Qingden immediately sensed something different in Sanako's tone and tone.

He was startled for a moment, then immediately turned around to look.

Expressionless and unsmiling - Sanako's demeanor was as cold as ever.

At first glance, there is nothing unusual.

However, after taking a closer look, Qingden still keenly discovered that there were some elusive and strange emotions dancing between Sanazi's beautiful eyebrows.

——What's wrong? Why did Miss Sanako suddenly become emotional?

Qingto, who was puzzled by Sanako's unusual behavior, couldn't help but feel his neck stiffen.

There was a severe lack of information... He did not dare to act rashly.

So, he put on a tentative tone and said cautiously:

"Okita-kun and I are indeed brothers in the same sect... Souji is the old man from the Imperial Guard Hall, she is the senior brother, and I am the junior brother..."

…

——Hmph! Even now, I’m still pretending to be confused!

Qingto's "quibbles" made Sanako's dissatisfaction increase instead of lessen.

Her palms folded on her thighs were clenched slightly uncontrollably.

If she was just doubtful when she saw Ayoto and Souji hugging each other closely on the stone steps of Tsukinomiya Shrine, then... now...after seeing them soaking their feet and being intimate like lovers,

Now that they are interacting, Sanako can be 100% sure - Aomori and Souji are both members of the Taoist community! The relationship between them is far from being as simple as friends or brothers!

This is the so-called "Those who are in authority are confused, but those who watch are clear".

Since establishing their relationship, Qingto and Souji have become increasingly close to each other.

Over time, no matter whether it is Qingnobo or Souji, once they start verbal, physical and other forms of communication with the other party, they will always subconsciously enter a state of "flirting".

——Both men and women are welcome... Mr. Tachibana's hobbies are too broad!

As soon as he thought of this, Sanako felt displeasure that appeared and disappeared in his heart.

——Although I don’t have any experience in love, don’t think I’m a fool!

Sanako felt slightly proud of his ice-snow intelligence and keen observation.

——This is not something embarrassing that you are ashamed to talk about, so why bother covering it up?

During the Edo period, the practice of practicing Buddhism had always been very popular.

Even if I admit that I have this preference, I will not suffer the public's abuse or ridicule.

If Qingto was unwilling to reveal the truth due to some concerns, Sanako could still understand it.

However, Qingden was still hiding in front of her... This made Sanako very confused.

What's the need?

Don’t I, Chiba Sanako, still know who you are, Tachibana Aoden?

When Aoto boldly claimed that he would marry her and Mai Kinoshita at the same time, Sanako already knew that Aoto was a very "philanthropic" person in his treatment of relationships.

Anyway, you have confessed to me that you are in love with two girls. Now tell me that you have another person you admire, what does it matter?

Sanako snorted heavily in her heart:

——Forget it! Why do I care so much about him! Mr. Ju’s love life has nothing to do with me!

She originally wanted to end the topic directly.

But unexpectedly, at the moment when Sanako was ready to keep quiet, Qingto's voice sounded again.

"Miss Sanako, could it be that... have you discovered Okita-kun's secret?"

Qingdeng asked in a faint tone.

…

Are they just senior brothers? Aomori thought carefully about what Sanako said just now.

——Miss Sanako, what does this mean? Does she suspect that Miss Okita and I are not senior brothers?

Suddenly, a flash of light flashed across Qingdeng's mind.

——Could it be that... Miss Sanako discovered Miss Okita’s true gender?!

In an instant, Qingdeng's mind was shaken.

The more he thought about it, the more likely it seemed.

In this way, everything makes sense.

Why did Sanako ask, "Are they just brothers?"

Because she discovered that he and Souji were not "senior brothers", but senior fellow apprentices!

The revelation of the truth made Qingdeng feel shaken.

However, this only happened for a moment.

With just a snap of his fingers, Qingdeng regained his composure.

——Calm down...this is just my personal guess.

——Whether this is indeed the case remains to be considered.

Let’s just ask Sanako directly!

But... it’s hard to say it directly.

If Sanako's words and deeds meant something else, then Aoto opened his mouth stupidly and asked, "Ms. Sanako, did you also find out that Okita-kun is a girl?" Wouldn't it be self-inflicted?

Ever since, Qingdeng decided to ask the truth in a subtle way!

After making up his mind, Qingteng sat upright with a serious expression, creating a restrained atmosphere.

"Miss Sanako, could it be that... have you discovered Okita-kun's secret?"

…

Okita-kun’s secret?

Sanako was stunned for a moment, and then immediately realized: Okita-kun is indeed a Taoist!

Aoshito's rhetorical question made Sanako even more convinced of the "truth" that "Aoshinobu and Souji are both people of the Way".

She nodded slightly and said:

"Well, yes."

…

Sanako's nod and Sanako's words "Yeah, yes" instantly made Qingden's expression look helpless.

"Miss Sanako, when did you find out?"

"I just discovered it recently."

"Really...haha...I was discovered by you..."

Qingden lowered his head and let out a self-deprecating laugh.

Sanako tilted her beautiful eyes and quietly observed Qingden's expression.

He hesitated to speak, and had mixed feelings - these two words are really suitable to describe Qingdeng's appearance at this time.

It seems... Tachibana-kun and Okita-kun really don't want outsiders to know their "secret"...

Thinking of this, Sanako's originally tense facial lines relaxed slightly.

"... Mr. Ju, I will strictly keep this secret and never mention it to anyone."

Qingdeng heard this and smiled bitterly.

"I can't thank you enough, it's been a big help... Speaking of which, Miss Sanako, you are so awesome, you can actually see through Okita's secret..."

"You guys are so high-profile, it's hard not to see through it, right?"

——High-profile? Hmm... It seems so...

Qingden nodded lightly with deep understanding.

Although Souji may have been pretending to be a boy for longer than she has been showing her true face, she is still a girl at heart.

Therefore, she often subconsciously makes very girlish actions.

——I have to remind Ms. Okita to pay more attention later...

Qingto still trusted Sanako's character.

Since Sanako said she would strictly keep secrets, she would never break her promise.

Sanako has been paying close attention to Qingto's every move.

Qingdeng's expression of relief was clearly reflected in his eyes.

She couldn't help but think in her heart:

Thinking back to the past, she had never heard that Qingteng and Souji liked the public.

It is conceivable that this is the result of their painstaking efforts to conceal it.

Although it is not clear why they kept such a thing secretive, it must have been quite hard for them to hide it all the way till now.
To be continued...