That ferocious look was gone.

The passionate tone disappeared.

That tough attitude disappeared.

At this time, Sanako's expression was filled with a sense of tragedy, which made people feel heartbroken and felt like she would burst into tears at any time. Her tense face was full of uneasiness, and her eyes looking at Qingto seemed to be seeking support.

"The moment... I saw... you were defeated by Rakshasa... Rakshasa raised his sword... and prepared to kill you... my mind went blank..."

"At that time...there was nothing else in my mind except 'saving you at all costs'..."

"Even now... I still remember this... tortured... annoying feeling as if there was a big stone pressing on my chest..."

"I've never had such an experience before..."

"I don't know what's wrong with me...but I'm sure...I don't want to see you get hurt...let alone die...!"

Sanako's voice was trembling, her words were incoherent, and her vocal cords were vibrating harshly.

Even though she was holding back her tears, she still pretended to be firm and looked at Qingdeng with a tense expression, like a child trying not to cry, like a paper doll that would be damaged by the slightest touch.

The unvarnished and naked sincere emotions pierced Qingdeng.

"Miss Sanako..."

The light call oozed out like a murmur.

Without any warning - Qingden stretched out his arms and gently hugged Sanako in front of him.

One of his hands moved up from her waist and hugged her shoulders, while the other hand rested on her waist. His head hung down and his chin rested on her hair.

Sanako clearly felt Qingden's breathing... As if she had lost her spine, her waist slumped, her body suddenly shrunk, and her entire upper body melted into Qingden's arms.

Just like that...she was frozen by the warmth that enveloped her.

"I'm sorry for making you worry."

Qingdeng did not make any long remarks, nor did he say anything special.

Just a mediocre apology.

However, the moment Qingto finished speaking, the atmosphere surrounding him and Sanako changed.

"..."

Sanako opened her eyes wide, and her eyes were immediately filled with tears, and the big teardrops fell down one by one and fell to the ground.

"Woo...Woo...Woo..."

She was crying and wiping her tears in embarrassment.

His face stained with tears lacked his usual beauty and heroic spirit.

"Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu..."

She struggled to hold on, not wanting to show her vulnerable side in front of Qingdeng, but she didn't hold on for long before she was defeated by the emotions that surged into her heart.

"Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu""

Finally, her voice began to break down.

Tears flowed down in front of Qing Deng like a bursting dam.

Swallowed by emotion, she buried her face full of tears deeply into Qingdeng's arms as her heart overflowed.

Sadness, fear, nostalgia... countless emotions, as well as other indescribable things, were forcibly transmitted from Sanako's body into Qingto's heart.

The cry of pain was muffled in Qingdeng's chest.

She hugged Qingdeng and used strength with both hands, as if she would never let go of Qingdeng.

Completely ignoring his own image and completely ignoring the two sisters who were still standing aside.

It should be said that she had no intention of paying attention to her own image from the beginning, and she had no time to care about the eyes of her two sisters.

At this time, it seems that Yamato Nadeshiko's reserve cannot completely block the emotional waves in her heart.

"Don't go..."

Sanako's voice was blurred by tears, and she probably couldn't even hear what she was saying.

"It doesn't matter even if you hate me... don't leave... come with us to Yokohama..."

"If I hate you...wouldn't it be too difficult for me?"

Qingden hugged Sanako tighter in his arms.

"I'm sorry...but I really have to go. I have unfinished business. I still have things I need to finish."

"Tachibana-kun... go to Qingshui Residence now... you will really die..."

"Even if I die, I want to see with my own eyes how far I can persist."

After saying that, Qingto moved his hands that had been wrapped around Sanako's back in front of him, and gently held Sanako's face.

"Miss Sanako, you don't have to believe that I have figured out a way to defeat Rakshasa, but there is only one thing. I hope you can believe me."

"Eh...um...?!"

A comfortable touch suddenly covered Sanako's lips.

It was just a light touch, but magma-like heat erupted in an instant... This was true for both parties.

After a long time, the lips parted.

"That's what I want to say to you."

Sanako raised her beautiful eyes, her wet eyes flashing with complex emotions, surprise, strong sadness and pure love...

"Tachibana-kun...um...!"

As soon as he started speaking, the rest of the conversation was interrupted by a cry of pain.

She didn't even have time to struggle, so she closed her eyes uncontrollably and fell limply into Qingdeng's arms.

Qingden expressionlessly withdrew his right palm, which resembled a sword, from the back of Sanako's neck, picked up the unconscious girl in a princess hug, and turned to walk towards the two sisters.

"Miss Sashige, senior, please take care of Miss Sanako."

Yae nodded vigorously and took Sanako from Aomori's arms.

"Well, even if I die, I will protect Miss Chiba and Okita-kun!"

"That being the case, I'm relieved."

After taking one last longing look at Sanako in front of him and Souji in the carriage, Aomori got on his horse.

At this time, Shazhong walked slowly to the horse's head.

"Mr. Orange, weren't your swords cut off by Rakshasa? Do you really don't need me to lend you a weapon?"

"unnecessary."

Qingden shook his head.

"I know a place where weapons are kept... and a lot of them."

"In this case, I won't say anything more."

Shazhong turned sideways and got out of the way.

"Mr. Orange, I wish you good luck in martial arts."

"Well, I also wish you a safe and early arrival in Yokohama."

Qingdeng smiled slightly, then tapped the horse's belly with his heel, driving the horse to gallop into the distance.

The two sisters stood still, watching the tall figure drifting away.

"elder sister……"

"What's up?"

"Isn't this really good if I don't stop my juniors?"

Yae turned his head and cast an uneasy look at Sae beside him - what he looked at with this mood was a face with mixed emotions.

"Is there any reason to stop a man from running into battle?"

…

…

Edo, suburbs, Mount Kikyo——

Qingdeng drove his horses straight towards the top of the mountain along the road he had traveled before.

The gurgling sound of the waterfall can be heard in the distance, and bursts of roaring are interspersed from time to time.

The night wind blows, the waves blow, and the looming mist constantly changes into shadows of different shades.

The surroundings were filled with twilight and darkness.

The woods, the low bushes, the owls standing on the branches, the familiar hot springs... Qingden flew past without looking at it.
To be continued...