That ugly smile that he had put on finally collapsed.

Elodie, whose lips were tightly pursed and the corners of her mouth were drooped, with a shadowy expression, lowered her head and looked at the hands folded in front of her uneasily.

Stare at a certain point without taking your eyes off it.

Qingden pretended to be all ears, "No matter what you say, I will listen carefully", and quietly waited for Elodie's reply.

"Actually... Grandpa will go to tonight's fireworks display without me..."

"Huh?" Qingdeng, whose expression was suddenly dominated by a look of shock, started to move before his brain. He asked quickly without any time to think, "Didn't Mr. Angoulême promise to take you there before?"

Did you do it for fun? Why are you regretting it now?"

"Grandpa... yesterday I heard about the grand event of this year's fireworks display from his friend."

"There are many more tourists going to the fireworks display than grandpa expected..."

"Grandpa initially thought that... after the people of Edo have experienced so many changes in recent years, fewer people would be in the mood and have the energy to participate in such entertainment celebrations... but he did not expect this year's fireworks display.

, will be as crowded as ever..."

"Grandpa is worried that accidents may happen easily when visiting such a crowded place..."

"So I decided not to take me with me..."

The tone of Elodie's statement was quite calm from beginning to end...but her calm tone contained obvious sadness...

"..." Qingdeng was speechless, feeling as if his body was tied to a big stone and falling straight to the ground.

It can be said that Aomori knows better than anyone else how much the girl in front of him is looking forward to this year's fireworks display and how much she wants to have a blast in this most lively celebration in Edo.

Qingdeng still vividly remembers Elodie's excited expression after learning that Anthony was willing to take her to this year's fireworks display...

These days, Elodie often discussed the fireworks display with Qingden with great interest during the breaks of sword practice.

It was clear that this long-awaited event was coming soon, but he was suddenly told that he could not participate... Qingden could not imagine how Elodie would feel when she first heard about this.

Her eyes, swollen from crying, silently told Qingdeng how painful and tormenting Elodie's heart was after learning the bad news.

"Haha...it's okay...! Master, you don't have to look like this. If you can't go, then you can't go...!"

Elodie took a deep breath, then she raised her head and stared straight at Qingdeng. The haze on her face was like morning fog when it encountered the sun, gradually dissipating at a speed visible to the naked eye.

"I can understand grandpa's good intentions."

"Grandpa also wants to take me to play."

"But this country is still very unrest... there are still many people who are very hostile to us foreigners."

"Grandpa's concerns are correct. For the sake of safety, it is better to go to crowded places as little as possible at the moment."

"Anyway, the fireworks display happens every year. If you can't go this year, you can wait until next year."

"By this time next year, foreigners like me may be able to take to the streets of this country without any scruples!"

After saying that, Elodie showed a comfortable and bright sunny smile.

If it weren't for the pair of red and swollen eyes, if it weren't for the uncomfortable and depressed mood flashing deep in the eyes, then this would be a perfect smile...

Elodie's smile made Qingden feel even heavier.

This little girl is only 12 years old this year. In modern times, she is still in elementary school. She is so sensible that it makes people feel heartbroken...

It was obvious that she should be extremely sad, but she could rationally express that she "understood grandpa's decision" and in turn comforted Qingdeng so that Qingdeng didn't have to feel too sorry for her.

"Okay, okay, master. Let's not talk about this anymore!"

Elodie, whose expression returned to normal, smiled cheerfully and raised her bamboo sword again.

"Let's start today's lesson quickly!"

…

…

That night--

Edo, Chishiya——

"Uh huh~uh huh~"

Mai Kinoshita was sitting behind the counter, humming an unknown ditty and following Kiryu's instructions just now, carefully checking Chishiya's recent account books.

"Little Lord."

Suddenly, Kiryu's voice sounded from behind Mai Kinoshita.

"Huh?" Kinoshita Mai stopped what she was doing, "Mr. Kiryu, what's wrong?"

"Young Master, I'm sorry, can you please run an errand for me now and go to the Ryogoku Bridge?"

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Come on! Come on! The spicy plot is finally coming! The show is about to begin... So it’s not too much to ask for a monthly ticket, right? (Leopard Death.jpg)

Please give me monthly votes! Please vote for recommendations! (Leopard Head Crying.jpg)

As for Aomori's new official position: "Captain of the Third Division of the Fire Thieves Kaiden Division and Leader of the Seventh Division of the Preemptive Archery Division"... there is actually something interesting in this. For details, please read the "Writer's Words" below.

【Novel Highlights Announced】

As for Qingto taking over the vacant position of "Captain of the Third Division and Leader of the Seventh Division"... there is actually a tribute to the author in it.

One of the author's favorite game series: In the Yakuza series, the protagonist Sakamoto Ryoma of "Yakuza: Restoration" is set at the end of the Tokugawa period. In order to find out the truth about the death of his adoptive father, he infiltrated the Shinsengumi under the pseudonym "Ichi Saito".

With Gao Qiang's strength, he got the position of captain of the third division that had been vacant.

Although this game is disguised as a Bakumatsu, the historical content in it is basically nonsense. I am convinced that Sakamoto Ryoma and Saito Ichi, two irresistible characters, can force a relationship.

So everyone can think of it as an "antique fighting game".

[The remastered version of this game will be available at the end of February next year. Those who are interested can buy it and play it. Even if they have never been exposed to this series, they can play this work without any barriers]
Chapter completed!