Beach. Everyone has been working so hard lately so why not take a break and enjoy the beach? You can make sand castles, play in the water, and there are even umbrellas for those who'd rather just relax in the shade. There's a nice row of water melons ready to be smashed later in the day and when the sun goes down, that's when the sparklers come out.
Suffering. It's the hottest time of the year and the citadel doesn't have central air conditioning. The few air conditions that were installed have given up on life after being used so much and now, we really have to make do with what we can while the Konnosuke try to fix it. There's a limited number of fans, plenty of ice cream to go around, and the citadel should be built to circulate air, right? ... Right?!
Spooks. In Japan, summer is a time for horror. Gather around the camp fire and hear some spooky ghost stories or maybe head out into the woods just outside the citadel for a good ol' fashioned test of courage. It's all good, harmless fun! Of course, with so many spirits gathered in one place, what's to say a stray or curious outsider spirit won't join the mix...
Rain. Summer is also known for sudden and torrential downpours of rain. The clouds always seem to grown and darken suddenly and the next thing you know, it's raining sheets and the ground is shaking from thunder. Once it starts, it never seems to stop. Maybe you were caught out in the rain or maybe this is day 7 stuck inside.
Other! It's summer and there are tons of things to do. Go to the general store and stock up on ice cream, wake up in the middle of the night uncomfortable with heat, or run around screaming because cicadas are dying and flying at your face.
[Ichigo is roused from his thoughts and looks over with a smile.]
Ah, good afternoon, Kashuu-dono! [He glances at the hydrangeas.] Well, they are hardier than they look and this is their season, so I think they should survive. Were you looking for me for something?
I guess... They bend pretty far, huh? They kinda remind me of camellias.
[Though of course, by contrast, camellias are known for their heavy blooms snapping at the base of the bud... Maybe that's why he's worried about these.
At the question, his shoulders rise a little, nonchalant.]
Nah, not really. I just wanted some fresh air. It's starting to get suuuper stuffy inside since we've had to keep the windows and doors closed for so long, y'know?
Yes, they are quite resilient to the rain. Camellias? Do you like camellias, Kashuu-dono?
[Ichigo lets out a little laugh at that.] I can understand that. I came out for a break as well. My brothers are getting very restless with being indoors all the time... Fortunately, it is now their nap time.
[For as much as he loves them, taking care of so many children for such an extended period of time does take its toll on him...]
They're really pretty, but they're supposed to be bad luck, too.
[For samurai, at least... Not that he's particularly keen on truly fussing over all of humanity's many superstitions. He'd age at a rate of 100 years a minute if he tried keeping track of all of them.
He also gives Ichigo a sideways glance at the mention of his ten million brothers, something vaguely akin to sympathy briefly in his face. He's definitely not on Ichigo's level of babysitter expertise, but he sure has to keep an eye on Certain People sometimes...]
It's pretty amazing that you have the energy to keep up with all of them in the first place. I mean, especially since you're like, one of the most reliable swords in the Citadel and all.
[He's sure people come to Ichigo for all sorts of things at all times! What a busy life...]
[And he also has to try to keep a certain Tenka Goken under control now that they’ve been reunited and decided to continue living as spousal swords.
He lets out a little laugh.]
Well, I suppose I’m just used to it, though Yagen has also been of great help in looking after the others. [He is a little surprised at being called one of the most reliable though and blushes lightly at the praise.] You are much too kind, Kashuu-dono.
'Cause when the bloom falls, it looks like a head that's been cut off. ...That's what humans say, anyway. Pretty gross, huh?
[Humans and their obsession with decapitation... Funky lil dudes. He seems pretty blase about the whole thing, but perhaps that's unsurprising.
He also waves away Ichigo's humble reply, scoffing just a little. Not at him so much as at their entire mess of a citadel.]
It's just the truth! Yagen's super helpful, too, but have you seen the mess some of these guys around here make? Without swords like you around, this whole place would have been destroyed ages ago.
Ah... I see. That’s a shame for they look so beautiful in the snow. [Well, that’s kind of ruined camellias for him.]
I’m glad that I’ve been able to help. I hope none of my brothers have been contributing to the mess... If they have, please do tell me and I shall discipline them immediately.
[That's what he's here for! Ruining camellias... apparently. Either way, with another hapless shrug:]
They still look pretty, I think.
[He's not particularly fussed by Gruesome Things, though... Also, it's incredible to see Ichigo remain in Big Brother Mode™ even when his million siblings are napping.]
They don't really cause any trouble, so you don't have to worry about that. Swords like Kanesada are waaay more of a handful.
[Big Brother Mode is so deeply ingrained in him that he couldn't turn it off even if he wanted to... Also, he is the protector of his family's reputation, so he needs to make sure his brothers are all behaving properly at all times.]
I am relieved to hear that. [Ichigo, though loving, can be a very strict parent. He rarely loses his temper but when it does, it's his brothers' worst nightmare...]
Kanesada-dono...? What type of trouble does he cause? [He's never personally interacted with him as he already has too much on his own plate to worry about what the other swords are doing... But now he's wondering if Kanesada is someone he should keep his brothers away from.]
[Everyone should keep anyone at all away from Kanesada, he's a menace to society on a whole.
Except he's not actually that bad, and Kashuu's punkass grin probably says that he's just being a Rude Bully to a degree. Perhaps a largeish degree! It's fine, they're all Shinsengumi swords, bullying is how they express affection.]
Oh, y'know. He just sorta talks before he realizes what he's saying, that kinda stuff. And if you catch him out for being totally wrong, you really have to fight with him to prove it! It's pretty funny.
[Unfortunately, Ichigo is always rather serious, so he's not completely sure whether Kashuu is really just joking or not... His brothers aren't that rowdy at all, at least not in front of him. They are usually on their best behaviour when he's there, as no one wants to be the target of Ichi-nii's disappointment and disapproval.]
... fight him to prove he's wrong? That doesn't sound funny at all, Kashuu-dono. Will he not listen to reason?
[To be fair, even people who know Kashuu well have trouble telling when he is or isn't joking. It's a true skill, honed through years of being a punk to the core and previously owned by a man who is also a punk to the core.
He waves a hand, apparently unbothered by what Ichigo finds at least mildly concerning.]
Eh, I mean, he can. It's just that that guy's head is seriously as thick as a rock, so reason only gets through like, half of the time.
[Isn't he just describing the entire Shinsengumi...]
Don't worry about it, he'll be fine once he can get back outside and burn some of his energy off. Probably.
[Well, there's definitely a generation gap or two or several going on here as Ichigo can't really understand these younger swords. Maybe that's why he prefers to hang out with grandpas (especially of the Heian variety) or children/his brothers. At least he's now besties with Shoukudaikiri who's actually around his own age and they are similar in many ways too.]
[Being an old and tired sword must be a struggle of an existence, honestly. Being a young sword is also a struggle with all these grandpas milling around...]
Hey! Don't throw me in there. [Except Ichigo is entirely correct.] What's "all of you" supposed to be, anyway?
[That is when Ichigo knew he really was dealing with a child. A stubborn child who is difficult to reason with... but he is going to try anyway, for now. Who knew that these younger swords were harder to deal with than actual child swords...]
[The curse of being younger in age than the swords that look like actual kids...
That said, maybe he would have slightly easier to handle if he wasn't young and a former sword of the Shinsengumi. Unfortunately, he was dragged into this world with zero chill and left it with zero chill.]
Y'know! Like... play-fighting? Just whacking someone around a little isn't actually beating 'em up.
[Said like a true member of Okitagumi. Try as he might to hide his colors, they still shine through...]
[It's questionable that gumi swords even know what the actual meaning of play-fighting is... But Kashuu's going to take this as a win anyway, just nodding along.]
Right, see? If he was doing something stupid enough to get himself in trouble for real, Horikawa'd handle it, anyway.
[Ichigo nods. He doesn’t really pay much attention to what the gumi swords do (he already has enough to worry about), but even he has seen and heard Horikawa following Kanesada around, so it checks out?]
It’s good that Horikawa-dono is around to keep an eye on him then. [Then after a pause.] Horikawa-dono is rather fond of Kanesada-dono, isn’t he?
[There's a tiny huff of a laugh in response, and he nods without pause.]
You could say that. Those two have always been super close. ...Well, it's not like you can expect anything else from a pair of partner swords, yeah? [Considering he himself is very much the same way with his own, and he wasn't even made for Yasusada or vice-versa in the way Kanesada had been for Horikawa.]
It's not exactly the same kinda thing as having a million little brothers to look after, but they definitely have each other's backs no matter what.
Hah, nah. But I mean, you'd think they might be with the way they act sometimes, right? [A PUNK LAUGH.] I don't think I know any actual spousal swords.
["With the exception of you", is what the glance he sends Ichigo's way afterward says... But he doesn't deal with all these older swords and their incredibly complex relationships and has only heard about the Vague Spousal Sword Connection through the citadel grapevine, so he moves on with a shrug.]
Hijikata commissioned Kanesada to match Horikawa, so it's like that.
[D-Don't look at him like that! You're making him blush!]
I see. So they are literally made for each other. That sounds really nice actually.
[Then he looks away slightly, feeling bashful. He's not ashamed, just embarrassed. A lot of things have happened in the last few days since he arrived, and turns out Mikazuki really really missed him a lot and is not at all shy about showing him just how much he's missed him...]
Well, spousal swords do exist... You're standing next to one.
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Ah, good afternoon, Kashuu-dono! [He glances at the hydrangeas.] Well, they are hardier than they look and this is their season, so I think they should survive. Were you looking for me for something?
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[Though of course, by contrast, camellias are known for their heavy blooms snapping at the base of the bud... Maybe that's why he's worried about these.
At the question, his shoulders rise a little, nonchalant.]
Nah, not really. I just wanted some fresh air. It's starting to get suuuper stuffy inside since we've had to keep the windows and doors closed for so long, y'know?
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[Ichigo lets out a little laugh at that.] I can understand that. I came out for a break as well. My brothers are getting very restless with being indoors all the time... Fortunately, it is now their nap time.
[For as much as he loves them, taking care of so many children for such an extended period of time does take its toll on him...]
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[For samurai, at least... Not that he's particularly keen on truly fussing over all of humanity's many superstitions. He'd age at a rate of 100 years a minute if he tried keeping track of all of them.
He also gives Ichigo a sideways glance at the mention of his ten million brothers, something vaguely akin to sympathy briefly in his face. He's definitely not on Ichigo's level of babysitter expertise, but he sure has to keep an eye on Certain People sometimes...]
It's pretty amazing that you have the energy to keep up with all of them in the first place. I mean, especially since you're like, one of the most reliable swords in the Citadel and all.
[He's sure people come to Ichigo for all sorts of things at all times! What a busy life...]
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[And he also has to try to keep a certain Tenka Goken under control now that they’ve been reunited and decided to continue living as spousal swords.
He lets out a little laugh.]
Well, I suppose I’m just used to it, though Yagen has also been of great help in looking after the others. [He is a little surprised at being called one of the most reliable though and blushes lightly at the praise.] You are much too kind, Kashuu-dono.
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[Humans and their obsession with decapitation... Funky lil dudes. He seems pretty blase about the whole thing, but perhaps that's unsurprising.
He also waves away Ichigo's humble reply, scoffing just a little. Not at him so much as at their entire mess of a citadel.]
It's just the truth! Yagen's super helpful, too, but have you seen the mess some of these guys around here make? Without swords like you around, this whole place would have been destroyed ages ago.
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I’m glad that I’ve been able to help. I hope none of my brothers have been contributing to the mess... If they have, please do tell me and I shall discipline them immediately.
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They still look pretty, I think.
[He's not particularly fussed by Gruesome Things, though... Also, it's incredible to see Ichigo remain in Big Brother Mode™ even when his million siblings are napping.]
They don't really cause any trouble, so you don't have to worry about that. Swords like Kanesada are waaay more of a handful.
[Why must he bully the actual baby.]
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I am relieved to hear that. [Ichigo, though loving, can be a very strict parent. He rarely loses his temper but when it does, it's his brothers' worst nightmare...]
Kanesada-dono...? What type of trouble does he cause? [He's never personally interacted with him as he already has too much on his own plate to worry about what the other swords are doing... But now he's wondering if Kanesada is someone he should keep his brothers away from.]
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Except he's not actually that bad, and Kashuu's punkass grin probably says that he's just being a Rude Bully to a degree. Perhaps a largeish degree! It's fine, they're all Shinsengumi swords, bullying is how they express affection.]
Oh, y'know. He just sorta talks before he realizes what he's saying, that kinda stuff. And if you catch him out for being totally wrong, you really have to fight with him to prove it! It's pretty funny.
[FOR EVERYONE BUT KANESADA.]
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... fight him to prove he's wrong? That doesn't sound funny at all, Kashuu-dono. Will he not listen to reason?
[He just can't condone bullying.]
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He waves a hand, apparently unbothered by what Ichigo finds at least mildly concerning.]
Eh, I mean, he can. It's just that that guy's head is seriously as thick as a rock, so reason only gets through like, half of the time.
[Isn't he just describing the entire Shinsengumi...]
Don't worry about it, he'll be fine once he can get back outside and burn some of his energy off. Probably.
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... do all of you behave like that?
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Hey! Don't throw me in there. [Except Ichigo is entirely correct.] What's "all of you" supposed to be, anyway?
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You and your peers. But you just admitted not long ago that you enjoy beating Kanesada-dono up....
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Yeah, but not like, seriously. [There's a difference, clearly!!] And only when he does something to deserve it.
[Which, as far as Kashuu is concerned, is quite frequently.]
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... how do you not ‘seriously’ beat him up...?
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That said, maybe he would have slightly easier to handle if he wasn't young and a former sword of the Shinsengumi. Unfortunately, he was dragged into this world with zero chill and left it with zero chill.]
Y'know! Like... play-fighting? Just whacking someone around a little isn't actually beating 'em up.
[Said like a true member of Okitagumi. Try as he might to hide his colors, they still shine through...]
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[Well, his brothers do play-fight after all. Even if their play-fighting is probably a lot less violent than the play-fighting the gumi swords do...]
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Right, see? If he was doing something stupid enough to get himself in trouble for real, Horikawa'd handle it, anyway.
[That's not his jurisdiction.]
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It’s good that Horikawa-dono is around to keep an eye on him then. [Then after a pause.] Horikawa-dono is rather fond of Kanesada-dono, isn’t he?
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You could say that. Those two have always been super close. ...Well, it's not like you can expect anything else from a pair of partner swords, yeah? [Considering he himself is very much the same way with his own, and he wasn't even made for Yasusada or vice-versa in the way Kanesada had been for Horikawa.]
It's not exactly the same kinda thing as having a million little brothers to look after, but they definitely have each other's backs no matter what.
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[Because, you know, the words ‘spouse’ and ‘partner’ can be interchangeable!]
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Hah, nah. But I mean, you'd think they might be with the way they act sometimes, right? [A PUNK LAUGH.] I don't think I know any actual spousal swords.
["With the exception of you", is what the glance he sends Ichigo's way afterward says... But he doesn't deal with all these older swords and their incredibly complex relationships and has only heard about the Vague Spousal Sword Connection through the citadel grapevine, so he moves on with a shrug.]
Hijikata commissioned Kanesada to match Horikawa, so it's like that.
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I see. So they are literally made for each other. That sounds really nice actually.
[Then he looks away slightly, feeling bashful. He's not ashamed, just embarrassed. A lot of things have happened in the last few days since he arrived, and turns out Mikazuki really really missed him a lot and is not at all shy about showing him just how much he's missed him...]
Well, spousal swords do exist... You're standing next to one.
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