Botan -Peony- Vol.2

7

I ran towards the entrance immediately after I finished my morning chores. I dropped everything I had in my hands and dashed out of the kitchen towards the gate where men were gathered. It was their departure day. Kondo, Itou, Yamazaki and several men were on the way to Iwakuni. Of course, I acted as if I didn't know where they were supposed to go. It would cause unnecessary trouble if anyone knew that I was aware of the mission. We were told that they were going to Osaka.

"Kondo-san! Yamazaki-san!" I called as I approached them. "Have fun at Osaka!" I bowed.

"Ooh! Sayo-san. Thank you very much. We will remember to bring you some souvenir!" Kondo responded with a cheerful laughter.

"You don't have to do that!" I refused, waving my hand in front of me.

"And you don't have to hesitate! Right, Yamazaki?" He turned to Yamazaki who gave a nod and a small smile. "Now, Sayo-san. Tell me what you want."

"What about a book? She seems like she needs it." Hijikata scoffed without batting an eye on me.

"That's a nice idea, Toshi!" I couldn't believe Kondo agreed to that sarcasm. Hijikata was probably still thinking about the perfect timing to sack me away without Kondo to stop him. "How about I get you the book about Romance of Three Kingdoms?! Do you know about that, Sayo-san?"

"Uhm...k-kind of?" Everybody knew, of course, about that legendary classic but no one truly bothered to read them in detail. I couldn't really express my ignorance of the book due to Kondo's hopeful eyes on me.

"Alright! You can count that one on me! I'll definitely bring the best one for you. Please look forward to it, Sayo-san!" Kondo chirped.

"Would an idiot understand such difficult book?" Hijikata retorted. "I still need to deal with some matters. Excuse me." Hijikata threw a mock at me and left casually. He didn't seem as if he had any matter to deal with at all with his sloppy walk back to his nest.

Seeing how Hijikata turned his back against us and walked his way, I stuck my tongue out at him

"Kondo-san, Itou-san still isn't here." Yamazaki reported after glancing around. "We're supposed to depart now."

"Itou-san is a very careful man. He might be having hard time deciding what to leave and what to bring! Ahahaha!" Kondo joked. It was alright if it was just a joke. What he said next didn't seem to be a joke though. "Sayo-san, could you please inform Itou-san that we are waiting? He should be in his room."

"What?"

"Hm? I thought you two have been good friends recently. What's wrong?" Kondo asked, folding his arms on his chest with his eyes going upwards.

"Uhm, I'll be right back!" Instead of answering to weird questions which could potentially pop out, I thought it was wiser to get the wanted man immediately. While they were absent, I could think thoroughly of everything. I sprinted to Itou's room.

"Excuse me, Itou-san. Are you in there?" There was a discomfort in my heart but it was something I couldn't help. Itou-san had put his life line on the charm stuck in my hair, how could I not be uncomfortable and worried? Sometimes the hairpin felt heavier than it actually was and the hanging gems would make some noises when they graze each other. It would be a grim reminder until—and if—he came back safely.

"Come in." Itou said.

Sliding the door open, I saw that he was sitting, facing me. He must have calculated that I would come to greet him.