Chapter 18- Ingraining New Memories

"Awful, just awful." said Takechi. "Edo continues to know no shame."

One of his subordinates asked, "Oh? Did something come up?"

"This new bill the Bakufu big wigs want passed. They call it 'The Ooedo Healthy Youth Ordnance Bill'. It's to limit the so called 'interactions' of youths with non-guardian adults. Not only is such a proposal one created out of fear, but it does not solve anything. We can change damn it! We don't the government to interfere!"

His companion was sorry he had asked at all.

"I'm not a lolicon."

"I… didn't say anything…"

The ronin decided to leave the room. He nearly bumped into Matako on his way out. She turned around to wonder at his hurry. She was wearing her alternate red clothes and black tube socks under her footwear.

Takechi silently waited to learn what her business was with him. Matako walked up and faced him eye to eye. His own composure disappeared when he realized she wasn't frowning. Just then, she closed her eyes to smile warmly at him. Kijima put her head to his chest and hugged him.

"Thank you Senpai… for everything."

"W-what's this?" he asked.

"You and Bansai-senpai were there for me when I needed you. I only wish there was something I could do to make it up to you."

She loosened her arms and turned away. She put up a hand in farewell and stepped out of the room.


Bansai rubbed the wooden pick over the chords of his white Shamisen. His soulful ballad came to an end so he put his hand in his pocket and retrieved his music player. His fingers stopped right at the play button. He was hearing the clap of an admirer from the sidelines.

He looked up and saw Matako. She gave out a lighthearted laugh as she applauded.

"Kijima…" he said cautiously.

Matako said, "Senpai… I'm sorry about the Shamisen. Even though I knew what it meant to you, I did such a terrible thing. You were trying to help me and I acted like a bitch."

"Your apology is accepted." he said.

"I'll have it repaired Bansai-senpai. I'll pay for the expenses."

"There's no need. It's already been taken care of."

"What?"

"I had it repaired just last night. In fact, I'm holding it right now."

He then said, "I used the opportunity to change it to a different shade, something I've been meaning to do for a while now. So there's no harm done. And no hard feelings between us I daresay." Matako thought his smile right then made him look very cool.

Matako scooted her knees to his side. She bent over and kissed him on his cheek. Bansai's face blushed ever so slightly. She left before he could attempt some sort of response.


"Yachi-san?" asked Matako.

"Kijima-sama?"

Yachi stood folding towels in Shinsuke's living room. Matako looked around the room for the man she wanted so badly to see.

"Where is Shinsuke-sama?"

Yachi said, "Oh I'm sorry, he left for his hotel early this morning. I suppose he wants to be left alone to his thoughts."

Her eyes narrowed with disappointment. "I see."

"Would you like me to find out if Shinsuke-sama is up to visits?"

She shook her head. "No, that won't be necessary."


Matako spent the remainder of her day enjoying a cheerful Edo. Lights and decorations adorned the city. It marked the return of the Christmas season. Kijima went to the theatres for an action movie, ate at a favorite restaurant of hers, and then went to a fashion store. It was twilight when she began to walk home. She debated on whether to head to her apartment or return to headquarters. In the end, she decided she'd rather remain at the base.

Today had been one of the most wonderful she had ever experienced. Yet another meaning had been added to her life. Matako still wanted to do more. She wanted to make it up to everyone. She wanted them to know just how much they meant to her.

Matako sat down on a frozen park bench to think it over. The park would be closing down soon so she lacked ample time. She already knew the obvious answer was a gift. It felt rather clichéd though.

Something cold touched her nose. It melted into water a second after coming in contact. Matako looked up to see a beautiful snowfall had just begun. Such a moment seemed too perfect. It was snowing on Christmas Eve after all…


Bansai and Henpeita were dumbfounded by what was setup in the dining room. The Kiheitai stood around cheering while wearing Santa-style hats. Fake snow and glittering décor were littered across the walls. A stack of hastily wrapped gifts were sitting on the table. The men were pouring glasses of warm sake for the two newcomers.

Matako stood in the middle of the room with a cheerful smile for her Senpais. She wore a Christmas hat and a short Santa dress. On her feet were long red stockings, a fluffy ring of white around the mouth of each.

"Merry Christmas!" she said.

Takechi asked, "What is all this Kijima-san?"

"Eh? It's a party obviously. Now take a seat, it's time to open gifts."

"I don't know…" said Takechi, "It's late. I don't feel up to such a boisterous celebration."

Matako said, "Senpai, I was up all night shopping for this so like hell I'm letting you skip out. Now sit down damn it."

"Right away" Takechi said. He sat down on an empty seat as quickly as possible.

"So you did all this yourself?" asked Bansai.

"Not everything. Everyone else helped out so it would be complete before the evening."

The Kiheitai each began to take a gift from the pile. They unwrapped them to find miscellaneous items like gift cards, cigars, knives, and electronics. Yachi, who helped organize the event, returned from handing out gifts to the absent members.

"Yachi-san" said Kijima.

"Yes Kijima-sama?" he asked. Matako handed him a large square gift from under the table. As he examined it, she reached back under. She gave to both Kawakami and Henpeita a gift shaped just like Yachi's.

She said, "I'm sorry, I couldn't think of anything to give you. I landed up sticking to Japanese tradition."

The recipients of her gifts found them to be Christmas cakes. Both cakes had a chocolate card with a message frosted on top.

"Thank you" said Bansai. He read the writing on his cake decoration. It said, "Merry Christmas Senpai." with some musical notes drawn on it.

Takechi scoffed. He turned to Matako and asked, "Why does mine say 'get well soon?'"

She covered her mouth with a hand but wound up laughing out loud.

"N-no reason!"

"Enough sentiments!" said a giddy member, "Somebody get me another cup!"

Matako cut Bansai a slice of his cake. She sat down in front of him, smiled, and waited—obviously expecting a comment.

Bansai took a generous bite and then froze. He said, "It's delicious. This one would like to know how much you spent on this gift? Or for that matter, this entire event?"

Matako said, "It's nothing to worry about Senpai"

"Kijima…"

Bansai noted to himself, "The rhythm of your soul has changed. It's not as aggressive as its usual nature. If I had to compare it to a similar sound… it would be soft rock."

"What's up with him?" asked Matako. She was looking at Yachi who was sobbing frantically. Kijima walked up to him to see what had caused this.

"T-Thank you Kijima-sama." He rubbed his eyes and looked up at her.

"If you keep crying like that boy, it's going to get all soggy." said one of the Kiheitai in the back of the room.

"Ah, I'm sorry!"

Matako looked at him tenderly as he tried to stop the tears.


Later that night Kijima crept into Takasugi's quarters. Matako opened the fridge and stuffed her gift inside. As she was leaving, she looked around at the lifeless room.

She whispered, "Merry Christmas Shinsuke-sama"


Author's Note: Matako's temper may have eased up, but it seems Takechi still gets on her nerves.

Oh dear, when I was uploading this, I found some characters were addressing others by their first names or different honorifics than they use in the manga. I corrected this and I'll be sure to fix anything incorrect in the previous chapters. Really sorry about that.