Play 14: The Age Of Suspicion
My stomach was grumbling as I headed to the main room.
"Heisuke," I whispered, trying not to disturb anyone else. "What happened?"
Heisuke turned his sad eyes at me, and sighed. "Sanan...he..." I felt my stomach lurch. Did something bad happened to him? I mean, being a samurai in this era was dangerous, but I had thought that Sanan was more than capable of handling a few invincible opponents.
I silently urged him to continue, and he did. "He is gravely injured from the battle while investigating a case of harassment." My jaw dropped hearing that. As if he didn't see it, he mumbled under his breath, "His arm is wounded, but at least it isn't his sword arm..." His bitter expression said otherwise. Even I, an outsider who wasn't interested in swordsmanship, understood how important wielding a sword with both hands was. Without Sanan's other arm, he wasn't able to fight like he once did.
Everyone in the room heard what Heisuke said, and there was a thick tension in the air. I gulped, regretting a little that I asked the question, and sat there quietly. I didn't dare to go get my breakfast, let alone move in my position.
Souji then broke the uncomfortable silence. "If push comes to shove, he'll have to take it. I don't think Sanan's just going to give up."
I frowned at his odd words, and Nagakura clears his throat. "Don't jinx him, Souji. It's gonna look bad if officers start joining the Corps."
The Corps...? I managed to stop myself from blurting out, but my confused look had caught the attention of Heisuke.
"Well, you call the Shinsengumi the 'Elite Volunteer Corps', but when we say 'The Corps'--"
Before I knew it, Harada was on his feet, sending the younger boy flying across the room. I gasped in horror as Heisuke winced, touching his cheek painfully.
"Are you okay?" I squeaked out. If I was the one being socked in the face, I would have already been knocked out. Part of me admired how strong the Shinsengumi men were, while the other cowered at how violent they actually were.
As Heisuke nodded, Nagakura glares at him furiously. "Sano, you're overreacting. Heisuke, think before you open that damn mouth." I was thinking that it was the first time he was showing off that strict leadership skills of his until his cold eyes shifted to me. Then I understood—Heisuke was about to say something that I wasn't supposed to hear. I gritted my teeth to hide my disappointment—was I so untrusting that they couldn't let me into their secret? I swallowed, trying to convince myself that it was for my sake that they did this, but failed miserably.
"Sorry," Harada mumbled, scratching his head guiltily. He then nodded apologetically at Heisuke, who discreetly replied that he was fine. I realized Nagakura was still glaring at me, and I flinched visibly.
"That's all you're going to hear about this particular topic, Jun." He said that with finality, and I sighed, nodding. The lump in my throat felt like it just grew larger, and I swallowed with much difficulty.
"The Corps that Heisuke was talking about are men to be pitied," Souji added softly, but with an emotionless tone. It was all he would say, I knew. Meeting that cold grim eyes of his, I looked away, not understanding the sudden rush of emotions I felt.They don't trust me, do they? I thought miserably. Why am I even staying here then?
I stifled a sigh. It was fair though—they didn't tell me their secret, and I didn't tell them mine. I felt myself putting on my 'mask'. Even if they were the ones who would help me find the Yukimuras, I couldn't trust them, could I? I stared at the captains of the Shinsengumi, suspicion rising in my throat like bile. I can't trust them. I will not trust them. I must not trust them. The words echoed around my head, and soon enough, I believed in them.