When Takagi discovered that a new woman had silently joined them, and planned to fight to the death against the new government forces with the Aizu clan warriors who had fought valiantly and the Shinsengumi who had remained behind, it was probably after the Nyoraido attack.

Speaking of which, Rulaitang attacked in a hurry...... It was a terrible battle.

To put it simply, after the Shinsengumi Honto left Aizu for Sendai with Keisuke Otori's First Brigade, Saitoichi, the leader of the Sanban Group who remained behind - he had changed his name to "Jiro Yamaguchi" by this time, and officially became the 12 Shinsengumi soldiers and several soldiers of the Aizu-direct unit, left Shiokawa for Takaku in early September, moving the camp to the weakly defended village of Nyolaido. However, they had only been overnight in the hall before they were discovered by the new government forces under the city the next day and launched a surprise attack.

The thirteen members of the Shinsengumi faced the more than 300 members of the new government army, which was supposed to be a total annihilation. However, in the battle to the death, seven people were able to escape alive and rejoin outside Aizu Castle. Among them, there is Saito Ichi.

Sadashi Takagi meets Jiro Yamaguchi for the first time...... No, when Saito Ichi, he was in the camp of the Suzaku team. To be exact, he was in the pile of wounded soldiers of the Suzaku team, his head was covered in blood, his dark blue hair was stained with blood, and the black Western-style clothes on his body had become tattered. He sat against a wall, holding the sword that had been almost cut and the blade was covered with dark blood. There were blood marks crisscrossing the naked/exposed arms and calves, and he just sat there motionless as if he didn't want to pay attention to it. At first glance, it almost seemed that he was a dead man.

Takagi was just about to go up to see what was going on, when he heard a slightly hoarse voice coming from behind him.

"Oh, there's another alive here!Yaeko, I'll take care of the wounded here!"

Of course, Takagi Sada, she knew that the voice was greeting Yaeko, the sister of Kakuma Yamamoto. Like most young Aizu women, she tended to the wounded during the day and was organized into a team with the women at night, and served the same guard and sortie duties. However, the owner of the voice seemed a little unfamiliar, and she turned her head sharply.

Behind her stood a young woman with an unfamiliar face. The woman's facial features were unremarkable, her forehead was narrow, she had a pair of slender eyes, her nose was covered with tiny freckles, her face was a little gray and yellow after sun exposure, her lips were white due to malnutrition, and she was only tall and slender, which was the only bright spot.

Noticing Takagi Zhen's gaze, the young woman smiled at her and took the initiative to introduce herself: "Hello, my name is Kazuo Shinoda and I originally lived outside the city...... This time, I came to join you. ”

The name also sounds a little strange. "Yixu" means "together", and it is simply telling everyone that this is a pseudonym.

Takagi Sada, looking at her suspiciously.

Yaeko Yamamoto ran over. "Why are you still standing here? Where are the wounded you just mentioned...... Ahh

Without waiting for Takagi Sada's question, the lively Yaeko began to introduce the two of them to each other in one breath.

It is said that Shinoda Kazuo is the daughter of a family outside the city, 28 years old this year, originally married elsewhere, after the death of her husband, she returned to her parents' house to join her family, but caught up with the battle of Aizu, the family died in the war, only she survived, with a determination to take revenge, desperately sneaked into Aizu Castle, intending to join the same battle to kill the enemy, the prestige of the women's team.

On Takagi Zhen's side, she is the respected eldest daughter of the Aizu Daime Fu Takagi family, who is three hundred years old. Some people jokingly call her, who is very assertive and can support everyone, "Aizu's Iron Lady", but it is rumored that for some reason she has become "Aizu's fierce woman".

The reactions of others to Yaeko's introduction of such a disconnection are as follows:

Takagi Sada: "......"

Kazuo Shinoda: "......"

"Poof, that's funny, Yaeko. After a moment of silence, Shinoda Kazuo bent his eyebrows and smiled. "The Iron Lady of Aizu...... It sounds like Takagi-kun is really someone you can rely on with peace of mind?...... When we meet for the first time, please take care of it. ”

The smile seemed kind and gentle, completely warm and harmless.

After exchanging names and introductions, since they were Yaeko's friends, Takagi Sada's guard was reduced. At this time, after seeing that Takagi Sada, who no longer doubted himself and expressed his welcome, Shinoda Kazuo almost immediately said "rudeness" to her, and then walked towards the person who was leaning against the wall and covered in blood with the medicine box.

Takagi later wondered if it was because it was Kazuo Shinoda who first walked towards Saito at that time, so he would always remember her.

At that time, she just saw Shinoda Kazuo kneeling down on one knee beside the wounded man, and while carefully examining the other party's injuries, she asked cautiously, "...... Hey, are you still alive? Where are you hurt?"

Even though she was asking, her hands were not idle, and before the other person could answer her, she had already begun to clean and bandage the wounds on his arms and calves.

Then, Takagi saw the injured young man sitting by the wall with a sword open one of his right eyes and glanced faintly at Kazuo Shinoda, who was squatting in front of him with neat movements.

“...... It's not a big injury, it's okay. He replied quietly in a nice voice.

...... Later, it seems that Jiro Yamaguchi and Kazuo Shinoda met like this.

In Takagi's impression, Shinoda Kazuo had not been in Aizu for a long time - of course, there had not been many days until Aizu Kaejo. However, in these short ten days, this woman who is not very good-looking is extremely active.

Once, after the war, Takagi heard someone talking about Shinoda Kazuo.

"That woman is amazing...... It is said that the married husband's family used to open a dojo, and after practicing for more than ten years, it is really amazing that there is such a swordsmanship......"

"No, it's not that her swordsmanship will be as strong as a man's. But if you put it in the women's pile, it will attract a lot of attention......"

“...... There are also considerable points in actual combat...... Originally, I thought it was just a show, but today in the face of the enemy, I actually mustered up the courage to kill the other party with two swords, which is really neat!"

Takagi Sada: Surprised. Is that so? The woman who lost her husband and family at such a young age and came here alone really had such beautiful swordsmanship?

But in the evening, when she was patrolling according to the schedule, what she saw surprised her even more.

She was about to turn a corner when she suddenly heard Jiro Yamaguchi's usual calm and nice voice from behind the wall.

Now, however, there seemed to be some signs of fluctuation in that voice. He paused, as if it was difficult, and asked a question.

"Excuse me...... Do you like cherry blossoms?"

Takagi Sada: !!

She hurriedly hid herself in the shadows behind the corner, and then peeked out to look. She couldn't tell why she was doing this, it was just a subconscious action - but when she saw that the woman standing across from Jiro Yamaguchi, with her face slightly tilted to the side, was Shinoda Kazuo, she couldn't have been more surprised.

Yamaguchi-kun...... That woman is four years older than you!!, and a young widow of unknown origin...... No, it's not that this status is trivial, it's just ...... No matter how you look at it, it makes people feel that she is not the object that Yamaguchi-kun will look at a young age as a calm and swordsman, superb swordsmanship, and a great swordsman who can be relied on with peace of mind.

And Shinoda Kazuo's answer is even more confusing.

Faced with the young and handsome swordsman asking him this kind of ambiguous question, Shinoda Kazuo seemed to be unmoved.

"No, I don't have a sweet tooth. Her voice, which seemed to be born with a slight hoarseness, was clear.

Jiro Yamaguchi looked a little disappointed. Surprisingly, however, he didn't apologize and walk away right away—though that choice was more like his own style.

"Yes......" He paused suspiciously, seemed to pluck up his courage again, and continued to ask, "So, do you know a man named Xiaomei?"

Kazuo Shinoda answered faster this time.

"My husband's sister is called Xiaomei, but I've been married for so many years, I don't think she will know Yamaguchi-kun?"

As if she felt that the young man in front of her was behaving a little strangely, she began to talk about what she called a "defensive offense".

"Shinoda is my husband's surname, I don't know what Yamaguchi-kun's surname is for Xiaomei?"

was asked such a provocative question, and Jiro Yamaguchi, who originally belonged to the mouthless line, fell into a dumb state. After a moment, he whispered, "...... Her surname is Kiyohara. ”

In Takagi Sada's impression, this is the first time he mentions the surname "Kiyohara".

Kazuo Shinoda also seemed very surprised—perhaps not expecting Jiro Yamaguchi to actually sue her—and she paused for a long time before smiling, "...... That's a pity. The little Mei I know is not the one Yamaguchi-kun knows. ”

As if he was also a little emotional, Shinoda Kazuo narrowed his eyes slightly, staring at the young man in front of him, and his voice seemed to become a little low.

"Yamaguchi-kun...... Is it separated from that Xiaomei? ”

Jiro Yamaguchi was silent for a long time when he heard this, and then said slowly: "...... No, not really. It's just separated...... I have the responsibilities that I have to accomplish while I stay here, and she has her ......."

"So, she's gone. Shinoda Kazuo sighed and said clearly.

Jiro Yamaguchi: "...... Thank you for bandaging my wounds that day. ”

He forcibly changed the subject, and Kazuo Shinoda looked a little surprised.

"No, that's nothing...... That's what I do...... It's great that Yamaguchi-kun is fully recovered. She replied with a smile.

However, Jiro Yamaguchi's expression was still very serious.

"No, I still have to thank you. He said, then raised his head slightly to look at the night sky, and his handsome side face was bathed in the bright moonlight of the night, which actually showed a bit of straightforwardness and nobility.

"Because I promised her...... I will definitely kill the enemy desperately, and I will definitely try desperately to survive and go to her again......"

"So I can't just die. ”

Kazuo Shinoda: !!

She looked so surprised that she didn't say anything for a moment. Then, she seemed to quickly return to normal, revealing a tolerant smile similar to that of a big sister.

"Really...... Yamaguchi-kun will definitely survive. ”

Without saying anything like "It's nice to be young" or "Does Yamaguchi-kun like that Mei-chan" that ordinary people would be curious to say, Shinoda Kazuo replied with a surprising answer again.

"Will I live to meet the person I agreed with you...... I believe so. ”

Takagi thought that Yamaguchi-kun, who fought bravely with such thoughts, would surely survive the war, as Kazuo Shinoda said.

Because someone made an agreement with him that he would shine on the battlefield in Aizu and then go back to see her. Just like when we were separated, we will meet again in tears and smiles, right?

In the last battle before the opening of Aizu, Kazuo Shinoda, who did not cut his hair short like other women, walked in the queue of the women's team, and met Jiro Yamaguchi by chance for the last time under the walls of Tsurujo in Aizu.

Also standing in the queue of the women's team, Takagi Sadashi witnessed the words of Kazuo Shinoda and Jiro Yamaguchi.

Deliberately stepping out of the queue to greet Jiro Yamaguchi, Kazuo Shinoda didn't seem to care too much about everyone's kind teasing - she always smiled tolerantly and kindly, and responded to this joke with the attitude of a big sister, saying, "Don't be kidding, I'm already an old woman, Yamaguchi-kun just cares about me as a sister from home" - and walked towards Jiro Yamaguchi, who was neatly uniformed and had a stern face.

The artillery of the new government army rumbled. Since the 14th, they have been bombarding the city of Tsurushi day and night.

Standing under the scarred city walls, amid the sound of loud cannons, Shinoda Kazuo smiled at Jiro Yamaguchi.

"Remember your agreement with Mei, Yamaguchi-kun. She said.

Everyone knows that in Aizu today, every day may be the last day of their life. Even Takagi Sada, sewed a small strip of cloth on the inside of his clothes, on which was written the words "Died in battle on September 15th." This custom has only recently become popular, and before leaving the battle, such a strip of cloth is sewn on the inside of the corner of the clothes, or these words are simply written on one's clothes, and the date of one's departure is written, followed by the word "died in battle" to signify one's determination and will to fight bravely and sacrifice one's life for Aizu.

But Kazuo Shinoda has always been a strange person. Takagi noticed that she didn't have a similar word on her clothes. It's the same in other things, and for some reason it always feels a bit maverick...... Takagi even sometimes thinks that this kind of style is not at all like a traditional good wife...... It's a miracle that she hasn't been divorced for more than ten years after marrying into her husband's family.

Look, she's saying inopportune things again now.

“...... Take care, Yamaguchi-kun. She looked at Jiro Yamaguchi and bowed goodbye to him.

Jiro Yamaguchi was silent, just pressed the hilt of the sword at his waist with his right hand and watched her walk back to the queue of the women's team. Then, he also turned around and resolutely followed the Suzaku team away.

Takagi Sada, who was standing next to Kazuo Shinoda, couldn't help but turn his head slightly to look at her.

Maybe it was because Takagi Sada's gaze was really special, and Shinoda Kazuo quickly noticed it. She also turned her head and smiled softly at Takagi.

Then, suddenly, he asked, "Takagi-kun...... Have you ever heard of Yoshimitsu Awataguchi? ”

Takagi Sada: "??? seems to be ...... Was it a famous swordsmith from a long time ago?"

Kazuo Shinoda smiled.

"Yes, that's right. Yoshimitsu Awataguchi was a famous swordsmith in the Kamakura period and a master of making zuò short knives......"

Takagi Sada: ???

Looking at her expression with a question mark on her face, Shinoda Kazuo quickly stopped popularizing the "Introduction to Swordsmithing" to her.

"'One period and one vibration' is the only sword in his life, so the name of the knife is called 'one period and one vibration', that is, the only treasure in his life......" she said as if she was in a daze, and then turned her gaze to look at Takagi Zhen, and suddenly smiled slightly.

"Forget it. ...... Why am I talking about this now? Forget that. ”

For some reason, that smile left a deep impression on Takagi Sada.

That was also the last impression that Kazuo Shinoda left on her.

After the brutal World War I, how many good men will be retained...... Even the good girls gave their lives. Then, Rong Baogong finally announced his final decision, and Hecheng Kaejo surrendered.

Takagi Sada: Meets Jiro Yamaguchi again...... No, when Saito was in the town, it was in Gonohe Town, Dounan.

At that time, he had changed his name to "Ichinose Denhachi" again. As an ordinary wounded soldier of the Suzaku team, he spent the harsh winter in the prisoner of war camp, escaped the strict screening, pursuit, and screening of the new government army, and is slowly recovering from the serious injuries he suffered in the final battle.

He followed the other Aizu people who had been punished and moved to the Dounan Domain, a place of exile, the 30,000-goku. It was unbelievably barren, and during the long, cold winters, he lived with four other Aizu clansmen, engaged in hard and monotonous work, from clearing the wasteland to hunting, all kinds of farming and building houses, and other trivial tasks, almost completely annihilating the image of the swordsman who frightened all his opponents.

When Takagi saw him, he was frighteningly emaciated due to his unhealed injuries and the harsh conditions of the prisoner of war camp. Only the dark blue eyes were still very bright, and there was a burning will in them.

For some reason, that look reminded Takagi of the sword mentioned before Shinoda Kazuo's final battle, the only sword in Awataguchi Yoshimitsu in his life.

She later asked her younger brother Takagi Morinosuke about the first phase of Ichijo, and it is said that the knife had been burned in the summer battle in Osaka, and then repaired with a re-blade.

In her imagination, it should be a beautiful and sharp sword, even if it is burned by fire, even if it is covered with scars, even if it is difficult to go to war again...... From beginning to end, it should be a delight to see or a fearsome weapon to see. Some people want to own it, some people want to make it for their own use, to be admired, to be feared, to be relied on, to be chased......

It's like Denhachi Ichinose in front of her right now...... No, Saito, the leader of the third group of the Shinsengumi, is the same. Whether it is scarred or calm and sharp, no matter where it is stored, it is the best, most reliable, best and irreplaceable knife of the Shinsengumi.

They had a simple small talk. When Takagi mentioned Kazuo Shinoda who had lost news in the final battle, for a moment she almost thought that Saito's eyes had darkened.

"Really...... Those people have finally dedicated their lives to Aizu......" he said with a sigh.

Perhaps trying to say something less sad, Takagi suddenly thought of Shinoda Kazuo's strange words before parting. So she spoke up.

"Speaking of which...... Shinoda-kun said after you left...... It's a bit strange. ”

Saito: ?

Takagi Sada: "She mentioned Yoshimitsu Awataguchi...... Uh, has Ichinose-kun heard of this person?"

For some reason, she felt a sudden overly bright light pass through Saito's eyes.

He slowly repeated the name she had mentioned. “...... Yoshimitsu Awataguchi?!"

Takagi Sada, thinking that he hadn't heard it, recounted it as it was according to the explanation given by Kazuo Shinoda at the time.

"Yes, Shinoda-kun mentioned him at the time...... Yoshimitsu Awataguchi said that Yoshimitsu Awataguchi was a famous swordsmith in the Kamakura period and a master of making short knives. ”

“...... Yes, I know him. Saito was silent for a moment, then replied slowly.

The topic continued, and Takagi said happily, "That's good...... Shinoda-kun finally mentioned that the only sword in this person's life is called 'one period and one vibration'. She said that the name means that there is only one treasure in a lifetime......

Saito: !!

Although talking about what seemed to be a common topic, Saito suddenly raised his head, his eyes almost terrifying, and forced him to look at Takagi Sada.

He looked visibly shocked, so stunned that his mouth opened slightly, and he let out an exclamation of "Ha?!" in his throat, staring blankly at her face.

It was clear that he wasn't really looking at her face, but was looking through her, as if looking at someone else, but Takagi still had a slight fever on his face from the gaze, and looked away uncomfortably.

The face of the mouthless sword hero, whose expression is usually so calm and almost indifferent, is colorful and unpredictable at the moment. Finally, after changing several expressions on his face in various colors, he spoke, and his voice sounded unsteady.

"Original...... It's really her. ”

Takagi Sada: ?!

“...... Why don't you admit it...... What happened to Mr. Hijikata's place that made him come back......" he muttered, his expression becoming a little worried.

"Really...... Did you really die in the final battle?!" His voice raised slightly, and his voice actually sounded a sense of hardship. His gaze flickered several times, and finally he turned around suddenly, and strode back the way he had come.

“...... I'm going to have to look into it. There should be a list of people who have sacrificed...... Yamakawa-kun should also collect a list of righteous people who were collected and buried by others...... If it's just that her whereabouts are unknown, then with her ability, it's very likely that she has already escaped from Aizushunlì...... But why did you run back in the first place...... Did you have some kind of conflict with Mr. Hijikata? That person wouldn't leave the Shinsengumi on his own, so ......"

I had never seen this person before, and there was still a broken side, Takagi Zhen was stunned.

"Ichi, Ichise-kun!"

Behind him, she raised her voice and stopped him.

He looked back, his face full of [???] expressions, as if he couldn't understand why she had stopped him suddenly.

Takagi took a deep breath.

"You...... Actually, Shinoda-kun is your old acquaintance, right? She's known you before, hasn't she? So why did she pretend she didn't know you in Aizu? Why don't you recognize her?"

This series of questions caused Saito's eyes to widen in slightly stunned. However, he soon realized it, and the expression on his face seemed to be a little dark.

"You ask me a question, and I don't know the answer. ”

He replied sternly, his expression still so serious.

"I think she's the one I know...... As for cross-dressing, it's always been her forte......"

He pondered and continued.

"As for why she pretended not to know me...... I don't even know why I came back to Aizu. ”

As he said this, the surprise and confusion he had just revealed seemed to have faded away. He regained his usual Saito, serious, calm, firm and full of reason.

"But...... I'm sure she's still alive. Because we made an appointment ......."

On the cold road of Dounan, a tall young man in a black Western-style dress showed a soft and firm faint smile.

"Kiyohara Yukiye, I will definitely fulfill my promise. ”

...... Because, she's the only female member of the Shinsengumi.

【Extra・Saito Arc/Final】