That night—
In a certain restaurant in Edo—
“Mmm...~~”
Not a single note was on key, and his stiff limbs seemed completely disconnected from his brain, with moves that didn’t match the music at all...
Had it not been for the concern of Abi, who absolutely wouldn’t tolerate any ambiguity between her husband (Zhouzhu) and outside women being present, Hijikata would have wanted to invite some geisha over for more merrymaking.
Their seating was thus arranged for the convenience of everyone to toast these two heroes.
Many people associated with Shiwei Hall were invited to the banquet.
For Shiwei Hall, although today’s competition had some twists and turns, they were fortunate to ultimately defeat Xuanwu Hall.
Seizing this opportunity to relax without worries, everyone was eating, drinking, singing, and fooling around with abandon.
Normally, Toshisuke would likely protest loudly, asserting, “I can still drink! I want to drink!”
Aoto said irritably as he snatched the newly emptied sake cup from Toshisuke’s hand.
Money might be important, but for Abi, “family honor” and “the samurai’s face” were the most crucial.
Some people... like Nagakura, who got along well with Harada and was infected by the cheerful atmosphere of the feast; or Fujimura, who couldn’t refuse Harada’s enthusiastic invitation... voluntarily formed an “impromptu dance group” to join Harada in the dance.
“Mr. Tachibana!”
Aoto awkwardly let out a few dry chuckles, politely declining.
However, for a “celebration feast” where the livelier it was, the better, such a dance was just right.
His head wobbled as he mumbled and grumbled, the whole person nearly melting into a semi-liquid blob.
Of course, one significant reason everybody was going crazy tonight was that the entire expense of the feast was covered by Zhouzhu.
But in his current semi-conscious state, it was hard for him to even articulate a complete sentence.
“Mr. Tachibana is right. Toshisuke, you ought not to drink anymore.”
“Enough, Mr. Chokata, finish this drink and don’t drink anymore.”
After Aoto took the cup, Toshisuke just blankly looked at his empty hand, then at Aoto and Chokata Mitsuo, who sternly told him he couldn’t drink any more, and then—
“I’m in the mood! Let me dance a hometown dance for everyone!”
For instance, Kiryu, Mukiwa.
Celebrating Shiwei Hall’s victory over Xuanwu Hall, with all expenses borne by Zhouzhu, the Hall Master—this was only sensible and appropriate.
“Come and dance with us!”
Should Toshisuke keep drinking, he’d completely blackout, so Aoto decided swiftly to snatch away Toshisuke’s sake cup.
As soon as the banquet started, the atmosphere was lifted to its peak with laughter and drinks.
Besides, today’s victory also made Abi feel particularly proud, so she decided to make an exception, accompanying Zhouzhu in their long-awaited grand gesture to spend extravagantly tonight.
In the evening, Zhouzhu booked a large private room in a restaurant for the site of the celebration feast.
Pouting his lips, he let out a soft, dissatisfied whimper, then quietly picked up his chopsticks and continued eating.
With free food and drinks, naturally, they ate happily and drank to their fill.
By this time, Toshisuke had no idea how much he had drunk, his pretty face blushing into a cute pink.
For instance, Fujimura Heisuke.
On Toshisuke’s left sat Aoto. On the right sat his sister and brother-in-law.
Suddenly, Harada approached Aoto.
And Toshisuke himself had a modest tolerance, getting tipsy after just a few drinks.
By Zhouzhu’s thoughtful arrangement, Chokata Mitsuo and his spouse, as Toshisuke’s relatives, were seated beside him.
The jester Harada pushed away the table in front of him, quickly stood in the center of the room, and hummed an unknown tune to accompany himself while performing a dance with no apparent meaning.
“Uh... I think I’ll pass.”
Regarding Zhouzhu’s generosity, Abi, who was responsible for managing Shiwei Hall’s finances and worked tirelessly daily to make its monthly surplus look better, although her face was visibly upset, said nothing in reproach.
For instance, Chokata Mitsuo and his spouse.
Harada’s dance wasn’t exactly unwatchable, but it was definitely hard to look at.
It had been a long time since they had such a gathering with enough reason to put aside mundane affairs and wholeheartedly invest all their spirits into the joy before them without reservation.
Harada’s comical dance steps made everyone in the room burst into laughter, filling the air with an atmosphere of joy.
Toshisuke was the type who wouldn’t voluntarily touch alcohol but, once he started, wouldn’t stop until he was completely unconscious.
During the celebration feast, shouting to the disciples and guests “Tonight’s feast, we pay for our own”—as stingy as Abi was, she couldn’t bring herself to do something so embarrassing.
Chokata Mitsuo agreed from nearby.
Since they won the competition, it was only natural to hold a jubilant celebration feast.
Aoto and Toshisuke—the undoubted greatest heroes of today’s victory, sat together in close proximity to the main seat of the banquet.
There’s no need for impressive vocals or dance steps; what matters is that you dare to dance and sing and keep the party from getting dull—that’s what a celebration feast is all about.
In short—it was a dance with the potential to cause psychic damage.
Harada and his group’s dance was still a bit too forward for Aoto and for this era.

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