My Gang of Swordsmen

Compared to Mukiwa’s glamorous outfit, Aoto’s attire tonight seemed much simpler.

The upper body was clad in a dark blue kimono, while the lower part was dressed in black hakama, and the feet, wrapped in black cloth socks, were tightly bound with a pair of sturdy straw sandals.

The reason for not wearing the currently popular yukata was firstly because it was uncomfortable, and secondly because this attire was more convenient for combat.

Although the Anti-foreigner Group had been annihilated, there were still some remnants who had luckily escaped the pursuit of the Magistrate’s Office and the Arson and Theft Magistrate, living a shameful existence.

Any casual Edo person who paid attention to current events knew how significant a defeat the Anti-foreigner Group suffered under Aoto’s sword.

It could be said: The Anti-foreigner Group was, essentially, defeated by Aoto.

Therefore, those remnants of the Anti-foreigner Group were very likely to seize the opportunity to attack Aoto for revenge.

To avoid being ambushed and killed without knowing it, Aoto was always prepared for a fierce encounter with the remnants of the Anti-foreigner Group in the streets.

“Ah, it’s roasted mochi!”

Suddenly, Mukiwa beside him exclaimed joyfully.

Ahead to their side, there was a popular mochi stall, with a queue of people buying mochi forming a surprisingly long line.

“Aoto, I want to eat roasted mochi! Do you want to eat some together?”

“There’s no need for me…”

Aoto had always respectfully refused the sticky food like roasted mochi.

“Then… let’s divide and conquer!” Mukiwa said with a charming smile, pointing to an outdoor tea stall nearby, “I’ll go buy roasted mochi, can you help get some sweet drinks? I’m a bit thirsty.”

“Of course.” Aoto nodded without hesitation.

“Then I’ll leave it to you, I’ll be right back!”

Saying this, Mukiwa fluttered like a butterfly to the end of the mochi stall queue.

Aoto silently watched Mukiwa go for a bit, then turned and walked into the outdoor tea stall Mukiwa had pointed to, ordered two sweet drinks to go, and found an empty seat to sit down.

Just as his butt touched the cold bench the next instant…

“…Tachibana?”

It seemed that Aoto heard someone calling him.

“Huh?”

Aoto curiously confirmed his surroundings.

“…Tachibana?”

This time it was much clearer than before.

Someone was indeed calling him.

A woman’s voice…

The tone was somewhat familiar… It seemed like a voice that existed in his memory, but for a moment, he couldn’t remember whose voice it was.

“Are you… Tachibana Aoto?”

The person who said this was directly behind Aoto.

Aoto turned his face toward the voice.

Two steps behind Aoto stood a young woman in a dark brown yukata.

This woman appeared to be around 20 years old, her sleek black hair styled into a round bun that only married women could wear. She was tall and slender, with a handsome face, and her narrow phoenix eyes were fixed directly on Aoto.

Aoto remained silent, quietly engaging in eye contact with her.

This woman dressed as a married woman… Aoto knew her.

Her face in his memory… to be precise, in the “Original Tachibana Aoto’s” memory, held an unforgettable place.

“Are you… Ashi?”

Miyakawa Michi… The woman’s name.

If Aoto remembered correctly, she was now renamed “Ozuki Minoru” after getting married.

“Tachibana, long time no see.”

Ozuki Minoru’s face displayed a teasing smile.

At this moment, Aoto’s face was dominated by a thick expression of astonishment.

He never expected that he would reunite tonight with someone who had such a special relationship with the “Original Tachibana Aoto.”

Her relationship with the “Original Tachibana Aoto” was so complicated that Aoto couldn’t bear… correction. He couldn’t bring himself to think closely about it…

The only daughter of his late father’s intimate friend.

Childhood friends.

The “goddess” he once worshipped in an overly eager manner…

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To avoid censorship, the title can only be spelled out phonetically…

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