Kusaka differs from his clan believing in peace and opening Japan up to foreigners where it can do trade and stand with equal footing on the world stage, the Open the Country movement. While trying to stop other Choushou clan members from setting fire to the British Embassy, Kusaka is confronted by a Bakufu (Shogunate) samurai who helps he and a comrade, Aizawa, escape from the authorities. Years later,he meets him again and starts to develop feelings for Akizuki,who is teaching him English. Kusaka has a gentle characher like Akizuki and maybe more optimistic than him because while Akizuki wants to live in a different age,where people would tolerate them,Kusaka thinks everything will change if they wait patiently.