In the morning, Hijikata was feeling well again. He measured his temperature and to his and Gintoki's surprise, it was below 37.

'No point in wearing pajamas any longer, I'll get dressed,' he announced and went to change into his uniform. After that he and Gintoki had breakfast and then sat watching the news. It was the day lockdown was supposed to end, after all… It was supposed to be only seven hours until then, but everyone was unsure what would happen after that. Was it really going to be the end? Or the beginning of some now restrictions? But the government seemed to keep everything secret. Gintoki clicked his tongue in annoyance and started picking his nose as a way of showing his disregard to the petty media that did not even inform people about the truly important things. He flicked the snot at Kusano Hideyoshi on the screen.

'Attention, all Edoites, good news!' the presenter said suddenly. 'Thanks to our brilliant scientists' work, we were able to complete the anti-virus! A virus-destroying beam is going to sweep through our city in a quarter of an hour! This means the quarantine period will be shortened. After 8:00 you will be free to move outside of your locations!'

'Finally!' Gintoki shouted, 'This lockdown has been driving me crazy.'

'You've been driving me crazy,' Hijikata muttered.

'Ah, I have to let Kagura know, she's stuck in a magazine without contact with the outside world. What's the sadist's phone number?'

'I don't know and my phone's dead, so I can't check. Let me phone the Shinsengumi HQ.'

'Okay, quickly!'

Hijikata called the HQ and got Okita's number, which Gintoki dialed right away.

'It doesn't get through!' he exclaimed.

'Probably his phone died after so long,' Hijikata said.

'What am I supposed to do now? I can't let her stay there with the sadist longer than absolutely necessary! I'm going to look for her!'

'I'll go with you,' Hijikata himself was surprised he had said that. But he was indebted to Gintoki… Helping him would pay off a part of the debt, at least… And not to forget, Sougo also needed to be found…

'You? I don't remember asking for help.'

'You wouldn't find your own ass with both hands, for this to succeed you need someone with a brain.'

'And you propose yourself? Optimistic!'

'Are you so dumb you can't see that the more people are searching the greater the chances for success?'

'True,' Gintoki agreed, 'Let's take as many people as we can with us!'

'Whom do you have in mind?'

'Well, there's Otose, Catherine and Tama downstairs… We'll also pick some people up along the way.'

'Guess it won't hurt, only don't go picking up random passersby…'

At that point, there was a flash of light.

'Was that it?' Gintoki asked.

'Our city is now clear of the virus!' the TV announcer's voice was heard. 'It is now 8 AM and everyone is free to go where they please!'

'Let's go!' Gintoki exclaimed and opened the door.

'Ah, how nice, after all this time-' before he could finish, something dived from the above, knocking him down.

'Giiiiiiin-saaaaaaan!' Sarutobi Ayame yelled. 'How long have I not seen you!'

'Ugh… How are you here so fast, lockdown ended a second ago!'

'I've been in my love hideout a few roofs away the whole time…'

'You have a hideout near my house?! Uh, guess it's better than in my house…'

At that point, Sacchan noticed Hijikata's presence. He was standing inside Gintoki's apartment…

'What have you been doing to Gin-san?!' she yelled.

'What? I haven't been doing anything, see, he's perfectly fine, maybe aside from getting knocked over by you just now!'

'You've… been… here… the… whole… lockdown?' Sacchan breathed. 'So near to Gin-san… How dare you!'

'Calm down, you idiot, he was there by accident!' Gintoki shouted, 'He fell through my roof right before lockdown started.'

'Fell through your roof?! So it didn't mean anything that I was the one who fell through your roof before? I'm not enough for you!' Sacchan looked at Gintoki teary-eyed.

'Do you think I decide who falls through my roof, you stupid woman?!'

'I won't leave it be,' Sacchan said, looking at Hijikata, 'I'll have my revenge some day!'

'Oi, you want me to arrest you for threatening a policeman?' Hijikata asked.

'I think I know a better way of dealing with her,' Gintoki said. He caught Sacchan by the arms, spun her around and threw as far as he could.

'Hey, that must have hurt her!' Hijikata exclaimed.

'She'll be fine. Normally, I'm not so kind. Alright, let's go!'

They walked down the stairs to knock on Otose's door.