Even Ryogoku Bridge is visible, so many people... Aoto can hardly imagine how terrifying the crowd will be when entering the core area of the convention.
Tonight, the weather is favorable.
At this moment, as the moon has just risen. The white orb-like moonlight hangs high on the deep blue night sky.
The slanting moonlight casts the shadows of the row of houses to the left onto the wide, solid-packed dirt road, reinforced by the trampling of countless pedestrian feet, casting shadows on the heads and shoulders of the tourists.
The storefronts on the row of shops to the right, along with Aoto walking by the right side of the street, are all bathed in bright light.
Aoto carefully avoids the crowds, inching forward, while pulling out a delicate Western pocket watch from his pocket, clicked open the watch face to check the current time.
This Western watch was bought by Aoto a while ago, with the help of Katsu Rintarō.
Having this pocket watch made Aoto’s life much more convenient, no longer guessing the time by the color of the sky.
——7:15 PM...
After confirming the time, Aoto closes the pocket watch and stuffs it back into his pocket.
To avoid being late, Aoto made sure to leave early tonight.
There are still a full 15 minutes before the agreed meeting time with Mukiwa... The time is quite ample, even if crawling, it’s enough to reach the meeting place.
With a leisurely mood, Aoto walks forward at a relaxed pace.
Soon, he arrives at the meeting place agreed with Mukiwa — under a quite conspicuous, yet bare sakura tree due to being out of flowering season.
Aoto’s gaze sweeps around the tree trunk, without spotting the familiar charming figure.
Thinking that Mukiwa hasn’t arrived yet, he silently stands under the tree, folding his arms across his chest, quietly waiting for his beloved’s arrival.
“Hey... Look at that person.”
“What’s with that person?”
“That person is ‘Niō’...!”
“Is he ‘Niō’ Tachibana Aoto?”
“Yes, I can’t possibly be mistaken.”
“His build is much thinner than I imagined... I thought someone bearing the name ‘Niō’ must be burly.”
“Why doesn’t he shave his head in the traditional style? His current hairstyle looks so ugly and lacking spirit.”...
While waiting for Mukiwa, Aoto occasionally hears such fragmented discussions from around him.
These people think their voices are small, unaware their conversation content is completely heard by Aoto, who has the “Wind Sensor.”
Being recognized on the street and becoming a topic of conversation is something Aoto has long since accustomed to.
Just don’t disturb him — this is Aoto’s only request to these passersby who recognize him outdoors.
Though many people around have noticed Aoto, none come forward to talk to him, all standing aside, observing him with fragmented voices, critiquing and gossiping.
This is fine.
Aoto considers this manageable.
As long as they don’t bother or disturb him, everything is negotiable.
However, just at this moment...
“Hmm? Isn’t this Mr. Tachibana?”
Suddenly, from behind Aoto, a young male voice with surprise can be heard.
Hearing this male voice, Aoto’s expression slightly changes.
“...” Aoto turns around slowly, silently.
Behind him, three young samurai in a “product” formation stride toward him.
The leading figure has a ferocious scar that has ruined the inherent delicate facial features.
On either side of the scar-faced man, the two young samurai have unremarkable features and appearances, ordinary in looks and physique, the type difficult to find in a busy market... However, their steps, arm swings, and sharp eyes attract Aoto’s attention.
Their steps are firm and robust, their arm swings full of vigor, their gaze sharp... One look shows they’re devoted to martial arts.
In summer’s warmth, everyone’s attire is quite cool... including the scar-faced man.
They all wear thin yukatas, even lifting and tucking the hem into their belts for more coolness.
Such dressing style of the scar-faced man and others exposes their fiercely intimidating tattoos on necks, arms, chests, and calves.
Seeing these tattoos on the scar-faced man and others, bystanders promptly move to the street sides in growing alarm.
Wherever the scar-faced man and others walk, people scatter like waves breaking.
The dense crowd mysteriously forms a vacuum zone centered on the scar face.
Soon, this “vacuum zone” moves in front of Aoto.
“Mr. Tachibana! Good evening!”
With a gentle smile at the corner of his mouth, the scar-faced man warmly greets Aoto.
“It has been a while! How have you been lately?”
This scar-faced man... is Aoto’s acquaintance.
This person is specifically in charge of collecting debts from Aoto’s family for the Shimizu Clan’s Yakuza!
Aoto never knew this person’s name.
Until recently, Aoto unintentionally found out the scar-faced man’s surname is Sasaki.
“... How come you’re here?”
Aoto doesn’t respond to the scar-faced man’s... Sasaki’s greeting.
While indifferently questioning Sasaki in an unemotional tone, Aoto inwardly muses:
—— Why are these guys showing up again...
For months, the Shimizu Clan’s people frequently appear before Aoto as if adhesive fungi impossible to shake off.
Ever since the Shimizu Clan suddenly forgave their Tachibana family’s debts, they often send people to approach Aoto and befriend him.
Like two months ago, when Aoto was hospitalized at Ren Medical Hall to recuperate from injuries sustained in the duel with the Anti-foreigner Group, the Shimizu Clan sent people to visit him.
Faced with the Shimizu Clan’s goodwill, Aoto consistently adopts a perfunctory, ignorant attitude.
He certainly doesn’t want any involvement with the Shimizu Clan’s people!
An astute person can see that the Shimizu Clan suddenly extending such warmth to Aoto is mostly to develop a favorable relationship with Aoto, who has risen as a new star in Edo’s political world.
Aoto, whose vision isn’t impaired, naturally understands the Shimizu Clan’s intentions... but he’s unwilling to accept their favor.
Influenced by the education from childhood and his previous life’s vocational habits, Aoto harbors no fondness for these dark forces.
Moreover, merely in terms of despicable behavior, lawlessness, and brutal demeanor, a Yakuza Group like the Shimizu Clan is far more terrifying than those modern-day extreme path forces!
Aoto’s fireworks festival certainly can’t be spent flatly and tastelessly.
A new month has arrived! From today, the author will write more diligently!

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