I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

"Especially after listening to your advice, Mr. Ju, and looking at Xiaosi properly without any prejudice, this 'pain' has become much more intense."

“Ju-kun, you should still remember, right? Three months ago, you suggested that I ‘try to keep a close eye on Xiao Si’.”

"Of course I remember." Qing Deng nodded.

"To be honest—at that time, I didn't understand what you meant by 'staring at Xiao Si' at all, and I just thought you were a completely unreasonable person."

"I'm Xiao Si's older sister. I've been watching over her since she was a baby in swaddling clothes. She grew up right under my nose. Haven't I watched over her for longer than you, an outsider who only joined the Shiwei Academy at the beginning of this year?"

"Not only did I fail to win you over, but I also got scolded by you for no reason... I'm in a terrible mood."

Qingdeng gave an awkward, dry laugh while raising his hand to stroke the back of his neck.

"However... I don't know why, but I actually listened to your strange suggestion and even obediently did it afterwards."

"During my stay at Shieikan, I kept looking for opportunities to observe Koji... especially when Koji practiced swordsmanship at the dojo."

When Okita Hikaru said this, he lowered his eyebrows as if in distress, then sighed with a helpless expression. Finally, he raised his eyebrows again, and his helpless expression changed into a gentle smile—as if he had let go of something in his heart.

"Although I am very unwilling... I have to admit: Tachibana-kun, you are right."

“I know that the child likes swordsmanship—but that’s about all he knows.”

"How deep was her love for the sword? What sacrifices was she willing to make for it? ... I knew nothing about any of these things."

“Ju-kun, things have come to this point, and I’m not afraid of you laughing at me anymore… Before I was scolded by you, I had never carefully watched Xiao Si’s sword practice; I had never tried to understand Xiao Si’s specific feelings about swordsmanship.”

"Thinking he knows Xiao Si very well, thinking that swordsmanship is just an ordinary hobby for Xiao Si... How incredibly stupid."

"It wasn't until I listened to your words and tried to observe Xiao Si attentively that I belatedly realized that Xiao Si could actually show such a... bright smile when she held the bamboo sword."

"That's a completely different kind of happy expression than meeting a cute puppy or eating your favorite konpeito."

"I still vividly remember the smile on Xiao Si's face after we worked together to defeat the Genbu Hall in the 'Red and White Battle'."

“That child… really loves kendo, he really enjoys kendo.”

Okita Hikaru stared straight at Aoto's face with a gaze filled with gratitude.

"Tachibana-kun, thank you."

"You made me realize my own dereliction of duty."

"You made me realize what swordsmanship truly means to Xiao Si."

Thank you so much.

As Okita Hikaru said this, he placed his hands on his lap and bowed deeply to Aoto Shin while sitting sideways.

Okita Hikaru's sudden expression of gratitude made Aoto feel embarrassed.

Just as Qingdeng was about to politely reply, "You're too kind,"

"only--"

Okita Hikaru abruptly turned his gaze away from Aoto's face and changed the subject.

"Emotionally, I really want Xiaosi to continue pursuing what he loves; but rationally, my initial thoughts remain unchanged. The path of swordsmanship is uncertain. I really can't rest easy letting Xiaosi continue practicing swordsmanship."

I want to strike a balance between the two.

"Then... I found this 'balance'."

Qingdeng sensed the amused gaze.

Looking up, I saw a happy expression on Okita Hikaru's face.

That gaze, like that of an old mother appraising an excellent son-in-law, returned to her eyes.

"Ultimately, the fundamental reason why I oppose Xiao Si practicing swordsmanship is simply because I am afraid that Xiao Si's future life will not be secure."

"In that case, wouldn't it solve all these troubles and problems if we had someone by Xiao Si's side who could always support and protect her?"

"And you—Ju-kun, you are the most suitable and capable person I have found so far to stand beside Xiao Si, without exception!"

"Tachibana-kun, I'll tell you the truth."

"When we first met, I felt that you were a perfect match for me."

"Aside from not having shaved his chin, which made him look rather listless, he had no physical defects. He was tall and handsome."

"Not only is he talented and has a bright future, but he also has a great personality. He is kind to others, has excellent character, and has a particularly good relationship with Xiao Si. They get along very well."

"I've seen quite a few outstanding talents, but the more I look at you, the more pleasing you become, and the more I like you."

"Although it sounds vulgar... a marriage that isn't based on 'money' is unreliable."

"I have seen far too many families break down because of poverty."

"If Xiao Si can be with you, then in the foreseeable future, I will not have to worry about whether Xiao Si will have enough to eat and wear."

"Even setting aside worldly things like appearance and wealth... you possess a quality that makes me unhesitatingly list you as 'Xiao Si's ideal husband'."

"Special trait?" Qing Deng couldn't help but ask.

Okita Hikaru gave a subtle, enigmatic smile, deliberately pausing his words and not continuing.

For Qingdeng, every second is truly feeling like an eternity.

Only when Aoto's emotions grew restless from years of agonizing waiting did Okita Mitsuru finally slowly open his lips and say softly:

"Xiao Si has a lot of feelings for you... to put it simply, he likes you very, very much."

*******

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Today is another great victory for Ms. Okita!

Please vote with monthly tickets! Please vote with recommendation tickets! (Leopard crying.jpg)

What I hate most when writing a novel is when the timeline moves into winter. Every female character is dressed so thickly, even wearing cloth socks on their feet, making it so difficult to develop any erotic scenes!

If this book were set in a world like Persona, then after this chapter, Qing Deng would have maxed out the "Pope" social media level. (Laughing emoji)

In the author's setting, Hikaru Okita is the "Pope" community, and Souji is the "Sun" community.

Sanako is part of the "Pope" community, Tenshōin is part of the "Empress" community, Kinoshita Mai is part of the "Lovers" community, and Elodie is part of the "Moon" community.

Leopard is so obsessed with Persona that when designing characters now, he can't help but think, "Will this character be a social character?"

Chapter 312 The Empress must be Okita Souji! Sanako and the others have to step aside! [7500]

At that moment, it became daylight.

Although it seems a bit odd to use the phrase "it's dawn" at almost 11 p.m., it is indeed the case.

The clouds diagonally above parted to the sides with a lazy amplitude and speed.

A beam of pure white moonlight, seemingly imbued with a sacred aura, pierced through the gaps in the clouds and shone into the courtyard of the Shieikan.

The veil of darkness was lifted.

The illuminated courtyard exudes a tranquil and peaceful atmosphere.

Everything was covered with a layer of silver frost.

The trees in the yard, the stray cat fast asleep on the wooden wall, the spotless veranda that Abi and Inoue clean every day, and Aoto's face filled with surprise.

Although Okita Hikaru's words had completely faded and the sound waves had dispersed into countless particles that dissolved into the air, it was as if a tape recorder had been installed in Aoto's ears, repeatedly playing back Okita Hikaru's words over and over again.

In the stillness that seemed to freeze time, the image of that slender, high ponytail, that smiling face that always reminded people of the sun, and that girl whom Qingdeng had previously considered a good brother but later changed to a good sister, appeared uncontrollably before Qingdeng's eyes and in his mind.

—Okita-kun... likes me a lot...?

The brain sluggishly asks itself this question.

A blank expression dominated Qing Deng's face.

Hikaru Okita observed Aoto's expression throughout.

Upon noticing the complex expression on Qing Deng's face—a mixture of bewilderment, astonishment, and confusion—Okita Hikaru grinned, as if finding it amusing.

"Oh dear, it seems... Tachibana-kun, you really don't realize this."

After saying that, the cheerful smile on Okita Hikaru's face changed into a regretful expression that was half genuine and half fake. He let out a long sigh, as if he was feeling sorry for something.

"Hmm... Should I tell you...?"

Okita Hikaru extended his slender, white right index finger, propped it up on his chin, which had a firm, slender shape without any excess fat, and looked up at the sky.

This kind of romantic gesture is more suitable for energetic girls like Souji and Elodie to do.

It would look very strange for a mature woman nearing 30 to do this.

Strangely enough, this action looked surprisingly good on Hikaru Okita, without feeling out of place at all.

"Forget it, I've already been completely open with you, so there's no need to hide anything from you anymore."

"I forget exactly when it was, but it was in August... around the time before Yongjun's wedding started and before you suggested to me 'keep a close eye on Xiaosi,' Xiaosi told me: She likes you a lot."

Qingdeng was startled when he heard this.

Okita-kun said to herself that she likes me a lot? And she said it so early on?

Before suggesting to Hikaru Okita to keep a close eye on Souji... wasn't that before discovering that Souji was a girl?

Hikaru Okita continued to whisper, his breath barely audible, while Aoto listened intently with a mixture of trepidation and excitement.

"At that time, I was arguing fiercely with Xiaosi because I was trying to persuade him to give up kendo."

"During one argument, I don't know how the two sisters argued, but the topic unknowingly veered towards Xiao Si's marriage."

"As you know, Xiaosi is already 16 years old this year. For a girl, this is an age when she can consider marriage and which man she should marry."

"So I casually asked Xiao Si: Have you taken a fancy to any man?"

Xiao Si replied: No, she has no plans to get married at the moment.

"Although I had only known you for a short time at that time and was not very familiar with you, I already greatly admired your character and talent."

"So I jokingly asked Xiao Si: 'Why don't you consider Ju Jun? I think Ju Jun is a good person. He's about your age, still single, and you have a good relationship. It would be great if you two could get married.'"

"And then... guess how Xiao Si reacted?"

Okita Hikaru opened his eyes wide, moved his face closer to Aoto, and asked Aoto with his eyes, "Guess what?" His eyes flashed with a hint of teasing.