Chapter 37: Silver Soul (Earth Chapter)

Kabukicho, the city that never sleeps, is a street brimming with entertainment, gathering together bars, cinemas, karaoke lounges, arcades, casinos—every conceivable amusement under the neon sky.

As dusk fell, Take Okakura strolled down the bustling avenue in simple casual attire. Watching the ceaseless flow of people, she silently sighed; Kabukicho had grown even more vibrant than it was a few years ago.

“Lovely lady, would you care to visit our establishment? Let your angelic face blossom into an even more beautiful smile.” Yet another handsome man handed her a business card from the sidewalk.

Takamagahara? Take glanced at the card in her hand. What sort of place was this? Noticing her curiosity, the man eagerly stepped forward to extol its virtues.

Pointing to a luxurious shop ahead, he said, “Miss, if you're interested, please come and sit awhile in our store. We have many friendly and handsome gentlemen inside.”

Take lifted her gaze to behold the extravagant storefront. The tall wooden doors bore a sign: [Takamagahara].

Probably some kind of tavern, she thought. Well, it wouldn’t hurt to go in for a drink.

“All right, take me in then,” she said.

The man’s grin widened. Keeping a courteous step away, he led her warmly into Takamagahara.

“Welcome! Takamagahara sincerely welcomes your arrival!”

As she entered, two rows of dazzlingly handsome men smiled with gleaming white teeth in greeting.

Something felt a bit odd, but Take hesitated only a moment before stepping inside.

“Miss, please come this way.”

Looking at the smiling host, Take thought the service here was quite attentive. Passing through the entrance and into the hall, she realized all the patrons inside were women.

So, this was a place dedicated to serving female guests? No wonder all the staff were handsome men, though a few were less striking—like the apple-cheeked, bespectacled boy across the room carrying drinks, who looked rather ordinary (Shinpachi, caught in the crossfire).

Her guide led her to a small booth and presented a menu, asking what she’d like to drink; since she had reserved a private booth, she’d also receive a generous fruit platter.

After ordering, the host asked which host she wanted to serve her. Take shook her head, admitting it was her first time and didn’t know whom to choose. Immediately, he brought her a booklet.

She flipped it open, and the first page featured a large photo of a handsome man—blond hair, blue eyes, warm smile—named Kyoshiro.

The waiter explained he was their manager, already reserved by other guests, and Take had seen him earlier surrounded by a throng of women, clearly popular.

She continued flipping through until she stopped at one particular photo, her finger trembling as she pointed to the man: “Th-this one, Mr. Gin.”

The waiter leaned in, nodded, and said, “Mr. Gin is a regular here; sometimes he helps us entertain guests. He happens to be in today, so I’ll fetch him for you right away. I hope you find your visit pleasant; everyone here will serve you wholeheartedly.” With that, he departed.

Gintoki Sakata! She couldn’t be mistaken—that silver, curly hair and those lazy, lifeless eyes—it was definitely Gintoki Sakata!

Who would have thought he’d be working as a host in this club? How was he doing now?

As Take brooded over this, a familiar languid voice sounded beside her: “Yo~ Thank you for choosing me, miss. I’m Gin. Let’s party together!” With that, she felt him sit down next to her, carelessly placing his hand on her shoulder.

“Miss, if you don’t mind, let’s order Dom Pérignon. Silence means consent, so—sorry, a dozen Dom Pérignon for table ten!”

Take reached out and firmly pressed that dead-fish-eyed head against the table.

“Idiot! Don’t extort me without permission, you naturally curly dead-fish eyes!”

“Ah, Gin-san, how did you upset the guest? Sorry, miss, he’s just woken up and his brain’s a bit fuzzy. Let me drag him out to wash his face and sober up.” The apple-faced boy with glasses hurried over to apologize, then grabbed Gintoki’s sleeve, attempting to pull him away.

“Shinpachi, who are you calling half-awake? Gin-san may have tired eyes, but I’m definitely not half-asleep!” Gintoki flapped around on the table.

“No need, it’s fine. We’re acquaintances.”

“Acquaintances?!”

Take’s words made both men turn their heads.

“Captain Gintoki Sakata, long time no see.”

Gintoki studied her closely—a woman, and a somewhat familiar face. It dawned on him: the brat who’d haunted him like a ghost for so long.

“Take Okakura?!” Gintoki stared wide-eyed.

“Yes, it’s me, Gin-san. I’m glad you remember me.”

The boy with glasses released Gintoki and looked the two over, surprised they really knew each other. What could their relationship be? Driven by curiosity, Shinpachi sat down, flanking Take with Gintoki on the other side.

“So long without seeing you, Gin-san, and you haven’t changed much,” Take said.

“Of course, not as much as you have. From Kayako to Iijima, and from a flat runway to Schwarzenegger’s daughter—Gin-san is honestly amazed.” Gintoki picked his nose as he spoke.

Take smiled at him, then promptly slammed his head into the marble tabletop again.

“Su… Sorry… You’ve always been Schwarzenegger’s daughter,” Gintoki muttered, face bloodied.

Take took the opportunity to ruffle Gintoki’s curly hair—still so soft and fluffy, like a teddy bear’s fur. Afterward, she nonchalantly withdrew her hand, pretending nothing had happened.

“Um, my name’s Shinpachi Shimura. Miss, what’s your name? How did you meet Gintoki?” Shinpachi eagerly tried to mediate.

“Hello, Shinpachi. I’m Take Okakura. I used to be this curly-headed man’s subordinate, though that was a long time ago.”

“Eh? Miss Okakura, you were Gin-san’s subordinate?” Shinpachi glanced at Gintoki in surprise. “Gin-san, who knew you had such a beautiful subordinate? That’s pretty great.”

Gintoki held his nose, grumbling, “What, she was just a brat who looked like a ghost back then.” Then he muttered, “But, I’m glad you survived.”

Take chuckled. This guy was still as irreverent as ever, but seeing Gintoki Sakata like this brought her an unexpected sense of comfort.

“I’ll treat you both to drinks—Gin-san, Shinpachi, order whatever you like,” Take said. After all, her salary at Central Star had been generous these past years, and she rarely spent much; she was quite well-off now.

“Huh? Isn’t it a bit much to let you treat us? Gin-san, what do you think?” Shinpachi turned to Gintoki.

“Sorry, bring a champagne tower to table ten!” Gin-san waved enthusiastically.

“…Miss Okakura, really, I apologize for Gin-san’s behavior,” Shinpachi said, mouth twitching.

“Haha, it’s fine. I’m used to it. Shinpachi, don’t be shy—order whatever you want.”

“That’s right, Shinpachi, don’t be shy!” Gintoki was already demolishing the fruit platter and drinks Take had ordered.

“You’re not even treating, so why are you telling me not to be shy?!” Shinpachi shouted at Gintoki.

Yet, before long, the two of them were both attacking the fruit platter.

“This piece of melon is mine!”

“I speared it first, Gin-san. You’ve already had so much—let me have this one.”

“I only ate apples before; I was saving this melon for last.”

“Ugh, Gin-san, you’re disgusting, eating it right off my fork!”

“Shinpachi, you’re too naive. To win the melon princess, the prince must brave every danger.”

“It’s just a piece of melon! What prince and princess?!”

Watching the two bicker and fight over food, Take found herself amused. No matter the occasion, wherever Gintoki Sakata was, there was always lively chaos.

Soon, Take’s champagne tower arrived, prompting cheers from everyone in the club. The hosts clapped and sang, the scent of champagne filling the air. Gintoki guzzled glass after glass as if it were water, urging Take to drink as well.

“Take, come on, drink with us! Hahaha, thanks for treating Gin-san, hahaha!” Gintoki, clinging to Take’s shoulder, laughed with boisterous glee.

Smelling the alcohol wafting from his mouth, seeing his flushed face and lecherous smile, Take was certain he was drunk.

Well, he had just polished off an entire champagne tower.

By now it was deep into the night; theirs was the only table left with guests. Gintoki continued raising a ruckus for more drinks, ignoring Shinpachi’s attempts to restrain him.

“Bring another bottle of Dom Pérignon—Gin-san wants more, ha…” Before he finished, he collapsed, and Take withdrew her fist from behind him.

“Miss Okakura…” Shinpachi stared in shock. Gintoki was a formidable drunk; he hadn’t expected anyone could subdue him.

“Ahem, it’s late, and he’s had too much. I thought I’d quiet him down a bit,” Take explained her intention in knocking Gintoki out.

The unconscious Gintoki was hoisted onto Shinpachi’s shoulder, and Take accompanied them out of Takamagahara.

“Tonight, I’m glad you were here, Miss Okakura. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have known what to do with Gin-san,” Shinpachi said.

“Does he often drink like this?” Take asked.

“All the time. It’s fine when I come out with him, but if Gin-san goes out alone, he gets blind drunk and ends up sleeping who knows where, disappearing for days and coming back reeking of booze and looking like a mess.” Shinpachi vented his frustrations.

“Ah, sorry to dump all this on you, Miss Okakura. Um, if you don’t mind, would you stay at my place tonight?” Shinpachi blushed, speaking cautiously. “It’s already so late, and it’s not safe for you to go home alone. My house is big, and right now it’s just my sister and Kagura—she’s also a member of our Odd Jobs. So, what do you think?”

Take considered for a moment; her own apartment hadn’t been cleaned yet, and returning now would mean facing a mess. She might as well rest at Shinpachi’s house for the night.

“All right, I’ll trouble you for tonight, Shinpachi-kun.”

“No, not at all. Miss Okakura, you’ve entertained a stranger like me tonight—it’s me who should thank you,” Shinpachi said bashfully.

“It’s nothing. Shall we go, Shinpachi-kun? Should we hail a taxi?”

“No need, my house is very close.”

With that, Shinpachi shouldered Gintoki, Take walking beside him, and the three made their way home together.