Fuyu no Semi (冬の蝉) is a Japanese anime OVA loosely based on Youka Nitta's manga series Embracing Love (春を抱いていた, Haru wo Daiteita).
This three part yaoi story spans the war torn Meiji era when the Japanese turned from a Shogunate to Imperial rule and entered trade with the rest of the world (1862–1869).
While trying to stop other Chōshū clan members from setting fire to the British Embassy, Kusaka is confronted by a Bakufu (Shogunate) samurai who helps him and a comrade, Aizawa, escape from the authorities.
Episode Two: "Record of Ezo War" starts with Kusaka thinking about cutting ties with his clan when the Head Administrator, Sufu Masanosuke, offers to send him to London to learn about the West.
Before leaving, Kusaka meets with Akizuki one last time during a sunset and they declare their love for each other by kissing and having passionate sweaty sex in a meadow near a riverbank.
Kusaka runs back to the house, engages in a brief argument with his former comrade, and returns to the cottage only to find Akizuki missing and a suicide note on the futon pillow.