CHAPTER 4 - When Not Even 300 Yen Can Help You

There's only two days until the performance.

They couldn't possibly find someone in such a short amount of time to replace Aya.

Aya promised them a hefty award for a job well done. Or rather just done.

Gintoki was aware that all those reasons are equally valid and sound. However, just because something is logical, doesn't make it any less difficult. He already felt like giving up, and barely a day had passed since Aya's accident.

"I'm thinking of putting Shinpachi, Kagura and Sadaharu on guard duty here in the hospital."

They lay in the hospital bed, heavy curtains blocking the harmful sunlight. Although Gintoki would never describe Aya as weak, he had to admit that the white hospital sheets swallowed up their small frame. Their leg was wrapped up in a cast. It looked like a shackle; binding Aya and preventing them from dazzling the audience that would've had the honor to see them perform. His chest constricted, a feeling akin to guilt bubbling up inside him, for not getting there on time –

"Absolutely not." When he looked at them, all he could see was a stony expression, not willing to budge whatsoever. "You need their support more than I do."

Gintoki frowned and slumped into the chair beside the bed. "I'm not the one with a broken leg here, Aya. And what kind of support could I get from brats like those?"

"My ankle is merely sprained. And oh, you would be surprised", Aya smiled all-knowingly. "Shinpachi-kun and I have been working on something for quite a while. Anyhow, I truly am alright here. You need them more than I do. Besides, no one has even tried to attack me in the time I've been on Earth. It's safe to say that no one ever will."

Gintoki crossed his legs and threw his head back. "Yeah, as if this isn't the perfect opportunity to attack you. Sprained and bruised in a hospital bed." You're so small. "Why don't we just call this whole thing off? That way, I can keep you company here reading Shounen Jump and guard you and I won't botch the performance! Everybody wins!"

"You will be amazing" Aya assured him, squeezing his hand.

Gintoki rubbed his face. "Yeah, easy for you to say. You'll be here, safe at least from rocks that people will probably throw at me while I… perform."

Aya giggled, a sound bouncing around the room that Gintoki hadn't heard before. It sounded nice. "Do not fret – I'll be with you on that day. I will defend you from any projectiles that home in on your wavy hair." They shuffled back into the pillows, carefully, to not move their injured leg, closing their eyes. "I will prepare your appearance. I will need to make a few alterations to the costume and makeup, but all in all – "

"Hold on."

"Hm?"

"I'll be wearing the same thing you did?" Gintoki's voice was laced with panic.

Aya frowned at the question. "Is the costume not to your liking?"

Gintoki thought about the white, transparent sleeves and how they flowed through the air when Aya moved; the loose pants that opened like a flower with each movement; the silver glint of accessories in their hair, on their hands and feet.

"I just think it's better if I do it in my own clothes, you know! So that we don't confuse any readers", Gintoki smiled nervously. "I'll even shop for a new Zunborans' jersey for this special occasion."

Aya gave his outfit one long look. "Hm, that is why it looked familiar… I see. Well, it is truthful that you will be easily recognized if you perform in an appearance of your own choosing. Beings across the universe will only need but one look at your… Zunboran outfit." They tilted their head and smiled softly. "Is that not phenomenal?"

"What is!?" Gintoki wailed. "What do you mean, across the universe?"

"Why, the performance is going to be televised, of course."

"…"

"All across the nearby galaxies."

"…"

"Shot in 4K. Preserved for all of eternity as a testament to your glorious achievement of uniting nations through arts."

"…Huh?"

"Hey, Kagura-chan? Gin-san will give you 300 yen if you perform."

"No way."

"Shinpachi-kun? Gin-san - "

"Don't even bother. Who would want your measly 300 yen when we could get BLEEP yen from Aya-san?" Shinpachi coldheartedly cut Gintoki off.

"You bastards! How is it fair that you get a part of the reward when I'm the one doing all the grunt work!? I'm the only one going against my character design and not being lazy!"

Gintoki wanted to curse out every single hair on his head and cry at the same time. It was surely because he had a curly perm that all the unfortune of the Earth had befallen him. Or maybe it was the other way around?

The Osaka Castle was truly a sight to behold. Shining like freshly fallen snow, its walls stood proudly overlooking a magnificent moat filled with clear water, which reflected the soft pink mounds of plum and sakura blossoms. They swayed gently in the wind, petals fluttering through the April air. The sun was high up in the sky that was free of any clouds, as if it was too curious to hide behind any.

What does the sun even have to be curious about?

The Yorozuya quartet stood on the bridge that connected the castle grounds, filled with sakura and plum trees, with the main halls. The crystal blue water swayed lightly beneath them, distorting their reflections. They had a good view of the stage being built that Aya was supposed to perform on. Gintoki could almost imagine their form slicing the water, elegant and beautiful against the night sky peppered with sparkling stars.

Instead, it was Gintoki's turn to splash around like a fish on dry land.

The stage was partially submerged in water; a few inches of water covered the surface. It was supposed to be a mesmerizing addition to Aya's choreography, but all Gintoki could think about was how slippery it would be. The stage was placed between the castle walls, where the stands for the audience were situated, and the pastel blossoms that would create a beautiful backdrop for the performance.

Gintoki's head swam with the amount of information. Not only did Aya drop a bombshell on him back at the hospital, but also everything there is to know about what he'd have to do. The good thing was, Shinpachi, as sensible as always, wrote everything down. The bad thing was, that stack of papers was thicker than all the Gintama volumes combined.

"It's great that Aya-san trusts us so much, isn't it, Gin-san?" Shinpachi tried to console Gintoki. "And we'll be by your side to make sure nothing goes wrong."

"Then let's make it into a trio performance, yes?" Gintoki whirled around, bloodlust on his face. "Or better yet, a quartet? I'm sure we could find something for Sadaharu to do? We're all in this together, right?" The look on his face got darker as he approached the rest of the Yorozuya, his eyes bloodshot, ready to color everything red. Even Sadaharu started shaking, his white fur standing on edges and whimpering.

"O-oi, we have to go inspect the food! See ya later, Gin-chan!"

And with that, Kagura dragged Shinpachi and Sadaharu away in a whirlwind of screams and barks.

Before he could chase after them, a monotone voice called out to him. "Sakata-sama, your chambers have been prepared."

The owner of the voice, a lean man with a blank expression, showed him to the halls where he was going to practice the choreography. Gintoki presumed he was an attendant of the palace, judging by his outfit and demeanor. He stayed silent the whole time he guided him there and while Gintoki didn't mind the silence, he couldn't help but notice the man kept glancing backwards at him. The practice hall was placed deep inside the castle and as they'd passed many grim looking guards on their way, the guy had probably turned back a hundred times.

Though he was starting to get annoyed, Gintoki held back. He wanted to get the whole ordeal over sooner rather than later.

The attendant showed him his resting chambers before stopping in front of the double doors and pushing them open. They stepped into a spacious, sunlit hall. Gintoki had no doubt in his mind that Aya could've used this room to its full advantage. Well, except for the whole sun thing. He felt the attendant's eyes on him again, but by the time he turned around all he caught was a trace of silver.

Gintoki walked across the hall to the terrace overlooking the offending stage on the water down below. He didn't need another reminder of what was going to be, in the best case, a cringe-worthy performance. Though in that moment, he was glad that no one who knew him would be around and that he could practice in these last agonizing days by his miserable self.

He sighed in relief.

It's almost like a maze. No one will find me here.

…

How will I get out?

"Hey, Blank-kun? Could you show me the way out, I didn't pay atten – "

Gintoki found himself talking to the void. He was left to his own devices. The likes of a wireless CD player. He fished the CD containing the accompanying music score out of the sleeve of his yukata and chucked it into the player. He knew the score by heart, as he'd heard it countless times before.

The manual lay forgotten by the player; Gintoki had no intention of even skimming through it, though he did feel a pang of guilt about Aya and Shinpachi's efforts going to waste. But he truly had no need for it. As someone who could copy a skill and use it in a matter of seconds against his opponents, remembering a three-minute choreography he watched multiple times came to him as naturally as breathing. Or wielding a sword.

One curious thing about Aya's choreography was that they danced with a sword. And Gintoki was no stranger to sword dancing; he was an acquaintance at the very least. He even held a suspicion that Aya was a psychic or something, since it miraculously turned out that he could, indeed, manage to somewhat replicate Aya's routine. However, he tried testing this theory out on several occasions. He once screamed his head off (in his head) for the whole day and not once did Aya flinch or complain. Gintoki had ended up with a killer headache and had decided to use other means, such as complaining he won the lottery but left the winning ticket at a particular tobacco kiosk.

Aya never visited the kiosk.

Though there were holes in his experiment method, Aya passed the test as being a non-psychic and Gintoki wrote it off as Aya trusting his own swordsmanship skills. After all, he knew of one "upstanding" police officer that fell prey to the charm of a stolen lottery ticket. If Oogushi-kun couldn't resist it, no one else could, right?

Gintoki pressed play on the CD player. The button popped in place and the strum of strings pierced the spring air, cutting through the wind that found its way into the open halls. Gintoki slowly swayed and basked in the sound, closing his eyes to focus on the moves of the dance etching themselves in his head.

After the first loop of the song ended, he gripped the hilt of his wooden bokuto and started following the steps in his mind. The deep, low-pitched strums controlled his footwork, while the high and intense melody guided his sword like a flowing river. The construction work bellow, as well as all earthly sounds got drowned out by the heavenly resonance, and it was all he could feel as he himself basked in its all-consuming embrace.

He repeated the steps once more.

And again.

The concentration and exertion made droplets of sweat appear on his skin. He could feel them drip down his furrowed brow, as well as his neck and chest. While it was only a three-minute dance routine, maybe not something that one might find as exhausting as combat, it required precision and grace.

Gintoki wasn't the elegant sort, in all the fields.

And Gintoki wasn't Aya.

What they did appeared as if it required no true effort. He couldn't remember seeing Aya shed even a drop of sweat, and he was out here drenched like a cat caught in the rain. He was starting to feel glad about the stage being on water, since it would mask his apparently way open sweat glands.

His breathing quickened on the umpteenth loop of the song. His muscles burned and his bones ached, grating against each other in harmony with the high-pitched tones of the song. He didn't think about stopping, though. I might as well perfect the steps, make one thing good about all of this. Contrary to him exerting himself more, his physical and mental prowess only grew with each loop. It felt like his sword swings got more powerful and his steps lighter. His mind was calmer, untethered from pain and despair he's felt since the last time he danced. It felt truly liberating after days of nightmares and terrors.

Okay, there might be some benefit to this thing.

Gintoki wished he could eat those words and destroy them, because after the current loop ended and he stopped moving to turn the music off, he opened his eyes.

And saw a whole crowd of people gathered at the entrance of the practice hall.

Oh, hell no.

He felt blood rush to his cheeks. No, to his whole body, coloring it red in embarrassment. For a moment, Gintoki considered parkouring his way over the balcony down in the water and just swimming his way to a new continent.

"Gin-chan, there's only a day left… Are you gonna be okay?" Kagura's voice mingled with the strings of music still coming from the CD player. Gintoki crouched down and frantically pressed the stop button, but it decided not to work right in this instant.

Shinpachi wore a similar expression to Kagura's, worried and confused. "It certainly doesn't resemble Aya's dance… Gin-san, did you even read the manual?" He was scanning the ground behind Gintoki, looking for his life's work.

"Hmmm, there's a manual for this thing? Doesn't seem like it."

"I see why you've invited us, Kagura. You need an extraction operation for this idiot with too much hair that will fall out when he hits his forties?"

Two people Gintoki wouldn't have expected to show up in one hundred years while he was dancing were Kamui and Umibozu, one sporting an amused expression and the other a way too serious one. Of course, it wasn't just them. He could see the Shinsengumi trio, Otose for some reason, Tama, Catherine, Otae… Basically the whole cast at this point. He even saw flashes of a camera in the crowd.

Baba! Right, remember the feeling of waking up next to her in bed...!

He thankfully felt the blood retreat from his face as he donned the most nonchalant expression he could muster in that excruciating situation. He also kicked the CD player away and it finally stopped producing sounds, only ones of dying wails. "Oi, the offer still stands. Why don't you pick up some slack and do this with me?"

Kagura and Shinpachi both visibly cringed.

"I have to show Papi and baka-aniki all the yummy food they've prepared! Don't screw this up for us", she threatened him with her chin sticking out and her arms crossed like yakuza.

Otae stepped forward. "Shin-chan and I are finally going to rebuild our family dojo with this money! Don't ruin this for us, Gin-san." While she didn't wear the same expression nor use the same tone, Otae's smile was even more menacing.

"At long last, I'll get all the rent money you owe me!"

"You'll finally get something worth robbing, oi!"

A clamor of voices rose from the group, each celebrating the fact that they'll somehow get the money and threatening Gintoki to not lose that chance. Some of those voices were starting to get on Gintoki's last nerves. "And what exactly are you tax-thieves doing here? As if paying for my taxes isn't enough."

"No one came for your stupid money, idiot-perm", Hijikata snapped back, fixing his unfixable V-shaped bangs. "We're here for a reason." His tone had some venom in it, but he didn't raise his eyes to look at Gintoki while talking.

"Toshi is right!" Kondo slung his arm around Hijikata and bellowed. "Otae-san, you don't need to rely on anyone but me! I'll help you get your dojo back to its former glory!"

"So, the gorilla's here to chase after the gorilla – GUAH!" Gintoki doubled over as Otae's fist connected with his stomach.

"Shin-chan, Kagura-chan, let's get out of here. We wouldn't want to lose any more braincells to these fools." Otae beckoned to Kagura and Shinpachi as she turned around to leave. The rest of the group wanted to save the few braincells they had, and they followed them out.

Well, except for the one who didn't have any to begin with. Sacchan stuck the camera in Gintoki's face, the flash blinding him as she hung upside down from the ceiling. "Yes, Gin-san, give it to me! I have the whole practice recorded, now give me MORE – "

Gintoki jammed his two fingers through her glasses and a painful yelp exploded in the hall.

While Gintoki was careful not to hurt her for real - he didn't want the repeat of the Glasses Arc – he did break her camera. Permanently. No records of today would ever be allowed to exist. None.

Now that all the nuisances were out of his sight, Gintoki felt the crimson heat climb back up his neck, nestling in his cheeks. "Damn it", he whispered, almost pouting. He greatly appreciated other's support during his difficult times (not that he would ever admit that aloud), but sometimes he wished they weren't so nosey all the time. Then again, the same could be said for him. His nosiness ended up connecting him to so many people he cherished in his life, and he wouldn't replace it for the world.

Not even to spare himself some embarrassment.

A cough reeled him back to the present.

Gintoki scowled when he found the source of the sound. "What are you still doing here?"

Hijikata stepped forward, still not making eye contact with him. "I said we're here for a reason, you know." Gintoki waited for him to continue, but apparently Hijikata had better things to do like walking to the balcony and watching the stage being built underneath.

Gintoki followed him and leaned on his elbows on the wooden railing, turning his back to the stage below. He threw his head back and closed his eyes, basking in the sinking rays of the sun. He didn't even notice the passage of time. How many times did he repeat the choreography? This has to be enough. The rest is up to Aya.

"It looked good."

Gintoki's eyes snapped open, and he looked at Hijikata, bewildered. "Oi, you need glasses or something? We have too many bespectacled characters already." His chest felt warm for some reason. Maybe it was the exhaustion catching up to him.

Hijikata snorted. "I can see just fine. Just throw something together with it, like stage design and background, and no one'll notice a thing."

Gintoki stayed silent, mulling over the words he heard. They were straightforward and made everything seem much simpler. Hijikata's hand went to his pocket, probably to fish out his cigarettes, when he noticed Gintoki's silence. His metallic eyes full of mirth met Gintoki's. His hand froze midair. Then, as if bewitched, his fingers tenderly landed on Gintoki's silver locks.

Gintoki felt as if lightning went through his entire body, electrifying him all the way to his toes. He was ready to sling Hijikata across the railing but stopped himself when he noticed Hijikata's face. It was almost as if he wasn't seeing Gintoki, but something else. So, for a few moments, they were in their own world, where Hijikata's fingers stroked his hair and Gintoki just… let him.

"Like an inferno." A whisper broke the bubble they've found themselves in and Gintoki got up with a start, tussling his hair in the process.

Hijikata had also come to his senses, blinking inexplicable pictures out of his eyes. "Ah, you see, I was just – "

"No, no, I get it, it's like a big red button that you just have to press, right!?"

"Yeah, it was just like that, thanks!"

Hijikata was almost as exhausted by the end of their exchange as Gintoki after his practice all day, panting and sweating buckets. He turned around to stomp out the hall as soon as humanly possible, and Gintoki had not one problem with that. His chest started feeling all weird again. Was that much practice so difficult for him?

Hijikata stopped in his tracks and started to speak without turning around. As Gintoki gazed at him, he noticed his back was very stiff. "Right, I've told you we're here for a reason. As you know, we're on the envoy's guard duty. His chambers are on the other side of the castle. The stalker guy - he is there with him. It looks like they're working very closely together."

He finally turned back, his eyes more serious than ever. "Gintoki, be careful around him. The envoy, he doesn't seem like a normal guy. Not only that, but the one backing him up, the real reason why the Empire became as strong as it is now, is even more of a menace. I…"

Gintoki crossed the distance between them and flicked Hijikata's forehead. He yelped in surprise and clutched his head, his face indignant. "We'll figure it out. As I've said before, I've never dealt with them nor do I plan to, unless they force me to. So, until that happens, I'll do things my way."

It was a strange feeling. Someone so openly caring for him besides Kagura and Shinpachi, someone like Hijikata whom, while he respected, never felt that close to. His chest started – Oh will you give it a rest already!?

Hijikata's face cracked into a shadow of a smile. Again, he reached for his cigarettes and again, he let his hand fall, empty. He looked up at Gintoki, his head tilted, his bangs obscuring his leaden eyes. "Oh, and just so you know… Aya is safe. Yamazaki's keeping an eye on them."

Gintoki sighed in relief. It felt like he was waiting for him to say that, even though he had not the slightest idea it had happened.

"…Thank you."

"You did ask me to keep an eye on them."

Gintoki frowned in astonishment. "That was… three weeks ago? And you remembered? And here I thought you didn't listen to my orders", he smirked triumphantly and crossed his arms, his whole body radiating victory.

Hijikata pulled closer to him, replicating Gintoki's swaggering attitude, his eyes shining as they bore into Gintoki's. "So, that's another thing you owe me for. You'll have to think real hard about how you'll return all these favors I'm granting you", he leaned forward before whispering in his ear, "Your Majesty."

Gintoki's breath caught in his throat. Excuse me? Here he was thinking about setting Oogushi-kun off again for his own enjoyment, and now this? He's grown impervious to his usual jabs. Obviously, Gintoki would have to step up his game. Big time.

Before he could retaliate – and he of course had the best thing prepared to destroy Hijikata – they were interrupted by a knock on the open practice hall doors. It immediately pulled them out of the mischievous atmosphere they've created, and they separated to create more space between them.

"Is there a trail of breadcrumbs or something to this place? Why does everyone end up here?" Gintoki's had enough. He couldn't even wallow in his embarrassment alone.

He looked at the disrupting figure at the door. It was a tall, pale man, towering over both Gintoki and Hijikata. He wore an elegant, black kimono with phases of the moon etched onto the hem in silver thread. The sleeves were long, almost dragging on the floor, but the man carried himself with such grace that they've never touched the ground. His black hair flowed freely across his shoulders and down his back, shiny like obsidian silk. His bangs obscured his face like curtains, but Gintoki could still see his pale blue, mercurial eyes, sharp and piercing like a blade.

Gintoki really wanted to get away from all these pretty boys.

The thought sparked something in his mind.

He looked at the man again. "Hey, wait, I've seen you before. Where was it…?" He didn't notice the way Hijikata tensed up beside him. "Takamagahara? Hm, no…"

The man smiled, but it wasn't the warm kind of smile. It was as if he didn't practice the gesture enough and still found it novel. "I believe it was underneath the blossoming sakura." His voice was deep and silky, flowing out of his mouth like honey. If Gintoki didn't grow resilient to the charms of handsome men by hanging out with the likes of Katsura, Takasugi, Hijikata and Kyoushirou, he might've even been bewitched.

Gintoki remembered four weeks ago, the sunny day where he saw the man lying under the yamazakura. "Right! Oi, you've been creepy then, you know? Just staring at us without a word. I thought you wanted to attack us or something." Gintoki hasn't really been paying heed to the words leaving his mouth nor to the way Hijikata moved as if to hide him from the man.

"I see. I apologize for my rude behavior", the man answered and bowed his head lightly. His tone hadn't changed in the slightest. "I have to make amends for such acts and never repeat them again."

Gintoki laughed and waved his hand as in shooing the problem away. "No worries, man. Just buy me a couple of parfaits and we're even." Gintoki had by then managed to secure an enormous number of parfaits (with Hijikata's money as well as the future ones from the award). But one or two more could never hurt.

"Sakata-shi! Hm", Hijikata fake-coughed to interrupt him and get his attention. He stood between the man and Gintoki and respectfully bowed as he held both hands upturned to present the man. "The man before you is the honorable envoy, Imperial Commander of the First Celestial Order and Scion of the Empire. This is Ren Selene."

Oh.

Gintoki's smile turned somewhat lopsided. "Ah. I see. My name is Sakata Gintoki, Yorozuya and… just Yorozuya." He tried presenting himself in the same style, but he was pretty sure nothing could beat HEIR OF THE EMPIRE. What bad luck. He didn't even want the parfaits anymore, just his head attached to his shoulders still.

"Thank you, Hijikata-san", Ren Selene bowed politely to him. "And please, refer to me as Ren. Both of you." Once again, his smile didn't reach his eyes. Gintoki, however, had a feeling he wasn't the kind of guy that would mind someone being… disrespectful to him like this. He didn't seem angry at all. It reminded him of a dear friend that departed too early from this world.

Gintoki relaxed instantly after those painful introductions were over with. He kept what Hijikata had said about the envoy in the back of his mind, but he also started to build his own impression of him. "Did you have any business with us… Ren?"

Ren nodded in confirmation. "Yes. I've heard the main performer of tomorrow's night is practicing here. I've wanted to meet them, as well as offer them a moment of respite. You're the one I must ask, are you not, Sakata Gintoki?"

Ren held out his hand towards Gintoki. He wasn't sure what to do with it, so he shook it like Westerners do. "Sure, I could use a break. Let's go." He turned towards Hijikata. "You coming with us?"

Hijikata glanced towards Ren, then back at Gintoki. "No. I have some matters I need to attend to. Please, enjoy your break." He bowed to Ren and lightly tapped Gintoki's shoulder. "If you'll excuse me."

Gintoki watched him leave with mixed feelings. On one hand, he was happy to be left with someone that didn't witness his catastrophic practice, but he felt like he wanted to talk to Hijikata more. No, get revenge against him for what he said earlier.

"Shall we?" Ren stood by the door, waiting for Gintoki to pass through first.

I'll have to remember the way out this time.

With the setting sun, the air had grown chilly. Gintoki and Ren walked through the mounds of plum and cherry blossoms growing on the castle grounds. They swayed like a golden blaze, swishing in the wind. The petals fluttered around them as if they were embers lifted from a pyre. Although the scene was entirely different, it was reminiscent of the day he had first met Ren.

The feelings he held in his heart were the same.

He remembered the way Shinpachi and Kagura had acted today. Like brats. Like kids, that didn't worry about his nightmares and drinking habits and whatnot. He'd rather suffer a thousand humiliations like today instead of them going through such a thing again.

"Is everything alright?"

Gintoki turned his head sideways and up. This dude is unnecessarily tall. Ren looked down at him, his features contorted into what seemed like concern. From what Gintoki had gathered, Ren wasn't used to showing any expressions. Like Aya hadn't been. Though after spending almost a month with them, they succumbed and moved their facial muscles more than they've probably ever had in their entire life.

Gintoki was sure Ren would as well. He then frowned at the thought. Does this guy have his charm maxed out or what? It was almost like Gintoki was including Ren in his future plans, as well as going along with what he wants. Like this romantic walk.

"You don't have anyone to take here? A girl? Guy? Anyone?" Gintoki felt it was such a waste. He would give all his parfaits away for a chance to walk here with Ketsuno Ana.

"I am currently taking you out, Sakata Gintoki."

"Yes, but not like that – and also call me Gintoki – but someone you want to spend time with." Gintoki decided to leave it to the future him as to why he felt so comfortable talking with Ren. He had the same unthreatening aura as Aya, and the protect-me one as well.

"Hm." Ren gave it some serious thought before looking back at Gintoki. "Do you have someone like that? Gintoki?" he clumsily added, the word foreign on his tongue. Gintoki suppressed a chuckle.

"I do. She's great. She's a weather girl, you must've seen her on TV. Oh, but she's also a powerful Onmyouji. I wanna marry her one day", Gintoki dreamily prattled on. He was aware that the chances of that are comically slim. Non-existent, even.

"Marry?" Ren inquired, his tone curious. Gintoki could never get used to that, how his tone didn't match his regal face at all. He should be somewhere wooing all the girls with it.

"Marriage is basically when two people decide to grow old and wrinkly together and love each other enough to create the illusion that they're not ugly."

"Oh." Ren stayed silent for a bit, before continuing. "Earthlings are such romantic beings, it seems."

Gintoki was baffled. "How did you get that from what I've said!?"

Ren didn't answer, but smiled, this time more warmly than before. They continued their peaceful walk and as the moon's light replaced the sun's in the sky, they came upon a pavilion near the water. It was small but beautiful, wooden and painted red, surrounded by lanterns floating on the water and pink and white plum flowers illuminated silver in the moonlight.

Seriously, this would've been such a popular date spot.

"Too bad we don't have much places like this anymore." Gintoki remembered passing through the ghost district the other day, that had been bustling with life in the past. It held more amazing sights like this one.

Ren waited for him to continue. "Do you know the abandoned district near the amusement park? It used to be full of shops and parks and places where people could gather. It's a shame it got destroyed in the war. Among many others." While renovations were in the works, they were incredibly slow and didn't encompass all areas.

"Would you like to see it renewed?" Ren asked after mulling over what Gintoki had said.

"Of course."

"Hm."

The table inside the pavilion had been set up and there were two cushy pillows on both sides. Gintoki could feel the scent of strawberries fill the air. It took all his self-control not to throw himself at the table.

Once they've both sat down, Gintoki looked at the abundant table. There was everything strawberry he could think of: cakes, cupcakes, the fruit itself peppered with sugar and covered with chocolate, tea, ice cream, jam, pie, sundaes, tarts and most importantly, parfaits.

Did I die? Am I in heaven? Thank you, God.

Ren sat straight as an arrow, elegant as always. Though with his samurai training, Gintoki also held a straight back. He wanted to keep some composure at the start, since he wanted to try everything on this table.

"Please, help yourself."

Gintoki didn't need to be told twice. He decided to leave the parfait for last, as a cherry (or strawberry) on top and proceeded to vacuum the food inside a blackhole of his belly. While he couldn't eat nearly as much as Kagura, those rules only applied to non-strawberry food. The ones on this table stood no chance.

He did leave some for Ren, of course.

Speaking of, Ren hadn't really done much… speaking. He only watched in delight as the table got more visible under all that food. By the time Gintoki got to his parfait, he had probably eaten one cupcake.

"This is amazing", Gintoki squeezed out, huffing in exertion, and holding his inflated belly. "You like strawberries as well?"

Ren nodded, nibbling on a chocolate covered strawberry. "I do. They burn in my mouth; it's an interesting feeling."

Gintoki stopped gorging himself on the parfait and put it down with the metallic clang of the spoon. "Oi." He grabbed a napkin on the table and put it to Ren's lips. "Spit it out. You're allergic to them." He continued to push against his mouth.

Ren finally complied and took the napkin from him. "I apologise. Is it not supposed to taste like this? I'm allergic?"

"Do you have trouble breathing?"

"No."

Gintoki took both his hands into his, lifted his long kimono sleeves and inspected them, looking for hives. "Does it itch somewhere? Is it tingly in your mouth?"

He looked up, worriedly, when he didn't get an immediate answer. Ren shook his head, dazed. "No, sorry. I didn't know it would end up like this. I hope this didn't ruin your evening."

Gintoki let go of his hands and laughed. "Oi, this has been the best evening ever. I haven't eaten half of the things on this table in my life. No one could ruin this for me. Okay, maybe you getting a severe allergic reaction would. Just tell me if something gets worse." He continued eating his parfait as if nothing had happened.

Ren mirthfully laughed. "Then, I hope this could make it even better."

He pulled out a white sake bottle.

Gintoki's eyes went wide as he sensed a whiff of strawberries emanating from the bottle. "No way."

"…Yes way?"

Aya was waiting for him when he got back to the practice hall.

Gintoki's eyes widened in surprise as he got closer to greet them. "What are you doing here? What about your leg?" Though he tried his best not to sound worried, he couldn't help it. Why is Aya out of the hospital?

Aya waved his concerns away. "It matters no more. It has almost healed completely." Their voice had never been the chirpiest, but it hadn't been this icy as well. Gintoki frowned. Maybe Aya was hiding their pain?

Aya was looking over his shoulder, towards the darkness that spilled right outside the open doors. Their eyes reflected the tone of their voice. Cold and wary. Gintoki followed their line of sight and his eyes landed on Ren, sporting a similar expression to Aya's. Gintoki's head kept turning left and right, looking at them both.

"Is there a problem?" he asked, starting to grow annoyed with the charged silence. "I can leave you two to work it out."

"No, please", Ren said, smiling at Gintoki. "I'll leave. I've taken enough of your time today. It has truly been a pleasure, Gintoki." He lightly bowed to him, but Gintoki stopped him by holding both his shoulders.

"We're just gonna nod at each other, okay? Like this. It's more informal." Gintoki showed the buddy-nod to Ren. He replicated it clumsily, his silky hair swishing around, and Gintoki couldn't help but chuckle at the sight. "Yup, that's it. You're perfect at it."

Ren's smile grew even more at the "compliment". "I pray for your good luck tomorrow, Sakata Gintoki." He reached for his hand and held it in his own for a moment, before locking eyes with Gintoki. "May I hold your hand to my forehead? It is a custom of the Empire."

Gintoki nodded, finding it really amusing how they're sharing both of their gestures, one from Earth and the other from the Empire. Tatsuma would love this. Ren lowered his head, so that he was on the same eye level as Gintoki, closed his eyes and slowly brought Gintoki's hand to his forehead. "In place of the thousands of burning stars, I'll embrace your silver moonlight."

Ren's forehead was hot, almost scorching, as well as his hand, contrary to how cold his whole appearance looked like. He lifted his head and released Gintoki's hand. "What does that mean?" Gintoki inquired.

Before Ren could answer, Aya cut in. "He wishes you good luck and hopes you'll do good tomorrow." Again, their voice wasn't welcoming in the slightest. It was polite at most.

"That's a really nice way of putting it. Thanks", Gintoki said. "Just remember to close your eyes when I come up, okay? We have a deal." He hadn't forgotten what they've agreed on, drunk on the sake in the pavilion. At least one person would be spared tomorrow night. Gintoki only wished he could do that with every person in the audience.

Once they've said their goodbyes, Gintoki turned towards Aya. "You sure you're okay?" He ruffled his silvery locks. "C'mon, I'll take you back – "

"How is your practice going along? How many times did you perform the routine? Shall we go over it together?" Aya didn't wait for his answer and plopped to the floor next to the CD player on its last legs. "I shall play the track for you."

All the while, they refused to look in Gintoki's general direction. He was stumped. What could've possibly changed during the day? Or maybe he wasn't the problem, but Ren? They did abruptly change their attitude upon seeing him. "Aya, do you have some kind of beef with Ren?" he asked cautiously. For some reason, he was afraid of what Aya would look like completely pissed off.

"I've never met the man before today." Aya continued to fiddle with the CD player. This is getting nowhere.

"Fine. Let's practice. I could use everything I could get. And what would be better than the master themselves instructing me?" He even tried to joke around a bit, but it landed on deaf ears. Ears not ready to listen to any jokes. Or his voice at all, it seemed.

Gintoki decided to shut up and do what he came for. He was also a little miffed. The day had been long and tiring, this whole situation was, as a matter of fact. But he didn't want Aya's mood to sour even further, since he was still worried about them and their injury. He recalled feeling annoyed himself all the times he was injured, and just expected to lay around all day and do nothing when he could do something.

Under Aya's piercing gaze, watching his every move like a hungry hawk, however, Gintoki discovered an interesting fact.

Aya and Gintoki had never met at night.

Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed the chapter :D