"I haven't told anyone, including my master, Brother Kondo, and Mr. Hijikata, about my sister asking me to give up learning Swordsmanship."
"So, could you please keep this secret for me and not tell anyone about it?"
"Why haven't you told them?" Aoto asked in confusion.
"I don't want them to worry," Toshisuke smiled shyly, "If I tell them my sister is forcing me to stop learning Swordsmanship... they would definitely be like you, unable to stand by idly."
"This isn't really something worth making a big fuss over."
"I'll solve it slowly by myself."
"Can you promise me not to spread this matter?"
Toshisuke looked up, blinking like a puppy, casting a pleading look at Aoto.
Toshisuke's request was reasonable and not a troublesome matter.
Therefore, Aoto nodded lightly without hesitation:
"Alright, I will."
...
...
Three days later—
The 15th of August, Man'en 1 (1860)—
It was the afternoon, the time of day when Shiwei Hall was most crowded.
