I go downstairs – Kinosuke-san is an early riser.
I’ve not slept a bit. Last night, once I was alone, I sit down and write down as much as I can remember from the afternoon’s meeting with Shindou-san. But as I go over it… and over it… I can’t escape from the truth, that in speaking with the young cop I’ve interfered – just as she did.
At least I can warn him.
“Could you see this gets to your friend Ichinose? And if you and Yukiko-san could see to the children, just this once? I’m a little tired this morning.” I try to smile, but look away. “Thank you.”
Telegram: Frustrated Pup came by yesterday, looking for bones. Mother Hen attempted to put him off but he dug up some bones; pup remained unsatisfied, wants meat.
(OOC – Hide will exit unless stopped)
After a Long Night
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I knock, but the gate is open? Hmmm. I let myself in. Whoever left that open, should be told to be careful. Or perhaps they’re just absent-minded. I close it behind me carefully locking it.
Going up to the house, I knock on the door.
“Good day. Is anyone home?”
(OOC: Kinosuke already left taking with him the telegram. Didn’t notice the gates didn’t fully lock.)
Good day. Is anyone home?
I almost jump as I hear a voice at the -door-. I’d gone back to bed after I talked to Kinosuke-san, trying to recover from a sleepless night so I feel a little out of sorts. I’ve not napped during the day in so long. I then dressed as I -cannot- slide into that again, no matter what I’m feeling.
Then I realize that the voice is Eiji-san’s, and I relax. “Ah, good morning, Eiji-kun.” I look at the gate – how did he get in? It looks locked now. Of anyone in Tokyo, though, I don’t mind – perhaps Hajime gave him the key?
“Please, come in – would you like some tea?”
Yagi-san comes down. It seems like no one except her is in the house. She looks tired? And it seems she’s bigger now too. I think Otou-san would be pleased but I don’t stare too much.
“Please, come in – would you like some tea?”
“Ah Yagi-san, I’d be offended if you still treated me as a guest.” I go inside and although I’m usually not this forward, I just feel that I shouldn’t let her serve me today.
“Now just let me get my own coffee ready, “I look through the cupboards, “And since I’m making me coffee, I’ll make your tea as well.”
“Ah here we go.” I hold up the canisters and smile at Yagi-san. Now to get the water to boil.
“I thought I’d drop by Yagi-san.” I prepare our cups, “It’s been several days and I thought I’d just see how things were going and how you were doing.”
Ah Yagi-san, I’d be offended if you still treated me as a guest.
He is family – he’s right. “Thank you for making the tea,” I smile, and sit at the table.
I thought I’d drop by Yagi-san. It’s been several days and I thought I’d just see how things were going and how you were doing
“Thank you for coming by,” I tell him – it really is good to see him, and perhaps I can air out some of my troubles, or at least, not focusing on one in particular. “I’ll start with Tsutomu-kun – the other day he sprained his ankle. Turns out he was hopping out of the big tree in the back garden – apparently, him and Makoto-chan are planning a -treehouse- of some sort.” I smile. “He was very stubborn but eventually let me treat it. He won’t tell me how it’s feeling, but he ‘takes’ fabric from my sewing basket, and leaves the used strips, so he’s wrapping it, at least. But he’s not limping as much.”
I take a sip of the tea – it’s actually good, and I’m pleased that I can register it. “But what I’m most concerned about is a request he made of Kinosuke-san – for money. I spoke with Kinosuke-san and at first Tsutomu-kun had the money for the treehouse, but then changed his mind and asked Kinosuke-san to front the money.” I sigh, “I don’t know what he would need money for. The only thing I’ve seen him use it for is candy.” After all, there’s wrappers all around the house…
“My biggest worry… do you think he’s saving money to run away – maybe back to Aizu?” I’m sure had he said anything to that effect to Eiji-san, he would have told me or his father, but maybe he’d know if it’s even something Tsutomu-kun would even consider.
My coffee and her tea finished, I bring it to the table and sit down.
She tells me about Tsutomu’s sprained ankle and I nod. “Well if that’s all it was I wouldn’t worry. You should see when he gets into fights.” It’s been a while since he fought at school but when it did happen it would leave him black in the face. “He never did know when to quit.” I sigh, “Just like him.”
She tells me about the treehouse and I nod. “Asking Kinosuke about money?” I’m sure i have a surprised look on my face.
“My biggest worry… do you think he’s saving money to run away – maybe back to Aizu?”
“He hardly knows the guy. But then I think maybe that’s why he asked him?” I sip my coffee. “He’s been so much trouble lately Yagi-san, I’m sorry.”
“He wouldn’t know -how- to get back except maybe go for the train station.” Thinking hard, I try to think about -why- he’d go back. I don’t know if I should tell Yagi-san but I don’t want her to worry. “I know Otou-san wanted Tsutomu here in Tokyo, but it was actually Tokio-san who -sent- him here. He didn’t want to come but he follows his mother. I doubt he’d be going back to Aizu for her. She -wanted- him here.” I’m quiet for a moment, I read the letter Tokio-san sent to Tsutomu and his letter back which never reached it’s destination. “Actually I’m certain he’s not going back to his mother.”
“If he were to go to Aizu though, it can only be for Yoshi. That’s the only reason I can think of.” I smile slightly, “Yoshi’s doing so well with Namuzawa and hasn’t written lately. Those two used to be inseparable, before I left.”
I’m not sure if I’m being helpful. I sigh and drink more coffee.
Well if that’s all it was I wouldn’t worry. You should see when he gets into fights. He never did know when to quit. Just like him.
“He got in fights?” I ask, concerned. “Hopefully he’s channeling it in kendo. I heard they have a tournament on the 30th, and it was mentioning it that I think let Tsutomu-kun relent and let me treat him.” I do hope he beats that one boy – his mother is one of the more obnoxious ones at the gates.
He looks surprised at the news about the money.
He hardly knows the guy. But then I think maybe that’s why he asked him?
I sigh, “well, that and he’s very generous around here. I doubt we’d be eating beef as often as we have without him.” But I can go to the market again, so we’ll have to resume being sensible.
He’s been so much trouble lately Yagi-san, I’m sorry
I shake my head. “No, it’s fine. I know he’s a good boy, but he’s very stubborn and this situation must be difficult. I’m glad that he’s kind to Makoto-chan, though.” She adores him – and seems to shrug off his moods. I remember back in Ito, how she’s speak longingly of her friends with brothers and sisters. “But he’s going to all of this to build her a treehouse – she loves having ‘secret bases'”, I explain.
I know Otou-san wanted Tsutomu here in Tokyo, but it was actually Tokio-san who -sent- him here. He didn’t want to come but he follows his mother. I doubt he’d be going back to Aizu for her. She -wanted- him here. Actually I’m certain he’s not going back to his mother.
I remember it happened so fast in Aizu – meeting Tsuyoshi-kun, and Tsutomu-kun coming home with us. “I didn’t realize that it was at her behest. The school he and Makoto attends is very good, but that can’t be all, can it?” Did she think that having him here would cause trouble between his father and I? From what I know of her, I cannot even begin to guess at her reasoning. I think of the night I fixed his ankle, and smile a little. “He has made sure to let me know that his mother was a lady-in-waiting to a princess, though.” It didn’t hurt me the other night, because I knew that there was someone who called me hime.
If he were to go to Aizu though, it can only be for Yoshi. That’s the only reason I can think of. Yoshi’s doing so well with Namuzawa and hasn’t written lately. Those two used to be inseparable, before I left
I nod. “He’s a good boy too – he’s seems to be a lot like Makoto-chan – still carefree.” I sigh, “I wish there a way to get him down for a visit this summer – maybe that would help Tsutomu-kun. But it went badly with Namuzawa-san when we were there, so I don’t know how likely that is.”
“He got in fights?”“Hopefully he’s channeling it in kendo. I heard they have a tournament on the 30th, and it was mentioning it that I think let Tsutomu-kun relent and let me treat him.”
“Well it doesn’t happen now that Tokio-san is not in the school. Unfortunately Otou-san and Tokio-san would sometimes fight publicly and the things they said about each other… I’m not in the school much but it was Tsutomu who would tell me.” I look at Yagi-san, it’s odd to be speaking to her about this. I don’t tell her this to hold her accountable. She wasn’t there. She’s not responsible for Otou-san or Tokio-san. “Their marriage issues were not a secret in the school, I suppose since Otou-san is of the Police no one dared say anything directly but to their backs was a different story.”
I move on from that topic. I was only a 2nd hand witness. “I’m glad he’s letting you treat him however. Otherwise that injury would’ve probably festered.”
She tells me about Makoto and the treehouse. I smile slightly. It’s in this that I’m hopeful about my brother. I expected him to not treat Makoto kindly but with the loss of Yoshi, I can only wonder if that’s why he’s changed his mind.
“I didn’t realize that it was at her behest. The school he and Makoto attends is very good, but that can’t be all, can it?”
I didn’t really come here to… I thought I was just checking up on them. I shake my head, “I suppose not.” I sip more of the now cold coffee. “When Otou-san came to the house to negotiate Tomu, well I wasn’t sure what they spoke about but Tokio-san told us that she and father were back together.” I still can’t believe I heard that. Saying it out loud it still sounded -wrong-.
“He has made sure to let me know that his mother was a lady-in-waiting to a princess, though.”
“The Fujita’s are very proud of their Aizu associations. The Fujita name was bestowed by Lord Katamori himself for his services in Aizu, for not abandoning like the many forces who left for Hakodate. I heard as soon as he got the name, Otou-san followed Tokio-san to Tokyo to marry her and become a bodyguard to Princess Teru and her of course. That’s what’s in the historical family register of the Shizoku. It is a point of -pride- of the Fujita family.” It sounded like a great story when told to us by Tokio-san when we were but children, but now that I know a bit more of Otou-san and what’s happened I do wonder how much of it is true. A knight going after a lady in waiting to the princess? Was he really that?
“He’s a good boy too – he’s seems to be a lot like Makoto-chan – still carefree.” , “I wish there a way to get him down for a visit this summer – maybe that would help Tsutomu-kun. But it went badly with Namuzawa-san when we were there, so I don’t know how likely that is.”
“Oh? But Namuzawa-san seems to be a very good man Yagi-san.” I think back, “He’s done well for himself and yet is humble. I heard they helped out the Fujita family several over the years which shows their generosity. It was truly tragic that him and his wife did not have an heir.”
All the talk of the past and yet for me it was like I was an observer just looking in and not really sure what I was seeing. In the end I suppose, I can only wish them happiness. My ability to provide it was limited.
Their marriage issues were not a secret in the school, I suppose since Otou-san is of the Police no one dared say anything directly but to their backs was a different story
I can’t imagine him fighting in public like that. “Well it’s still a topic around there. Makoto was enrolled as ‘Makoto Yamaguchi’, his niece, but very few people seem to believe it. She’s been bullied by an older girl – one of Tokio-san’s former students who idolized her. The school is handling it, but should Tokio-san wish to return, I will probably have to find another school for Makoto-chan. Until then, the school wishes to remain true to its mission to educate.” I really hope that it’s limited to that one girl, but it’s a strange place to be. “I received only a scanty education, so I want to do better for her, if we can navigate the place.”
My cup of tea is gone, so I get up to start the water again – if Eiji-san has any coffee left it must be cold. “My turn,” I say, with a smile, taking his cup.
When Otou-san came to the house to negotiate Tomu, well I wasn’t sure what they spoke about but Tokio-san told us that she and father were back together
Ah then that’s it. The comments he’s made to me – not just about her background – start to add up. “So… he wants his family back together, and his mother is encouraging this idea.” I say, softly. Then I remember Yukiko-san’s hesitant question – if I’d give him up, for the sake of the boys. Even knowing this, no. There’s nothing to give him up -to-. But why would she still try claim him?
Then Eiji-kun speaks of Aizu, and it sounds like what I’ve heard. Maybe that’s what she’s still chasing. The princess’s attendant and the brave samurai, but at some point they became the teacher and the cop and something broke badly.
But Namuzawa-san seems to be a very good man Yagi-san
I nod. “I think for whatever reason it went badly the last time,” I still remember that mans’s words – harsh, and then the despair Hajime felt… “Perhaps when he’s home, Hajime can try to arrange a visit.” I dearly wish for Makoto to meet Tsuyoshi-kun, but is it even possible?
“Thank you for sharing, Eiji-kun. I want to understand… so I can help father and son. He can’t carry his anger forever, but he’s a child and can’t see his parents relationship yet as anything other than a child. He loves his mother and is very loyal to her, so getting him to look beyond that will be difficult.”
I bring a fresh cup of coffee to the table. “I’m glad you were there – I know you spent time with Hajime’s brother, but in that house. Not just for the boys, but for Hajime as well.”
I sit, “so is there anything new with you?”
“Well it’s still a topic around there. Makoto was enrolled as ‘Makoto Yamaguchi’, his niece, but very few people seem to believe it. She’s been bullied by an older girl – one of Tokio-san’s former students who idolized her. The school is handling it, but should Tokio-san wish to return, I will probably have to find another school for Makoto-chan. Until then, the school wishes to remain true to its mission to educate.”
“That might be for the best.” I think for a long moment, “Perhaps if Otou-san knew this was happening, perhaps there is no need to see if Tokio-san would teach again at the school. There are very few good schools in Tokyo, after all the government is still restructuring but I hate to think of Makoto being bullied. I’m sure he wouldn’t stand for it, though Otou-san is known to force his way at times.”
I bow slightly as she hads me another cup of coffee.
“So… he wants his family back together, and his mother is encouraging this idea.”
Yagi-san is quiet and seems to be thinking of something far away. I didn’t mean to upset her. I look into my coffee.. “I think, he didn’t agree to it Yagi-san, after all he told the children, they’re still “working it out”.”
Still she remained quiet as I recount the family’s historical record. But she does look thoughtful. It’s then that I wonder, why hasn’t he done anything yet about ensuring his children with her is added to the register. Yagi-san would have no rights but the children, he can choose to do so immediately if he wishes. My eyes glance at her protruding belly and I wonder if that’s what he’s waiting for. I bet it would be difficult to convince Tokio-san twice. I keep my silence and drink my coffee.
“Perhaps when he’s home, Hajime can try to arrange a visit.”
“I’m sure it can be arranged. Otou-san need only ask.” And I do wonder what’s stopping him. Or perhaps he’s simply been busy, as usual back in his line of work.
“It’s been a few months he’s been gone.” I say thoughtfully, my eyes glance around and it doesn’t even look like he lives here. “I wonder when he’ll be back.” Or would he even be back? I don’t tell Yagi-san but I feel like he has a lot of unfinished business to take care of.
“so is there anything new with you?”
“For now Yagi-san, I’m just waiting.” I want to take her advice and wait for him to get back. But my funds have been dwindling. “Ah there was something, I’m helping out at a small restaurant in town called Akebeko. There is a young man named Yahiko who told me of the temporary position of bussing tables. But if you could please not tell anyone. Yahiko is a friend of Himura-san.”
I hate to say it but it’s better than being unemployed. I know he told me to go back to the military as soon as possible but I can’t do that -yet-. Not until I’ve finished my business -here-.
There are very few good schools in Tokyo, after all the government is still restructuring but I hate to think of Makoto being bullied. I’m sure he wouldn’t stand for it, though Otou-san is known to force his way at times
I nod. “I know. But so far, the head of the girl’s school is taking it seriously. And Makoto-chan loves it there, otherwise, and hasn’t told me of any other incidents. She likes having Tsutomu-kun there, and they have progressive standards – while they won’t let her take kendo, she is helping with kyudo.” But this is just another topic on the list of things I need to discuss with Hajime, even if…
“I think, he didn’t agree to it Yagi-san, after all he told the children, they’re still “working it out
“They do have a lot to work out. I… accept what I have now, but we do wish to be married. But as the laws no longer allow a man to make unilateral decisions about ending a marriage, something will have to be worked out.” Just last week I received a letter from Tamesaburou outlining all of these things. “I don’t know -how-, but I’ve been patient and will continue to be.” She can’t try to hold him forever, can she? But I’ve no doubt that his wife is a determined woman, for whatever it is she actually wants.
“It’s been a few months he’s been gone. I wonder when he’ll be back
I look around – I didn’t hear Kinosuke-san and Yukiko-san return, but after his eavesdropping yesterday I want to be -careful-. “He was here the other day. For just an hour.” I can’t help but smile… even with my worries, it was still like something out of a dream. “I’d not had a chance to tell you, but my past – with my family and the Shinsengumi – became entwined in his case. A former member of the Shinsengumi harassed me on the street, and eventually he and two others came to the house. Hajime and another policeman,” I frown at the thought of Shindou-san, “were there watching them. Thankfully… they left. You’ll notice that the nameplate has changed, so that probably helped. But I… got an hour.” Of course, yesterday, I paid a price for that hour. I’m quiet, staring down at my teacup.
He tells me about his temporary job, and I smile. “Good – I’m glad that for now. I won’t tell anyone but you should tell Hajime about it when he returns. I… I don’t want to keep secrets from him, even if it’s just where you work and who it’s associated with.” I know from the stories that I’m not supposed to know that Himura-san has a role in the path that led to this young man sitting at my kitchen table.
But so far, the head of the girl’s school is taking it seriously. And Makoto-chan loves it there,
I nod… That’s all that’s important isn’t it? That Makoto-chan loves the school. I don’t say much else then.
“They do have a lot to work out. I… accept what I have now, but we do wish to be married. But as the laws no longer allow a man to make unilateral decisions “I don’t know -how-, but I’ve been patient and will continue to be.”
I look back at her nursing my coffee. “So it’s something you two have spoken about? Marriage? To be honest I never really imagined him wanting to be married again.. That or I just can’t imagine him speaking freely about it.” I think back, trying to remember if there was a memory from my stay at the Fujita household of such -openness- but found none.
Then I remember that one morning when I just got back in Tokyo… “But there was that one time, that I thought I was speaking to a totally different man when he told me that you two were pregnant again. He seemed over the moon that morning, as much as Otou-san could be over the moon I suppose.” I can only hope it happens sooner rather than later, for everyone’s sake. They can’t continue like this. Yagi-san maybe able to wait for him but if this goes on I’m sure it will kill whatever kindness is left in my brother.
Thankfully… they left. You’ll notice that the nameplate has changed, so that probably helped. But I… got an hour.”
She smiles as she tells me about his short visit. I’m -surprised and my face probably shows it. He would -never- visit. Not once had I seen this happen. Even if it were as she said his case cross paths with a case he’s working on, if those men left without issue, he would’ve followed them. But to take a -detour- for a personal matter is unheard of. And there was another policeman involved? I blink stupefied.
I’m glad he visited her but is this still the same man I know all these years who had disciplined himself so strongly until his mission was done? In a way I’m concerned but on another hand, I wonder if the woman in front of me has changed him over time. “Is Otou-san safe?”
So it’s something you two have spoken about? Marriage? To be honest I never really imagined him wanting to be married again.. That or I just can’t imagine him speaking freely about it
“Yes,” I say, simply, a little surprised… and concerned. It has been a point of pain for him, the status of our relationship. I accepted it because it was something I had to, to be with him. But I want to be bound to him in every way that I can.
But there was that one time, that I thought I was speaking to a totally different man when he told me that you two were pregnant again. He seemed over the moon that morning, as much as Otou-san could be over the moon I suppose.
I smile at that. And remember the time before, when he twirled me in the air…
I see the surprise on his face when I tell him about the visit… I suppose that’s not something he’s known Hajime to do and suddenly I feel very sad for that family. Did he not -want- to come, or was he not welcome? Or did one lead to another?
Is Otou-san safe?
I smile at Eiji-san – his question would be the first I’d ask were it Eiji-san that saw him. “Yes… it looks like it’s been a rough few months, but he’s as safe as he can be in his line of work.” I look down, “I look forward to him coming home and taking -care- of him again, and knowing that he’s safe.” I try not to think, if he lets you… or if he -gets- to come home because of what you did, but it intrudes anyway. “And… to help him take care of all of this,” I wave my hand, to indicate the world that is this home and the people within it, “before he goes out again.”
“So Tsutomu-kun’s kendo tournament is the 30th. It’s also my birthday, so I’ll make a special dinner – although I promise there will be a lot less sugar,” I smile, thinking of Tsutomu-kun’s rather riotous birthday. “I would love for you to come for both, if you work allows for it.”
She seems surprised at my comment of marriage? Why? But I forbid myself to go down that path. It is something for them to workout.
We’re both quiet and I wonder, her reality seems to be of a much different man than the one Tsutomu and I know. Which is real?
“Yes… it looks like it’s been a rough few months, but he’s as safe as he can be in his line of work.” “I look forward to him coming home and taking -care- of him again, and knowing that he’s safe.“And… to help him take care of all of this.”
I nod my head slowly and finish the coffee. “He’s strong. He’ll do what he must.” Eventhough we seem to have been speaking of different men, in that he is strong, we should be able to agree. It will take a lot to bring him down.
“So Tsutomu-kun’s kendo tournament is the 30th. It’s also my birthday, so I’ll make a special dinner – although I promise there will be a lot less sugar,”
“I should be able to make it Yagi-san. I shouldn’t be working late.” Then I thought of something, “Ne Yagi-san, in case Tsutomu doesn’t win the tournament, he can be rather cross about that but let -me- worry about it.”
I finally stand up, it’s almost the afternoon and I should get ready for tomorrow. “If you’ll excuse me I’ll see myself out.”
I didn’t tell her yes on telling him about my work at the Akebeko. After all it’s only temporary and I’ve been hiding that I’ve kept contact with Himura-san for many years now. He’s never found out. I’d be afraid if he did and I’m not about to start now, even if Yagi-san thinks so.
(OOC:Eiji ends)
“I should be able to make it Yagi-san. I shouldn’t be working late. Ne Yagi-san, in case Tsutomu doesn’t win the tournament, he can be rather cross about that but let -me- worry about it
“I think I’d love it if you would help in that situation.” I smile ruefully.
I stand and bow. “Thank you for coming, Eiji-san. I’m -always- happy to see you.”
I do make sure the gate is -locked- back this time.
(OOC – Close)