(Afternoon, mid-week)
Akane:
I help Ueda-sama get down from the rickshaw. We traveled on short notice and Ueda-sama even asked Sagawa-san to keep watch of the house but would not say anything to me… Still I couldn’t let him travel alone and he looked determined to get to Tokyo. How could a man like him, almost blind find his way in this place? I look up and see a modest house with very high walls, it almost looks intimidating.
“Careful Ueda-sama.” I tell him as I hold him. I pick up both our bags, his a little bit heavier than mine. I wonder how long he plans to stay here?
Going up to the front I’m about to knock and call out when I notice the name on the house is “Yamaguchi”. I look back at Ueda-sama, “Oh no. I think we have the wrong address. This house is not theirs. Isn’t it supposed to be Fujita or maybe Yagi?”
“No Akane.” He takes a wobbly step forward, leaning on his cane and drawing close to the sign board as if he could read the sign. He traces his hand on the wooden board. “Yamaguchi indeed… Please knock. I’m -sure- this is the place.”
“Excuse me! Anybody home?” I knock on the gates. Ueda-sama is always right, but still why is a different name there? Is this how they live in Tokyo?
(Makoto)
It’s Saturday so I have to sweep! I make nice piles of the leaves! I want to jump in them SO bad but then I’ll have to start over again….
But me and hahaue AND oniisan went out early and now we have nice new boots being made for winter -and- jackets! I think they cost a lot of money, but hahaue said they’d keep our feet warm and dry so we’ll be healthy all winter long! AND THEN she said that Midori-san will be moving in with us, and will share my room! So I have to clean up it very, very perfectly so she won’t have to worry about spiders in the corner (WHICH THERE IS NOT).
Is that a horse stopping outside? Maybe chichiue. I miss him! But it’s just Saturday, so lots of people going all over.
Then a knock! Someone is here to see us… but chichiue wouldn’t knock. Oh….
Excuse me! Anybody home?
Ohh! It’s a lady’s voice. It’s not the nice Makimachi-san, maybe Auntie Saya-san? I go and unlock the door.
I look at them – it’s a grown-up lady like Yukiko-san and and old man. “Hello!” I bow. “May I help you?” The old man has a cane, just like hahaue. But he looks wobbly! “Sir, please come sit on the engawa!” I don’t know him but he has a nice face, and what if he falls?
A little girl comes out. Wait didn’t she say they had a little girl?
She comes up to us with a bow to Ueda-sama asking him to go inside and sit on their engawa.
“Thank you little girl.” He tells her and follows her into the yard and I assist him on one arm while balancing our two bags in the other.
“Are you Makoto-chan?” I ask, “We’re here to visit your father and Yagi-san. Are they home?”
(Makoto)
“Thank you little girl.
I’d tell him that I’m not -little- but that’s rude, and the nice lady helps him to the engawa. It’s a nice fall day that makes you think that it will -never- be winter, but there are a lot of leaves!
Are you Makoto-chan? We’re here to visit your father and Yagi-san. Are they home?
They know my name! I grin and nod. “I’m Makoto!” I bow again. But then she asks…. I look down. “Oh, Chichiue is away working,” he’s been gone a few days, and that’s different, since he brought hahaue home. But then I smile, and bow, “please allow me to fetch my okaasan!” I run off into the house.
The way they talk reminds me of some of my teachers at school!
(Hide)
I heard voices and wonder if they’re someone from the police, or even Sir Howard, but there’s a woman… For a moment my heart stops – is it her? And a man? She has a brother, after all, and overprotective from what I know.
Makoto comes running in. “Hahaue! We have visitors! They’re looking for you and chichiue!”
I shift Ai-chan in my arms. “Who are they?”
She shakes her head. “I don’t know!”
And on my engawa… my heart beats -hard- as I step outside – “Ueda-sama!” I cry out, relief plain on my face. Is he Hajime’s contact? Even though he’s blind, the man is wise… I slowly step off the engawa with my cane. “Akane-san, Ueda-sama, welcome to our home.” I nod for Makoto to come over. “You’ve already met our daughter, Makoto-chan, and this is Ai-chan, born in September.” I was having morning sickness back when I saw him last in Aizu. “Makoto-chan, this is Ueda-sama, a very important person to your father, and this is Akane-san, one of his kin. They’re here all the way from Aizu.” I pat her on the back. “Please ask Yukiko-san to prepare tea and refreshments. They’ve been on a long journey…” They have bags with them, and can make room.
As she skips off to find her cousin, I shift Ai-chan to my good arm. She looks, as she always does, interested in new people. “Brrr!” she cries out. I sit down next to Ueda-sama. “We’ll move inside shortly, but… the children don’t know that Hajime is ill.” Ai-chan tries to lunge out of my arms, to better inspect Ueda-sama. I couldn’t imagine Ueda-sama coming otherwise.
I think of what I saw last night, the sunset by the snow, the tree… and Yaso-san. Does she look out for this man, too, from the faraway place she is now?
OOC – tired, last reply tonight)
Akane:
The little girl introduces herself and says he’s away working? That’s odd. Why would Ueda-sama come here then? I watch as he merely goes ahead and sits on the engawa as Makoto runs inside fetching her mother.
It’s not long before Yagi-san comes out but she has this look of horror on her face. Well until she saw Ueda-sama.
“Akane-san, Ueda-sama, welcome to our home.” . “You’ve already met our daughter, Makoto-chan, and this is Ai-chan, born in September.”
“Thank you Yagi-san.” I say and bow myself. Taking a good look at Ai-chan. That poor child and poor Yagi-san. If only they knew what happened in Aizu.
The little girl is instructed to go inside and help prepare to welcome us. I’d tell her not to but it was a long journey.
“We’ll move inside shortly, but… the children don’t know that Hajime is ill.”
“Thank you for having us.” Ueda-sama partly bows eventhough he’s seated. He looks at the baby for a moment and I can see his eyes light up a little as if he saw Ai-chan but it goes dim again. It’s an odd thing but he either seems held back or perhaps he is just tired from the long journey? Usually he’d be happy to interact with the children, like he used to with us.
“Fujita-san is ill?” I ask confused and turn to him. “I thought we were here to visit him and the family Ueda-sama? Did you expect this?”
He nods his head, “I wanted to come precisely because of that.” He answers, “Ah sorry Akane, I chose to keep things to myself.”
“So you knew he wouldn’t be here.”
He slightly smiles at me, “But then you get to visit with the rest of the family. That in itself is a good thing don’t you agree?”
I merely nod. What else could I do? It would be ungrateful to say otherwise to our host. Maybe it’s fate that brought me here, I’m sure Yagi-san doesn’t know what that man has been up to in Aizu.
“Well we’ll make sure not to worry the children then.” I smile and turn to Yagi-san.
(Hide)
Akane-san gives me, and then Ai-chan, a look that almost looks like pity, but I suppose that she knows, of course… but what was Ueda-sama told?
Ueda-sama looks at Ai-chan, who babbles, then stares at him, as if she’s trying to figure him out. Then she tries again to reach out to him. “I don’t think she’s seen such a wonderful beard before!” I say, trying to keep her from pulling on it! She lands one hand, but she instead gently pats it, making a happy burble.
But then it seems… that Akane-san doesn’t know that Hajime is ill? Then what… was that pitying look for? And I’m surprised that Ueda-sama would have proposed this as a family trip, as Akane-san does not care for Hajime… but her affection and protection for Ueda-sama must be stronger.
Well we’ll make sure not to worry the children then
I nod. “Thank you – Tsutomu-kun already has nightmares…” I sigh. “Have either of you seen Tsuyoshi-kun lately? How is he?” I do wonder about him…
“We have prepared refreshments,” Makoto announces, carrying the smaller tray of snacks while Yukiko-san brings the tea. “Yukiko-san, this is Ueda-sama, who has come all the way from Aizu, and his kin, Akane-san. Ueda-sama, Akane-san, this is Yamaguchi Yukiko-san, the daughter of Hajime’s late brother. And you both know Eiji-san – he should be back shortly, as should Tsutomu-kun – he has kendo practice for an upcoming tournament.” That, and he said he was going to start bringing over Midori-chan’s possessions…
Akane:
“I don’t think she’s seen such a wonderful beard before!”
The baby pats Ueda-sama’s beard and i can’t help but laugh. For his part, Ueda-sama reaches out and pats the child’s head. “Good child.” He tells her.
“Have either of you seen Tsuyoshi-kun lately? How is he?”
I shake my head. “I don’t think he’s ever visited Ueda-sama ever since your last visit Yagi-san… but Kurasawa-san did mention he’s doing well at Namuzawa’s.” Although I don’t add what is else was being said in relation to Tokio-san. Besides Ueda-sama would have none of that kind of talk… maybe if Yagi-san and I are alone later. I can’t leave things as they are!
Refreshments come and a quick round of introductions are done. I too bow to Yukiko-san. It’s weird to see his niece. There was barely any mention of her even when he used to frequent us.
“Oh I’m very glad to finally meet you Yukiko, daughter of Hiroaki.” He nods at her direction. “I’ve heard much about your father from Goro and now here you are his brother’s most treasured daughter.”
“Why thank you sir. I’m glad to meet you.” She how’s again, “if there’s anything I can do for you please don’t hesitate but for now please rest.”
Then she turns to Yagi-san, “Auntie, please let me know which room I should prepare the guest? I’ll get to it right now so they can rest.”
“Ah thank you, young lady. I am feeling weary so after these refreshments I’d appreciate a room to rest in.”
I’m surprised that Ueda-sama wants to bow out so early but still he is much older than I. But I suppose this gives yagi-san and I some alone time later when the rest leaves.
Akane-san laughs as Ai-chan pats Ueda-sama’s beard, it’s such a nice and carefree laugh… but with her curiosity satisfied and a word from him, Ai-chan settles back down, just staring at him.
Ah, and nothing first-hand about Tsuyoshi-kun. Ueda-sama is Tokio’s kin, too, but… Tsutomu-kun said he barely knew the man when I threw that desperate plan at him.
Auntie, please let me know which room I should prepare the guest? I’ll get to it right now so they can rest.
“The tatami room, please,” I say, smiling up at her. I then stand up and go to her, to add, quietly. “If Makoto-chan could stay with you, that way we can let Akane-san have a room as well.” And with Makoto getting it ready for Midori-chan, it’s nice and fresh. I give Makoto a nod, and she runs off upstairs. Hopefully she’s finished…
Ah thank you, young lady. I am feeling weary so after these refreshments I’d appreciate a room to rest in
“Please, go ahead and rest, I’ll prepare it right away,” I say. “And later, when you’re ready… either Eiji-san or I could escort you to the hospital.” I think I know where it is, next to the precinct. Not that I’m under any illusions that I’ll be allowed in, but Ueda-sama cannot be out alone.
I hear the gate open – is that Eiji-san or Tsutomu-kun? I don’t want to leave our guests, but I’d like to get Ueda-sama comfortable.
Akane:
It seems the niece is a very nice young lady who tries to help out in the house. I’m glad that she has help! It would be even more of a shame if she did everything for that man…
“Please, go ahead and rest, I’ll prepare it right away,”
“No. I can wait for Yukiko-dono to finish the room. No need to hurry up for an old man.” Ueda-sama stays seated.
“And later, when you’re ready… either Eiji-san or I could escort you to the hospital.”
“I’d prefer to go only with Akane but if you must send someone then the young man Eiji can accompany us.” He answers back. “It’s better if you don’t come with.”
I’m taken aback by this. I thought earlier he was just tired but it seems, he’s actually cold towards Yagi-san. Did something happen? But they’ve not seen each other since her visit to Aizu. And even then when I was rude to her, he would reprimand me instead.
Tsutomu:
I get back to the house, carrying a couple of bags for Midori’s impending transfer! Crossing the front yard I see we have guest!
Wait… I don’t remember well but they look somewhat familiar.
“I’m home.” I tell Yagi-san and to the visitors I bow slightly, “Hi. Nice to meet you.. I’m Tomu.”
“Oh Tsutomu!” The lady stands up and gets close to me, “You’re so grown! Don’t you remember me? Akane-neechan?”
She smiles and I stare at her for a bit. And slowly I remember her but only slightly. She seems to remember me however so that means…
I turn to the old man, “You’re Ueda aren’t you?” I ask him.
He nods back.
I’d prefer to go only with Akane but if you must send someone then the young man Eiji can accompany us. It’s better if you don’t come with
He says it so… coldly, that even Akane-san seems surprised. And then I wonder if his loyalties lie with his adopted kin, Tokio…. but I remember… he -knew-. Hajime left his items with him… when I tried to play with time and space. When I abandoned his family and him, to offer him my own special type of false hope as I grasped and flailed around, trying to fix things.
He may be loyal to Tokio… but I’m certain that he’s even more loyal to Hajime.
Good. He needs someone who’s looking out for him. It’s easy to overlook that this old, blind man was once probably formidable. A leader. A survivor of everything his clan endured. And…. someone who must understand that this world has many layers that most don’t see.
“I understand, Ueda-sama,” I say, softly, bowing my head. “But please allow Eiji-san to escort you and Akane-san, at least the first time there.”
Tsutomu-kun enters, carrying some bags. Akane-san seems excited to see him, but he seems to struggle with making the connection. It seems that Aizu clan society was a tangle of adoptions made only more complicated by the war, but it seems strange that he doesn’t know these people well. But he seems to remember Ueda-sama…
“Ah, please catch up with your kin, Tsutomu-kun, while Yukiko-san and I prepare rooms. You can take Midori-chan’s things to Makoto-chan’s closet later, please.” I stop to smile at Tsutomu-kun, as Ai-chan coos at him. “I hope your practice was successful.”
I bow at our guests. “Please excuse me.”
(OOC – Hide is leaving unless stopped. Hide will be in the tatami room, but can probably hear normal-volume conversation from there)
Akane:
Yagi-san excuses herself after Ueda-sama gave her the cold shoulder. If he was upset with her, then why did we come here instead of just renting an inn, it’s a big enough city.
But I try not to show any of my confusion especially with the Tsutomu now present. I pat his head a little and he moves slightly away. So much time has passed hasn’t it? He doesn’t remember me and it’s unfortunate that his younger brother never stayed with us except from when that man would visit a few times.
“Well excuse me all. I have to bring all these things upstairs.” Tsutomu tells us instead of staying. I nod and he leaves.
“Of course.” I say and take some of the refreshments. For his part, Ueda-sama does take some water.
“Will we be going to the hospital today Ueda-sama?”
He doesn’t answer for a long moment. “I don’t think that it would make a difference.” He turns to me, “Get some rest. That young man Eiji must still be at work and we likely won’t be able to start until the morning.”
“Shouldn’t Yagi-san come Ueda-sama?”
“Why would she? A woman who runs away.” He suddenly replies a little irritated.
“Isn’t she his…” It’s confusing what he’s saying.
“Akane, this is not the time nor the place.”
“Then why did we come here?”
“Maybe I made a mistake.” He shakes his head, “but we’re here now. So we will go.”
(OOC: end. )