Komano

Komano is Kondo Isami's mistress. She is first introduced in Volume 9.

Story
Komano was formerly a Geisha at Sanbongi. Since becoming Kondo's mistress, Komano has moved into a rent house. Tominaga Sei meets her when Hijikata Toshizo tells her to deliver a small package of money. while trying to find Komano, a group of Geisha proposition her for a "good time" while giggling about how Komano and Kondo are all over each other when they are together.

Sei eventually manages to locate Kondo's mistress; Komano is an elegant woman and Sei is in awe at her beauty and charm. As Sei leaves, she notices a man whom she bumped into previously. When Sei goes to investigate, she discovers that the man, Shinosuke, is also involved with Komano and is taking money from Kondo to help him out.

Elsewhere, Nagakura Shinpachi tells Saitou Hajime that he had overheard some maids at the Sanbongi Teahouse talking about how Komano is hiding her lover, and how Kondo is to stupid to even realize he's being duped. Thus Shinpachi decided to make Kondo kill Komano, so he (and the rest of the Shinsengumi) would no longer be a laughing stock at Sanbongi.

Before Shinpachi can say anything, Sei loudly interrupts Kondo and Hijikata, begging the former to leave Komano. Kondo says he's got no intention of leaving Komano, even though he's well aware that she is hiding another man. Kondo tells Sei that Komano proves him something he desperately needs - peace. Further, he finds that her loyalty to the other man, who has lost his home, is commendable.

A few years later, Hijikata mentions to Kondo that he doesn't seem to be visiting Komano very often. Kondo mentions that she's with child now, and while Kondo may or may not be the actual father, Komano is claiming him to be and that is good enough for him. Hijikata tells him that he should be spending more time with her, especially if the child turns out to be a boy.