room finally broke as voices resumed.
"’Distance’...?"
Chokata Mitsuo’s lips moved, pondering the term Aoto had just spoken.
"Mr. Tachibana, your eloquence is surprisingly good."
"I originally intended to ask Mr. Tachibana for help, but instead..."
Chokata Mitsuo sighed softly and rose slowly, straightening the hem of her kimono.
"...I understand now."
"I will seriously consider your suggestions from earlier, Mr. Tachibana."
After saying that, Chokata Mitsuo turned and walked out of the tea room.
"Mr. Tachibana, please don’t let little Miss know that I sought you out for a private conversation today."
The sound of footsteps gradually faded away...
Watching as Chokata Mitsuo and Chokata Rintaro left, Aoto quietly picked up the teacup in front of him and drank the tea in one gulp.
Sometimes, a simple word from an outsider can bring unexpected results.
He had done his best to move Chokata Mitsuo with words.
The best Aoto could do now was to wait and see what happens.
In the following days, life settled into a relaxed and peaceful routine.
Aoto continued his routines of practicing swordplay at Shiwei Hall, training Iaijutsu at Thousand Affairs House, visiting Little Chiba Sword Dojo to play with Daikon, and teaching Elodi Swordsmanship at the settlement.
Nothing noteworthy happened.
Chokata Mitsuo seemed to have taken Aoto’s suggestion, as her visits to Shiwei Hall became noticeably more frequent and longer.
These days, you often witnessed this scenario in the dojo at Shiwei Hall—Chokata Mitsuo quietly sitting in a corner of the dojo, observing Toshisuke’s sword practice.
It pleased Aoto that Chokata Mitsuo listened to his advice.
But whether she and Toshisuke had successfully bridged their "distance," Aoto was not yet aware...
Days passed by one after another.
In the blink of an eye... the date was August 20th.
This day, for Shiwei Hall, might be the most significant day in the entire month of August.
Because on this day, their Red and White Battle with Xuanwu Hall... had finally arrived!
Man’en 1 (1860), August 20—
Edo, a certain riverbank in the suburbs—
"Hey, look, isn’t that the famous disciple from Xuanwu Hall: Kikuchi Takeshiro?"
"Ah, even that ’Ghost Hachizou’ is here..."
"Did I see it wrong? Did I just see Senda Sennosuke?"
"You’re not mistaken, that person is indeed Senda Sennosuke."
"Oh wow... Several experts have shown up..."
"Somehow... it feels like our chances of winning are slim..."
"What nonsense are you spouting! How can we admit defeat before the battle?"
The previous battle with Little Chiba Sword Dojo was a "performance match" intended to entertain the audience at the Plum Blossom Festival.
This battle with Xuanwu Hall was a "private friendship match" aimed at discussing Swordsmanship and mutual improvement.
Therefore, there weren’t many spectators at this match. Those who came to watch were only friends and family of the two Sword Dojos.
Upon arriving at the match venue, even before the contest officially started, Shiwei Hall’s morale had already abruptly dropped.
The reason being that Xuanwu Hall’s lineup was nearly an "all-star" team...
The showdown with Xuanwu Hall is finally about to begin!
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