I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Sanako froze when she saw the aggrieved look in Souji's eyes.

"I'm so sorry!"

Not daring to meet Souji's gaze, Sanako abruptly turned her head away with a force that seemed to want to sever her head, staring into the void ahead.

“Okita-kun, I’m not being mean to you.”

"I was just... just... just thinking about something annoying and bothersome."

"I was feeling depressed for a moment, so I inadvertently uttered some vulgar words."

"Please forgive me, I meant no harm."

After speaking, Sanako raised her hand as if to comb her hair, but in reality, she was trying to cover up her awkward expression.

Souji was bewildered for a long time before finally muttering, "I see..."

Then, Souji silently withdrew his gaze and continued stuffing konpeito into his mouth like a hamster.

However, she ate the candy much more slowly.

The atmosphere between the two women was incredibly awkward...

Sanako tried her best to remain calm, but a shadow of distress slowly crept onto her cheeks uncontrollably.

If there were a crack in the ground nearby, she really wanted to crawl right into it.

From the time Sanako could remember, she was taught to become an outstanding woman like a Nadeshiko.

How to stand, how to sit, how to talk to people... these aspects and details of daily life were all compulsory courses that Sanako painstakingly studied.

Ultimately, after a systematic and rigorous education and guidance, and through constant exposure and subtle influence, "politeness," "refined manners," and "elegance" had long been ingrained in Sanako's bones and soul.

Therefore, for Sanako, the most embarrassing and uncomfortable thing is to accidentally do something impolite or say something impolite.

What she just said to the Souji... it can't just be called impolite, it's downright rude!

"Stop being so sentimental." — Looking back, even when she was angry or fighting against a ruthless enemy like the Exiles, Sanako had never uttered such sharp and sarcastic words.

No matter what kind of person the other party is, one must never degenerate or dishonor one's dignity—this is Sanako's life motto.

Besides, Souji didn't provoke her at all; she was just eating candy.

It was entirely Sanako throwing a tantrum on her own.

Thinking of this, Sanako felt even more ashamed and embarrassed.

Honestly... how could I say something so thoughtless!

Sanako's question to herself was completely unnecessary.

In fact, she herself is very clear about the reasons.

Her explanation to the commander just now was not a fabricated lie.

She was indeed thinking about something troubling, which caused her to lose control of her emotions and inadvertently say something inappropriate.

When Sanako thought about how, after Kinoshita Mai, even Okita Souji had an ambiguous relationship with Aoto, she felt inexplicably annoyed.

My heart felt like a pot of boiling water.

Bubbling and bubbling... it keeps rising.

When she came to her senses, Souji was already looking at her with a pitiful expression...

—Not only does Kinoshita Mai like him… now even Okita-kun, this grown man, is interested in him… tsk…!

Sanako's eyebrows instantly furrowed.

However, in the shortest time, her eyebrows relaxed again.

Although she couldn't accept it at first, after careful consideration, Sanako could understand Souji's feelings for Aoto.

Even someone as discerning as Sanako has to admit: Aoto is indeed a very charming person.

Even though they were of the same sex, it was not surprising that they were captivated by Qing Deng's heroic spirit and developed feelings of love for him.

Moreover, Aoto and Souji were living together.

As the saying goes, familiarity breeds affection.

Throughout the entire Shieikan, Souji and Seito had the best relationship—this was a well-known fact both in Shieikan and in the Chiba Sword Hall.

Their relationship was already very deep, and they lived under the same roof, so they could see each other whether they looked down or up. Not only their faces, but also their strong bodies from time to time... Putting herself in their shoes, Sanako immediately understood Souji.

However, if it were just Souji having a one-sided crush on Aoto, that would be fine.

However... Aoto doesn't seem to be resistant to Souji's ambiguous advances...

The image of Qing Deng gently embracing Souji on the shrine steps flashed before Sanako's eyes again...

The pot of water that had been heating up in my heart started bubbling and boiling again...

Sanako couldn't help but think—

If one day in the future, Aoto says to her in a serious tone: "Miss Sanako, I've fallen in love with Okita-kun. Even though Okita-kun is a man, I still love him. I want to marry you, Ms. Kinoshita, and Okita-kun..." At that time, she might first pierce Aoto with her cold gaze, and then directly draw her sword and angrily slash Aoto!

There's a limit to lust!

I always thought you were a gentleman!

Kinoshita Mai is one thing, at least she's a cute girl. But Okita-kun is a man, and you still want to lay a hand on him!

Whether it's a man or a woman, you like them as long as they're good-looking. How can you be so lustful?!

Even the stallions in the stables aren't as outrageous as you! At least the stallions aren't interested in male horses!

You want both men and women?! Where can you find such a good deal?!

Sanako grew angrier the more she thought about it, and subconsciously clenched her soft hands folded in front of her.

At that moment, Souji suddenly sensed an ominous aura emanating from beside him...

Under the influence of this ominous aura, goosebumps rose on her skin, and she couldn't help but shiver.

The commander turned his head to look.

Immediately afterwards, she saw Sanako's extremely gloomy face... and one terrifying aura after another emanated from her body.

Although he didn't know what had happened, Souji dared not ask anything or do anything.

She quickly pretended not to have seen anything, nervously turning her gaze back to the front, and continued eating her candy while trembling...

Sanako's inner monologue continues.

—Forget it! Even if Tachibana-kun plans to marry a hundred wives, what does it have to do with me?

Anyway, I had no intention of marrying Tachibana-kun!

—I have long vowed to never marry and to dedicate my life to martial arts.

—If that's the case, why should I bother with this unnecessary trouble?

With this thought in mind, Sanako's emotions gradually calmed down, and the terrifying aura emanating from her body gradually subsided.

The commander standing next to him immediately felt a great relief from the pressure.

However, Sanako's face remained gloomy and not very pleasant.

Suddenly, a hurried sound of footsteps came from beside Sanako and Souji.

The two women, who had been keeping a close eye on their surroundings, immediately looked up at the sound.

A tall, slender figure; a low-brimmed conical hat that completely obscures his face; a black scarf; a blue haori; a familiar feeling…

The visitor was Qing Deng, who had rushed over after leaving the study in Tianzhang Academy.

"Orange..."

The commander waved to Qing Deng, instinctively wanting to greet him.

But as she uttered the first two syllables of "Tachi," she suddenly remembered that Qing Deng was still wanted by the authorities, so she quickly swallowed the rest of the syllables she hadn't managed to say and shut her mouth.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

Aoto rushed to Sanako and Souji in one breath and bowed his head to apologize.

"It's okay, we didn't have to wait long."

Sanako said calmly, her face expressionless.

"Ok?"

Qing Deng looked at Sanako in surprise.

Was it just his imagination?

He felt that the look Sanako was giving him at that moment... was somewhat frightening...

—What happened? Did I do something to offend Ms. Sanako?

Qingdeng, completely oblivious to his own shortcomings, questioned himself in his mind.

At this moment, Souji's words pulled Aoto back to reality.

"Kid Tachibana, now that you're here, tell us where you've been all this time."

Upon hearing this, Qing Deng nodded slightly.

"Okay, come with me. Let's go somewhere where we won't be disturbed and talk slowly."

……

……

The "place where no one will bother you" that Aoto mentioned is the inn behind Sanako and Souji: Echizenya.

Qingdeng directly booked a secluded little room with four and a half tatami mats.

[Note: "Tatami mat" is a commonly used unit of area in Japan. One tatami mat is the size of one tatami mat, and four and a half tatami mats is the size of four and a half tatami mats. Three and a half tatami mats and four and a half tatami mats are very common room sizes in Japan.]

Upon entering the room, the first thing Qingdeng did was to check if anyone was hiding in the ceiling or under the floor.

Next, they went to check if anyone was living in the next room.

After ensuring there was no risk of being overheard, Aoto unfastened the Echizen Sumitsu Riku no Kami Kanetsugu from his waist and casually sat down on the ground.

Sanako and Souji sat down opposite Aoto.