7th April 1885 – Tuesday

“Okaasan looks tired this morning,” observed Makoto-chan. She has a way of saying things that are very obvious. Possibly it’s because I let the water for the tea boil over…
But when I woke, the first thing I did was run downstairs and find his card where I had hidden it. Real, real… last night wasn’t a strange cruel dream. I am still trying to deal with what has happened…
“Ah, darling, I spent too long sitting on the engawa and staring at the stars,” I answer, as I finish getting her lunch together. Done with that I turn my attention to her, bright in her school uniform. A dark gold kimono top with a dark green hakama, such outfits are said to be standard now for girls across Japan. It is certainly less restrictive than a kimono, and the sturdy fabric is better for active girls.
Of course, buying the required two uniforms was a hit on my savings, but it -is- for her. What I told Hajime last night was no excuse – it is a good school. I did have a choice, but selected the Muramaki School because its headmistress is progressive – rare outside of Tokyo – and educated in western subjects. Also, Isuzu-chan’s parents were sending her there, and I didn’t want to separate them.
As we leave we stop by the Mochizuki’s to pick up Isuzu, and little Takeshi-kun almost runs into us as we come in. He goes to another school and walks with a group of boys. Isuzu takes my other hand and I nod at Mochizuki-san. She has been a good neighbor and friend. If Hajime is to come here… she will not report his comings and goings to others. I believe she is someone here that I can trust, but in time I will have to tell her.
The three of us walk along, Isuzu-chan chattering away more, of course, about school and all the things she likes and oh! what a pretty day it was. Makoto-chan tugs at my hand to get my attention before letting go and running to the side of the road. She comes back, handing me a rock. “Okaasan, will you take this home and leave it on the engawa?” I try not to smile and only nod seriously. She picks up rocks and hides them away in her “secret base” under the big juniper bush behind the bathhouse. I’m not sure -what- she’s doing with them, but it seems harmless so I let her have her secrets.
Finally at the school, I let both girls go at the gate, Isuzu-chan squeezing my hand and Makoto-chan quickly hugging my side. “Bye, Okaasan…” I watch them both leave and go into the school.
I turn and two streets later I am at the Sugiyama onsen. Another reason I liked Muramaki, it is close to work, which eases my mind somewhat, that while we may be apart all day now she is close. This makes the fact that she -is- growing up, and by extension beyond me, easier to take if I know that for now she isn’t far.
Now to lose myself in work. May it be interesting today and keep me occupied. I thought too much last night about things that will only require, for now, patience.