There wasn?EUR(TM)t much time left. The train to Tokyo was leaving in less than an hour. Thankfully I managed to procure us a carriage and it was waiting outside. We should arrive there with enough time to find Eiji and Tsutomu and get good seats.
Ojii-san is sitting in the main room as I bring our belongings downstairs. I place it by the door. Hide should be following soon.
?EURoeGoro?EUR??EUR? I hear him call and I stop to put down what I?EUR(TM)m carrying and go by him.
?EURoeYes Ojii-san??EUR? I ask feeling for the insides of my pocket for that envelope with some money to hopefully cover some of his expenses.
?EURoeI wanted to return this to you.?EUR? He reaches behind from where he?EUR(TM)s sitting and I see a very old, rough looking lacquer box he held with both hands. ?EURoeI kept this for so long. I feel like it?EUR(TM)s time it went to its rightful owner.?EUR?
?EURoeOjii-san, you know I could never take that with me. Please.?EUR? I shake my head slightly and stop looking for the damned envelope. I must?EUR(TM)ve left it upstairs. ?EURoeIt is best kept with you.?EUR?
?EURoeI am an old man Goro. With very few years left. I only held on to this since I know she wanted you to have it. How many times must you reject this request??EUR?
?EURoeOjii-san, maybe Akane should keep it.?EUR?
?EURoeWe both know, what she would do with this.?EUR? The old man looks away and settles the box on his lap, gently wrapping it again in cloth. I don?EUR(TM)t even know what?EUR(TM)s in it. If I wasn?EUR(TM)t such a horrible man, I?EUR(TM)d take it from him, if only to lessen his burden. But I can?EUR(TM)t.
(OOC: Hide can either witness or not. She can also have the envelope Saitou is looking for or not. Or can move them to the waiting carriage outside)
Leaving Aizu
8 thoughts on “Leaving Aizu”
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I finish packing up, feeling better this morning than yesterday. Thank you, little one.
I place my parcel in the carriage, and go around to the other side to where Hajime and Ueda-sama stand.
…How many times must you reject this request?
Ojii-san, maybe Akane should keep it.
We both know, what she would do with this.
I come around and take Hajime’s arm, tucking an envelope in his pocket. “I think this is yours,” I had found it in the bedsheets, it must have been his.
I look over at the box that Ueda-sama carries so carefully. It seems precious. And the way Hajime sounds over it, it must carry heavy memories.
I bow low towards Ueda-sama. Even if he can’t see, he should still be treated respectfully. “Thank you for hosting us, and it was a honor to meet you.” I stand and lean forward and kiss his cheek. He’s a kind old man, and wise. Maybe on another trip we can spend more time with him.
We should make it soon, though. Despite his strong will, he seems frail.
Ueda:
I hear Yagi-san enter the room and I rest my case.
?EURoeThank you for hosting us, and it was a honor to meet you.?EUR?
She kisses my cheek and I smile slightly and reach out to hold her hand briefly. ?EURoeYou two are always welcome here. Next time you come visit I hope the children are with you.?EUR?
I place the box down beside me. He won?EUR(TM)t accept it and it would lose meaning if I ask someone else, even Yagi-san to give it to him. I reach for my cane and start to stand up.
?EURoeNo need Ojii-san to see us out.?EUR? I hear him say as he came near me. ?EURoeWe will close up.?EUR?
I feel Goro leave a piece of paper, envelope?, on my lap. Over the years I?EUR(TM)ve learned not to argue but just learn to accept this token. It is as much as for the giver as it is for the one receiving. I still cling to the hope that in showing him that I don?EUR(TM)t treat his token of gratitude as pity that he would eventually learn not to treat my daughters memory as something to be shunned.
?EURoeI wish you safety then in your travels.?EUR? I stand up slightly but stay put.
(OOC: Hide can direct them out etc.)
We say our farewells to Ueda-sama, and I’m glad for his offer of return.
The envelope is left with Ueda-sama. From the feel of it… well, it must obviously money. I’m glad Hajime can help him out. Thankfully he has Akane-san nearby, and she seems to have a good head on her shoulders.
Hajime and I get into the carriage – it’s not a long ride and we could have walked, but snow has started falling so I’m glad to be away from that.
In the carriage I lean over and take his hand, and lean my head against his shoulder. Even if he couldn’t make any progress with Tokio on some things… I hope he got some of what he came here for.
She takes my hand and settles against me. It won’t be a long ride from here but this carriage ride is probably a lot more comfortable than the long train ride and the soot with it. I -need- to make sure to reserve the good seats, perhaps next to the last train car but closer to the door would be best and safest. It seems to be the easiest decision to make as I think more of what’s transpired the past few days.
On one hand I am glad to leave Aizu on another, I feel like very little had been resolved by coming here. Still, at least my son can finish his compulsory schooling and then can decide what he wants to do next. I watch the snow fall outside and place a cigarette on my lips but don’t light it.
I’m glad to have this moment to ourselves. Soon we’ll have the boys with us and then home, where our daughter is. I smile. I’ve missed her, but I’m certain Yukiko-san is taking good care of her. Hajime wouldn’t entrust Makoto with just anyone.
He picks up a cigarette, sticks it in his mouth but doesn’t light it. I take the cigarette, and I pull the matches from his pocket and light it for him before passing it back.
“Too much on your mind to smoke?” I squeeze his hand.
It was too late before I realized she’s taken the cigarette and lit it.
?EURoeToo much on your mind to smoke??EUR?
“Ah no but thanks.” I take it back and take a couple of hits and then toss it out the window. “I heard recently it was bad for pregnant women to be around someone who smoked.”
I leave it at that. I know she’s not fragile but why take the risk now? Back then I didn’t smoke so it didn’t matter much.
“You’ll be home soon. It’ll be much better once you get back in your daily routine.”
Once Tsutomu is settled, then I’ll go settle my affairs. Maybe it’s a good thing Yukiko is there and even Eiji.
(OOC: you can move them to the train station if you like)
I heard recently it was bad for pregnant women to be around someone who smoked
I shake my head. “And I heard that it’s better for -this- pregnant women if her Hajime is in a better mood because he can smoke if he wishes.” I lean over and kiss his cheek. “I know you worry for me but I need to make sure you have what you need too.”
After all, I am very certain that this will be a better pregnancy – a happy mother is a better mother than what I was in Ito.
Before we know it, we’re at the train station. Eiji-kun waves at us and I look over at the boy standing with him.
?EURoeAnd I heard that it?EUR(TM)s better for -this- pregnant women if her Hajime is in a better mood because he can smoke if he wishes.?EUR?
“Have I been in a foul mood?” I think for a moment. I’ve had a lot to think about ever since coming to Aizu. Things that I’ve either not thought of in a while and things that I’ve conveniently “forgotten”.
“Sorry about that. I’ll do better next time.” I kiss her forehead one last time before the carriage stopped and we get off.
(OOC: New post started)