Hakuouki SSL (Sweet School Life) ~ Episode 4

Hakuouki SSL (Sweet School Life) ~ Episode 4 [The One I Should Protect], Runtime: 25 minuntes

Kyoto, 1864

The episode recaps the same night of the rescue of Chizuru, who was taken hostage by a group of ronin, by the Shinsengumi.  They rush down the street and stop when their leader gives a signal.
"This is the place," says Hijikata .  "This is where those criminals are hiding."

They storm inside.  "The Shinsengumi have arrived!"  (TN: Will never tire of this shot....)

Hijikata:  Even if it costs me my life, I will protect Yukimura....  I will definitely protect her!

Saito: This is something the Shinsengumi must do....

Heisuke:  Chizuru....  I'm going to rescue Chizuru!  I absolutely will... I will get you safely out of here!

Chizuru:  If we existed in some other time different that this one... would our fates be any different?

Harada:  Any bastard who dares harm Chizuru, don't care who the hell ya are, we will not forgive you!

Harada drives his spear into someone, making a squishy sort of sound.
"I told you, don't worry!" says someone in the background.

Okita: My precious Chizuru-chan...  yes...that's right... that's why... that's why...

"Chizuru-chan," he says gently when he sees her trapped in a corner behind Heisuke.  "Let me protect you."
He leans over the railing to Heisuke.  "Take Chizuru-chan out of here first."  (TN: Wut? But you just said---)
"I know!" says Heisuke, but he seems to be struggling with his much bigger opponent.  He turns to Chizuru.  "Go!"

Chizuru finds her legs and dashes behind him, heading towards the door.  She is startled when she sees another ronin charge at Harada with a loud battle cry.  She suddenly forgets to run.
(-___-)

Harada turns to see someone approaching her.  "Look out!" he shouts.  All the members of the Shinsengumi pause at the urgency in his voice and watch in horror as someone stabs her with a kodachi.   (TN: don't know why he chose his short blade, but maybe he was disarmed earlier? Or maybe a katana would be overkill... But who stabs a girl in a sword fight? She's not armed!)  The thrust takes her breath away and she is too shocked to scream.  (O_O )

Everyone in the room freezes.  She gasps for air.
Harada viciously slices her assailant in half.

Modern Day, 2015

On a wall of Hakuo Academy a sign reads [ 7 days until the Cultural Fair!]  The students of Class 1-1 discuss their plans as Ryunosuke takes charge of the meeting with Harada-sensei watching on.
"The inside of the cafe will be decorated.  Let everyone confer how they're going to do it, but make it a little more feminine."
"Like how a guy thinks a girl's room should look like?" (TN: b/c you've never been in one, virgin?)
"I'm sure there are differences of opinion on that topic between guys and girls," Chizuru says doubtfully.
"So tomorrow let's confirm the idea one more time," suggests the class representative.
"Oh, one more thing," she presents her sketch pad to them.  "For the maid costume, let's go with this."

Flashback to the last episode where a half naked Hijikata was advising her on the specs for the dress.  (TN: In RL, Hijikata Toshizo was known around Kyoto to be very well dressed.... maybe he's channeling his inner Tim Gunn)
"It's good!  It's good!" say the guys in unison.
"So we don't upset members of the Disciplinary Committee I changed it up a little bit.  I can make this."
"Then, we leave it to you," says another classmate.  "If we made it, it might look a little weird."  They all laugh together.
"It'd be really ugly," laughs another.  He points to himself, "This is also really ugly."  Everyone laughs again.  (TN: Japanese comedy)
"I can also make everyone else's costumes," Chizuru volunteers.

Harada interrupts, "Even though I don't think there's anything wrong with this costume design, but just to be safe,  we should run this by the Disciplinary Committee advisor, Hijikata-san."  She hands over her note pad to Harada-sensei.
"Thank you very much," she smiles.  Her smile is infectious and he smiles back at her.

It's evening at the Yukimura residence and Chizuru brings a serving tray into her room for her friends.
"Here are your snacks!"
"Thanks so much, Chizuru-chan," says Sen.  (TN: Sen-hime was a demon princess of a Kyoto based clan.  Her clan is in tact and her lineage as old as Yukimura Chizuru's.  Chizuru is the princess of a fallen demon clan)
"Sorry to put you through the trouble," the other girl adds.
"Don't worry about it," says Chizuru.  "I haven't seen you two in such a long time, Sen, Kosuzu.  I'm really happy!"  (TN: Kosuzu is Ryonosuke's love interest in both the anime and the Reimeiroku game)

"How's life at a private academy?" asks Sen.
"Yup.  The teachers and students really look after me," replies Chizuru.
"But getting back to the point, Chizuru-chan," says Kosuzu, "doesn't Ibuki-kun attend Hakuo Academy?"
"Yes.  He's in my class."
"REALLY?" she shouts.  "Then, do you have his picture??"
"Picture...?  Ah!  I have a group photo of our class."  She reaches over to her phone and opens up the home screen to reveal Harada and her classmates posing.  "There he is," she points.

"That's him!  Ibuki-kun!" smiles Kosuzu.
"That's your sensei?!  He's so cool looking!" exclaims Sen.
"Chizuru-chan!  Next time invite me over to see Ibuki-kun, won't you?"  Chizuru is speechless.  Sen changes the subject.
"Actually, we were harassed by a band of ruffians a while ago.  But Ibuki-kun, who was just passing by, took care of them quite decidedly.  It was this guy, Ibuki-kun."
"Eh...this Ibuki-kun?" points Chizuru.
"Even though his legs were trembling something fierce at the time," adds Sen.
"That just goes to show he's a courageous man, doesn't it?" asks Kosuzu.  She turns to Chizuru.  "Come on!  Chizuru!  Pretty please!"
"Eh, heh, heh, heh...." Chizuru laughs nervously.

Back on the roof of the school Heisuke is making short work of some Pocky sticks.  He STILL can't get over the fact that Hijikata walked Chizuru home.
"UGH..." he sighs in frustration.  "If this continues it's gonna be all weird.  But even now I can't seem to stop it."

He sighs.  Someone sighs after him.
He turns to see Nakagura sitting on a bench further away.
"Shinpachi-san?"
"Right now for the first time I actually regret being a teacher," he laments.
"Why do you say that?"
"My class is hosting a haunted house event for the school cultural festival."
"Ah, Shinpachi-san, you've had this phobia from a long time ago."  Nakagura sighs heavily.
"But, is this something normal people would regret being a teacher over?"
"To be worried over something like this... another wouldn't be able to take this seriously."  He walks over and takes his Pocky. (TN: The nerve!)

"Hey!"
"Scoot over."  Nagakura sits next to him.  "What's wrong with you?" he asks.  "Sitting alone here sighing to yourself.'
"Eh?'
"Heisuke," says Nagakura frankly.  "Is something bothering you?"

Meanwhile, Chizuru is reading her notes and making her way down the stairs at school.
"I need to go to the marketplace to buy the materials.  Would they sell plastic boards though?
As she's talking to herself a voice booms out.
"My bride," says Kazama.  She turns to see him at the top of the steps.
"Kazama-senpai!"  HE makes his way slowly down the steps.
"After dining together, we meet again, my wife."
"Dining...?"  She thinks back to the time he sat in front of her for lunch.  "Oh, you mean in the cafeteria!"

"I heard your class is going to present a maid cafe."
"Uh..um, yes, that's true."
"So you must be wearing a maid uniform?" he asks.
"Yes, I will."
Kazama smiles.  "Then let me give you one."
"Huh?"
"Listen to me with pleasure.  Let me give one to you, one worthy of my family name my bride will inherit; the most exquisite maid uniform."
"Ummm..."
"In exchange," he takes her hand.  "Let me be the only one to see you wear it."  (TN: kinky....)  He leans in.  "Do you understand?"

She just stares at him blankly.

"Kazama," calls out Shiranui.  He and Amagiri appear at the top of the steps.  "Don't go running off like that."
"We have searched long for you," says Amagiri.  "If we are to finish the Student Council work done on time, it would be a hardship."
"Don't get in my way, you guys.  Once they hear the news my bride was going to be wearing a maid outfit, all the boys will be squirming in their seats."

"Um..." Chizuru interrupts.   "Though it makes me grateful that you would be so considerate..."
"Isn't it, though?!" Kazama exclaims happily and rushes up towards her.  "Chizuru, my bride... be my exclusive maid."  (TN:  Rated "M" for Mature...)
"I can't," she answers politely.
"What?"
"This is my homeroom's event, so it's wouldn't do that only the Student Council president gets to see it."  She bows.  "I'm sorry!"

Kazama looks like he's about to cry and his minions carry him off.
"That's too bad, Kazama," says Shiranui.
"Let us depart, Kazama-sama," says Amagiri.

"Yukimura," calls out Harada-sensei from the top of the stairs.
"Harada-sensei!" she greets.

Back on the roof, Heisuke is trying to explain himself.
"It's not really bothering me," he says to Nagakura.  "It's just something that I can't seem to think through."
"Is it one of those problems where you don't understand it, so nothing is clear kind of thing?" asks Nagakura.
"Yeah, that feels about right."
"So it's like that.  It might be better to stop thinking about it at all."
"Stop thinking?"
"You're the type that acts intuitively rather than spends his time thinking about it, right?  When you're anxious, the more you think, the more frustrated you become.  That in turn brings about more troublesome things, and that causes more agitation.  That's how it is."
"Yeah.  Truth," says Heisuke.

Nagakura gets up and smacks him on the arm.
"That hurt!"
"Although I don't know what it is in particular, just try going with your gut.  Compared with haunted houses, I still like being a teacher.  Hahaha.  I'm out."  He walks off.
"Sure," says Heisuke, feeling better after their "man talk."
"It's no use if I keep moping about it," Heisuke says to the sky.

In the faculty office, Itou-sensei is designing a poster for the school festival.
"Is Harada not here?" asks Hijikata as he enters.
"Ara.  If you're looking for Harada-sensei, he said he had to step out for a bit.  He just left in fact.  Why, what's up?"
"Nothing really.  I just wanted to discuss the modifications to the maid cafe uniform."  He looks down at Chizuru's sketch and it seems Harada drew a pair of gym pants on the maid.  O_o

"Ah, I heard Harada-sensei's class wanted to present a maid cafe stand.  If Yukimura-san wears a maid uniform I'm sure she'd look very cute."  He says it almost jealously.  Hijikata seem uncomfortable and instead looks down at the sketch.
"Itou-sensei," says Hijikata, "it seems the program is almost ready."
"Ara, before I am an art teacher I am an artist," Itou responds. "No, I am an artist."  (TN:  Itou uses the word "artist" in English as a pun on the word "artist" in Japanese) "I would never do anything halfway."
"I recall last year someone couldn't make it in time and completely missed the Hakuo festival..." begins Hijikata.  "Who was that?" he asks menacingly.

Itou gets on his hands and knees and begs for forgiveness.  "Forgive me, Hijikata-san!  This year I, Itou Kashitarou, will absolutely, with complete devotion, wholeheartedly complete it.  Please wait a bit longer, sir!"  He strikes a pose (TN: he freezes on the ground in a pose) and Hijikata just walks away without a word and before Itou notices he's already left.
"What...?"

Harada and Chizuru go shopping at the outdoor mall together for supplies for the event.
"Thank you so much for helping me!" Chizuru says.
"It's nothing.  But seriously, you bought a lot of stuff," says Harada, holding several bags himself.
"Is it all related to the maid uniform?"
"No, not all of it.  The bags you're holding have to do with the interior decorations."  (TN: Why are they making Chizuru do all the work?)  "Ibuki-kun will come with me to get the remaining table settings and related paraphernalia."
"I see.  Then, I guess I'll take these back to school.  You can go ahead and go home."
"Is that ok?"
"Ah, see you," says Harada.  She bows and starts to head off when she hears a loud crash down the side street Harada just took.
"Ouch!"

"Omigosh!  Are you alright?" asks Chizuru rushing to his side.  He's spilled out the contents of his bag all over the floor.  "Are you alright?" she asks again as they gather the items from the ground and accidentally bump heads and then break into laughter.
"Man, what luck," he chuckles.
"I'll help you clean up this side," she offers while giggling.
"That's fine."
"There a lot that fell out from here," she comments. From a distance Saito observes and feels a bit uneasy.

"What is this?  Why is my heart pounding?"  He hand goes to his chest.   "What's with this uneasy feeling...uneasy...uneasy...."  He trails back down the steps backwards.

Back in the Student Council room, Kazama pounds a hand on the wall next to Chizuru's picture.
"My bride, what is it that I can give you?  What kind of surprise can I give you?"
"You should give up," suggests Shiranui.
"Don't blame me for being frank," says Amagiri.  "Giving someone a gift as a bribe to win over their affections is rather abject behavior."  Shiranui nods in agreement.  Kazama merely pouts more.

Meanwhile, Harada-sensei has made it back to school with his homeroom's festival materials.
"Oh, Harada," says Hijikata from the top of the steps.  "I've been waiting."
"Hijikata-san," greets Harada, lugging the bags over his shoulder as he clears the stairs.
"What's with all the stuff?"
"These are our class' maid cafe decorations," Harada replies.  "I went shopping with Yukimura."
"With Yukimura?" Hijikata asks angrily.
"What's with that reaction?

"What? Tch, idiot. What reaction?"  He points down the hallway. "Let's head over there and talk."  
"As the one responsible for our homeroom class, I accompanied her so she wouldn't be molested by unsavory people," prods Harada.  "That's why I went."
"If there are guys who would actually do that, that would be unforgivable," Hijikata comments darkly.
"Are you saying that from purely an educational administrator's point of view?" smirks Harada.
Hijikata turns on him.  "Shut up! What are you implying?"  He walks off in a huff and Harada just has an amused expression on his face.

Cutscene:  Ryunosuke and Chizuru are waiting by a fountain.
"Yukimura," says Ryunosuke dejectedly, "Let's just go home."
"We're already here, what are you talking about?" she demands.  "They're a pair of really good girls."
"I didn't save them so I could be introduced to girls," he responds.  Ryunosuke gets up to leave.
"Hey! Wait up!  That's fine. We can just go shopping for the rest of the tableware for the maid cafe."
He grumbles.

"Chizuru-chan!" calls out her friends Kosuzu and Sen.   Kosuzu hides behind and Sen says, "Hey, properly introduce yourself."
"Kosuzu-chan," says Chizuru, "Let me introduce him to you.  This is my classmate, Ibuki-kun."  She pushes him ahead of her.
"H-Hey," he says shyly, with a little bow.
"I'm Suzuka Kosuzu," she responds shyly.
"I'm her older (foster) sister, Suzuka Sen," Sen introduces herself confidently.  "It's nice to meet you.'
"H-Hi."

Kosuzu beams at him and Ryunosuke shifts uncomfortably.  But soon they are both hitting it off very well.
"Ahahahahaha!" he laughs.  "Did you know?  The ocean sunfish' weakness is right here," he points to the front of his face.  (TN: wtf?)
"You don't say!" says Kosuzu, enchanted. "You know so many things!"
"And this is not something I learned in biology class," he says.  "It's something I heard from my art teacher!"  They laugh.

"Those two are getting along splendidly," comments Sen as she walks behind them with Chizuru.
"For sure.  Ibuki-kun and Kosuzu-chan seem really happy together.  That's good," agrees Chizuru.
"And what about you, Chizuru-chan?" asks Sen.
"Eh?"
"Isn't it about time you found a guy you could also walk down the street with like this?"
"No," protests Chizuru.  "I haven't even thought about something like that."  They are suddenly interrupted by Ibuki calling out.

"What the hell, you guys?" he says threateningly.  They've walked right into a street gang, apparently.
"Ibuki-kun," says Chizuru with caution.  Dude with a blonde tipped mohawk steps forward.
"Was it this little shit that stuck his nose where it don't belong?" he asks.
"Yup," answers another.  "That's him."
"How's it goin', Your Highness?" asks another.  "We've been lookin' for ya."

"W-What the hell?" responds Ibuki nervously.  He gets pushed.
"Let's not cause a ruckus, nitwit," says one of the thugs.
"Who ya callin' nitwit, nitwit?" argues another.
"Move aside!" yells the leader, pushing the minions away.
"Hey," he smiles at Ryunosuke.
"What?" Ryunosuke asks nervously before he gets punched in the face.  The girls scream.
"Ryunosuke!" yells Chizuru.  Ryunosuke is down for the count.

"What's wrong?" shouts the leader at Ryunosuke's back, but Chizuru suddenly steps in front of him, shielding her classmate.
"What up, woman?" the leader asks.
"Pl-Please stop hitting him," she responds bravely.
"Move aside."
She holds her position.
"I SAID MOVE!" he shouts.  Chizuru flinches but slaps him hard on the cheek.
"What the hell?!" the other's shout but the leader holds up a hand to stop them.
"Go find help!  Hurry!" she yells to Kosuzu and Sen.  The girls dash off and the gang starts chasing but the leader stays them.

"Let them go," he says.  He turns to leer at Chizuru.
"I like you," he smiles.  He grabs her and pulls her away, and she struggles.
"Let go of me!" she cries. "Let go!!"  The others just laugh as they follow behind.  "Hey! I said let go!!" Chizuru continues to cry out.  Kosuzu is hiding behind the wall, holdig her hands to her ears but stays behind to make sure Ibuki is OK.  (TN: Awesome friend you are to forget your real friend who is being held hostage, or worse...)   Sen is the one who runs off to look for assistance.  She frantically finds no one around until she spots Harada-sensei and recognizes him from the photo.
"It's him!"
Harada stares at her curiously.

"Ibuki-kun!" she cries out, shaking him.  "Ibuki-kun! Ibuki-kun!!"  Ryunosuke wakes up in a daze with a cut lip.
"Are you alright?"
He shoots up.  "I..."  But he hangs his head and curses, "Shit."

Just then, Saito walks by.
"What happened? Ibuki?"
"Saito-senpai," he says desperately.

"Yukimura?!" demands Harada.
"Yes!" says Sen desperately.
"Where's Ryunosuke?" Harada asks.
"Over there!" she points.  In a flash they are both racing back to the scene.  As he runs, Harada calls someone on his cell phone.  No one picks up.
"Hurry up," he mutters under his breath.

Hijikata walks out of the administration office and picks up his cell.
"Oh, Harada. What's up?"
"Yukimura's run into some trouble," Harada explains while running.  "You said so before right, those types of guys can't be forgiven? Those are the guys who have her."
Hijikata hangs up and races out of the building.

Kosuzu is helping clean up his face but Ryunosuke just sits there dejectedly.
"Are you OK?" she asks quietly.
"Ryunosuke!" says Harada, catching up with him.
Ryunosuke stands up and looks ashamed.  "Harada-sensei.  I'm sorry."
"Where did those bastards take Yukimura?" Harada asks.
"Saito-senpai is currently pursuing them," he answers.    Harada looks down the alley and glowers.  (TN: I have to say I found Harada's actor pretty hot in this episode...) 

~End Episode 4~

Hakuouki Sweet School Life (SSL) Episode 3

Hakuouki Sweet School Life (SSL) Episode 3: The Person Who Understands, Runtime 25 minutes

Kyoto 1864

We start again in Kyoto of the past, where the Shinsengumi are fighting ronin at an inn to rescue Chizuru and to arrest the rogue samurai.

At the top of the stairs, Chizuru hesitates amid the chaos as Heisuke calls her to hurry and come down.  Both Hijikata and Soji are embattled with their own opponents.

What if...we found ourselves not here but somewhere else, in a different time...would our fate be different as well?

She rushes down the stairs and hides behind Heisuke.  Suddenly another samurai attacks him.
"You asshole!" the ronin shouts just as Heisuke blocks and parries his swing.  The ronin goes after Chizuru instead, but Heisuke holds him back.

Up top, Soji makes short work of his opponent after a few swings, and as Hijikata's opponent's strength forces the commander onto his knees, Soji gives the ronin a swift kick and incapacitates him.
"Thanks," says Hijikata, still panting.
"No need," smiles Soji.  "Even though I'm not that fond of you, if you, the commander, died here, then Chief Kondo would be very sad.  And I will absolutely not let that happen."

At that moment, both men take opponents approaching behind the other and clash swords with the enemy once more.  Turning to glance back at each other, Soji and Hijikata share a smirk.  But Soji sees Chizuru trapped in a corner at the foot of the staircase with Heisuke still trying to dispatch his opponent.
"Chizuru-chan, let me be the one to protect you," he says quietly.

Modern Day, 2015

Soji sits at a diner texting on his phone. At that time, Chizuru makes it back home and collapses onto her bed.
"It's finally over!" she exclaims.  "Aaaaaah...exams."  Her phone buzzes and rings.

Message: From Okita-senpai. [To the perplexed goddess.  Just kidding.] *You have one attachment.  No text.*

When she opens it, she sees the selfie Okita took earlier with her.

She types in a reply, [Thank you] and is about to send it but then changes the message.
[Senpai, there's something I want to ask you.  How do you see Hijikata-sensei?]  Chizuru sends it.  She lies down on her bed but as soon as she does, she gets a response.
From Okita-senpai. [Why do you ask?]    She texts a reply.

Back at the diner, Soji sips his soda and checks his screen.

[Because I feel as though Senpai always treats Hijikata-sensei coldly.] 
(TN: the text actually says Hijikata-san, but the Chinese translator uses 'teacher' instead)

Soji almost pushes the 'reply' button, but puts the phone back down.

School is back in session at Hakuen Academy.
"Morning!"
"Good morning!"
"'Sup!"
In class Heisuke quietly takes his things out of his bag.  He looks up when Hijikata-sensei walks in.  Heisuke looks away, since he's reminded of the time Hijikata walked Chizuru home and how happy she looked.  Hijikata storms past and stops in front of Soji's seat.
"Is Soji not here yet?" he asks the class.
"No, sir," answers a student.
"That little bastard...," Hijikata mutters under his breath, glaring at the empty seat.

"Is something wrong, Hijikata-sensei?" asks another student.
"Huh?  No, it's nothing," replies Hijikata.  Heisuke catches a glimpse of Hijikata's clipboard where Soji has apparently doodled Hijikata wearing a crown and a military uniform while wielding a sword onto his Classics answer sheet.

As the bell rings, Hijikata announces, "Homeroom is starting now.  Let's start our first assignment.  The task is to determine what our class is going to do for the school festival."
Heisuke suddenly gets up to leave.
"Hey, Heisuke.  Where do you think you're going?" asks Hijikata.
"My stomach hurts," Heisuke says without turning around.  "I'll be back in a moment."

Meanwhile in Class 1-1, a student is writing on the board while Harada sits idly by.  Apparently he's writing instructions for the festival.
"OK everyone," he says enthusiastically.  "What do you think we should do?"
"Right here!" volunteers a student raising his hand.
"Yes, please speak!"
"We should create a snack stand!"  That suggestion gets a mixed reaction from his fellow classmates.
"We'll bake muffins!" suggests another.
"But this will be just like what the other classes are doing!" interrupts another student.
"That's true," everyone agrees.
"How about we decorate the classroom," interjects another, "and host a performance?"
"What will we perform?"

"How about a haunted house?" suggests another.
"Who's afraid of ghosts in this day and age?" asks Ryunosuke.  "If we do something like that we'll definitely be laughed at."  Everyone breaks out into laughter.

Meanwhile in Nagakura-sensei's homeroom, the class representative turns towards his teacher, who looks extremely uncomfortable.  Saito notices his discomfort.
"Nagakura-sensei, is something wrong?"
"No, not at all.  Just hurry up and continue," says Nakagura shifting uncomfortably.  He looks to the board and the students have suggested [haunted house] as their theme.

Okita sits by the windowsill somewhere on school grounds and takes a picture with his phone.
"So you were here," says Heisuke joining him.
"What's up?" asks Soji.  He snaps another picture of Heisuke as he sits down.
"What the heck?"
"I already took it," grins Soji.  "My picture of a downtrodden Heisuke."
"Hey Soji," asks Heisuke.  "Why do you hate Hijikata-sensei?"
"Now even you're asking me this question, Heisuke?"
"Huh?"

"There are no real reasons behind feelings like 'love' or 'hate'," Soji answers nonchalantly taking another picture of the outside.
"Then why do you like Kondo-sensei so much?" asks Heisuke.  "We both started learning kendo from a very young age with him, so why is it you only dislike Hijikata-sensei?"
"That's why I just said there's no real reason behind it."
"Is that so?"
"What is it you want to know?"
"What?"

Back in Class 1 - 1 the students are tallying their votes.
"By coffee house you don't mean that kind of coffee house, do you?" someone asks.
"It's exactly that type of cafe you're thinking of," answers Ryunosuke.
"Because of that I think it will be similar to the other classes," someone interjects.  They all murmur in agreement together.
Ryunosuke breaks out into laughter.  "Even though it's a cafe, our class' cafe will have one factor that none of the others will have."
"And what would that be?" asks Harada-sensei from his seat.
"Yukimura!" Ryunosuke points to the only female in the class school.

"Wha--? Me?!" Chizuru says in shock.
"The other classes have no girls, and that is to say..."
"What--" the others chime in in unison.
"--our class' cafe will be--"
"What will it be?" they all cheer.
"A MAID CAFE!" announces Ryunosuke.  Everyone cheers.  (TN: I face palmed so hard here I nearly knocked myself out.  (；一_一))
"Whaaaat~!" Chizuru exclaims, but no one is listening.  Harada just looks amused.

As that goes on Heisuke and Soji are still playing hooky.
Soji states, "Heisuke, ever since you were a kid you've understood people's virtues and shortcomings.  Yet you've never hated anyone?"
"For example, what about Chizuru-chan?" Soji asks innocently.

Back in Class 1 - 1 the students are cheering the decision to put on a maid cafe as their event during the festival.

"I absolutely would never hate her," Heisuke answers.  "It's not like you don't know.  Chizuru is not a bad person."  Soji just gets up without a word.
"Hey, Soji!" Heisuke calls after him.

Soji heads down the flight of stairs when someone calls his name.
"Hey there, Soji!"  He sees Kondo come down the steps after him.  "What's up with you today?  You look like you're in a bad mood."
"Kondo-san," Soji greets.
"The school festival is coming up.  What event did your class decide to do?"  As an aside he adds, "Toshi is really looking forward to the festival too, one-hundred percent."  Soji stays silent.

In Class 1 - 1, Chizuru is presented in front of her classmates.  Ryonosuke announces, "So, for this year's school festival our class will present a maid cafe."  Everyone cheers.
"With this we will no doubt be the most popular event!"  More cheering.

"Everyone's spirits are really high," comments Chizuru.
"Of course they are," comments Ryunosuke.  "For the first time we're actually excited about our event and it's going to be the best! Ahahahahahaha!"
"To bring on our class' success, let's have a cheer! 1-2--"
"Banzai! Banzai! Banzai! Banzai! Banzai!!!"

Meanwhile back in Nagakura-sensei's class, he's getting the serious chills with their decision to host the haunted house event.
"After our vote, it's decided that our Class 2-2 will create a haunted house for the school festival."
"H-Hey, just wait a second now," says Nagakura coming to the podium. "Are we really REALLY going to host a haunted house event?"
"Correct.  Based on your suggestion we took a vote and this is what the students decided."
"But don't they say that you attract real ghosts when you do and event like this?" Nakagura counters. "Right?"
"Nagakura-sensei...could it be...you're afraid?"
"Absolutely not! If I, Nagakura Shinpachi, were afraid how could I possibly even be a teacher?" he insists.
"Then it won't be a problem then," says the class representative calmly.

"So then everyone, please go home and think about what ghost, ghoulie or goblin you're going to portray at the event."
"Okaaay!" everyone responds.  Nagakura collapses back onto his chair in defeat.
"Next, let's discuss for a bit which of us will be responsible for each task...."

Saito sits back quietly and observes Nakagura.  I feel it.  I can feel your fear....

And in the Student Council room...
"This is my destiny," says Kazama as he stares back at his row of Chizuru portraits, "a bride for my marvellous self, the woman who is fated to be mine.  The two of us really make a beautiful pair."
"Tch," snickers Shiranui.  "Your ring sizes don't even match.  Seriously...."


"As it stands, the finger issue doesn't matter anymore," Kazama dismisses testily.  "I'm certain there are other things more suitable as gifts to surprise Chizuru with."
"Kazama-sama," says Amagiri as he walks into the room.
"You've returned, Amagiri," says Kazama.  "Did you find out what activity is my bride's class planning?"
"Yes, please listen carefully. "  They lean in.  "Her class is planning a maid cafe."
"What?!" asks Kazama in shock.  "Maid cafe?  Huh."

In between classes, Chizuru reads a poster on the wall written in bold calligraphy. (TN: Hijikata-sensei's calligraphy style looks like he's about to kill people with his brush strokes...)  It is the Routine Exam Rules of Punishment.  The rules apply to the bottom 10%? of students ranked after the exam.  The list goes on and on as Chizuru walks along to read it.
"It's as horrific as always..." she comments.  She bumps into Ryunoske who looks like he's about to cry.
"This is horrible...." he sobs.
"Eh?!" Chizuru looks up and sure enough [Ryonosuke Ibuki] is listed as among the punished.
"I'm finished..." he says and slinks away.

"Yukimura!" Her homeroom teacher catches up with her.
"Harada-sensei," she greets.
"It's a relief your name isn't on there."
"No, I'm sure I just barely made the cut," she responds.
"Don't be so modest.  Your grades are actually pretty good."
"Thank you, sir," she bows.
"You know back there, your male classmates got unilaterally excited about the event, but, are you alright with it?" he asks.
"Yes," she laughs.  "I'll be fine.  Just seeing how excited they are makes me happy."

Harada chuckles.  "Is that so?"
"But I was too embarrassed to say 'I want to be a maid' loud enough because everyone was cheering."

Chizuru makes her way back to the roof for lunch.  She was hoping to find Okita there, thinking that he never responded to her question earlier about his relationship with Hijikata.  When he asked her why she wanted to know, it's not certain that even Chizuru knows that answer.  The roof appears empty.
"Does it bother you that I didn't answer your message?" asks Okita. He appears behind her down the steps.
"Okita-senpai," she greets.

As they sit down together for lunch Okita remarks, "Eeh, that's pretty awesome; do you pack your own lunch every day?"
"Yes."
"Did your class decide what it's going to do for the school festival?"
"Yes! It's a mai--" she stops short.  "It's a cafe."
"Cafe?  That's rather ordinary."
"Ehehehehe," she laughs nervously.
"What about your class, Okita-senpai?"
"I think they decided on a takoyaki stand.  (TN: my mouth is watering right now....) Also very ordinary," he responds.  Chizuru giggles.

"I hate him," he states matter-of-factly.
"Sorry?"
"Hijikata-san."  She stares at him in silent shock.  "Didn't you send that message because you really wanted to know?" he asks.
"Yeah," she responds.  "So that's it.  But why is it that you hate Hijikata-sensei so much?  There has to be a reason for why one person would hate another, right?  But to have that feeling is sad for the person who hates."

Okita regards her.
"Sorry!" she apologizes.  "I just imposed my opinion on you."
"He stole something precious from me," Okita adds.  "That's why I hate him so much."
"Something...precious?"
"Kondo-sensei has looked after me ever since I was young, for me he was like my real older brother.  Yet his closest relationship is with Hijikata-sensei."  He suddenly  comes close and puts a finger on his lips.

"Keep this a secret for me, Chizuru-chan."  His finger wanders to touch her lips.  "This is our little secret.  OK?"
She nods once.
"It's strange," she says getting up.  "I've never discussed this with anyone else.  But with you it's like I can tell you anything."

Meanwhile, in the secret lab nurse's office, Sannan ponders over a bottle of elixir.  Harada-sensei wanders in.
"How goes it, Shinpachi?"  Apparently Nagakura-sensei is laying in one of the infirmary beds.  "They say you're not feeling well.  Are you alright?"

"The symptoms aren't particularly obvious like a fever or anything like that," say Sannan.
"Hey, Sanno," says Nakagura from his bed.  "What did your class decide to do for the school festival?"
"Huh? Oh.  A maid cafe," he answers.
"Don't tell me Yukimura-kun is going to be the maid?" asks Sanna incredulously.
"Yup.  The basis for that idea rests solely on her shoulders.  It actually makes me feel kinda sorry for her.  Yet without a single complaint she will silently give it her all, no doubt."
"That's good," comments Nakagura from his bed.  "It's so much better than what our class is...."

"What's wrong?" asks Harada.  "What's your class going to do?"
"Now, now,  that won't do at all," interrupts Sannan-san.   He shows them a bottle of elixir.  "Sure enough it seems the time is appropriate for this."

As he approaches, Nakagura shoots up from his bed.
"Aaaaaah, I'm afraid of ghosts!"  He makes a break for it and leaves the infirmary in a frenzy.
"Hey, wait a sec, Shinpachi!" Harada says, chasing after him.  Sannan is still holding out the glass vial, looking puzzled as to why no one seems to want to try his medication.  Queue in evil background music.

"And here I thought I could gather some useful data from Nagakura-sensei.  That's too bad."

The next scene shifts to the door of the science lab with a sign tacked onto it: [currently in use by the disciplinary committee].  Saito and Kaoru are going through their paperwork when Hijikata comes in.
"Here are the applications from each class and each school club."
Kaoru flips through them.  "There sure are a lot."
"I mean they're students first right?" he continues.  "Why they are so distracted by something like the school festival is beyond me."

"Being a student doesn't only mean studying," said Hijikata.
"Eh?"
"Students should undergo the school festival to foster their ability to cooperate and combine their efforts as well as show their social ability," responds Saito.
"That's exactly right," says Hijikata.  "Even though I don't think the program needs to be censored by the Disciplinary Committee, I do want you two to review these."

He exits to shout at the students waiting for him in the hall.
"All right, you group of delinquents!"  They all line up against the wall with wash cloths in their hand.  "Accept your punishment."  They all sigh in unison as they sport their "punishment" arm bands.

"Excuse me..., Hijikata-sense!" Ryunosuke puts up his hand slowly.  "I have a question..."
Hijikata ignores him.  "Until I say say, you all will wipe the hallways sparkly clean and make them shine, from the first floor to the roof."
"Eeeeeeh...!" they all sigh in unison.
"Silence!" he shouts.  They all get down into position without further complaint.
"Begin!"  The students start the back breaking work of wiping the floor by hand.

"Hey!" Kaoru comes out of the room and waves an application in the air.
"What's wrong, Nagumo?" asks Hijikata.  He shoves the paper in front of Hijikata's face.
"Even though the Disciplinary Committee has no right to censor these events, but certainly as the advisor of the Disciplinary Committee surely you can't overlook this!"  (TN: He says "surely your eyes are in the right place" but that's a Chinese saying)  
"Haa..?"  Hijikata is at a loss.

"Grade 1 Class 1 application: MAID CAFE!  What's the heck--a maid cafe?!"
"There's a class doing something like that every year," says Hijikata.  "Ever since Class 1-1 announced what it was doing, a lot of classes changed their event."
"So that is to say my little sister is going to cosplay a maid!" says Kaoru, still upset.  Hijikata looks unnerved but doesn't have a response.

"Their class voted for it unanimously," interjects Saito, "which means Yukimura herself agreed to it.  This should not be a problem."
"What do you mean 'not a problem'?  It's a HUGE problem!"  He storms off.
"Where are you going?!" shouts Hijikata.
"I'm going to give them a piece of my mind!"
"Hey!" calls Hijikata chasing after him.
"I absolutely will not condone such an activity!" Kaoru turns around, but then stumbles over Ryunosuke who was on his way back from cleaning the floor.

"Nagumo!!  Don't go, Nagumo!"  Hijikata shouts.  When Kaoru falls over he and Saito get a hold of him.
"Calm down, Nagumo!" Hijikata orders.
"Let me go!  The guys are just going to pervertedly ogle Chizuru!"
"Calm down!" says Saito.
"Let go of me!!"
"You bastard," says Ryunosuke, holding his arm, which appears to be hurt from their collision.
"Let go of me!"
"You dislocated my shoulder," snarls Ryunosuke.  "I won't forgive you, you son of a---"

(TN: wow, so far the most ridiculous scene but I laughed really hard at Kaoru's sis-con.)

Back home, Chizuru is designing her maid outfit on a sketch pad.  She pauses.
"Maybe I should discuss this with the Disciplinary Committee after all...."

Hijikata is back in his apartment and is just stepping out of the shower when his cell phone rings......
...
...
...  (TN: Sorry, I've got to grab some tissue to staunch this nosebleed....)
...
...
...(almost there)
...
...
...(just about done)
...
...
...(ok.  I'm good.)

"Yes?"  His eyes go wide when he realizes who it is. "Yukimura?"
"I apologize for bothering you," she begins. (TN: How does she have his cell#?  Back in school I remember all my teachers were like, don't f*in call me, not even if your life depended on it.)  "But there was something I wanted to ask you."
"Me?" he asks incredulously.
"Yes.  It's about my maid uniform.  Later in the evening I started to get an unsettling feeling about it."
"Heh.  I meant to talk to you about it tomorrow.  There was one guy in particular who made a big stink about it."

In the background someone writes on paper [October 7th, Friday. Kill the target...maid...]  Kaoru smiles evilly.  (TN: wtf, bro?)

"Also..." she continues.
"What?" he asks.

Scene changes to Okita looking out from a bridge.

"No, it's nothing."  She changes the subject.  "It wouldn't do to make it too gaudy, right?"
"Hmmm.  That's right.  It's probably best that you not use colors that are too flashy.
"That's true."
"Also, be mindful that you're not exposing too much.  For instance, make the skirt a little longer.  In addition, your buttons and your sash should also be--"
"Wait, wait, hold on a sec!" she interrupts as she erases her sketch and starts over.  "Could you please repeat that?"

He complies. "First, the length of your skirt must be twice as long as a regular maid's costume."
"Ok."  The camera pans to something he has open on the coffee table.
"Second, it's fine if you creatively use buttons and the sash," he adds.
"I see," she murmurs as she reinvents her sketch.  "Hijikata-sensei, you're pretty knowledgeable about this."  He actually has a maid costume catalogue in front of him...
-___-;
"Hah?"  He shifts uncomfortably.  "It's just--stuff I thought up.  I just--just thought it would look better like that...I'm just--giving my recommendations."  (TN: I don't know if that's cute or creepy that he bought a maid costume catalogue to research the subject and give her tips because he cares and didn't want her to look cheap or flirty...undecided)

"Thank you very much," Chizuru beams.  "Was there anything else in particular that I needed to focus on?"
"Well, yeah.  A low-cut bodice would be a little too provocative, so it's best you avoid that."
"Yes, sir."
"Good, that's about it.  If you have any other questions, feel free to come find me."
"I understand.  Thank you so much!"
"Do you best."
"I will!"   Hijikata smiles and hangs up.  (TN: I'm happy that all of their actual scenes together are really adorable in this drama)

Cutscene to Soji over the bridge.  I will not lose to him.  Then he walks away.

~End Episode 3~

Hakuouki SSL (Sweet School Life) Episode 2

TN: ....and here we are again!  I accidentally checked out some stuff from SSL on Pinterest and Tumblr and saw some clips I should not have seen!! ARRGH now I can't "unspoil" my eyes!  There's nothing for it.  Now I have to translate the rest to see what the heck I accidentally watched and how it fits into the story.

But I'm totally loving the screenwriter/director's parallel time period storytelling!

-KERO

Hakuouki Sweet School Life (SSL) Episode 2 [Feelings That Cannot Be Expressed], Runtime 25 minutes

Kyoto, 1864

We last left Chizuru and the Shinsengumi in this era on a daring rescue (Chizuru having been captured by a band of Choshu ruffians.)  Now we're watching their escape at the beginning of episode two.

"Do you think Hijikata-san has rescued Chizuru?" asks Heisuke among their heated sword battle on the first floor of the inn.
"I believe in Hijikata-san," says Saito calmly as he fights.
Harada pushes back an opponent, "It doesn't matter what the situation is, we're together, so don't worry."

Heisuke races to the bottom of the staircase to see Soji crossing swords up on the landing, while Hijikata and Chizuru are racing down.  Chizuru ducks while Hijikata blocks a swing from behind them.

"Chizuru!" shouts Heisuke.  "Chizuru!  This way!"  She looks back at Hijikata and then down at Heisuke who is now being attacked by another Choshu ronin.

If this were in a different time, my fate...

"Chizuru! Hurry!" says Heisuke pushing back his attacker.  Chizuru stands frozen for a moment.

...would any of this be different?

Modern Day, 2015

"Crap, crap!" says Heisuke racing down a flight of steps in his neighborhood.  He turns to call out impatiently, "Chizuru!  Hurry!"
"Wait up!" says Chizuru, out of breath while she rushes after him.
"We absolutely can't be late for the last day of testing!" he insists.
"It's you're fault that you woke up so late!" she retorts.  (TN:  She could have just met him at school...no?)

"I was so exhausted! I couldn't help it that I woke up late!  That's why I'm rushing now!"
"What the heck?!  Didn't you sleep late because you were playing video games?!"
"No!" says Heisuke turning around to face her.

Flashback:  Heisuke had seen Hijikata walk her home, and it bothered him so much he couldn't sleep...

He races off again without saying anything further.
"Arrrghh!" exclaims Heisuke in frustration.
"What's wrong?" she asks, chasing after him, but he races onward. "Heisuke-kun!"
"We're in a hurry, Chizuru!"
"Wait up!"
"Hurry!"  He starts jumping up and down as he reaches the bottom of the steps.  "HURRY!"
"Wait a moment!" Chizuru pants as she reaches the bottom.  "My legs...I can't continue like this!  Hei--- EH?"  Just as she's about the shout at him, she's spirited away by a passer by.

"HEY!" shouts Heisuke after Okita, who's running lightly with Chizuru's hand in his.
"Heisuke-kun!" Chizuru shouts after him as she runs in a different direction.
"Be a good girl and come with me," smiles Okita cheerfully.
"Okita-senpai, but--" she protests.
"Hey! Stop right there!" Heisuke shouts behind them.
"Chizuru-chan, this is the final sprint," says Okita.  He starts to run, pulling Chizuru behind him.
"Ehhhhh?!"
"Hold up!  Soji!" Heisuke trails behind.

The last students are trailing into school grounds past Saito and Kaoru.  Saito checks his watch.
"It's time," he says calmly.
"That goes without saying," states Kaoru before moving to shut the gate.

One stray student walks into the gate before it closes.
"Hey, wait a sec!" Kaoru calls out after him.  "You're late AND you come in dressed like a slob?  What's up with that?  Fix your uniform.  Be quick about it."  Saito pauses and goes toward Kaoru to shut the gate.

Okita and Chizuru rush towards the entrance.

"Really, you're not fit to be seen," grumbles Kaoru, not paying attention.

"Made it just in time," says Okita cheerfully.  But Saito closes the gate in front of them.
"Just in time," says Saito calmly.  "What a pity.  You two are now considered late."
"Hey, Hajime," says Okita with deadly calm.  "Good morning.
"Soji," says Saito, in equal threat.  "You understand, don't you? You are late."
"Don't be so starchy."
"You are late."
"By a few seconds."
"You are late."
"Just look the other way.  Turn around and close your eyes."
"I said, you're late.  Late is late."
"You're just as heartless as ever," goads Okita.
"What did you say?" sais Saito, moving in for the kill.

"Wait!" interrupts Chizuru to placate.  "It's fine.  Please, both of you, just calm down, alright?"
"Chizuru!" says Kaoru from the gate.  "You have the gall to be late?!  Seriously, as your older brother I'm so ashamed."
"Kaoru..." says Chizuru petrified.  "Sorry."  She bows.

Just then, Heisuke turns the corner towards the gate, shouting, "Soji!  I said hold up."
"Toudou," says Kaoru from behind the gate.  "I blame you for making my sister late!" says Kaoru.
"Huh?" asks Heisuke impolitely.  "What's this all of a sudden?"

"You guys are late on the very last day of the routine tests," says Hijikata coming up to the gate.  "How very audacious."  (TN: oh crap....)
"H-Hijikata-sensei," stutters Heisuke looking away uncomfortably.  Even Chizuru looks away.
"Soji," Hijikata calls out.  Soji reluctantly looks at him.  "Today is the Japanese Classics exam.  You must do well in order to make up for your poor attendance record."
"Hijikata-sensei, if you weren't my teacher I would have put much more effort into it," he responds snidely.  (TN: both historically and in the anime/game, he and Hijikata have both respect and animosity towards one another)

Everyone looks at him in shock.
"You little bastard--" says Hijikata inching closer to the gate.
"What?" Soji challenges.  "A teacher actually says the words 'you little bastard' towards a student? That's just plain harassment."

Hijikata grasps the gate angrily.  "Soji!"
"Hijikata-sensei," says Saito, putting a hand on his shoulder to stop him.  (TN: Soji knows how to push all his buttons...  ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°))
"Soji, don't be like that," says Heisuke, pulling him away from the gate.  Soji only smirks while Hijikata glares at him.  Chizuru is puzzled by the exchange.

Testing for the day commences.  Chizuru and her homeroom classmates are diligently doing their best (TN: Harada teaches physical ed.) before Harada-sensei calls "Time."  The school chimes ring.
"And this marks the end of the routine tests for the month," he announces.  "Test results will be announced on Monday.  In the meantime, good work, everyone."
"Goodbye, teacher," they all respond respectfully before he leaves.

As soon as he leaves, the Ryonosuke leads the cheer of, "IT'S OVER!!" and his class joins in.  Chizuru just watches in shock at their rowdiness.
"How'd you do, Yukimura?" asks Ryonosuke.
"I feel like I did very well on the parts I knew," she responds.
"What confidence," he smiles.
"I don't have all that much confidence," she says humbly.  "What about you, Ibuki-kun?"
"Well I--" he starts, but before he can continue his stomach starts growling loudly and he doubles over.

Chizuru leans in to listen.

Meanwhile in the teacher's office, someone is singing "Happy, happy! Today is Friday!"  Harada walks into the room with the test papers past Nagakura sensei who continues to sing, "Friday! Friday!  Happy! Happy weekend!"
"What's with you, Shinpachi?" asks Harada.  "You're in a good mood."
"Well Sano, you don't even know the half of it.  Today is Friday.  Next is the happy weekend.  Also, the routine tests have gone by smoothly.   And there's this!"  He points to a brochure for a sake house 'Hot Oger - Drink leisurely at your neighborhood bar,' and adds, "You gotta loosen up, right?  You have to go."

"So you say.  I still have to grade papers," says Harada.
"What's the problem?  You just need to get it all done by the end of the weekend, right?"
"Mine are just physical education papers, so it's not all that hard to grade.  But you're the mathematics teacher and you have heaps of scoring to do."

"We need to celebrate our heroic deeds with a feast," says Nagakura.  "Even if it's just the end of the routing testing for the month.  Get it?"
"Fine.  But at AA."
"No!   Please Sannosuke!  I beg of you.  Right now I don't have a penny to my name."
"That's what you always say," grunts Harada.

A lackadaisical voice chimes in, "As teachers, shouldn't you reconsider your behavior?"
"Itou-sensei," says Nagakura from across the table.  (TN: In the game, Itou Kashitarou was a member of the Shinsengumi briefly, but had different beliefs regarding nationalism and followed the Emperor rather than the Shogun.  His split from the Shinsengumi eventually led to his assassination by Kondo and Hijikata's orders.)

"You should be setting an example for the students. Unless you don't want to recognize the great efforts the students have put forward, I suggest you start grading right away...away....away...."  He looks back down into his book.  (TN:  He's reading a book on middle Edo Period art.  During the Edo Period (1615-1868), a uniquely Japanese art from developed known as ukiyo-e, or "pictures of the floating world." A Buddhist concept, ukiyo originally suggested the sadness (uki) of life (yo).) Itou uses a pun on words between "shira" and "shiara", the difference between his nagging and his book.) He laughs.
"Laugh it up," says Nagakura.

Meanwhile, in the Student Council cave...
"Amagiri, Shranui," says Kazama.  "The routine tests have finally come and gone.  We must begin the next stage."
"Next stage?" asks Shiranui.
"That's right.  We've already eaten together. Naturally, we ought to set a date for the wedding."  (TN: wut...?)
"Wait, that's not it," says Shiranui.  "Also when you say 'eat together' you were at school and you just sat down with her in the cafeteria."

Flashback: Kazama drinking from his wine glass while Chizuru has an odd what-the-heck-is-going-on smile on her face.

"Next, it is naturally required that I give her a pleasant surprise.  And it must be a big, big surprise." (TN: OMG they way he says 'surprise' is so cute and hilarious)
"So this 'surprise' you speak of...what is it then?" asks Amagiri.
"Don't you understand, Amagiri?  My surprise will let the woman I love turn her dream into a reality.  That is my surprise."  (TN:  I got nothing....¯\(°_o)/¯) 

"Okaaay...." responds Amagiri.
"It is the surprise I dreamed up in my mind.  Just thinking about it brings unstoppable mirth.  Surprise."  He looks over to his minions.  "Why aren't you saying it with me.  One, two--"
"Su-Surprise," Amagiri reluctantly chimes in.
"Suprise!"
"Su-Suprise."
"Suprise!"
"Oh my god, this is lame," says Shiranui.

Cutscene to Heisuke, making his way listlessly down the hall.  Chizuru sees and approaches him.
"Heisuke-kun?"
"Yo," he responds.  "You going home?"
"Yeah.  Are you going to practice kendo?  That's rough."
"It's not that bad.  You know," he begins nervously.
"Yes?"
"Well, never mind."
"What are you doing, Heisuke," says Saito, joining them.  "If you don't hurry, you'll be late."
"I know," says Heisuke before storming off again.

"Yukimura-san, you and Heisuke are childhood friends then?" he asks.
"That's right.  It's because of Heisuke's encouragement that I took the entrance exam to Hakuo Academy."
"I see."  He goes silent.
"Um...?"
Saito's heart beat suddenly fills the hall.
"What is it?"
"Actually... I've been wanting to speak to you, Saito-senpai, about something for a long time..." Chizuru says.  His heart beats even louder.  "But I just haven't had the opportunity." And louder.  He backs away slowly, never taking his eyes off her.

"Oh."  He backs up a bit.  "What is it?"
"Thank you for always looking after my older brother."
His face falls and he leans against the wall.  "Oh, it's about Nagumo then.  From a personality perspective you two are so different one can hardly tell that you're brother and sister."
"That's because we grew up in different households," she explains.  "So the time we've actually spent together hasn't been all that long.  But he's still my older brother."
"Life is truly mysterious.  A pair of estranged siblings can once again meet at the same school."
She nods in agreement.  "Even though my brother is a little strange, I ask that you continue to look after him here on after." She bows deeply and heads off cheerfully.  His heart starts pounding again.

Why is it my heart is beating so fast?  Why?  (TN: even Saito is not immune.  BTW Saito's was my 2nd favorite route in the otome game Hakuouki: Stories of the Shinsengumi)

Chizuru walks out into the schoolyard and notices someone on the roof of the next building.
"Huh?  Okita-senpai?"  As she watches, he seems to fall over the side.

Chizuru is about to scream.  In the background we hear Kazama's voice say, "Surprise!"

In fact, Kazama and Amagiri are still saying "surprise," when Shranui has finally gives up it.
"Oh for heaven's sake, stop it.  That's enough! What exactly is this 'surprise' of yours?"
Kazama holds up his hand and responds, "A wedding ring."

"Hah?" says Shiranui, dumbfounded.
"So, it's a ring?" asks Amagiri.
"Exactly," answers Kazama proudly.
"We must find out Chizuru's ring size immediately."
"Huh," says Shiranui.
"And we must not let Chizuru discover what her surprise is going to be."
"Wouldn't that be difficult?" asks Shiranui.
"Whatever it takes, I will make it happen," Kazama smirks.

"Aaaaah! Okita-senpai," Chizuru cries out as she reaches the roof of the opposite building to find him crumpled on the ground.
"Okita-senpai!" she shouts as she tries to wake him.  "Are you alright?!  Okita-senpai!"

His eyes open and he sits up suddenly.  "Just kidding."
"Why would you do such a thing?" she asks in shock.
"What? Were you worried?"
"Of course!  You gave me quite a scare."
"That was quite fun, wasn't it?" asks Okita playfully.
"Did you come all the way up here just to scare me?" she asks suspiciously.
"Nope.  I came up because I wanted to watch the sunset."
"Sunset...? In this weather?" she looks up to the overcast sky.

Heisuke meanwhile is practicing in the dojo, crossing shinai with Saito. (TN: but this actor's arms are a little too scrawny for prolonged swordplay, no...?  ¯\_(ツ)_/¯)
"Men!"   (TN: among the attacks in kendo men means 'face' strike.  Other commands include "suki", "dō", "hidari kote" and "migi kote") The students in the dojo are lined up and switch sides after each lunge.
"Men!" Heisuke calls again.  This time he is distracted by the thought of Hijikata escorting Chizuru home the other night and how happy she seemed.  He had wanted to call her but couldn't bring himself to do it.
"What's wrong with you, Heisuke?" asks Saito, sensing his distraction.  "Attack."  This time Saito is able to strike Heisuke on the side.
"Ouch!"

Cutscene back to Okita and Chizuru on the roof.  (TN: I don't think Heisuke should only be worried about Hijikata...but perhaps he sees Hijikata as the biggest threat because he's so perfect... (~˘▾˘)~)
"Um...  Okita-senpai aren't you also part of the kendo club?" Chizuru asks.
"Yup," he responds, arms cross and looking out to the landscape.
"Is it okay that you're missing practice right now?"
"I'm not in the mood."
"Pardon?"

Flashback to Okita waiting outside faculty department for Kondo.  But when he tries to intercept him, Hijikata calls Kondo's attention away.  
"Hey, Toshi."
"Kondo-san," Hijikata greets.
"How did the routine tests go?"
"Why are you asking? It's not like I can give you an answer right now."
Kondo chuckles.  "That's true.  But this school is always relying on your support. You're always concerned with the students' grades as well."
"That goes without saying.  I will do my best to make this Academy even better, Kondo-san."
"I'm counting on you you then, Toshi."   

"Um..." says Chizuru, trying to keep up the conversation since Okita has fallen silent.  "This is actually the first time I've been on the roof."
"Heh, is that so?"
"I'm usually just going back and forth from the classroom to the library."
"You're not used to this place yet?" he asks.
"Truthfully, I haven't really gotten used to everything yet."

"Well, since the routine tests are over, from here on out there are a lot of things to look forward to."
"The culture fair!" she exclaims happily.  "The sakura festival also!"
Soji takes a picture of her excited face.  "Smile one more time, Chizuru-chan."
"Okita-senpai!" she says, embarrassed.
"Pretty please?  Once more, Chizuru-chan."  She complies, shyly.  Okita examines the picture.
"Hmmm..." and then suddenly pulls her close for a selfie.
"Smile!"

This time he's satisfied with the results.  "Yup.  Not bad at all.  I'll send this to you later," he says before leaving.

Finally, the kendo club breaks for the day.  Heisuke sits on the floor for a breather.
"Heisuke," Saito admonishes.  "Your form was all over the place today.  You had so many openings.  Did something bad happen?"
"Not really," Heisuke answers.
"Kendo is not meant to be used as stress relief."
"I'm not the only one," Heisuke retorts angrily.  "Hajime-kun your sword work was also less than optimal today."  When Heisuke storms off Saito puts his hand over his heart.  My heart was beating faster than normal.  I wonder what the reason was?

Cut scene to Chizuru on her way down from the roof.  She notices Heisuke taking a bottle of water outside to the roof of his building.
"Heisuke-kun!" she calls out.  "Good job completing practice!"
"Yeah," he says with a half hearted wave before going back inside.
"He doesn't seem very cheerful for some reason," she observes.

Just then Shiranui and Amagiri approach her on the stairs.
"Amagiri-senpai and Shiranui-senpai," she greets.  Amagiri bows in response.
"We've been looking for ya a long time," sighs Shiranui.

Amagiri holds out a framed piece of rice paper out to her. "Please poke a hole through this."
(TN: face palm)
"Aha...?" she puzzles.
"Please don't ask any questions.  Just poke a hole through this paper."
"Umm.... what are you guys going to do with that?" she asks.
"We're sorry," says Shiranui.  "Could you please help us out and poke a hole through this paper?"
"Okaaay..." she responds with a nod.  As she prepares to run a fist through it Amagiri stops her.
"Please just use your ring finger," he adds.

She pokes out her right ring finger.
"Left ring finger," he finishes.
She pauses.
"If you please, just comply with these instructions."
Chizuru nods.  "Here I go."  (TN: OMG this scene....)
When she completes this task, Amagiri bows.  Chizuru bows in return. "We greatly appreciate your cooperation."
"Thanks a lot," says Shiranui, before they walk away.

"What the heck just happened...?" she stares back at them.

Cutscene: Soji walking down the hall.  He looks up to see Hijikata on the landing.
"Did you take your classics exam seriously?" Hijikata asks.
"You just need to glance at my answer sheet to know I didn't take it seriously at all," Okita responds cheekily.  Hijikata sighs in frustration as Soji saunters away.

In the teacher's office, Harada and Nakagura are quietly grading away.   Nakagura glances at Itou, who is gazing out the window.
"Itou-sensei, I hate to ask but can you help me with grading these?"
"Eh, didn't you know?  I was hired as an art teacher," Itou responds with a smile.  "The sunfish's weakness is here."  He puts his hand in front of his face.  "Assisting others in grading examination papers in another subject would be laughable."

"Just because there isn't an art exam, during the entire examination period you've just been goofing off.  Maybe we should inform either Kondo-san or Hijikata-san," says Harada with a smirk.

Itou freaks out at that suggestion and gets on the floor before Nagakura.
"There's n-no need to report anything to them!" he shouts nervously.  (TN: this guy talks so fast it was really hard to translate!)
"I, Itou Kashitarou, no matter if it's grading papers or whatever, will not find it burdensome.  Please be merciful!" he proclaims.  (TN: I wonder if it's because Hijikata and Kondo assassinated him in the past, lol...)

TN: okaaay.... moving on....

Back in the Student Council room....
"Do you have it?" asks Kazama turning to see Shiranui and Amagiri enter.
"Yes," Amagiri bows.
"Let me see it then."  He examines the paper.  "Have you heard before that if a lady's ring finger measurement matches the size of a man's pinky finger, it means the two are destined for one another.  This means my pinky finger will fit through that hole perfectly."  When Kazama tries it, his finger completely rips the rice paper.

Shiranui bursts out laughing.

"Kazama-sama," says Amagiri.
"Amagiri, you must have done something wrong," Kazama pouts.
"I did not, sir," Amagiri responds.
"You're really doubting us? We made sure to measure it very carefully," Shiranui adds.
"I don't believe it."  He goes back to a corner and sulks.

The girl in question is making her way out of campus.
"Yukimura."
"Hijikata-sensei," she greets.
"You still haven't gone home yet?" he asks.
"Okita-senpai asked if he could take a lot of pictures of me."
"That guy is always fooling around like that.  Even if he took the Classics test seriously, he's just so eccentric."  (TN: aww...that's the only scene they really have together in this episode...)

In the doujo, Heisuke is taking out his boy feelings on kendo practice alone....

End Hakuouki Sweet School Life (SSL) Episode 2, Feelings That Cannot Be Expressed