Hakuouki Tsukikage no Shou - Okita's Route Ending 3/3 (Spoiler Alert)
Note: Quick summary about the new CGs (excluding those from common route). I try to be as accurate as possible with my limited Japanese. Apologies in advance for any inaccuracy.
October of Meiji 5th Year.
It had been 4 years since the last battle of the former Shogunate's army. Souji and Chizuru lived deep in the mountain, away from society, so they only heard intermittent news regarding the war.
One day, Souji was following Chizuru to go shopping at a nearby village, although usually she was the only one who went as she worried about his status, and also about his physical condition that required him to have more rest.
As she was checking with him again if it was really alright, Souji again insisted on coming along with her and saying that strangely, living in the Yukimura Village made him feel better. It was fine for him to occasionally go out with her, he then added that this might be the last time he could go out. Chizuru was stricken by his ominous words. Souji said he was only joking, but she said that she was being serious, and began to wonder how long would their life together last, could it be tomorrow, in a month, or maybe a few years. She was well aware that one day she had to say goodbye. Souji then quickly apologized for saying this kind of joke as he knew that he had made her sad. He asked if she would cry after he was gone, and if she would hate him. Chizuru said that she would never hate him no matter what he did, afterall, they had survived those difficult days only because they had been supporting each other.
They continued their way to the village where Chizuru usually shopped, and Souji commented that nothing much had changed there since the Tokugawa reign. She replied saying because they were in the countryside so there shouldn't be much changes although the name had changed from Shirakawa domain, it was now Fukushima Prefecture.
Chizuru told him to still be careful just in case his face got recognized, but Souji laughingly said that the people who knew his face were all dead in the war. Moreover, he didn't think that the SatCho army would be present in a remote place like this. However, later on he mistook some people for being from the SatCho army.
On their way back, they passed by two men who were talking about the new Government's pardon, specifically they were saying that the Shinsengumi had also been pardoned. Both Souji and Chizuru continued to walk in thoughful silence, but afterwards Souji finally asked if she had also heard the two men earlier talking about the fate of the Shinsengumi. Realizing what he meant, Chizuru told him to wait there while she quickly went after the two men to ask for more information.
A little while later she returned, not knowing what to say to Souji. He offered a guess that Hijikata-san was dead. Chizuru was surprised that he had guessed correctly, but Souji said that he had known Hijikata-san for such a long time that he just knew it. At first glance, Souji appeared calm, but Chizuru knew that various thoughts and feelings were swirling inside him. Souji then said that he needed to think, and would it be alright with her if he wanted to be alone. Chizuru was worried about him, but couldn't refuse him when he requested again, so she made her way home alone.
Much later, Chizuru had finished making dinner, but there was no sign of Souji having returned home. Night had fallen and he still had yet to come back. She was worried but thought that he couldn't have just disappeared, and decided to go look for him. She found him not too far away from their home. He was looking up at the sky, his pale figure illuminated by the starry night sky, making him appear as if he wasn't a real person and that caused her to hesitate to call him.
Souji turned towards her and apologized for making her worry. Chizuru told him that it was fine as she knew that he had known Hijikata-san since he was a kid, and she still remembered how he had reacted towards Hijikata-san when Kondou-san died.
Souji asked Chizuru to tell him properly about everything that the two men had said to her earlier.
After they parted ways that night, when Souji confronted him regarding Kondou-san's death, Hijikata-san had led the soldiers to Hakodate to continue fighting. There, he fell victim to the enemy bullets. After the war, the former Shogunate military personnel and the Shinsengumi soldiers were severely punished. Among the former Shogunate army, the Aizu clan was one of the most being punished heavily.
After Chizuru finished relating this information to him, Souji replied that it was all over, everything. And Hijikata-san, he really died. Souji then sighed, adding that he thought even if Hijikata-san had survived the war, he wouldn't have survived the new government. Chizuru was quiet, so Souji continued that Hijikata-san would have wanted the kind of ending (death) that he had gotten as in the end, he continued fighting battle after battle, while carrying the Shinsengumi's name, their Makoto flag, and also Kondou-san's thoughts. Chizuru agreed that Hijikata-san, who carried all of the Shinsengumi, was trying to be a samurai until the very end.
Souji then wondered aloud about the fate of Saito and Nagakura, and he thought of Heisuke who had become a fury earlier than him would probably be dead already. He gazed at the stars, thinking about the past, then he closed his eyes. He said that he probably would be the next one to go join Kondou-san and the rest.
Chizuru couldn't bear to listen anymore and grabbed his hand, but Souji apologetically requested to have more time alone.
This time, without hesitation, Chizuru chose to refuse to leave him alone. She insisted that she wouldn't let him be alone at a time like this, and even for the rest of their lives, she wouldn't let him be alone. She would be there for him. No matter how much time passed and how quick the world changed, her feelings for him would never change. She had decided to always be by his side until the last moment.
Souji looked surprised upon hearing her admission. A short silence flowed between them before Souji finally said that being together until the last moment meant that she would see him die. Would she be prepared for that day?
Chizuru noted that it was a very cruel question. She shook her head and replied that she was not ready yet, and she couldn't do it. A breeze blew past them, and Souji patted her hair that was blowing in the wind. He apologized again for saying terrible things. It was because he loved her that he couldn't help but caused her trouble, and he thought about how she would live after he was gone.
He reached out to her, and she took his hand. She could feel what it was that he was seeking even though he didn't really say it.
And they kissed. Chizuru had always felt happy during the five years she had spent with him. Their days had been peaceful, and she was afraid that the last day would finally be coming. The warmth of his touch, the sweetness of his kisses, would they someday become things that could not be recovered anymore?
Tears trailed down her face. Even though she knew that she shouldn't cry, but she couldn't stop the tears from flowing. She felt happy everyday, so she really shouldn't cry. Still, this happiness wouldn't last forever.
Souji: Even after I die... I don't want to give you to someone else. I want you to be happy, but even then...
Chizuru: I can't be happy with anyone else other than Souji-san.
That was my true feelings. I don't think I'll ever be able to meet a man who can understand me like this. After losing both my father and twin brother, I only have Souji-san.
Moreover, I believe that Souji-san's illness would surely heal. I've heard that the British and French medicine is far more advanced. And also because it's a new world now, I'm sure there'll be better medicine. I know there's no basis to it, but it gives me comfort, and I want to believe it.
I will not give up on Souji-san's life until the very last moment.
Souji: That's true. You're right. I never thought there would be a time when a sword would not be needed. Maybe a miracle will happen.
I remember how Souji-san would describe himself as the Sword of the Shinsengumi, but in this new world, there would be no need for him to keep battling.
There may be miracles that will cure his illness in the future, so I will not give up living with him until the last moment.
Souji: I love you, Chizuru. I'm really glad to have met you.
Chizuru: I feel the same way too.
Then, under the starry autumn night sky, our lips meet again.
P.S. Is it just me or does his hand look gigantic in these CGs? I miss the older illustrations, the newer ones feel different. Also, what is it with the bleak theme throughout Okita's whole route? Sigh...
Can I headcanon that afterwards they will pray for Hijikata-san's soul, along with Kondou-san's and their other fallen comrades' to rest in peace, and ask them to bless Souji and the other surviving members elsewhere with good health and longevity? No need to be in a hurry to reunite with their fallen comrades, they should take their time to find and fulfil a new goal/ way of life in the new world instead.
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