ooh I love this

Poor, poor hijikata san

I've really tried to not think much of these rwo but... they do seem compatible. Damn that gorilla for the ship tease..
Anyways, as much as I love Hijimitsu, I just can't not think of Hijitae as well. The way it's written through his perspective is so well-written! He also can't stopof thinking of her... which is definitely like him.

One read of this fic, and I know that I have to review this awesomeness.

The title and summary alone gives off and angsty feeling, I can say! I don't really ship Tae with anyone except Kondo (I think), so basically, I'm not really a fan of HijiTae. But this fic is really marvelous, and the bittersweetness just really epic. Tae and Mitsuba do look alike but very different at the same time, and I like the way this fic emphasized the fact that he knew it.

If anything, I think this story is the most realistic in a HijiTae relationship, as Tae doen't really know Hijikata, and Hijikata really longs for Mitsuba. The ending really left me a strong, sad impression, even though I'm not sure if I interpreted it correctly (maybe some sort of unrequited love?)

That was a very good read, and I'm waiting more for your stories.

I don't ship HijiTae, and I never thought twice about it, but this... It makes sense. I love the comparison between Mitsuba and Tae, and I love when Hijikata thinks of the warm feeling. This is one of those stories that people would call "short and sweet." Good work c:

God bless you for writing this! I love this pairing so much. Thank you ever so much! And it's well written too. You nailed Hijikata's personality really well. Great job! Can I hope for more HijiTae from you? :p Keep up the good work :D

It's so good to see another Hijikata/Tae fic around here! I really enjoyed this one, and I'm glad I'm not the only one who sees similarities between Tae and Mitsuba.

Good work!

I like your story. The interaction between Hijikata and Otae-san. Thank you for remembering Mistuba, I find most don't.

Damn, another HijiTae and boy is it well done!

I love the narrative from Hijikata's perspective; you really got into his head there and I love the lines about the warmth. Comparing Tae to Mitsuba is a really nice touch, too.

Awesome work on this one!

HijiTae does have its reasons, it's useless denying it. Might it be the forbidden feel to it from both parties (he obviously will never betray Kondo, and although she seems not to care much about the Gorilla she knows he would suffer too much, not to mention the consequences on the Shinsengumi, the scandal, etc.), but this ship is definitely interesting and full of potential xx

I don't ship HijTae but it's one of Sorachi's "troll ships" that he likes to fool around with the idea of: They have great rapport and are interesting to think of.

This is a rather bittersweet imagining of their relationship and probably the most realistic I've read for that. Hijikata's melancholic, defeatist attitude combined with his sentimentality are perfectly depicted. It strikes me that if this relationship was to ever have a chance, it'd have to be because Tae wanted to pursue it.

Interesting... I've never considered them, but then now that you mention it... they fit well, don't they?