Yagi Yuunosuke, in his office at a secondary boy’s school in Kyoto
Another rejection letter…
I sigh. The boys school is good but it’s limiting; university is where I need to be but as a colleague told me, “your name is troublesome”. Ha! For boarding some samurai at our house many years ago? But one of the Western institutions that we imported along with the idea of university is complex games of politics among the faculty, and some still hold strong feelings about the revolution. It would have also been nice to be closer to Tokyo, so I could keep an eye better on my sister. Her letters indicate no trouble now that the family is settled but still…
(Tamesaburo)
After dinner, while we sit on the engawa sharing some sake, Yuubo tells me about the letters he received today.
I wish he didn’t feel so stifled by Kyoto. I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else, and here in our little corner of Mibu… well, I can still be useful. Follow in the footsteps of my father and the long line that lead to him, well, it’s like the Western expression about the pen being mightier than the sword that Yuubo shared with me. If I can keep the old (but ordinary!) families of Kyoto safe from the swindles of these shady fast-taking men of the new era who want to “develop” our land, then I think that chichi-ue would be proud of me.
But my brother wants out. I think it’s his frustrations that make him so restless. And he has (finally!) a woman who’s caught his eye, which Hanako and I never thought would happen. Maybe she could provide him with some roots.
“Remember that Kato guy? He wrote me again today?”
I groaned. “Yes, that pest. Is he the same one who kept trying to get me to sell him the beam that had the sword damage from when Serizawa was killed?”
“The very same. I’ll handle him this time, though. You have enough going on.”
I laughed, “maybe this time he won’t want us to dismantle the house just for the sake of having some memorabilia.” What a strange man. Full of a thousand questions, but I’m used to that. Part of taking my father’s mantle of protection of Mibu also includes our former tenants. I see former members (of course not, aside from those two visits, of the two surviving captains), children, wives… all wanting to reminisce or know more about the old days.
Ah well. I’m glad that my brother will take care of this situation.
“What!?” While I was lost in my thoughts he finished the bottle! “You drank it all!” And this was the good stuff. I cuff him, call him something good-naturedly rude, and call it a night.
Evening, Yagi Yuunosuke’s office at the boy’s school
Yuunosuke: Kato-san asked to meet at a izakaya but that made me uncomfortable – firstly, I don’t know this man well enough to want to drink with him, and secondly, it’s not always good to go out and talk Shinsengumi in public. Some places that still feel that they owe them a debt are friendly, but, oh, if the wrong person is at another table and overhears you there can be trouble. And my guest is trouble enough.
I offer tea, which he declines, as Kato-san wants to “get to business”. He’s about my age but has the impatience of a boy but his receding hairline and stomach spread under his expensive kimono.
It starts with the usual – a mix of letters from minor Shinsengumi members who talk of their glory days and wild rumors. According to “sources” Kato-san has, Hijikata-san and several of the captains are alive and well in London England of all places! Sadly, the truth is what we know – that save for two captains, the rest have long since past. The only rumors I give some credence to are those of Harada-san, but they’re all so wild that it’s hard to take it seriously.
However, Kato-san takes it all seriously. Apparently he comes from a well-off family; he even spoke of actually going to London to investigate!
(Kato Hayato)
So far this has been -frustrating- as always. I had a really good letter from someone who was in the troop of Okita Souji! Yagi-san was as dismissive as usual – but so what if he only served a month before deserting? He still has insight on the great captain of the first troop!
Fine then. The Yagi family are obstinate. The price I offered for the beam was more than that old house is worth.
“I heard that Saitou Hajime is a police officer, of all things,” I offer. But Yuunosuke shook his head. “I thought he was dead. Nobody’s heard from him after he was taken prisoner after Aizu fell.”
I have to stop from rolling my eyes. “I had a very good source.” I laugh, “consider someone like him, now working for the government. But they say his loyalties were always.. questionable. Perhaps it was an easy switch.”
Yagi-san just leans back in his chair, “That’s the knowledge I have.” He shrugs, and again, I wonder why I waste my time.
Then I finally get to it. “So where is that sister of yours? I’m sure she has some interesting tales, having been older than you and your brothers. And of course, her relationship with Okita Souji – ”
Yagi-san cuts me off. “She’s been in poor health for some time and lives in the countryside. During the old days, she stayed with another family in Mibu while the Shinsengumi were here. And as for her and Okita – it must have been another village girl. I don’t know how her name keeps getting tied up in it.” He stands, and starts walking to the door of his office.
“But I heard she was in Tokyo, a contact of mine saw her there.”
“Again, she’s in delicate health. And I say this as a loving brother, but she’s a rather ordinary middle-aged woman. I’m sure there’s plenty who match that description.”
I narrow my eyes. He was too quick, too dismissive. The Yagi boys know a lot of secrets – they conspire to keep me away from Shimada Kai as well!
“Very well, as you say.” I’m all smiles again. “Perhaps next time I can bring some artifacts for you and your brother to look over? I’ve found some books with Yamanami’s name written in them…”
We exchange pleasantries, and I leave.
(Yuunosuke)
I go straight back to the house and find my brother. “We need to talk. Now.”
I brief him on my conversation with Kato-san. We’re used to people asking about various members, and even a few about Hide-san, but this seems different. It’s the old-timers who actually knew her, speak wistfully of her cooking or her association with Okita-san. But even then, since she left home years ago, we keep it vague. It’s for the best to keep her obscure.
“But she’s safe in Tokyo with Saitou-san, right?” my brother asks.
“That’s how I left it.” I sigh. I know he can protect her – would there be anyone better? And likely Kato is a nuisance but I can’t forget how he harassed Shimada Kai. When he couldn’t make headway, he sent what we understand to be some -associates-. Thankfully we were able to call on some old friends – nobody known or remarkable but enough to dismiss those men.
“Then let’s leave it. Generally Kato-san is talk – he never did go to London, did he?” Tamesaburo grins at me, but I can’t return it.
It’s too bad that Saya is unavailable – my last note from her simply read “Busy. Don’t worry. Give me a few weeks”. I don’t think I’ve ever mentioned Kato-san, as the Shimada incident was a couple of years ago, but she would no doubt tell me that I’m being an over-protective brother. And that Hide has Saitou-san.
“Alright. Let’s just wait.”
(OOC – end thread)