“I found these!” I show Yuunosuke-san (he said to call him Yuunosuke-san, not Yagi-san, because he’s not -old-) a string of paper lanterns. Okaasan said that the old shed had a lot of -junk- in it but it’s neat junk.
“Rather dusty, don’t you think?” He laughs and I tell him again that we need to be -quiet- or Okaasan won’t be surprised, even if she was napping when I left her room. He does hang them up, and asks me a lot of questions about school.
I wonder when Yamaguchi-san will be back?
(OOC – Makoto and Yuunosuke are out in the backyard, Hide is in the house. Party guests may enter at any time.)
Afternoon at the Yagi House
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I pass the plum juice to Isuzu-chan so I can knock at the gates.
“Careful you don’t spill that.” I tell her, then turn and knock.
“Yagi-san? It is I Hiroku and Isuzu-chan.”
Hearing a knock on the gate I run up, leaving my uncle in the backyard.
“Hello Mochizuki-san, ” I tell her, and Isuzu-chan comes in, carefully carrying a big pitcher of plum juice. I wish I had asked Okaasan to make melon juice…
“My uncle from Kyoto is here,” I tell both of them, “and Okaasan, I made her take a nap while we got ready because this is a surprise.”
Taking the plum juice from Isuzu, we enter.
“My uncle from Kyoto is here,”
From Kyoto? So it’s not Yamaguchi-san since Hide said he was staying in Tokyo. I’m really surprised that another relative is here, but I am also glad. There’s been so many years that Yagi-san and Makoto spent their special day with just a few friends and no relatives.
“I’m glad Makoto. What’s his name?” I ask as I go inside, since I know this house well and Yagi-san I’m sure wouldn’t mind. I’ll let her sleep some more, this of course is a “ritual” during Yagi-san’s birthday… That everything is a surprise. Well as long as Makoto thinks that. I’ll just nod and smile.
“His name is Yuunosuke and he’s a teacher,” I tell her, and to Isuzu I say, “he’s the one that sends all the books.”
Yuunosuke-san and I have laid out the sweets that Yamaguchi-san and I got at Asuka-san’s shop onto nice plates, along with some fruit, fresh strawberries and oranges. “We’ve been getting ready,” I tell her. This is much bigger than last year.
He comes in from outside and bows at seeing the Mochizukis. “Hello, I’m Hide-san’s youngest brother, Yagi Yuunosuke.”
“Hello, I’m Hide-san’s youngest brother, Yagi Yuunosuke.”
Ah he does look like Hide’s relative, unlike Yamaguchi-san. I bow politely and hand him the plum juice.
“Unfortunately I don’t cook so I told…” I stop myself, what if Yuunosuke-san doesn’t know about…, “so I just made plum juice.”
I laugh a little nervously and pull Isuzu-chan to the front. “This is my daughter Isuzu.”
I wonder how long till Yagi-san wakes up…
“Don’t you think your mother has napped long enough?” Yuunosuke-san asks, and I frown.
Mochizuki-san and Isuzu-chan are here… “I wanted to wait for Yamaguchi-san though…”
“Go ahead and wake your mother,” he chuckles. “Or I’ll eat all of the strawberries.”
“Don’t let him!” I tell Isuzu-chan as I run upstairs. I fling open her door.
“Okaasan, you need to wake up.”
I pop open one eye and look at my daughter, and I exaggerate yawning and stretching out. “Is naptime over already?”
“Yes and you need to fix you hair and come downstairs, Yuunosuke-san and I want a snack.” She nods and runs back downstairs. I give my hair a quick pat and follow her downstairs, seeing my brother with Hiroku-san and Isuzu-chan in the kitchen.
I smile… surprised and there must have been more planning than usual.
Yagi-san comes down and I nod at her.
“I just met your brother Yuunosuke.” I tell her, of course she knows there’s not much I can say.
“Are we doing the party this time inside the house?” I laugh a little and still hold on to Isuzu.
“No, we’re going out to the garden.” I open the doors, and pick up a plate of food. We put out a blanket at some cushions out on the grass under the shade. Not everyone could fit in my base, and I don’t know Yuunosuke-san well enough yet.
“Come on,” I give Okaasan a plate and take another. Sometimes grown-ups are so -slow-.
“Makoto-chan seems more excited than ever.” I whisper to Yagi-san. “She must be excited with Yuunosuke-kun.”
I laugh a little and let Isuzu take a plate. “Now don’t spill all over yourself.” I tell her then help out taking the food to the garden.
Once I see everyone was busy setting everything up, I grab Yagi-san to the side.
“So does your brother know?” It would put me at ease of course to know what I can… and cannot say. “I’m sorry to ask but Yamaguchi-san was very clear earlier about what we cannot say in front of Makoto but I didn’t anticipate your brother would be coming…”
Makoto-chan seems more excited than ever. She must be excited with Yuunosuke-kun.
I smile, at least she’s stopped frowning at him but my brother is usually an agreeable person, setting the plates down just as she says.
So does your brother know?
“Yes, he just found out but he also knows that Makoto-chan doesn’t know,” I answer, quietly. Then she speaks of how she was told by Hajime what she could not say, “when did he tell you this?” I ask.
“Yes, he just found out but he also knows that Makoto-chan doesn’t know,”
I breathe a sigh of relief. “Oh good.”
“when did he tell you this?”
“Earlier… When he stopped by to invite us. I think he just wanted to make it clear since he knows you told me.” I do not tell her exactly what had happened. Yamaguchi-san was stubborn and seemed quite disagreeable. And of course, now I know where Isamu picked up that smoking. I try to smile. I was a bit shocked at how direct and obstinate he was.
“I hope he wasn’t too… Hajime has a way of being -direct-…” I smile, but Hiroku-san doesn’t seem too bothered by this.
“Ah, so that’s how you knew about this event today?” I look over at her. “Thank you for bringing your plum juice, it’s so refreshing.” She does make it very well.
I nod over to my brother, “it was a surprise to see him today, he was going home from Tokyo and decided to make a diversion.
I glance over at the gate, hoping to see someone coming through soon. Remembering those golden afternoons that I waited for him to come through my garden gate…
“I hope he wasn’t too… Hajime has a way of being -direct-…”
“Yes I understand. It was probably not my place to give unsolicited advice.”
I take a plate and start putting my own food in it.
“it was a surprise to see him today, he was going home from Tokyo and decided to make a diversion.
“That was very well of him.” As I’ve thought… If her brother stops by then the years in between was probably Yagi-san avoiding her own relatives. It seems the trip to Kyoto had some good results.
Glancing over my shoulder, I see Yagi-san looking over the gate.
“We better start.” I had her the plate, “the children are waiting.” I nod at the children, especially Makoto who hasn’t touched her plate.
Okaasan and Mochizuki-san talk to each other quietly and then come join us. I come to sit next to her, “where’s Yamaguchi-san?”
She smiles and brushes my hair back, “he’ll be here…” She takes a strawberry from her plate and holds it out for me and I eat it, giggling.
Well I am going to wait for Yamaguchi-san before I give her the present we got earlier.
I stand up, remembering the party I went to one time at the Mochizuki’s. I bow, “thank you for coming to my mother’s birthday party.”
Coming from the roadside, I see from the low fence that they’ve started. Of course I am a bit late. I take a breath and open the gates.
“Sumanai. I’m a bit late.” I grin, “Did I miss anything?”
It looks like the party’s well under way. I nod to Yuunosuke and Hiroku before going up to Hide.
“I also wasn’t able to get some more desserts. Saya was not feeling well so I took her home.”
I turn to see Hajime, and I rise to greet him. “I think Makoto-chan and Yuunosuke managed to take care of the food.” Under the cover of my long sleeves I touch his hand, briefly and discreetly.
I indicate the spread on the cloth before us, “we even have strawberries, and some of Hanako-san’s plum juice.”
With a glance over to my brother, I ask, “oh, Asuka-san is ill? How is she? I hope she’s resting.”
Yamaguchi-san is here! I get up and run past him and my mother. “I need to get something I’ll be right back!” I run into the house.
“oh, Asuka-san is ill? How is she? I hope she’s resting.”
“She’ll be fine.” I tell Hide and watch as Makoto runs past us. I sit seiza on the blanket and take a plate. Of course my eyes go around discreetly at the people gathered here. Not being a great conversationalist, I pay more attention to the fish and soba.
I’m back in a moment and I come up behind Yamaguchi-san, and I hand him the package from earlier, I even found some paper to wrap it in. “Here, let’s give it to her,” I whisper, and I sit down on the other side of him. I put a shrimp on his plate. “Someone ate the biggest one,” I tell him, “but this one is really good too.”
“Someone ate the biggest one,”
“Ah…” I can only think of Yuunosuke otherwise, Makoto would never speak this way about Hide, “Actually before I left. I gave it to him.” I say and furrow my brow. Then I remember, Saya did manage to hit me with that book of hers.
“Wait just a minute Makoto, I have to do something. I’ll be right back.”
Quickly I stand up and head for Hide’s room.
I come through the gates to see Yamaguchi-san heading into the house and everyone else – and some other man I don’t know – sitting out in the garden. “I hope I didn’t miss all the food!” I call out, dropping a kiss on the top of my wife’s head as I sit down. Isuzu-chan giggles, and I say quietly to Hiroku, “Takeshi is at the store, he was there this morning after I got there and helped out all day.” I know he wanted some spending money for Tanabata but it was good to spend a day with my boy, “one of my assistants will bring him by in time for dinner.”
I look over at everything, filling up my plate and then remember there’s someone I don’t know. “Mochizuki Isamu,” I say, nodding my head at him.
I grab Isamu to stay close to me and I whisper, “Anata, don’t be so… So…” Well he knows what I mean. He needs to behave, but I like this in my husband, he is like a little boy when it comes to gatherings like this.
“That anata is Yagi Yuunosuke, Yagi-san’s younger brother.” I laugh a little and hand him a plateful of fruit. “I hope Takeshi doesn’t give his escort trouble.”
I greet Mochizuki-san, who almost leaps into the food, and introductions are made. My friend has a good husband, and it’s funny how he reminds me of others… I smile at that. I wonder if Hajime sees that as well?
Isuzu and Makoto are chattering away, and I rise, “I’m going to see what’s keeping Hajime,” I tell them, heading to the house.
(OOC – Hide is now inside looking for Saitou)
Thankfully I found some talc powder on Hide’s dresser. I just finished putting some on when I hear someone go inside. Quickly I replace the powder where it was and pull a couple of strands of hair on the left side of my face just to be doubly sure.
I go down the stairs and see Hide.
“I do think you have guests outside?” I grin and motion for us to go out. “We have to get on with the presents. Makoto picked out something nice for you.”
“I have guests but I wanted to see to you, too.” I nod out the window, “and our daughter is doing a good job as our hostess today,” I laugh, although doing something for my birthday wasn’t a surprise, the scale of it today certainly was.
We have to get on with the presents. Makoto picked out something nice for you.
Still in the shadow of the doorway, I lean against him, looking up. “Makoto picked it out?” I grin up at him, “now what did -you- pick out for me?” I smell powder on him, but in the low light…
“Makoto picked it out?”
I chuckle, yes she did and I think she has a better eye for lady things. Perhaps she takes after you when it comes to fashion.”
She leans against me and turn her around quickly, taking her face in my hand I steal a quick kiss. I am glad, that I was able to avert that disaster earlier.
“As for your present… We’ll get to that but perhaps not today.”
“Lady things?” I grin at his phrasing, “our little tree-climbing tomgirl has a flair for fashion?”
“As for your present… We’ll get to that but perhaps not today
I play a pout and then lead him outside, “well don’t make me wait -too- long… ” I tug at his hand and we re-join the group.
“Now… I hear someone has a present for me?” I look at my daughter with an amused smile.
I leave Hide’s side and nudge Makoto to go forward.
“Go on. You should give it.” I hand her the little wrapped box and sit back down.
I hand Okaasan the box and sit down in her lap. She opens it -slowly-, and I turn to look at her face as she sees it.
“Oh, Makoto-chan… this is -lovely-. Should I go ahead and wear it now?”
Looking over at Yamaguchi-san, I nod, “hai!”
I replace one comb with another, and my hair stays put. “It is -very- pretty, thank you,” and I plant a big smacking kiss on my little girl, and she squirms out of my lap, going to chase Isuzu-chan in the yard.
During all of that I take the old comb and slide it behind me to Hajime, nudging it with his hand. He’ll know why of course, although this one is still in one piece…
I look around at the group gathered around me in my garden, “thank you all so much for coming, it’s been a very good birthday.”
Of course, the comb… I take it.
There’s been a lot of haircomb giving today, but of course this one. I look around and decide, everyone of these people know that she and I are together. I bring the comb to the front and look at it.
“Thanks.” I give her a peck on cheek and say, “Happy Birthday Hide.”
That my wife doesn’t look so surprised when Yamaguchi-san kisses Yagi-san… she’ll need to tell me later about -that-. And why did she give him a haircomb? He has different hair but I don’t think he needs -that-.
Standing up, I call for my daughter. “It was nice to meet you, Yagi-san, and come visit us again sometime, Yamaguchi-san.” I take my wife’s hand to help her up, “we should get home before Takeshi-kun.” Hopefully he’s behaved today after I left.
“Yagi-san, Makoto-chan,” I bow, “thank you for the afternoon, and happy birthday.”
With my daughter and wife, we leave.
(OOC – exit the mochizuki family)
The radient smile when Saitou-san kisses Hide-san…
After the Mochizukis leave – nice people, I’m glad to see them around my sister – I look around. Quietly I ask Saitou-san, “how is Asuka-san? If she’s still feeling unwell tomorrow could you tell me where to find her, we were to meet but I’d still like to visit.”
What a strange thing to be asking of Saitou-san, as if he’s her guardian but Hide said that they were very close friends. Of course him and I need to talk, but now with my sister and their daughter around.
I’m surprised he asks about Saya. Normally I would refuse…
“how is Asuka-san? If she’s still feeling unwell tomorrow could you tell me where to find her, we were to meet but I’d still like to visit.”
I take a pen and paper that I always have handy from my pocket and write the address.
“I would suggest not to see her too soon.”
Getting up I help and clear the remnants of the party.
I would suggest not to see her too soon.
Taking the paper, I slide it into my pocket. “Thank you,” I tell him, hoping that she’s alright.
Saitou-san leaves for the house, Makoto-chan following after him with some small items.
I look over to my sister, “I should get going. I’ll be in Ito at least one more day, perhaps in the morning you can show me some of Ito? I need to get some -wasabi-,” I tell her, getting up. I look towards the house, I do want to speak to Saitou-san but not with Hide and Makoto around. “I’ll see Makoto-chan and Saitou-san before I leave.”
Inside, I see the little girl standing in the kitchen, watching Saitou-san. “I’m going now, Makoto-chan, but I’ll be back to see you tomorrow. I’ll remember some pictures of your cousins. But for now, go outside with your mother. I need to speak with Yamaguchi-san.”
Makoto-chan sighs, “more -grown-up- talk,” and goes running back outside. I grin after her. Is she -always- running?
Yuunosuke sends Makoto out of the room. I take some leftover wine from the cupboard that was in another place in time, for Hide and I. There are no wine glasses, so I take some tea cups out.
“Come…” I tell him and head on out back. “We can sit out here.” There is a view of course that is slowly disappearing in the darkness.
Setting the alcohol down, I start and light a cigarette.
I take a sip of the wine… surprised to find something like this in a place like Ito.
“Your daughter is a beautiful little girl,” I tell him, taking another sip. “Very -lively-.” I think of that face that was very cross about me eating that shrimp, and grin.
My tone turns more serious, “I saw her picture and I thought that she might be your daughter. Then I went to Kiyomizudera to see an old man who I hold a great deal of respect for.” This isn’t easy, speaking to Saitou-san. It should be Tamesaburou but -I’m- the one here.
“Suzuki-san sends his greetings,” I tell him, taking another sip of the wine. His cigarettes aren’t bad, either, compared to those horrid cigars that some of my colleagees like.
“I saw her picture and I thought that she might be your daughter. Then I went to Kiyomizudera to see an old man who I hold a great deal of respect for.” “Suzuki-san sends his greetings,”
“You would be correct. Makoto is what had happened six years ago.”
Tapping the ashes to the ground, I lean back on the tree. “I suppose you have a lot of questions. I am not the type to offer details, so you may ask anything and I’ll answer.”
It is true, I am more fond of Yuunosuke, however we are not at all close. I wonder what Hide has told him already? Ah well, that doesn’t matter.
I suppose you have a lot of questions. I am not the type to offer details, so you may ask anything and I’ll answer.
I’m surprised at first and nod. “Hideneesan told me today, of how you met in Tokyo and how she came to Ito, and your reunion.”
I remember her words, and her quiet voice from this afternoon. “She said… that you never gave up on her, not in the ways that mattered.” She had smiled then and told me that I wouldn’t understand the details, but I didn’t come here for details. “Your story is unconventional, but I want to see this with an open mind. The practical matters are important, but sometimes our lives take a path that may not be one taken before.”
“If my sister loves a man who loves he like she says you do…” I look over at him. “The name you gave your daughter, it’s a wonderful thing, it reminds me of you and the others, it’s a substantial name for such a little girl but I think in many ways it fits for a child between the two of you.”
I lean forward, my elbows resting on my knees, “then I only have two questions for you, Saitou-san.” I look out at the ocean, I can see why she likes this place.
“Firstly, did you love my sister, all those years ago in Mibu?” It’s a bold question to ask but there’s another, one I miss terribly, that I ask this for.
“The name you gave your daughter, it’s a wonderful thing, it reminds me of you and the others, it’s a substantial name for such a little girl but I think in many ways it fits for a child between the two of you.”
“Hide named Makoto…” I look up and grin, “She named her… That’s how I knew I had another chance.”
“Firstly, did you love my sister, all those years ago in Mibu?”
I raise my eyebrows at him and take a moment to answer. “I would like to think that…” Placing the cup of wine down I continue, “Indeed I’ve convinced myself it’s true and that’s all that’s important. But if you want the truth… No, I had no capacity back then to be like Souji.”
Watching the little white clouds, I still wonder if I had only done so. But I didn’t so I’ll just pretend I did.
She named her… That’s how I knew I had another chance
In his grin I sense something as refreshing as the sea breeze… something that Hide-neesan mentioned many times in her story, of hope. Of course she’s always been a hopeful creature but that it was a name that let him know what he had a chance…
It doesn’t take much, though, sometimes, I think with a bit of a grin, to know that you have a -chance-.
“I ask about the past for my mother. We spoke a lot before she died,” many afternoons I would sit with her, “she asked about you, and told me, of how she used to catch you looking at Hide-neesan, and how it always stuck with her. She even asked me if we knew where to find you, but then I had no idea…” Hide-neesan seems to have managed well on her own, however. “The way my mother said you eyes looked, maybe you did have that capacity.” I smile at him.
“My other question,” I open up my jacket and take out a slender, wrapped item, and carefully remove the paper protecting it. “Is in regards to this. This belonged to my grandmother, then my mother, they carried it when the were married.”
I unfurl the fan, showing Saitou-san before handing it to him. “This is a treasure of our house, and I give this to you so that she can carry it when that day comes for you two. This is my mother and I giving our blessing,” I look over to him. To be honest I don’t remember him as clearly as the others yet in how he’s acted this evening, in offering to tell me the truth that I know is not all pretty and simple, I find him one that I’m coming to have a lot of respect for.
I take the fan and examine it. I’ve never seen Yagi-san use this while we stayed there but then again I opted to be my unsociable self. I can’t help but smile though as he talks about Hide’s mother.
She even asked me if we knew where to find you, but then I had no idea…”
“Had no idea of?” I look back at him and wrap the fan once again. I do not give it back to him because I do know that day will come. Of course the time is not right now, but soon.
“I’ll give this to her.” Sliding it into my pocket I continue, “Your mother turned out to be a good woman, good to us like your father.” Of course I remember those days, the mother of the Yagi household was disagreeable for a time but that changed. I still think though, that it was Hide’s father who convinced her that our lot was not as bad as the other ronins.
“Aren’t you afraid Yuunosuke?” I watch him from the corner of my eye.
Had no idea of?
“Oh, of where to find you. Tamesaburou corresponds with -some-, but we had no idea about you until you came to our house six years ago.” I remember something else about that night, and frown slightly. “I still can’t believe I didn’t recognize Asuka-san today…” I mutter. Baka…
“Hai. Both of them really came to care for you and the others, it was an unsettled time but we were honored to have given you a home while you served our country.” I look out to the ocean, they were really remarkable men. “Perhaps I remember them through a child’s eyes but even though I know more now, doesn’t lessen my admiration of them.”
Aren’t you afraid Yuunosuke?
I look over at him from above the tops of my glasses. “Not -too- much.”
“Oh, of where to find you.
I nod. That’s well then, of course I find it slightly discomforting that this young man has not brought up that issue then. It must be his age, younger people these days perhaps are more open to… Ah well.
I still can’t believe I didn’t recognize Asuka-san today…”
He calls himself an idiot and I wonder for a moment shaking my head. “She didn’t tell me she met you. I’m quite disappointed though that she gave you her real name. Do call her Yamaguchi Masaya in public.” Of course, she did that because she did recognize him and was probably playing with the poor boy.
“Perhaps I remember them through a child’s eyes but even though I know more now, doesn’t lessen my admiration of them.”
That’s only because he was able to meet with them on a personal basis. “Those who are left are still keeping to themselves Yuunosuke. It is just more practical that way in this day and age.”
“Not -too- much.”
I chuckle slightly. Apparently that aspect hasn’t changed. I still remember his -slight- discomfort years ago.
Finishing my cigarette, I take one last swig at the wine.
“Where are you staying?”
Do call her Yamaguchi Masaya in public.
I nod, wondering why, but deciding that it’s her story to tell, of why she two names.
Those who are left are still keeping to themselves Yuunosuke. It is just more practical that way in this day and age
“And we’ll never forget,” I tell him. Even if Tamesaburo wasn’t sometimes scribbling on his book of rememberances, they were just a part of our family life as any of us. I look at the man sitting with me, thinking that one day one will -truly- be family.
Where are you staying?
“Back at a ryoken in town, near the marketplace.” I stand up, and down the rest of my wine. I must find more of that… “And I should return there.” I stand and bow, “thank you for speaking to me plainly, Saitou-san.”
I look back to the house, “tell my sister goodnight for me, and I’ll be back to see her tomorrow.”
*OOC – Yuunosuke will exit unless stopped*
“And we’ll never forget,”
“That would be good.” It’s quite different with Yuunosuke in this regard, those who did not see us in Kyoto of course would never believe. How much of that had kind of blasted thinking did I encounter among -some- of the Aizu nobilities and even in Tokio.
He leaves and I do not stop him. I sit down instead wondering where I should spend the night. Here or there… I can only hope Kyo is doing his job. It is curious I did not see him around the sweet shop earlier.
I come out back and see my brother gone and Hajime sitting alone. I kneel behind him, wrapping my arms around his shoulders and I plant a kiss behind an ear. “You and Yuunosuke have a good talk?” I ask.
“Makoto already fell asleep,” I tell him. “I wasn’t even able to get her a bath, she had a big day.”
I grin slightly, “and so did I, in all of the places we had this day.”
“You and Yuunosuke have a good talk?”
“He didn’t seem to have too many questions.” I look up at her, “You took care of most of it didn’t you?”
She talks about the bath. “If you’re tired, take a bath tomorrow, you don’t want to pull a muscle.”
You took care of most of it didn’t you?
“We had a long talk,” I say, looking at his face in the low starlight. “I hoped he would understand and hear it with an open mind. He must have.” I smile softly, that’s a good quality to him that he’s more open than Tamesaburou. Tamesaburou would have been a lot harder to tell, I think.
I shake my head. “No, I’m not tired, but a long soak sounds delightful…” I slide one hand down his chest. “Care to join me?”
I pull out the pocketwatch. It’s not yet too late. Later I need to get back to Saya.
“Yes I think I will.”
Putting out the cigarette, I go for some buckets.
“How many of these will you need?”
I smile as I see him with the watch.
I stand back up, and head to the bathhouse. I turn at the opening, “six for the tub; one each for rising before.” I have wood already there, I light it to get the fire going.
I step inside and light the lantern and step on the stool to hook it on the ceiling, and look around for other items.
After filling the tub, I can see feel it slowly heat up. I take a couple of buckets more and set them to the side.
Taking of my jacket, I replace the fan to one of the pockets. I wait by the door until Hide is well under way before undressing completely. Taking a loofa, I motion for her to sit. She’ll rinse first of course before I can scrub her back.
I undress and begin to wash off, and then stop and take out my new comb, placing it on top of my folded kimono and secure my hair with some pins.
I sit and rinse off, and glance back at Hajime, admiring how he looks in the lamplight. “Going to help?” I ask, shivering a little with the cool water. I don’t mind – I’ll be warm soon…
Slowly I run my hands on her shoulders first and feel her neck with my bare hands. I smell her neck first before going smoothen her sides with one of my hands. The other lightly scrubbing her back. After doing so I rinse her back.
“You might as well get in the tub, it looks like you’re ready to freeze.”
My skin tingles where he touched me, and I stand up. “Mmm… let me get to you first? You did scrub my back, after all…” The water is cool but the air is warm on this summer night.
Turning to face him, I pull on his hand to get him to settle on the stool. I just long to touch him, as always.
She’s looking at me of course. Had it been a few months ago, I’d probably tell her not to. But I’ve made love to this woman so many times and I know already she knows every inch of me. I turn so she can get access to my back.
Behind him I do as he did, one hand scrubbing as I said I would and the other roaming, sliding easily over his wet skin that invites me to touch more and never stop. I don’t shower him with kisses, staying just a breath away, and then I rinse him off, and I take his hand. “I think the water is ready…”
I look at the steaming water. It’s always been more than big enough for Makoto and I to splash around, so we should be fine. I step in first, closing my eyes at the bliss of the warm water.
She goes in first but I nudge her over and go behind her. Of course to me she’s always been light so it was easy to settle her against me. Her back touching my chest. Closing my eyes, I search for her hand, entwining them in mine. Before finally resting my back on the tub.
“I hope you had a good day today.” I tell her quietly.
He settles behind me, our hands together, and I can’t help but smile smugly, we -do- fit well, even in this tub.
I lean my head back against his shoulder, turning my face to look up at him. “Mmm… it’s been quite a day.” From waking beside him after that night to all of the time that’s passed since…
“It’s something special when you have a birthday in the middle of mine.” I grin softly. “And here I am, getting a bath with you as I’ve wanted for so long.”
“Mmm… it’s been quite a day.”
“Quite a day indeed.” My arms pull her closer to me. Needing to knead her into my skin.
“It’s something special when you have a birthday in the middle of mine.”
“Only possible in our space isn’t it? Sorry I’m not so dashing tonight.”
I nuzzle my face against his neck.
Only possible in our space isn’t it?
“Yes… that’s why we’re so -special-.” I lift my face to look up at him, and I squeeze his hand, wishing it were possible for him to hold me closer…
Sorry I’m not so dashing tonight.
I trail kisses along his neck. “You’ll just have to be dashing some other night and seduce me.” I think about his birthday present that I gave to him, and then remember what he had said earlier. “So tell me, what did -you- get me?”
“So tell me, what did -you- get me?”
“Hmmm? Nothing really. Just some private time together.” I settle my chin on her shoulder, “You’ll know the place when you see it.”
I sigh, “But first we need someone to take care of Makoto for a couple of days and I think I just blew it with Hiroku and Saya.”
Private time? Much better than twenty haircombs or all the kimono in Kyoto…
I think I just blew it with Hiroku and Saya.
“I think Mochizuki-san will still give -me- a favor… but she told me how you came to speak to her, I think she was surprised more than angered” I brush his bangs back, noting a discoloration on his left side. “And Saya… you know as well as I do that you can never blow it with her. That and she’s a wonderful aunt to our little girl.” The two really take to each other.
“If we need time… it -can- be arranged.”
“I think Mochizuki-san will still give -me- a favor… but she told me how you came to speak to her, I think she was surprised more than angered”
I breathe a sigh of relief, “I’m glad to hear that.”
“And Saya… you know as well as I do that you can never blow it with her. That and she’s a wonderful aunt to our little girl.”
Not uttering a sound, I just squeeze her even tighter towards me and narrow my eyes. Kissing her neck, I mutter into it. That I am glad she’s right here.
“When your brother leaves then. I’m postponing going back to Tokyo for a few days.” Closing my eyes I continue, “Sumanai.”
When your brother leaves then. I’m postponing going back to Tokyo for a few days.
“He’ll be leaving on tomorrow night’s train, I think.” He was vague on his details, and I never thought that someone like Saya would catch his eye like this, but there are aspects to him that I’ve underestimated, as I learned today.
We’re so close that I wonder if any tighter in this warm water, if we would simply melt into each other… I let out a little sound of pure contentment, I answer his earlier comment with, “I’m glad you’re here,” craning my neck up to kiss along his jawline.
She kisses me and my arms cross themselves along her stomach. The water is warm and slowly I can feel myself relax. My head rests on her shoulder and I found myself closing my eyes. It’s been a long day and what better way than to be with her?
(OOC: Saitou will fall asleep, unknown to him. Kizu ends here)
Warm…
A blissful feeling has settled on me as my eyes open. I must have nodded off, soaking in the bath, with his arms around me.
Hajime sleeps behind me and I remember a request… shifting around so I can face him, I nudge him, lightly, “wake up or you’ll -cook-” I say, brushing his bangs back.
“wake up or you’ll -cook-”
“wake up or you’ll -cook-”
Slowly I open my eyes and see Hide already facing myself. My eyes roam a bit disoriented.
“Hmmm…” I smile slightly, “And you -let- me fall asleep?”
I wonder how long we’ve been in this tub? Pulling up her hand, it’s crinkled just like mine. A chuckle escapes me.
Hmmm… And you -let- me fall asleep?
I raise my eyebrows, “ah, then I was to -entertain- you?” I grin. “I look a little nap myself… it feels good to be against you. I did wake you up however.” I lean forward to kiss his lips, lightly, that’s how I like to wake him…
He picks up my hand and join him and laugh softly. “Hai, we look like two stewed vegetables.” I kiss him again, at the place where his neck and shoulder meet. “You still taste better, though.”
She kisses me and I indulge in it for a while. Her lips touch my skin and I raise her up.
“Let’s get out of the water.” I hold her up, admiring her shimmering body. “I’ll have to leave soon.”
I wait for her to get dressed.
(OOC: you might want to leave a comment instead of reply)
I get a towel and begin to dry myself off, and after Hajime gets out of the bath, I go over, toweling off his shoulders and back… yes to dry him off but also because I simply love to touch him.
“Tomorrow night… should I bring anything special?” I ask, continuing to dry him off.
After taking my clothes I ask, “You think you can find someone for Makoto tomorrow?” It seems sudden but if she wants we can of course go.
“How about making me some coffee before I go? I’ll wait in the tatami room.”
That is my favorite part of this house, but the red sofa in Tokyo is still the best.
I come into the tatami room, with his coffee and my tea.
As I sit I smile across the table at him. “Sorry for taking so long…” I slide his coffee over to him as I take a sip of my tea.
“I’ll talk to Mochizuki-san about taking care Makoto tomorrow,” I tell him.
My stay with Hide ends and I slip away while she sleeps. I stop by Makoto’s room to check up on my daughter and all is well, so I head on out locking the door behind me.
(OOC: Saitou exits)