#but like the shinsengumi captains I have no idea about

[to-the-window-to-the-waluigi]

I’m loving like a dragon Ishin a lot but What I need more than anything is a guide that shows who each character is between the mainline games and this one. I’m faceblind as fuck and there’s like 4 characters that I’ve looked at and thought “wait, is that one Kuze???”

[o-sachi]

Cowboy, Pirate, or Samurai? pt. 2 ₊⊹ Blue Lock Chars.

ଳ how the blue lock boys respond to, “would you rather be a cowboy, pirate, or samurai?”

ଳ characters; rin itoshi, sae itoshi, shidou ryusei, michael kaiser, alexis ness, hiyori yo, kiyora jin

ᯓ Rin Itoshi - Samurai

He'd find the question a bit stupid because is his answer not obvious? "Too noisy," he'd say about the pirate and the cowboy. Rin's more of a lone wolf—moving in silence and always planning his next move. I don't see him choosing anything else aside from the samurai. Also, I have a feeling he's not too fond of water, especially the wide and deep waters of the seas that pirates have to traverse. He looks like the type to have motion sickness, but he's too prideful to admit it.

ᯓ Sae Itoshi - Pirate

Have you seen that one official art? I mean... I think Sae has the qualities to be the leader of a ship. Our idea of that has probably been influenced by Jack Sparrow or Luffy—both having loud and vibrant personalities. But even though Sae is more of the silent and brooding type, he has the potential to be a good leader if he wanted to. Canonically, he is also a strategist which is something very useful to commandeer a ship. And as we can see in the main story, it's easy for him to get people to follow him purely through his reputation and skill.

ᯓ Shidou Ryusei - Pirate

Unlike Sae, Shidou will probably choose pirate entirely due to Jack Sparrow. He has seen the Pirates of the Caribbean once and vaguely remembers thinking, "He just like me for real," about Captain Jack Sparrow. So upon asking this question to him, the eccentric pirate was the first thing to come to mind. Oh and if he hears Sae's answer then he's just likely to copy him regardless of what he might initially thought.

ᯓ Michael Kaiser - Cowboy

Out of the three choices, cowboys seem to be the ones that are cherished by their people. They're viewed as the hard working heroes—fighting off thieves or whatnot in exchange for little to nothing at all. Kaiser probably imagines what it would be like to be needed by the people—to be loved by them. He might not be too interested in the whole saving-the-public part of being a cowboy, but he can't pass up the opportunity to be revered as the hero of the people. I love you, Kaiser :((

ᯓ Alexis Ness - Pirate

He'd grumble when asked about the question. "Why are you only giving me lame choices?" he'd retort. Obviously, he'd rather be a wizard. What's the point if you can't do the unthinkable? But he digresses. Pirates aren't magical in any sense, but they're the closest to doing the impossible. They travel far and wide over dangerous seas, collect treasures, and plunder other pirates' bounty. Plus, their bodies are built different to adapt to the tumultuous waters. When you put it like that, pirates seem to be in a different realm compared to the cowboy or the samurai. Even after that tangent, however—he'll still make it clear that he's choosing wizard.

ᯓ Hiyori Yo - Cowboy

"Cowboys have pistols, right?" Well, he's sold. It hardly matters that samurais have katanas or that pirates have literal canons—Hiyori thinks those aren't practical at all. Besides, we can't really blame him for being largely influenced by the shooting games that he plays back at home. He's quite confident that he'd win in every standoff he'd find himself in. Sure, he has never tried it in real life, but if he's hitting no-scopes in game then it should be the same thing, right?

ᯓ Kiyora Jin - Samurai

He probably doesn't really care for being a pirate or a samurai—like he doesn't see anything appealing about it. With that being said, does his replica katana collection and extensive knowledge of the Shinsengumi entice you? Well, it should. I dunno... but Kiyora seems like the guy that's super into swords for no other reason besides he thinks that they are "rad." He has definitely played sword fighting with his siblings when they were younger. He may or may not have pretended to be Okita Souji when he was a young lad.

[🐟]: Should I do the other characters?

ε( ε ˙³˙)ɜ ｡° ⚬ ｡ likes and reblogs are appreciated

o-sachi © 2024

[suchine-toki]

Thoughts about Tsukuyo

She was introduced late as part of the main cast, but I think it was a good decision on Sorachi's end. This is because when he created her, he was already a more experienced writer, he’d been writing his characters for a while and knew what his story needed.

I really like the dualities of Tsukuyo’s character. Her exterior is hard and cold, but inside her lies a very sensitive and protective person. She was a rebel, she fought against an oppressive system from the shadows. This caused enormous loneliness, keeping an emotional distance from the rest, especially from Hinowa.

Jiraia's teachings had a deep impact on her. It went against her kind nature, but she was led to believe that caring for others, loving others made her weak. These characteristics, regarded “feminine” by her master, made her weak.

This is why I consider her arc to be so important and one that resonates with me personally. These ideas, although they’ve been changing, still linger in our society today. And the society of Gintama's world remains particularly sexist.

This is also explored with Kyuubei. But while Kyuubei completely rejects femininity and embraces masculinity, Tsukuyo rejects the idea of femininity (what she was taught it meant at least), but she still feels like a woman. They’re different paths facing the same situation.

It’s over time that Tsukuyo begins to open up to others, learns to lean on others and overcome her traumas, especially in relation to her teacher. Being a caring person and loving is not something feminine or weak, on the contrary, it makes you someone strong. Sorachi completes her arc with these aspects in mind.

Although I consider Tsukuyo to be one of the best developed characters in the series, I was left wanting to see her interact with more characters. Don't get me wrong, her interactions with her family in Yoshiwara, the Yorozuya and the Gintaladies are extremely important, but I wish we’d seen more.

For example, I would’ve loved to see her in a trio with Sacchan and Zenzou (wait not that kind of trio-) as ninjas, more interactions with the Shinsengumi (considering the Hyakka is also a type of police). Speaking of the Hyakka, it would’ve been great to have a recurring character who was the vice-captain of that organization.

There's also the fact that almost all the characters Tsukuyo interacts with regularly are women, with the exception of Seita, Shinpachi, and Gintoki. A boy, a teenager, and a man (whose relationship hasn't caused any controversy amirite), but it would’ve been interesting if she’d more male friends.

That being said, I think Tsukuyo's character development was pretty good. Her character is realistic, multifaceted. More importantly, I believe that she reached her potential, both personally and professionally, with her being not only the leader of her organization, but also the leader of her city.

[fierce-little-miana]

I have this silly idea in my head that I wanted to share with the Hakuouki fandom.

You know this episode of The Office in which they spend the day hotly debating if Hilary Swank is hot or not (featuring presentations of arguments on both sides)? The same thing but with the captains of the Shinsengumi about Kimigiku after they went out to Shimabara.

Team Kimigiku is hot:

Shinpachi (developping the Jim-like argument that we judge courtisans according to different and unfair standarts, and that if Kimigiku wasn't a courtisan no one would ever say she isn't hot)

Heisuke

Chizuru

Team Kimigiku is not hot:

Saito

Souji

Sano (developping the argument that yes Kimigiku is beautiful, extremely so even, but hot is a gut feeling and that he simply does not feel it for her)

They spend hours debating this. Nothing of value is accomplished during the entire afternoon and it only stops because one of them has to leave to lead a patrol.

[jujumin-translates]

Reni Kamikizaka | [R] Only On Blooming Days, | One-Day Ponytail - Part 1

Syu: Reiji, what’d you end up deciding on doing for Okita’s hair?

Zen: Right, you’ve had that on hold, didn’t you?

Reni: Yes, about that…

Reni: There was the option of wearing a wig, but I decided on using my own hair.

Kasumi: Your hair is really long and beautiful, Reni-san, so a ponytail would look very nice.

Yuzo: A ponytail, huh? That’d look good on you, Reni-san. I’m sure the audience would love it.

Hiro: In a lot of film works, Okita Souji usually ties his hair up high on his head, so that would definitely work. (1)

Reni: (Hmm… That would fit the image of the man I’m playing, Okita Soji.)

Reni: I think I’ll go with a ponytail then.

Kasumi: Waaah, I can’t wait to see you with a ponytail, Reni-san!

Syu: If you do it with your natural hair, it’ll be a long ponytail.

Zen: It’d also be good for you to get an idea of how your hair moves when you move for the sword fighting scenes.

Reni: You’re right. I’m not used to wearing my hair in a ponytail, so maybe I should spend the day with it tied up to become more accustomed to it…

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Reni: (I talked about spending some time with my hair in a ponytail the other day… and because it’s a role study, I suppose the sooner the better.)

*Knock on door*

Reni: Yes.

*Door opens*

Nakata: Excuse me.

Reni: Nakata, what is it?

Nakata: Regarding the makeup plan for the lead actor in the upcoming show, I’m thinking of going with Plan A.

Nakata: Could you please look it over?

Reni: Hmm, all right. Let’s proceed with this one.

Nakata: Understood. Now then…

Reni: (Now that I think about it, if Nakata is here… yes, this is perfect.)

Reni: Wait a moment.

Nakata: What can I help you with?

Reni: You’re quite good at hair and makeup, correct?

Nakata: Yes. However, I’m only a little better than the average people, I’m nowhere near a professional…

Reni: That’s fine.

Reni: I’m asking that you keep what I’m about to tell you confidential, but… I’m going to perform in an upcoming play.

Nakata: Y-You are…!?

Reni: Yes. And the role I’m playing will require me to have my hair up.

Reni: So I was hoping to spend today with my hair in a ponytail as part of a role study.

Reni: I know you just came to check in on the hair and makeup ideas, but I’d like you to put my hair into a high ponytail.

Nakata: M-Me doing your hair, Kamikizaka-san…!? U-Understood…!

Nakata: E-Excuse me for a moment…

Reni: Of course.

[ Next Part ⇢ ]

• • •

T/N:

(1) Okita Souji is the name of the captain of the first unit of the Shinsengumi, a special police force during the late shogunate period.

[yakuzacanons]

Hello! How are you doing? Can I request some general dating headcanons for the Ishin boys? Like Nakaoka, Todo and Sasaki? Thanks! <3

ISHIN TIME AGAIN let's go, also nice pick of characters anon, I almost never see people write about Sasaki and Nakaoka so I'm eager to give it my best.

Nakaoka Shintaro

Laidback but intelligent is a great description of him in general. He's a perceptive and logical guy, great at handling things like finances. Definitely more of a longterm, settle down type of partner.

Not shy at all, actually. Typically works up the courage to confess by himself and is a clear communicator. Very kind and gentle but always to the point.

He is quite aware that he's an older bachelor which is one of his few internal struggles. He also is still wrestling with the death of his boss, Yoshida Toyo. Although this particular event doesn't weigh too heavily on his day to day life, he will sometimes want to talk about it.

Bit of a doting figure, type of guy to be like "Ah, your sandal is starting to break..." or to offer to mend a hole in your yukata. Has some handyman skills stowed away.

When it comes to dates, his one weakness is he can be indecisive about where to go and what to do. Prefers to collaborate with you on ideas or activities rather than just drag you somewhere because he said so.

Overall, a very good partner, great for a domestic and longterm relationship. Not a very sexual person unfortunately, but he is a warm and cozy person when it comes to affection at home.

Todo Heisuke

He's a little bit of a fox, constantly has an air of mischief about him. You can blame it on his young age, he won't take offense. He's well aware he's the youngest Shinsengumi captain, but that didn't stop him from doing well so he doesn't see it as a setback or insult.

Having said that, he is prone to boyish tendencies. He's kind of a troublemaker, probably the type of kid to play with firecrackers or sneak rice crackers when he wasn't supposed to. He's less devilish these days but you can still see that glint in his eye or hear that snarkiness in his voice.

Energetic and talkative. Easy to talk to and he's always down to do activities with you. More likely than not, the two of you will go on several dates long before either of you confess, or even realize you two are into each other.

Not much when it comes to confessing, he kind of just lets it out without any crazy fanfare or romanticization. He's quite sly so be warned he can be such a huge flirt, especially if he thinks you're into him. Even more so if he's also into you.

Great at planning dates, especially dinner dates. Knows all the best places to eat, just say the word. It doesn't matter if it's noodles, fish, dessert, even tea. He's an expert.

In a relationship, he's such a hugger. Almost always has an arm around you or is leaning is head on you.

A flashy dresser and sometimes talks really loud. If you tell him to tone it down, he will though. Mostly he doesn't realize he's being noisy.

If you're ever in trouble, call on Todo and he will be there in an instant, sword at the ready. Anyone that's ever thought of messing with you won't anymore because he will not hesitate to cut them, and quite deeply too.

Out of the three boys here, he has the highest sex drive. Very high endurance too so watch out.

Sasaki Tadasaburo

Big man with a surprisingly big heart. His strong and stoic aura and commanding demeanor is a far cry from who he is when it comes to romance.

A disciplined and respected man who carries himself with good manners, although he can be prone to stubborness. As leader of the Mimawarigumi, he can also be somewhat hotheaded.

When it comes to romance, he'll likely court you in a more old fashioned sense, doing it all proper like and then some. It may seem dumb or weird but really it's more so that Sasaki is the type of guy to hold great reverance for familial relationships. He thinks a romantic relationship with a long term partner should be respected as such.

Once he starts letting his guard down, you'll see that he's much more of a normal man than people make him out to be in the rumors. Some of his characteristics still hold true, like his stubborness, but deep down he's a guy who needs companionship like anyone else.

Does enjoy a good drink every now and then and will welcome you to do the same with him. Doesn't get to go out on the town much as work keeps him fairly busy but when he does, it's usually with you.

Keeps a rather organized household. If you end up living with him or marrying him, you can expect it to be a fairly beautiful home. He has a bit of money to his name so you'll at least be comfortable, he'll make sure of it.

Aware that he's older in age but he would like to maybe have a kid someday, perhaps when his work is less straining on him. That aside, he's got an average sex drive but he's definitely a top. He doesn't have a breeding kink or anything like that but you might develop one over time, honestly.

[kumoriyami-xiuzhen]

Hakuoki Shinkai Tenun no Shou Stellaworth Booklet “Her Long Day” Part 2

sorry this is late... but I've come down with chills, which is unfortunately unsurprising given how that happens when I go from a hot environment to a cool one... and I've just been tired and doing a lot of sleeping early... or passing out? 😂 Honestly, I almost never sleep before 10pm so it's been nice to indulge in being lazy... even if it's due to feeling a bit off.

Anyway, I haven't decided if I want to bother with cramming in two more of these "moments" before next thursday since I need to get to the artist's notes for Deemo... but w/e! Enjoy!

Also, the tl I've referenced isn't entirely consistent with the honorifics so I've put in what I think they are.

Hakuoki Shinkai Tenun no Shou Stellaworth Booklet “Her Long Day” Part 2

Translation by KumoriYami

Sìshí·Yamazaki Moment 《9~11 o'clock》

Everyone ate breakfast, and once all the dishes were washed.

Members went to patrol and train as part of their daily routine——.

And I set up medical tools, including a mill and mortar, in Yamazaki-san's room.

"Then, before Yamazaki-san returns, I'll get started first…"

I pounded the sun-dried flower petals, and opened up the notebook that contained medication prescriptions/recipes.

During my time as a page, I have frequently been assigned miscellaneous tasks...

The duty I was requested by Hijikata-san today was to help Yamazaki-san boil medicine for the team members.

While I was crushing petals, one of the raw materials…

"——I'm sorry, Yukimura-kun. I've kept you waiting."

The owner of the room opened the door and poked his inside as he spoke quietly.

"Yamazaki-san, I started first, is that alright?"

"Aahh, that's fine. I'll also help now too."

Yamazaki-san sat down in front of me, and narrowed his eyes as he looked at the notebook and spoke.

"Well, today… our main focus is to replenish the drugs that have an insufficient supply that are to be used soon."

"Yes. And Ito-san said that he had a sore throat and asked for cough medicine. After, Hijikata-san asked me to make some medicine for stomach pain."

"Ito-san aside, what happened to the Vice-Commander…? Why is he suddenly having stomach pain?"

"Uh, it appears that his stomach has severely been hurting since yesterday…"

"…..It was Okita-kun again. Really, what does that person think the Vice-Commander…"

Yamazaki-san breathed out a sigh, and began to pound the petals.

"Always playing pranks and causing trouble for him, and the Vice-Commander cannot ignore him… He's obviously a division captain, so he should have some respect for the Vice-Commander!"

"No, that's not it, Yamazaki-san. It seems that it wasn't Okita-san's fault this time, but Nomura-kun's."

"…Nomura-kun? What on earth did he do?"

Astonishment was on Yamazaki-san's face, and I trembled with fear as I spoke.

"Um… it seems like he was delivering a late night snack to HIjikata-san, and he accidently fell down in his room and caused half of the letters to get destroyed by fire..."

"....I see, I understand."

Yamazaki-san abruptly stood up, and I hurried added:

"No-Nomura-un didn't have any ill intentions! He just was a bit out of luck…"

"I understand. I merely want to teach him a very, very small lesson, and tell him that he needs to be careful about everything."

Yamzaki-san had a smile on his face, but there there was no smiling in his eyes, he then turned his back to me and spoke.

"……Anyway, at least, for approximately three periods of time*, it's only natural to have him seiza and listen."

"Three moments of time* will be from day until night...!"

T/N: I think this is based on the wadokei, the old Japanese way of telling time... which divided the day into 12 hours... or alternatively, it's based on rokuji, which divided a day into 6 periods of time... and I have no idea how best to word these "periods".

While quickly catching up to Yamazaki-san who was leaving, I prayed in my for Nomura-kun's fate.

Wǔshí · Iba moment 《11~13 o'clock》

Shinsengumi Headquarters · Nishi Hongan-ji Temple

In addition to how the room was used for assemblies, it was also used by members to eat, and because it was lunch time, the large hall was crowded with many members.

"Don't push! If you want get more rice, please line up!"

"Yukimura-senpai, the rice tub is almost empty again!"

"The next pot of rice should be cooked soon, so I'll quickly go and bring it!"

Normally, Souma-kun and I were usually on in charge of the meals for the executives that were close to Kondou-san and Hijikata-san, so we rarely helped meals for the ordinary team members...

But the person in charge today caught a cold, so Souma-kun and I were entrusted by Inoue-san to begin helping him wherever.

"This… this is complete chaos…."

In a moment someone won't have a dish or chopsticks/there won't be enough dishes and chopsticks, someone will want more rice in a moment, someone will spill soup and ask me for a rag…… and so on and so forth.

In the face of one rude voice after another, I felt like I was going to have my hands far too full.

Despite that, since I had agreed to Inoue-san's request, I still had to put in the effort to handle things well, even while feeling overwhelmed.

"——Chizuru, if possible, can I help?"

Iba-san grabbed hold of my hand, and took the rice paddle from my hands.

"Ib-Iba-san? Why are you here....?"

"I happened to have something I had to come here for… but, that can be talked about later. For now, we should handle the matter at first."

After those firm words were spoken, Iba-san clearly greeted the team members.

"Those who want more rice, you don't have to stand up. Please sit where you are and lift your rice bowl, and pass it down in turn."

"How about another serving of taro? Unfortunately, all of the taro has already been eaten so how about another serving of konbu? Konbu (こんぶ) and cheerful (こぶ) are homophones, but they are very" auspicious.

the word "cheerful" is a correct translation, but I think that's wrong... since what I found on what こぶ i means doesn't really make anything seem auspicious?

Iba-san was like a teahouse clerk, taking care of the team members in a clear and orderly manner.

Seeing him like that, I quickly continued to help——

Half an hour later, almost all of team members finished eating.

"It's almost over. Good work/You've worked hard, Chizuru."

In the almost empty hall, I hurriedly bowed my head to express my thanks to Iba-san.

"I'm sorry, I didn't expect to trouble Iba-san with chores…"

"Don't worry about it. I myself wished to help."

Hearing him say that, I relaxed a bit, though still felt apologetic.

Seeing how anxious I looked, Iba-san nodded as if he had suddenly thought of something.

"Since you're so worried about this…. how bout I receive a bit of remuneration/a reward?"

"Remuneration? I don't have a lot of money..."

"Not like that…. Just repay me with food personally cooked by Chizuru."

"……"

For a moment, I wasn't able to react to what he meant, so I blankly stared at him.

"Food that I cook… is that okay?"

"Nnn. To be honest, I came to headquarters today because I wanted to eat food that you cooked."

"…….I understand. In that case, I'm very honoured!"

Seeing Iba-san smile, I started thinking about what to cook for him.

---to be continued---

references used for the stuff about time:

wadokei: https://grapeejapan.com/181323

rokuji: https://wadokei.org/wadokei-developments/edo-divisions-of-day/

[kowaindar0u]

(diary meme ehek) 13 Yuichi (either Nagasone, Kashuu or Saseki ehek), 7 Hachisuka! (@zantedeschia-praesul)

[ DEAR  DIARY          .    .    . ]

i'm a gemini you can't just give me 3 choices and expect me to pick hehe. so have them all !!!!!!! (really i just love doing these diaries so i'm taking all them i can get rrrrrraaaaaa)

13.     entry made featuring mention of (sender’s) muse. (Yuichi -> Nagasone)

Ohhh, dearest diary. You are going to feel so special, aren't you? Because you've known for so long about Nagasone and I, longer than perhaps anyone else-- except maybe Kashuu. Don't be getting jealous, though!

But... we've finally decided to let it be known by the rest of the honmaru, and... Well I think a lot of the men already had some kind of idea. Kogitsunemaru definitely knew, though he's gracious enough to wait until we were ready before he said anything (some very kind words, naturally). I think Murakumo got the hint simply for how much time he spends in my office some days. Hachisuka probably figured it out pretty quickly, though he hasn't said anything to me, and Nagasone hasn't mentioned anything from him. Urashima I think was somehow still unaware. Perhaps he's just too pure for this world.

"I don't know why I was so nervous about it." I know I say this all the time, but it never seems to stop being relevant. I was worried others would be unhappy about it, or that they might think I play favorites-- clearly this is different, right? Right.

Worst of all, the thought crossed my mind that... perhaps after it stopped being such a secret, Nagasone might lose interest, or look at me differently, or something. I don't have this worry anymore, but I can't stop thinking ABOUT the fact that I thought that might happen. I feel awful for even barely entertaining the thought. Nagasone had never given me any reason to believe that, and on the contrary, he only ever gives me hundreds more to KNOW for certain that it wouldn't happen. It's... amazing, really, how he can do so much to make me feel so good, and happy, and just... like everything's okay... But I still find a way to think there's a chance that I don't deserve it.

Nagasone would hate to hear that from me, I know it. And he doesn't deserve that, either.

Which is why I tell you, of course. But you probably could already guess that, huh.

Well... Whether I deserve it or not... I love him. So much. I'd be a goner without him.

So, diary, I hope you're happy for us too.

13.     entry made featuring mention of (sender’s) muse. (Yuichi -> Kashuu)

Dear Diary.

This still feels like some kind of fucked-up dream. But... up until now, through all of this... recovering, monitoring, assessing, training, learning, trying to come to terms with the fact that apparently magic and sword-men and time travel is all real... It's been like I'm just walking through it in a confused, numb daze. It didn't really matter. For all I knew, I could've been dead and this was my afterlife.

But... not anymore.

I summoned my first touken danshi. Kashuu Kiyomitsu, he's called. One of two trusty swords of Shinsengumi first unit captain, famed Okita Souji.

The summoning itself was... excruciating, but amazing. I don't know how I did it. But... I haven't FELT this much emotion, felt anything in this intensity but despair and loneliness in... I don't know when, or if I have.

Maybe I was scared. This whole Government thing is intimidating. Maybe I was just afraid that if I didn't give it my all, they'd... I dunno, kick me to whatever the afterlife equivalent of a curb is. Or send me to hell.

Maybe I just wanted it to be real so badly that I managed to tap into that... pathetic, desperate wish for a connection with someone, a friend, that I could have a chance not to isolate myself or squander it, and...

And he appeared. Kashuu Kiyomitsu.

I thought perhaps the fact I was crying might freak out a new person-- a literally NEW person, right? But it seems... there really is a connection between us. They told us this would be the case with the swords we summoned, but... I guess I couldn't believe it until I felt it myself.

I hugged Kashuu Kiyomitsu and... it just made everything real. Real, and scary, and overwhelming, but... if this is my second chance at life, I'm going to take it. As long as he's there with me... I think I'll be okay.

Kashuu Kiyomitsu... Thank you.

13.     entry made featuring mention of (sender’s) muse. (Yuichi -> Saseki)

Ah, diary...

I'm sitting at my desk... I should be working, but... I just can't help but stare at the magical painting Saseki gifted me, and think about him. I appreciate Nagisa a great deal, and of course owe my life to her and her men, but I don't know that I was in such a state of mind to have formed a bond with her. Not to mention there was a lot that she couldn't tell me, since the Government had yet to make a call on what to do with me.

But Saseki... what can I say? He's become one of my best friends, almost like a brother, perhaps. He's so insistent that he be able to protect me or help me if I'd ever need it, even after he's been through so much himself... I'm so grateful to him, and this honmaru is lucky to have such an ally, of course.

But letting my thoughts drift... one question my mind asked, I can't help but think about: "Where were you before, in my old life?"

I had ... friends, before. I guess. But I had such trouble trying to interact with them for some reason and opted to just... keep to myself. I didn't feel truly comfortable with anyone.

But... I don't know. I don't want to change where I am now. I would never give this up for even a moment, not over my dead body and then some. But I can't help but wonder, what IF I had known Saseki? Sometimes I think about this with my touken danshi as well, but it feels more of a fantasy that way, about maybe taking them around a modern city and whatnot. But with Saseki... he's a human. In theory, it's not impossible for us to have crossed paths, and ... I just think... maybe if we had...

No, no. This sounds like I'm blaming Saseki. It's not that. It's just... What I mean is... I'm just so grateful to have him. And I know now the impact one person can have on the trajectory of history in a given timeline. On the off chance I would have allowed myself to befriend him like this back then, or in a different timeline... maybe things wouldn't have been quite so unbearable. Maybe there's a version of me who had someone like him like I wished I had. And that's what's really got me right now.

[there's some smudges where seemingly a couple of drops were hastily brushed off the page]

Well. It's really neither here nor there, isn't it. What matters most is that we both got to where we are and are friends today, right? Right.

07.     entry made featuring an important moment in their life. (Hachisuka)

Dear Diary.

It was... a beautiful day. Well. It was... a fine enough day. Until the rain and winds picked up, and thunder crashed, rattling the doors and windows...

And HE appeared.

Nagasone 'Kotetsu'.

It may be unbecoming of me, but I'm seething. A counterfeit, a fake, an imitation, using something as prestigious as the Kotetsu name? Here, in my citadel? In my room? My master is testing me, truly.

He seems to not even be bothered by the fact that he bears a name that doesn't suit him, that he couldn't possibly live up to... right? He's just so... amicable, and seems quite happy to be here.

I told him: I may be obligated to share my room with you--for now. But know this. You are NOT a true Kotetsu, and you are NOT my brother. Do not expect me to treat you as such.

I don't know what I expected from him.

It's ridiculous, preposterous.

I...

It seems I lost my train of thought. No matter. I'm being called out for dispatch anyway. This isn't the last you'll hear on this regard, mark my word.

[meadowmines]

OC-Tober Day 21: Different Era

[WOE. ISHIN BE UPON YE.]

It's not often that Aoyagi gets to enjoy a bath in a nice bathhouse at a reasonable hour. He usually just comes in the middle of the night because the place is deserted. But sometimes, just sometimes, the combination of Shinsengumi money burning a hole in his pocket and the stress of having to feed his fellow troops to earn that paycheck line up just right and the second he can get away with shutting the kitchen for the night he puts out the fire and runs like hell to catch a nice hot bath.

Look, do you have any idea how much these animals can eat? You try feeding a pack of ravenous Mibu Wolves and see how much sanity you've got left by the time dinner's over. Sure, it helps that this Saito guy that's just joined up can cook a little and grows some veggies and brings some eggs and fish and stuff in once in a while but goddamn.

Anyway, he said fuck this shit I'm out, grabbed his money, ran to this nice bathhouse, slammed a whole ryo on the counter for an hour of private bathtime, and now he's just letting his cares soak away without having to worry about who might see what's under his clothes.

He thinks he hears some conversation out front, the attendant talking, then a woman's voice (he thinks) saying something he can't quite make out. He ignores it. It's not his problem.

It's not his problem, he thinks, until he hears someone walk in on his private bathtime. His first instinct is to cover up, and he goes as far as sinking neck-deep into the water before he opens his eyes to glare daggers at whoever just walked in. "I dunno if the guy out front told ya," he starts, "but I paid a whole-ass ryo for an hour in private. Wait yer turn."

"Oh, that's fine!" Same voice, but now Aoyagi recognizes it.

Oh. Okay. It's that Sonno Joui asshole. Great. Awesome. Just what he needed tonight.

"I do that too, you know. For the same reason, even!" And without the least little bit of self-consciousness Yamaoka steps right into the water and sits just far enough away that Aoyagi can't bitch about it. "Hey. No need to be shy. We're all men here, right?"

"Sit on a sea urchin," Aoyagi grumbles, averting his eyes. Yamaoka is tall and slim and he's got long legs and big hands and feet and he probably doesn't even have to bind his chest. Aoyagi is chubby and stubby and lives in constant fear that his shit's going to come undone at the worst possible time. Very few people know what's under his clothes--his brother, Captain Okita, the chief, this asshole, and that's about it and he'd like to keep it that way. "C'mon, man. Ya can't wait one hour?"

"Aw, don't be like that!" Yamaoka shrugs innocently. Innocent, Aoyagi's entire ass. "I never see you around anymore. Heard Okita's working you and your brother half to death."

It's not exactly untrue but like hell is Aoyagi going to admit to that right now. "The Captain saved my life," he says as mildly as he can. Now that part is true, even if Aoyagi suspects the man was more excited about adding a few new bloodstains to his collection than he was invested in saving anyone. "I owe him for that."

"Hey, good loyal men like you don't grow on trees. He doesn't know how lucky he is." Yamaoka says with a shit-eating grin. "You know I could get you into the Sonno Joui. Just say the word."

"Really," Aoyagi deadpans. "The way I hear it, my blood's got too much of the West in it for your outfit."

"Oh, don't worry about that," Yamaoka says, casually waving a hand in a way that just happens to flick water right into Aoyagi's face. "We know you're one of the good ones."

"I'm gonna pop ya a good one if ya don't shut the fuck up while I'm tryin' to relax."

All that gets out of Yamaoka is a laugh. Maybe not the heartiest one--sure, Aoyagi makes most of his coin in the kitchen but he picks up a fair bit of scratch kicking asses that need kicked, and he's no slouch with a sword. Yamaoka is a flashy bastard (he struts around Kyo with not one but two revolvers, what kind of asshole even does that!?) and he's got a pretty scary reputation that isn't unearned. He's a crack shot and deadly at range, but he's shit in a close fight and he's got to be considering his chances if Aoyagi just snaps and starts pounding the crap out of him right here in the middle of the bathhouse.

"All right, all right," Yamaoka finally says, hands held up in the most nonthreatening possible gesture. "Yamaoka-no-nii-san's just trying to help, no need to get a big tail about it. So hey, you see the chicken races last night? My girl picked a few winners, let's just say I got lucky more than once..."

Aoyagi holds his nose and quietly slips under the surface of the water and wonders if he can hold his breath until this asshole stops talking.

[souglias]

Hi Leo ! I saw that you opened your requests so, how about:“There is enough room for both of us.” and/or “Can I kiss you?” with Sougo ? 😊

Just imagine: him and the reader are locked together somewhere for some reasons and, after the tension built up, he just ask nonchalantly if he can kiss them (because that's really something I can picture him doing for a first kiss xvsjdbak). But if you have anything else in mind or just want to write only one of the prompt, feel free to do so !

Can I kiss you [Sougo]

c/w: small spaces

note: Hiii sorry for the wait!! I thought that your idea was really good like I CAN REALLY IMAGINE HIM DO THAT TOO so I hope this does your idea justice. I used both prompts in the fic!

Thank you for all likes and reblogs!

With Sougo’s body flush against yours and one hand on your shoulder, you have one very pressing question in mind. One question that rises to the top of your mind despite your hammering heart.

Did he wash his hands when he visited the toilet today?

The captain of the first division of the Shinsengumi has an atrocious habit of not washing his hands after he’s done with his business. You wish you hadn’t overheard him saying that like he’s showing off a damn gold trophy.

It makes you all the more embarrassed to have admitted to yourself that you do have a crush on him. You’re an elite! You’re part of the dignified Mimawarigumi! Yet here you are, catching feelings for a barbaric country samurai.

You place your hands above his and pry his fingers off your shoulder. Narrowing your eyes at him, you hiss, “Can you get your hand off me?”

He complains with a drawl in his voice, “What if I fall backwards onto the door? The rattling of the door is going to alert the enemy of our presence, you know. Lend me a little support.”

His knee bumps into yours when he shuffles his feet. You stifle back a yelp from the contact. As you clutch the stick beside you to prevent yourself from losing balance, you hiss, “Watch it will you? There’s not enough space here.”

“There is enough room for the both of us.” His arm snakes around your torso and he tugs you into his chest.

In a low voice, he whispers in your ear, “Even like this, there’s still enough space.”

His breath tickles the shell of your ear and chills run down your spine. Heat rushes into your face, aggravated by the humidity in the storage room. You try to shove him back, but his arms stubbornly remain around your torso and his face hovers dangerously close to yours.

“You’re having a lot of fun, aren’t you? Getting flirty with a member from a rival group in an enemy base.”

“I’m not that easily pleased, [name].”

With how your eyes have adjusted to the dark, you can barely see him direct a smirk in your way. What did you do to be subject to the tendencies of the sadist?

He lets go and shuffles backwards with whatever space he has. He moves his hand from your shoulder and his hand finds its way to the same stick you’re holding onto. The side of his hand brushes yours. As you shift your hand backwards, you see him pull his hand back like he’s touched fire.

Sougo remains silent for a while and you strain to listen out for any movements outside.“Hey, can I kiss you?”

Your breath hitches. He’s kidding, you think.

…

“Hello?”

He’s not kidding.

Your answer stops short at the tip of your lips.

Could you say yes? Could you let yourself, someone of stature, be overcome by such mere fleeting feelings?

(But in this small, confined space, there is no one looking at you as an elite.)

You steal a glance at him, seeing his eyes wander about and looking everywhere but you.

“Yes.”

You know Sougo has always been quick when you see him swoop in and deliver a quick end to the enemies. But the same quickness makes you hold your breath as he cups your cheek and captures your lips in the same instance.

For a sadist, it is surprisingly gentle. It is the same gentleness someone has when they handle something delicate and precious. He presses his lips against yours with some restraint, as if he’s worried he’ll scare you away even though there’s nowhere for you to run.

(He catches the glances you throw around on patrol, knowing you aren’t just looking out for suspicious figures. He notices you look his way when he’s stationed at the opposite end of the room. He has wondered if you ever thought that the distance has been a whole ocean.)

When you pull apart, you are breathless and so is he. Your breaths intermingle in the small space between the two of you as you try to calm yourself.

“I shouldn’t be doing this on a mission.”

“But you just did, [name]. I like you, by the way.”

Your heart almost jumps out of your throat. “You suck at this. You should have said that first.”

“The order doesn’t matter. I’ve never followed the rules.”

You hear shuffling outside of the storage room. He asks with that annoying monotone voice of his, “So, can I kiss you again?”

The voices outside get louder. “If you manage to take them all out in 10 seconds.”

(And you know he will.)

[shinsengumi-archives]

List of swordsmanship schools at the end of the Edo period! Dojos where swordsmen such as the Shinsengumi and Takasugi Shinsaku studied

What kind of swordsmanship were the Shishi and Shinsengumi practicing at the end of the Tokugawa shogunate?

A brief summary of the main schools and who studied in them.

Shindo Munen-ryu

Shindo Munen-ryu was founded by Fukui Hyoemon in the Genroku era.

"Peace" was their principle. It was forbidden to solve problems unreasonably with swords, and academics were also emphasized .

Saito Yakuro's dojo, Renpeikan, was famous as one of the three major dojos in Edo at the end of the Tokugawa shogunate.

Who studied the Shindo Munen-ryu?

Egawa Tarozaemon: Shogunate official

Katsura Kogoro: Choshu Domain

Takasugi Shinsaku: Choshu Domain

Inoue Mita: Choshu Domain

Ito Hirobumi: Choshu Domain

Shinagawa Yajiro: Choshu Domain

Nagakura Shinpachi: Shinsengumi 2nd Squad Captain

Fujita Toko: Mito Domain, scholar

Katsura Kogoro was convinced to study this style when he heard that Shindo Munen-ryu swordsmen valued peace and used their swords as little as possible.

He served as the head instructor of the dojo for five years from Kaei 5 to Ansei 4, and his ability was also well documented.

As you can see, the Renpeikan was a dojo with many Choshu clan students.

On the other hand, Nagakura Shinpachi, who is said to have been the strongest in the Shinsengumi, also practiced the same style. However, he went to the Gekikenkan instead of the Renpeikan.

[T/N: Isn’t Serizawa also Shindo Munen-ryu? I guess he didn’t take its teachings to heart 😅]

Hokushin Itto-ryu

The Hokushin Itto-ryu was new style at that time, and was founded by Chiba Shusaku in Edo in the 5th year of Bunsei. Genbukan, one of the three major dojos in the Edo at the end of the Edo period, had more than 6000 students.

Since the Hokushin Itto-ryu was newly established, it adopted a rational tactic that was not bound by the old ways. There were no moves like exaggerated deadly sword attacks. It emphasized actual battle.

Who studied the Hokushin Itto-ryu?

Sakamoto Ryoma: Tosa dappan

Kiyokawa Hachiro: Shonai Domain

Ito Kashitaro: Shinsengumi

Todo Heisuke: Shinsengumi

Sannan Keisuke: Shinsengumi

Yoshimura Kuniichiro: Shinsengumi

Tennen Rishin-ryu

Tennen Rishin-ryu was founded by Kondo Tsukisuke during the Kansei era.

It was the Shinsengumi that made this style suddenly famous. Before, it was despised as a countryside swordsmanship style from Tama.

Most of the main members of the Shinsengumi were from this dojo, the Shieikan. 

(On the other hand, I don't hear anything else about this dojo other than the Shinsengumi)

It was a sword that made enemies tremble in Kyoto at the end of the Tokugawa shogunate. The idea was to focus on actual battles and win no matter what kind of tactics you use.

The Tennen Rishin-ryu took their fights seriously even in practice, and some moves involved suddenly slashing at the opponent’s legs.

Hijikata Toshizo kicking up sand to blind the enemy? He was really strong because he was not above using any method (this is not a real move from this sword style, but lol).

At the bloody end of the Edo period, it's no wonder that the Shinsengumi was strong when they used a style that focused on winning.

Who studied the Tennen Rishin-ryu?

Kondo Isami: Commander of the Shinsengumi

Okita Souji: Shinsengumi 1st Squad Captain

Inoue Genzaburo: Shinsengumi 6th Squad Captain

Yagyu Shinkage-ryu

Yagyu Shinkage-ryu was the Tokugawa clan’s style.

It was founded by Yagyu Ishifune Munetoshi.

It’s famous for the mutō (無刀取り) technique, where you can win without having a sword.

Who studied the Yagyu Shinkage-ryu?

Takasugi Shinsaku: Choshu Domain, Licensed

Katsura Kogoro: Choshu Domain

Kyoshin Meichi-ryu

The Kyoshin Meichi-ryu was founded by Momoi Hachirozaemon. By the time his son Momoi Shunzo inherited the dojo, the Shigakukan became popular as one of the three major dojos in Edo .

In the Kyoshin Meichi-ryu, honor was especially important, and both Momoi Hachirozaemon and Shunzo were very strong swordsmen. Rather, they had strong personalities.

Who studied the Kyoshin Meichi-ryu?

Takechi Hanpeita: Tosa Domain

Okada Izo: Tosa Domain

It’s ironic that the Four Manslayers of the Edo period came out of the Kyoshin Meichi-ryu that emphasized honor.

At least, the famous ones in modern times are Takechi and Okada.

Nodachi Jigen-ryu

Nodachi Jigen-ryu was founded in 1822 by Kanetake Yakumaru as a branch of Jigen-ryu, and was also called Yakumaru-ryu.

It often appeared in the taiga drama Segodon. It’s the one with the strange battlecry, "Kieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!” lol.

It was said to be Satsuma's one-shot deadly sword style, and it was a style that pushed hard with power and spirit.

When training using tree branches, they scream “Kyaaa!!!!!” as they hit.

Their tactic was to jump before their opponent and slash no matter what happens. Don't hold back.

In this aspect, there’s something similar to Tennen Rishin-ryu.

This school was able to play an active role at the end of the Tokugawa shogunate, and had an obsession with slashing, instead of other moves.

As a side note, isn't that a little crazy to shout like that? People have also said that for a long time, and it seemed that even Shimazu Narioki, the lord of the Satsuma Domain, jolted up saying "They're like mad swordsmen".

Certainly, if you didn't know anything about them, you'd be surprised at their sudden scream lol

Who studied the Nodachi Jigen-ryu?

Nakamura Hanjiro: Satsuma Domain

Arimura Tsugusaemon: Satsuma Domain, Seichugumi

Oyama Tsunayoshi: Satsuma Domain, Seichugumi

Arimura Shunsai: Satsuma Domain, Seichugumi

Shinohara Kunimoto: Satsuma Domain

Togo Heihachiro: Satsuma Domain, Admiral

[queenofnohr]

Fate/Grand Order Saito Hajime Line Masterpost

Gotta pay my respects to the Shinsengumi as always.

I really do recommend reading these along with a video showcasing his lines if you don’t have him since his voice acting is phenomenal and also some of what he says is clearly like... under his breath or there’s a tone shift or whatever (for example, his lines with Okita sound rather harsh if you’re under the assumption he’s always speaking directly to her).

As always these lines aren’t in the order they appear in on his card page, but the order you’re most likely to hear them in.

One other note is - I left “makoto” untranslated when in direct reference to the Shinsengumi flag/ideals. Makoto means “truth” and it would still work translated as that, but within context it means... more than that. Not just truth, but ideals, what it means to be Shinsengumi, etc. and I thought cutting it down to simply truth was doing it a disservice.

Summoning: Hajime Saito, Captain of the Shinsengumi’s Third Division here. You can call me your beloved Hajime-chan. Wait, no, like I thought that’s no good. So you’re Master-chan, huh? Well that explains the look on your face. Oh, right, I’m not great with formalities so… with that, regards to ya.

Level Up 1: Thanks a bunch, Master-chan. Level Up 2: Thanks for that.

Ascension 1: How do I look? Pretty swanky, right? I looked like this back in the day since I was a police officer. I’m pretty used to wearing Western clothes because of that. Ascension 2: Oh, these swords? This one is a wakizashi, and the other is a naga-wakizashi. The longer the wakizashi the better, and the Commander encouraged me by saying, “That suits you surprisingly well!” …...Ha, a sword suiting me.* Ascension 3: To think there’d come a day when I’d wear this again…… A lot of things happened, but in the end I came back. It’s been so long, and no time at all…… There’s nothing more to say. Ascension 4: Thank you, really, for sticking with me this far even though I’m like this. What’s with this? I’m not the type to get all choked up. There must really be something wrong with me. …...Anyway. I’m entrusting my sword to you. —Hajime Saito, Invincible Blade and Captain of the Shinsengumi’s Third Division reporting in.

My Room Generic 1: Are you heading out? Then I’ll tag along with you. What? I won’t get in your way, so do as you like. My Room Generic 2: I’m no good at serving under people, I’m no good at not serving under people…… I just go with the flow. If I force it, it’ll just leave. My Room Generic 3: So I’m your subordinate, huh, Master-chan? Since I’m a Servant. But, sorry, I won’t go to my death. What’s the saying? If a human dies, they lose. My Room Generic 4: School of swordsmanship? Nah, I don’t do anything like that, I just swing my sword around carelessly when the time comes. It’s not anything as impressive as a school of swordsmanship. Well, if I had to call it anything it’d be the “Invincible Style.” There’s no theory to crossing swords in the first place. It’s just something I’m crazy about. That is, killing each other.

With Okita: Well, if it isn’t Okita-chan. You doing okay? What, can’t a guy ask what’s up? You always were Ms. Sickly after all. Well, in any case it’s a relief we’re on the same side. It was only you I never wanted to meet again…... With Hijikata: Vice Commander, you still…… No. It’s fine. It’s better if you stick to your “makoto.” Just as I must try to overcome my “makoto.” With Izou: So that’s Man-Slayer Izou, huh. His sword skills are certainly a big deal. Calling him a genius is no exaggeration. But the most important thing - the ability to get on in the world - is something he totally lacks. It’s all over when you die. With Ryouma: Ryouma Sakamoto of Tosa. I didn’t think I’d see you here. But if you’re not an enemy I guess I’ll thank you. That’s right, you always were quite the charmer. By the way, can you introduce me to the beautiful woman accompanying you? …...Huh? I have a bad feeling about this. With Musashi (any version): So even Miyamoto Musashi and Sasaki Kojirou are here. What’s with this place? Can a minor swordsman like me even get a day in the limelight? With all these legendary swordsmen around…… For once I wish I was on the other si— Woah, that was out of character for me. I’d better quit while I’m ahead. With Okita Alter: You’re Okita-chan!? Nonono, what’s with that look, what’s with that sword, what’s with those tits!? …...Huh? “As an Alter it’d be better to call me Majin-san”? Wow, I have no idea what you’re talking about. Whatever. By the way, how about a drink tonight? We can eat soba or whatever too. With Kagetora: So the great war hero of Echigo is a woman, huh. But Nobunaga is also a woman, so that’s not really surprising…… No, isn’t it normal to be surprised!? But, well, it seems people also thought Okita-chan was a man……

Likes: Stuff I like? That’d be playing around. I mean I look like a freeloader, right? That’s really how I am. …...Eh? You can see it? That’s unexpected. Oh, that’s right, you know the croquette soba I ate at the cafeteria? I like that. Dislikes: Stuff I hate? I’ve always been bad at dealing with stubborn guys. Weren’t those types all around me? I don’t know who you’re talking about. The Vice Commander? Oh, he isn’t stubborn. —It’s more like he’s pure. Holy Grail: The Holy Grail? It can make whatever you wish for come true? Wow~ That sounds shady even to me. Well, “don’t knock it till you try it,” and all. So why don’t you try it? If it works out, I’ll try it too.

Bond 1: Master-chan? There’s no need to worry about me, right? I’m just a guy who sides with the strong and gets carried along with the tide. No, really. Bond 2: Haa~ you’re so serious Master-chan. Aren’t you tired of it? Though even if you wanted to run away, you couldn’t. There, there, it’s okay; I’m in the same boat too. Bond 3: Look, at the end of the day, I didn’t follow the Commander or the Vice Commander. I’m an unreliable guy. So, Master-chan, don’t care about me and use me as you like and throw me away when you like. I’d like for it to be like that, too. Bond 4: —Huh? Oh, sorry. I was thinking. What, it’s not a big deal. I was wondering if it was okay to just go on as things are now. Then, I decided. That I’ll go as I am now. Don’t worry, since I’m one of the Shinsengumi that survived. Bond 5: My “makoto” is only my own. It’s the “makoto” of freedom that isn’t bound to anyone. Master-chan…… No, Master. This is my true nature. Serving someone and swearing my loyalty to them doesn’t suit me. So I will help you in accordance with my “makoto.” As long as you remain you.

Event: “Woah, looks like an event is going on. Shouldn’t you get out there? You should play while you can, ‘cause you can’t play when you’re dead. I’ve said it for a long time now, “Life is short, so play around while you’re young.” Right? Birthday: Oh, you’re here. Your birthday is today - congratulations. …...That said, I didn’t get you anything. Sorry, but I’m not that thoughtful. Oh, that reminds me - I’m not saying this is a substitute, but are you going to eat soba? If so, I’ll treat you to croquettes.

Battle Start 1: It’ll be fine, after all you have the invincible Hajime-chan on your side. …...What? Battle Start 2: Well, I hope these guys are weak. Battle Start 3: I’m Hajime Saito, Captain of the Shinsengumi’s Third Division. If you want to flee, flee quickly. …...Well, I won’t let you escape, but even so.

Card Select 1: This one? Card Select 2: ……Okay Card Select 3: Yeah, yeah

Attack 1: Hah! Attack 2: There and there and there! Attack 3: This is how to use a sword! Attack 4: There we go. Attack 5: Take this! Attack 6: There!

Extra Attack 1: Dodge it? …...You can’t! Extra Attack 2: Hoy, hoy, hoy, hoy…… it’s over! Extra Attack 3: Sorry, but this is as far as you go. …...Die.

Skill 1: Well, let’s take it easy. Skill 2: Now then, shall I kill? Skill 3: I got too carried away.

NP Select 1: I’ll show you…… an invincible blade! NP Select 2: Well then, could you step back, Master-chan? NP Select 3: You think you can take this sword? …...You’ll die if you do.

NP 1: It doesn’t matter what technique you use. Only the strong will win. …...Like me— Haugh! NP 2: Good grief. Well then…… Here I come! —This is…… the end! NP 3: Without form, it is intangible, flowing, it is infinite, and thus my sword is— invincible!

Damage 1: Oh shit! Damage 2: Ouch! Damage 3: Are you for real!? Damage 4: tch!

Defeated 1: There’s no way I could lose…… They always said I was the Invincible Blade…… Defeated 2: It was my rule to never lose a match…… I’ve lost my edge…... Defeated 3: Sorry…… Everyone……

Victory 1: My rule is to never lose a match. That’s what it means to be invincible. Victory 2: *sigh* That was an unexpectedly troublesome job. Master-chan, are you safe? Victory 3: Right, arrest anyone who’s still breathing! Third Division, withdraw!

-

* History lesson! While this could be in reference to Kondou Issami (the Commander in question), his talking about being on the police force gives me reason to believe he’s talking about his time after the Shinsengumi as Fujita Gorou (he did serve as part of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department until he retired in 1890). In that case, this story in particular is about he was the only person authorized to carry a katana (naga-wakizashi are almost identical to katana) after the fall of the Tokugawa. It also puts his tone shift in perspective when listening to the line itself - he goes from relaying a work story to reflecting on said story near-bitterly because of course a sword would suit him. After all, he was a part of the Shinsengumi (which his boss would not know about).

[suchine-toki]

Thoughts about Shinpachi

Many times I’ve seen how he’s called out for being a boring character or that he’s annoying for yelling a lot, and although he never seemed like an annoying character to me, I’ve to agree that he’s dull compared to his companions.

Shinpachi is the ordinary character of the main group, the straight man who balances Gintoki and Kagura within the Yorozuya. He starts out as someone who lacks strength and courage, but gradually improves over the course of the series. His initial goal is to save his family's dojo, though that’s more of something Tae wanted to do for their father, not a personal aspiration of his.

At first he was given the trait of being the leader of Otsuu's imperial troop, which was an interesting contrast to his usually submissive personality, showing he has leadership skills, but he never made much of it. Although it does help characterize him as someone with a very good heart, supporting Otsuu when she was just a street artist.

I think that's the strong point of Shinpachi's character. He’s compassionate and always remains optimistic despite difficulties. He’s kind and genuinely good. But he also suffers from an inferiority complex, he feels he has no control over his life in a society in which he lost the only thing that made him special, being a samurai.

In the case of Gintoki and Kagura, their stories were relatively planned from the beginning (at least Sorachi had an idea), which wasn’t the case with Shinpachi. We could say that Beam Saber arc is the arc of his past. Here, like his companions, he must face someone from his past who has become a villain. While it's a very emotional moment for both him and Tae, this whole situation has the problem that it was never brought up before and never brought up again.

Part of the arc's conclusion is how the two siblings go on vacation after the fact, a joke that takes some weight off the situation in my opinion. The true conclusion of the arc shows Shinpachi reviving the dojo by teaching the homeless, but later we see that this doesn't hold up over time either, so the whole arc ends up feeling kind of pointless in regards to his character development.

Something similar happens in the Correspondence arc, in which Kirara is introduced. Here they both pretend to be someone else when they meet, however, in the end they show themselves as they are, realizing that they’ve many things in common. It always seemed like a very nice thing to me, so I regretted the fact that Kirara didn’t appear again.

This wasn’t only because it was an important lesson for him to learn, but also because it would’ve been interesting to add another layer as Shinpachi's love interest. I don't mean including Kirara in the main cast, but keeping her present through the letters she would write to Shinpachi and bringing her back from time to time would’ve been enough.

Nevertheless, I consider the biggest problem occurred at the end of the series. Shinpachi was slowly but surely becoming an independent character. However, in the ending he’s shown to be unable to move on if he’s not with Gintoki by his side. And don’t get me wrong, I'm not trying to say that it's wrong that Shinpachi is very fond of Gintoki.

Nor it’s bad per se that he wants to be with the Yorozuya. It's about how it was shown. It appears that Shinpachi never followed his own dream. Restoring the dojo was something his sister wanted to do, not him. In the time skip he’s already an adult of 18 years. Staying in the Yorozuya seemed more like the need to remain in a shelter to avoid going out and having to face the world.

I would’ve liked to see that at the end of the series, someone who feels they’ve no control over his life would decide his own path. For someone with an inferiority complex to feel self-confident. Since the first prototype of the character was Nagakura Shinpachi, the captain of the second Shinsengumi squad, I would’ve loved Shinpachi to join the Shinsengumi, taking advantage of his leadership skills.

[fierce-little-miana]

I have finally watched Hakuouki: Kyoto Ranbu and I had a surprisingly good time (I really thought I would mind the plot points they have cut out and how they rushed the story more). So, as promised, here is a list of things I found really great in the movie:

The opening being the destruction of the Yukimura village. I think it was really well done, but it was also the first time I saw it animated and it anchored the fact that Chizuru is the protagonist. Also, the transition from her running away for her life as a child to her running away for her life as a young adult ten years latter was great (can she catch a break? The answer is no).

Chizuru is undoubtedly the protagonist of the movie and I love how it focuses on her moral anguish, her determination to help the Shinsengumi, and her identity crisis. It was no small feat to do that in a 1h36 long movie that had to cover so much ground.

Speaking of identity, I love what they have done with the Oni. I love how menacing they are, I love how over-powered they feel, I love their gradual transformation that impacts even the environment around them, I love that it is made abundantly clear that their powers are influenced by their feelings, I love the tidbits of Oni worldbuilding they give... I love it I love it!

The way they depict Chizuru relating to her Oni identity is better than what they did in the anime. You can see she is very powerful but completely untrained hence while it only manifests in highly emotional moments and why Kazama can see her coming from miles away.

The fights are amazing: well animated, well choreographed and they take into accounts characters' abilities and personalities.

The violence is depicted very cleverly. The movie puts a lot of emphasis on blood, wounds and destruction. It is still esthetically very beautiful, but also has you recoil a little each time which, considering that Chizuru is the protagonist, is the good choice.

Speaking of violence, I know I will create disagreement with this, but I like that Chizuru was more proactive in fights. Hakuouki (the games, the anime and the movie!) takes time establishing that she knows how to use a sword and is serviceable with one despite being uncomfortable at the idea of using one/hurting someone with one (because of her healing abilities and because she doesn't want to kill or hurt someone, which, girl same). I never understood why she would not use her sword to protect the people she deeply cares about in situations that would require it. In this movie I think she unsheathes her sword twice, both time to protect people she cares about (even if "just" to protect their honor). Most of the time, she intervenes in fights by helping the injured and using her body as a shield. I think it is a clever way to reconcile the fact Chizuru's real strength is her inner strength and her will to care for the people around her without making her completely hopeless. Chizuru will stand for others in all the way she knows how.

Generally, the dialogues were quite clever and really helped the character's characterizations in a movie progressing with drums beating (special mention for Ito's "Very well, keep your secret and I will keep my scission" and Chizuru's "you are a doctor!")

Hijikata was really good in this. I get it now Chizuru.

Sannan's characterization was quite good too. I was so worried when I realized that he was hurt since his very first scene in the movie. Sannan is a massively plot important character but also a character I really like. But, despite the plot advancing at the speed of a mad train (to put everything in a 1h36 movie! as @flowerynameslover​ rightly put), he was given enough key scenes to have enough depth to still be Sannan. Phew...

Souji got really lucky in term of characterization. I think he was the most developed of all the captains (how come you get two full fights with thematically relevant opponents when some others did not even got one, a pretty long scene alone with Chizuru and several personal reaction shots when the rest of the groups gets to be that, a group?).

Generally, the movie was clever with how it used its time and what it showed us. For example, I really like that during Ito's meeting with the Satsuma they were sitting at an occidental table. Really good details to remind everyone of Satsuma's historical position at the time.

While Chizuru saved 0 damsel in distress (NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) I felt her emit so much pent up violence when Souji's implied he was ready to use the ochimizu to cure his TB that it almost made up for the lack of rescue. Please stop using/talking about using that stuff in front of her, she is traumatized.

The music was good too.

*Souji and Kaoru are of course still my poor little mew mews. There is something wrong with them and there is something wrong with me.

[yukizakii]

ghosts ch. 1

They were both broken people. Broken people didn’t fix each other, as the pieces would never quite perfectly together. But they understood each other. They were able to see the beauty within one other of being incomplete. --

fall, 1870. The Boshin War is over. Yukimura Chizuru returns to her childhood home in Tokyo to learn how to live again. Nagakura Shinpachi has escaped with his life under a new name.

The world is cruel, but it works in mysterious ways to bring their paths together again.

(aka a hakuoki fanfic | shinpachi x chizuru centric; post hijikata bad end) 

xposted on AO3

— one.

“Ow!”

The clay of the teacup burned hot, much hotter than Chizuru had expected, and her fingers instinctively drew away from the heat. The cup slipped from her grasp and smashed into scattered shards onto the ground, the oolong tea that had once been contained forming little rivers in-between the cracks of the stone pavement. A few droplets beaded onto her kimono, but she quickly brushed them away with the back of her hand; she had washed all of her silks just yesterday, and she hardly wanted to have this one stain.

She sighed. It was probably her twentieth sigh of the day so far, and the sun had just barely moved into the sky. Every time she let out another heavy breath, she could almost hear Okita’s voice teasing her—What are you sighing for, Chizuru-chan? Don’t you know that I might have to kill you for looking so unhappy?

But he wasn’t here, and neither were any of her old friends.

Chizuru was alone, and lost.

Stop, Chizuru. Don’t think like that. Negativity was no stranger to her now. She could barely even go through the motions of her daily tea routine without thoughts and voices from the past lingering in the back of her mind.

Each morning she woke up to felt like night, a darkness shrouding over mind like the shadows of the weeping willows in Kyoto. Heavy as it was, she still forced herself to get up from her futon and face each day. She had to live, because as much as she sometimes wished that it was all but a dream, it was reality. She had to live, for those who didn’t.

You have to live, like they wanted you to.

She reached for the broken pieces of the clay cup, but a jagged piece slipped through her palm and slashed through the skin. Chizuru let out an instinctive gasp in pain and dropped the broken pottery again, watching as the blood welled from her hand and dripped over her arm. The bright red droplets struck her with a sense of deja vu, and suddenly she was transported back years before. There she was in front of the well at the Shinsengumi compound washing dishes when she had cut her finger in a similar way, and Heisuke, Heisuke-kun, had been confronted with his Rasetsu bloodlust for the first time.

But it didn’t just stop there. The sight and smell of her blood continued to reveal a torrent of memories that washed over her with a vivid brightness—memories that she had been trying to repress every day. That alley in Kyoto during a snowfall, the smell of blood and the high-pitched laughter of a monster in the air. The brilliant scarlet that seemed to flood the streets of Kyoto after Kinmon no Hen, mixed with the smell of smoke and ash from the fires.

That flowering cherry blossom tree in Hakodate, the spiderweb of blood across her hand transforming into a river that flowed into the ground from a man’s body.

“Look, Hijikata-san. It’s the Flag of Sincerity that everyone worked so hard to raise.”

—

She had no idea how long she stayed under that beautiful, cursed cherry blossom tree. Seconds, minutes, hours—time meant nothing to her anymore. The only thing that she knew of was that at that moment, he was gone. As the war raged on, Chizuru had felt herself becoming alarmingly numb to loss. She had become almost accustomed to seeing the dead lay on the ground through each city they trekked through, and the snippets of conversations she overheard no shook her like they used to. A hundred of our men, lost at Bonari Pass seemed like normal war talk now. But being surrounded by death and devastation didn’t make it any easier though. Losing her father, her friends, and her family had pierced through her heart, and she couldn’t think of a night that she hadn’t cried herself to sleep for the past few months.

Losing Heisuke and Sannan had broken her for days—she still felt partially responsible for the creation of the Ochimizu, and it pained her to know that she would never laugh with Heisuke again, or see Sannan’s cunning smile. Okita and Kondou had felt like some kind of sick joke from God, the two of them leaving this world in ways that were unfit for the two strongest warriors she knew. Harada, the man who had a spirit so loud and noble that somehow could make everyone smile, was now someone she would never hear from again. Every one of her friends’ deaths wrecked her heart open in ways that she didn’t know it could bleed. But losing him was different. She had held Hijikata’s body in her arms long after his eyes closed and the last traces of warmth left him, her tears dripping endlessly down her cheeks and onto his bloodied uniform.

She didn’t know what to do without him.

For the past five years, he had been a constant presence in her life. Chizuru had first come to depend on him for protection and stability; to the girl that had somehow landed into the Shinsengumi headquarters, Hijikata had been downright scary. His steely violet eyes seemed to read straight through her every time he caught her outside of her room, and she felt secondhand fear every time that she saw the way that he tolerated no sort of disobedience from his soldiers and punished those who strayed from the Shinsengumi’s code with injury or worse. But then as those first few months somehow stretched into years, Chizuru’s fear slowly faded and her days and memories began to fill with so many other emotions and experiences with Hijikata. Even though she spent her days with all of the different captains of the Shinsengumi, it was somehow always Hijikata that was by her side when she needed it the most.

Hijikata, who had shielded and fought against Kazama for her, his arm wrapped around her and her kodachi in the other. Hijikata, who was uncharacteristically fussy about his long, beautiful jet-black hair, and had yet allowed her to comb and tie it back while he had worked. Hijikata, who secretly wrote poetry with a smile on his face when no one was looking. Hijikata, who had taken her to a restaurant after a festival in Kyoto, and had paid for what was a surprisingly luxurious meal for what he had gruffly described as “just a thank you, you’ve been a big help”.

Hijikata, who had drank the Ochimizu that her father had created, and gave up his humanity to protect her from Kazama and to stand up for his values.

Their initial relationship as a page and superior had been awkward at best, and trust had been slow to develop. But after 5 years, the realization came to her so suddenly that she had almost fallen over herself: she was in deeply love with him. Her heart ached to always be near him and she loved to hear her name roll off his tongue—secretly, she thought that sounded more beautiful than she had ever heard it said. Chizuru had never had anything more than innocent crushes and dates when she had lived with Kodo in Edo, but her emotions and heart felt so strongly towards this person that she was certain that this was love, and a love that she knew would not come easily.

And of course it didn’t, because the man her heart had fallen in love with was like a force of a demon himself. Demon Vice Commander of the Shinsengumi, Hijikata Toshizou. Hijikata Toshizou, who was feared but adored by equally as many. Hijikata who was the talk of the town at times, with his long black hair that he refused to cut and high cheekbones that seemed to only accentuate his piercing gaze. Chizuru knew that he was a handsome man, some even saying he looked as if he had walked out of a wood-block painting, but she found more merit in the Hijikata she knew. His dedication, his resilience, his loyalty, and his love ran deeper than anyone else would ever know.

He had chosen her. And then he had left her.

Memories and concern for Hijikata filled her mind and thoughts endlessly for the months she stayed by herself alone in Sendai. She knew that he had left her in Sendai for her own safety; a young woman had no place in a war after all, but it was maddening. Chizuru knew she was no good on the battlefield and defenseless against a gun, but being left behind crushed her more than she could have ever imagined. She had no idea if she would ever see him again—dead or alive. What had happened to Kondou was something she very well knew could be something that could happen to Hijikata. But once she received the letter from Ootori, she had hastened to Ezo with her heart thudding in her chest with every thought that she was one step closer to seeing Hijikata again. No matter the hurt and pain that lay ahead of them, she knew that she had to be by his side.

And it had been so worth it. For a few months, despite knowing the pain and suffering that lay ahead of them, she had been happier than ever, just to be by his side. From the moment of their reunion, Chizuru was able to see his actions and words in so much more clarity. The bitter hoarseness in his voice when he yelled at his troops was not conveying anger, but worry to please come back alive. His scowl on his face when he worked long nights was not just because he was frustrated to shoulder this burden, but because he didn’t want anyone else to take the fall for the secret messages he was sending. He was the strongest person she had ever met, yet also the kindest and gentlest at the same time as well. In those few short months, Chizuru witnessed all sides of Hijikata and learned just how soft his hands could be on her hair, or the warmth of his embrace during the occasional nights that he did not work until dawn and allowed her to stay in the room with him.

If she could shoulder some of his pain and suffering, Chizuru had thought, then that was enough purpose for her to keep existing. If her blood was truly as powerful as Sanan and Kodo had alluded, then she would use it all and anything else in her power to keep him alive.

But he was gone, and she had failed. Maybe he would survived if she let him drink her dry, but Hijikata Toshizou was never the kind of person who would save himself at the expense of someone else. Makoto, he would say. Sincerity, which was the foundation for the Shinsengumi’s core beliefs. One had to be sincere and true to himself as a warrior and as a man to the end. Hijikata Toshizou had chosen his path. He chose to use his remaining life force to protect her from Kazama, and protect the beliefs that he had loved and carried for so long. He had died a warrior, and she knew that the Shinsengumi and all that he had fought for was finally at rest with him as well.

The two of them had known that this was a possibility from the start; the war was drawing to a close, and they were fighting a losing battle in Hakodate. Chizuru knew from the way Hijikata shook with anger and pain his sleep, or the scowl on his face every time he walked into the room from another meeting. She had always had some hope that maybe, just maybe, they would prevail and the two of them would find a future together.

But there was no place in this world for the two of them.

In a rush of scattered cherry blossoms, another individual had appeared under the tree—Amagiri. Polite as always, the red-haired demon he had greeted her with a formal bow before speaking. Since Kazama had strayed from the way of a demon and had continued to meddle with humans against his Clan warnings, he no longer could be laid to rest with his ancestors. Amagiri had come to bury Kazama’s body—and if Chizuru would like, Hijikata as well. How Amagiri knew that Kazama had died was some Demon logic that Chizuru knew was simply beyond her, but in that moment, she had been oddly relieved. Chizuru had always been a sensible girl, and even in times of crisis, she had a way of forcing herself to function. Even though burying Hijikata was exactly the last thing she wanted at that very moment, this was war. If they did not bury him now, his body would be discovered by troops and dragged out as a trophy to mark the fall of the Shinsengumi. She would have rather herself die than allow that to happen, but there was no way that she alone could have ever found the strength, physical and emotional, to bury him.

So she had let Amagiri dig two graves underneath that beautiful cherry blossom tree to lay both Kazama and Hijikata to rest. At Chizuru’s request, Amagiri dug Hijikata’s grave on the other side of the tree, away from Kazama’s; she knew that he would abhor being buried directly next to the demon he had spent years fighting. She took her final last glance at the man she had loved in the earth—his eyes closed, dark hair framing his face, swords crossed over his body, looking more peaceful and well-rested than she had ever seen him—and then turned away, unable to look as Amagiri completed the burial process.

Chizuru had been so consumed with grief that what happened afterwards was a blur. When she admitted she didn’t have an idea of her next move, Amagiri had simply stated, “It would be unwise to allow a woman to travel alone.” He had accompanied her to Hakodate, where she collected the rest of their personal belongings and relayed the news of Hijikata’s passing to Ootori. They then traveled to Yase, where Osen had been waiting; news of Kazama’s battle against a fake Demon had spread fast in the Demon world, and she had immediately sought to take Chizuru under the protection of the Yase Demon Clan. Chizuru had little memory of the months she spent in Yase; she only remembered grief and sorrow. News of the defeat of the Shogunate army and the rise of the Meiji Restoration flitted into

the Demon village over the next few months, but none of it meant anything to Chizuru. Hijikata was gone. Okita was gone. Heisuke, Sannan, Kondou, Harada…her life as she had known it, and all the people that had made it were gone. She heard nothing about Saito and Nagakura, but it hurt too much to hope. But after a few months of moping and living like a shell, Chizuru decided that she wanted to return to her home in Edo—well, Tokyo, now. She still had a home there, after all, and as kind as Osen and the demon clan of Yase was, it was not her home. So after six long years, Chizuru had finally returned to the old house that she had used to live with her father. Kodo, the man she had thought was her father. It had taken her almost a full two weeks to clean out all of the dust and vermin that had accumulated in the space over almost half a decade, but she had never been one to shy away from hard work. Rather, she had thrown herself into it, desperate for something, anything to do, to keep her mind busy and away from her thoughts. What quite honestly should have been work for two or three, she had completed in an astonishingly short time.

Chizuru had cleaned and changed the house to be more of a modest one fit to her needs; she had sold away most of their belongings, and kept only the essentials of what she needed. In this exchange and cleanup, Chizuru had dug out her women's clothes, but quickly found that many of her old kimonos in her closet no longer fit her—and well, of course they didn’t. She had last been a growing sixteen-year-old girl the last time she had worn them, and now she was a twenty-one year old woman. The hems that had once grazed her feet were now hanging above the ankles, and the silk was tight around her new curves and defined muscle she had developed after years of patrolling and running around Kyoto.

It was a strange and painful reminder that so much had changed.

Crafty as she was, Chizuru had loosened the seams and sewn together some of the cloth to create a couple of kimonos that fit her, so she could finally retire her pale peach hakamashita and hakama into storage. How strange for her to finally fold and lay those clothes away, although quite honestly she should have reduced them to rags. The silk had been patched and restitched over and over with years of wear and tear, but part of herself could not simply bear to toss that part of her life away. Instead, she had neatly folded it up and placed it into a box, next to her tattered Western military uniform. Her kodachi was racked on display in the bedroom, close enough to where she could grab it, but Chizuru sorely hoped that she would never need to touch that blade again.

But what was she doing here in Tokyo? What would she be doing, for the rest of her life? She had no idea. Chizuru knew that her existence and troubles as a female Demon did not end with Kazama’s death; Osen had been sure to warn her of it, and had strongly cautioned her against returning to Tokyo alone. But despite the lack of a clear direction in her future, and the dangers of traveling and living alone, Chizuru knew that she needed some sort of normalcy. She didn't want to think of Demons, of Rasetsu, of Ochimizu, of war and blood and death—she wanted to grieve alone, quietly, away from all that had pained her.

She was here, living and trying to bury her past life behind, but it always seemed to follow her.

She was just here. Existing, living. Drinking tea on her front porch, although her current cup was now smashed to smithereens and the tea was seeping into the hardwood. That painful memory hung heavily on her heart, and she wiped away tears from her face with her unbloodied hand, although the wound was already well on its way to healing. Maybe she would go into the town today to get some new teacups along with her daily groceries for meals; she still had a hard time stomaching food at times, but Chizuru knew she needed to keep her strength up. She wanted to start a garden in the back as well, to save her coin for fresh vegetables for when she needed it. Ootori had paid her well for her time and escape, but she knew it wouldn’t last forever. At some point, she would need to recoup her finances and find work to sustain herself.

But for today, she wanted to be normal. As normal as she could be.

Live, Chizuru.

I am living, Hijikata-san.

Chizuru stood up and stepped outside, tilting her head up to the sky. A slight breeze fanned across her face, and she inhaled the air deep into her lungs. Even though it was well into fall, she thought for the briefest moment, she smelled the sweet scent of cherry blossoms. Maybe today would be a good day.

[kumoriyami-xiuzhen]

Hakuoki Drama CD Shinsengumi Oni-tan Track 5 English translation

This is my last post of the month, so I’ll end by asking you to please support me if you can through my ko-fi, and paypal or patreon which provides access to my hakuoki blog translations and early access to my postings. Also, please let me know if you have any hakuoki drama cds that you’d be willing to share that are on my Lookout List since i either do not have audio for those cds or do not have audio that I can share...

i kinda wanna use the Shiranui and Harada cg for one of the tracks since there is another cg with Shiranui from the shinkai fan discs (though i suppose it’s unfortunate that there wasn’t another one with Saito and Amagiri... maybe in the new game there will be one? hahaha i can only hope lol), but im not sure which track to use it for... also i love it when saito and souji argue about hijikata and kondou. 

Hakuoki Drama CD Shinsengumi Oni-tan Track 5 - Pursuit at Noon

Translation by KumoriYami

Souji: Ahaha~ hoh~ it's really peaceful/

Saito: Souji, what's wrong? Why are you sighing? Did something happen?

Souji: It's the opposite. I'm just thinking that nothing's happening, so I'm not doing anything. Rarely anything happens during my patrols, so I wanted at least something to happen [check video].

Saito: I thought you were going to say something... about how it would be best if nothing happened. Furthermore, there are new recruits on patrol today. As a captain, you cannot be a role member/good example for them if you are lazy. Be more serious.

Souji: It's not good to treat the newcomers so harshly since that'll make them nervous. Right? Newbie-kun also thinks so too, right?

Sasanami: Yo-You're asking me? Even if you ask me that...

Souji: Speaking of which, Hajime-kun, you've been complaining a lot lately. You've been under the bad influence of Hijikata-san, and seem to be more like him [reword. that reads terribly but i can't think of anything else right now].

Sasanami: Is, is that so?

Saito: Souji, don't speak irresponsibly in front of the new recruits... But... I resemble/llike Vice-Commander?.... I see/That so...

Souji: Cough, let me be clear, I wasn't complimenting you just now. New recruits should be extra careful to avoid being influenced/to not be influenced by Hijikata-san.

Sasanami:  I, I understand. Th-That being said, there are all sorts of people within the Shinsengumi.

Saito: Yes. The backgrounds/family backgrounds/class origin [check vid to see if this can be more specific?] of the team member are different, and their styles and beliefs are different. It can be said that there a mix of people here/that there are a mix of dragons and snakes [check video and audio for pacing].

Souji: These people gathered together under Kondou-san, because he's a such a benevolent Chief.

Saito: Yes. There is no doubt that the Chief is kind, but it certainly because of the Vice-Commander, that the Shinsengumi was able to become the organization it is. Indeed, it's due to the Vice-Commander that there is the Chief.

Souji: Ah! But, a nasty person like Hijikata-san is required to come up with bad/dirty ideas.

Saito: Yes/Well [check audio], the Vice-Commander's willingness to dye his hands with blood to realize his ambitions has shown me what a real/true/ the ideal warrior/samurai is [check audio + video].

Souji: When it comes to becoming a real warrior/samurai, there's no one better than Kondou-san. makes people think "if it were him, I would follow him."

Sasanami: Warrior...

Saito: Souji, what are you saying? The Chief is indeed a warrior, but the Vice-Commander...

Souji: What is Hajime-kun talking about? Kondou-san...

Sasanami: Ha...

Souji: Hm? Newbie-kun, why are you laughing? Was our conversation just now funny?

Sasanami: An, N-No. It's just, you two seem very happy when talking about the Chief and Vice-Commander...

Saito: The Chief and Vice-Commander are indispensable to the Shinsengumi, so there's nothing wrong with that [check vid]...

Shiranui: Yo! Are you done talking/Is your discussion over? You had so many openings that I wanted to launch a surprise against you.

Souji: Ah! You/It's you!

Shiranui: Seriously, whether it's Kazama or Amagiri, neither of them would let me collection information directly, so it's a hassle when I can only go around in circles! if they don't know anything/isn't conscious, just directly say no [check video. this was confusing].

Saito: Shiranui Kyo!

Souji: For there to actually oni out in broad daylight, the world must coming do an end. So, Kazama's subordinate/henchman, what are you going to do/is there something wrong?

Shiranui: Huh? What do you mean by subordinate! I do follow him, but I don't listen to his orders! Forget it, I want to ask about something that's somewhat minor today.

Saito: What do you want to ask? Although I don't you if you came before us because you were ordered to or for personal reasons, but since you appeared before us, [you must?] only have one aim [check video].

(readies sword)

Saito: Let me make it clear first, I will not hand her over to you!

Souji: That's right. If you're just passing the time/looking to kill time, I'll be your opponent. If you're here to take her away, you'll have do defeat us.

(readies sword sfx)

Shiranui: Pass the time is it? Anyway, if I have the time, I can play with you too [check vid for these 2 sentences]. But don't get me wrong, I'm not here for you or that female oni today.

Saito: What did you say? What is your aim then?

Shiranui: There should be another oni within the Shinsengumi now. Can you give/hand him over to us?

Souji:: An oni other than her? Then, don't tell me that..

Saito: oh! That's impossible! You're trying to rope in the Vice-Commander to be one of your companions [the word I have can technically be translated into "partner" or "comrade" too... check video?]?!

Shiranui: Huh?

Souji: In other words, Hijikata-san's devilish mannerisms/appearance, have/has even been approved/recognized by real oni. Ah, as expected of/he really deserves to be the Demon Vice-Commander.

Shiranui: Hey, wait a sec!

Souji:  Although I would be very sad if Hijikata-san wasn't here, since you want him so badly, there's no other way around it. Then, Hijikata-san will be in your care from today onwards.

Shiranui: That's wrong! I don't know what you're thinking/what's inside your head, but don't try to force that idiot onto us!

Souji: That's not how it is? How unfortunate... I was thinking of throwing in that Hogyoku haiku collection as well [if anyone happens to not know what this is referring to, Hijikata wrote a book of haikus called the Hogyoku haiku collection and Souji is usually trying to steal it].

Saito: Souji! That joke goes too far!

Shiranui: Joking aside, basically, I'm not looking for the Vice-Commander of the Shinsengumi! It's that guy behind you!

Souji & Saito: Eh?

Souji: Who is.... that guy? This Newbie-kun?

Saito: Do you mean Sasanami? It's hard to imagine/I don't think that he would have anything to do with you.

Shiranui: Hey, kid, you're apparently from an oni clan.

Sasanami: Huh?

Shiranui: You're really slow, I'm saying that you;re an oni! Hurry up and understand that!

Saito: This person is from an oni clan?

Sasanami: Wa-Wait a second! Another person said something like this before, [but] what the hell is an oni?

Shiranui: Che! You really don't know anything, what a pain. I'll explain what an oni is to you in detail later, so hurry up and come with me!

(blade is drawn)

Shiranui: you, you guys! [actually plural you. check audio later]

Souji: Wait a moment. Why are you trying to take away one of our members without our permission?

(blade is drawn)

Saito: Besides, your words make no sense. If he was an oni, why did he take the test to join the Shinsengumi?

Souji: While it's possible that he came in as a spy, if that was the case though, there would be no need to expose him here.

Shiranui: Ha! Shut up! We also have our own difficulties [check vid]!

(readies gun)

Shiranui: This is my first and last warning. Hurry up and hand that guy over to me. Otherwise, I'll be using this to stick some holes in you!

Souji: Ah, want a fight? That's exactly what I want.

Saito: Anyway, we'll re-investigate Sasanami's background later. We can't let things go as he wants them to go for now.

Shiranui: Very good, very good! That's/This is how it should be/That's it!/ Although it's a pity/shame that Harada isn't here, but I'll play with you guys!

(fires gun)

Sasanami: Ah!

Shiranui: Hahaha~ you couldn't even win from the start, so this is the end for you [check vid].

Saito: Sasanami, step back. You aren't his opponent.

Sasanami: Ah, yes!

Souji: To actually be firing a gun in broad daylight, didn't the oni not want to be too conspicuous?

Shiranui: Amagiri may think that, but that has nothing to do with me!

(gunshot)

Saito: Do not hesitate. Souji! Take care to not allow for stray bullets in your surroundings [check vid. wordier than i'd like]!

Shiranui: Haha~ As long as I hit you, that won't be a problem!

(gunshotx3)

---to be continued---

not sure if "Newbie-kun" is going to remain. I used that since the word I have literally translates to "new person" which can mean 'new recruit', 'rookie', 'newcomer,' etc.... and well, i havent listened to the audio for this in a while though the tl im using does add “-kun” whenever souji’s talking to/about Sasanami. depending on what word Souji uses in the audio i might change it later.