I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Aoto stared blankly at Okita Hikaru.

Judging from the expression on Okita Hikaru's face and the words she had just spoken, she fully understood and accepted Aoto's explanation.

Although Aoto was relieved that Okita Hikaru was willing to accept his explanation so quickly, this complete trust without even asking a question still made Aoto feel a little lost.

Okita Hikaru seemed to see right through Aoto's thoughts.

She said calmly:

“Tachibana-kun, I know your character. I believe you wouldn’t do anything disrespectful to Souji… or to Kotsukasa.”

A brief explanation.

This explanation is what finally put the heavy weight on Qingdeng's mind to rest.

Qingdeng's facial lines completely relaxed and were no longer tense.

Feeling gratified by Okita Hikaru's keen observation and understanding, and relieved to be free from suspicion of molesting Souji, Aoto let out a long breath, turning his relief into a sound.

—Yeah, that's true… Thinking about it carefully, I was just being nervous for no reason. Miss Guang is a well-educated and intelligent beauty. As long as I sincerely explain things to her, she will definitely listen and will never doubt my words.

The deepest impression Okita Hikaru left on Aoto was that she was incredibly tactful and had such high emotional intelligence that she didn't seem like a young woman who was only 27 years old.

27 years old... In modern times, that age is just the age of starting a career.

It's highly unlikely that someone like Hikaru Okita would do anything irrational.

Aoto was so engrossed in the joy of "getting through the crisis" that he didn't notice at all that Okita Hikaru was quietly raising his gaze.

She glanced at the sleeping Souji with an inscrutable look, while murmuring in a voice barely audible:

"...Actually...if you secretly hugged Xiaosi because of your own will...I would be happier..."

After she finished speaking, a faint trace of regret appeared on her brow.

"Hmm? Miss Hikari, did you say something just now?"

Aoto neither noticed Okita Hikaru's subtle movements nor heard his mutterings.

Only faintly could one hear Okita Hikaru speaking.

Ever since Okita Hikaru temporarily moved to Edo to take care of the sick Souji, there have been two Okitas in Shieikan.

For convenience, with Okita Hikaru's tacit approval, all members of the Shieikan, including Aoto, referred to Okita Hikaru as "Hikaru-san".

"He didn't say anything."

When Okita Hikaru said this, the regret that had been gathering between his brows instantly dissipated.

"They were just complaining that Xiao Si's drinking manners were really bad."

After casually brushing off Aoto's question, Okita Hikaru crawled to the side of the fast-sleeping Souji.

"Xiao Si. Wake up, wake up."

Since there was no one else around, Hikaru Okita reverted to her real nickname for Souji: Koji.

"Hmm...?"

Souji, who had responded to Okita Hikaru's voice, opened his eyes again.

She glanced blankly to both sides, then her gaze lingered a little before landing directly on Okita Hikaru's face.

"Sister...? Why are you shaking like that? Stop shaking, it makes me dizzy..."

Okita Hikaru calmly reached out and helped Souji up, speaking softly in a soothing tone as if coaxing a child:

"If you feel dizzy, go back to your room and sleep. Here, give me your hand."

"Ugh... I don't want to!"

Souji twisted her body in a spoiled manner, trying to break free from Okita Hikaru's control.

"I want to play more...! I want to drink more...!"

"Be good, listen to me. Wait until you've had a good sleep in bed before you go play or drink. Stop fooling around. If you keep doing this, I'm going to get angry."

As expected of the elder sister who raised Souji. For Souji, who is currently in a state of mental instability, Okita Hikaru's warning is far more effective than Aoto's advice.

As soon as Okita Hikaru finished speaking, Souji gradually calmed down as if under a spell... but soon became agitated again.

"No! No! Let me play a little longer!"

Souji snuggled into Okita Hikaru's arms like a spoiled child, burying her face deep between his southern breasts and his kimono sash.

Openly ignoring her warnings—Okita Hikaru remained remarkably calm in the face of Souji's behavior.

"..."

Hikaru Okita lowered his head silently, gazing at Souji's face as if nothing was amiss.

The next moment, she spoke to the commander-in-chief... in a slow, cold tone:

"Want to play a little longer... Xiao Si, allow me to confirm one more time—is this really your idea?"

Hikaru Okita's expression remained unchanged.

But the gentle tone disappeared.

Qingdeng, observing all of this from a third-person perspective, clearly felt something called a "critical point".

The "critical point" when the boiling point is about to be reached.

The "critical point" at which the volcano is about to erupt.

The magma was bubbling and boiling.

Souji reacted extremely strongly to Okita Hikaru's words.

As if by instinct, as if he had heard the most terrifying words in the world, Souji's pupils shrank to the size of pinholes in an instant.

"Ah wah, ah ah wah wah wah wah wah..."

It happened—Sōji's signature cry.

When feeling shy or experiencing intense emotional fluctuations, Souji would involuntarily let out a funny "Awaaaaaa" sound—something that Aoto accidentally discovered when he stumbled upon Souji's true gender.

Souji, who continued to make such cries, loosened his grip on Okita Hikaru's waist with trembling movements, and then slowly retreated using both hands and feet.

His limbs trembled slightly.

A pitiful face.

His eyes were filled with intense terror.

While gradually increasing the distance between herself and her sister, she carefully observed her sister's expressions and reactions.

Weak, pitiful... but funny.

This scene made Qing Deng imagine the following: a Border Collie with an amazing aura and a Shiba Inu trembling.

Okita Hikaru maintained her calm expression as she slowly rose to her feet:

"Xiao Si, let's go back to our room."

The tone was completely uncompromising.

It also did not use the phrase "negotiate".

It's just issuing orders.

This time, the commander offered no further resistance.

"Yes……"

She gently pecked her head, then half-lay on the tatami like a surrendered prisoner, assuming a posture where she was left to Okita Hikaru's whims—although this seemed somewhat immoral, Aoto couldn't help but chuckle softly, only he could hear it, after seeing Souji's comical appearance.

"Orange-kun".

"Ok?"

Qing Deng, who was suddenly called out, quickly suppressed his smile and responded.

"Can you do me a favor?"

"Please speak."

"Could you please carry Souji back to his room for me?"

"what?"

"Don't let Souji's appearance fool you, she's actually surprisingly heavy. It's getting late, and I'm a bit tired. I don't have the strength to carry her anymore. Could you please lend me a hand?"

"Uh... that's not a problem..."

Qingdeng had no reason to refuse such an easy and simple favor.

However… he had a question—Okita Hikaru looked quite energetic, not at all like someone who was tired…

……

Perhaps the effects of the alcohol were rising again, for Souji closed his eyes tightly and returned to a state of unconsciousness.

Okita Hikaru tiptoed and gently placed the sleeping Souji on Aoto's back.

Aoto stretched out his hands, put them under Souji's legs, and secured Souji's body. Then he lifted his arms up to make sure Souji was sitting firmly on his back.

It was winter, and both Aoto and Souji were dressed very warmly.

Even so, there was still a wonderful, indescribable sensation that kept penetrating the fabric and reaching the skin on Qingdeng's back.

Even though a persimmon is compressed into a dried persimmon, it is still a persimmon.

Qingdeng's expression and body language suddenly stiffened.

At that moment, Qing Deng was forced to recall the unforgettable scenes of carrying Souji on his back the last time...

This memory is still firmly attached to the inside of my scalp; I can't forget it even if I wanted to.

The last time I carried Souji on my back—that was a night this summer.

That night, Qing Deng discovered Souji's true gender and achieved many firsts.

This is my first time memorizing the Souji.

My first time taking a bath with someone of the opposite sex.

The first time was not through audio or video, but by seeing the naked body of the opposite sex with my own eyes.