Zhang Heng and Okita General Secretary both looked like they were seriously injured. Fortunately, their injuries were not life-threatening. After a proper three-day bed rest, he could move around freely again. Two weeks later, his physical and mental state fully recovered. That one battle against Kirino Toshiaki actually brought him more gain than challenging all those dojos. During that time, he gave it all he got to absorb what he learned so far.
Kirino Toshiaki was like a mini-boss in the gaming context that gave out a lot of experience points. Encountering someone like him in the Bakumatsu era was rare. Then, there was another as good as Kirino Toshiaki waiting to challenge Zhang Heng. After waiting another week, Zhang Heng figured Okita Soki should have fully recovered as well. Since they had agreed to a challenge, he went looking for him at his house only to find that Soki wasn’t there. After asking around, Zhang Heng was told that Kondo Isami had asked Okita Soki to take a long break. Instead of resting to make a full recovery, he spent the time going out early in the morning and only returning at dusk. No one knew where he went or what he did.
Since Zhang Heng had nothing to do, for now, he decided to try his luck and see if he could meet Soki outside his residence, asking those living nearby about the places Soki frequented. Even after walking around the area, Zhang Heng still failed to locate him. So, he went back to Gion, the home where they met for the first time.
Zhang Heng remembered a tea stall there, and as expected, Okita Soki was there. Who knew how long he had been sitting here. He stared at the house across the street, but the door remained closed.
“A pot of tea, please.” Zhang Heng told the owner before seating himself next to Soki. Soki forced a reluctant grin, and he wanted to say something, but he only moved his lips, unable to squeeze out the words that he tried to utter.
“Have you been spending your day here lately?” asked Zhang Heng.
Okita Soki nodded and removed his gaze from the house in reluctance. He looked down, staring at the plate of rice cakes that had been left alone for some time.
“You two can’t be together.” Initially, Zhang Heng wanted to convince Okita Soki to give up on the relationship. However, when he saw how depressed he became, he decided to be honest and speak his mind.
“I know.” Okita Soki’s eyes were dim. “I don’t expect her forgiveness. I just want to come here to look at her from a distance. Just one look.”
“If you insist on investing your feelings into this relationship that yields no result, you will only bring more troubles to yourself. You will encounter…” Zhang Heng paused, almost forgetting that Okita Soki would die in May. In other words, the hearty and sincere boy in front of him only had about a year to live.
This was likely to be the last relationship of his life.
Okita Soki coughed twice. “Hijiakata told me the same thing as well. But… it’s different. Every relationship is different. Even if I do meet someone I like in the future, she will never completely replace Miss Saya in my heart.”
Zhang Heng was moved by those words, and he fell into silence.
At this time, the tea house owner served them the tea, and Okita Soki seemed to realize his willfulness. He was a little embarrassed by it. “I’m sorry, Mr. Kondo told me many times that I’m too emotional.”
S
“There is nothing wrong with being too emotional. If it were not for your feelings, I would have to find a way to escape that night.” Zhang Heng replied while pouring tea for Okita Soki and himself, “I heard that your chief gave you a long break?”
Okita Soki sipped the tea and thanked him. “Well, I killed Shinsaku Takasugi, but it’s been said that the current situation is a bit different. The higher-ups are considering cooperating with Tobaku supporters. This decision was made confidential, and the director told me he would reward me afterward. Actually, I don’t care about the reward, which is why I asked for a long break.”
After that, something seemed to cross Soki’s mind. “Oh, yes, you are here for a friendly duel. I’m available now. Where should we go? The Koyama dojo?” “No need.” Zhang Heng’s answer was unexpected. “I want to fight the top master of the Shinsengumi-a man known as the Heavenly Sword, not a sad person trapped by love. For now, you have no value to me.”
“I’m sorry,” Okita Soki apologized, “I really don’t feel like touching my weapon now.”
“When you are fully recovered, come to the Koyama Dojo and find me.” Zhang Heng finished his tea, got up, and left ten copper coins on the table.
“Okay, I won’t break the promise again.” Okita Soki said seriously.
Zhang Heng had underestimated the impact of this incident on Okita Soki. It was said that fearing the Shinsengumi’s retaliation, that house’ owner decided to marry off his daughter to someone from his hometown. When Okita Soki knew about it three days later, Saya had already left Kyoto.
That day, Mr. Okita sat in front of the small tea stall from the morning until the night. When the owner was closing up, he did not dare to retrieve the stool that he was sitting on. Until midnight, Soki continually gazed at the house with bloodshot eyes, so stubborn he refused to get up and leave.
After another month, Zhang Heng heard that Okita Soki was gravely ill. When he visited him, Soki had lost a lot of weight. He was only skin and bones on of his body parts, and among other things, his cough had worsened as well. He was still suffering from mild fever too. When Zhang Heng saw him, he was sitting in the yard, looking at an orchid in the corner.
Okita Soki didn’t notice Zhang Heng walking into the yard. A master like Okita Soki would have noticed him the moment he stepped into the yard. Zhang Heng then sighed secretly in his heart. Soki was deteriorating rapidly, and with his coughing, coupled with the emotional trauma he experienced earlier, he might die earlier than expected.
However, he seemed quite sprightly now. When Zhang Heng put down the pork he was holding, Okita Soki finally noticed him and said, “You are one rare visitor.”
“I am nearby doing something. I came over when I remember that you are staying nearby here.”
“Are you still challenging the dojos in Kyoto? Mr. Abe, you are such a weird person.” Okita Soki smiled. “Nowadays, there are legends about you in the streets and alleys of Kyoto. I heard that thanks to you, Koyama Dojo has become very famous, recruiting many disciples.”
