Nothing makes me happier than bringing along my ikemen (handsome men) for a journey to the West - the Chinese Garden, an easily accessible and authentic garden next to Chinese Garden MRT. Katsura Kotarou (right) has been my favourite man in Gintama (銀魂) since I started watching years ago, but it was until two months ago that I actually started noticing Hijikata. It happened during the episode where Hijikata Toshizou switched bodies with Gintoki (main character) in an accident, and his display of discipline and leadership charisma completely won me over in minutes.
Nothing beats a man who commands attention and exercises self-restraint (and naturally, a nicely styled hair <3).
Below are additional information on the models:
(for blood types, birthdays, and waistline sizes, please refer to Wikipedia)
Model #1: Hijikata Toshizou (土方歳三)
Series: Gintama
Manufacturer: Megahouse
Product Line: G.E.M. Ver.Kai
Scale: 1/8
Material: PVC
Sculptor: Arai Kyousuke
Release Date: Sept. 2013
Model #2: Katsura Kotarou (桂小太郎)
Series: Gintama
Manufacturer: Megahouse
Product Line: G.E.M. Ver.Benizakura (though no short hair ver. was provided o.O)
Scale: 1/8
Material: PVC
Sculptor: Arai Kyousuke
Release Date: Nov. 2015
However, it was really more of a reality check of my pathetic Japanese. As Sasuke had aptly put,
"What have I been doing for the past (half) year? Nothing has changed!"
And what was with the girls to boys ratio? Why were there only 2 guys?
Okay, getting out of topic here, let's get back to the fun stuff.
I have always been aware of the risks of borrowing landscapes - for one thing, it might just rain; these few weeks it have been pouring intermittently, which makes it a really brutal month for outdoor shoots. Therefore, I value sunlight more than anything, but is there a thing as too much sunlight?
The moment I stepped into the Japanese Garden section, I knew I had come too early. For two, it was sweltering. Armed with my VitaminWater (lemonade), I ducked between rocks, trees, and cowered within the bridge's shadow in a lame attempt to not get tan. It was really pathetic.
In an effort to pass time and wait patiently for the sun to set, I began exploring the garden (this was the first I have visited this garden, sometimes I wonder what have I been doing too). As expected of an established green oasis, there were an abundance of uncommon animals and birds, and due to the weird timing of 4pm, there were hardly any people around (wee~).
Just look at this picturesque rockscape, this is definitely something I would want in my backyard!
An un-Singapore scenery
Doesn't this seems like a scene of an ancient Chinese drama?
This touching Chinese drama scene was also a source of my aggravation - see that gate on the bottom right? It was closed, CLOSED. Did the place know this was the reason I came all the way from the North? This legit Uchiha household-like building, which was actually a bonsai house (how cool is that!) only opens until 5PM. I probably would have made it if I had chosen the Chinese Garden route, but the Japanese Garden closes at 7PM you see... T.T
Feeling chest-fallen and toying with the notion of sneaking in, I pondered the consequences of trespassing and getting jailed as I headed for the next hotspot of the garden, the striking seven storey pagoda towards the East Entrance (where I entered from).
Here we have Katsura practicing his way of sword under the comfort of shade
(though not so comfortable for me, as I had to knee along the slope while taking multiple test shots).
Hell yea, I love this sort of point-at-me shots >. >
...So my dear Hijikata was getting a little impatient from waiting for his turn (no doubt he yearns for my undivided attention as much as I do), and I could not resist capturing his contemplative side profile while he took a relaxing smoke by the great lake of the Tea House Pavilion.
"So, you finally done?" He turned around and asked in his usual gruff voice, casting a bored glance in my direction. Did he knew I was there all along?
As his Shinsengumi jacket beat gently against his back, he exuded composure and a certain rigidity that no doubt came with his role as the police force's Vice-Commander. With his brows drawn in a perpetual frown and that no-nonsense steely expression, he was easily misunderstood as being an unfriendly and aloof man. Admittedly, he could get a little cold at times, but I knew better. Knowing there was an extremely gentle and selfless man underneath that frosty suit was enough to keep me sticking around him.
"Ooooi," He called out while waving his cigarette in front of my face. Snapping out of my reverie, I accidentally inhaled some of that Japanese imported tobacco and quickly descended into a coughing fit.
"Hijika...ta-san! How many cough...times have I told you not to...cough do that?"
"Then stop staring at my chest and get cracking, we ain't got the whole day."
"W-Who's staring at your ch- you?" I retorted and fumbled for my phone, rubbing self-consciously at the screen for any fingerprints as he twisted back towards the lake and resumed his earlier pose. I swore I could catch a glimpse of that arrogant smirk behind the collar as he causally puffed away at that overpriced imported cigarette. Damn him and his Made-in-Japan obessession.
"What, did you say something?" He suddenly walked up to me and inquired.
"Wait, stay there and don't move- yes just like that! Hold that sulk face while I just-"
"Sulk face? First you took your damn sweet time with that outlaw and now you're insulting my face-"
"Come on don't get mad, you know that sulk face is a force of attraction for me." I placated and even threw in my rapid-blinking shoujo eyes for assurance. His eyes widened a fraction and he hurriedly strode down the walkway away from me.
"Hey where are you going?"
"The sun's setting, if you wanna catch the sunset we've got to hurry."
Thanks to his sharp mind, we were able to make it back to the grass patch by the Japanese bridge just as the clouds started shielding the sun. Even though he did not admit it, I knew he loved this spot more than he was letting on. Besides mayonnaise, he could not resist anything with the word "Japanese" attached, be it milk, cats, or bridges.
After a few shots, I lowered my phone and tapped my lips.
"Hey, can't you smile just once?"
"Which serious swordsman smiles while swinging his sword?" He responded with an incredulous expression, raising his pride and freshly sharpened katana and cutting across the air with a resounding whoosh.
"Nice! Can you do that again?"
"If you didn't catch that, then that's too bad, Miss Photographer." It was so unfair how he could get away with being so mean and uncooperative simply by looking gorgeous, and calling me by my dream title, even if it was just him teasing.
*****
Some time later...
"So the time has finally come, huh, Vice-Commander of the Shinsengumi, Hijikata Toshirou," Katsura growled under the fading daylights, pointing his sword determinedly towards him.
"Katsura, you're literally at the edge of the water; looks like your luck has run dry, facing me here alone," Hijikata sneered, readying his own sword.
"Are you ready to die here, Hijikata?"
"Right back at you, you damn criminal!"
Instead of charging and attacking, they simultaneously turned towards the side and glared at the sudden throng of rogue samurais gathered around them. There were easily thirty of them, each creeping closer and eyes locked like a leopard on them.
"Keh, these bastards sure know how to pick the right time," Hijikata cursed under his breath.
"Mph, looks like our showdown will have to wait," Katsura lightly shook his head and mumbled loud enough for his temporary ally to hear.
"This shall be the only time I'll cooperate with a Joui member, but don't let it get to your head thinking you're off my radar, you hear that Katsura?" Hijikata declared as he quickly scanned their surrounding for the head of these bunch of weaklings. Hiding by the torii gate huh, he released a soft "hmph" as Katsura nodded knowingly in his direction.
"Like the Jouishishi would ever want to be associated with the Shogunate's limps." Drawing out a low breath, he muttered, "I'll leave the Boss to you, don't die before I get to kill you, Hijikata."
"Look who's talking, and I could say the same for you, Katsura."
xoxo
P.S.: Kyaaa, sorry the FanFic impulse came and I just couldn't resist... Till the next time, and thanks for reading!
