I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Even Qingdeng, who possesses a wealth of talent, found it a headache and a difficult task... It's not hard to imagine how torturous this job is!

Mai Kinoshita listened attentively.

After Qingdeng finished speaking, she said confidently:

"Qingdeng, if you don't mind, I can help you!"

"Don't let my appearance fool you, I'm actually quite good at managing accounts!"

"When I was training under Mr. Kiryu, I was in charge of the Senjiya's ledgers!"

After saying that, perhaps to boost her confidence, she patted her full breasts forcefully.

Even through a layer of fabric, Qingdeng could clearly feel the "surging waves".

When Qing Deng first met Kinoshita Mai, she was still growing.

Over the course of three years, she has made significant progress in all aspects of her development.

While it still can't compare to Sanako and Tenshōin, it's still an astonishing size.

However, strangely enough, she never grew taller.

At first, Kinoshita Mai didn't care much about her height.

According to the average height of adult women in the Edo period, Kinoshita Mai, who was 1.5 meters tall, was already considered to be "tall".

However... ever since she met Sanako, who was much taller, she became extremely concerned about her height and disliked people saying she was short.

One day, Qing Deng saw Kinoshita Mai sneaking into a pharmacy and cautiously asking: "Boss, do you have any medicine that can make people grow taller?"

The boss said bluntly, "If I had such a medicine, I would have been rich long ago."

That day, Kinoshita Mai was as devastated as if she were learning for the first time that evil existed in the world...

"Oh? Ah Wu, are you sure you want to help me with the accounts?"

Mai Kinoshita nodded vigorously:

"I'm willing to give it a try!"

Her words did indeed enlighten Qingdeng.

He almost forgot that Kinoshita Mai was one of the few people in the Shinsengumi who knew how to keep accounts.

Every single one of the Shinsengumi generals was a roughneck.

The only people who could be considered intellectuals were Yamanami Keisuke, Serizawa Kamo, Todo Heisuke, and Sanako.

Of them, only Yamanami Keisuke had some knowledge of accounting.

The other three—even Sanako, who was the most educated—knew nothing about account books—because "mathematics" and "accounting" were not included in the traditional curriculum of the Yamato Nadeshiko.

Kinoshita Mai wasn't exaggerating; "bookkeeping" is indeed one of her specialties.

Looking back, every time Qing Deng went to the Senjiya, he could always see her bent over her desk, intently keeping accounts.

Until a suitable candidate for room leader is found, it is indeed advisable to rely on her as much as possible.

However, Qingdeng seemed to remember something, and a thoughtful look appeared on his face.

After a moment, he shook his head:

"Ah Wu, you're already busy enough. We can't add to your burden."

"Instead of forcing you, it would be better to find a capable roommate as soon as possible."

In terms of sheer busyness, Kinoshita Mai ranks among the busiest members of the Shinsengumi.

In order not to let down Qing Deng's trust and expectations, she always kept her nerves on edge and devoted herself to building the Ninth Division from scratch.

Transforming a novice unit into a special forces unit proficient in infiltration, lock picking, and wall climbing is definitely not something that can be accomplished simply by shouting a few slogans or giving them a pep talk.

Kinoshita Mai truly taught the team members step by step, pouring out all her knowledge bit by bit.

In the end, her efforts were not only worthwhile, but also highly effective!

The changes in the Ninth Division are happening rapidly, and it's increasingly taking on the air of a "ninja army"!

Aoto has always seen Kinoshita Mai's hard work and dedication.

He did not want to add to his burden unless necessary.

"Ah Wu, all you need to do now is focus on doing your job well."

"You need not worry about anything else."

"If I become too busy or can't spare any more people in the future, I will ask you for help again."

Although Aoto's tactful refusal made Kinoshita Mai purse her lips, she didn't say much, only saying, "Okay, I understand."

At this moment, Qingdeng changed the subject:

"Let's put work aside for now and get back to the main topic. Ah Wu, what brings you here all of a sudden?"

Kinoshita Mai chuckled.

"It's nothing really."

"I just wanted to take you out."

Qingdeng raised an eyebrow:

"Going out? Where to?"

Kinoshita Mai changed to an excited tone:

"Since I have some free time today, I've decided to go see Elodie!"

"Qingdeng, are you busy right now? If you're not, why don't we go visit Elodie together?"

"Elodie must really want to see you too!"

Upon hearing the name Elodie, Qingdeng felt a momentary daze, and his body instinctively stiffened.

When was the last time I heard this name?

Qingdeng hasn't seen this blonde girl from France for far too long!

Since moving to Kyoto, Elodie and her family have been living in seclusion in the eastern suburbs of Kyoto, arranged by Mr. Kiryu.

As a close friend of the Angoulême family, Qingdeng would naturally not treat them unfairly.

No sooner had they moved into their new house than Qingdeng went to visit them.

After that, he would visit them from time to time.

To ensure their personal safety, Qingdeng increased the number of patrol personnel near their residences, which can be considered a form of care.

However, in recent times, a variety of major events have been unfolding.

First came Iemochi's march to Kyoto, then Hitotsubashi Yoshinobu's troublesome antics, followed by the aggressive British fleet in Edo Bay, and then the "August 18th Coup"...

Qingdeng's energy was being drained in turn, leaving him no chance to catch his breath, so naturally he had no time to visit Elodie.

He remembered that the last time he visited Elodie was more than two months ago.

It was the height of summer then; now it is autumn.

Thinking of this, Qingdeng couldn't help but show a look of shame.

—I'm such a terrible mentor...

He was, after all, Elodie's swordsmanship teacher.

However, his master was nowhere to be seen every few days, and he failed to fulfill his role of "imparting knowledge, teaching skills, and resolving doubts" at all.

Whenever he thinks of this, Qingdeng can't help but feel guilty.

Kinoshita Mai blinked her beautiful eyes, looking at Aoto with hope, waiting for his answer.

Qing Deng turned his head to look at the sky outside the window, then looked back at the "Dajin Book" in front of him.

After a moment's thought, he suddenly reached out and slammed the ledger shut.

"Alright, Wu, go change your clothes. Let's go see Elodie together!"

……

……

The two were not on official business, so they were both dressed in their own clothes and did not wear light blue haori.

Kinoshita Mai is still the same as always, dressed in red.

A bright red kimono with a pale yellow obi.

Cute little feet without socks were wearing a pair of red buttoned wooden clogs.

Whenever Kinoshita Mai takes a step, her clogs lightly tap her soles, making a crisp sound... This sight and sound are truly endlessly fascinating—at least Aoto never tires of seeing or hearing them.

One of Qing Deng's great hobbies is watching Kinoshita Mai walk, especially when she walks barefoot on the wooden walkway.

Not long ago, Qingdeng might have gone out "without makeup," without a face mask or a straw hat, letting his identity be exposed, and just casually walking down the street.

But that's not possible now.

Nowadays, when he goes out for personal reasons, he always carefully covers his face to prevent others from recognizing him.

Otherwise, wherever he goes, the people of Kyoto will kneel down.

The rule that "one should not look at a feudal lord at eye level, nor should one look up at the emperor" applies to all of Japan.

Upon seeing Aoto, not only the people of Ōtsu had to kneel, but the people of Kyoto had to kneel as well.

The gap in social class can transcend geographical location and environment.

Frankly, Qingdeng was not happy to see this scene of "the common people worshipping him".

Qingdeng is not the kind of homebody who doesn't like to go out.

Putting everything else aside, just to manage Otsu, he had to frequently travel between the two places.

Every time I go out, the people along the way have to kneel down... That's such a hassle!

Qingdeng was exhausted from watching, and the common people were also tired from kneeling.

Therefore, in order to avoid such a "lose-lose" situation, Qingdeng now tries to go out incognito whenever possible to avoid unnecessary trouble.