Chapter 509 - 175: Rescuing Sazanoko! (Part 1)

Chapter 509: Chapter 175: Rescuing Sazanoko! (Part 1)

Aoto repeatedly said "thank you," to which the ever-smiling Anthony replied just as frequently with "you’re welcome."

After expressing gratitude to Anthony, Aoto turned to thank Leroy.

Leroy had brewed them black tea today... but due to the fact that Saito and his team discovered the bearded man entering the pastry shop just as Leroy finished brewing the tea, Aoto and the others didn’t get a chance to drink it. Nevertheless, they needed to show some appreciation for Leroy’s efforts.

The "old" and "maid" in the "one elder, one youth, and one maid" trio had finished saying their thanks and goodbyes... Aoto turned his gaze to Elodie, who was now standing slightly behind Anthony.

Elodie had been fairly quiet from the start, speaking little, simply standing behind Anthony.

Upon noticing Aoto looking over, Elodie, sensing his gaze, lifted her small head to meet his eyes. She blinked her big eyes forcefully as if trying to calm her mind, and her pale hands discreetly clutched the fabric of her robe in front of her navel...

Noticing Elodie’s obviously different demeanor, Aoto couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow in confusion.

At that moment, Elodie took a deep breath and followed with a well-composed smile that carried a hint of maturity beyond her years.

"Mr. Tachibana, what a pity."

"I was hoping to play with you again after today’s lessons."

"It seems... I’ll have to wait until next time."

The fog of confusion that had clouded Aoto’s mind about Elodie’s odd behavior suddenly cleared.

Elodie’s words reminded Aoto of what Leroy had said to him about half an hour ago—

(Mr. Tachibana, thank you very much for playing with the young lady earlier.)

...

(The young lady... she’s been quite lonely since moving to Edo.)

...

(Today, having picked up the sword and played with someone after so long... she must have been very happy.)

...

Aoto scrutinized Elodie’s face carefully, and although she hid it well, he could still detect traces of loneliness in her brows and eyes.

It was rare to have someone to play with her, but now these people were leaving, and her spacious residence would be left with just her, her grandfather, and the maid... Aoto speculated that Elodie’s feelings were likely like this now, although he wasn’t certain.

Understanding why Elodie was behaving differently, Aoto’s cheeks relaxed, his lips softened, and his gaze and expression became gentle as his facial muscles eased.

"...I’m sorry, Miss Angoulême. I can’t play with you anymore today."

Aoto refrained from giving a long speech to this polite and charming little girl.

After apologizing briefly for having to leave the residence, Aoto stooped down, lowering his line of sight to match Elodie’s height, which was only 142 cm.

"Although I can’t say for certain when... I’ll continue to play with you when I have another opportunity and time to come here."

"Then, show me more moves from your thrusting swordsmanship."

Aoto’s tone wasn’t spirited... and his manner was very calm.

Yet, strangely, Elodie felt an unusual sense of reassurance upon hearing it.

The waves of loneliness that flickered in her eyes were largely dispelled by this newfound sense of peace that welled up in her heart.

She smiled.

Though Elodie had been smiling before, her current smile was completely different from before.

More natural? Friendlier?

Difficult to describe with specific adjectives.

If Aoto had to describe Elodie’s current smile in his own words...

It was a coy smile unique to girls her age, with a tinge of childish innocence... Aoto thought there couldn’t be a more accurate description than this.

"Then make sure to visit in the early morning or late afternoon!" Elodie said with a cheerful tone, half-jokingly, "Those are the only times I don’t have lessons!"

Aoto laughed heartily.

"Alright! I’ll do my best."

...

...

After escorting Hada Qilang and the archers, led by the bearded man, back to the Magistrate’s Office and processing a complicated but necessary series of tasks like transferring the suspects and reporting the day’s capture operation, the sun had already set below the horizon.

Aoto had done all he could.

Now, he could only wait for the professional team from the Prison Compound—the Action Officers—to extract information from these people.

Dragging his tired body, after a long, exhausting day, and returning with Saito and the others under the starry night, Aoto spent the remaining time of the day as usual at Shiwei Hall.

Having dinner, night training, and taking a bath at Qianxun House with Saito, Nagakura, and Harada...

However—just as Aoto washed away most of his fatigue in the hot water of Qianxun House’s bath, and carrying a wooden basin with his changed dirty clothes, soap, and other items back to Shiwei Hall... something happened that disrupted Aoto’s usual routine.

Just as the massive shadow of Shiwei Hall appeared within Aoto’s field of vision, he saw a familiar figure standing at the entrance from afar.

It was Chiba Shigetarou, who had a rather good relationship with Aoto.

Aoto saw Chiba Shigetarou standing outside the entrance of Shiwei Hall, anxiously speaking with the face-to-face Kondo and Chokata.

Kondo and Chokata wore particularly serious expressions.