That night——
Edo, a certain restaurant——
To celebrate Aoto's victory in the Swordsmanship Competition, following the "Red and White Battle" of the Plum Blossom Festival, Zhouzhu once again generously booked a room at a certain restaurant and hosted a lively celebration banquet.
Since Zhouzhu is footing the bill, everyone let loose, eating heartily, drinking heartily, and enjoying themselves together without restraint.
Glasses clinking and laughter abound.
Aoto has been very busy lately, with the ongoing campaign against the "Radical Anti-foreigner Faction," making official matters seem endless, resolving one issue only for another to appear, and truly has not relaxed properly for quite a while.
Thus, tonight Aoto temporarily unloaded all burdens, completely emptied his mind, and joined Kondo, Hijikata, and the brothers in a bit of revelry.
