The window of the carriage is wide open as I just had to have a smoke. I look Eiji over, I didn’t give him much time, just enough to get a change of clothes.
“Thank you for coming on short notice.” I tell him.
He looks at me but he doesn’t have that usual look, that very polite but sincere look.
“Of course sir. I’m very glad for you and Yagi-san sir.”
“Cut the sir crap. I don’t like it when you call me that.
“Sorry.”
“I’m really glad you’re here in Tokyo. Otherwise I’d be worried about Yukiko and Makoto-chan.”
“You can count on me…”
“I know.” I don’t ask him what’s wrong. We don’t have to talk about it now.
The carriage finally stops and I practically jump out of the carriage. I head straight to the house and it’s past 3AM.
“Tadaima!” I say loudly, I didn’t want to run upstairs and cause ruckus. I wanted Yukiko to come down with Makoto. It’s dark in the house but I turn on the lights in the kitchen, one of the few areas in the house that has electricity.
“Oh Uncle. How is everything?”
I nod, “I brought Eiji. He’ll be staying for the night.”
I look behind Yukiko and half expect Makoto to jump out.
(Makoto)
I told Yukiko-san that I couldn’t sleep and SHE LET ME SLEEP.
And Tsutomu-niisan let me sleep too! I fell asleep in his room!
Then I hear chichiue’s voice! “Wake up!” I say, pulling on his arm but I can’t wait! I want to hear all about my new little brother!!
“Chichiue!” I run to him with a big big hug. “Tell me tell me!!”
“Tell me tell me!!”
Makoto-chan goes straight at me and I catch her and lift her up. I see my son Tsutomu also came down. That’s a surprise… But he gives Eiji a nod and Eiji shows him his bag.
“You two can share a room.” I tell the boys.
“How is Yagi-san Uncle?” Asks Yukiko.
“Ah it was a everything I hoped for.” I say and kiss my daughter, “Hide is fine and it was a smooth delivery. She’s resting with the baby.”
Then I look at Makoto, “You have a baby sister. Her name is Ai. You get to call her Ai-chan – since you’re the big sister now.” I grin at my daughter and look at the rest. Yukiko and Eiji seems happy. Tsutomu pretends not to hear and is turned away but I caught him nodding, as if he’s pleased. “Everyone, thank you for supporting Hide and of course we’ll need your help in these coming days.”
Hide is fine and it was a smooth delivery. She’s resting with the baby.
I tug on Chichiue’s shoulder. “So she’s okay?” My friends told me scary things… and I remember her telling someone a long time ago in Ito that she was really sick when I was born… “When will she come home?” But Yukiko-san got the rice done really good tonight! I think hahaue would be excited!
You have a baby sister. Her name is Ai. You get to call her Ai-chan – since you’re the big sister now.
A SISTER?
I think about that. “Is she cute? What does she look like?” I look over at Tsutomu-niisan. He’s going to have to tell me about being a big sister to a -sister-. What am I supposed to do?
“So she’s okay?”
“More than okay. She and I are very happy.”
“When will she come home?”
“That’s up to the doctor.” I tell my daughter, “He’s a very good one. His name is Kobayashi-sensei… Be patient?”
“Is she cute? What does she look like?”
“Cute? She’s a chubby baby. Lots of folds. She shares the color of your hair…” I laugh, “She has my eyes and likely your mother’s build. The attendant told me she’ll likely be short.”
“Oh that -is- cute Uncle.” Yuki interjects and I smile at her. “We’ve waited for Ai-chan for a very long time.” I tell the rest. And then I look at Makoto, “Now you can be like Tomu, you can be a good big sister.” I kiss my daughter, “But you do know you’re still my princess right? Just like in Ito.”
Cute? She’s a chubby baby. Lots of folds. She shares the color of your hair… She has my eyes and likely your mother’s build. The attendant told me she’ll likely be short.
Chichiue laughs and I have to laugh too!
“If she has yellow eyes and she’s little and round then she sounds like a kitten,” I giggle.
“Now you can be like Tomu, you can be a good big sister.
I look at my brother. “Chichiue he’s the -best- big brother so I’ll know what to do!” And what I don’t know he can help me!
But you do know you’re still my princess right? Just like in Ito
I smile and smile and smile. I was being silly, wasn’t I?
Then I yawn OH NO.
I don’t want to miss this party!
“Can we have cake? When hahaue and Ai-chan come home? I bet the baby will like cake, just like us!”
“Chichiue he’s the -best- big brother so I’ll know what to do!”
I look at my son who pretends not to be listening. “He’s a good son. He’ll help you.” Oh I know he’ll roll his eyes but I also know he can’t say no to another sibling. I do thank Kami everyday that for all that is wrong, there is this one thing that -is- right.
But then suddenly Makoto-chan yawns and I chuckle. Softly I hand her off to Yuki-ko. “She’s not used to being up this late.” I take out my watch, it’s almost morning.
“Can we have cake? When hahaue and Ai-chan come home? I bet the baby will like cake, just like us!”
“Yes I promise. Once your mother and the baby is settled down. We’ll all have cake.”
I start getting ready to leave. “I promised Hide I’ll be back. Eiji Please take care of everything.”
(OOC: Saitou exits. you may close)
Yukiko-san puts me down (I’m too big for her!) and I go to Tsutomu-niisan.
Yes I promise. Once your mother and the baby is settled down. We’ll all have cake.
“See I told you we could have cake,” I say to him, and then yawn again. Yukiko-san then takes me upstairs… soon I can see hahaue again… I miss her.
(OOC – close)