Tsutomu:
Yukiko-neesan picks us up from school as usual. I’m glad because today I need to ask her a favor. So we get to the gates and I stop before opening the gates to let Makoto inside.
“Yukiko-neesan, do you think you can come with me to the Akabeko?” I ask hopeful.
“Why Tsutomu-kun? We’re almost home.”
“Yeah I know, we have to drop Makoto off here first.” I look up, “I want to see if I can get another part time job there. I haven’t received any stipend from Aizu at all and I have no money.”
She looks at me concerned, “Didn’t you tell your father? Surely if you ask he’d provide you with an allowance.”
“No!” I frown and look away, “I need the money…” I spent it all in that French “café”, “But I’d rather work for it.” I look up at her.
Yukiko:
I want to tell him no because the last time I was at the Akabeko, Myoujin-san seemed upset with my association with uncle. Didn’t he know that Tsutomu was -his- son? Why doesn’t Tsutomu seem to feel any apprehension from that place?
Or maybe… I misjudged them? I had wanted to straighten this misunderstanding out for the sake of Eiji-kun even if I know Auntie doesn’t agree. That they too, should try to reach out, not just us… But if all of us are so stubborn, no one bends, then we live as we are just in our little bubble.
Maybe I should have a little faith…
“Okay Tsutomu-kun. I’ll go with you but let me speak with Myoujin-san first okay?”
He nods, “Yeah sure.”
Opening the gates, I guide Makoto-chan in by the hand. “Makoto-chan, please tell Auntie that Tomu and I are just going to…” I pause, I don’t really know what to tell her, “We’re going out for a quick chore but we’ll be back soon.”
I wave to Makoto-chan and close the gates. I sigh. I’m sure Auntie won’t be happy or perhaps she won’t show it and we can all just ignore this is happening. So we walk to the direction of the Akabeko.
“Hey you really like Yagi-san now don’t you?”
“She seems like a nice lady.” I tell him truthfully.
He shrugs, “I guess. She’s nice to him and he’s nice to her. You like her.”
“You don’t like Auntie?”
“It’s weird when you call her Auntie, she’s not related to us.” He throws me a sideway glance, “Besides I don’t ever recall you calling my mother Auntie.”
“Oh.” I look at him as we walk, “You’re right. I’m sorry Tsutomu-kun, I guess I’ll just always think of your mother as Tokio-san.”
“At least you call her by her first name.” He lets out a breath and looks ahead, “Why is it that no one seems to like her?”
“Maybe it’s not that no one likes her but that we don’t know her?” I stop walking, “I never got to meet her you know.”
“But you hardly saw -him-, he only came to drop us off to get -rid- of us in the summer.”
I smile a little, “That’s true and I hardly talked to your father.” I take Tsutomu by the hand, “You see at first, when your father came to take me from Akashi, I was very angry at him – I thought, he’s not at all like what -my- father described him to be. I thought he just wanted to ruin my life now that my father was gone.”
“Well he’s made you stay with us. You lost Kinosuke-san.” I can’t help but squeeze his hand a little. He can be so perceptive sometimes. “I think he causes more problems, than he solves nor prevents.”
“Maybe but… My father, Hiroaki believed in his brother.” I sigh, “My father told me, Uncle will take care of me and not leave me alone. So you see even if I didn’t know your father much, I knew him from my father’s trust.”
He’s quiet and I feel sad that my answer can’t give him the light he seeks for both his father and his mother.
“Tsutomu-kun but as for your mother, I don’t hate her.” I smile at him, “I just don’t know her. And your father and mother had you and Yoshi, so that must mean your mother was someone your father could’ve loved back then.”
He shrugs, “Or we were just a mistake.”
I squeeze his hand, “I don’t think a man like your father makes a mistake more than once and in 4 year intervals.” I wink at him, “But it sounds to me, you miss Tokio-san. Maybe you should write your mother. I’ll send it if you want.”
Tsutomu:
Yukiko-neesan… She’s all alone, just like me but she seems happier even through Kinosuke-san’s disappearance. Stupid Eiji-nii!
I’m not sure if I should write my mother. I don’t know how I feel about her after everything. She didn’t want us anymore, I realize, that’s why she kept disappearing back then. And then she sent me here eventhough I could’ve stayed in Aizu. She always made sure we felt above the rest, better than the ones in Tokyo, better than his other family, better than commoners in Aizu. We were closest to the court, that we were in the -right-. “I should write her… See how she’s doing.” I look up at Yukiko-neesan.
I’m tempted to tell Yukiko-neesan that mother has been sick for such a long time. That I thought it was all too much for my mother and then when he abandoned us for… No… I can’t turn into her too. Nor him.
I need to get a job, otherwise it will always be like this.
Rapping at the back door, I call out for Myoujin-san and Tae-san.
(OOC: To be continued. Makoto can tell Hide anything of what she’s heard until they departed the house – or not)
(Hide)
“I’m home!” I hear Makoto call out, and I look up – I was cleaning up Ai-chan after a feeding.
“Where is Yukiko-san and Tsutomu-kun?” I ask, it seems to be just her.
“Oh, they had to run an errand,” she answers, and goes over to the table where I have snacks. “Yum! I was hungry the whole way home!”
Hmm… I did ask Yukiko-san to pick up some beef for dinner, maybe she forgot on the way over?
“Uh-oh!” Makoto giggles, as a… certain smell wafts through the room. Ai-chan just gurgles and waves her arms. I grin at the both of them.
“Alright, finish your snack and start on your homework while I go and clean up your sister again.” I pick her up and take her back to the washroom.
(OOC – Hide and Makoto remain at home)
What is all that ruckus? I still have a bunch of dishes to wash since the lunch hours just passed and now the store is closed for a couple of hours until we open again for the evening.
I throw the door open of the back kitchen and there I see, Tsutomu and that girl… What’s her name again?
“Geez, why are you two here?” I ask them with my hands on my hips. This family of that irksome cop is here and it’s starting to really get on my nerves.
“Is Tae-san around?” Tsutomu asks.
I kind of like him. He’s a good worker, keeps to himself, does what he’s told but he did leave the Kamiya dojo in a drunken mess and caused Kenshin and Saitou to meet again. Something we all do not want. “No. The store is closed. What do you want? You should leave.”
“Wait a minute!” That boy steps forward and the young woman my age gets in front.
“Tomu, you promised to let me speak first with Myoujin-san.” She tells him calmly and I cock my head.
“I thought we made it clear, we really don’t want any trouble Miss…”
“Yuki.. My name is Yuki.” She holds her hands together but looks at me straight, “And we didn’t come to cause any trouble. Quite the contrary, I came to apologize for what happened when I last visited here.”
I sigh and look back at her. She does seem nice but it’s just too much trouble being with Saitou’s “relations”. “OK fine. Apology accepted. Can you please leave?”
“We will but I just want you to know that I didn’t mean to cause you and Tsubame-chan any trouble… And I know Eiji and you are friends and I hope that my behavior didn’t cause strain in your friendship.”
I watch the boy frown from the corner of my eye. He obviously doesn’t agree with her, that it was her fault. “Look, I was in the wrong too.” I scratch the back of my head, “You can tell that to Eiji if you see him.”
“What do you mean?” She asks quietly with a confused look on her face.
“Didn’t you know? We haven’t seen him since he quit his job last week.” I sigh, “And that’s why I’m having to pull extra shifts here.”
“But Myoujin-san, what happened?”
With a shrug, I lean in to whisper to Yukiko-san. “This really isn’t something children like him should hear…”
“Hey. You came here looking for a job didn’t you?” I smirk at him and nod toward the back entrance. “I’m in charge here when Tae-san is out, so if you want a job – get started with the dishes inside.”
“Wait, what are you two going to…”
I nudge him gently inside, “Remember if you want this job, finish those dishes up and no -eavesdropping-.” I make a snorting sound, “I know you used to listen in on Eiji and I. That’s not nice to your elders!”
With that I shove him inside and quickly lock the door from the outside. “Hey! Hey!” He bangs on the door.
“Get started boy. Or I won’t give you Eiji’s job!”
“Fine!”
The young woman shakes her head and we step into the other side at the back. “So what happened Myoujin-san? Why would Eiji just… And he hasn’t told me anything about it at all. Is it because of me, of what happened here?”
“No…” I shake my head, “Look again I’m sorry I was mean to you but we’ve had trouble with your Uncle harassing us the past few months.” I look up, “I think it has something to do with Hiko sensei… Actually I know it’s because of him.”
“Yeah. How did you know?”
“Like you think my uncle was harassing the people at the dojo, that Hiko was harassed us in Futaba and has been inviting himself over at the house, without permission. He’s after my Aunt.”
I frown. I didn’t know -that-. “Well as far as I know Saitou has been harassing us, yes because of Hiko sensei but because Hiko sensei used to know Saitou’s wife Tokio and that they had a relationship.”
She blinks and looks surprised at my revelation.
“I don’t know what made Saitou come to our dojo, but one night Saitou came with Eiji and got his ass handed to him by Hiko sensei.” I look down, “It wasn’t a pretty sight. Eiji saw how powerless your Uncle was, and to be honest with you even I felt bad for Saitou.”
I look at her, “So Myoujin-san what happened?”
I shrug. I really didn’t want to give details. “It’s bad enough to be humiliated by a rival, but to be delivered by a woman and then be told later by the same woman that he flogs himself…” I shake my head, “She may as swell handed the battle to Hiko sensei.”
“That woman, was it Yagi-san? My aunt?”
I nod. “I’m sure Eiji felt the same way and probably can’t bear my knowing what happened and so quit his job here. He looked up to Saitou and even I admit Saitou is -very- strong… But Eiji watched through it like he was asked. He didn’t do anything. Neither he nor I could do anything but to only bear witness.”
“Poor Eiji-kun…”
I let out a breath, “He’s probably feeling rather useless but he did the -right- thing. ” And I think I did the right thing to, helping Eiji stay his hand and witness the ordeal. “Look I know that idiot doesn’t have a lot of skills and it’s hard to get decent paying jobs here in Tokyo. If he wants to come back… He’s like family to Kenshin and any family of Kenshin, is a family of mine.”
She’s quiet for a long moment, “Is that man… That Hiko, where is he?”
“He’s gone for now.”
She nods, “He came to our house several times. He must truly be powerful if Uncle was beaten soundly.”
“Actually Yukiko-san, he refused to fight and asked Eiji not to. It was Yagi-san who threw the knife.”
She draws in a sudden breath, her eyes wide.
“Don’t worry. Nothing can touch Hiko-sensei.” I start walking back, “I’m actually a little glad he’s grown tired of being here in Tokyo. Now as for Tsutomu…”
She shakes her head, “Thank you for being discreet.”
“That boy is a handful but I need him to wash dishes.” I open the door, “Don’t worry I’ll send him home early today.”
She looks at me and bows, “I’ll be going home then. Thank you Myoujin-san.”
(OOC: Yukiko goes home and has no beef nor Tomu. We can RPG a scene if Hide wants otherwise I’ll move the day to Saitou’s post which is mid-week)
(Hide)
Hmmm… I wonder where they are?
But even if I bundle up Ai-chan and bring her with me, I can’t leave Makoto here… and then if I take her and they come home to an empty house – or if Hajime gets here before then…
I keep the baby on her schedule, and prod Makoto through her homework….
(Hide is waiting at home for whoever shows up)
Yukiko:
I get back just in time to start preparing for dinner. I start with the rice, taking a couple of cup fulls to boil… It’s then I remember I forgot the beef. Oh no…
I look around for what’s for dinner and the only options are eggs or tofu. I’m sure everyone’s tired of soba, we have that most of the time when Uncle is here and I don’t think any of us truly likes plain soba like uncle does. I sigh and start cutting the tofu into cubes like how Yagi-san showed me.
I come back in from getting Ai-chan settled to start on dinner…
“Oh, Yukiko-san – you’re back.” She’s working on tofu? “Where is the beef? And is Tsutomu-kun upstairs?” I didn’t hear him, but sometimes if he goes to the roof he goes -quietly-.
“Should we add some vegetables to this?” I’m not certain which dish she’s working on specifically, but the children need a well-rounded meal. “Mushrooms? Green onions?” I get out the knife and cutting board.
“Ah I’m sorry auntie. I forgot about the beef.” I see she takes out the mushrooms and green onions. I start chopping the green onions.
“Tomu asked for me to go with him to the Akabeko. Apparently he wanted his old job back. ”
“How is everything? Ai-chan?”
I wash the mushrooms, making certain there’s no dirt.
“Oh, don’t worry about the beef – we need to eat this tofu anyway, we can have beef another night.”
Tomu asked for me to go with him to the Akabeko. Apparently he wanted his old job back.
I put down the mushrooms, and take a moment to -process-… “does he need money?” I know he’d never ask me or his father… but maybe he’s trying to “treat” Midori-san? I sigh, “I wish he’d work elsewhere… but if Eiji-san is there to look after him…” Although I’ve not seen much of Eiji-san, not since Ai-chan was born. I look over at Yukiko-san, I know sometimes they run into each other some mornings. “Have you spoken with him recently?”
I start chopping the mushrooms. “And… was Myojin Yahiko there?” I know he tends to speak his mind… was he rude to her again?
“And we’re all good. I did the sheets today so Makoto-chan is putting those on upstairs.” I look carefully at her…
Yukiko:
I nod as she tells me not to worry about the beef.
“does he need money?”
“He said he hasn’t received a stipend from Aizu for quite some time now.” I wash the green onions again, “I guess he used up all his money from that summer job and they’re willing to take him back in.”
“I wish he’d work elsewhere… but if Eiji-san is there to look after him…”. “Have you spoken with him recently?”
“No I haven’t spoken to Eiji-kun. But don’t worry Auntie, I can probably fetch Tomu on the days he’s working at the Akabeko. Myoujin-san he’d let him come home early.”
She says everything is well with her and Uncle’s children and I nod and smile. “That’s good that Makoto-chan helps with chores. I’m not sure if she likes hanging up bed sheets.”
He said he hasn’t received a stipend from Aizu for quite some time now. I guess he used up all his money from that summer job and they’re willing to take him back
“I’ll speak to Hajime…” I say, “I think Tsutomu-kun has been seeing a young lady,” I can’t help but smile. “But, as always, his schoolwork comes first, and I know he’s competing in a multi-school kendo tournament soon.”
But don’t worry Auntie, I can probably fetch Tomu on the days he’s working at the Akabeko. Myoujin-san he’d let him come home early.
I’m quiet for a minute. “It’s fall, so the days will start getting shorter, it will be dark earlier. I don’t like the idea of you out there alone, but I don’t want him alone either.” I start a fire under the pan to cook the veggies, and add some oil. “Maybe I should do it.” She’s young, and pretty, after all…
“Now, I know you’re a good girl, and won’t speak ill… but did Myoujin-say anything to you again?” I’m still mad at how upset he made this kind, gentle girl…
“I’ll speak to Hajime…” I say, “I think Tsutomu-kun has been seeing a young lady,”
She smiles and I finish up the green onions and place it besides her. “I see.” But Tsutomu didn’t say anything about a girl… And the way he said it, it seems like it’s not just pocket money. Doesn’t students today need not only pocket money but clothes, equipment, books and writing instruments for school? And Kendo – doesn’t that take money too?
I don’t like the idea of you out there alone, but I don’t want him alone either.” “Maybe I should do it.
“Oh but it’s truly not a bother Auntie. I’m sure the girls would miss you here.” After all she’s not supposed to go out yet, or at least that’s what I heard.
“Now, I know you’re a good girl, and won’t speak ill… but did Myoujin-say anything to you again?”
I think for a moment, “Actually Myoujin-san apologized about how he acted last time we met.” I’m not sure how to put everything else we spoke about, like how Myoujin-san was only protecting their dojo from Uncle who had an unsettled matter with their master. She may not believe it anyway, I don’t think.
I see
The way she says it…. it’s so very doubtful. “Well, I know young men need money for other things, but…”
Oh but it’s truly not a bother Auntie. I’m sure the girls would miss you here.
“It’s fine, Yukiko-san. Your uncle wouldn’t want you out at night, I’m certain.” Probably not me, either… but I still think I’m a safer choice.
Actually Myoujin-san apologized about how he acted last time we met.
I look at her, a bit surprised. “Really?” I turn back to the food, adding some seasoning to the veggies and tofu. “So he won’t make a fuss if you befriend Tsubame-san? She’s a very nice young lady, and I’d like to see you with friends.” I smile back at her. “You’re young and you should be enjoying things – your uncle would like to see that, I’m sure.”
“Well, I know young men need money for other things, but…”
I’m not really sure if Tomu would like that I said something about this to Auntie, but then again – it’s so entirely obvious that him working at the Akabeko would be kept as a secret. In fact I’m -surprised- it’s gone on this long that he’s not had money but everyone’s been busy.
“It’s fine, Yukiko-san. Your uncle wouldn’t want you out at night, I’m certain.”
I can only nod at Auntie politely. I can’t quite tell her, that Tomu wouldn’t really appreciate her fetching him.
Really?” “So he won’t make a fuss if you befriend Tsubame-san? She’s a very nice young lady, and I’d like to see you with friends.”
“Oh I don’t know. It’s probably safer to just keep safe here.” I finally take a seat, “I didn’t know you knew Tsubame-san well Auntie.” Except for that one time I mentioned it to her it’s almost like she knows them well. How could she know she’s nice? Last time, didn’t she try to tell me that Tsubame should have her own mind and that it was unfortunate that, that might not be the case? I wonder, how much does she know about those people associated with the Kamiya dojo? And why does all of these people seem to know of each other, even Tokio-san.
She’s quiet about both Tsutomu-kun’s need for money and walking him back. What does a young man need these days? I assumed that anything he needs for school, Hajime is covering along with the fees. Other than things for sewing club and her uniform… I’ve not had requests for anything else.
I didn’t know you knew Tsubame-san well Auntie.
Ah… I should be careful, about what I know beyond … what I’m -supposed- to know.
“I don’t,” I shake my head. “I just… know -of- her.” I lower the fire to let everything simmer. “And yes, here is safer…” I turn away from the food and smile at her, “but I didn’t have many girl friends at your age – some had married, and those who hadn’t were told to stay away, as the Shinsengumi were viewed… well, with anything ranging from caution to hostility, depending on your political views. But that’s not this time – and I don’t want you here buried as a mother’s helper, even though you’re so wonderful at it.”
“I don’t,” “I just… know -of- her.”
I nod, of course Auntie won’t tell me about those people associated with the dojo. That’s only natural and I’m sure she doesn’t want more problems there or rather for certain things to be revealed like that night or how Tokio-san is connected to all of it.
She tells me more about having “girl” friends. That she didn’t have some. But do I really need them?
“Thank you Auntie. I’ll think about it.”
I don’t want to cause more problems for Uncle. Maybe there’ll be other friends. I’m confused why she wants me to associate with those people, they seem nice but when the caped man comes back… I’m sure it will become complicated again.
I don’t want you here buried as a mother’s helper, even though you’re so wonderful at it
“Oh please don’t mention it. I’m totally happy to help here.” There really isn’t anything for me out there. Besides if what I heard is true, then all the more reason to try to help.
“Well Auntie, let me go check in on Makoto since you’re almost done here.”
(OOC: Yukiko will try to exit. You can close or try not to let her exit.)
She puts me off, politely… but I’ve let her know what I think. “I’d still like to work out something fun for you.” I grin a little, “after all, you’re turning into a very good cook, so we can truly say that staying here was good for you…” my expression changes to a smile, “and it’s good for me, to have you here – not just for help, but for companionship.” I add, softly, “it means a lot to me now that you call me ‘Auntie'”.
Oh please don’t mention it. I’m totally happy to help here.
I don’t mention Kyoto, the ideas I was floating out… with Hajime’s impasse with my brothers, I’m doubtful we’ll be there in the spring, or that Yukiko-san would go and stay there.
She mentions going to get Makoto, and I nod, “that would be good, tell her to wash up since we’ll be having dinner shortly.”
(OOC – Close)