Yukiko:
It’s Friday and we just dropped off the children to school. Makoto-chan is her usual bubbly self and Tsutomu is quiet as usual but I’m still worried about him. Yagi-san said he came home drunk and got sick and no one could’ve missed the closed door session Uncle took with his son. I wonder if he was lecturing him on the evils of drinking? I hope they weren’t too hard on the boy. He’s my cousin but I think of him more as a little brother… I’d cheer Tsutomu up but I’m finding it hard to put on a cheerful face. I’m glad Eiji-kun is here. I don’t have to pretend around him unlike with Uncle and Yagi-san.
“Hey Yuki instead of going back to the house, how about we take a few minutes and I’ll show you where I work?”
I nod. “But we can’t take long. Yagi-san is alone in the house and…” I’m sure Uncle is as usual at work and won’t be home until most of us has gone to bed.
“Oh we won’t I just want to introduce you to some of my friends.” He smiles and I smile back at him.
Eiji:
I’m glad she agreed. It doesn’t take us long to get to the Akebeko. It’s not yet open at this time but it is starting to get busy.
“Oh Eiji-kun.” Tae-san looks surprised, “You’re not due until later this afternoon.”
“Thanks Tae-san, I just wanted to show my…” I look at Yukiko and realize I don’t really have something I call her by and I refuse to call her my cousin. She’s not that. “My childhood friend Yukiko where I work.”
Tae-san smiles at her “Well feel free to look around and don’t be shy in telling everyone about us Yukiko-san.”
Yuki bows respectfully to Tae and just as she leaves, Tsubame-chan comes out with a rag and starts wiping some of the tables.
“Yuki, this is Tsubame-chan.” I grin at Tsubame. “She’s Yahiko’s friend.”
Tsubame stops what she’s doing and bows to Yuki. “Nice to meet you. Please would you like to sit down?”
“I think we will.” I tell Tsubame-chan, “Where’s Yahiko-kun?”
“Right here!” He quickly sits down with us and leans over to Yuki and outstretches his hand. “I’m Myoujin Yahiko.” He grins at Tsubame,, “And this is Tsubame my girlfriend.”
“Umm nice to meet you.” Yuki looks at his outstretched hand confused.
“Yahiko-kun!” Tsubame yelps but Yahiko ignores her.
“Ah it’s a new form of greeting I learned from an “Amerikano” from last night. Apparently you touch hands and shake like this.” He immediately grabs her hand and starts shaking it and I reach out and unclasp his hand and her hand.
“Oh someone doesn’t like my being to friendly to Yukiko-san.” He grins at me.
“You’re scaring her.” I tell him, “And embarassing Tsubame-chan.”
He shrugs and sits back down. “So tell us about yourself Yukiko-san.”
“Umm. I’m from Akashi. I thought we were just going to look at where Eiji works.”
“What brought you here to Tokyo?”
“My Uncle, Fujita-san wanted me in Tokyo.”
“Wait…” He throws me a look, “Eiji she’s not related to Saitou is she?”
“Umm yes, he’s my uncle.” Yukiko, “How did you know his other name?”
“That Yarou!” Yahiko somewhat shouts, “Came to our dojo again late at night and his kid caused trouble in our dojo -again-. Getting all drunk! If I was there I’d challenge that cop myself!”
“Hey Yahiko. Turn it down. She doesn’t know…” I look at Yuki, “She’s not involved. I only brought her here so she can meet Tsubame-chan and they can be friends.”
“Hell no! That corrupt cop is going to cause trouble and I’m not going to let Tsubame get involved.”
“Yahiko-kun that’s not nice to Yukiko-san.” Tsubame bows her head meekly, “I’m sorry. He’s usually not like this.”
“My uncle doesn’t cause trouble.” Yukiko stands up. “He’s not a nice person sometimes but he’s not a bad man.”
I stand up and throw Yahiko a hard look. “I’m sorry Yuki. The people here are really good people.” I tell her, “They’re friends with the man who saved me in Shingetsu. I just thought…”
“It’s OK Eiji-san.” She stands up and bows to Tsubame-chan. “I’m sorry to have caused you trouble.”
She leaves immediately and I follow. Yahiko and I will have a lot to discuss about later. It’s one thing to not like Fujita-san but it’s another to treat Yuki like that. What’s happened? He wasn’t like this to Tsutomu when he worked here.
We didn’t take long to get back to the house and I feel like I’ve made things a lot worst. I don’t go inside, it didn’t seem like she wanted company. I only wanted her to be happy again. But I’ll try until I see her true smile again.
(OOC: Anyone can interact with Yukiko. She’s going into the house. If nothing will close and weekend should start.)
Yukiko-san was gone a long time, but since Eiji-san is with her in the mornings now, I -try- not to worry. I wonder if he’s declared himself? She’s been so quiet since Kinosuke-san left.
I’m cleaning the kitchen when I hear her come in.
“Welcome back, Yukiko-san,” I smile. Oh dear, she has that “Yamaguchi” look again. Did something go wrong.
“Would you like some tea? Or coffee?”
“Would you like some tea? Or coffee?”
“Oh.” I didn’t notice Yagi-san there.
“I’ll make the tea Yagi-san.” I drink coffee but I like tea much better.
“How are you doing Yagi-san?” It feels like it’s been weeks since I spoke to her so I try to smile. “I hope the baby is treating you well?”
“How did your doctor visit go?”
“And did you and uncle settle on a name yet?”
“Makoto seems excited now.”
“I hope Tsutomu hasn’t been giving you a hard time?”
“Should we start dinner early?”
I’m glad as the water finishes boiling. I didn’t realize i was rambling. I look for the tea leaves.
She offers to make the tea, so I go ahead and take a seat, and then I’m peppered with questions.
“How are you doing Yagi-san? I hope the baby is treating you well?”
“How did your doctor visit go?”
“And did you and uncle settle on a name yet?”
“Makoto seems excited now.”
“I hope Tsutomu hasn’t been giving you a hard time?”
“Should we start dinner early?”
I address her questions one by one. “Well, but I’m to the late stage where I just feel -heavy- all of the time. Doctor visit went well, Hajime was able to meet me there.” No need to mention that it was all by accident, I wouldn’t want her to worry about broom-wielding old ladies, “Still working on the name, and Tsutomu-kun… has had a lot on his mind. Makoto seems to be doing better with the -idea- of the baby.”
I smile as she brings over the tea. “And it’s hardly time for lunch, so probably early to start on dinner unless you want to do something elaborate, but I don’t know if I have the energy or ingredients to do a Kyoto style kaiseki.”
I look at her, the smile that doesn’t quiet make it, the barrage of questions. “And how are you? I’m glad Eiji-san is able to escort you when you make the school run, it makes me feel better.”
I nod as Yagi-san deftly answer my questions.
“Oh I’m glad Yagi-san. Good that everything is working out.”
I keep my hands busy but there’s not much to that after the water is poured, so I sit down and try to be still.
“And it’s hardly time for lunch, so probably early to start on dinner unless you want to do something elaborate, but I don’t know if I have the energy or ingredients to do a Kyoto style kaiseki.”
“Oh please save your energy please.” I don’t know what Uncle would say to that and I have noticed our meals have become simpler, so much so that I can actually handle them.
“And how are you? I’m glad Eiji-san is able to escort you when you make the school run, it makes me feel better.”
“I’m fine.” I take a sip of the tea. “Eiji-kun has been very nice to me. He’s even tried to introduce me to his friends.” I can’t help but frown slightly at that. “Though I doubt I made a good impression.” I hope Eiji-kun wasn’t embarassed. I sigh. Oh well. I suppose I’ve been prone to outburst the past week or two. I look at Yagi-san, always so calm and composed. Why can’t I be more like her? No wonder Kinosuke-san left.
Oh please save your energy please
I nod, and smile over at her. “And I’m so thankful for your help, it’s really made a difference in keeping me off my feet and your uncle from worrying so much.” And her rice really is finally getting much better!
Eiji-kun has been very nice to me. He’s even tried to introduce me to his friends. Though I doubt I made a good impression.
She frowns and I sit up. “Were these friends of his from the place where he works? Yahiko-san?”
“Were these friends of his from the place where he works? Yahiko-san?”
I nod. “Mmm. But I think he took me there to meet Yahiko-san’s girlfriend Tsubame-chan.”
I shrug. “Why he thinks I need more friends is beyond me. But I guess Yahiko-san doesn’t think much of…” I stop and just drink the tea. “Tsubame-chan seems to be very nice but I wouldn’t want to go there again.”
“As for you Yagi-san, don’t you have any friends here aside from Kenji-kun’s mom a couple of weeks ago…” I think, “you were here in Tokyo a while ago right?”
“Mmm. But I think he took me there to meet Yahiko-san’s girlfriend Tsubame-chan. Why he thinks I need more friends is beyond me. But I guess Yahiko-san doesn’t think much of… Tsubame-chan seems to be very nice but I wouldn’t want to go there again
“What happened to make you think that they didn’t like you? I’ve heard that she’s a very sweet girl, but Yahiko-san can be… a little… impetuous.” I sigh and drink the tea. He doesn’t think much of… “did he figure out just who your uncle is?”
As for you Yagi-san, don’t you have any friends here aside from Kenji-kun’s mom a couple of weeks ago… you were here in Tokyo a while ago right?
“That’s right, I don’t have many friends. I did when I was younger, back in Kyoto, but some stopped associating with me once the Shinsengumi arrived, and the others… drifted away as they married and moved onto new lives. And after that, I had to take care of my family.” I smile a little. “When I was in Tokyo… briefly, one person who ended up not really being a friend, but that’s long ago.”
I look up at her. “Do you think that Eiji-san thinks you’re lonely? Or perhaps he wants you to meet people important to him?”
I nod at Yagi-san. “He was. He seems to hate Uncle very much.” I look down, “It’s almost like there was bad blood before and he mentioned Tsutomu too.”
I can’t help saying it, “It’s too bad it would’ve been nice to know Tsubame-chan.” She’s maybe a year younger or my age. But if Yahiko-san was so much opposed, it’s probably not worth it meeting new people.
Yagi-san mentions her friends in Kyoto but my question was Tokyo. “When I was in Tokyo… briefly, one person who ended up not really being a friend, but that’s long ago.”
“Oh? Who was that and what happened?”
“Do you think that Eiji-san thinks you’re lonely? Or perhaps he wants you to meet people important to him?”
I shake my head and look at Yagi-san -confused-. “Why would he want me to meet people important to him?” Even if they were important people to him, they seemed very judgmental. Besides I think i’m doing well not showing anybody I’m missing Kinosuke-san.
It’s almost like there was bad blood before and he mentioned Tsutomu too.
“Yahiko-san’s… mentor is a man with whom your uncle has a long history. They were on opposite sides during the war and their last fight never happened.” I look over at her. “He’s also the father of Makoto-chan’s schoolfriend Himura Kenji and Himura Kaoru’s husband.” I smile a little. “Life can get very entangled.
“So naturally he’s protective, but to be rude to you…” I shake my head. “I know that Tsutomu-kun going to the Kamiya dojo where they all stay the other night was something he didn’t take to well, but again, it doesn’t excuse rudeness.”
It’s too bad it would’ve been nice to know Tsubame-chan
“It would have,” I reply. “But Yukiko-san, doesn’t she have the right to decide on her friends?” I reach across the table and pat her hand. “You do need friends. You’re young, it’s only natural.” Which is why I did want her to go to Kyoto – Hanako-san is closer in age than I am – nearly ten years younger than I.
Oh? Who was that and what happened?
“She’s someone I met early on, and who I hoped had some information I needed. She didn’t, but her friendly tone changed once she realized that I was seeing your uncle – she knows him, and his wife, or at least of her.” I look down at my hands, then back at Yukiko-san. “I was very vulnerable at that time, and she ended up being very… unhelpful.”
Why would he want me to meet people important to him?
Ah, so he hasn’t…? I hold back a sigh. I’m sure he knows what he’s doing, right? “Well Himura Kenshin, Yahiko-san’s mentor, was there at that village where Eiji-san came from, and with you uncle, was after the man who was responsible for the deaths of Eiji-san’s family.”
“Life can get very entangled. “So naturally he’s protective, but to be rude to you…”
I shrug lightly. “It’s okay. I’m never going back there again.” I’m used to only having a few people beside me. “I’m content being here.”
“But Yukiko-san, doesn’t she have the right to decide on her friends?”
“Well I’m sure it’s too much trouble for Tsubame-chan for someone she hardly knows.”
“You do need friends. You’re young, it’s only natural.”
“Maybe. I’ve never had the need to seek out friends. I suppose the closest friend I ever had back then was Eiji-kun.”
“She’s someone I met early on, and who I hoped had some information I needed. She didn’t, but her friendly tone changed once she realized that I was seeing your uncle – she knows him, and his wife, or at least of her.”
“Oh. So this friend of yours was a friend of Uncle’s previous wife?” I don’t call Tokio-san his wife, it never really felt that way, nor did we ever get a visit even after Auntie died. “How did they know each other?”
Yagi-san looks down, seemingly uncomfortable. “What made you vulnerable Yagi-san? You seem very strong today.”
She explains the situation about Eiji and his friends. People important to him.
“Oh I see.” Maybe I have to reconsider my position after all. If these people are that important to Eiji-kun, out of respect for him and his family maybe I should go back and apologize to the people at the Akabeko.
(OOC: Corrected)
I’m content being here.
“It’s hardly exciting for a young woman.” Quietly, I ask, “are you missing Kinosuke-san?”
Oh. So this friend of yours was a friend of Uncle’s previous wife?
She still is his current wife, but I don’t correct her. “I’m not certain if they ever actually met, but she felt compelled to defend her anyway, I think they had connections in common. She was from Aizu as well, but I don’t think she was part of the court circles.”
What made you vulnerable Yagi-san? You seem very strong today
I smile a little. “What I found with your uncle was strong, powerful… intense. More than I’d ever known. And when someone offered to be a sounding board, a friendly ear… well, she was at first. It didn’t bother her that he was married, but once she put it together just who they were…” I take a sip of tea. “That all changed.”
She seems chastised about my comment about my why these people matter to Eiji-san. “I know you went with good intentions, as did Eiji-san. That Yahiko-san judged you based on your uncle…” I shake my head. “It’s unfortunate, but nothing you need to feel bad about.”
“are you missing Kinosuke-san?”
I shrug slightly. “I don’t know Yagi-san. When he was here I hardly paid attention to his coming and going. Now that he’s not…” I let my voice trail off. I don’t know if it’s accurate to say I’m missing Kinosuke-san. “Sometimes I feel like I’m angry or upset.”
“I’m not certain if they ever actually met, but she felt compelled to defend her anyway, I think they had connections in common. She was from Aizu as well, but I don’t think she was part of the court circles.”
“Sometimes being part of the clan is enough. After all that’s what a clan is about. My father used to say my grandfather Yusuke was wanting so much to be part of the clan that he bought his way into it and of course spent his life making sure he was useful to the clan.”
when someone offered to be a sounding board, a friendly ear… well, she was at first. It didn’t bother her that he was married, but once she put it together just who they were…”“That all changed.”
“Perhaps they thought it their duty to ensure neither party got hurt?” I tilt my head, “I wonder if you met this person today, would they still be the same way? Now that the choice has been made clear?” Or does Yagi-san still think he hasn’t made his decision? They live in the same house, has children together and even Tsutomu seems to be living here today. Is that not enough, for others it would be.
“It’s unfortunate, but nothing you need to feel bad about.”
“I feel bad about Eiji-san so I will go for him.” I say resolutely.
I don’t know Yagi-san. When he was here I hardly paid attention to his coming and going. Now that he’s not… Sometimes I feel like I’m angry or upset
“He was reliable,” I say. “But it’s also okay for you to feel -many- things. -Mixed- things. Don’t try to deny it, let yourself feel what you need to feel.”
She talks about the clan, and I know that those of Aizu seem to be very closely aligned – I remember my father commenting on that, way back when.
Perhaps they thought it their duty to ensure neither party got hurt? I wonder if you met this person today, would they still be the same way? Now that the choice has been made clear?
“I’d like to think that it was that altruistic … but it didn’t seem like that, not at the end.” I look over at her. “I don’t think that anything about our current circumstances would convince that person – even when we marry, she’d probably still condemn it, but last I heard, she was in Aizu.”
I feel bad about Eiji-san so I will go for him
Go? As in back to that place? “I don’t know if I like you going there alone.” But who to escort her? Hajime is a no-go, and would Eiji-san even try again, given how she was treated the first time. “But it’s very kind of you to worry about Eiji-san – I know how close you two are.”
Don’t try to deny it, let yourself feel what you need to feel.”
“Uhuh. Thanks Yagi-san.”
“I don’t think that anything about our current circumstances would convince that person – even when we marry, she’d probably still condemn it, but last I heard, she was in Aizu.”
“If they’re in Aizu or even if they’re not…” I finish my tea, “Does Uncle know of this person? He has many close ties in Aizu even if he doesn’t seem to talk about the them much. If you truly believe this person didn’t have the best intentions then, then likely Uncle should know.” For what if this person started trouble in Aizu, especially if they were a friend of Tokio-san. They might even be friends now. Aizu is far from here but not far enough.
“I don’t know if I like you going there alone.” “But it’s very kind of you to worry about Eiji-san – I know how close you two are.”
Yagi-san says she doesn’t want me to go there alone but I -have- to go there. “I’ll ask Eiji-kun. Maybe it can be put to right. Please don’t worry.”
Uhuh. Thanks Yagi-san
I look over at her. “When I was your age, and feeling… heartache, my mother let me have space.” I smile a little. “To be a little ghost, as I called it – to have relief from chores and social activities if I needed it, or to throw myself into working with great determination. Either way, it let me… she gave me time to try to understand things on my own, but was always there if needed.” I sip the last of my tea. “I’ve been trying to model myself after her… so please don’t feel that I’m disinterested in you right now. There -is- a lot going on, but I’ll always have time for you.”
Does Uncle know of this person?
“Oh yes,” I say, dryly. “Remember that in some ways, Tokyo seems to be as small as any village.”
I’ll ask Eiji-kun. Maybe it can be put to right. Please don’t worry.
I stand up and start gathering the tea things. “Well, we’re a family, so I will worry over you – it just comes with the territory.” I smile over at her, and then remember something else. “Ah, if you do want to go without Eiji-san and not alone, Makoto-chan said that Tsutomu-kun promised to take her to the Akabeko at some point. Of course, they’re too young to go alone…” But should Yahiko-san insult Yukiko-san again, I doubt that my stepson-to-be will have the restraint that Eiji-san did. Maybe that’s not the best idea after all…?
she gave me time to try to understand things on my own, but was always there if needed.”. “I’ve been trying to model myself after her… so please don’t feel that I’m disinterested in you right now. There -is- a lot going on, but I’ll always have time for you.”
“Thanks Yagi-san.”I say quietly. On one hand it is nice she is offering and a non-intrusive approach probably works for those who has some awareness and motivation. But does that really work for those who don’t know or wouldn’t or couldn’t ask?
I think of the two men in this house and the curses we all live with. I wonder how well her approach has worked with Tsutomu who at most seems to only tolerate her due to the reality that’s now forced on him? Or uncle who seems to waffle between this home and the -rest-, but I’ve witnessed how much he loves her so maybe that in itself will sustain him. Sometimes I feel like an outsider looking in. Back then with Kinosuke-san, I can quietly tell him of what I observe but with him gone, Eiji is too close to the situation. I look away for a moment. I’ve done somewhat, what Yagi-san is doing today. That’s why I felt powerless when that caped man suddenly appeared.
“Oh yes,” “Remember that in some ways, Tokyo seems to be as small as any village.”
I assume her answer meant that she already told Uncle about this former friend who had caused them issues in the past, so I don’t prod any further. Perhaps the distance helps and I’m probably worrying over nothing. I’m turning into my father, perhaps because I -am- his daughter.
We finish and I help clean up.
“Ah, if you do want to go without Eiji-san and not alone, Makoto-chan said that Tsutomu-kun promised to take her to the Akabeko at some point. Of course, they’re too young to go alone…”
“Thank you Yagi-san. I’ll look into it.”
With that I excuse myself to clean up and change, then later on we will prepare for dinner.
(OOC: Yukiko exits -odd reply earlier went to middle of thread)