I'm a little ashamed that I've barely looked at my journal during all the race festival. Between the plays and helping at the Gunsmoke and all that, I usually pass out as soon as I get back to my quarters. Even if I'm tired at the end of the day, though, it's a good sort of tired.

But I guess I couldn't help writing a little since I've been in such a great mood lately, now that I know I have a true friend on this ship. I mean, I try hard to be a good friend to everyone, but to be honest, it's always hard for me to build a real, strong friendship, like the kind I have with Hiro and Lucia and the others. It's probably my own fault. Even now, it feels a lot safer to hide who I really am...

Well, now there's someone I know I don't have to hide from. I told Gintoki my whole ugly past over drinks. And he listened to every rambling word, and didn't seem to have trouble believing it or judge me at all. He was actually very comforting and even a little insightful. I'm impressed. He seems so childish and sloppy most of the time, but for a moment there he seemed mature and kind of cool. And he even helped me get back to the ship after I had too much to drink. I wonder what I did to deserve such a nice friend?

I still need to get these comics back to him, though. It's not like I've forgotten about them. In fact, I'm enjoying them more than I thought I would. But I've never seen so many comics! He really must have been collecting these for a long time. I feel like I'll never be able to get through them all at this rate.