Play 34: Bad News In The Afternoon

Noticing the fierce look on my face, Yuri pretended to shake from fear.

"Jun-chan, please stop. You look so scary."

I shot her a sideway glance before getting up from the floor. "Well, just make sure you send me back. Then I can make sure that stupid guy dies in my hands." With a loud snort I stepped out of the room and went back to the hall.

It turned out that after I went off, Matsumoto talked to Kondou about cleaning up the entire place and setting up a room for medical care. Everyone was reluctant to do so, but they still did it anyway. Within a day, a speck of dust was not found in any hidden corners of the temple, and a well-ventilated room was prepared.

"Well, you've certainly cleaned this place up." Matsumoto looked very pleased as he inspected the area from top to bottom.

Nagakura's face was smug. "It better be. We busted our asses."

"Yeah, except for Souji." Beside him, Heisuke sighed, feeling slightly unfair. "The only thing his ass busted was a chair. Doesn't seem fair to me..."

I let out a soft giggle, though an uncomfortable feeling was stirring in me. My mind was reminding me again and again how Okita Souji would die, and for the millionth time I cursed myself for being so worthless.

"Can't blame me if Hijikata-san's an overprotective old woman." Souji seemed disappointed that he didn't help out with the cleaning.

Hijikata's eyes were squinting in an annoyed manner as he glared. "Shut it. You can run around all you want soon as you go a day without coughing up a lung." Although no one noticed it, I nodded repeatedly, feeling a little complicated that Hijikata and I would have something we agreed on.

"Nonetheless, a clean home is a nice change." Saito's lips was slightly turned up, much to my surprise. It was rather rare to see him smile, and my jaw almost dropped to the ground due to the shock.

It was Hijikata's turn to smirk. "True. The place looks...different. I guess I could get used to this."

"Well, maybe we should clean everyday then," Harada suggested and the others nodded,in agreement.

"Great idea!" Nagakura exclaimed. "Make sure you do a good job, Heisuke!"

I choked back a laughter as I watched Nagakura and Heisuke arguing about who should do more, and raised a hand almost timidly. "If you want, I can help too." I didn't get to do household chores back in the modern times because I had servants. Now, since I had nothing to do and didn't want to take care of the crazy Byakko kids, I decided that I should lend a helping hand.

Heisuke'e eyes brightened immediately like a little boy who just received a present. "Good, good! We'll all give it a shot tomorrow, all right?"

I grinned back at him, and Nagakura got flustered. "Hey, wait a minute! When exactly did I tell you I was gonna help?"

"Shinpachi, there's some trash over there." Hijikata jerked his head. "Go throw it away."

"We aren't starting till tomorrow, right? Heisuke?" Nagakura turned to the younger boy for help, but he just smirked and ignored him. With a loud growl, he began to chase Heisuke around the hall.

"Stop running around like that. We've just cleaned, and you're already kicking up dust," Saito pointed out, but the other two men weren't listening. I bit back my laughter when I noticed Souji stepping out with Matsumoto. Glancing back at the other men, I tip-toed my way out, making sure to follow them closely. Souji and Matsumoto were in the courtyard when I finally reached. I tried to hide myself as best as I could as I felt a little guilty for trying to eavesdrop.

"I'll be honest with you," the doctor sighed, about to deliver some bad news. I knew what he was going to say, but was still bracing myself for the impact. "You have tuberculosis."

I knew it. Even though I knew it, I felt my knees shaking, and I grabbed onto the wall for support. Even though I knew it, I couldn't help but to cling on that last hope that Souji would be okay. Even though I knew it, I couldn't stop the tears from falling from my eyes.

"Had a feeling that was it." Souji spoke so calmly that I wondered for a moment if he understood the situation. "The real thing, huh? The famous disease?" I wanted so much to charge up and shake him senseless—how in the world could he be so calm about this?

"Hm. You aren't surprised?" Matsumoto frowned.

Souji chuckled, but there was no humour in his voice. "Well it's my body, doc."

Are you freaking serious!? He knew, but he didn't do anything? He must be the biggest idiot I've ever met in my entire life. My nails sank into the flesh of my palms.

"Gotta tell ya though, I'm not really used to getting my health advice from doctors, you know?" He laughed again, and I thought it sounded forced.

Matsumoto flared up. "This isn't a laughing matter."

"Oh, don't let this fool you. I'm scared shitless, believe me." Souji looked tired all of sudden, and I was stunned. I'd always thought that Okita Souji had nothing to fear in this world, but it seemed that I was wrong. After all, no matter how strong Souji was, he was still human. I tried not to think about demons, furies and succubus as I listened in attentively.

The doctor sighed, vexed. "I suggest you leave the Shinsengumi and recuperate." The smile on Souji's face didn't leave. "You need to relax and take it easy. Go somewhere where the air is cleaner. Eat healthy and keep up your energy."

I had the feeling that Souji would refuse that, and I was right. "Sorry, no can do."

"Look, this is serious. If you don't deal with this—" Matsumoto started, but Souji cut him off.

"You're asking me to leave the Shinsengumi, doc. I can't do that."

"Why are you so desperate to stay here?" The doctor's voice was filled with confusion.

"My life's only got one purpose, and when I might die doesn't change that." Souji's light tone was serious. "I'm here to kill anyone who stands against the Shinsengumi. Simple as that." He paused. "If I die, I can't fulfil that purpose, sure. But sitting on my ass out in the country isn't gonna to fulfill it either." He turned to the doctor, his eyes shining in seriousness. "You get it? If I'm gonna die, then that's a reason for me to stay, not a reason for me to go."

Silence filled the courtyard before Matsumoto sighed. "I understand. If your condition worsens, then you may end up causing trouble for your friends. You understand that, don't you?" There was a pause. "If you insist on staying, then you must agree to do as I tell you. If you won't, then I'll tell Kondou-san about your condition. I think we both know what he'll do."

I sank on the ground, slightly relieved for unknown reasons as Souji chuckled. "Low blow, doc. Man...this means I'm gonna have to take some really disgusting medicine, doesn't it?"

"Of course."

"Souji is an idiot." I whispered to myself. Why is he so devoted to the Shinsengumi? I couldn't understand it, and perhaps I would never. But he wanted to, no one could stop him.

Okita Souji is going to die.

The words resonated in my head. A tear escaped from my eye, and I wiped it away stubbornly. Why was I so concerned with that idiot? I didn't understand. He did nothing to comfort or assure me during my stay here, unlike Heisuke, Harada and Nagakura. But he did help me so many times without complaining a single word. Maybe I was grateful for that, so I sympathized with him and wanted to pay him back.

Souji nudged the doctor. "Look, doc. Please don't tell Kondou-san and the guys about this, okay? Promise?" I thought I heard something in his voice, and I knew he really didn't want the others to know this.

Matsumoto blinked. "Well, I suppose there are...certain things that not everyone needs to know." He stopped and sighed, troubled. He looked as if he wanted to say something, but decided against it. "Well, I'll be around more in the future, to come by and check on you." The doctor tried to smile reassuringly. "Make sure you don't push yourself too hard, all right?"

"Thanks, doc."

Matsumoto left, leaving Souji seated there in silence. I was still on the ground, and then snapped back to my senses as I tried to crawl away quietly. I was about to bolt out of there when Souji spoke.

"Jun."

I let out a yelp, giving away from position. My heart was pounding so fast I was sure it would jump out of my chest. "Y...yes?" There wasn't any point to hide now. I stepped out from the shadows reluctantly, refusing to meet his eyes.