#rintaro nagano

[thedviousartist]

Day 13 for SenshiStock’s Draw Everything June challenge.

Sho Minazuki and my Persona OC Rintaro Nagano. Don’t worry, someone will intervene soon enough...

[thedviousone]

Sho makes a new friend. Sort of…

Click on the tag Sho’s Journey  for more pics of Sho Minazuki and other characters he meets

“I know you’re there!”

There was no answer, and Sho turned around to see that the alley was empty, save for himself. But he knew that wasn’t really the case. He gave an annoyed huff and picked up an empty soda can, before chucking it hard at the trash bin in front of him. The sound of the can hitting the bin made a loud clanging sound, and accompanying it was a noise that was very much a startled cry.

“WAAH!”

From behind the bin, sprang a tall, lanky figure, head wrapped in a bandana with brown curls slithering out from under the brim. While it was someone Sho did not know, personally, he was already quite familiar with this stranger. The young man, Rintaro, had a look of terror, but then his expression changed to something more relaxed, and he began speaking as if he wasn’t just discovered to be hiding behind a trash bin.

“Oh, hey! Never thought I’d run into you again. Whaaat a coincidence, I was just out doing errands, like… uh…”

“Why are you following me?” Sho asked bluntly.

Rintaro’s eyes widened at the question, and the anxiousness in his voice further implicated his presence there not being a mere coincidence.

“W-What do you mean? I was just-”

“Shut up.” Sho interrupted, and stepped toward the other boy, jabbing a finger at his shoulder, “You’ve been stalking me for the past few days! You looking for a fight or something?!” He jabbed again, harder.

“Ow, ow! Take it easy, man! It’s not like that.” Rintaro tried to say.

“Then, what?!“ Sho barked and gave one final stab into the boy’s shoulder with his finger, so hard that Rintaro stumbled back a bit.

“Jeez, you’re one scary dude,” He said with a grin, despite his shoulder throbbing from being poked at. “Just like when you took care of those guys a few days ago.”

“Huh?”

“C’mon, don’t tell me you forgot,” Rintaro urged.

Sho pondered for a bit, and then he remembered the first time he came across Rintaro:  He was walking home, taking his usual route, but when it was time to go through a short-cut, Sho came across a group of men blocking the way. One of them was backed into a corner, while the other three encroached threateningly. Sho knew what was occurring, but he didn’t care. He even let them know that when the three thugs noticed there was a witness, and demanded that he leave before things got ugly. Things did get ugly… for them. Sho was not one for patience, and he was not about to take a longer route just because some assholes didn’t want to get out of the way. They didn’t want to move, and he didn’t want to leave.

“Oh yeah,” Sho muttered to himself, and looked back at the person he inadvertently saved that night. To Sho, such encounters weren’t anything new (or even that big a deal), but for Rintaro, seeing this scarred-face stranger- someone that looked about the same age as him- single-handedly dispose of three armed men, and walk away unscathed; it was something so unreal and amazing that he had been trying to get in contact with the mysterious boy ever since.

“There you go,” Rintaro flashed a wide grin, “Well, anyway, that’s what I wanted to talk to you about, but every time I saw you, you’d suddenly take off or disappear around the corner.”

Sho snorted. Well, of course he did. If he wanted to talk, he would’ve let the bastard catch up to him the second he sensed him. It seemed this guy wasn’t getting the message though.

“So, what then?” He asked. “You wanted to thank me or something? I only did it because those guys wouldn’t let me through.”

“Hey, I’m not complaining. Whatever your reason, it saved my butt.” Rintaro chuckled, but it quickly lost its enthusiasm, and he rubbed the back of his neck nervously. “Sooo… about what you did. While I do appreciated you beating up those guys- even if you weren’t trying to help me- I’m… kinda in a lot more trouble now, hehe... Those guys are still kicking, and they haven’t given up looking for me. And, because of... well, YOU... they’ve brought in more of their buddies.”

“And you’re telling me this... why? Sho asked. “I may have wrecked them that night, but it was only a one-time thing. It’s not like I’m gonna be around again when they catch you.”

Rintaro bent his head sheepishly as soon as Sho said that, and he realized what the curly-haired boy was getting at.

“Oh no...” Sho sighed heavily, and then he said it again, louder and angrier with each word. “No... No... NO!”

“What? I haven’t even asked you anything ye- Hey! where you going?!’ Rintaro called out upon seeing Sho walking away from him.

“I already know what you’re asking for, and I’m telling you, ‘No’. Don’t get me involved in whatever trouble you’re in.” Sho continued walking, increasing the speed of his steps, but his pest was not giving up just yet.

“Hey!” Rintaro shouted while scrambling after him. “Just wait a second-” He grabbed Sho’s shoulder, and immediately learned what a mistake that was. Within a fraction of a second, his arm was caught in a vice-like grip, before his entire body was yanked forward. He was spun around, then pushed forcefully against something flat and hard, meeting the feral glare of Sho’s eyes, and feeling a sudden pressure on his throat.

When Rintaro was finally able to process everything, he realized Sho was pinning him, and the tightness on his throat was his arm pressing down on it.

“Oh… damn… that’s some moves you got there, huh?” He said shakily, still mustering a grin, despite how utterly terrified he was in that moment.

“Stop. Following. Me!” Sho growled.

“O-ok! Hang on a second! Maybe I overstepped my boundaries a bit, but is that really a reason to get violent?” Rintaro gave a weak titter, and his answer was Sho’s arm adding more pressure against his wind-pipe. It was a warning, but Rintaro was not about to let opportunity escape him. Not after he spent days just trying to talk to this guy.

“Y-you know… urk… with skills like that,” He said between gags, “Taking out a few thugs would be easy for you. So is it… really that big a deal… if you help me out here?!”

“You’re really starting to piss me off,” Sho grumbled. “Is your hair so wound up that no blood is going to your head?!”

“Hehe, good one- ACK!”

Sho pushed down more, not at all appreciating the boy’s patronizing comment.

“Now listen, you jackass,” He started, gradually adding more pressure to the boy’s throat as he spoke. “If I catch you stalking me again, you’re getting a knife in the ribs, got it?! At least, then you won’t have to worry about those assholes coming after you, ‘cause you’ll be DEAD!”

Rintaro didn’t answer. He couldn’t. With his air restricted more and more, all he could let out was gasps and chokes. Then, when he was sure he was about to slip into unconsciousness, the pressure lifted instantly, and he dropped to the ground, coughing and grasping his neck.

Sho looked down at the other boy with a scowl, hoping the message got through, but as he walked away, he could hear a croak coming from behind him.

“W… w-wait,”

A scoff bordering on amazement escaped Sho. Unbelievable. Just how stupid was this guy? He was tempted to turn around and give the idiot a beating, but even in his anger, Sho just couldn’t hurt someone that didn’t stand a chance against him. So he kept walking, and still reaching for him was Rintaro, watching with hazy eyes as Sho’s figure got further away, until it was gone completely.

A good minute passed before Rintaro was able to breathe properly again, and he stood in the alley, alone, and empty-handed. There was no mistake now. That boy was something else. Something far more deadly than any street thug or mob boss. Any person that went through what Rintaro just did, would cut their losses and not mess with such a beast again. But desperation can make fools of people, and Rintaro was one desperate young man.

Not daring to go home, in fear that his pursuers would find out where he lived, he had been roaming the streets, constantly observing his surroundings in search of safe spots to rest, and ways to sneak around whenever he saw familiar, unfriendly faces. He had been successful so far, but Rintaro couldn’t keep that up forever. Sooner or later, he won’t be able to evade his pursuers, and he had a feeling they had something worse than a beating in store for him.

But, Rintaro also thought of Sho, and his threat if he ever saw him again. He could tell from the look in those eyes that the red-haired boy was not joking.

“Knife to the ribs would hurt like hell,” Rintaro said, before chuckling to himself dryly. Given his options between a group of angry thugs, and one lone monster of a man, he was going to take his chances with the latter.

[toku-explained]

The Sword's Shadow

Heroes Odyssey: Not likely to cover every episode, but will cover this episode a little. Zero is talking about people, villains and defenders across the universes. All the heroes I saw listed below, but on with the episode. Zero still not admitting Zero is his apprentice, come on dude. Okay, Zero is talking like the events of Z are still ongoing here. I might not talk about this much until nearer the end, we'll see.

Hayata, Dan, Go, Seiji, Misuzu, Gen, Choichiro, Yamato-sensei, Ryoko, Scott, Chuck and Beth, Jack, Kai, Spark Lens, Reflasher, Gamu, Fujimiya, Katsuto, Genki, Seven 21's girl disguise, Ginga, Musashi, Julie, Maki, Himeya, Komon, Kaito, Serizawa, Sakomizu, Mirai, Jin, Rei, Ran, Nao, Taiga, Hikaru, Shou, Daichi, Gai, Riku, Leito, Asahi, Isamu, Kataumi, Hiroyuki, STORAGE, Haruki. So a couple of oddities, specifically the use of Misuzu instead of Kotaro, the not using Asuka even though Tsuruno Takeshi is definitely not a problem like Nagano Hiroshi's agency is, never mind I have learnt some stuff, and using all 3 of Zero's hosts and only one of Nexus' (counting The Next and Noa as separate). There's also stuff like not using Tsubasa, Amui or Yuuto or Tomoya, or not using Kazamori even though they used Jim, but that's less weird really. Okay

The Absolute Conspiracy: We're now set between Zero & Z Voice Drama and Z itself. In Tartarus' relative past he brought Reibatos to Future Earth, where he revives Bat Seijin. Bat Seijin concluded that with a heart Zetton could defeat the Ultra heroes, creating Uchu Kyoju Majin Zett. Later, the Tri Squad train on Planet Maijii, a high gravity world where Taiga and Titas had trained before meeting Fuma, when Zett appears. Taiga and Titas recognised him from when they faced another version on U40 and sealed him, probably referencing a Voice Drama scenario. Zett summons the Zetton Army, two regular Zettons, 2 Hyper Zetton, EX Zetton and, a modification of a Baltan Zetton fusion from around the same time as Zett on stage, Zetton Falx. The team struggles against them. At Ayaka City Ultrawoman Grigio is still fighting on behalf of her brother's against Zandrias and Noiseler, managing to drive them off. Zero arrives to recruit her, Grigio mentioning her brothers are helping in the hunt to stop Devil Splinters. Tartarus arrives on U40, noting it will be a problem for him one day. Joneus' quickly appears and Tartarus challenges him. After determining he will be a threat, Tartarus leaves, Zero arriving right after to ask for his help. The Tri-Squad continue to struggle against the Zetton Army until the sudden arrival of Galaxy Rescue Force members Andro Melos and Ultraman Ribut.

Saber: Is the rooftop near Fantastic Bookstore Kamiyama? I thought of it as being like, Kento's place, but we're still using it so I don't know. Mei's editor is now a Yeti Megiddo. Yuri has been in Avalon for a thousand years it seems, doesn't like the comic SwordXMan, which seems like he might be making a comment on the show itself? Anyway, we're finally going to Southern Base. A reminder to the fandom that the fact to us Reika is clearly evil, or at least lying, doesn't make the fact the Northern Base members took her statements at face value contrived. Rintaro is incapable of seeing flaws within Sword of Logos due to his past, but at the same time wants to believe in Touma, while Ren is against Touma for believing Kamijo about the traitor given Kamijo killed Kento. Ogami and Daishinji don't really know what's true, but will follow Reika's instructions for now. Yuri seems... intrigued? Confused? By Legeiel...have they met, or does he know Legeiel as someone else? Okay, defeating Yuki-san's Megiddo form seems to part complete the new Alter Book she's using, or rather it's just time spent, if it completes she'll be gone. In the next battle Yuri demonstrates his next ability as Saikou, producing Shadow to fight with.

Kiramager: More focus in finding the last Kanaema Stone, and what is up with Takamichi and Garza? Oh, Illusia, that's what. I knew the mention of a crescent would tie into Garza somehow. Takamichi has unresolved issues with Garza, brought about by Oradin interrupting the last Graduel, in a way Mabusheena doesn't. And yeah, that Garza was trying to kill him I suspected. Garza symbolically destroys the image Takamichi has of him ever being a loving uncle. Yodonna gets away with Illusia.

Dogengers: Yabai Kamen declares to the assembled members of AHK that with the treasure he has acquired, a Golden Seal, they will end the era of the heroes. In Fukuoka City Tanaka Jiro watches the news, which is interrupted by Shaberryman, who announces he is on the run from heroes, specifically Fukuokaken Fukuokaliber, a wielder of two swords and the politest hero in Fukuoka. Fukuokaliber had been active for 8 years, and Dogengers is the debut of his new costume, indeed the promo images all use the original. The hero asks Kitaqman for help, but he's too busy showing off a drink on his blog, Shaberryman then runs into workers for Yahata Construction, including the boss, along with their hero, Tengen no Yusha El Brave, a masked wrestler who now fights as a hero, El Brave is completely resistant to the attacks, and is aided by the workers in fighting off Shaberryman, who bemoans the company finances going down the drain when he's interrupted by the Yamashiro Gas Co. Sales Department Hero Division, Redron, Aoiron and Daidairon. Redron is polite and a little naive, Aoiron has something of a cool image and Daidairon is the curry lover. Yamashiro Gas Co. is actually based in Saga Prefecture, but has offices in Fukuoka. With permission from the company, the three are able to combine into Yamashiron, and defeat Shaberryman, and the crowds celebrate the heroes. Tanaka admires the heroes' strength. He's talking with his childhood friend, Yuki, who he last saw 17 years ago when he moved to Tokyo, they're making plans to meet soon. Both make use of Hero related stickers. On Nokonoshima Island the heroes are filming Hero House, during which we see Kitaqman's Kitaq Machine. The girls seem to be having fun. On the ferry back to the mainland to get lunch, as they arrive the city is attacked, and they're soon confronted by Yabai Kamen, some Karami, as well as the Arakuremono thugs who support the two members of Marou Project, Marou Kaijin Gulf and Marou Kaijin Gallia. Marou just means Evil Wolf, Gulf is the elder brother with an Osaka accent who loves to fight, Gallia is the cuter younger brother with a Tokyo accent. As Yabai Kamen demonstrates his power, explaining he took the chance to invade while they were on Nokonoshima, the heroes evacuate those nearby to the island before confronting the villains, but Yabai Kamen demonstrates his power further. Tanaka finds himself at the scene of the battle, watching. The heroes are able to defeat the Karamis, but Gulf and Gallia demonstrate they're also stronger, wiping the heroes out. Tanaka, remembering his childhood, tries to stand up against the villains, but his heroic speech never makes it out if his imagination, Yabai Kamen does offer him membership as an Arakuremono. Sending the Marou's off, he tells Tanaka he's Fukuoka's last hero, and gloats, before the arrival of Ohgaman, who swiftly defeats the Karami with his thermometer projectiles, leaving him ready to challenge Yabai Kamen one on one.

[shinsengumi-archives]

Okita Soji [shinsengumi-no-makoto]

Captain of the First Unit

Born - 1842 or 1844 in the Shimo-yashiki (lower mansion) of the Shirakawa clan in Edo.

           [The Shirakawa clan mansion was located in the Roppongi area of Tokyo.]

Died - May 30, 1868 in Sentagaya, Edo at either age 27 or 25.

          [July 19, 1868 in Sentagaya, Tokyo at either age 26 or 24.]

Names -

Imina - Kaneyoshi (Fusanaga)

Childhood Name - Okita Sojiro

It is generally considered that he shortened his name from “Sojiro” to “Soji” around the time he joined the others in the Roshitai. It has also been suggested that Kondo may have called him this for short. There are some who refer to him as “Soushi”, but this name is not correct.

Physical Description -

Okita had a dark complexion, broad shoulders which may have had a bit of a stoop, and he was lean even before his illness. He was also in reality not very handsome, having what is described as a “flatfish face”. In height he was much taller than is generally depicted, perhaps either 166cm or 170cm (5'6" or 5'7"). Considering that he was supposed to be taller than Hijikata, probably the 170cm estimate is more correct. His voice is described as having been high-pitched and thin.

This is far from the image of the “cute young boy” created by Shiba Ryotaro in “Moeyo Ken”. However it does not seem to have bothered the young ladies of Okita’s time one bit.

Personality Quirks and Traits -

It is said that Okita tended to eat very lightly and would even leave banquets early. There’s a possibility he had an unbalanced diet because of this. He was also known to have liked to drink, though perhaps not quite as much as some of his fellow Shinsengumi.

It was rare for Okita to become serious. When he did it was usually because he was involved in a fight. At such times he could be ruthless.

He was also known to have been short-tempered when training. Once inside a dojo his students feared him more than Kondo because of his strict and rough manner. He was very particular about swordsmanship and that made it hard for his students to please him. It is speculated that since he was so skilled, he may have had trouble understanding human clumsiness and weakness without ability.

For the most part however he was someone who was always smiling. In Kyoto he would always joke around and try to make everyone else laugh. Generally he was successful.

It has become legendary how Okita kept his sense of humor to the very end. Even in the final stages of TB Okita never lost his ability to smile, something for which he is still admired. The way in which he lived - and died - perhaps shows that the most powerful forms of courage are not to be found on any battlefield after all.

Family History -

Okita’s father was Okita Katsujiro, an ashigaru kogashira (foot soldier captain) for the Shirakawa clan at their lower mansion in Edo. He passed away when his son was only about four. About his mother, nothing is known.

He had two older sisters. The eldest was Mitsu, who seems to have raised Okita. She married Inoue Rintaro, who changed his name to Okita Rintaro. He was somehow related to Inoue Genzaburo and that probably explains how Okita later ended up at the Shieikan.

The second sister was Kin. She married a samurai from Edo. His name may have been Yoshihide Nagano and he may have been from the Mineyama province.

Before the Shinsengumi -

It is not known for certain in what year Okita was born. For a long time the year 1844 was accepted because this is what the family said. However a public document that recorded his entry into the Roshitai gives his birthyear as 1842. Because it was an officially recorded record, many now believe this was the correct year of his birth.

Family legend has it that Okita was born during either a terrible thunderstorm or during a solar eclipse. And it appears that there was indeed a solar eclipse in June of 1842, the year now most commonly given as his birthyear.

He was very close to Kondo from the time that he first joined the Shieikan, but his real relationship with Hijikata is not as certain. Probably the story that they were “like brothers” is exaggerated, but there is evidence that they were at least friendly with each other. At any rate Hijikata used to accompany him as his assistant when he would give lessons at the Sato house or in Onoji so that he could visit his relatives. This meant that the two had to be able to work together and spent a great deal of time in each other’s company at any rate.

Okita would often help the Sato family by cleaning the dojo for them, working in the garden, or running errands. He may have even been given “pocket money” by Hijikata’s sister, Nobu.

In the middle of July, 1862 and less than a year before joining the Roshitai, Okita became seriously sick with measles while teaching at the home of a student. This may have possibly weakened his immune system, making him more susceptible to the TB which would eventually claim his life.

Martial Skills-

Ryu - Tennen Rishin Ryu

Rank - Menkyo Kaiden

Teacher - Kondo Shusuke and Kondo Isami, Shieikan dojo

Okita is supposed to have joined the Shieikan when he was around the age of 9 [8], due to his family’s poor status. Considering which birthyear is used, this means he either joined in the spring of 1850 or that he joined in 1852.

He had a natural ability when it came to swordsmanship and it was said he could use a katana (Japanese sword), bokken (wooden training sword), or a shinai (bamboo training sword) equally well. There is a story that when he was around the age of 12, he defeated the fencing instructor of the Shirakawa clan. By the time the group went to Kyoto, Okita had reached full mastership of Tennen Rishin Ryu.

Like Kondo, Okita traveled all around the Tama area to give lessons for the Shieikan. One can speculate that many of his students did not look forward to these at all because of his strict nature as a teacher.

His famous personally developed technique was the “sandanzuki” or “three-part thrust”. This move involved a strike to the neck, then the left shoulder followed by the right shoulder. It is said that he could deliver these thrusts in very quick succession.

Another technique he favored was the “seigan” stance. In Tennen Rishin Ryu it started out with him holding the grip in front of his belly and the tip pointed at the opponent’s throat. He would then pull back his left shoulder slightly and move his left foot out so that he took a slanted stance. The apparent aim of this stance was to draw out an opponent by making him think he saw an opening, then delivering a quick thrust.

His Sword(s) -

Long Sword - Kiyomitsu Kaga - 74cm in length

Long Sword - Kikuichi Norimune - 2'4"2

The Kiyomitsu Kaga was described as being a very practical sword and was a blade that Okita very definitely owned. He was using this particular sword during the fight at Ikeda-ya, but the point broke off during the battle. He was probably never able to use it again afterwards.

The Kikuichi Norimune that legend says he owned is far more questionable. This was an extremely sought after and expensive sword that even many daimyo could not have afforded. If Okita did have such a blade, then it would have been a gift from someone very wealthy.

Some claim that the sword he actually owned was a Yamato no Kami Yasusada, made by a 17th century swordsmith in Musashi. Though it was a good deal less expensive than a Norimune, it was still a fairly famous blade and highly doubtful that he could have really owned one.

One of the reasons that no one can determine what sort of blade he really had was because it has been lost. There are several stories about what happened to Okita’s sword. One version has it that after his death, his sister Mitsu was going somewhere with it while riding in a rickshaw. She accidently forgot the sword when she got out and was never able to recover it again.

Shinsengumi Years -

Okita started in the Mibu Roshi as a captain and held this position until the start of the Boshin War, when his illness forced him to stop fighting. At the height of the Shinsengumi he was the Captain of the First Unit and a teacher of kenjutsu.

Aside from being a major joker, Okita is most remembered for playing with the local children at Mibudera. He was also one of the three strongest swordsman in the group, along with Nagakura and Saito. There is much debate on whether he or Saito deserves the title of the “The Strongest”.

During the raid at Ikeda-ya, it is said that Okita fainted from lung trouble. It is not clear whether this was the first sign of his having tuberculosis or if this was a different ailment. Once it was discovered that he was sick with the disease, it was kept a secret for as long as possible. However by the time of the Battle of Toba-Fushimi is had progressed to the point to where he was no longer able to fight. He had to wait with Kondo for them to return to Osaka and just before they left by boat for Edo, he was so sick that he was bedridden. He went to see Matsumoto with Kondo as soon as they arrived in the city.

There are at least two different locations where Okita was supposed to have been taken while trying to recover from his tuberculosis. One may have been the often referred to “tuberculosis hospital”.  

A more definite location is the house of one Uekiya Heigoro in Sentagaya, Edo, near the Ikejiri bridge. Looking out from the gate of the house, one could see the bridge. There were a lot of huge old trees at the time, one of them being a large cedar. On the far side of the stream, on the right-hand side was a watermill. This was considered to be a rather scary place after dark that was frequented by supernatural animals such as fox and tanuki (raccoon dogs). Okita was given a detached room looking out onto the garden.

When Kondo and Hijikata marched to Kofu, Okita was feeling well enough to go with them as far as Tama. He visited the Sato family and entertained everyone by doing an impression of a sumo wrestler’s stamp. However he took a turn for the worse soon after and had to be sent back to Edo.

During his final days Okita asked repeatedly about Kondo, but no one would tell him that the Commander had been captured and executed. Matsumoto is said to have tended him during this time, but it is very likely that the doctor was actually in Aizu by this time.

It is the story that says he was at the Uekiya house that mentions the episode with the black cat. Every day at the same time this creature would come into the garden and stare at Okita. On the day that he died, May 30, 1868 [July 19, 1868], Okita had made up his mind to kill the animal and dragged himself out onto the engawa (veranda) in the attempt. It was here that they found his body.

One reason why he may have wanted to kill it was because black cats were supposed to be omens of impending death for those with tuberculosis. There are many other superstitions though that might also account for his actions.

Okita’s grave is in the Roppongi area of Tokyo at the Senshouji Temple. This is very close to where the Shirakawa clan mansion he was born in once stood.

Love Life -

Matsumoto Ryojun was of the opinion that Okita was a “seidouji” or “the clean child”, meaning that he was a virgin. He was not alone in this thought and there are many who claim Okita never had any relations with women or that at least he did not associate with them very much. There are other accounts however, which would suggest otherwise.

The first woman problem Okita ever had is said to have  took place while he was still at the Shieikan. There was a young woman who was somehow connected to the dojo at the time and she did the cleaning and washing there. Her name and age are unknown, but she was said to have been a “spunky” woman. She took a liking to Okita and eventually told him she wanted to be his wife. His response was to decline, saying that he was still training himself. The poor girl was so shocked that she tried to kill herself by stabbing herself in the neck. However she missed hitting a vital point and did not die. She later married into another family with the help of the Kondo family.

Then there is the mysterious grave at Kouenji Temple in Kyoto which has a grave carved with the words “Okita’s relation”. The “kaimyo” belongs to a woman and she passed away ahead of him. (She may have been buried on April 26, 1867 [May 29, 1867].)

As far as can be known, Okita had no relatives at all in Kyoto. For this reason it is thought that she may have been his lover, but that she could not marry him for some reason. One rumor has it that she was the daughter of a doctor. (A separate story mentioned that Okita was dating such a woman, but that Kondo made him break off the relationship. Whether it has any connection to this woman was not clear.) Another legend about the mystery woman is that she bore Okita a daughter. Unfortunately there is no record of a child or what might have become of her if she did exist.

Perhaps she really was the daughter of a doctor and Okita was forced to break off their relationship by Kondo, which would explain why they could not marry. Perhaps by then she was already pregnant and died in childbirth, a common occurrence back in those days. One can speculate endlessly, but the woman at Kouenji Temple has carried her secrets with her to the grave and is unlikely to give them up now.

[banrisheaven-blog]

Gekidan Altair: Decision of the New Members!

Here comes Gekidan Altair 15th Short Story~

You can read Gekidan Altair’s short story 1 to 5 translated by Rai, so please, don’t hesitate to read their wonderful translations, and to thank and cheer on them ♥

Writer: Seki Ryouko (twitter)

Source: AnimateTimes

Translator: Eydol (twitter)

[Summary]

The auditions are over, and finally, the new members entering Gekidan Altair are decided. The restless current members are checking the profile of the successful applicant without delay...

 [Story]

Just after that Tatsuhiko opened the door of the meeting room, Yousuke, who was on the watch, stood up suddenly.

“You came, Tatsu~!”

It wasn’t only Yousuke.  All Algeki members were gathered and everyone was observing Tatsuhiko with an interested expression.

“Everyone, sorry for making you wait.”

“Seriously, I was tired to wait.”

Touma said without shame and laughed.

“Good work, Tatsuhiko! Then… Had it been decided?”

Tatsuhiko nodded to Rintaro’s interrogation.

“Yes, they decided the new members. From now, I’ll show you their profiles.”

“Ooh~!”

Unanimously, delightful voices rose.

“Finally, I wonder who was chosen. It’s a pleasure!”

“Itsuki, that’s good. As expected, I also wanted to be an examiner.”

“It’s okay. One day, Tomte will also guide you, Touma.”

“Eh, well…”

“Let’s chat after, please, hurry and show us, Tatsuhiko.”

With Hijiri’s urging voice, Tatsuhiko took out files from the tote bag on his shoulder, then spreaded the documents on the meeting place desk.

“The new members are those 7 persons.”

Leaning towards the desk, all the members paid attention to the documents.

“Ugh!”

“It’s Nobuaki.”

The first voices to rise were Izumo’s and Ritsu’s.

“Aaah… That guy, he seriously passed it…”

“Nobuaki is amazing.”

“This Azabu Nobuaki is an acquaintance of yours, Izumo, Ritsu?”

With a fed up face, Izumi picked the documents to Maki who was tilting his head:

“Look at the history career written here.”

“Transfered from Tsukipro Child actors department… Aaah, I see.”

“On the day of the audition, he contacted me and said “take care of me” because he was absolutely passing.”

Ritsu looked shy and exchanged a knowing smile with Izumo.

“Eh, it’s an amazing confidence.”

“I’ve blocked him right away.”

“...No, Izumo. Whatever the circumstances may be, it’s horrible.”

“Maki, you can’t say things like that when you don’t know his annoying positive thinking!”

 “Ah, this person!”

Rintaro’s surprised voice rose, and he pointed at the document.

“Please look, Itsuki. Kuramae Kazuki remains...!”

“Ah, really! That’s good, right, Rin.”

“By any chance, is it the one you said he applied because he admires Rin?”

“Right, right.”

“At this moment, I was really surprised…”

“Take care of him, Rin~”

“Yes!”

 “Ah, when Touma came with the documents, there was a precise selected person remaining. Err… Komagome Taiki?”

“Waw… He had such a feeling…”

“? What’s happening? By any chance, is he an acquaintance?

Hearing Itsuki’s question, Touma shook his head with all his strength.

“No no no! Never! No way! He isn’t!”

“Really…?”

 “Hey, Itsuki. The ascending model you were talking about, it’s that guy?”

“Ah, yes yes. Nagano Tatsuya. Hijiri, do you know him?”

“No… Likewise, even if I see his face, he doesn’t remind me someone. So it means that until now, he doesn’t have exposure.”

“Hijiri is harsh like always. But I’m a bit worried for him. He can feel close things around.”

“Ah? Close things, like Yuri…?”

“What do you mean? Don’t tell us this guy is a newcomer fairy…?”

Sakuya and Izumi exchanged glances quietly, and Yuri smiled with significance even more.

“Fufufu. It will be great to be able to meet him.”

“Stop it! It’s scary when you laugh!”

 “Hey, hey, I’m very interested by this guy!”

Saying that, Yousuke picked up one document.

“Look, he’s a former stunt man! Amazing!”

“Aah, Morishita Shozo? Certainly it seems he will get along with you.”

“Seriously? If Tatsu says it, I will expect it!”

 “Well, are you interested by someone, Mikado?”

Rintarou brought the subject in a casual manner, and thinking a bit, Mikado answered “That’s right” and pointed a document.

“This guy, Ryogoku Junpei. There’s a little feeling of enthusiasm. This honesty is pure, I’m interested.”

“Really? Let me see. Inside, he seems relatively simple, his special skills are kendo and violin and… There are a lot! He has the smell of the gently celeb!”

“To, Touma, Touma.”

“I see. It’s possible that his facial expression gives an effect and can be such a factor. If he could relax a bit, it would be good.”

While taking a good look at the documents, the chat kept being noisy.

(New members, huh?)

Observing the high spirited members, Tatsuhiko let out a tiny sigh.

Currently, they were 12 members. With the 7 person joining, they will be 19 in total. As a Tsukipro’s unit, they will be a large family group.

(If the number of people increases, then various things will increase too, huh?)

Serious things, and of course, fun things too.

(But, well, even if I worry before it starts, it can’t be helped. I should act right now without overthinking after all, that’s an important thing I learned.)

It was possible that the him from last year would complain “the leader bears a lot of responsibilities” to Yousuke.

(But all together, we didn’t change at all until last year.)

Insufficient parts were just room for growth.

Things you didn’t know meant your world could be expanded.

They knew that they would experience various things, and that their weaknesses would also get stronger.

So, right now, it was okay if they had expectations.

Then, the first thing he would tell them when they would arrive at the dormitory, what he would greet all the members with...

ーーThe place that aim the bright first star of the evening. Welcome to Gekidan Altair!

[thedviousone]

Have a Valentine’s Day batch of sketches!

Most of these are purely self-indulgent and are probably not canon in my fic. Also introducing more characters that become Sho’s team of persona users.