Tomu:
I’m alone on the top of the roof. Midori didn’t come today either.
Why?
I go ahead and start on the brownie that Misao-chan brought and take a bite out of Midori’s piece.
She would’ve liked this.
I consider saving some for her later. Just in case she does end up coming?
But it’s the second day! She’s -not- coming is she?!
With a frown, I shove the whole thing in my mouth.
It would’ve been nice to speak to somebody today.
What am I doing? I can simply go to her homeroom and see what she’s been up to.
And so I pack up my things and run down the stairs. I’m sure she’s just busy!
*Oomph*
I bump into someone, a big belly and I look up. From this vantage point Takimi-sensei looks quite imposing.
“I’m sorry Takimi-sensei.” I say and straighten up.
“Oh Fujita-kun. Where might you be going in a hurry?”
“I’m just going to check up on a friend of mine.” I tell him with a grin. I don’t know why I didn’t think of just going to Midori earlier instead of waiting all the time on the roof.
“You mean Nishino-kun?”
“Yes.” I nod agreeably. I already ate her brownie but I’ll figure that part out later.
“Haven’t your father told you yet?” He puts his hand on my shoulder and start walking the opposite of where I intended to go and I look behind my shoulder.
“You and Nishino-kun are in your last year of school here at Futaba. Soon you’ll have to figure out what you want to do in life Fujita-kun.”
We turn a corner where there’s less people where he lets me go. I wonder where he’s going with this?
“Have you thought about what you’d like to do for the future?”
“Not really.”
“Well Nishino-kun would like to go abroad one day to further her studies in sewing and embroidery.”
I nod, “She told me about that Takimi-sensei.”
“So it’s important she focuses on her dream. So she shouldn’t be distracted and you can help her in that regard.”
I tilt my head looking at him, “Oh but I’m already helping Midori. I’ve tutored her in English you know!” I smile a bit triumphantly but he ends up frowning.
“I mean Fujita-kun, to -not- distract her anymore. Not with being friends, or going out for sweets or even tutoring.”
I blink. “What? I don’t think any of that would be a problem Sensei.”
“Your father also -agreed- that you should no longer see Nishino-kun. Besides you yourself have no plans for the future, you said so yourself.”
“That’s true.” I’ve not thought about it. It’s just not something important to me right now… The future.
“Besides don’t you think you should focus on your future first before you can even keep up with Nishino-kun?”
I nod my head slowly. Suddenly realizing that he’s right. I’m not good enough. But what about… that guy?
(OOC: While they’re at the bottom of the stairs, someone can spot Takimi speaking to Tsutomu, while anyone observant passing by can hear this conversation. if they so wish.)
(Midori)
Word has gotten around to the gossipy staff that I’m in trouble now, so some of them think that I can now be their personal assistants… so I’m going to what should be forbidden territory – the boy’s school – because Shimomura-sensei likes to send notes to the Classical Japanese teacher. Who is married. Even I know that’s…. well, I guess their business. Can’t the adults here get it together? But it’s late enough and Tsutomu-kun should be gone…
I get close to the main building for the upper school and I hear Takimi-sensei… I don’t want a lecture from him so I wait by a cluster of trees for him to finish with whoever he’s speaking to and move on so I can finish with Shimomura-sensei’s “errands”.
So it’s important she focuses on her dream. So she shouldn’t be distracted and you can help her in that regard.”
“Oh but I’m already helping Midori. I’ve tutored her in English you know!”
“I mean Fujita-kun, to -not- distract her anymore. Not with being friends, or going out for sweets or even tutoring.”
“What? I don’t think any of that would be a problem Sensei.”
“Your father also -agreed- that you should no longer see Nishino-kun. Besides you yourself have no plans for the future, you said so yourself.”
“That’s true.”
“Besides don’t you think you should focus on your future first before you can even keep up with Nishino-kun?
That’s… Tsutomu-kun? And they’re talking about… -me-? His -father- agreed to it? I thought he liked me enough, maybe he blames me for the post office incidence?
Or… he prefers Tsurumi-chan. I mean, she is of Aizu, and samurai class…
But he’s my friend! As I start to step out from behind the trees –
“Ooh, what do we have here? Sneaking around, girlie?” I hear a voice, rough and crude, that makes my heart sink… I feel his thick hand clamp on my arm. “Come on, you won’t be the first girl who needs my uncle’s help with their fees here and I can make that happen,” he laughs, nasty. “I’ll be nice and make it quick for you, okay?” His other arm goes around my waist and he pulls on me, with his other hand going over my mouth. “Haha, just calm down,” he says, and I can smell his breath…
I bite the hand, and scream out, terrified. “Tstuomu!” I don’t know -what- he’s going to make quick but I don’t want to find out!
Tsutomu:
“Tstuomu!”
“That’s Midori’s voice!” I shout at Takimi sensei and spin around running out to the middle of the grounds and quickly scan the area. My eyes immediately spot Midori to the far right, right behind some trees and there’s that guy!
I run -fast- towards them, keeping my head low and target his stomach with my head like a bull and I push him with both hands into the ground. I don’t care how big he is, he’s not that big. “Keep your hands off Nishino-san!” I growl at him.
I’d -hit- him but, a son of a samurai never starts a fight. Now where did I hear that before? Either way I try to keep him off balance on the ground.
“What’s going on here?” Takimi-sensei comes over.
“Midori go with Takimi-sensei. Far away from here.” I shout.
I’m trying to get out but the man is more than double my weight. “Come on, girlie, let’s start with a kiss, stop playing hard to -”
And then I suddenly am off-balance, and the hands fall off me and I hear him make a strange sound and he’s on the ground. And Tsutomu-kun is there… I look at him, dazed.
What’s going on here?
Panting, shaking, I look over at Takimi-sensei. “You know this man is trouble! He said I must be a girl taking whatever “assignments” are and now he’s grabbing me and telling me that he can get his uncle to pay my fees if he does something to me -” I look at the rotund man that my mother trusts, whose care she left me in. The one who used to be so -kind- to me when I was a little homesick girl. “You adults are supposed to be protecting us! You worry about me being friends with Tsutomu-kun when you let this man pester girls just because he has a rich uncle! Yajami-sensei has told you and you did nothing!” I look at Tsutomu-kun, who suddenly seems so… grown-up, standing over the prone man. “My friend is the only who has tried to protect me! Not you – but another student!”
Midori go with Takimi-sensei. Far away from here.
I step away from the guard, and, reluctantly from Tsutomu-kun. This is probably expulsion for the both of us… but I don’t want to be at a place that is two-faced – protecting my reputation by taking away a friendship, while allowing that man to do as he wishes to girls…
Takimi:
“You know this man is trouble! He said I must be a girl taking whatever “assignments” are and now he’s grabbing me and telling me that he can get his uncle to pay my fees if he does something to me -”
“Is that right Nitta?” I shake my head. He’s been somewhat of a trouble maker but it’s the first time I’m really hearing a student complain about him.
“Of course not Takimi-sensei.” He bows and looks appropriately sorry. “That girl was snooping around in the boys school. You know how she is and chasing after boys.” Then he looks points to Fujita-kun who still has him in the ground. “I was just trying to make sure Nishino-kun here doesn’t go running around with that Fujita kid. You know how his family is.”
I sigh. “Fujita-kun, please get off Nitta.”
“You adults are supposed to be protecting us! You worry about me being friends with Tsutomu-kun when you let this man pester girls just because he has a rich uncle! Yajami-sensei has told you and you did nothing!”
“I think this is all a big misunderstanding Nishino-kun.” I shake my head as Tsutomu finally lets him go, “Nitta-kun is only ensuring that we all keep proper decorum in this school.”
“That girl was about to run after that boy again Takimi-sensei.” He rubs his stomach a bit and then his wrist that Fujita seems to have bruised. “My uncle will not like hearing about this.” He looks at Fujita-kun. “We can’t have a school that girls and boys can be wild like that.”
“Now Nitta…” But he walks away.
Tomu:
“Are you alright Midori?” I go to her but my eyes watch as Nitta walks away.
“You need to stay closer to other girls or teachers and not be caught by yourself.” I remind her. I’d escort her around but with the way Takimi-sensei is looking at us. I don’t think that’s possible.
“You two need to go back to class soon.” Takimi sensei reminds us. “I need to speak further to Nitta.”
And with that he too leaves us. I wonder what he’ll tell my father.
You know how she is and chasing after boys. I was just trying to make sure Nishino-kun here doesn’t go running around with that Fujita kid. You know how his family is.”
“You’ve known me since I was seven, Takimi-sensei,” I say, frustrated by the lies this man tells! “I don’t chase after boys! But Nitta-san has been pestering me and today put his hands on me and said I needed to give him a kiss!” And then he talks about decorum. I hand him the letter I was told to deliver – she even doused it with her perfume, yuck. “Here – this is the “decorum” of Futuba! I was only over here at this building because Shimomura-sensei wanted me to bring this to Mayeda-sensei!”
My uncle will not like hearing about this. We can’t have a school that girls and boys can be wild like that.
“And so will my mother!” I don’t like to throw her around. “She believes in your mission, Takimi-sensei. But there are problems here and you can’t just blame them on -children-.” I look over at Tsutomu-kun. Who else would have stood up for me like this?
Are you alright Midori?
I don’t miss that Takimi-sensei didn’t ask after me, only gobbled up Niita’s lies.
You two need to go back to class soon
I shake my head. “School let out and hour ago, Takimi-sensei.” I know he’s someone important now, consulting with the government, meeting with foreigners. But has he really forgotten the times our school runs?
I look over at Tsutomu-kun. “He used to listen to me. When I first got here, he gave me peppermints, when I cried about being homesick.” I sigh, that’s an awkward confession. Samurai children probably don’t cry.
“I’ve been mostly confined to the girl’s building and my dorm, since…” I look at him. “Yamaji-sensei told me… that I wasn’t supposed to spend time with you anymore but… that’s not fair. I think we both need a friend, right now.” I look down at the ground. “Can I… write you? Maybe have Makoto-chan carry the letters?” I frown a little. “I need English practice – I failed my test today…. and… I miss talking to you.” I feel my face go red -WHY-. “And I heard enough – and what you’ve done today – thank you for standing up for me.”
(OOC – if Takimi reads the letter, it’s fairly explicit that the teachers in question are having an affair)
Tsutomu:
“I don’t chase after boys! But Nitta-san has been pestering me and today put his hands on me and said I needed to give him a kiss!”
What?! I’d go after Nitta and punch him… But it’s too late. I can only frown and ball my hands into a fist.
“Here – this is the “decorum” of Futuba! I was only over here at this building because Shimomura-sensei wanted me to bring this to Mayeda-sensei!”
Midori gives Takimi sensei a letter she was to deliver. Wait isn’t Mayeda sensei already married? I look down. It’s not too different from our house.
Takimi sensei leaves after Midori reminds him school has been let out. I’m sure “father” will hear something but I guess that can’t be helped.
“I’ve been mostly confined to the girl’s building and my dorm, since…” I look at him. “Yamaji-sensei told me… that I wasn’t supposed to spend time with you anymore but… that’s not fair. I think we both need a friend, right now.” “Can I… write you?
I sigh a little. “I’m not sure you should. Takimi sensei maybe wrong on Nitta but I’m not sure he’s wrong on me.” I look away as she looks down, “I haven’t really thought about the future. I may not have one.” It’s been difficult everywhere that I can only look forward one day at a time.
“And I heard enough – and what you’ve done today – thank you for standing up for me.”
“Don’t mention it.” I look at her, “Are you going to be safe in this school?” And it’s then I ended up with an idea. “Maybe you should board in Yagi-san’s house instead of here in the school? Then someone, Yukiko-neechan can be with you always.”
She’ll probably say no but it’s safer I think. I’ll have to explain it to “father” later and I suppose I have to ask one of the girls to share their room. Eiji-nii and I already share one. Can I even convince them if she says yes?
Tsutomu-kun is visibly mad about Niita-san’s behavior – I’m just glad that someone is, that someone -believes- me. Takimi-sensei does not and that… hurts.
I’m not sure you should. Takimi sensei maybe wrong on Nitta but I’m not sure he’s wrong on me.” I look away as she looks down, “I haven’t really thought about the future. I may not have one.
I look up, and his eyes are elsewhere. “Everyone has a future – I’m a girl, and, frankly, one with indulgent, well-off parents. So I can follow my art as far as I want, even if it’s dismissed as women’s handicrafts.” I smile a bit. “But you… Tsutomu-kun, you’re smart, and I don’t know why you’re not at the top of the class lists. From kendo I know you can work hard… but what is it that -you- really want to do? Not your mother, or your father – just one thing.” I lean over to look at his eyes. “I promise I won’t laugh.” Or maybe he wants to follow in one of their footsteps and doesn’t know how to say it?
Maybe you should board in Yagi-san’s house instead of here in the school?
I open my eyes wide… “I… don’t think I will feel safe, here. Niita-san probably can get a key to anything, and now that I’ve ratted on Shimomura-sensei – she oversees the girl boarders – she won’t protect me.” And given how this place is, she maybe wouldn’t have before. “That is, if I’m not expelled – I still have the rest of this year and the one after to go.” I am a year younger than him and Tsurumi-chan, after all.
“I… think that would be a nice idea. If it wouldn’t be too much of a burden for Yagi-san, or your cousin, or father.” The idea of it is nice. Shimomura-sensei fusses and clucks over the little girls, but leaves me and Tsurumi-chan too often alone. “I believe that Yamaji-sensei is my guardian, and my mother… trusts me.” Maybe that’s what helped me speak my mind today. I had a friend next to me and my mother, although distant, behind me. I grin a bit. “Makoto-chan would love it.” And my reputation would be safe – having been a pesky younger sister myself, I have a feeling that any trips out for cake would always have a third…
Tomu:
“But you… Tsutomu-kun, you’re smart, and I don’t know why you’re not at the top of the class lists. From kendo I know you can work hard… but what is it that -you- really want to do? Not your mother, or your father – just one thing.” I lean over to look at his eyes. “I promise I won’t laugh.”
She looks at me expecting an answer and I stare back. “I don’t know yet. All I want is the continuation of the Fujita house.” That is the one thing that’s important to me, more than anything.
She says she won’t feel safe and is worried she might get expelled. “I don’t think Takimi sensei will go that far. It will probably be more trouble than it’s worth and besides…” I let out a breath, “Although my father is… no good, he’ll never allow us to be expelled and he has friends higher than Takimi sensei.”
“I… think that would be a nice idea. If it wouldn’t be too much of a burden for Yagi-san, or your cousin, or father.”
She agrees and I’m very glad for that. Then there’ll be less chance for that Nitta to catch her alone and I admit that will put me at ease. “I’ll ask them. Yagi-san’s house is not big… We share rooms but if you don’t mind sharing a room with Yukiko-nee or Makoto, I’ll just need to get Yagi-san to agree.”
. “Makoto-chan would love it.”
“You think?” I laugh a little. “I can’t buy you two sweets though. I’m on a budget.”
I walk her back to the entrance of the building to the dorms. “It’s settled then. I’ll convince Yagi-san. Just wait a few days? And I guess speak to Yamaji sensei.”
(OOC: you may close)
I don’t know yet. All I want is the continuation of the Fujita house.
I smile at him. “That’s a good goal.” It’s a broken house, now, but he can restore it. Although to continue it, he’ll need a wife… “That leaves you with many paths forward, to support the continuation you want.” All of the boys here are always thinking about getting ahead – in the army, in the government, in business…. that it’s refreshing that Tsutomu-kun thinks of family first.
Then he admits that his father… who he still doesn’t seem to like – wouldn’t let us be expelled. I was certain that Tsutomu-kun would be safe, but I have no similar protections.
“I can share with Makoto-chan – your cousin is a grown woman, after all.” But it would be nice to be in an actual home again. “But whichever way works best for the household – I’m very grateful.” And I’d want to pay my own way – it’s terrible what Futaba charges my mother. I do eat a lot but I don’t take up much space. Also, Fujita-sensei complained that her husband didn’t get paid well by the police…
The he laughs, a little, a sound that raises my spirits. “Well, since I would be boarding I could help with that – but you two have to help me with my English!” Then I wonder if Tsurumi-chan will want to murder me… or come up with excuses to “drop in”… well, at least it’s Yagi-san’s house and not Fujita-sensei’s. Then she’d be the one moving in!
He walks me back to the dorm, and I nod. “I’ll start on her, and try to get ahead of Takimi-sensei. I may also need your help getting a telegram to my mother.” I say goodbye, and go into the quiet building. It was built for many more than actually board here, as most of the non-Tokyo people board outside, with relations… but Yamaji-sensei said that Takimi-sensei wanted to be ready for the day when there would be a great demand.
Terrible things happened today – I want to go soak in a bath and scrub where I’ve been touched – but someone is looking out for me.
(OOC – Close)