Yamazaki arrives back at headquarters and starts planning out what he's going to tell Okita. He's reading through his notes when Okita pulls him by the shoulder, into an empty room.
"Yamazaki, were you able to get the information I needed?"
With a squeak, Yamazaki turns towards Okita and stumbles back a few steps.
"H-hello Okita-san! I was just looking for you actually. I found out some things about Kagura-chan while I was out."
"Okay, what are they.", Okita deadpans.
"Yeah well *clears throat*, it seems Kagura-chan has an older brother. They had an unexpected meeting recently. According to my source, she has a strained relationship with her brother and has been incredibly depressed after seeing him again. They said that if she seemed off that was probably why."
"See if you can find anything more about her brother. Other than that, good work Yamazaki." Sougo says with a satisfied look on his face.
Do you think it was her brother that hurt her? What does he have to do with Danna's injuries… Could he be the 'he' she mentioned earlier? Hmmm… interesting.
"Considering you gathered this much in the span of a day, I believe you deserve a reward for your good behavior." Sougo hands him the cringy anime drawing of Tama, treating it similar to a piece of garbage.
With a large smile, Yamazaki takes the piece of paper from his hand, stashing it in his bag.
"Thanks, Okita-san! To think, you were so worried about Kagura-chan that you would go as far as blackmailing me to check on her! You're a lot nicer a person than you let on, aren't you? ", the man says, happily.
Scoffing, he says, "What? I don't care about that pig. I'm doing this for myself.", storming off.
"Whatever you say"
Having left the precinct, he wanders in the direction of the park, still annoyed with what Yamazaki said.
How did he even come to that conclusion?! I don't like China, I don't worry about her, or wish her happiness! Okay fine... I worry about her some and she's almost ALMOST pretty when she smiles but those things have nothing to do with this ok! I'm curious about her situation because it could get me a promotion, that's all. Totally not because she was up super early when she's normally still tired at noon, or that she was really depressed when I talked to her. Nope! Definitely not! I'm… I'm kind of a mess aren't I?
He plops himself down on one of the surviving park benches and tries to focus on the feeling of the sun against his face. Trying to get his shit together, he lays back and breathes. The sun is shining, its warm rays all-encompassing and peaceful. The wind blows softly through the trees, making the leaves rustle and fall. He feels a passing dog nuzzle his leg for attention and lick his hand. Wait, a dog?
He opens his eyes to Sadaharu watching over him. Oh god, where's the owner? He looks past the dog to see China borrowing food from (otherwise known as stealing) one of the food stalls.
He sighs. Just what I need right now. A tornado disguised as a red-head.
Carrying 20 boxes of dango in hand, she turns away from the booth to look for Sadaharu. Seeing the dog next to him makes her pause and visibly sigh, before continuing to walk towards them.
"Sadaharu, didn't I tell you to stay away from him? He's a bad influence, yes."
"Coming from the person who just mugged that shop keeper."
"He gave me this food willingly."
"Dude's crying."
"Tears of happiness because I love his food so much that I would want 20 boxes."
"Do you really need that many?"
"Tis but a snack."
*sigh* "can you get your damn dog off of me?" In the time they were talking, Sadaharu had climbed on top of Okita and laid down. "If I move, he might break one of my ribs."
"I don't know why he likes you so much, Sadist. It must be because you're such a little bitch, yes?"
"Haha just get him off so I can sleep."
Kagura sits down next to the bench and starts stuffing her face with dango, umbrella balanced against her shoulder. "I'm eating and I only have one arm at the moment."
"When are you going to tell me what happened to your arm?"
"I did, remember? I fought someone."
"Who? We both know you're too good a fighter to suffer an injury like that."
"Its none of your business."
"I want it to be my business."
They stare at each other for a bit, realizing what he just said. Kagura is the first to speak.
"I..I don't feel comfortable talking about this right now."
She stands up slowly, patting Sadaharu to get up. She walks away from him, the smallest start of a blush on her cheeks.
I… I might care about China.
Hello again! A couple of you got it right; the third reason was Kagura's Yato mode! Shinpachi was worried that Kagura was depressed because she lost herself in her Yato instinct and almost killed Abuto. (She did this right after giving a speech saying how she had self-control and didn't want to kill people, I might add) I bet this would have consumed her thoughts if not for Kamui jumping in and stealing the spotlight.