Yamaji-sensei,
I have been told that a boarder student of yours, Nishino Midori, is wishing to experience family life and seeks to board out for the remainder of the school year and possibly next year as well. Nishino-san has been a visitor to our home, coming once after the birth of our last child, where she brought a thoughtful gift. Her good manners are a testament to her education at Futaba, and she is also a bright and kind girl who we would welcome wholeheartedly. In particular, I know she has been a good friend to my daughter, Makoto-chan.
We will also be able to assure her safety. Along with Makoto-chan and Tsutomu-kun, she will always be escorted by myself, Tsutomu-kun’s father, or Tsutomu-kun’s cousin.
I have also written to Nishino-san’s parents about this matter. Thank you for your kind consideration. I am available to speak in person if you have any additional questions or concerns.
Yagi Hide
“I didn’t say anything about the bullying, only that she wanted to live with a family for a while. I hope that sounds alright.” I’m glad he’s standing up for a friend. But I do think there’s more to the story, and hope that Midori-chan is alright until we can line everything up.
(OOC – okay to close if Tsutomu is going to take the letter without any additional interaction)
“Slow down.” I remind him, “Makoto and Yukiko won’t leave without you.”
“Umm. Yeah.”
“Where’s Eiji?”
“He’s in the kitchen with Yagi-san.” He makes a half bow and runs outside anyway. I wonder what’s that about? But he’s clutching a note? Well it must be from one of the teachers. If it’s important Takimi knows he should speak to me so I go ahead into the kitchen.
“Eiji. Good you’re awake.” I say and light a cigarette and stand by the kitchen back door. “I was waiting for everyone to leave, we have to discuss something important.”
He looks up from his tea. “Would you like to sit down father? I can get you some tea or coffee?”
“No.” I tell him, “Hopefully this won’t take long and I can be on my way.”
Eiji looks across the room towards Hide. As if he’s asking me if this is a conversation she should hear.
“It’s fine. She knows about this.” I take a drag and look outside, where a lonely bench is, “She and I have decided to separate and there are practical matters to take care of.”
“Father?” I’m not sure I heard him right…
He turns to me slightly annoyed but immediately looks away, “You heard me the first time.”
“Yes father.” It’s my turn to look at Yagi-san.
I wonder… Is this related to that deadly swordsman? Okita of the Shinsengumi. “But this is all so sudden. It’s only recently that you’ve asked me to watch Yagi-san, to protect her with…” I stop actually saying it. “If you’re concerned about that protection I assure you, I would pledge my life on it even against the best of the Shinsengumi.”
He glances back to me and is very visibly annoyed.
Tsutomu-kun runs out with the note, and I hear him and Hajime speak, briefly.
She and I have decided to separate and there are practical matters to take care of
I nearly gasp at this – both the detached way he says it… as he looks out at the garden. But also about how quickly he’s going about it.
He really is giving up?
I learned a lesson last night about giving up too early. I follow his look to the garden, and then meet his eyes. There’s hurt in there… and that’s why I’m not giving up. I hurt so much, too. I thought it would be the easier path, last night. It wasn’t.
Eiji-san seems surprised, which is normal.
But this is all so sudden. It’s only recently that you’ve asked to watch Yagi-san, to protect her with… If you’re concerned about that protection I assure you, I would pledge my life on it even against the best of the Shinsengumi
I go to Eiji-san and put my hand on his shoulder, “Eiji-san, time and time again I’ve told myself that I’m glad that you’re here. I should say it more -to- you, even though you’re modest enough not to seek praise, and I hope to keep saying it.” I look at him, after glancing over and seeing annoyance from Hajime. Was he expecting no response? And that Eiji-san is taking it as his fault? It… breaks my heart… I blink, for a moment.
“I always feel safe knowing you’re here. I know that you’d protect me with your life and I understand the gravity of that pledge, even when unspoken.” I lean over and kiss his forehead. “If you were my own son I couldn’t be prouder of the young man you are. I know Hajime is, he wouldn’t have entrusted you with us otherwise.”
But I’m not ready for Hajime to pull apart this family, any more than am I for him to pull away from me. And watching Eiji-san’s reaction… he doesn’t seem ready either? After all, he has another place he -could- be, but he’s still choosing to remain here – and I don’t think that Yukiko-san is all of it.
“But your father speaks a bit prematurely.” I look over at Hajime, still feeling the form of him against my arms from last night, his scent lingering on me still.
Eiji:
Yagi-san thanks me but I’m only doing what I promised myself a long time ago. I didn’t protect my own family and failed my adopted one… This one I’d like to keep my promise this time. She kisses my forehead and I’m surprised at that. I guess the last time that happened was with my own mother back in Shingetsu.
“If you were my own son I couldn’t be prouder of the young man you are. I know Hajime is, he wouldn’t have entrusted you with us otherwise.”
“Thank you Yagi-san.”
And I look at father who’s merely staring at the both of us and shaking his head.
Saitou:
Leave it to a woman to make all this drama, even when we’re supposed to be wrapping things up. Holding Eiji like the young man is her son -now-. I puff a few as I let the display conclude and thankfully it does.
“But your father speaks a bit prematurely.”
She looks at me and I’d shrug and ask her. What does she want? But I don’t. I -know- the truth that we spoke about last night in that space. Just because we shared one kiss, for me more of a curiosity, doesn’t change the reality. That I’ve changed to a man who looks for things and since I’m no longer what she wants, we should -spare- ourselves.
I focus on Eiji, “I don’t believe I’m being premature. She’s just changing her mind…” I glance at Hide, “which she shouldn’t.”
Ashing my cigarette I continue, “Now onto what I need you to do. I’d like you to inherit the Yamaguchi house. Now that it is not something I can do, the Yamaguchi house must continue and I’ve decided you are worthy to head the Yamaguchi house. If Hiroaki was alive, I’m sure he’d have no objections in you marrying Yukiko.” In fact, I’m sure he would prefer it.
Through the smoke I look at him – he has an openly suprised look. This is what he’s been waiting for, I’m sure of it and now I am ready.
Hajime shakes his head at my words to Eiji-san. It it too little, too late? Or… finally I see past the walls. That in showing affection or care… I didn’t want to be compared to Tokio, what she did or did not do. But I’m my own person.
And maybe it’s too late, but if ending or moving forward, it needed to be said.
I don’t believe I’m being premature. She’s just changing her mind… which she shouldn’t
He shrugs, and glances over at me. I only look back at him. It’s then I notice he still has the bandage on his neck, and I go and pull it off, looking at the small cuts. “Looking better,” I say, quietly, and I re-dress them, aware that he’ll probably pull them off before going into work. If only what really hurts could be healed with some ice and bandages.
If Hiroaki was alive, I’m sure he’d have no objections in you marrying Yukiko
Eiji-san looks surprised. “Eiji-san, I wouldn’t doubt for a minute that you’re worthy of the Yamaguchi house – or Yukiko-san. But shouldn’t she have a say in this?” I know that Kinosuke-san remains unresolved, but just because he’s gone from here doesn’t mean that he’s gone from her mind… and that Eiji-san would never want Yukiko-san -forced-, even it was fulfilling his dreams. And even when I was seven, my father, when thinking I would have to marry someone in order to have an heir for the house, wouldn’t marry me off to someone I didn’t like.
“Besides, why the haste? Tsutomu-kun and Makoto-chan have school until spring, and we’re taking on a boarder as well,” I say. “And if she is agreeable, that gives us time to prepare a proper wedding – certainly your brother would wish it done properly, and to set up a household.” And there’s the matter of Eiji-san and the army… what work is there, out in Akashi? Certainly whatever business is there is tied to Kinosuke’s family.
But… and I know Hajime’s intentions are good. To secure both this son, and the niece he’s entrusted with. But Eiji-san seems more surprised than eager at all of this.
I hear Ai-chan making noise and turn to leave. “I need to settle up the little one before Yukiko-san returns, and before I go out to meet you later, Hajime, at the address you gave me.” Now, that is a situation that needs a conclusion.
(OOC – Hide will exit unless stopped.)
Eiji:
It’s mostly Yagi-san who does the talking after father expressed his wishes. Yagi-san is right that Yukiko should have a say in it. “I think that’s why father is telling me this Yagi-san. So I can ask Yuki… isn’t that right otou-san?”
He shrugs but it’s not clear if it’s due to the bandage or my comment. “It doesn’t matter to me how you go about it.. You can grow a spine and ask her or I can tell her what’s needed to continue the Yamaguchi line.”
And it’s then I see the other reason this is happening. The Yamaguchi house is important to him, but now that he and Yagi-san are separating it’s become a desperate situation to him, losing the family name of his father. I can’t help but be astounded at how similar he truly is to Tomu or rather how his son is similar to him.
SAITOU:
“Besides, why the haste? Tsutomu-kun and Makoto-chan have school until spring, and we’re taking on a boarder as well,” I say. “And if she is agreeable, that gives us time to prepare a proper wedding
“The wedding can be a simple one. It doesn’t need the opulence you Kyoto women are used to.” I growl a bit, “and what boarder?” What the hell is this woman doing? Adding another person here without speaking to me and when we’ve already agreed we’re -done-.
And she turns to leave, telling me she’ll meet with me later for Okita’s sake.
“I don’t have a set time today. I was unexpectedly detained by him yesterday so I’ll send for you when I’m ready.” Of course she’ll probably just do what she wants. Just like now.
“Eiji, I’m leaving. I’ll give you until tomorrow to tell Yukiko. Otherwise I’ll do it.” I too turn to leave.
(Ooc Saitou will exit as well unless something else)
I think that’s why father is telling me this Yagi-san. So I can ask Yuki… isn’t that right otou-san?
And if she’s not agreeable… I’m certain that Hajime is well within in his rights to force the marriage.
Hajime speaks again of the Yamaguchi line. Another house that could have been lost, so many houses slipping through his fingers. Yamaguchi. Fujita. And our girls – will they have a name left in all of this? Or be left to no house?
He then says the wedding should be simple, and makes a comment about Kyoto. “It’s an important day, and even done simply should be done well. And as for the boarder, I meant to tell you last night but other things came up.” Like my -brilliant- speech.
But I do agree to wait for his word. I’d rather not go and see my sister alone. If she doesn’t agree with whatever Hajime has in mind for her and Souji, I don’t know how she’ll react – or who she will hurt.
I go in and get the baby and find Hajime has gone when I return. “Ai-chan, you missed Chichiue, but here’s Eiji-niisan,” I say, and she babbles at him, holding out her arms. “Brrr! Guuuur!”
Eiji:
They both leave and I’m not sure whether to be relieved or not. What’s gone wrong here? Even when they were apart Otou-san never spoke in such a way about Yagi-san. It’s almost bordering on the earlier days when he was still angry at Tokio-san. It was only a couple of months ago that they were so happy.
And then there’s Yagi-san rushing off to attend to the baby and to meeting Okita? Shouldn’t she be trying to fix whatever it is with him or of him? If what Otou-san says is true, that she’s merely wavering on them separating.
In all cases, father seems intent to now leave and I have to wonder if he’s back to doing that thing that he used against Tokio-san, another woman. But why against Yagi-san? For all those years he stared in the darkness I know he longed for her more than anyone else. Doesn’t he remember? Yagi-san said he’s lost parts of himself, shouldn’t she try to get it back. And yet I remember when I asked about his mementos she didn’t seem concerned about it. Is this where they are now.
If it is, maybe it is for the best. I will ask Yukiko.
Yagi-san comes back with Ai-chan and the baby reaches out for me. I take her in my arms and she smiles. I smile back at the beautiful child but it’s tempered knowing what’s now happened.
“Oh is that some new greeting you learned Ai?” I mimic the sound to amuse her.
(Ooc end)