Botan -Peony- Vol.2

3

The day I complimented the demon's eyebrows was an awkward dread to me. That night, I couldn't stop getting weird dream which woke me up in middle of the night. I couldn't remember much but it had something to do with bald head. It didn't feel like a dream but like a premonition. Unfortunately, there was nothing I could do if the clue was only someone's bald head. I had something better to do and it was to sleep without waking up before the supposed time. Nevertheless, something else was bothering me. Hijikata's snoring. It was faint but... it bothered me.

"Sayo-san." There was also a whisper mixed in the sound of the snoring. It sounded out of place and it chilled my spine. After that one calling, there was no more whisper. Still... it piqued my curiosity. Removing my blanket, I tip toed stealthily towards the door. Placing an ear on the door, I could hear someone's breathing. Sliding the door open slowly as I gulped the lump in my throat, I peeked through the little gap.

Upon the little gap, the door swung open swiftly but soundless and a shadow jumped inside. My mouth was sealed by a rough surfaced palm and I was jostled down to the floor. Surprised, I couldn't react directly to struggle. I wouldn't struggle because it was Saitou.

"Listen. Matsumoto Ryojun, Shogun's personal physician is coming tomorrow. Stay low."

Now that Saitou had mentioned it, I finally understood what my dream was about. Matsumoto Ryojun was someone close to Shogun and to my cousin. It would be a trouble if he knew of my existence in Shinsengumi. He was a strict physician and he would definitely reprimand me for being a prick in a shoe for my cousin. Now that I had my cousin at bay, I was sure he would not concern the Shogun about me but Matsumoto Ryojun would. If Shogun Iemochi decided to help my cousin, Katamori, by giving orders, I would have no choice but to abide. My cousin must have notified Saitou to let me know of this imminent danger.

I nodded and Saitou released me. He must have his worries regarding Ryojun's arrival to the Capital. Could Ryojun's arrival signify a shift in the Shogunate?

Nevertheless, that was quite a bizarre night. Where would you get a man sneak into your room in thought of you? Nevertheless, after that one-sided conversation, I went to sleep. Perhaps it was due to the exhaustion of waking up continuously that made me sleep in a snap of fingers.

П

The next morning, I was summoned by Hijikata to his room after putting the new batch of letter in my room. I could guess what he was going to assign me or...perhaps he would ask me the same thing Saitou had asked?

"The soldiers are still asleep." Hijikata spoke like always, starting with a mysterious hook.

"Yes."

"I am going to assign you to a mission." He made a heavy sigh with a very sour expression. "It might be hard on you but I believe you can do it." He looked at me intensely. It gradually made me feel tensed as if I was going to be sent to a life-and-death situation. It was a chance to prove myself to him that I was capable of any mission.

'I can be useful!' was what I thought until he explained the details of the mission. After agreeing with the conditions, I marched my way to the hall where soldiers shared their nights together.

'You have to deal with men stronger than you. Take it as a training', right? What kind of training is this? Swinging the door open with a hand, I exposed myself to beds of soldiers which were still in use by those snoring men. Some of them slept with just loincloths while some of them slept on top of another. Staring at them boringly, I walked inside with a bucket and a bailer.