My Gang of Swordsmen

After Toshisuke and Nagakura sobered up and learned about Harada’s plan to “go watch the fireworks together,” the naturally playful Toshisuke immediately shouted on the spot, “I want to go! I want to go!” Although Nagakura wasn’t that enthusiastic about such activities, he didn’t dislike them either and said, “If everyone’s going, then I’ll join in the fun.”

While everyone was discussing the event, Fujimura Heisuke happened to drop by, and Aoto and the others took the opportunity to invite Fujimura, who had a good relationship with Shiwei Hall.

Fujimura was also someone who loved excitement.

Facing Aoto and the others’ invitation, he almost agreed without thinking.

Originally, Zhouzhu and his wife, Chokata Mitsuo and his wife, along with Aoto’s old servant Kyūbē were all on the invitation list, but they all declined politely.

Zhouzhu and his wife, and Kyūbē said they were too old to handle this kind of lively celebration.

As for Chokata Mitsuo, it was because she had a completely opposite personality to Toshisuke.

Toshisuke loved excitement, those bustling places, noisy activities were his favorites.

But Chokata Mitsuo preferred quietness. The more bustling the place, the more she wanted to stay away. Secluded ancient temples, deep winding paths… these were the places that could win Chokata Mitsuo’s favor.

In short—on the 25th, this group of young people living in Shiwei Hall, along with Hijikata and Fujimura, planned to go to the fireworks festival together for some lively fun.

After finalizing the itinerary with Toshisuke and the others, Aoto belatedly realized that he seemed quite busy during this year’s fireworks festival, which officially started on August 23rd…

On the 23rd, a date with Mukiwa, on the 24th, a swordsmanship performance with Sazanoko and Chiba Shigetarou at the street venue of the festival, and on the 25th, watching the fireworks again with Toshisuke and the others…

The fireworks festival was only held for three days in total. And during these three days, Aoto was engaging in different activities with different people every day…

Although very busy, Aoto did not dislike this feeling.

Time passed.

Unknowingly, time quietly arrived at August 23rd…

…

…

Man’en 1 (1860), August 23rd, morning—

Edo, the settlement, Angoulême family—

“Master! Master! Listen to me!”

Today was the day Aoto came to the settlement to teach Elodie swordsmanship.

He smoothly entered the Angouleme family, greeted Elodie and the maid Miss Leroy, and then Elodie suddenly shouted to Aoto in an excited tone.

“I have good news to tell you!”

Looking at the cheerful Elodie who seemed like she was about to jump up, Aoto curiously asked:

“Good news? What good news?”

“Grandfather agreed to take me to the fireworks festival to watch the fireworks!”

“Oh?”

Aoto raised his eyebrow in genuine, bona fide surprise.

Anthony actually agreed to take Elodie to see the fireworks… this really exceeded Aoto’s expectations.

Aoto thought Anthony would refuse Elodie’s request on the grounds that “going to such bustling places is too dangerous, what if we encounter someone from the ‘Radical Anti-foreigner Faction’?”

“Is it just you and your grandfather going to watch the fireworks?” Aoto asked.

Elodie shook her head: “No. Miss Leroy and several bodyguards my grandfather hired will go with us.”

“You hired bodyguards?”

“Yes! Grandfather said he only dared to take me out to watch the fireworks after hiring bodyguards and covering our faces with scarves and masks!”

Aoto nodded. By hiring bodyguards and concealing faces distinct from Easterners… if this were the case, the probability of encountering danger at the fireworks festival would indeed be greatly reduced.

Anyway, Anthony willing to take Elodie out for fun was ultimately a good thing.

A 12-year-old girl stuck at home every day, not going out, this could affect her mental development.

“Elodie, that’s really great,” Aoto exhaled a long breath and smiled, “The wish to participate in the fireworks festival is finally coming true.”

“Yes!” Elodie nodded vigorously with a smile as radiant as a flower.

“When are you planning to go watch the fireworks?”

“The 25th!”

“The 25th? Then we might meet at the festival venue.”

“Master, are you also going to see the fireworks on the 25th?”

“Yes. On the 25th, I plan to go to the fireworks festival with my fellow Sword Dojo members.”

——To be exact, we have a chance to meet at the festival venue any day…

Aoto silently added this in his heart.

——Tonight, I’m going on a date with Mukiwa…

A man and a woman going out to have fun together… for Aoto, this was a first.

Thinking of this, Aoto couldn’t help but feel a bit restless.

Mukiwa’s pretty face kept appearing in Aoto’s mind.

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Today is the last day of the month. If any book friends still have monthly votes, please be sure to vote for this book. After today, all the monthly votes you have will become invalid. (Leopard Collapse.jpg)

Seeking monthly votes! Seeking recommendation votes! (Leopard Head Crying.jpg)

As the new month is about to begin, the much-anticipated “fireworks festival arc” is finally about to start! Please look forward to how the “Master of Time Management,” Aoto, will spend these three days at the festival.