A candle in the room
its light reaches everyone
next moment: it's gone

I'm Yamanami Keisuke, vice captain of the Shinsengumi. No, I'm rather one man from the crowd.

Position means nothing. It means nothing when blood is spilled, but you are powerless, and you can't do anything to prevent it. Your rank is good as nothing.

I've held many positions in my life.

I had been a child. I had a merry childhood like few at that time. I loved and respected my parents, who granted me anything possible.

I had been a student. Many times, at many places. I liked to learn. I enjoyed reading any type of book, and acquired anything they wanted to teach me. I have always wanted to use this knowledge to help others.

I had been a teacher. I had always tried to do my best, to make others see how great it can be to learn something new.

I had been a brother. I have got to know many great men during my life, with whom our bonds were stronger than friendship. I have felt I could follow any of them to hell, but being with them was like a short time in heaven.

I had been contented. When I found brothers in the Shieikan dojo.

I had been a soldier. The armor have always been the heaviest at the times when I had to turn my sword against an opponent I didn't want to fight with.

I had been a comrade. I have tried to protect others according to my means, sometimes against their own demons.

I had been in love. I wanted to share my destiny with the most glorious woman of the world.

I had been depressed. When I had to face the cruelty of the world again and again.

I had been brave. What you need to live is not only air but bravery.

I had been a coward. I didn't have the courage of my convictions and that cost many lives.

I had been a traitor. I couldn't make up my mind in time and that was a greater betrayal than a firm decision.

I had been betrayed. I had been fighting for something I had believed in, but as I was getting closer and closer to it, it turned out to be just an illusion.

I had been a fool, soft-spoken, one who had been fighting but was defeated, I had been determined and confused.

Now I'm just one man from the crowd.

I'm shivering in my white clothes as I'm entering the room on this chilly day of the early spring, the room where my sword awaits me, the room I'll never leave again.