Chapter 4: Festival Episodes of Gintama are Never Not Fun

Chapter summary: Sougo had another plan for Kagura.

That morning, the Shinsengumi officers were eating their breakfast in the compound's dining room when Yamazaki saw Hijikata's face slowly turned green. "Sougo you bastard!" he cursed, rushing out to the restroom. Sougo cackled in joy, his sadistic face and devilish smile scaring the whole dining room. Apparently, the Vice Chief's mayonnaise had been poisoned again.

"Scary," said Yamazaki, biting his anpan. "Very scary."

"Fukuchou let his guard down," whispered Kamiyama. "This is Okita-taichou's first attack in a week."

"Now that you've mentioned it, Okita-taichou has been in a bad mood for the past week, glaring and snapping at us subordinates. I thought things would get better once he got through it, but I was wrong," said Tetsu.

"The thing with Okita-taichou is," said Yamazaki as he opened his 10th anpan with his laser beam, "he's actually scarier when he's in a good mood."

"Yes, yes. Correct, Yamazaki. 10 anpans for you," a sudden voice made the three of them jump. Sougo was standing behind them, his eyes soaked with blood red gleam. "However, you forgot to add something to your data. I usually command gossiping subordinates to swing their shinai for 1000 times in the dojo."

The three police officers yelped in fear. "T-t-taichou!"

"Just kidding," they sighed in relieve.

"We're sorry, taichou! We didn't mean to speak ill about you!"

"However, since I'm in exceptionally good mood today, I'll change it to 5000 swings," he corrected, smirking devilishly.

"Okita-taichouuu!" Yamazaki shrieked.

"I'm going back to sleep," said Sougo, waving his hand as he walked out from the dining room. "If your arms are still intact by the time I returned from my patrol this evening, I'll slash it off myself."

"He's clearly having a blast. Right, Kondo-san?" Harada laughed heartily.

"The best mood he's ever had in a while." Kondo agreed.

Kagura got out at her closet at 6 in the morning. She had a strong urge to pick up the lint roller and clean up something, but she fought it. She was determined; she'd regain her memories, and she'd start from redoing her old habits.

Shinpachi had listed the things Kagura usually do in the morning, which was sleeping in until she got awaken from hunger. She sighed. She couldn't sleep anymore, and laying around inside her closet didn't seem like a fun activity. She wanted to turn on the TV and watch the morning news, but it would wake Gintoki and make him cranky. She felt she could nibble on some snack, though.

Woof. Sadaharu licked her legs, panting happily.

"Sadaharu, you're awake?" whispered Kagura. "Should we take some morning walk? Should we buy something at the convenient store?"

Woof. Kagura scratched his ears. "Okay, then. Wait here, I'm going to change."

Ten minutes later, Kagura strolled through Kabuki-cho's empty streets with her umbrella on her hand and Sadaharu beside her. It was a Sunday morning and the town was asleep. There were remains of last night's festivity—much like every night in this area, but one light remained to flicker. Ooedo Mart, where she'd buy a week's worth of sukonbu.

"Should we get some sukonbu, Sadaharu?" Kagura scratched Sadaharu's ears, to which the dog happily responded with a bark and a lick to her cheek. "Okay, okay. Wait here."

Kagura entered the convenient store and went to search for the pickled seaweed. She was grabbing one pack when an image flashed to her mind.

Why do you think I'm obliged to explain my presence to you?

She could hear a muffled, faint voice, but there was nobody around her except the store clerk. Kagura blinked and shook her head. Perhaps my body isn't used to waking up so early, she thought, brushing it off. She took two packs from the aisle.

"Only two packs?" asked the store clerk, a man in his late teens, when she brought them to the cashier to be paid.

"What do you mean?"

"I'm sorry, you might not be aware. But I've been working in this store for two months and you come here every two days to buy twenty packs of sukonbu," he ran his fingers to his auburn hair, chuckling nervously. "Sorry again, it was weird. I sound like a stalker."

"No, it's okay. I guess anyone who buys that much amount of sukonbu would be very distinguishable."

"But this is the first time I've seen you for a while. Something happened? You had a fight with your boyfriend?"

"B-boyfriend?" she stuttered.

"Yes, the Shinsengumi officer with the sandy brown hair? The last time you went here, you had an argument and the two of you almost destroy the door."

Kagura laughed heartily. "He's not my boyfriend."

"Oh? Well, that's good, then. A pretty girl like you shouldn't hang around with a good-for-nothing dude like him, he was so violent with you," The clerk smiled. "That would be 200 Yen."

Kagura didn't respond to that remark, handing him the money and walked out of the store in silence. She wasn't sure why but there was an urge to defend Sougo back then. He protected her once, but he wasn't very nice to her, either. So she didn't do it, because parts of her wanted to know what he really was like. And she was certain that a small light would be shed this afternoon. She didn't know if he'd even read her note, but she hoped he did.

She licked the sukonbu and grimaced after a hint of sourness hit her tongue, but it got sweeter after she put the whole strip in her mouth after she was sure the taste wouldn't make her feel sick. It didn't taste exceptionally good. But it sure tasted familiar, almost comforting.

"Sadaharu, do you think he'll come?" she asked her dog.

Kagura heard a slow woof. She took it as a yes.

Sougo had a trouble concentrating today. So far, his patrol duty had been mundane—no banks got robbed nor drunkards found dead. Hell, even purses weren't snatched today. The day didn't go the way his sadistic tendencies would like, so he was restless.

He had one activity today, and it was waiting. He was walking on a shopping district in Kabuki-cho when he saw his own reflection on a shop's display. The cravat he was wearing today seemed like the other ones he owned; but he knew in actuality that it wasn't. It was the one given by Kagura—the one he had appointment with.

This was probably the first time that he had received anything from anyone outside from Kondo and begrudging Hijikata since what seemed to be forever. The girl couldn't even afford paying herself a decent meal on broke Yorozuya days, yet she managed to get one for him. Not that he felt anything, though; he was more concerned about whether or not the cravat was stolen. Besides, if there was anything she had done was making him happy, it was the challenge she had given him.

Wait, did he just use the word "happy"?

He scoffed and continued walking. He wasn't one to use such word; not when the only person that made him do was no longer in this world.

But damn, the afternoon couldn't come fast enough.

Kagura stood in front of a tree on Kabuki-cho park, eyes fixated, her umbrella gun aimed to a target made of cardboard that was attached onto the bark. She fired a bullet. BANG. The target remained unmoved. Kagura took a breath and fired another bullet. BANG.

Five bullets fired, but not a single one hit the target. She groaned in frustration and walked to the target, kicking it. That kick not only made the cardboard broke in two; the tree trunk had fallen before she knew it. She stepped backwards, panting. Realizing that she let out more strength than she had intended, Kagura stood aghast at the sight.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk," a voice suddenly popped out of nowhere. "I could arrest you for destroying public property, you know."

She turned her head to see Sougo, walking to her direction. He was munching a bubblegum. "N-no! I didn't do it on purpose!" she exclaimed, panicked. She didn't want to cause any trouble in front of a police officer.

"In a bad mood, China?"

Kagura shook her head. "Not necessarily. I'm just frustrated that I can't hit the target."

"Is that so?" he popped his bubblegum, "How are you going to beat me up if you can't even hit a simple target like that?"

She pouted. "It's not like I chose to become like this, you know."

"Funny, I thought you said you're enjoying being a typical heroine."

"I did. But I changed my mind; I can't make Gin-chan and Shinpachi any more worried," she said with a sigh. "Plus, if Papi learned about this, they would be in trouble."

"Do you really want to do this?"

"I don't have any choice." She shrugged.

"I'm asking if you're doing this for yourself and not because the others told you what to do."

"Why are you acting all so considerate now, of all times?" she scowled. "I'm a Yato, remember? Any sustained injuries will heal faster. Besides, I've told Gin-chan about this and I've obtained his approval."

"Well then," Sougo turned, walking away. "Let's go."

"Huh? I thought we're going to spar or exchange insults or whatever!" she chased after him.

"We are, China. Not here, though. We'll do it somewhere else." He walked to where his patrol car was parked; he opened the passenger door for her before stepping in himself.

"W-where?"

"I'm arresting you for destroying public properties, remember?" said Sougo. He locked the door and started the engine. "Put this in your neck and end your sentence with a 'woof', please." He pulled something from the backseat. It was a chain leash; he kept one in the car trunk just in case he found someone to dominate.

Kagura's fair complexion had gone even paler. He was known as a Grade-A Sadist and she should have expected this, she thought. "A-are you kidding me? You tricked me to get arrested and instead of handcuffing me, you're trying to put me on a leash and act like a dog? Vent your sadistic tendencies on someone else!"

Sougo smirked. "What, then? You want me to fine you? You don't even have money to begin with, China. This way you'd be free of all charges."

"You're abusing your power, you tax-robbing Sadist!" she yelled, elbowing his ribs on reflex.

"Fuck!" Sougo cursed at that unexpected attack, causing the patrol car to swerve. He quickly turned the stirring wheel before they could hit anyone. He looked at her, exhaled. "What was that for, you damn girl?!"

"You just did a borderline sexual harassment to me, asshole!"

Sougo grimaced. The pain felt like he was just being stomped on by an elephant.

"I know you're still indomitable as ever," he replied, glancing at Kagura who gave him a killer look. "Now stop looking at me like that."

"Your sadistic jokes aren't funny."

"Still made you flip nonetheless," he said, wincing at the pain inflicted. "Anyway, I'm surprised. I haven't received your dangerous surprise attack in a while, and this hurts like a bitch."

"I'm sorry," she apologized. "I don't know how to control this."

Sougo didn't respond to her apology, still grimacing from the pain. If it wasn't for his agility, his ribs would have been broken. "By the way, I was just kidding about arresting you. We're not going to the Headquarters; we're going to the festival."

"Festival?" she repeated, eyes narrowed. Her expression had gotten even more confused. Sougo had to fight the urge to take a picture of her dumb face, because if he did, they'd cause traffic accident this time for sure.

"Yes," he replied. "What, do you really think that the only way you can remember me is through violence?"

"I don't!" she scowled. "But I thought we're going to practice or something… why are we going to festival?"

"This is the last day of summer and my patrol duty has ended, and I kinda want to have fun," he said, and quickly added, "not that I want to have fun with you, though."

"That's not answering my question, stupid Sadist-san." mumbled Kagura.

"Hoo? What's with that tone?" he smirked teasingly. "I'm actually spending my precious time to help you right now, you know? Well, whatever. You'll see when we're there."

Half an hour later, they were arrived at the festival. She remembered going to a summer festival with Gintoki, Shinpachi and Otae three years ago before the war emerged, but clearly this wasn't the same place they had visited before. This venue was bigger, in an unfamiliar side of Edo. Her Yato nose could smell different kind of foods that were offered there—all of the festival foods she knew and loved but never able to afford thanks to Gintoki's gambling habit that made all of her salary vanish before she could even spend it.

Visitors roamed the place—couples, families, and friends. They were all wearing yukata in various hues of summer colors. Everything was tinted with a color similar to her hair as the sun had begun to set, and suddenly she felt self-conscious with her old red qipao. Sougo walked off but Kagura stayed in her place, standing awkwardly.

"What's wrong?" asked Sougo when he noticed that she didn't follow him.

"You should've told me that we're going to a big festival like this, you know. I'm not wearing a yukata." She replied quietly.

"Come on, it's fine. I'm not wearing one either," he turned and continued walking forward. "That Chinese clothes you're wearing suit you better."

Kagura went silent at that remark, unable to interpret whether it was just his way of giving compliment or not, but she smiled and followed him.

"You want that?" Sougo asked, pointing at the takoyaki stall. The view of takoyaki being made and the smell made Kagura's stomach growl, to which he mockingly smirked and made her fluster. He ordered two portions. She protested because she didn't bring enough money to buy that much, but he ignored her protests and paid for it anyway.

"Thanks." She said, as she picked one takoyaki and put it in her mouth. It wasn't long until she finished her portion, and she started to snitch one from Sougo's hand. He protested as it was the one he saved for last. But she only grinned apologetically, made him insult her "pig" and resulted in an attempt to whack his head, which he managed to dodge. As she jumped to yank his hair, an accessories stall caught her attention.

"Look, look! That hair ornament is so cute!" she pointed to a scrunchie with red and pink kanzashi on it while dragging Sougo by his hair.

"Yeah, yeah. It doesn't suit you, though," he deadpanned, removing her hand from his head.

"Well, I'm sorry if I didn't act very feminine in the past, but that doesn't mean feminine stuffs should be off-limits!" she protested, her arms crossed.

"Yeah? But feminine things are usually expensive. Look," He pointed to the price tag, which was 700 Yen. So much for a hair scrunchie. "Now that you've mentioned it, you've been letting your hair down these days, China. Did your dog ate your odango?"

"Nah. I just want a change of looks every once in a while," she answered. "Gin-chan said I'm the only character in this anime who have various outfit choices, so I think I should do the same with my hair."

"Pity," Sougo clicked his tongue. "The buns made you look like an idiot. I like it when you look like one." His retort provoked Kagura to punch his face, but of course he dodged it again.

"You know, every time you insult me, I weirdly got bloodlust," She panted after she failed to land a punch to his face. "I kinda want to kill you."

"That's your muscle memories acting on your behalf, I suppose." He replied. He had been observing this after she managed to elbow his ribs—that every time he insulted her, he could see glimpses of "real" China, and silently enjoying it when it happened. "Hey, do you want to play at the shooting gallery?"

Kagura turned to where Sougo pointed to see a shooting gallery with various kind of prizes to be won, from snacks to expensive anime merchandise. While Sougo walked to the game stall, flashes of images began to appear on her head.

It was another summer festival in another side of the town. Giant robots similar to the ones that Gengai owned emerged. Black and gold uniforms—

"Earth to Chinaaa."

Kagura blinked and saw Sougo was leaning to her direction, his face was so close in front hers. "Uhh. Sorry. And give me some personal space, please." She pushed his face away.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I just… I think I just saw something."

"What did you see?"

"A summer festival. I remember that it has something to do with the Sho-chan and… Gengai-jiji, but it was so vague."

"Did it have giant robots in there?"

"How do you know? Wait—" she stopped. "Oh. Right. Sho-chan was there. You should've been there, too."

"I did. I was there, and there was an attack," He nodded. A reminder of the shogun still managed to send him chill on his spine sometimes, of the consequences and the things that followed on the wake of his assassination. "We beat the shit out of the robots and Kondo-san mistaken us as the Gods of Festival or something."

Kagura blinked. Then she laughed. "Why?" she asked, looking at him at disbelief.

"Because when we unite our strength, we're God-level unbeatable, maybe," he shrugged. He then proceeded to pay for two games—three bullets each—and handed Kagura her cork gun, before grabbing his own. He aimed for a spicy senbei and shot it right in the center. He then aimed for another prize, this time a bottle of hot sauce, and shot the last bullet, hitting a pack of Chuubert.

"That would save me a week's trip to the convenient store." He said smugly as the stall owner handed him the prizes. Kagura pouted at his succeed while she was still having difficulties. She aimed for a Justaway doll and she pulled the trigger and missed. She tried to shoot again when the autumn wind blew, made her hair stuck to her face. That distraction made her miss another shot, to which she let an exasperated sigh. "Ugh, my hair is getting in the way!"

"I told you your odango hair suits you better."

"Yeah, and if I meet you tomorrow with my twin buns, that would seem like I agree with you that looking like an idiot is my best kind of look," She aimed again, this time more determined. The cork bullet hit just the side of the doll. "Look! I did it!"

"Congratulations, miss!" the stall owner handed her the Justaway doll. She received a doll with a thanks. She turned to find that Sougo was already on another stall when she could hear another muffled voice from the back of her mind. This time, it was two different voices.

"The one who destroyed the festival…"

"Who is it?"

She shook her again, this time a little harder it made her a little dizzy.

"Yo, what happened?" Sougo's voice shot her back to reality. She turned her face up and saw him carrying two ikayaki. "You want to sit down?"

She nodded as they sat together in a nearby bench. "I shot MADAO's sunglasses and nipple."

Sougo looked at her in disbelief. "Of all things, that's what you can recall?" he sighed loudly, pretending to look disappointed. "As expected from a major idiot."

"What?" she protested, pinching his nose and pulled him downward. "I'm trying my best here! And I want that ikayaki too!"

"Yeah, yeah, you glutton," he crinkled his nose in annoyance, but still gave one ikayaki to her regardless.

She received the ikayaki and began nibbling the squid absentmindedly. "Thanks," she said. "Is this why you bring me to the festival? So it could trigger my memories?"

"Didn't you say you want to remember me?"

"Don't answer my question with another question,"

Sougo didn't reply. He threw the stick that held the ikayaki to the trash bin beside the bench and stretched his hands lazily. "Before you get to regain them, you must first recognize the things that you've lost." He said finally.

Then as Sougo spoke, another flash of images began to appear—two figures were flying, a katana and a pair of bare hands clashed with steel bodies. If the sky had fireworks, the ground had red and blue shadows combined in two and became purple, leaving electric sparks and trails of smokes. People were frantically running, Shogun was silently leaving. She could saw Shinpachi and Gintoki, standing on the stage, facing Gengai. Too many things to digest at once—she felt her head spin. She closed her eyes.

"…na?" a familiar voice echoed. "China."

She blinked and saw Sougo, his hands were waving in front of her face.

"Yes, I'm sorry," she said, standing up. "Should we go and play another game?"

"Or we can go home and rest," he said, not moving from where he sat. "You look like you're about to faint."

She turned to him. "No. Gin-chan told me recollecting memories could make you feel a little funny in the head. I'm okay to feel dizzy if that's what it takes to bring them back. I'm just a little overwhelmed."

"No," he said. "I don't want you to faint and make me carry you with all those foods in your stomach."

"I said I'm okay." She persisted, her eyes glared. Ugh, those eyes again, Sougo thought.

"Fine, fine. But if something happened to you, I'm not going to carry you," he sighed, giving up. "Come on, let's go to the main stage. I think the fireworks will start soon."

As soon as the sun had gone, the two of them challenged each other for various types of games while eating festival foods—Kagura lost to Sougo most of the time, which led to another insults and physical attacks from each other, some of them went too violent they almost destroyed stalls and hit other people. However, even though Kagura was the one who lost them all, she made Sougo buy her one okonomiyaki, roasted corn, candy apple, and taiyaki. Sougo protested, but he still bought all of them anyway.

"Ahh, I feel so full." Kagura huffed, rubbing her stomach.

"Your stomach can fill much more than that, actually," said Sougo. "You and that bottomless pit Yato stomach of yours will lead your future husband to poverty."

"How dare you calling my stomach a bottomless pit!" she yelled, trying to jab him without succeed. "Look at it! It's as flat as Sekigahara!"

"Yeah, like your chest." Sougo deadpanned, leading for another attempt from Kagura to kick his crotch, to which he jumped before her foot could land on his golden balls.

"Wait," she stopped, looking at him in horror. "Did I just eat twice of normal human portion?"

"No, it's your portion, China," Sougo corrected. "You didn't realize it, but you've spent one week's worth of my salary."

"H-how am I not realizing this?"

"I've told you," he rolled his eyes, "muscle memories. Hell, I began to think that your lacking sharpness and strength are due to the change of your diet."

That made her flustered for the nth time today, and Sougo couldn't enjoy anything better than this. This girl used to have so much pride that he never saw her act like this before. Kagura huffed, mildly annoyed, and turned her back.

"You know, China," he said, "asking for my help like this is unlike you."

She stopped walking upon hearing that statement. She looked at him, raising one of her eyebrow. "Really?"

Sougo took step forward to close the distance between them and nodded. "You are a pain most of the time. There was one time when we were this close to be beaten up, but you still refused to team up with me. It took a lot of convincing for you to finally agree with me," he said, recalling the day she broke his leg in Yagyu Residence, "you're so stubborn."

"I still am, am I?"

"Yes," he affirmed, "But now at least you know how to ask a favor. I'm starting to think that maybe I can go on with this version of you. I like it when you need me."

That statement stunned Kagura. Realizing what he said might be ambiguous, he felt warm on his cheeks, but didn't manage to find a word to clarify what he really meant. For a moment that felt like forever, there was only the sound of the wind that mad her hair flutter in a small space between them, strands of vermilion hair gently brushed her cheeks.

"A-anyway," said Sougo, "will you turn to your back for a moment?"

"Ouch! What are you doing—" before she could finish her sentence, Sougo pushed her shoulders.

"Stay still, China. Your hair is too bright, it's hurting my eyes," he said, tugging her hair gently.

"Hey," she said, quietly. "Get off your dirty hands off my beautiful hair." Even though she said that, she let Sougo touch her hair anyway.

However, he wasn't just touching them. He was braiding her hair.

"Your hair is ugly, that's why I want to get rid of them," he said, but Kagura knew from his tone that he didn't mean it. "You know, I'm irritated when you didn't recognize me in the hospital." he said slowly, almost like a whisper.

At his statement, Kagura let out a chuckle. Sougo could feel his cheeks got warmer. Is she mocking me? "Hey, why are you laughing? I'm trying to express myself here."

"You sure are just as difficult as I am. I was confused with your treatment the other day. I tried to approach you and you didn't want to look at me," she said. "Then you saved me and you didn't want to be thanked for it. Why don't you just say so from the beginning?"

"Honestly, I'm just as confused as you are. This whole thing is confusing," Sougo stopped braiding, his hands were still tugging at the half-done hair. "I feel like I'm getting a karma." He sighed.

She took a glance of him. "Sadist, it's okay," she said, surprising him without the honorifics, "It wasn't entirely your fault that it happened. You brought me there, but the one who shot the bullets was me. And our fight that day hasn't over yet; that's why I'm asking you to do this. So I can beat you up as a revenge and finish what we started."

Sougo looked at Kagura's determined face. How an airhead like her could say something so thoughtful at times like this still managed to amaze him, so he gave in and chuckled at her response. "I can't wait."

"Also…" she said, "I'm sorry if what happened with me hurt your feelings. I couldn't choose the things I can remember and the things that I can't."

"I know it," he said. "But I have to correct you on that one. I'm just merely irritated and not hurt at all. I guess I just hate the fact that I don't have anyone to beat up to death at the moment besides Hijikata-san, and unlike you, he doesn't fight back."

"I really want to elbow the other side of your ribs right now." She uttered. Sougo laughed. Soon after, Kagura laughed too.

"It feels weird to have a civil conversation with you, China."

"But it's not bad, is it?" she asked.

"No," he replied. "Not a little bit."

At his reply, Kagura smiled wider. "By the way, how do you even learn how to braid?"

"A certain idiot used to have a long hair in the past and I used to braid it with ribbons and flowers when he was sleeping as a prank." Sougo shrugged, recalling his days at Bushu with Hijikata where Sougo used to contemplate strangling him with his own hair.

"…Mami." She whispered.

"Huh?"

"I used to ask my Mami to braid my hair. But my hair was too short at that time, so she opted for the buns instead. I wanted to grow my hair so it could match with hers and Kamui and so she could teach me how to braid. But she left before my hair even touched my shoulder." she recounted.

Sougo paused for a moment. "It was nice to have a memory of your mother. Both of my parents were gone before I could even remember their faces," he said, indifference in his tone.

"I'm sorry for your loss."

"Likewise," he replied. "There, it's done."

She pulled hair to the front and saw it neatly braided, with a red and pink kanzashi scrunchie securing it at the end.

"Th-this—" she stuttered. "You bought this?"

"I told you, your hair is too bright if you let it loose," said Sougo. "And besides, I don't want to be indebted to you. This is only a payback for the cravat you bought me. Thank you, anyway, for that one."

"You're welcome," said Kagura, her lips twisted into another genuine smile. "And thank you for buying this for me. I will definitely keep it!"

Before Sougo could reply, fireworks were shot in to the sky, to which they looked up to see them bursting through the warm summer night sky.

Kagura gasped in amazement. The fireworks were fascinating, but Sougo silently looked at her instead, which screamed more colors than the sky. Her hair was a mix of red and orange, soft strands of her hair caressed the skin of her nape. Bright red, green and yellow in the sky were reflected on a pair of her deep blue eyes, with the hues that would cause envy to any ocean. She looked fascinated at the fireworks, not realizing that she was prettier and more real, unlike the fiery blooms above. Her face beamed with joy, her translucent skin was subtly blushed with a warm shades of pink.

Hell, the fireworks were breathtaking, but the person beside him was enough of a view.

For a second, she looked ethereal.

He realized right away that he was doomed.

"Festivals are fun!" she happily exclaimed when they were on their way back to drop her off at the Yorozuya. "Did you see the final fireworks? It was so cool!"

Sougo didn't respond. He kept driving in silence.

"Knock-knock," she poked his shoulder. "Anyone there?"

"Yeah, I saw it," he said finally. He was half lying; he didn't really see the fireworks. Not when what was on the ground was far more interesting. "So what do you remember about the festival three years ago?"

"I remember the Shinsengumi was there," she said, "and I remember fighting those robots with someone. I couldn't recall your face in there, but seeing his swordsmanship, I reckon that was you."

"I guess it's expected," he shrugged. "We didn't even like, talk or anything. It's just to remind you that we're not only kicking each other's asses. Sometimes we team up and kick someone else's asses."

She smiled upon the affirmation that they didn't really hate each other's guts. "The memory was still fuzzy, but I guess it's better than nothing. Thank you for your effort today, Sadist."

"And your food." He added.

"And your food. And this scrunchie." she agreed, giggling.

Sougo pulled the brake. They had already arrived in front of Snack Otose. "Don't get too comfortable. Today's just a warm-up and I will torture you for real tomorrow."

"Yeah, can't wait!" She said as she jumped out of his patrol car, the Justaway doll on her one hand, then waved at him with the other as she closed the door. Sougo didn't wave back, but she didn't pay any mind to it.

Back at his room in the Shinsengumi compound, Sougo tossed and turned. He couldn't sleep. Not because he could hear Hijikata grumbling on his room next to his, saying how useless his subordinates are, since Sougo came back late using the patrol car and Yamazaki was again writing hundreds of "anpan" on his daily report like he was possessed. He made an excuse that his arms were tired after swinging shinai for thousands of times as his punishment for gossiping the First Division Captain and that was all that he could write, and it made Hijikata even angrier.

Sougo kicked his comforter and rolled out from his futon. He felt like he should do something. Before he could even think straight to reconsider his decision, he found himself knocking Kondo's room and entered it as soon as his superior gave him his permission to come inside. Thankfully, his superior was still awake as he was sitting down, seemingly to be working on some reports.

"What is it, Sougo?"

Sougo braced himself—not like he was afraid of anything, but still—and cleared his throat. "Kondo-san, I think Kabuki-cho needs more thorough inspection. May I ask for additional three days of my patrol duty?"

A/N:

Sougo you sly dog, what are you trying to do, taking her to a festival? What a goddamn tsundere.

Seriously, writing happy Sougo is hard. That's why it took me more than a week to finish this. I'm not very satisfied on how this turned out, since this only meant as an interlude before another conflict happens *rubs hands evilly*

Also, GUYS. I'm so happy of Gintama moving to Jump Giga! I was worried when WSJ announced that it's only five chapters left. But I'm glad they managed to find a win-win solution for both sides. And have you watched episode 364? The reunion scene is SO GOOOOD. It inspired me to finish this chapter. This week is a blessed one for us Okikagu shippers and Gintama fans.

Kanzashi are Japanese hair ornaments, made from folded cloth in shape of flowers.

As always, I love finding feedbacks from you readers on my inbox. Until next time!