_{[ Gintoki strokes his chin, humming, actually giving this some thought. ]}
It seems to make that kind of sense. That is usually what happens at the beginning of an important arc. It could be several chapters until we actually find them if that's the case. The audience have to get a good grasp of each interaction before it all starts to make sense.

They are probably in a more desperate situation than us-- there is always the group of people who have it not so terrible, and with Pachiboy's luck, he and Ichiko-san are probably in a rut together.

I hope your friends have plenty of patience.