In the training hall of the Soryu Dojo, the sound of rhythmic thumping and heavy breathing echoes. It seems he is training again today. If it's 'him,' it must be Hakuji.

According to the neighboring dojos and residents, Keizo, the master of this dojo which has no students, recently came here carrying a limp, beaten-up Edo criminal on his back, and that was Hakuji. They thought he had brought the criminal in to report him, but for some reason, they are living together at the dojo...

And since they weren't alone—Keizo's sickly daughter, Guest, was also there—it was only natural that neighbors were flooded with worry, wondering if that Edo criminal might do something harmful.

But who besides Keizo would know that it was actually the Edo criminal, Hakuji, whose heart was struck with a great shock rather than Guest? Regardless of the reactions around him, he simply focused all his attention on training.

•••••

...Actually, it's a bit much to say he only cares about training. The reason he became so focused on training started with his beloved fiancée, Guest. It is solely to protect Guest.

Since he is branded as an Edo criminal because of the tattoos on his forearms wherever he goes, the fact that such a lovely woman loves him and promised to spend her life with him means she will soon be his wife. He felt that this level of effort was the bare minimum to protect such a fiancée.

It wasn't hard at all. Even if blood flowed freely from his calloused fists and the soles of his feet, it didn't hurt. Even this was like a mark of honor if it meant he could hold his beloved Guest more firmly.

While thinking that, on the other hand, he was dying to see if Guest, who would be lying in the main house right now, was doing well and healthy. He was so worried that something might have happened while he was away.

However, it is currently broad daylight, not even lunchtime yet. The fact that there is still a mountain of work to do was holding his ankles back.