Episode 2 Zeal

This episode begins with Tetsu sitting out in the rain at the entrance to the Shinsengumi Tonsho. Tetsu has been sitting there for the whole night in the pouring rain, probably to prove that he is truly serious about joining the Shinsengumi. At 4-tsu (about 10am) Okita goes to wake Hijikata up. 'Hijikata-san, if you don't wake up soon, mushrooms will start to grow from your head...' he calls, much to Hijikata's irritation. Souji wonders if 'the puppy got shelter from the rain'. Hijikata, as usual, just turns over in the bed and mutters 'None of my business.'. He finally gets up, though, and walks out into the rain with Souji. They see Tatsu, Tetsu and Kondou at the Tonsho entrance, with Tatsu persuading Tetsu to just give up. Hijikata commends Tetsu for his determination and courage, and finally allows him to join the Shinsengumi, much to Okita and Kondou's delight. Later that morning, they meet Ayumu, Nagakura Shinpachi and Harada Sanosuke. Shinpachi and Sano give Tetsu a boisterous welcome, intimidating both him and Tatsu in the process. Tetsu recognizes Sano as the one who trampled all over him and immediately leaps at him, but is prevented (thankfully) by Tatsu. Sano apologizes (a half-baked apology) and says that he 'can't see shrimps shorter than Shinpachi', to which, Tetsu becomes even more irate. He learns later that day that he is to be Hijikata's page. Needless to say, he was crushed. I mean, would you want to be a page to the oni no fukuchou?!? At night, Tetsu is unable to sleep and he sees Yamazaki's shadow moving silently towards Hijikata's room. he goes out to investigate, but is heard by Yamazaki who then throws throwing-knives at him. Luckily, Tetsu isn't severely injured. Yamazaki opens the door, sees Tetsu, then closes it. When Hijikata asks 'What is it?' he answers 'Just a stray dog.' Tetsu, in typical Tetsu fashion, starts to yell 'Who the hell's a...' but is prevented (again) by Tatsu, who caught him in the nick of time. While his wounds are being treated by Ayumu, he finds out that Yamazaki is from the Shinsengumi Intelligence Division. He then announces (to Tatsu-nii's horror) that he wants to join Intelligence. Tatsu tries to discourage him but Tetsu keeps on ranting, and in the end runs out of the room and slams the door. Tatsu apologizes for Tetsu's rudeness and thanks Ayumu for her care. The closing scene shows Yamazaki in girl-mode, though we don't know that it's him at that point in time.