It was already twelve o'clock when we returned to the apartment.

Today's working hours were still too long, and they were busy from morning to late at night, so Emiya asked the crew to take a rest after having a supper prepared by the location team who came down in advance. Tomorrow's shooting time will be postponed by two hours.

But even though he told others to go to bed early, Emiya couldn't fall asleep while lying on the bed.

There is only one reason for his insomnia, and that is Okita Koji's performance tonight, which really surprised him.

As a supervisor, Emiya could still see that Okita Koji was different from those cheating Chosen Ones.

She really relied on her own strength to express the role.

Because of this, Emiya was surprised.

It has only been a few months since Okita Koji came into contact with this circle. Most of the time during this period he was still idle... That's not right. From that time on, Koji must have been learning something intentionally or unintentionally...

Thinking about these things, Emiya tossed and turned in bed, staying up until one o'clock in the morning before slowly falling asleep.

There are three days left until July 17th.

During these three days, the work of Emiya and the entire crew was not easy.

The plot has entered a very important stage. As Himura Kenshin and Yukiyoba have heart-to-heart conversations again and again, the relationship between the two becomes more and more complicated.

On the other hand, Katsura Kogoro, one of the leaders of the Choshu Domain, was also thinking about a problem.

Will his, or rather the desire of the entire reform forces, and the dirty work of killing people lead Heimura Kenshin to a state of madness?

The sword is a wild sword. Without a suitable scabbard, it will only lead to tragedy.

——

The first year of Yuanji, Kyoto.

The weather during the plum rain season is always changeable. It may be sunny one second, but it may be drizzling the next second.

Yukidaiba stood in front of Kenshin's room.

The dark eyes reflected Kenshin who was sleeping with a pile of books on his pillow and a sword in his arms.

Only then will hatred show in her eyes.

However, Xuedaba quickly hid his emotions, turned around and left the door.

When he came back, he already had a light blue shawl in his hand.

Kenshin after falling asleep is completely different from Kenshin at ordinary times.

It was only at this moment that Xuedaba suddenly realized that the executioner in front of him, whose hands were stained with blood and could cause a bloody storm, was actually just a child younger than himself in terms of age.

Wrap the shawl around Himura Kenshin.

Yukidaiba sat quietly aside, staring at Kenshin's face for a long time.

At this time, the scar on the left side of Kenshin's face seemed to remind her.

"Even children...can kill."

She had tried countless times to pull out the dagger she carried with her, but she couldn't swing it without any scruples.

Xuedaba's heart is extremely tangled, and those eyes that seem to be able to express endless sorrow are more vividly reflected in front of the camera.

So when she reached out to touch the scar on Kenshin's cheek, all the crew members present who were temporarily serving as audience trembled in their hearts.

Because Xuedaba in the play knows the origin of the scar very well, and also understands why the scar cannot heal for a long time.

The moment Yukidaiba's fingers came close to touching the scar, Kenshin, who noticed the different aura, suddenly woke up from his sleep and subconsciously grabbed Yukidaiba's extended palm.

Then relying on instinctive reaction, the blade was unsheathed.

But soon, Kenshin realized who was in front of him. The moment the cold sword edge approached his neck, he shook off his tightly grasped palm and pushed Yukidaba away.

"boom."

The moment he lost his center of gravity, Xuedaba subconsciously wanted to grab something to maintain his balance.

However, in her right hand, there were only a few stacks of books.

With a few muffled sounds, the book and she fell to the floor.

Looking at this scene, Kenshin gasped, unable to calm down for a long time.

Having sworn not to take action against civilians, at that moment he burst out with almost uncontrollable murderous intent.

Kenshin's mind was in chaos.

He forced himself to calm down and apologized for his actions just now: "I'm sorry."

Pick up the scabbard on the ground and sheath the knife at the same time.

A light blue, very familiar shawl hanging on his left hand came into view.

"The weather is getting a little cold, and you're sleeping by the window again..."

"sorry!"

Himura Kenshin apologizes again.

This time he was apologizing for ruining someone else's good intentions.

The room was quiet, except for the raindrops outside the window, which made a 'tick-tick-tick' sound as it dripped on the roof tiles.

Xuedaba asked while packing up the scattered books: "Have you read all these books?"

For a boy of Kenshin's age, at this time, it would be best for him to study in a private school or something like that...

However, Kenshin's next light words destroyed all her illusions.

"No, I haven't read any of them." Himura Kenshin said calmly: "It's just right for sleeping, so it's just there..."

This era is like this. The vast majority of people live in confusion. Among them, there are very few people who are educated and literate. As for those who have read poetry and books, let alone those who have read poetry and books.

Xuedaba didn't want to say anything, after all, this was a fact she couldn't change.

But Kenshin's next words made Yukiyoba feel surprisingly angry, and she didn't even know the reason for this anger.

"The executioner needs no knowledge!"

"Do you plan to continue killing people like this in the future?"

Xuedaba asked again, his tone was not calm, and he was no longer as indifferent as before.

"The one who can't find a safe place to stay is actually you. You can't sleep without holding a knife..."

Himura Kenshin didn't reply immediately.

If he had followed Seijuro Hiko's teachings and stayed in the mountains, he would have had many opportunities to find a place to live.

This lifestyle is just his own choice.

Himura Kenshin picked up the book, and there happened to be a top placed underneath.

Seeing this top, Kenshin was stunned for a moment, and then suddenly felt relieved.

"I have been like this since I was a child. I have also seen other people being killed with my own eyes."

"So, you plan to keep doing this from now on..."

"This kind of job shouldn't last long. Besides, there's no need for you to worry about me."

Himura Kenshin silently took back the top.

What can you give up for your ideal?

Although it is not ideal, I just want to complete one thing and save the common people of this era through this thing, so even if I risk everything, including my life, it doesn't matter at all.

"but…"

Yukiyoba's unspeakable tone was blocked by the light blue shawl that Kenshin pushed in front of him.

"I am an executioner who brings about bloodshed. I don't want your things to be stained with the smell of blood again."

Listening to the familiar words coming from Kenshin's mouth, Yukiyoba understood that this was the best and strongest way to refuse. The young man in front of him no longer wanted to continue talking to her.

Silently accepting the shawl, Xuedaba regained his indifferent tone, and after leaving a word, turned around and left.

"Please see that I'm meddling in other people's business. Your way of living is something I still can't understand. Sorry for bothering you."

"Miss Ba..."

There was a shout from behind, and Xuedaba stood there and looked back.

Himura Kenshin stood by the window hazy in the light rain, gently closed his eyes, and spoke softly with an extremely gentle tone that was completely unlike an executioner's tone.

"Thank you."

At this moment, Xuedaiba seemed to see the young man again who only let down his guard and showed his true colors after falling asleep.

The figure of the executioner covered in blood and the figure of the young man with tender brows in front of him overlapped and gradually blurred, making it impossible to tell which one was the real him.
Chapter completed!