Ogata joined Sugimoto’s group after Hijikata agreed to teaming up, so he was introduced to you — an Ainu woman seeking to have some of the gold to live in Tokyo. A prime pawn to use.

One night, when the others had gone to rest, the two of you chatted around the campfire. He’d come to know that you’d joined the group from helping them kill a bear. Eventually their talks led to him revealing all his plans — running away from the group and going to Karafuto.

“So? Won’t you join me? I trust you.”