Chapter 2

Hijikata and Toshiko sat on a bench in the garden. Hoshi was in the arms of his brother while the others were playing with a ball.

Hijikata couldn't help but think about Chizuru. She was not her usual self today. He and the other members wanted to help her, but she was nowhere to be found.

Toshiko glanced over to her son. "What are you thinking about?"

Hijikata shook his head, as if to clear his mind. "Nothing much."

"Tell me, Toshizou. Even if it is the most unimportant thing or thought in the world, I want you to talk to me about it."

"I know, but it's difficult."

"Don't worry. Take your time."

A moment passed and Hijikata still didn't know how to start. Then he saw Natsu running towards him.

"Nii-chan," he whispered as he stood in front of Hijikata, his hand on top of Hijikata's knees. "That person there-" he nodded at the girl standing at the porch-"wash also in the room when you talked about us, right?"

Hijikata looked at the girl. "Yes Natsu, can you try to tell her to come over here?"

"How can I call her?"

"… Chizuru-nee-chan," Hijikata said with a faint blush on his cheeks.

"Okay." The little boy ran away.

"Were you thinking about her, Toshizou?"

Hijikata nodded. "She's not being herself today."

"Maybe that's because we are here."

"But why would she behave so distantly?"

"Ask her." Toshiko moved aside to make room for Chizuru.

Hijikata watched her as she bowed and introduced herself. She tried her best to hide the fact that she wasn't feeling all too well. But Hijikata could see her struggle.

"Come sit down, my girl." Toshiko patted on the empty space between her and Hijikata.

Chizuru sat down and folded her hands together.

"Toshizou, show her Hoshi."

"Oh yes." Hijikata turned a little nit so that Chizuru could take a good look at his little brothers, he saw the usual softness returning to her eyes. "Would you like to hold him?"

Chizuru nodded, a smile slowly forming on her lips. "He's so cute."

A few moments passed in silence, an uncomfortable silence.

Toshiko stood up abruptly, causing the other two to look up.

"I'll play with the children, so you two can talk." Before they could say anything to oppose her idea, she walked away. Making the tension even more unbearable.

"I-I'm sorry about earlier," Chizuru whispered.

"Don't be." Hijikata leaned back and crossed his arms in front of is chest.

"You're not obliged to tell me everything."

"But I ignored your question."

"Chizuru, it's okay to have a bad day sometimes. It just a little bit of a shame it has to be today."

"… I'm really sorry."

"Don't apologize. You'll make me feel bad."

"I'm-"

"Chizuru!" Hijikata said with a stern voice, something he barely did these days.

"Oh yeah." She looked shy away from Hijikata.

"You really need to learn not to apologize. Even when it's not your fault, you apologize. People can misuse that. And we don't want that to happen."

"I understand."

"But lets not think about it any further. It's supposed to be a joyful day today."

"Yes." Chizuru glanced up at Hijikata. He was smiling, enjoying the sight of running children in front of them. "I envy you."

Hijikata's smile disappeared. "For what?"

"For having a family." She paused, trying to keep her voice steady.

"You also have a family."

"Not… like you. I don't have parental love and I don't have a brother anymore. Everyone died."

"You know that is not true. They are not your real family, but you can think of Kondou-san as your father and the men as your brothers."

"I know, but it's not the same Hijikata-san," she whimpered, tears streaming down her face. "I'm sorry." She handed over Hoshi to Hijikata and walked away.

"Why must you be such an idiot, Toshi," Hijikata said to himself as he watched the young woman turning around the corner.

Almost the whole Hijikata family was in the kitchen making dinner. The only missing member was Hoshi. He was taking a nap in Kondou's room while Kondou was reading some letters. Rini and Natsu were sitting next to the door which led to the hallway. They were too young to help, but wanted to stay with them in the kitchen.

"Toshizou, does that girl live here?" Okimi asked, curious about why he would worry so much about her.

"Which girl?"

"Chizuru-nee-chan," Natsu said.

"Ah, yes she lives here."

"Why? It's not like she is a warrior or something."

Hijikata stopped cutting the vegetables. Something in the tone of her speech made him think she didn't like Chizuru being here. But he would change that. He couldn't handle it if one of his siblings would dislike Chizuru. "She is the daughter of one of our respected doctors. He disappeared during a fire, so she came here to search for him. But unfortunately he died."

"Then… why is she still here? Doesn't she have other family members of friends?"

"Okimi, please mind your words," Toshiko said.

"Toshiko-san, she is right, so you don't need to worry."

Toshiko turned around toward the voice. She saw Chizuru standing in the door opening. Her eyes were swollen and red. Shed probably cried a lot after her talk with Hijikata. Toshiko had seen her walk away from her son. She wanted to walk after her and talk to her, but had decided not to. They didn't know each other, so to have a deep talk about feelings didn't seem right. She would have a talk with her tomorrow, just as she wanted to talk with the other members.

"Chizuru," Hijikata said, breaking through Toshiko's thoughts.

"I don't have any living family members. And the people who truly know me are here."

Okimi looked at Chizuru. She was surprised by the young woman standing there. And a little embarrassed by her hearing what she just said.

"What happened to your mother and siblings?" Toshiko asked.

"My mother died when I was young and my brother… got murdered after we finally met again after years of separation." Chizuru tried to hold back the tears, but one single tear left behind a wet trace on her right cheek.

"Then you are the same as ush," Natsu exclaimed loudly.

Chizuru looked down, took a deep breath and nodded. "Yes."

Tamiko, who had been silent all this time, stepped forward. "It's okay to cry once in a while. You're trying hard to hide the tears, but don't hold back just because of the children. Or because of Toshizou." Tamiko reached out to Chizuru and put her arms around her.

A wave of shock, hope and grief went through Chizuru's body. It was the first time someone had hugged her so openly inside the HQ. there were some girls who hugged her before but not for emotional support. And never in front of Hijikata.

"Don't think too much about it, Chizuru-chan," Toshiko said as she also stpped forward and stroked her back. "Just let it all go."

Chizuru didn't know what to do. So much affection at one time was too much for her. But despite that she returned the hug. And let the tears stream down her face. She heard someone walking away. Large footsteps fading into the room next to them. It was probably Hijikata, although she wouldn't know why he would walk away.

"Don't mind him, Chizuru. He not good with emotional stuff, as you probably already know," Tamiko said.

Chizuru nodded, but her mind would always be occupied with worries and thoughts about Hijikata.