Finally, at the strong request of the prisoner, the sentence was changed from one week's detention to 15 days' detention.
…
Half a month later.
Fourteen, who took Jiang Cheng out of the prison, looked at Jiang Cheng who still had a hopeless expression on his face and made an impatient sound.
"In short, don't always think about suicide. The world is also very beautiful, and there are many things that make people happy and worth looking forward to. Cheer up and live."
"I'm sorry, I... still can't accept the reality. Can you add Xing? The kind of detention until death..."
fourteen:…
…
Late at night in Edo, the lights are bustling, and it's a bit more noisy than during the day.
Jiang Cheng, who was walking aimlessly, came to a very impressive overpass.
Jiang Cheng stood in front of the railing, enjoying the refreshing sea breeze. There were no waves, and his gentle eyes stared quietly at the water that only occasionally stirred up a little bit of waves.
Behind him were the bustling, brightly lit high-rise buildings.
The sound of cars, people...it was noisy.
"I'm talking about you..."
Fourteen's voice came from behind Jiang Cheng.
"Huh?" Jiang Cheng turned around and looked at Shi Shi who had arrived at an unknown time.
Fourteen, who had just gotten off the police car, frowned, his face full of impatience.
"Didn't I just tell you that I want to live a good life? Why can't I think about it anymore?"
"No, I'm not that..."
"I know, I know." Fourteen lit a cigarette, then took out another cigarette and handed it to Jiang Cheng, "Follow me, after all, this is the job of the police."
"I don't smoke." Jiang Cheng declined, "Come on...what is it?"
Shiliu, who put away his cigarette and opened the car door, responded casually: "What else could it be? Of course I'm buying you a drink. You can just forget some things with a drink. Hey! Why should I invite the prisoner to drink? But... forget it. , only for today, and it just so happens that I also want to have a drink today."
…
In Kabukicho, because her husband passed away, only her mother-in-law was left running a small restaurant.
The mother-in-law at the counter looked at Fourteen who walked in with a smile on her face: "Ara, it's really rare to see Hijikata-san bring someone here."
"Ah, I met such a troubled person on the road, so I dragged him over. Huh! I have to give psychological counseling classes to people after get off work..."
Fourteen sat down at the counter and continued as if chatting with family: "Speaking of my mother-in-law, didn't the government issue a demolition planning notice some time ago? Why are you still opening a store? Could it be that the demolition funds have not been negotiated?"
"No, no," the mother-in-law said as she turned around to work. "The demolition money they gave me, mother-in-law, I can't spend in my lifetime. It's just... I want to work for a while longer until the last day."
"That's it..." With that said, Fourteen pulled out the stool beside him and motioned for Jiang Cheng to sit down, "It's good. I can get a large amount of demolition money, live in a bright building, and enjoy the rest of my life." Qingfu, you can even travel in the universe or something."
"Yes..." Mother-in-law smiled, "I didn't expect to have such a peaceful old age. Unlike that old man, mother-in-law, I have caught up with the good times."
"Indeed, what a good life..." After saying this with emotion, Fourteen fell silent.
Jiang Cheng could see that in addition to relief, there was also a bit of loneliness in Shi Shi's eyes, just like the eyes of the mother-in-law.
Jiang Cheng understood that it was not a matter of reluctance, but just something he was not used to.
Many people in this new era of peace are like these two people. It's not that they are reluctant to give up, but they are just not used to it. It's just because these people are at this juncture, and the sudden changes catch people off guard.
I believe that one day, in the next few years or ten years, the people of this country will be completely accustomed to their current life and to this safe and peaceful country where they don’t have to pick up a sword themselves.
Fourteen came back to his senses and turned to look at Jiang Cheng with a frown: "Let's talk about your situation. You want to commit suicide just because of such a trivial matter. You are really a person who cannot withstand a blow. Here. Mother-in-law, bring me all the wine I have stored here today. Anyway, this place will be closed soon."
Jiang Cheng twitched his lips reluctantly: "Then what...don't you still want to drive?"
"Throw it here first and let the patrols drive back later."
…
"Liu... Hijikata-san, do you like drinking alone in a place like this?"
Fourteen took the wine bottle from her mother-in-law and said while pouring the wine: "I have saved some good wine here. I don't like drinking with others, so I occasionally come here alone to have a few drinks.
It was true before, and it has not changed in this new era.
but…
It seems that this habit will have to change in the future.
No,
It has to change. "
"That's it..." As he said that, Jiang Cheng suddenly noticed something. He turned around and looked at the old TV that was playing news. It seemed to be a military parade.
Fourteen glanced back at the TV and said: "Now the police are the police, the army is the army, and the functions are completely separated. Do you see it? That is the "sword" of this country now. "
Jiang Cheng took the wine from Shi Shi and smiled softly: "Hijikata-san is also from the old times, right? Compared to the police, you may be more accustomed to serving in the army, right?"
"Ah, maybe so." Fourteen said softly, "But I always feel that no matter which side I am on, it is the same, it is all for the people of this country. So in the end, I chose a job that I am more familiar with. And, don't you think I Doesn’t it match the temperament of those soldiers?”
"Ah, indeed."
"This era is a good era. There is no need for people to pick up swords and fight for themselves, their families, and what they cherish. Living in such a new era is you and everyone in this era is lucky. So, don't stop You would commit suicide or something just for such a little setback."
"Ah, I understand." After responding, Jiang Cheng raised the small wine glass in his hand, "This wine is..."
Looking at the clear and translucent wine in the glass, Fourteen responded calmly: "A wine that a guy who doesn't know whether to like or hate likes to drink.
I don’t know whether I should toast him with a drink of the wine that the guy likes.
So I have kept it here since I bought it.
Thinking about it, I'm still no different from before. I'm still confused, even about this kind of thing.
As a result, in the end, that person still failed..."
As soon as he finished speaking, Fourteen was suddenly stunned, looking at the wine glass touched by Jiang Cheng, slightly absent-minded.
"It's really good wine." Jiang Cheng drank the wine in the glass and praised softly, then he bent his eyes and showed a smile, "Hijikata-san, there is no need to be confused about this kind of thing, right? I know that men are creatures like this. When someone is invited to drink the wine they like, few of them will refuse without mercy. And coincidentally, I also like this wine very much."
"Really," Fourteen shook his head with a smile, "You are really similar to that guy."
"Is he as handsome as me?"
"Who said that! It's just that the hairstyle and expression look similar!"
"It seems that I am more handsome."
"Well, he's really not good-looking, far worse than me."
Jiang Cheng:…
"A friend of mine once said that the fundamental reason why people in this country take up swords is that no one can protect themselves and the things they care about except themselves.
As a true king, you cannot just see the people working hard for the things they care about, but turn a blind eye to the shadow and helplessness under the sword in the hearts of the people. "
On the TV, Mao Mao, who was in a formal suit and talking with big dark circles under his eyes, was being interviewed. It was obvious that this leader of the new era should not have much rest time.
"Thanks to him, I was able to see the shortcomings of this country.
I have also been working hard to make this country a country where people no longer need to pick up swords.
The existence that the people cherish will no longer be left unprotected.
This country will be your treasure and your refuge.
From now on, the sword of this country will be for the people,
Keep guarding. "
"That's very well said..." Fourteen murmured.
"really…"
…
Seeing Shi Shi who was unconsciously drunk and sleeping soundly on the table, Jiang Cheng drank the last glass of wine and stood up slowly.
"Mother-in-law, wait until this guy wakes up and tell him, "Your preaching is really bad, and as a police officer, what's the point of initiating complaints yourself?"
Then…
The guy who wanted to commit suicide has probably regained his energy.
thanks for treatment.
goodbye. "
After saying that, Jiang Cheng turned around, opened the store door and stepped out slowly.
…
Denshi shop.
"Why are you here to drink if you don't have money? Get out!"
Along with the roar of Granny Denshi, a certain sunglasses were thrown out.
"What! You're too stingy!"
Hasegawa complained as he got up.
"I heard about it! This place will be demolished soon, right? You will become a rich man soon! Why are you so stingy? There will be hundreds of billions! What's wrong with you drinking some wine for free? ?”
"That has nothing to do with you! Don't come to the pub if you don't have money!"
"Hmph," Gintoki, who was sitting at the counter, said with a sigh on his face, "How about it's a new era? I didn't expect that Gin-san, who has always hated the eldest young master, would one day become a rich man. The eldest young master. I really complied with those words and became the existence I hate the most."
"What are you lamenting about!" Grandma Dengshi rolled her eyes and roared with popping veins: "It has nothing to do with you!"
"Mom, what are you talking about?"
"Who is your mother! Get out of here too!"
After that, a silver-haired natural curl was also thrown out.
"But it's indeed a good thing, they have become demolished households." Xin Bajia, who was sitting in front of the counter, said with a smile.
Kagura on the side was gnashing her teeth: "Tch! Why is the demolition area just in front of my house? It's obviously just a little bit close that my house will also be demolished, Aru!"
Xin Baji asked: "But what will Grandma Dengshi do after receiving such a large sum of money after the demolition?"
Granny Denshi held a cigarette between her fingers and said casually: "What else can you do? Enjoy your old age, buy a big modern house, travel to the universe and so on..."
"Mom, actually the universe is full of radiation, which is not good for your health."
Gintoki came to the front desk and sat down again with a serious look on his face.
"Who is your mother! Get out of here!!"
(End of chapter)