Just before 8 PM, Zhai Shiqing was already sitting in front of her computer, eagerly waiting for the second episode of 'Rurouni Kenshin: Trust & Betrayal' to go live.
Ever since she watched Episode 1 three days ago, she had been stuck thinking about Kenshin and the female lead — where would their paths lead?
Sure, the show had its rough spots when it came to production quality, but that didn't stop her from falling in love with it at first sight.
As she passed the time reading the flood of comments in the live chat, 8 o'clock hit. She refreshed the page — and sure enough, the pay-to-watch link for Episode 2 popped up.
She clicked immediately.
The episode picked up right where the first had left off — the rain-soaked night, the moment of Kenshin and Yukishiro Tomoe's first meeting.
Blood was still dripping from the wound on Kenshin's cheek. Across from him stood Tomoe, in a white kimono now spotted with blood, her gaze distant and dazed.
She had clearly been drinking before stumbling upon Kenshin's latest kill. And when she saw the blood trickle down his cheek, she stepped forward — and fainted directly into his arms.
As the blood from Kenshin's wound fell onto Tomoe's pale face, the moment — thanks to their stunning visuals — looked like a frame from a painting.
Kenshin, who had been debating whether to kill the witness before him, now had a complicated expression.
He was a killer, yes — but killing a drunken, defenseless woman?
Zhai Shiqing smiled faintly.
So this is how they met, huh?
The story then shifted into a quieter, more domestic tone.
Kenshin spared Tomoe and brought her back to the assassins' hideout. From then on, everyone assumed she was his woman, and she naturally stayed, taking on small chores like cooking and cleaning.
The organization did investigate her background, but the only result was: "daughter of a fallen samurai." Since Kenshin had brought her back personally, no one dared to drive her away.
But the fact that Kenshin had been ambushed recently raised suspicions — there might be a traitor in their midst.
And so, Episode 2 began by introducing more of the organization's inner workings — and showing slices of Kenshin and Tomoe's daily life.
Tomoe's routine was that of a servant.
Kenshin was to kill.
Sometimes he came back in clean clothes, only the sword stained with blood.
Sometimes, his whole body was drenched in it.
No matter the mission, no matter the opponent — Kenshin always returned alive.
Tomoe would wash his clothes.
And Kenshin gradually got used to having someone care for him.
[They're basically living like a married couple.]
A comment scrolled across the screen.
Zhai Shiqing felt the same.
But of course — they weren't really a couple.
Then the scene shifted again.
Kenshin slept on the floor, clutching his sword — peaceful, handsome, and unguarded.
Words popped into Zhai Shiqing's mind:
A face that launched a thousand ships.
Tomoe saw him and walked over, wanting to lay a scarf over him.
She looked down at Kenshin's sleeping face.
"A child…" she whispered.
Zhai Shiqing could read the meaning behind her expression.
This child was the most feared assassin in Kyoto, someone the elite class trembled at the mention of.
People knew a killer roamed the city, but no one knew who, how old, or even what gender.
Only Tomoe — who had seen him kill — knew the truth.
The feared "Battousai" was just a boy who, in sleep, looked gentle and innocent.
"Even children… can kill."
Tomoe reached out to touch the scar on his cheek. Her expression softened — conflicted, even pained.
The moment her fingers brushed the scar, Kenshin's eyes snapped open.
Like a beast awakened, he drew his sword in a flash and held it to Tomoe's throat.
Zhai Shiqing gasped, nearly flinging her water cup.
The way Kenshin glared, blade drawn — it was terrifying and stunning all at once. Her heart pounded wildly.
Fortunately, he recognized her in time and lowered the sword.
"I'm sorry," Kenshin said, turning away from her as he noticed the scarf she had placed on him.
"Do you plan to keep killing people?" Tomoe asked, once her nerves had settled.
"You've always had nowhere to belong, haven't you? You can't even sleep without holding a blade."
Her voice wasn't angry — just full of quiet sorrow.
The sunlight from the window split the room in two.
Kenshin and Tomoe — back to back — as they belonged to different worlds.
By now, Zhai Shiqing was completely immersed.
Does Tomoe know? Kenshin is the one who killed her fiancé?
If she finds out later… will she still be so gentle toward him?
"I'm a killer who brings blood and death. I won't let your things get tainted by that," Kenshin said as he returned her scarf, calm once again.
[What a typical emotionally unavailable man.]
Zhai Shiqing couldn't resist and fired off a comment.
He was single — and deserved to be.
Tomoe took the scarf silently, her eyes unreadable.
She turned to leave.
But then—
"Miss Tomoe… thank you."
Kenshin's voice called from behind.
And just like that, Zhai Shiqing's heart fluttered again.
So he can be sweet sometimes…
Even though Episode 2 didn't have much action so far, the emotional development between Tomoe and Kenshin felt even more compelling than in Episode 1 for her.
Soon, Kenshin's organization warned him: someone was stirring trouble in Kyoto. If things got out of hand, he should be ready to leave with those close to him.
That night, Kenshin and Tomoe sat together drinking.
"Is the wound on your face healing?"
"I forgot."
"Then maybe it's healing."
"The blood just isn't flowing anymore."
"When I see that scar, I can't help but wonder… what was the person you killed thinking in their final moments?"
Zhai Shiqing's heart ached.
The man who left that scar — Kiyosato, Tomoe's fiancé — what had he been thinking before he died?
He'd been thinking of her.
Regretting that he left Kyoto.
Regretting that he chased success instead of staying by her side.
And now, here was Tomoe, sitting and drinking with the man who had killed him.
The sense of fate — and irony — was overwhelming.
"You all say killing is for the people's happiness.
But I don't believe happiness built on murder can be real." Tomoe stared into Kenshin's eyes.
"I don't kill without reason," Kenshin replied.
"So what, you calculate whether someone still has value?
And you don't even make that decision yourself — you just follow orders," she said.
Their conversation revealed the deep philosophical gap between them.
But was either one truly wrong?
Zhai Shiqing fell silent.
A good show always made you reflect.
And a memorable female lead was never just about romance.
Tomoe had clearly realized that Kenshin's path couldn't continue.
In just two episodes, both characters had become fully fleshed out.
Just like the title of this episode — "The Lost Cat".
Tomoe, after her fiancé's death, had wandered into Kyoto and drowned her pain in alcohol — only to stumble upon the assassin.
Kenshin, too, had strayed from his ideals, his dream of saving the people now buried beneath a mountain of corpses.
They were both lost.
Stray cats, searching for direction.
Then came the episode's climax.
The Shinsengumi launched a full-on assault, aiming to wipe out Kenshin's entire faction in Kyoto.
Kenshin grabbed Tomoe's wrist with one hand and held his sword in the other. Even with death looming, he never let go of her.
He tore through enemies like a god of war, dragging Tomoe through the chaos toward the outskirts of the city.
The fight choreography here surpassed even Episode 1 — and for Zhai Shiqing, it was even more moving.
If Kenshin had wanted to escape, all he had to do was abandon Tomoe.
No one could've stopped him.
But even surrounded by dozens of killers, he refused to leave her behind.
At the end of the episode, Kenshin broke through the encirclement with Tomoe.
"Let's go to Ōtsu.
There, we'll live in hiding — as husband and wife."
That's what Kenshin told her.
But after he turned away, Tomoe stood still, gazing at his back — and slowly pulled a dagger from her sleeve.
The ending theme began to play.
Zhai Shiqing stared at the screen, stunned.
What… does that mean?
Tomoe wants to kill Kenshin?
Why?
There was only one possibility that made sense.
She knows. She's figured out that Kenshin is the one who killed her fiancé.
Holy crap.
As that thought clicked into place, Zhai Shiqing felt a rush of nervous energy.
Is this story really going to be a tragedy?!
With Kenshin's strength and instincts, if Tomoe tried to kill him…
That would be suicide.
And ending it there?
What is wrong with this screenwriter?!