Taboo of Tarot Page #3

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"Commander Kondo

returned from Hiroshima.

"A banquet in his honor

was held that evening.

Delicious.

Kyoto sake is the best there is.

The Choshu clan is feigning loyalty

to the emperor and the shogunate.

But they've got a secret agenda.

They're arming for combat.

The shogunate is too weak.

They should attack now,

smash them, occupy the land,

before it's too late.

But, Commander Kondo,

last year,

Choshu served

the isolationist cause,

combatting foreign invaders.

Every patriot praised their valor.

Do you support isolationism?

Yes, of course.

Then you should be

more tolerant with them.

Foreign cannons being,

unfortunately, more effective,

in coastal areas,

Choshu batteries were wiped out.

And you believe

the shogunate should eliminate

an already suffering clan?

A samurai does not behave that way.

A samurai does not behave...

You mean that it's beneath him?

Exactly.

A true samurai is distinguished

by his sense of forbearance.

Or, to put it more simply,

by his mercy.

I know what you meant.

I'm sure you do.

As our journey progressed

you understood me better and better.

Hijikata...

I assure you, Hijikata...

What?

Well that... Commander Kondo...

the more he saw of the deplorable

situation in Choshu,

the more his opinion changed.

I believe our commander

is the only one to restore order

to the reigning confusion in Kyoto.

Is that so?

What's your opinion?

About this issue.

It doesn't interest me at all.

Excuse me.

I'm glad to see you again.

I thought you were laid up.

I was ashamed to face you,

but I changed my mind.

You've been apprised?

In a general way.

I apologize for the deaths

and injuries caused

by my blundering.

Your injury?

I fell from a ladder.

How is Kano?

No damage to that prettyface?

Whywere you coaching him?

Do you, too, have that leaning?

Not at all. But...

But?

I'm beginning to see

how certain men can be unsettled.

Sozaburo...

I wouldn't do that.

Sozaburo, are you that much

in love with Tashiro?

Why?

Even with me?

you remain somehow attached to him.

Leave him.

I can't.

He keeps clutching?

Not really.

Then why?

I'll kill...

you...

No, not you.

Lieut. Commander, it's Yamazaki.

Is it that urgent?

One of our men has been killed.

I'm coming.

Right here.

The one who found him

recognized the uniform.

The magistrate notified us.

Who was it?

I'll go see.

He's from the Tenth Unit,

his name is Tojiro Yuzawa.

Fatal wounds to the back and belly.

Yuzawa?

"I've met him somewhere.

- The murderer?

- No one knows.

We thought it was

a Satsuma or a Tosa,

but there was an eyewitness.

They're easy to spot.

And it wasn't one of them.

Then who was it?

One of our own, I fear.

Did Yuzawa have enemies

within our ranks?

I'll find out.

I wonder if he leaned that way.

Leaned which way?

A lover of men.

It's common practice

where he comes from.

But from the way he looked...

Nothing yet. Sorry.

It's getting late.

We'd better get back.

I'll bring you some tea.

About Sozaburo Kano...

Sozaburo?

Is he the lover of one of our men?

Who do you mean?

Besides lnoue of course.

Hijikata, take care of this.

Take care of it?

Kill him?

Do you have no pity?

Kondo,

you're not in love with him,

are you?

Toshi, you misunderstood me.

I didn't say kill him.

I'm merely suggesting

you talk to Yamazaki,

have him acquaint Sozaburo

with women.

That's all I'm saying.

Why does he still have those locks?

lsn't he old enough to cut them?

I'll do my best.

"Why are we both

"so indulgent with Sozaburo?

So I take him

to the geisha district?

That's right.

But with what money?

The militia can hardly afford it.

His family must provide for him.

This is foryou.

Kano.

Sgt. Yamazaki.

How are you healing?

Can you wear the mask now?

- Yes.

- Glad to hear it.

How about a drink, to celebrate?

Want to go to Shimabara tonight?

No, l...

Don't be so stiff.

It's time you had a little fun.

It would do you good.

I'm busy tonight.

With who?

Tomorrow then?

No, l...

Kano!

He turned down all my offers.

All of them?

- Very amusing.

- Why?

Sozaburo

must be afraid

you're making advances.

I have no such intention.

Be patient.

I have no doubt

he and Tashiro are lovers.

And many have courted him.

Yuzawa, Takeda...

Gunpei Yomo.

And there are others.

It must disgust him to think

you're doing the same thing.

Win his confidence with kindness.

He's still just a baby.

That's not much of an excuse.

Kano!

I'm busy.

ALL THlNGS COmE TO THOSE WHO WAl

ABOUT ONE mONTH LATER...

- About Yuzawa...

- Yes.

What?

He courted me.

So he too had that leaning.

And did you consent?

Never. Of course not.

Who are you involved with?

Nobody.

You're involved with no one?

I have no doubt, personally,

that Sozaburo and Tashiro

are lovers.

It's you I love.

You're mistaken about my intentions.

I'm not making any proposition

of the kind.

I'm only trying

to show you the pleasures

of being with a woman.

And that is Hijikata's wish as well.

For you future.

Do I have a future?

Don't you think about that?

Why does a rich man's son

join the militia?

To have the right to kill.

Kano, come to Shimabara tonight.

Captain Takeda, too.

He courted you as well?

Don't confuse me with them.

Lieut. Commander Hijikata,

I give up.

Consider it a militia assignment.

But...

You're a lucky man!

Sgt. Yamazaki...

Would you take me to Shimabara?

I'm free tonight.

Really?

I must make one condition.

I want it to be clear.

We're going for the girls.

I know.

Then we're on for tonight.

Yes.

No, don't...

What?

Nothing.

A girl who's gentle and kind.

I have what you need.

No, I want the best.

The best?

He's a son of the Echigoya's,

of Oshikoji.

- Him?

- You know him?

By reputation. In that case,

I will reserve

Shimabara's best girl for him.

I see. For a son of Echigoya,

but not for a samurai.

Not at all.

It's both together.

And for you, Yamazaki?

No one.

I'm coming only as chaperon.

I'll drink sake,

in a separate room.

As you like.

Did you strap break?

Put your foot here.

Can you walk?

more or less.

Should I call a palanquin?

No, don't...

Palanquin!

To Shimabara, Wachigaiya's.

I'll be back.

Thank you.

Come in.

There you are.

We've been expecting you.

This way.

There you are.

Where is Omatsu?

I'll bring you tea.

No tea. Sake.

Listen.

I've already told the boss.

Sozaburo Kano, who's with Nishiki,

has already been with men,

but never a woman.

This is his first time.

A tough case.

I trust you'll see to it

that all goes well.

I'm not staying.

I understand your request.

Has Sozaburo Kano

returned this morning?

About two hours ago.

Sgt. Yamazaki,

it was a catastrophe.

He made such a terrible ruckus.

He kept asking for you,

and he wouldn't speak to the girls.

We finally calmed him down,

put him to bed.

But he left without doing anything.

I'm sorry.

I think he reallywanted

to sleep with you.

Deplorable.

Why not sleep with him tonight?

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