April 22, 1885 – Wednesday – An Event at the Precinct

I play with the wooden plaque with it’s bronze finish. Running my fingers on the metal hammered with my name Fujita Goro. My gloves are to the side. I haven’t worn them all day for there was no reason to. No one ever visits here unless on official business and these days, there’s less business I’ve been allowed to deal with. A long time ago I would if bored enough and not working on a satisfying case, would storm into Kawaji’s office or hang around the lobby waiting to hear the next material case I can involve myself with. But that’s change somewhat, Kawaji has made it his mission that I somehow be left to this office undisturbed. My eyes narrow at the name once again… Fujita Goro – Police Inspector.
Fujita Goro ka?
A long time ago I was useful to the Keishikan. Yes a long time ago… When I was still an Assistant. No not really when I was an under cover cop. I put the plaque face down. I do not want to see that name again. It reminds me too much of how I had failed in certain respects myself, my comrades and most of all this country. A useless idiot.
The knock comes through the door steady. I rise from my seat and open it expecting the young officer I had demanded to stop by before he goes out on assignment.
“Good evening Capt. Fujita.” He salutes and stands in attention.
“Come in Shindou-kun.” I wave him inside with a grin and close the door. “So you’ll be going out tonight?”
“Yes sir.”
“Why don’t you sit down?” I offer him the leather sofa.
“No that won’t be necessary Sir.” He looks around and I know right away that he wants to leave as the corner of his eyes glanced back at the door. “Why did you call for me Capt. Fujita?”
I shrug and lighted up a cigarette. I see him look to the side and slightly, just ever so slightly scrunch up his nose.
“A little discomfort shouldn’t bother you Shindou-kun. How do you expect to work your first case like that?” I reprimand him.
“With all due respect Sir. What I do here in your office, is not what I’ll be doing under cover.”
“Oh really? So tell me what’s with the polished boots and did you get your shirt drenched in women’s perfume?”
He looks down first to his boots, then looked back at me. “This is really none of your concern.”
“Perhaps…” I chuckle slightly. “Get rid of the boots, the pants and that stupid shirt Shindou… That’s all the advice I can give you if you want to get into the mafia.”
I tell him the basics. The first rule of being underground is at least to look the part. Although I admire the cleanliness and proper decorum of this young man. He’d get himself killed before he even steps into that gambling den.
“I didn’t ask for your advice…” He mutters under his breath. And suddenly my ears rang… A constant buzzing, that accompanied my head as it snapped back towards him.
“Did you say something?” I cock my head.
“Yes I did.” He looks at me straight on. “With all due respect, I am not under your supervision Cpt. Fujita. You are in no position to give unsolicited advice.”
“Oh is that so?” I step towards him slowly. I can feel my eyes turn a cold shade of gold. “Well let me tell you something ahou…”
It’s then that I remember… No one here remembers, rather no one here knows the work I did a few years ago. That I had no credentials to speak of… That only Kawaji and those above him knows the truth. I back away from the young man slowly.
“Go hurry… and get yourself killed.” I tell him as I go back to my desk. I hear him snort and the door closes with a slight shudder. I shake my head, we’ll see if he survives the night. I am no longer a manslayer and yet I am not his keeper.
Finishing the cigarette I open the window. The wind blows inside sending the papers on my desk into a scatter. Scowling I slam the thing shut and started picking up the papers. I should go get some sleep…