My Gang of Swordsmen

Chapter 625: Chapter 2: Chokata Toshisuke Urged to Get Married [1W Burst Update]_3

”Miss Matsui’s hand is so small, so delicate, so soft. It feels like if I used just a little more force, I could snap her hand.”

”Oh my... I feel quite embarrassed... I actually touched her hand...”

Saying this, Kondo raised his hands. His right hand passed in front of his throat, gripping the back of his neck, while his left hand crossed his front chest, hugging his back. His cheeks flushed red, twisting himself into a ball, wriggling slightly like a maggot. In this state, it seemed he wished to find a crack to crawl into immediately...

A near-thirty-year-old, robust man with the build of a gorilla was blushing and embracing himself because he accidentally touched a girl’s little hand... This truly opened Aoto’s eyes.

While having his eyes opened, Aoto also gained a deeper understanding of Kondo.

I never expected this broad-browed, square-eyed guy to have such a pure side!

Aoto couldn’t help but sigh: Kondo Isami and Hijikata Toshizo, these two sworn brothers, are indeed amusing.

The former accidentally touches a girl’s little hand and becomes so shy and excited as if wishing to throw himself over his shoulder.

The latter, however, seems to have enough girlfriends to form two soccer teams against each other.

In short—after the first meeting with Matsui and seeing what she looked like, Kondo never objected to the matchmaking and marriage again.

Kondo fell in love with Matsui at first sight, and Matsui and her family were also very satisfied with the tall, robust, and distinctly samurai-looking Kondo.

Since both families were quite pleased with each other, everything that followed was a matter of course.

Mid-June, the heads of both families resolved to forge a union through marriage.

On July 5th, Kondo and Matsui officially got engaged.

The wedding for this couple was scheduled for September 1st.

In recent days, under Abi’s request and supervision, Kondo had to squeeze out at least two hours daily to practice the wedding rites.

After all, practicing how to get married counts as painful yet somewhat joyful training... probably.

The Red and White Battle with Xuanwu Hall on August 20th.

Kondo and Matsui’s wedding ceremony on September 1st.

The upcoming month is bound to be lively and busy at Shiwei Hall.

...

...

That night—

Shiwei Hall, dojo—

Aoto stood alone in the center of the empty dojo.

Casually standing, Aoto swung a bamboo sword with one hand.

While familiarizing himself with the length and weight of the bamboo sword, which felt slightly unfamiliar due to the long time since he last wielded it, he stretched his arms and waist muscles.

Once he felt his arm muscles were sufficiently warmed up, Aoto took a deep breath, gripped the bamboo sword with both hands, and assumed a standard middle stance against the air in front.

Whish—! Whish—! Whish—! Whish—!

The empty dojo echoed with the sharp sound of the sword slicing through the air.

Aoto swung his sword swiftly, practicing the Cut Return.

Cut Return: One of the basic moves of swordsmanship practice. It involves a frontal slash, followed by slashes to both sides, repeatedly.

Aoto practiced until he felt his breathing become slightly rapid, then slowly brought the sword to a halt.

”Body’s quite stiff...”

Aoto grinned forcefully, raising his hand to massage his arms.

The day before, following Beifang Ren’s medical advice of ”returning for a physical check-up every seven days,” Aoto visited Ren Medical Hall.

Beifang Ren is truly a good doctor, always thorough and never negligent in Aoto’s check-ups.

After meticulously examining Aoto’s body from head to toe, Beifang Ren displayed a relieved, satisfied smile.

”Mr. Tachibana, your recovery ability is truly amazing. Your body has completely healed, and there’s no need to return to Ren Medical Hall for further check-ups.”

”Can I exercise my body and practice swordsmanship like before?”

”Of course. You’ve recovered, feel free to train your body and hone your sword skills!”

As his body had recovered, Aoto began his physical rehabilitation.

Having enjoyed over two months of leisure without handling a sword much, Aoto’s body had become frighteningly stiff.

It would take some time to regain the feel of holding a sword and rejuvenate the muscles to their former vitality.

Right now, Aoto was in the process of rehabilitation.

After powerfully massaging his shoulder muscles and resting briefly, Aoto again assumed the stance of holding a sword with both hands, steadying the bamboo sword before him.

Just as Aoto was about to practice the ”cut downward” from the beginning, sudden footsteps came from the dojo’s entrance.

Familiar footsteps.

As light and lively as a little dog’s trotting.

Having lived in Shiwei Hall for nearly eight months, Aoto couldn’t possibly mistake it.

”Mr. Chokata, weren’t you going for a bath?”

Without turning his head, Aoto accurately called out the visitor’s name.

”Hmm? Mr. Tachibana, you could tell it was me.”

”How long do you think I’ve lived here? I’ve memorized everyone’s footsteps.”

Aoto chuckled silently, putting away the bamboo sword, and turned around.

At the dojo’s entrance, Chokata stood holding a wash basin filled with towels, soap, and change of clothes in his arms.

”Today, for some reason, even at this hour, there are still quite a few people bathing at Qianxun House.” Chokata smiled helplessly, ”So, I had to come back for now.”