The end of the curtain

?——Monitor the situation in Kyoto to collect information, kill anyone who gets in the way, and wait for the rendezvous.

The cherry blossoms stained by the moonlight are whirling beautifully in mid-air, no matter how beautiful the dance is, they still don't know where to go.

It quietly fell to the ground, and then told people that spring is coming to an end.

After paying the rent, Sakurai can be said to be really poor and have no food to eat.It is impossible for her to open a medical clinic as openly as before, and it was not her wish in the first place.So there was no other way, so I had to make money by going around to see a doctor during the day, but when I met poor people seeking medical treatment, although she couldn't produce any good medicinal materials, she would prescribe prescriptions for them for free.

——"Piaoxu, if you become a doctor, you must understand the benevolence of the doctor. No matter how much money you face, you will never be shaken."

This sentence has been engraved in Sakurai's heart since a few years ago, it was told by his mother in modern times.Sakurai's mother came from a medical family, and Sakurai finally chose to major in medicine after being influenced by this. It's not like she likes it very much, but because of her mother, she wants to inherit it for her mother.

This advantage also keeps her from starving to death in this era, at least she still has a bite to eat.

It's just that the experiment on antibiotics has to be delayed for some days, and it can't continue until it has earned enough funds.

But it has to be quick, his illness can't last that long.

The night is approaching like the curtain of a movie.

Seeing that the sun was setting, even though Mao Zedong was not around at all, Sakurai had nothing to be afraid of.It's just that most people still have the idea of ​​going home before sunset in their minds, so she hurried back with the pedestrians.

There were several times when I went to the street and almost bumped into the Shinsengumi. If it wasn't for her great skill in dodging quietly, I'm afraid she would have been discovered long ago.It's just that almost all she met were Harada Shinpachi and Chizuru, and few times it was the chief executive and Saito.

Thinking of this, she couldn't help but feel a little bit of regret in her heart, but she couldn't go forward to find it openly.

Now even Qianhe, she can't talk to her, she can only watch from a distance.

——If the boss finds out that she is so sentimental as a mother-in-law, she will definitely be laughed at by that naughty boss... So, she will never admit openly that she left for that reason ...It's embarrassing to think about it now!Why did she hang herself on that tree so stupidly! !

One step at a time, when thinking about these things, Sakurai once again stepped on his nerves, and the hard wooden clogs dragged heavily on the cold bluestone floor, making a crisp and loud "da da" sound.

Kyoto always closes early at this time every day. Most of the shops will come back tomorrow morning, and only a few shops will take a break after dinner to continue their business in the evening.

There are many pink cherry blossom petals scattered on the ground. When pedestrians walk quickly, there will always be wind under their feet, and then roll up one or two petals that are almost gone.

Then, let it fall gently.

When passing by the dessert house full of cherry blossom trees by the window, Sakurai stopped for a while, and then stood there in a daze.

This is the sweet house of the "Jiu Niang Duanzi" that the general manager brought her to that year.At that time, like now, it was spring when the cherry blossoms were flying.

It's just that the spring at this time is coming to an end, and it is no longer the spring day it used to be.

Tch...why are you starting to feel sorry for yourself again... Really...

Sakurai shook his head helplessly at his state, and was about to turn around and leave quickly, when he heard a girl's cheerful shout: "—Xiao Xu!" The voice was a bit dissatisfied when calling his name. Sure, but only fleetingly.

...Xiaoxu...call me...

It's been a long time since someone called her name like that. Sakurai was in a trance for a moment, and before she could look up, she heard the brisk gait of wooden clogs, and she raised her eyes dully.

I saw a beautiful girl with a bright smile on her face, wearing a finely crafted and elegant chrysanthemum yellow kimono.Although she has the dignified temperament of a lady, the young girl does not have the alienation and indifference of the eldest lady.

She... she is, she is...

"...Miss Xiaoqian..." Sakurai stared blankly at Qianji who ran over to hold her hand with a smile, and murmured her name.

"Don't be so reserved, just call me Xiaoqian." Qianji's smile is very friendly, and there is nothing unfamiliar, like an old friend who hasn't seen for many years, "Long time no see, not last time Talk to you well."

"Xiaoqian..." After a pause, even Sakurai couldn't resist Qianji's kindness. Although it wasn't a very bright and hearty smile, she finally smiled with a slight twist, which seemed a bit embarrassing.

"You guessed it right... don't be so stern, it looks so nice when you smile, it's so gentle."

— with a straight face... Do I have one?Also, what about the adjective gentle...

----

Sakurai is not very familiar with Chihime, so she feels that she and Chihime should have nothing in common.But Qianji took her hand affectionately and greeted her with a smile, so Sakurai simply invited her to sit at home, anyway, the house is not far from here.

Qian Ji naturally agreed unceremoniously, she seemed to be full of vitality, although she was informal, she was not pretentious.It would be difficult for others to imagine Qian Ji's true identity, but she would be a ghost princess.

Because there are not many princesses or young ladies who can be as approachable as Qian Ji, without putting on airs arrogantly.

"Sorry, I don't have anything at home to greet you." Sakurai looked at Chihime who was sitting on a stone bench in the yard excitedly and curiously, holding a tray with tea sets in her hand, gently placed on the slate.This is a small yard, and the furnishings in the yard are very simple, only a stone-polished round table and stone benches.

Cherry blossoms for seven days, short-lived.

Although the cherry blossoms are beautiful and gorgeous, they are generally not planted in the homes of Japanese residents, because the meaning of cherry blossoms represents a vigorous death, which is a tragic fate of a samurai.

But there is a cherry blossom tree planted in this yard.At this time, the climate in Kyoto has gradually warmed up, and the cherry blossom tree has gradually grown green leaves, quietly peeling off the petals that were once numerous.

Then, dissipated with the wind...

"—What does that matter... But after all, it's really nice here. It's also a good enjoyment to drink tea and watch the moon here at night." Qian Ji took the tea cup handed over by Sakurai. A smile full of praise and appreciation.

Sakurai struggled to pull over the stone bench and sat down, showing a polite smile to Qianji, then raised his face to look at the dark night sky, but there was a hint of sadness in his black eyes.

It seems that there should be no chance to go out tonight...

"...Don't put on that expression, Xiaoxu...I know everything about you. Since you chose to leave, there must be some reason." Qianji suddenly spoke, and at the same time gently put down the words. Teacup, showing a faint smile.

Sakurai was a little overwhelmed by the reaction, Qianji actually knew about this matter, logically speaking, this should have nothing to do with her.

"Well, half of the factors are due to necessity." I have to leave, but I still can't let go.

"Is that all?" Qianji suddenly looked at Sakurai who showed a reluctant answer, and her smile became deeper.

Sakurai suddenly felt that Qian Ji was actually very complicated, but although she didn't want to say more about this matter, she would definitely not lie, and she was not in the mood if it wasn't necessary.

But after regaining consciousness, Sakurai was very depressed, how could Chihime know so clearly, she even knew the reason why she left for Chizuru and Zongji.

She didn't have any expression on her face, and she didn't show any taboo, just like that, she didn't hide the slightest bit, as if she was being controlled and hypnotized, she shook her head: "I'm already redundant." So, don't run over to disturb the situation if you are redundant. up.

"If you don't even look down on yourself, then you are really useless." Qianji suddenly smiled and stood up, but Sakurai couldn't understand that gentle and elegant smile, "That night, I was in the alley. I saw a girl in there, she was drunk with a wine jar in her hand, muttering something in a daze... that look is indeed as imageless as a man, but it's very interesting... and then I left In the past, I heard her talk a lot in a drunken daze... Those topics were all about you and him—"

"Pfft——" Sakurai squirted out all the tea in a cold mouthful, and sprayed it precisely and wordlessly onto the stone bench that Qianji was sitting on just now. Before she had time to pay attention to this question, her expression suddenly changed, like a summer day. The sky is unpredictable, "—Xiao, Xiaoqian...that girl, what did that girl say...?"

——No, no, no!That's not a girl...no, it's not—that's in men's clothing...

Qianji looked at Sakurai who was suddenly nervous and incoherent, and couldn't help laughing "puchi", she continued to pretend to be mysterious and lowered her voice: "I also heard a geisha from Shimabara say that there is The two girls got drunk and left in a row, and then..."

"——Ayin!!!" The anger in his heart rose up, and Sakurai couldn't restrain his anger anymore and let out a violent roar.At the same time, she stretched out her hand and slammed her fist hard on the stone table, but it was she who grinned in pain for a long time.

——Ayin...you definitely...deliberately...it hurts, hurts...

"Yeah? Xiaoxu?" Qianji didn't seem to be frightened by Sakurai's sudden outburst, but pretended to be surprised with a smile, "A Yin, it must be another girl from Shimabara, right? "

"..." Don't say any more, it's too embarrassing...

After calming down for a while, he carefully cleared up his thoughts, Sakurai lowered his head depressedly, and Qianji just sorted out the ins and outs of the matter with a smile, and put his hands straight in front of him. , with crooked eyebrows and smiling eyes: "I said... haven't you heard what Miss Ayin said at that time?"

...What did she say? How could she know that at that time... At that time, she was drunk and ignorantly flaunting her integrity in full view of everyone!And after waking up at home the next day, and continuing to be stupid, in fact, I would lose all face!

Qian Ji almost reached out to touch Sakurai's head to express comfort and calmness: "Although I don't know what you think, but you should make it clear. The relationship between Mr. Okita and Chizuru is not what you think, Chizuru-chan likes Mr. Hijikata—"

ha?

Like thunder, Sakurai froze there for a long time, unable to react, the dull expression remained on her delicate face for a long time, and then changed to a look of shock as if seeing the sky falling, but she couldn't say a word for a long time Come.

Qianji suddenly felt that she wanted to laugh, but she still calmed herself down with her own good upbringing: "So, after going around for a long time, you are the most stupid... If you can, go back Right. Mr. Okita's illness is a critical period, and you need to go back and help him."

Going back... But, what identity and what legitimate reason is she going to go back with? The chief doesn't like her at all. To her, all the mischievous behaviors towards her before are just a child's naughty teasing.

Although the general manager smiled slyly like a fox all day long, it was because he was lonely without his family by his side since he was a child.Although the biggest wish is to protect Mr. Kondo, but he also needs the care and protection of others, so he uses this teasing way to let others pay attention to him and not forget him.

A simple wish like a child is not too much but very sad.

She didn't understand why she went back to disturb him, it was enough to guard him silently, and he didn't like going back by herself. ?