Feudal Pacific

14

Isami opened the door to the house, ushering us into a large, bright hall. Dark hardwood gleamed beneath low tables, tapestries and scrolls hung from the walls, and shoji screens filtered and softened the daylight that streamed from the open windows. There were two floors above this one, and I caught a glimpse of the narrow stairs before turning my attention to the group assembled around a large table in the center of the room. At their head was a handsome man with an intense penetrating gaze, like Ishida's. The man hardly reacted as we entered the room, nor did any of his comrades, only their eyes showing mild curiosity.

Serizawa stepped forward and bowed ceremoniously. "Brothers," he said, "allow me to introduce Manane Yasuo and Ishida Takeko, two new members of our esteemed organization." There was irony in his voice, as if Serizawa himself didn't believe his organization was anything to brag about. He gestured at each man in turn as he introduced them each by name, and Yasuo and I bowed to them as their names were spoken.

Vice-commander Hijikata Toshizō sat at the head of the table, his fierce gaze lingering on Yasuo and me, studying our faces and the way we stood. At the other end of the table sat Vice-commander Yamanami Keisuke, who was busy taking notes and writing reports with a steady hand. In between them sat Okita Sōji, Nagakura Shinpachi, Inoue Genzaburō, and Tōdō Heisuke—all of them large and imposing figures, even seated as they were. By the back door stood Harada Sanosuke, lightly tapping his foot against the floorboards as if waiting for something to happen. And finally there was Saitō Hajima, who seemed to have just stepped out from the shadows near the stairs.

They all wore matching attire: a blue linen jacket with pointed white stripes at the ends of the sleeves. The kanji for "serenity" was embroidered white on a red circle in a small emblem on the left breast, and again larger on the back.

After all the bowing was finished, Isami added, "You also saw Yagi Gennojō and his family outside enjoying their lunch. This is his house, which he has graciously offered to serve as our headquarters."

"We're honored to be counted among you," I said to the room. My throat felt tight as I spoke, my words barely pushed out in a low whisper. Yasuo, standing beside me, was a rigid statue whose arms remained clamped to his sides. I gave him a gentle nudge and he snapped to attention.

"Y-yes," he said with a nod. "To be counted among the Shinsengumi is something I had never thought possible for me."

Yamanami smiled and said with a soft voice, "Glad to have you." The stoic faces of the Shinsengumi at the table softened as Yamanami's gentle voice welcomed us into the group, with echoes of "Welcome" sounding around the table.

Hijikata narrowed his eyes and surveyed me from head to toe, then shifted his gaze to Yasuo before returning to me again. He fixed his stare upon me for what felt like far too long, and I thought for sure he would object to the sight of a woman in the company of the Shinsengumi. But his expression softened and he reverted to looking at Serizawa. "We heard a commotion outside. What happened?"

Serizawa gritted his teeth and strode to the table, uncorking a bottle of clear liquid. He gulped it down without pause and ended with a heavy sigh. "I got tired of looking at him every day," he said, his voice full of gravel.

Hijikata asked cautiously, "Did you...kill him?"

Serizawa gave a one-shouldered shrug. "One less mad old man in the world. The people should thank me." He tossed the bottle out the door. It shattered on the ground outside.

Yamanami scratched his nose and glanced at the men sitting around the table. None made a sound. Hijikata's temples visibly pulsed as his chest heaved with labored breath. "That mad old man was Yago Iehiko, Serizawa-san. Our host's uncle. Or had you forgotten?"