My Gang of Swordsmen

Amidst the cheers and shouts of Kondo, Hijikata, and the others, Mukiwa’s bell-like clear voice stood out remarkably.

Mukiwa, at a speed four body lengths faster than Kiryu, skipped forward in her flat-bottomed wooden clogs, bouncing joyfully towards Aoto.

The crowd surrounding Aoto and Toshisuke, including Kondo and others, automatically parted, making way for Mukiwa and Kiryu.

“Boss Kiryu! Awu!”

Seeing the two approaching, Aoto’s facial lines instantly relaxed, revealing a gentle, harmonious smile.

Upon arriving at the venue today, the time was already a bit late.

Due to the need for a warm-up, Aoto couldn’t greet Kiryu and Mukiwa in the “audience area” before the match and had to wave to the older and younger duo from afar.

This was Aoto’s first conversation with Mukiwa today.

Although it might seem a bit unkind to say so… Mukiwa’s congratulatory voice made Aoto much happier and more excited than those of Kondo and the others.

During the conversation, Mukiwa had already hopped up to Aoto.

At this time, Aoto also stood up from the ground, holding Toshisuke.

“Aoto! That strike of yours just now was absolutely amazing!”

Mukiwa’s excited voice spilled forth, her two small tightly clenched fists raised to her chest, as if she couldn’t help but shower Aoto with overflowing accolades from her red lips.

Generally speaking, Mukiwa, who’s timid, shy, and unmasked, would find it hard to utter such loud words in a setting with many strangers.

But her excitement for Aoto’s victory in the match outweighed her fear of strangers, temporarily overcoming her shy nature.

Focused on each other, Aoto and Mukiwa didn’t notice the strange expressions and reactions of the people around them, after Mukiwa loudly and directly called Aoto by name.

And Aoto’s earlier “Awu” was like pouring fuel on the fire, immediately intensifying the odd expressions on the faces around them.

“Oh~~”

At this moment, Hijikata’s face suddenly bore a meaningful smile as he swaggered towards Aoto.

“Tachibana, when did you and the girl from the Thousand Affairs House become so close? To the point of calling each other by name.”

When saying “calling each other’s names,” Hijikata elongated the tone, his voice infused with jest.

As soon as Hijikata finished speaking, low teasing laughter immediately rose around.

People around clearly heard how Aoto and Mukiwa addressed each other just now.

In Hijikata and the others’ impression, this pair used to properly address each other as “Mr. Tachibana” and “Miss Kinoshita.”

Yet, at some point, they started calling each other by name?

Such a sudden shift to first-name basis between a man and a woman… in this era, it was quite the gossip and topic of discussion!

Hijikata’s teasing and the surrounding laughter instantly turned Mukiwa’s face several shades of red, prompting her to lower her head and fix her gaze on her tiny toes.

Although Mukiwa’s eyes were now clouded with shyness, the sensation of others misunderstanding her relationship with Aoto added a faint touch of hidden delight to her hazy gaze.

However, not everyone around was casting teasing glances and laughter at her and Aoto.

For instance… Toshisuke, still clinging to Aoto like a koala bear.

Busy conversing with people coming to celebrate the victory, Aoto forgot to let go of Toshisuke in his arms, keeping them still embracing closely.

From the moment Aoto reciprocated by calling Mukiwa by her first name, Toshisuke’s eyes became even more unfocused.

She, with a half-asleep, half-awake daze, mechanically shifting her vacant stares between Aoto and Mukiwa.

It’s worth noting that—Toshisuke herself was unaware that her current expression and reaction differed vastly from those around her…

As everyone’s attention was currently on Aoto and Mukiwa, no one noticed Toshisuke’s peculiarity at present.

Even Aoto, who was closely embracing Toshisuke and inches away, failed to notice the indescribable expression with which she regarded him and Mukiwa.

“Awu and I have always been very close.”

Aoto nonchalantly brushed aside Hijikata’s teasing, shifting slightly to shield Mukiwa from Hijikata and others, placing her behind him protectively.

Aoto didn’t explain the change in how he and Mukiwa addressed each other. Explaining such a thing would be too long, not easy. Perhaps he’d gradually elaborate to Hijikata and others about the reasons when there’s a chance in the future.

At this point, Aoto finally realized he was still holding Toshisuke.

“Ah! Sorry, sorry…”

Aoto hastily apologized while releasing his grip—yet Toshisuke didn’t fall.

Due to being a whole 20 centimeters shorter than Aoto, Toshisuke, with her arms still tightly wrapped around Aoto’s neck, had her small feet dangling in mid-air—literally hanging on Aoto.

If in the past, when unaware of Toshisuke’s femininity, Aoto wouldn’t mind indulging in a bit more friendly intimacy with a brother who had teamed up for a victory.