Kawaji’s Police

I had no choice. That’s what I tell myself as I enter Kawaji-san’s office and lock the door. Kawaji-san looks up at me and I stand and salute him.
“At ease.” He says, “What can I do for you Shindou-kun? What’s so urgent?”
“Sir!” I grit my teeth, “I want to report that Fujita-san has deviated away from the ways of the Meiji police. He can no longer continue our case.”
Kawaji-san stands up from his chair and faces the window, his back turned away from me. “Now why would you say that of your superior officer?”
“Sir, I have reason to believe that he’s been behind the murder of two people in Yoshiwara and possibly even more.” I swallow, it’s difficult to accuse him after all. “Possibly as many as 20 sir.”
He doesn’t answer for a while and I can’t see his face. Instead he keeps staring out the window as if just watching the setting sun.
“Kawaji-san, we cannot let him continue like this, like a loose cannon.” My voice rises and I settle my hand on his desk with a thud.
“And what do you propose we do with this problem and your current case?” He finally turns to me and raises an eyebrow.
I stop for a moment. I came here only to extract the Superintendent. Relieve him of his duties but I didn’t come with a plan. I’m stumped.
“Eto… Anou…” I think hard but my mind so consumed with tryingn to get him expelled seems to be lost. “Sir we can talk about that later. For now we cannot let him kill anymore!”
Kawaji-san slams his hands on the table. “You come in here, accusing your superior officer with hardly any evidence.” He shakes his head at me, “And -without- a plan Shindou?” He straightens up and in a more even tone continues, “Then it is as he say, you people working in the Undercover Investigations Department are lacking not only in experience but training.” No wonder we couldn’t rely on our own men.
He sighs, “I don’t want you coming in here again accusing your commanding officer. Is that clear?”
“But sir!” I can’t lose this fight. The future direction of the Police hangs on the balance, “I do have proof. Fujita assigned me to provide protection services to his mistress Yagi Hide. You know her, you got the house for her. When it was apparent that her life was in danger, as these men found out where she lived, the very next day the primary suspect Kano Washio turned up dead in the Kamo river! And then another person who was also with him that day at his mistress’ house was found murdered. That cannot be coincidence!” And it was all for a woman. A woman he may have deep attachment too but it cannot be at the expense of our duty!
Kawaji-san doesn’t answer and I push on, “He’s also kept me away from Yoshiwara and there is trouble brewing there that he started with the Yakuza! 15 men of the Yakuza died in one night. And 3 samurai were found dead around Yoshiwara a few days later. I’m not sure what’s happening in the red light district but he has something to do with it! Even now, the Yakuza is planning to attack Yoshiwara on the 21st when it’s darkest during the new moon…”
“And what do you plan to do with that information? How do you plan to prevent that attack?”
“We can talk about that -later-. We need to relieve Fujita!”
“You’re not hearing me Shindou-kun.” He looks at me with hard eyes, “If you cannot come up with a plan or at the very least help support one. -I- don’t need you -here-.”
I’m taken aback. I can feel my eyes growing wide and breathing become shallow. “Sir… I don’t know what you mean.” I move forward, “I’ve spent several months in the Yakuza stronghold. Even more months underground and you’re saying I’m not needed.”
“You’re not if all you have in that head of yours is working against a senior officer.” Kawaji-san leans on, “It should be obvious to you that Fujita is a man I have worked with over the years. We don’t always see eye to eye but even so we are not lacking in -trust-. Which obviously you seem to lack.”
I slam my fist on the table, “No way! He murdered those people when they should’ve been caught and put to trial. We have laws in the Meiji. Laws of order that allows peace. He took on a personal fight for his mistress and likely his commander. Revenged has been outlawed since the dawn of the Meiji!”
“Do you think such -small- acts of possible indiscretion should deter us?” His voice is low, “I recruited new blood like you, yes to pave the way for the modernization of the police. But you’re too young to know what it was like during the revolution, when the streets ran red with blood each day. I’ve seen worst than this. Those who built this era has seen worst.”
I straighten back up. “I’m not sure I understand what you’re saying Kawaji-san.”
He brings his hands behind his back but continues speaking in a low voice, “I’m sure you’ve heard stories in the Bakumatsu where there were many assassins. That man who is your commanding officer was not one of them but the Ishin Shishi who rules today, hired several assassins to do the dirty work. So we can create this Meiji era. But after that work was done, the Meiji did not want it’s dirty work exposed and so our leaders killed off those assassins or at least tried to.”
“So what?”
He shakes his head disapprovingly and turns away at my question, “That man you are accusing of murder, is the same man who helped us get rid of the likes of Shishio. The greatest threat the Meiji government faced. Shishio was one of the assassins who our leader used to complete the revolution and yet it was the loser of that revolution who cleaned up the indiscretions of our past.” He looks back at me, “So do you really think I would, even if I were to believe that this was all a personal vendetta, that I would easily turn away from what that man is trying to do? He puts his life on the line for the Meiji many times, even if he should be the first to bring down this government.”
“I’ve heard very little of Shishio, but there is the account of him leading 5,000 men in Kyoto to keep it from burning. But Kawaji-san…” I try to implore to his reason, “Surely you must agree that the days of assassination and killings need to be behind us! More killings like that only cause more men like Shishio. More murders done by the police only adds to our problems!”
Kawaji-san steps over to my side and leans up, too close for comfort, “And who do you think will go up against those type of evil? I assume you already know his past as a Shinsengumi, who’s sole purpose during the Bakumatsu was to Kill Evil Swiftly.” He steps back and shakes his head again, “There are very few people left like him. One who did not let himself become corrupted. One who works with the police but do not work -for- the police. That is what Okubo-sama told me, when I was tasked to recruit him.”
I take a deep breath, Okubo-sama. Once the most powerful man in Japan. Assassinated.
“It’s not been 10 years since Okubo-sama was assassinated.” Kawaji-san looks like he’s about to tear up, “Do you really think we’re at a point yet that a Utopian peace can be had without the sacrifices of men like Fujita? After Okubo-sama, I had worked very hard to move away from the old ways of our past, the killings, the dirty work, because Okubo-sama’s dream was to be a Nation State, a state of laws but where people can decide the direction of their lives. But up to today, it has been very hard, almost still a dream. I thought I could push that man to the more peaceful life of the Meiji and instead I’m forced to send him back to -protect- what we are trying to build, the new blood of the police… With -you-.”
I stare at Kawaji-san, as he stares down at the table, his hands clenched. Was Fujita really trying to protect -us-? Did he push me away because he knew I was not ready and already hit my limit? Could I fault him for trying to protect his the woman that he loves and seemingly avenge his previous superior? And as for the rest of the killings I accused him of, do I really know what happened in Yoshiwara?
Yagi-san told me back then he’s taken himself close to death man times to fight for his cause.” “it’s powerful, and incorruptible. he didn’t allow the turbulence and change of the new era to change what is true about him, and the ideals he’s held – and those who recruited him, even though they were on opposing sides – no doubt saw that,. I knew protecting him was her truth but I did not give her reasons enough weight.
Finally Kawaji-san is able to compose himself and straightens up. I’m quiet. I don’t know yet what to say.
“One day things will change for the Meiji, things will not be handled the way they are today. We can have rules, procedures, things we’ve learned from foreign powers, all put together and tailored to our Japanese way of life. That was what the “Hands and Eyes of the Police” was for, our aspirations. Shindou-kun, you and the young men of the TMPD represent those future aspirations, but that future must be built by our own hands, even if today it requires to be paid in blood.”
I thought I was doing a good job… No, a -great- job. I thought I was placing myself in absolute danger and making hard decisions… And yet Kawaji-san stands before me and I can see his pain. And that man in Yoshiwara, whom I hardly saw what kind of difficult situations has he been in? It’s true isn’t it what Yagi-san said? That Fujita-san put his life on the line many times and here I am standing here accusing him of things that maybe true but whose reasoning is -twisted-. Here I am refusing to give information that’s needed. And here I am here in the precinct where it’s -safe-.
I bow to Kawaji-san, “Sir I deeply apologize.” Straightening up, “I should’ve come here with a plan and I should’ve given Fujita-san the information he needed. The attack on Yoshiwara will be on June 21st.” My lips thin, I can’t believe how naive I’ve been and how arrogant.
Kawaji-san nods. “That’s important to know.” He gives me a telegram, “That’s the message I received from him. Apparently he’s already guessed the approximate date, but you should get him the message. And obviously he’s already put together a plan which needs execution.”
I look at the plan. I’m not sure it’s enough people but larger numbers of inexperienced policemen would only be a hindrance and produce more casualties. He probably thought that, which is why he wants a good number of sword policemen. “Sir… You said we need to build our future with our own hands,” I didn’t have a plan coming in, but I can follow his and make up for my mistakes, “Let me lead those men.”

One thought on “Kawaji’s Police”

misc_ppl says:

June 9, 2020 at 10:47 pm

I had no choice. That’s what I tell myself as I enter Kawaji-san’s office and lock the door. Kawaji-san looks up at me and I stand and salute him.
“At ease.” He says, “What can I do for you Shindou-kun? What’s so urgent?”
“Sir!” I grit my teeth, “I want to report that Fujita-san has deviated away from the ways of the Meiji police. He can no longer continue our case.”
Kawaji-san stands up from his chair and faces the window, his back turned away from me. “Now why would you say that of your superior officer?”
“Sir, I have reason to believe that he’s been behind the murder of two people in Yoshiwara and possibly even more.” I swallow, it’s difficult to accuse him after all. “Possibly as many as 20 sir.”
He doesn’t answer for a while and I can’t see his face. Instead he keeps staring out the window as if just watching the setting sun.
“Kawaji-san, we cannot let him continue like this, like a loose cannon.” My voice rises and I settle my hand on his desk with a thud.
“And what do you propose we do with this problem and your current case?” He finally turns to me and raises an eyebrow.
I stop for a moment. I came here only to extract the Superintendent. Relieve him of his duties but I didn’t come with a plan. I’m stumped.
“Eto… Anou…” I think hard but my mind so consumed with tryingn to get him expelled seems to be lost. “Sir we can talk about that later. For now we cannot let him kill anymore!”
Kawaji-san slams his hands on the table. “You come in here, accusing your superior officer with hardly any evidence.” He shakes his head at me, “And -without- a plan Shindou?” He straightens up and in a more even tone continues, “Then it is as he say, you people working in the Undercover Investigations Department are lacking not only in experience but training.” No wonder we couldn’t rely on our own men.
He sighs, “I don’t want you coming in here again accusing your commanding officer. Is that clear?”
“But sir!” I can’t lose this fight. The future direction of the Police hangs on the balance, “I do have proof. Fujita assigned me to provide protection services to his mistress Yagi Hide. You know her, you got the house for her. When it was apparent that her life was in danger, as these men found out where she lived, the very next day the primary suspect Kano Washio turned up dead in the Kamo river! And then another person who was also with him that day at his mistress’ house was found murdered. That cannot be coincidence!” And it was all for a woman. A woman he may have deep attachment too but it cannot be at the expense of our duty!
Kawaji-san doesn’t answer and I push on, “He’s also kept me away from Yoshiwara and there is trouble brewing there that he started with the Yakuza! 15 men of the Yakuza died in one night. And 3 samurai were found dead around Yoshiwara a few days later. I’m not sure what’s happening in the red light district but he has something to do with it! Even now, the Yakuza is planning to attack Yoshiwara on the 21st when it’s darkest during the new moon…”
“And what do you plan to do with that information? How do you plan to prevent that attack?”
“We can talk about that -later-. We need to relieve Fujita!”
“You’re not hearing me Shindou-kun.” He looks at me with hard eyes, “If you cannot come up with a plan or at the very least help support one. -I- don’t need you -here-.”
I’m taken aback. I can feel my eyes growing wide and breathing become shallow. “Sir… I don’t know what you mean.” I move forward, “I’ve spent several months in the Yakuza stronghold. Even more months underground and you’re saying I’m not needed.”
“You’re not if all you have in that head of yours is working against a senior officer.” Kawaji-san leans on, “It should be obvious to you that Fujita is a man I have worked with over the years. We don’t always see eye to eye but even so we are not lacking in -trust-. Which obviously you seem to lack.”
I slam my fist on the table, “No way! He murdered those people when they should’ve been caught and put to trial. We have laws in the Meiji. Laws of order that allows peace. He took on a personal fight for his mistress and likely his commander. Revenged has been outlawed since the dawn of the Meiji!”
“Do you think such -small- acts of possible indiscretion should deter us?” His voice is low, “I recruited new blood like you, yes to pave the way for the modernization of the police. But you’re too young to know what it was like during the revolution, when the streets ran red with blood each day. I’ve seen worst than this. Those who built this era has seen worst.”
I straighten back up. “I’m not sure I understand what you’re saying Kawaji-san.”
He brings his hands behind his back but continues speaking in a low voice, “I’m sure you’ve heard stories in the Bakumatsu where there were many assassins. That man who is your commanding officer was not one of them but the Ishin Shishi who rules today, hired several assassins to do the dirty work. So we can create this Meiji era. But after that work was done, the Meiji did not want it’s dirty work exposed and so our leaders killed off those assassins or at least tried to.”
“So what?”
He shakes his head disapprovingly and turns away at my question, “That man you are accusing of murder, is the same man who helped us get rid of the likes of Shishio. The greatest threat the Meiji government faced. Shishio was one of the assassins who our leader used to complete the revolution and yet it was the loser of that revolution who cleaned up the indiscretions of our past.” He looks back at me, “So do you really think I would, even if I were to believe that this was all a personal vendetta, that I would easily turn away from what that man is trying to do? He puts his life on the line for the Meiji many times, even if he should be the first to bring down this government.”
“I’ve heard very little of Shishio, but there is the account of him leading 5,000 men in Kyoto to keep it from burning. But Kawaji-san…” I try to implore to his reason, “Surely you must agree that the days of assassination and killings need to be behind us! More killings like that only cause more men like Shishio. More murders done by the police only adds to our problems!”
Kawaji-san steps over to my side and leans up, too close for comfort, “And who do you think will go up against those type of evil? I assume you already know his past as a Shinsengumi, who’s sole purpose during the Bakumatsu was to Kill Evil Swiftly.” He steps back and shakes his head again, “There are very few people left like him. One who did not let himself become corrupted. One who works with the police but do not work -for- the police. That is what Okubo-sama told me, when I was tasked to recruit him.”
I take a deep breath, Okubo-sama. Once the most powerful man in Japan. Assassinated.
“It’s not been 10 years since Okubo-sama was assassinated.” Kawaji-san looks like he’s about to tear up, “Do you really think we’re at a point yet that a Utopian peace can be had without the sacrifices of men like Fujita? After Okubo-sama, I had worked very hard to move away from the old ways of our past, the killings, the dirty work, because Okubo-sama’s dream was to be a Nation State, a state of laws but where people can decide the direction of their lives. But up to today, it has been very hard, almost still a dream. I thought I could push that man to the more peaceful life of the Meiji and instead I’m forced to send him back to -protect- what we are trying to build, the new blood of the police… With -you-.”
I stare at Kawaji-san, as he stares down at the table, his hands clenched. Was Fujita really trying to protect -us-? Did he push me away because he knew I was not ready and already hit my limit? Could I fault him for trying to protect his the woman that he loves and seemingly avenge his previous superior? And as for the rest of the killings I accused him of, do I really know what happened in Yoshiwara?
Yagi-san told me back then he’s taken himself close to death man times to fight for his cause.” “it’s powerful, and incorruptible. he didn’t allow the turbulence and change of the new era to change what is true about him, and the ideals he’s held – and those who recruited him, even though they were on opposing sides – no doubt saw that,. I knew protecting him was her truth but I did not give her reasons enough weight.
Finally Kawaji-san is able to compose himself and straightens up. I’m quiet. I don’t know yet what to say.
“One day things will change for the Meiji, things will not be handled the way they are today. We can have rules, procedures, things we’ve learned from foreign powers, all put together and tailored to our Japanese way of life. That was what the “Hands and Eyes of the Police” was for, our aspirations. Shindou-kun, you and the young men of the TMPD represent those future aspirations, but that future must be built by our own hands, even if today it requires to be paid in blood.”
I thought I was doing a good job… No, a -great- job. I thought I was placing myself in absolute danger and making hard decisions… And yet Kawaji-san stands before me and I can see his pain. And that man in Yoshiwara, whom I hardly saw what kind of difficult situations has he been in? It’s true isn’t it what Yagi-san said? That Fujita-san put his life on the line many times and here I am standing here accusing him of things that maybe true but whose reasoning is -twisted-. Here I am refusing to give information that’s needed. And here I am here in the precinct where it’s -safe-.
I bow to Kawaji-san, “Sir I deeply apologize.” Straightening up, “I should’ve come here with a plan and I should’ve given Fujita-san the information he needed. The attack on Yoshiwara will be on June 21st.” My lips thin, I can’t believe how naive I’ve been and how arrogant.
Kawaji-san nods. “That’s important to know.” He gives me a telegram, “That’s the message I received from him. Apparently he’s already guessed the approximate date, but you should get him the message. And obviously he’s already put together a plan which needs execution.”
I look at the plan. I’m not sure it’s enough people but larger numbers of inexperienced policemen would only be a hindrance and produce more casualties. He probably thought that, which is why he wants a good number of sword policemen. “Sir… You said we need to build our future with our own hands,” I didn’t have a plan coming in, but I can follow his and make up for my mistakes, “Let me lead those men.”

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