CHAPTER 6 - If You're Going To A Festival, Make Sure To Forget Your Wallet
The sun was beating down on Gintoki's head.
It was an unusually hot April day. The ground in front of Gengai's workshop was already barren enough, but the hot air stifled what little flowers managed to survive. Gintoki worriedly glanced towards his companion.
"Oi, I can do this alone, alright?"
He was almost blinded by Aya's shiny armor as they turned, their metal plates clinking together. "No – haa – I have to – haa – see this through…" The sounds metallically bounced inside their helmet.
Gintoki knew Aya was weak against sunlight, and that the armor was supposed to protect them from it. He remembered how they fainted in front of their office all those weeks ago, and the time they ended up in the hospital. Why are you so stubborn? He hoisted the bag holding the remains of the ruined makeup applicator on his shoulder and ushered Aya towards the shop. "Let's go inside – AGH!"
A burning smell spread through the air as Gintoki's hand fizzled on Aya's armor. "Seriously, how do you not cook in this thing?"
"I possessed a more advanced version of the suit, however, I had to downgrade due to some… circumstances." Aya's voice was steady and revealed nothing but the fact that they battled the sun's intensity.
Gintoki wondered what the reason was. He doubted it was a financial one. Otherwise, he would've felt guilty taking all that money from them, and he certainly wanted to keep it. He knew Aya for almost a month now, yet they remained a mystery. Well, Aya finally shared something more personal yesterday. A few more years and maybe I'll get a last name. He pushed those thoughts aside as they stepped inside.
The interior was a lot cooler and relief washed over Gintoki. He looked around the shadowy workshop, robotic parts and tools strewn around the workbenches and walls. "Oi, old man? I need you to fix something for me!" He called out, and in response, a large pile of metal parts in the back of the shop came crashing down.
Oops.
"Ginnoji!" Gengai yelled out as he walked out of the shadows. "I won't look at anythin' before ya show me money!" He spit out, scratching his head. "Really, when was the last time you paid me?"
As Gengai got closer to the pair, he didn't even seem to notice Aya by Gintoki's side. His eyes were glued to Gintoki's face, or at least that's the impression Gintoki got, since Gengai's red goggles covered them. "Oi, Ginnoji, did anythin' happen? Ya look different somehow." He raised his hands and stretched Gintoki's cheeks, as if checking if they're fake.
Gintoki shouted in pain and stumbled away, dropping the bag on his shoulder, and held his swollen cheeks. "Ugh, you almost ripped them off…" he cried out, tears forming in his eyes. "That's why we're here."
Gengai had finally noticed someone else's presence in his shop after hearing Gintoki's words. He looked at Aya and gasped in wonder, almost clapping his hands like a child. "Well, I'll be damned!" He plodded forward, circling Aya as he continued. "It's my first time seein' terian iron."
By now, Aya had removed their helmet and stared back at Gengai in surprise, an expression Gintoki hadn't seen often on their face. "This marks the first occasion anyone had identified this material since I've arrived on Earth."
They observed each other in silence and concluded it with a nod of respect.
Terrain… terry… Terry iron? Gintoki wanted to ask more, but before he could, Aya lifted the bag he dropped from the ground and presented it to Gengai. "Gintoki hails you as Edo's most prolific inventor. I beseech you to aid us, grand creator."
Gengai must've earned some brownie points, recognizing Aya's armor. Gintoki was pleasantly surprised by the way they connected over… metal. He heard the smile in both Gengai and Aya's voice. "Yep. Free of charge", he added shamelessly, using the good atmosphere the two created.
Gengai reached for the bag and sighed, giving in to Gintoki's cheeky attitude. As he inspected the content of the sack, Aya turned towards Gintoki in confusion. "Surely, the cost of repairs should not be higher than what you've earned for the performance?"
"Wait, why do I have to pay for the repairs? You broke it!"
"Your face broke it."
"Oi!" Gengai interrupted their childish spat. "What are ya gonna give me money for? I should be givin' ya somethin' in exchange for these scraps of metal."
"You can't fix it?" Gintoki asked incredulously. We're doomed if Gengai only sees scraps. "No, you have to do something, old man! Or else my life will be ruined." If this continues, Gintoki will have to live with the effects of the makeup bazooka for the rest of his life… "Wait, what will happen if we don't fix this thing?" he asked Aya.
"Hm, your pores shall clog up. Your skin shall age faster than a normal human. Its condition will change, either to dryness or oiliness. There are multiple issues with wearing makeup long term. It is advised that you remove it each time before going to bed."
Wait a minute.
"That's it?" Gintoki was confused. What did he think was going to happen? He almost felt like that… thing changed a whole lot more than his face. And he couldn't even see the difference. "Um, well, I guess you don't have to fix it?"
Aya looked horrified by his proposition. "Gintoki! Do not underestimate your skin! It is just as important as taking care of your cholesterol and sugar levels!"
About that…
"So, it was something other than junk?" Gengai laughed heartily. "I'll do it. I wouldn' be Edo's grandest innovator if I couldn' fix up a tiny thing like this." Gintoki sighed in relief that soon morphed into dread. "But after I watch the final dance from last night again", Gengai added wearing an uncharacteristically bashful smile.
"Say… say that again?" Gintoki stuttered, not believing his ears. "What, you have it recorded?"
"I sure do! Your long-haired friend came along, and we recorded it together!" Gintoki didn't feel this murderous in a long time. Why did that rebel have so much free time on his hands? If he dedicated half the effort he put into Uno and cosplaying into toppling the government, he could've already formed the Holy Britannian Empire. "And it took a lot of effort, let me tell ya!"
"The bestest Bob the Edo builder had a problem recording a TV program?" Gintoki snidely commented as he waited for a chance to snatch the recording and obliterate it into a million pieces.
"That's the thing, Ginnoji", Gengai said, unperturbed by Gintoki. "Your friend told me the thing couldn't be recorded. And I wanted to prove him wrong." Gengai went on to explain that the program shown on TV was encoded in a way that it corrupted the image of the recorded image, but he managed to surpass it with his extraordinary engineering skills. Gintoki didn't quite understand all of it, or better yet none of it, but he got the main thing – he would get his revenge against Zura.
Aya looked strangely interested in the explanation. Birds of a feather, these two.
"Okay, thanks for the info. Now give me the tape."
"Why would I give it to ya!?"
Gintoki sighed in defeat. "Why would you want a recording of me dancing, that's what I want to know." The slight moment of relief he felt, when Gengai told him no one could preserve the most embarrassing moment in his life, was overshadowed by this tape's ghastly existence.
"Hold yer horses. Ginnoji, that was you?"
"Yesterday's last performance has certainly created a lot of buzz. I myself was glued to the screen! Hanano Saki-san, can you tell us more about the mysterious silver dancer?"
Mysterious what now?
"To tell you the truth, their identity is unknown since they acted as a replacement for an injured performer. What we do know is that he is a male citizen of our own Edo! Oh, I can't believe he managed to stay hidden this entire time!" The reporter, situated on a busy street, squealed in excitement.
Gintoki groaned in exasperation.
"Because of the recording ban, we cannot show our viewers last night's footage, however, I'm sure you all watched it! Let's have a listen to what people thought about it." Hanano looked around to catch a passerby (victim). "Sir! Please, tell us what you thought about the silver dancer from yesterday!"
Before the caught poor soul said anything, Gintoki took the remote and turned the TV off. "Hey! I was watching that", Shinpachi complained, jumping up from the couch to take the remote back, and Sadaharu joined him, almost trampling both them and the remote to pieces. Gintoki held onto it for dear life and escaped into the bathroom.
"Gin-chan, are you embarrassed?" Kagura teased him, evil smirk plastered on her face, and watched him wash his face from the door. "Soon, everyone will know that was you, muahahah!"
"If you barely recognized me, how would some strangers?" Gintoki recalled the way Shinpachi and Kagura looked at him last night when he stepped out of the tent, like they've seen a ghost. And Gengai today, as well. He couldn't believe Gintoki when he said he was the dancer in his recording. The only one who immediately knew it was him was… Hijikata.
Aaaargh.
Gintoki furiously scrubbed his face with water, as if that would wash away the memories of what had happened, or rather had almost happened yesterday with Hijikata. Was it the ambience, the fireflies, the moonlight? Was it because he didn't have any relations in… forever? Or was it the way Hijikata's eyes blazed with a blue flame and that heat spread over Gintoki's body and he –
"Hijikata-san! What brings you here?" Shinpachi's voice made its way to the bathroom.
Gintoki froze. Did he somehow summon Hijikata here with all that thinking about him? Wait, no, I wasn't thinking about him! He hurried and slammed the bathroom door shut, suddenly panting as if running from his demons. And in a way, he was. He sneaked towards the mirror and stared back at his panicked reflection. How could he face Hijikata so soon after that? Did he come to talk about it?
Kagura banged on the door, making it rattle on its hinges. "Hey, Gin-chan! Toshi is here to talk to you!" Read the room for once, you hurloine! "Hey, Gin-chan!" The thunderous banging continued.
Just act natural.
He opened the door with too much force and schooled his face into an expression that looked even more dead-fish-eyed than usual. He robotically moved his limbs as he passed Kagura and made his way to the living room, where Hijikata sat on one of the couches, with Shinpachi serving him tea.
Hijikata's eyes lingered on Gintoki for a moment too long before he turned to Shinpachi and thanked him for the tea.
"What's up?" Gintoki squawked. What's up? Is this the best I can do?
Hijikata's eyes followed him as he tried to throw himself onto the couch opposite him in a nonchalant fashion. "Right." He set the cup of tea down and crossed his arms, his face contorted into a frown. "I have something important to talk to you about."
Wait. Gintoki wasn't prepared to do this. "Can't it… wait? For when we can talk… in private?" His tongue felt heavy like lead, barely spewing the words out of his mouth.
"It's something the kids need to hear as well." He met Gintoki's gaze, his eyes more serious than ever. Shinpachi and Kagura shuffled closer, followed by Sadaharu.
The kids!? Aren't you skipping over too many steps!? "No, they seriously don't. So why don't we go elsewhere – "
"It's about yesterday."
"No, stop – "
"There was an incident – "
NO!
Gintoki jumped over the coffee table in a rush to cover Hijikata's loose mouth. Since he was in such a haste, his foot caught onto its wooden edge, and he fell face first onto Hijikata's chest. He wasn't sure where the loud thumping he heard was coming from, Hijikata's rib cage or his own heartbeat drumming away in his ears. Gintoki slowly pried his face away from Hijikata's jacket and peered up at him.
Hijikata still had the same stony expression as he looked down on him. "An incident involving the envoy. He was attacked."
"What?" Gintoki got up in an instant, feeling like a bucket of ice-cold water was dumped on him. "Is he okay? When did it happen?" The thoughts involving Hijikata melted away, replaced by ones about Ren. Gintoki saw him in the stands during his performance, so it must've not been before that. Maybe during the night?
Kagura and Shinpachi sat on either side of Gintoki as they listened to what Hijikata had to say. "It happened during the performance preceding yours. Ren Selene had to step out for a moment. The suspect used the opportunity to get close to him and tried to assassinate him with a blade. The Imperial Knights and Shinsengumi officers managed to repel them, but they got away. It was dark and the person was cloaked from head to toe, so we have no useful description." Hijikata stopped, the silence growing graver with each passing second. His demeanor changed to a more unyielding one as his explanation turned to questioning.
"At what time did you see Aya again that night?"
No.
Gintoki was dumbfounded. "You can't be serious."
"Hijikata-san, are you implying that… Aya-san was the one who did that?" Shinpachi's voice was full of disbelief. "That's impossible. They were… they were with us."
"That's not true, Shinpachi", Kagura said, looking at her clasped hands in her lap. Her voice was sad, but stern. "Aya-chan only returned for Gin-chan's part. And they didn't look their best." Kagura was telling the truth, Gintoki knew that. But why did it feel like betrayal in a way? Like they were supposed to keep it a secret.
"So, the timeline of events coincides with the attack", Hijikata confirmed the story he created in his mind. "I'm not saying they're our only suspect; there's numerous people who want Ren Selene dead. We're just investigating all the leads we have", he said to Shinpachi as if to calm him down.
"Why do you think Aya would attack him?"
Gintoki trusted Aya. But did he trust them more than Hijikata? He felt that they were sincere; the only time they lied to him was about the stupid glitter thing. However, he couldn't help but remember the time Ren and Aya had met for the first time – they looked at each other as if they were sworn enemies. Why didn't that encounter raise more red flags for him? Did he feel that safe around both of them?
His senses were getting dangerously dull. Gintoki felt his face harden into an unreadable mask, but underneath it his mind was in a disarray. He expected the loathsome thoughts born in his nightmares to crawl through his newfound cracks, but surprisingly, that did not occur.
"Do you remember when I told you that they have family somewhere?" Hijikata's voice pulled him from his musings, and Gintoki nodded in response. "Looks like they've dealt with the Empire before. They're both on the run."
Hijikata threw a thick envelope on the table between them. The sound of paper hitting wood rang for a long time, making Gintoki's head spin. Why was he so affected by all of this? He's only known Aya for a bit more than three weeks. That's nothing. Nothing at all.
"We've been living together for weeks, and they've done nothing out of the ordinary!" Shinpachi was adamant in defending Aya. "On the contrary, I feel bad for how much they help around the house, because they don't have time to do anything else."
Kagura nodded, her face still crestfallen, perhaps because of what she'd said before. "It's true, Aya-chan knows the house better than me now."
Gintoki drowned out the noise of Hijikata interrogating Shinpachi and Kagura as he reached for the folder. He looked over different documents, digging through their past, clawing through their pain, and he felt sick –
There wasn't enough air in this stifling room, teeming with muddy secrets that threatened to pull him under. Gintoki was determined to keep a pretense of composure, however, and tore his eyes away from the folder to look at Hijikata. "You told me before that nothing suspicious came up when you investigated. What changed between then and now?" His voice sounded almost bored as he felt anything but.
Hijikata looked deep into his eyes before leaning into the couch, relaxed like they were discussing what to eat for lunch. Gintoki felt exposed, as if Hijikata could somehow sense that he wasn't as collected as presented himself. "Haa, that's why I'm only asking around, instead of getting an arrest warrant. All the info in that folder was given by none other than Ren Selene and the Empire."
Gintoki shrugged. "It's a matter of who to trust, then?"
"Apparently so." Hijikata was silent for a few more moments before standing up. "Just… keep an eye out, okay? We'll do our best on our end to catch the perp." As he was on his way out, Gintoki noticed the way he was hunched, his gaze glued to the floor.
Seriously.
Gintoki got up and went after him. Hijikata was about to slide the door shut, but Gintoki stopped him and stepped outside after him. "Wait."
Hijikata seemed shaken for a second. "What?" he grumbled and reached for his cigarettes as Gintoki studied his face. His eyes were sunken, his cheeks hollow, and he was sporting an impressive pair of dark circles under his eyes. His hair was tussled, as if he didn't check it in front of the mirror, and his uniform messy, very much unlike the ever-tidy Hijikata.
Without thinking, Gintoki's hand rose and combed through Hijikata's raven hair. "I'll talk to Aya tonight. I have to fact-check that stupid thing", he said as he pointed at Aya's folder in Hijikata's hands. "And they'll probably feel better talking to someone they know." He couldn't help but feel bad for Hijikata after seeing him like this. He also wanted to get to the bottom of this; nothing was set in stone yet – this could turn out to be a misunderstanding on their part.
Hijikata dropped the cigarette he was holding between his fingers, his mouth hanging open. "Uh, yeah. Thanks", he hoarsely said. "Don't worry too much. Just… do what you always do", he added, his eyes locked with Gintoki's.
"Yeah", Gintoki nodded with a smile. The twisting feeling in his gut dissolved into nothingness, almost like a forgotten dream. "Are you going to the festival tonight?"
This time Hijikata sarcastically laughed, his face lighting up and washing the tiredness away. "As if. Unlike you, I'm quite busy."
"Hey! Yesterday I've done more work than all of you combined!" Gintoki proudly puffed his chest out. "Admit it, it was good, right?" While he felt embarrassed about being called the mysterious silver dancer, Gintoki had no problem rubbing that fact into Hijikata's suave face.
"…"
"What was that?"
"It was fine, okay? No one will sue you for emotional harm or something", Hijikata reluctantly admitted, messing up the hair Gintoki had previously tidied up in frustration. Gintoki derived great pleasure from seeing him like this. It also cemented his assumption that everything that happened before was just a product of a whim, and that they would continue to stay just a forever-bickering duo.
After all, why would anyone want to be with him? Gin-san has a lot of good points, but not everyone is fortunate enough to appreciate them.
So Gintoki just devilishly grinned, leaning on the wooden railing. He left behind thoughts of wild passions and romances for others to enjoy. "Right?"
All Hijikata could do was stare back in silence.
The night was warm and full of life.
The air was filled with a buzz of excitement as people all over the universe crowded the festival. The lights of the hanging lanterns illuminated joyous faces of the Amanto and humans alike as they wandered about the area, renovated to commemorate the unprecedented alliance between Edo and the Empire. The colorful stands offered various food and games hailing from both countries, mixing to create a once-in-a-lifetime event. Numerous podiums strewn around the festival were home to musical and dance performances, each magical and entertaining, inducing gasps of awe and bouts of laughter.
Gintoki couldn't believe it. He had passed through this part of the city just a few days ago, yet it had transformed into a festive wonderland. What was once a ghost district, became a pulsing core of different worlds clashing together.
"Hey, hey, you think we'll see him here? Hanano-chan said he's from Edo."
"Kya! Honestly, I want to stick my fingers in his silver hair and never let go!"
"Right!?"
Gintoki's head started to dully pound in pain.
He had heard similar comments for the whole time they traveled here, and he just wanted to bury himself in the ground out of shame. I'm sorry, but that version of Gin-san is long dead! His ears, reddened to a point of no return, had already begun filtering out such remarks and it was easier to pretend they were about someone else, an entirely different person in no relation to Sakata Gintoki.
"Gin-chan", Kagura interrupted his self-bemoaning. "You brought the money, right?" She already had her sights set on a few dozen food stalls, the aroma deliciously spreading through the air. Sadaharu was panting, his mouth dripping in saliva.
"Of course I did", Gintoki said, exasperated. He wanted to find a gambling game stand to try his luck. "Patsuan, where is Aya?"
"They'll arrive with my sister", Shinpachi answered, looking at his pocket watch. "They should be here soon. Want to wait for them here?"
Gintoki wanted to get rid of the suffocating feeling that had plagued him since Hijikata's visit and have a talk with Aya as soon as possible. However, being in this place with Shinpachi, Kagura and Sadaharu made those thoughts dwindle to a dying flame. "No, let me treat you to something first."
Gintoki's proclamation was followed by hugs from the duo and a toppling attempt from Sadaharu. It was such a rare occurrence, in other words, it never happened, and Kagura and Shinpachi wanted to celebrate the moment. They went through the crowd to the first food stall they saw. Even though the festival was jam-packed, for some reason they had no problem getting to the stand. Moreover, people waiting to order suddenly lost interest in the food and moved out of their way, peering at them and whispering amongst themselves. Huh. More for us.
"Order whatever you want!" Gintoki said and reached into the sleeve of his yukata, different from his signature one, feeling more generous than ever. He wore the white yukata in a more traditional style, without the accompanying black garments.
Shinpachi and Kagura crowded the stall while Gintoki searched for his wallet. Sadaharu stood by his side, his untrusting eyes following his every move. Where did I put it? The wallet wasn't in his sleeves. It wasn't anywhere in his yukata.
Sadaharu growled, not amused by the struggling Gintoki. "Hey, I swear it's here somewhere!"
"Gin-chan…."
"Gin-san…"
Gintoki switched to panic mode when he saw the bloodthirsty looks on their faces. "No, wait, it's really – "
"It's you." The voice behind them made Gintoki stop dead in his tracks. He grudgingly turned around to face the owner of the sickly-sweet voice. He really didn't want to deal with this person… ever. Wide eyes stared at him in wonder, almost spilling over with stars shining in adoration.
All Gintoki could manage was a strained smile. "It's been a while." An eternity wouldn't be long enough. His stalker was just as plainly dressed as ever, but Gintoki felt a different air around him, causing him to feel even more uncomfortable.
"I'm so glad I've found you!" The Amanto rushed towards him and Gintoki instinctively stepped in front of Kagura and Shinpachi, as if to protect them… from something. "You seem distressed, is everything alright?"
Before Gintoki could say anything, Kagura popped up behind him and answered in his stead. "Nothing is right! We came here to watch other people eat since we can't." I'm so sorry! Kagura sounded absolutely devastated. "Why did you have to be your usual self today, Gin-chan?"
"Oh!" the stalker guy exclaimed. "If it's alright with you, I would like to pay for your meals? To say thanks… for you saving me back then." His eyes glinted with a pale blue flicker, making him creepier than ever before as he drew closer to the Yorozuya.
Gintoki had to fight the urge to just punch him then and there. His eyes shifted for a moment, and he noticed a familiar face in the crowd. Towering over everyone, Ren was attracting attention from the people around him. His cold gaze swept over the mass, hurriedly so, as if searching for something. His face was an unbreakable mask of grace and indifference, sparing no glance to the swooning people around him. Damn him and that face of his. The glacial aura that surrounded him now was nothing like the gracious one he veiled himself in two days ago, when they met for the first time. No, the second time.
Looking at him from afar, Gintoki thought about the culprit that attacked Ren in the cover of the night yesterday. And a disturbing thought started to form in his head. Ren was someone who had a lot of enemies after his head. And someone who came on top in those encounters.
Inferior.
The word Gintoki finally conjured up in his mind. Everyone around Ren, everyone who dared to come after him, they were all inferior to him.
Gintoki was dumbfounded. It was such a contrast to what he'd felt from Ren before that it had almost given him whiplash. He didn't even know where these thoughts swam up from nor if they were based in reality. His instincts were all over the place as of late and he didn't know what to trust anymore.
Especially since a tender warmth spread in his chest when he met Ren's eyes. Time seemed to slow to a stop, murmur of festivalgoers dying down as blood rushed to his ears. He felt compelled to gaze into his gripping silver eyes for an eternity.
As soon as Ren noticed him, he rushed through the crowd towards him, a small smile on his face. Aaaand he turned into a puppy.
"Hello", Ren breathlessly said, as if those few steps he took robbed him of his energy, his hair all over the place. How did a tall, handsome, cold guy turn into a huggable giant? Huggable?
Gintoki nodded in response, stifling his laugh. "Hi."
Ren then looked down on the person Gintoki had completely forgotten about. Oh. The stalker guy seemed to shrink under Ren's restrained gaze, like a child caught stealing candy. Ren looked like he wanted to wipe the man off the face of the Earth. Hey, hey, isn't that your guy?
After a few tense moments, stalker guy finally spoke out. "It is time for me to go but I will find a way to repay you in the future. I promise", he added in his usual ominous fashion. He hightailed out of there and Gintoki lost sight of him as the crowd swallowed him up.
He breathed a sigh of relief. He almost thanked Ren for getting rid of him but stopped himself in time. After all, it was Ren's fault he was even in that situation to begin with. "What are you doing here?" Gintoki asked, slightly peeved. He was confused as to how the person that was almost assassinated yesterday just walked around a festival without a care.
Apparently, Ren didn't, since shortly after Gintoki asked, a trio of Shinsengumi officers emerged into the open. Ren's face slightly contorted in displeasure as they bumped into him from behind, pushing him forward on Gintoki.
"Why is it so packed here?" Hijikata grumbled, looking at the offending crowd that had grown in size since Ren joined Gintoki and the Yorozuya.
"Move your mayo breath away from me, Hijikata-bastard." Sougo took a step back, holding his nose in a mocking gesture.
"What did you say!?"
A fight broke out between the two when Kondou stepped forward, letting out his signature boisterous laughter. "Yorozuya! Fancy meeting you here!" He looked like Otae had finally accepted his advances and not used him as an infinite Häagen-Dazs supply. "Let me tell you, I couldn't believe it was actually you dancing during the last perf – "
Gintoki reacted in a fight or flight manner and threw himself on Kondou, similarly to the way he reacted when Hijikata came by the office that day. This time, however, he was successful in his mission and sealed Kondou's lips with his fingers. He looked up at him with the most threatening glare he could muster and quietly spit out: "Do you really want to telegraph to the whole festival that the stupid mysterious silver dancer is me!?" Kondou's voice was unnecessarily loud, as was Tatsuma's.
Gintoki wasn't usually the guy who got embarrassed, but he wanted to keep this a secret. At least let me get used to it first! The dance he kept to himself all those years, hiding away just to ease his ailing mind, was personal to him and although it was televised universally, he wanted to keep up the illusion that he was hidden from the public eye, if only for a bit longer.
Though calling Aya's dance the same as his would be an insult to Aya.
"Okay." Kondou's unsettled voice brought him back to reality and Gintoki promptly let him go. Kondou's eyes lingered on his face a bit longer, his expression unreadable, before he turned towards Shinpachi. "Shinpachi-kun, when… when will your sister be here?"
While Shinpachi blatantly ignored Kondou's further questions, Ren took the chance to approach Gintoki. "Are you enjoying yourselves?" he asked, an expectant tone imbued in his voice.
"Oh, yeah – "
"No!" Kagura cut in the middle, tears and snot dripping down her face. "Gin-chan forgot to bring our money, so now we're starving and definitely not enjoying ourselves!" She wailed, clutching at Ren's plain black yukata. Gintoki saw through her Oscar-worthy performance and clicked his tongue, ready to pull her off Ren. She learnt from the best.
Ren looked caught off guard, his hands frozen midair in deciding whether to console Kagura. His eyes shifted between Gintoki and Kagura, until finally settling on Kagura. "Well, I wouldn't want for you to stay hungry. If you'd allow me, I will ensure that every stall here caters to your every need."
Kagura's eyes widened in reverence, and Gintoki didn't feel too far off. Free food always sounded great. He did feel a bit guilty, since it was all technically his fault. But just a bit.
"Toshi", Kagura turned towards Hijikata who was embroiled in a brawl against Sougo, and on the losing side as always. "You have to try harder. We're a package deal."
Hijikata stopped and anxiously glanced between Gintoki and Ren. "What do I care", he crossed his arms in a devil may care attitude. His voice, however, almost betrayed an entirely contrasting emotion.
Gintoki couldn't for the life of him figure out what they were saying.
"You just have to do this – " Gintoki scooped a goldfish with a poi, " - and put it in this bowl."
Gintoki and Ren were hunched over a small pool filled with darting goldfish, glittering in the lantern lights. Ren was gripping the paper tool used for scooping the fish with excessive force, holding onto it for dear life. For the past half an hour, Gintoki was trying to teach Ren some of the Japanese festival games, but he had failed in each one. This was his final chance to redeem himself.
Ren was intently following Gintoki's instructions and prepared himself to do the same. Before he did anything, Gintoki leaned forward to move his long hair out of the way, so that it didn't get wet in the pool.
"Now!" Gintoki shouted and Ren struck, a clear sound of ripping paper resounding in the air. Gintoki was dumbstruck. "How did you manage to rip it before it hit the water?"
Ren looked up to the stall keeper. "One more."
While Gintoki's bowl filled to the brim with whizzing goldfish, Ren's remained miserably empty, only a pile of ripped poi by his side. He stared at his empty bowl in disappointment, his face unusually scrunched up.
Gintoki swallowed a laugh – he wasn't a sadist all the time – and held out his goldfish-filled one with a light smile. "This is for you. Take care of them for me, okay?" Gintoki didn't think much of the gesture. His legs were starting to grow numb from the crouching position and he wanted to stand up.
Ren stared back at him, astonished. "You're beautiful."
"Huh?"
"Your performance!" Ren corrected himself, taking the bowl from Gintoki and staring down at it, careful not to stir the water inside. "I thought it was truly beautiful. You're a very skilled dancer."
Gintoki's heart was pounding. Finally, someone who appreciates Gin-san!
Ren continued. "There will be an ending celebration taking place on the Imperial spaceship, a week from now. It is a small party organized in, well, my honor. The Empire wanted to show its… appreciation for my work as the heir apparent." His face soured as he said that. "It would be an honor if you and the rest of your family accept the invitation."
Gintoki was done and over with participating in celebrations. He was about to thank Ren and decline but was interrupted by whispers that came from people around them. He thought that maybe no one could play the game because they hogged the stand, but that was not the case.
"How are they so handsome?"
"Hey, did you take a pic?"
"I made a special folder already."
Several camera flashes blinded Gintoki when he turned around.
Gintoki rose to his feet and looked down at Ren's perfect face, then at Hijikata and Sougo standing by the side, doing a poor job acting like Ren's guards since they furiously held each other by their collars. He was starting to feel bad for these guys. What was it like living each day with a camera shoved in your face?
He held a hand out to Ren. "C'mon, let's go somewhere else."
The stand keeper transferred the goldfish into a bag and absentmindedly gave it to Ren, his eyes glued to Gintoki's face. The unwarranted comments continued to rain down on them as they moved to go someplace else, until Gintoki heard something that made him stop dead in his tracks.
"You know, I don't get why they let so much Amanto in Edo. The festival is crawling with them."
Their friend scoffed. "Tell me about it. The Imperials are the only useful ones; the rest of them can go back to where they came from."
"See that girl over there?" They pointed at a girl clad in her signature red dress. "I bet she's an Amanto, she's been obnoxious for a while. There's no way a human behaves like that."
Gintoki's head whipped in Kagura's direction. There she was, her mouth stuffed with food and maniacally laughing at Shinpachi and Kondou's usual antics. He was relieved, since it seemed she didn't hear those malicious words. Chew carefully, Kagura. He strode up to the couple, rage simmering right under his skin, and plastered the best smile he could muster on his face. "Hello. Can I borrow your phones for a moment?"
The pair squealed in excitement, blissfully unprepared for what was about to happen. "Of course!"
Gintoki took their phones and threw them on the ground. He took out his bokuto and before they had the chance to react, smashed them to bits and pieces.
Their mouths hung open like the goldfish in Ren's bowl.
"That obnoxious brat is my family. Whether human or Amanto, everyone has the right to live freely. And if they find their freedom here on Earth, then that's all the more reason for them to stay." He slid his bokuto back onto his hip. "I won't allow you to judge those feelings harshly. You got that?"
In his anger, Gintoki forgot he was standing in the middle of a festival and causing a scene. Not only that, but there was a trio of Shinsengumi officers that probably wanted nothing more than to find a justifiable reason to lock him up. Gintoki got ready to dip – since he didn't have the means nor want to pay for the damage he caused – but was caught by Kondou before he ran away.
"Yorozuya, where do you think you're – "
"Ah, Gin-san, my sister is waiting with Aya-san for the fireworks display."
"– going, that's the wrong way! Let me escort you!"
Real smooth. "Lead the way, Gorilla", Gintoki complied, and they left the stunned crowd of onlookers behind.
Gintoki had devised a plan.
Meet with Otae and Aya, take Aya aside as naturally as possible, ask about the thing with the Empire and then be done with this whole thing.
It was a pretty simple plan.
Except an unpredictable variable entered the equation: Ren was the Imperial envoy. He supplied the documents about Aya to the Shinsengumi. Ren and Aya, proven by their encounter in the past, don't have an… amicable relationship.
His stomach churned in rebellion; he didn't even have a decent meal at this festival and he's already falling apart from the nervousness. The sick feeling that followed him throughout the day threatened to pull him under.
Gintoki looked back. He felt like he led a parade up a dimly-lit hill path; Ren trailed close behind, Hijikata and Sougo following him with Kagura throwing some jabs between their incessant bickering, and Shinpachi and Kondou talked about the future of Shinsengumi or something like that. Sadaharu bounded after them, a toy the size of a pillow squeaking under his teeth.
How to ditch you guys? Questions like these swirled inside his head.
Until someone caught his eye.
Gintoki's worries died down, replaced by a single want as the fireworks went off all around them in a colorful display of sparks. He heard no sound except the beating of his own heart, synchronized with the flashes of light against the night sky. He moved forward, his legs growing sluggish with each step he took.
Tatsuma.
It was a feeling he'd never experienced before. A desire so strong that his body didn't listen to his commands; it felt like mountains would move out of his path, just to get to him sooner.
He wanted to hug Tatsuma.
Bathed in bursts of color, Tatsuma stood on the hill path as if it was the most natural thing in the world. He smiled at Gintoki, one of his stupidly big smiles, and waved, his hair swishing around his face. He looked exhausted, but nevertheless showed his joy at their surprise meeting. Gintoki vaguely remembered the letter Tatsuma had sent. He didn't expect to see him so soon.
He willed his legs to move faster.
"Hi, Kintoki – "
Tatsuma was shut up by the force with which Gintoki threw himself at him. Gintoki's hands gently circled around his neck, his silver locks and forehead brushing against Tatsuma's cheek. His skin against Tatsuma's healed from a fever and an ice burn as one. It felt natural to be in this position, and the pain and sickness that he'd felt prior melted down his body, replaced by Tatsuma's warmth.
Tatsuma froze in his embrace.
Gintoki might've found the situation unusual in any other circumstance. They were comfortable with touching each other, but never in such an obvious affectionate way. Gintoki worried for a second if Tatsuma felt uneasy, but those thoughts were pushed down in a wave of euphoria washing over his mind.
"The fireworks. They're beautiful", Tatsuma said with a strained voice, his breath tickling Gintoki's ear. His hands reluctantly circled his waist, returning Gintoki's hug.
"Mm. Welcome back", he drowsily mumbled and pried himself off Tatsuma.
As soon as he moved away, the muddy ill feelings came crashing down on him, smothering his consciousness. Gintoki stumbled in shock, his legs buckling beneath him.
"Gintoki!" Tatsuma shouted, his voice ringing so far away. He caught Gintoki in time and lowered him to the ground, anxiously peering down at his face, his fingers tapping his cheek to keep him awake. Gintoki struggled to keep his eyes open, already sinking into the encompassing darkness. His head sagged sideways, like the strings holding it upwards were suddenly cut.
The last thing he saw was Aya's face, away from all the blurry ones above him, strangely focusing on it as he held onto the thinning strands of consciousness. It looked uncanny, however. They looked at him differently, yet he'd seen that expression on their face so many times before. Aya thought it was hidden, but Gintoki always noticed it.
Always.
And he finally realized what it was.
His eyes fluttered shut.
Thank you for reading!