So if this visitor comes… I’m to play the part of an ex. Deny my connection to Hajime.
Hajime… I think of that name. Here, he’s Goro. In his official life, Goro. Should I have moved on as well, to that name? I … never liked it. It was the name I always thought was given to him because of her. It’s what she called him. Did he ever make her scream it in passion? Did she murmur it, in the quiet moments after? Or when their children were born? Or was it a name she spat out, like it tasted terrible, during their fights?
Hajime was my name. The name he had for most of the time back then. Certainly, other women carressed it with their tongues, but I thought it was mine. In a word where he was Goro, he was -my- Hajime.
And every day… Hajime, Goro… all of it, gets more and more lost to me. I wonder if Ueda-sama was right, to leave him alone last night.
(OOC – Hide is out back for now, but will move back into the kitchen shortly as its cold. Anyone can interact with her in either place)
“Excuse me! May I come in?”
I wave to the lady in the garden who is carrying a small bouquet of flowers. Looking around I’m a little surprised at how open the house is, I can easily look over the wooden gate and the fence doesn’t offer any privacy. It’s very much like how the old man likes his abode.
“I’m looking for an old man named Ueda Shichiro. He lives here doesn’t he?” I hope she doesn’t find me suspicious but I am not from around here and Aizu folk are suspicious of outsiders, but I’m not an outsider.
Excuse me! May I come in?
I’m startled out of my thoughts by the voice of a man, as I had forgotten how low the walls are here compared to the house in Tokyo – it’s really more like a fence here, but Ueda-sama’s house is outside of the main area of the town. But he appears friendly, and I smile a bit.
I’m looking for an old man named Ueda Shichiro. He lives here doesn’t he?
I bow. “This is the Ueda house,” I say, “may I tell him who is calling? Please step around the front so that I may let you in?” I don’t see Yaso-san in his face, but I don’t have a great resemblance to my own brothers, and his accent isn’t one I can place. As it’s cold, I go quickly through to the front to let him in – if this is who he’s expecting, hospitality is important.
“Oh why thank you.” I say as I rest the metal plow on my shoulders and follow her instructions to be let in the front gate. I could’ve opened it myself but it would be rude since I’ve never actually been here before.
I go inside first before introducing myself.
“I’m Shinoda Naito of Aomori. And you? Are you helping Akane-chan in Ueda-sama’s care?”
I look around, “Is Akane-chan here yet? She told me to come.”
He comes around, and I’m glad. It would have been easy to let him in where I was, in the back, but that’s not correct ettitquite for a guest.
I’m Shinoda Naito of Aomori. And you? Are you helping Akane-chan in Ueda-sama’s care?
I nod, “I’m helping as much as Akane-san will allow,” I say, with a smile, but skipping around my name – Akane-san did not say if she mentioned me by name in the letters. “I know they’re expecting you, Shinoda-san.” He seems very open and friendly, but I know Ueda-sama wouldn’t be apprehensive if he didn’t have concerns.
He looks around, expectantly. “She’s been here since this morning. I’ll let Akane-san and Ueda-sama know you’re here. Please, this way,” I say, showing him to the sitting room. “Please wait here, and I’ll bring you refreshments shortly.”
I go to the back of the house, and tap quietly on the door where Ueda-sama stays, and where I think Akane-san went after lunch as well. “Excuse me? Shinoda-san is here,” I call out.
Naito:
Curious she didn’t introduce herself but older women especially Aizu women are very private. So I leave it as is. I’m sure the opportunity will present itself again.
“I know they’re expecting you, Shinoda-san.”
“Ah good. I’m glad Akane-chan made arrangements. I’d hate to just drop by unexpectedly. ”
I’m dropped off to a smaller room, well the entire house feels small for an Aizu home but it’s about the same size as when we used to all live together.
“Oh he’s here!” I hear Akane’s voice all excited. “Thank you for the refreshments and I made some sweet fried plantains and bought some senbei. I’ll help you Yagi-san!”
Yagi-san? Now where did I hear that name before?
“Naito-kun.”
I grin a little and stand up and go near him.
“How are you gramps?” I hug him a little. “I’m sorry it took me a long time to visit you.”
I know he’s hard in seeing so I help him into the room and give him a pillow so he can sit comfortably.
“I’m glad you finally came to visit this old man.”
“Well you of all people know how complicated things get, especially here in Aizu.”
Thankfully he doesn’t push about my name, but I’m probably being silly. There would be no reason for Akane-san to mention me by name. After all, she probably had a hunch that I wouldn’t be around permanently.
Oh he’s here! Thank you for the refreshments and I made some sweet fried plantains and bought some senbei. I’ll help you Yagi-san!
“Oh, you go and see your guest! I’ll take care of the refreshments,” I say, not wanting her to linger as I turn to start a pot of water. I hear Ueda-sama and Shinoda-san’s voices from the other room. “Go!”
She leaves me and I prepare the treats – the senbei in particular are lovely, cleverly cut in the shape of fall leaves, and others with black sesame. This must be a special visitor…. with the tea ready, I take the heavy tray and tap on the door, trying to get Akane-san’s attention quietly so I can slip away, like as if I’m a servant.
Akane:
Yagi-san makes sure I’m in the room but it’s not right that she be left to the back.
I smile a little at Naito. He nods with a grin and we exchange more pleasantries before I hear Yagi-san at the door.
“Please please come in Yagi-san.” I smile and take the refreshments from her but leave her the food snacks so she can enter the room. Putting the tray down in the middle I take more sitting pillows for the two of us. “I want you to get to I know Naito, a childhood friend of mine back in Gonohe.”
I look at Naito he is looking well. “He’s been living up North and finally agreed to visit us. So what have you been up to after all this time Naito-kun?”
“Well not much, the crop failed this year and I’ve been making a living being a courier in horseback. I suppose I’ve ended up wandering a bit much and now I tire of it and since I was in the area and you asked me to come…”
I nod. I’m glad he finally got here. “Ueda-sama will be glad to have someone spend more time here, goodness knows I can barely make it some times.”
Then he looks at Yagi-san, “but isn’t the good lady looking after gramps? I’m sure you can take a few days if you need it.”
Please please come in Yagi-san. I want you to get to I know Naito, a childhood friend of mine back in Gonohe.
I’m surprised at this. They’ve not seen Shinoda-san in some time – certainly they don’t need a stranger here. And didn’t we all agree that I’d stay in the back? It’s not rude or inconsiderate, it’s to keep things uneventful. But to refuse would be odd, so I go and sit on the pillow she offers. She’s excited. Does she often get to see other young people?
but isn’t the good lady looking after gramps? I’m sure you can take a few days if you need it.
I shake my head. “Ah, no, I’m only visiting but I wish to be as helpful as possible,” I say. I look over at Akane-san. “Everything is secure at home, if you would like a day or two I do not need to hurry back.” I know that Yukiko-san meant it more as a chance at reconciliation with Hajime, but… well, who knows anymore.
“Shinoda-san, are you looking to settle in Aizu, then?” I ask.
Naito:
“Everything is secure at home, if you would like a day or two I do not need to hurry back.”
“Oh so you’re not gramps housekeeper?” I look at Akane. I know she’s been busy especially after she got married not too long ago. “Well then I’m sorry, for all the trouble.” I bow slightly. “And no, as I said I’m only visiting, my home is far up North.” I’ll never settle here and the only reason I finally came… I glance back at Ueda-sama. I want to know where that man is. I heard he was in Tokyo but now is not the time.
Ueda-sama takes my glance as an inquiry a little color to the situation. “She’s our guest Naito-kun. Just here for a visit.”
“Yes Yagi-san is from Kyoto.” Akane adds.
And since I’ve been very rude it seems, I go ahead and turn my attention to the woman. “From Kyoto? So what brought you here and how did you meet Akane-chan and Ueda-sama?”
Oh so you’re not gramps housekeeper? Well then I’m sorry, for all the trouble.
Ueda-sama clarifies my role in this place and Shinoda-san looks a bit worried, but I shake my head. “I only wish to help while I’m here, Shinoda-san. Ueda-sama has been good to me.” Even when he’s rightly eviscerating me, some people are meant to see clearly and share truths, even if the ones being told don’t want to hear it.
Then Akane-san adds that I’m from Kyoto… is she trying to “out” me to this person that I was meant to hide from?
From Kyoto? So what brought you here and how did you meet Akane-chan and Ueda-sama?
“Ah, I live in Tokyo nowadays, but I’m here on family business. Settling things,” I say, unable to keep the tremor of a sigh out of my voice, so I muster a smile. “I understand that you’re one of the children Ueda-sama took in after the war, Shinoda-san?” I ask, hoping to turn this away from me.
“I only wish to help while I’m here, Shinoda-san. Ueda-sama has been good to me.”
“Ueda-sama has been a god send to most children in exile back then.” I look at him, now much more frail from what I remember, “But I’m glad to see even now.”
Akane pushes some of the refreshment towards me and some senbei. She’s still just like that little girl isn’t she? But I take the senbei and pass it on to Yagi-san. “A guest should also partake of snacks and refreshments.” I say to Yagi-san who seems so stiff.
“Ah, I live in Tokyo nowadays, but I’m here on family business. Settling things,”
“Family business?” I nod, “So your family is in Aizu? from Aizu? Which of the illustrious Aizu families are you associated with?” I can’t help the slight derision that crept into my voice. I swore off the clan after all.
“-None-.” Ueda-sama interjects, “For all intensive purposes she has no affiliations in Aizu. She’s here to sever them.”
Akane looks at Ueda-sama as if she’s about to say something but a wide smile finds itself on my lips. “Did the Aizu clan rub you the wrong way too Yagi-san? They can be a bit much. All the pompousness which they say is “culture” and strong clan ties that they say is like “family” ties…”
I finish the refreshment in one big gulp. “I’m glad for you… Here I’ll give you same names to be “careful” with Kurasawa, Namuzawa, Sagawa, Yamakawa… even the lowly Fujita and Takagi all the way up to the elites like Matsudaira!”
“Naito-kun!” Akane tugs at me to stop and I laugh softly.
“Don’t worry Akane, it’s not like I’m shouting it from the rooftops! Besides I’m not from Aizu, I might as well be from the western army!”
She asks about whether I’m one of the children that Ueda-sama took care of but I don’t answer that. Any child taken in by gramps would love Aizu and I don’t. I earn a sigh from the old man but it was probably well deserved.
A guest should also partake of snacks and refreshments
“Thank you, Shinoda-san,” I say, taking some of the senbei with black sesame seeds.
Shinoda-san asks about my family, in a very bold way, and about my business. Ueda-sama answers for me. For all intensive purposes she has no affiliations in Aizu. She’s here to sever them
None of my tales of hope, I remember. I find my voice, at least, I’m speaking and it sounds like me. “Yes, I’m here to sever my ties with the relations of the man who had been keeping me. I’ve been a concubine to an Aizu man but that’s over now, as is my connection to Aizu.” I bow my head.
I hear the names he calls out – people whom I’m not terribly fond of either. Some, maybe, had I been nicer, or less guarded, who may not have been allies, but they could at least have vouched for me as a decent person, at least. But Akane-san puts an end to his declarations and he skips over my question.
I refill his teacup. “But no, I feel no animosity against Aizu.” Aizu as a place is fine. It’s very pretty, actually.
(ooc: Can you clarify this line from Hide “Yes, I’m here to sever my ties with the relations of the man who’s been keeping me.”. Is that to be taken literally, aka like sever ties with relatives of the man? or was that mistated? How is it to be taken?)
(OOC – updated the line a bit, but take it to read that it’s a breakup of a relationship that also includes family ties she made during the relationship)
Naito:
Ueda-sama nods his head as she says something about breaking ties. A concubine?
“Good for you Yagi-san.” I can only eagerly agree, “Being a concubine is a difficult status in life that leaves the woman with little protection and just higher than a maid or substitute to the main wife. That a man chose to imprison you is detestable but here in Aizu the old ways are hard to abandon.”
“But no, I feel no animosity against Aizu.”
“Oh?” I lean in a bit towards Yagi-san, “But you -should-. The clan is stuck in it’s old ways, saying concubines are good for example in making an heir and serving the main house eventhough these days the status of a concubine is no more in the Meiji. The same clan would easily throw away the real wife if they find out another woman is better to promote the clan and don’t want her to simply be a concubine. That’s what happened to my sister. Abandoned by her husband because the clan allowed it. Encouraged it even.”
I hear a louder sigh this time from both Ueda-sama and Akane. I lean back a little. “I’m sorry. I’m usually not this fired up but when I think about my sister Yaso, although it’s been many years… The wrong that was done to her still feels -fresh-.” Like it was just yesterday and it was only yesterday that I came from the house of the Takagi’s and Kurasawa’s and found them again.
“It’s getting late.” Ueda-sama interjects and I look outside. The sun is starting to disappear into the mountains. And so I finally decide that it’s time to reveal my true purpose in visiting. Yes it was to see the old man, but not just to see him.
“Ueda-sama I am truly glad to have seen you again.” I face him and bow my head towards the floor. “But I’m sure you already know why after all this time I appear before you. I must know where that man Fujita lives in Tokyo.”
Because for now… I refuse to draw him out by using others. I’d rather find him myself but if Ueda doesn’t tell me? Should I act on my plan?
That a man chose to imprison you is detestable but here in Aizu the old ways are hard to abandon
“I was aware of the path I chose,” I say, softly. “I am no victim of my former protector, in fact he had the opportunity to be free of his marriage but I did not make my wishes known.” I lower my head. But only in adopting the children of a union outside of marriage into the family is uniquely Japanese – plenty of Westernized men take mistresses, as I saw with that man in Osaka.
Shinoda-san speaks, and before he even refers to his sister I know that is who is on his mind.
The wrong that was done to her still feels -fresh-.
It must to him. I wonder where he was during it all – was he here? He must have been so young.
Ueda-sama reminds us of the time. Hajime should be back soon… but then Shinoda-san reveals his real purpose for coming.
I must know where that man Fujita lives in Tokyo
“Who is this man to you?” I ask, even though I know. But it’s obvious from how he spoke earlier that his feelings have not diminished with time.
Naito:I am no victim of my former protector, in fact he had the opportunity to be free of his marriage but I did not make my wishes known.”
I can only smile at that. It must be because we’re in the company of others that she must rationalize her station in life. I simply bow politely and accept her answer. But she’s wrong a man -can- and -does- in these times… No not even in these times but back then easily choose, if he wanted. But there’s no sense in making Yagi-san feel bad.
Ueda-sama doesn’t answer my plea at least not yet. So I straighten up from having had bowed my head.
“Who is this man to you?”
I turn towards Yagi-san.
“Naito-kun, please… stop” Akane pleads with me, but for what? Why?
“That man Fujita… Fujita Goro is the tormentor of my sister.” But I don’t add, also -my- tormentor. “The one who abandoned her for a more -proper- Aizu wife who -should’ve- been the concubine Yagi-san.”
Will she, being a concubine herself align herself with the fake wife or with the -real- one, my sister?
I just get a smile at my admission. Why is everyone so quick to blame Hajime entirely, when I was the one who allowed him to think that I was content with the situation? Yes, he probably could have gotten out of it, and I don’t doubt that Sir Howard is right in that.
Besides, things have been wrong with us for a long time. I’m certain… that he didn’t want to go from one unhappy marriage to another one. But who is the one who stayed, knowing this?
As Shinoda-san turns to me, to answer my question, Akane-san tries to intervene, but he speaks as if he doesn’t even hear her.
That man Fujita… Fujita Goro is the tormentor of my sister. The one who abandoned her for a more -proper- Aizu wife who -should’ve- been the concubine Yagi-san.
He’s the one who sounds tormented. There’s control in his expression and tone… “you must have loved her very much,” I say, quietly. “”So she must have been someone special, to keep such a hold on your heart after all these years. Was she angry over her torment?” I ask.
Then I smile and stand. “I’d like to finish what I started out back before it gets dark. Shinoda-san, could I please beg for you to help me finish so that Akane-san may prepare dinner?” This way, perhaps Akane-san or Ueda-sama can let Hajime know who is in this house when he returns? Quietly, I add, “I’d like to know more about this sister.”
(OOC – Hide will wait and not exit unless Naito does.)
Naito:”So she must have been someone special, to keep such a hold on your heart after all these years. Was she angry over her torment?”
I tilt my head at her quizically but then I settle into a confident smile, “Of course she was and I’m sure she would have wanted justice for her and her child.” Which is why I’m here. I glance back at Ueda-sama, I’m sure he heard me.
Yagi-san asks me to help her in the back. I don’t want to risk being an ungrateful guest even if she is herself a guest. Besides she wants to know about my sister? Standing up, I follow her. I’m curious what a woman who allowed herself to be a concubine actually thinks.
Ueda:
They leave and I look at Akane. She knew better than to bring Naito here. “There was a reason I didn’t ask for him to come join us here in Aizu Akane.”
“I’m sure Naito was very lonely in Gonohe. For years he grew crops and took care of graves. That’s no way to live Ueda-sama.”
“I had -hoped- that time and being away from the clan would’ve dulled his fire.” I sigh, “Please, watch over them. I’ll wait outside.”
“Is that man coming soon Ueda-sama?”
I shake my head, “I don’t think so but if he does, it’s not the same “man” you knew. Now go child.”
(OOC: Ueda exits to the front garden looking out for Saitou. Akane is mostly going to be lurking in the adjacent room to where Naito and Hide is. She may or may not hear their conversation. Hide can decide to see her or not)
He looks confused at my question, and then assures he that Yaso-san would want justice, and makes certain to loo at Ueda-sama, who seems… uncomfortable? I’m not sure, but it’s different from the man who came to speak truth to me and the one I met the first time.
Shinoda-san follows me outside, and I direct him to one of the shrubs. “Could you help me gather some of the leaves and put it around the base? That will protect the roots from the cold weather.” As I pull leaves over, I’m quiet for a minute. “I saw the look you gave me, when I spoke about my soon to be former lover. Did you think that I was taking some of the blame on myself? In my case, I didn’t want to upset him if he couldn’t grant me my wishes… so I never asked. And to him, it seemed like I didn’t care,” I say, with a bit of a smile, a bleak one, like the weather here.
“I suppose I could ask for my justice, get my brothers to come, but…” I sigh. “It won’t give me back what I lost.” And what could they even do? -Fight- Hajime? I look over at him. He’s young and healthy and while I can tell he works with his hands, I can’t read the signs that show he can fight.
“How many years, has it been, for your sister? Can you tell me about her? Not just as a woman in need of justice, but as a woman?” I get up and go to the next plant. “I’m curious about a woman who inspires her brother so.”
Naito:
This is odd. To ask me to go outside and gather leaves for the shrub? But it’s a shrub, not even a fruit bearing tree. I humor the lady.
Did you think that I was taking some of the blame on myself? In my case, I didn’t want to upset him if he couldn’t grant me my wishes… so I never asked. And to him, it seemed like I didn’t care,”
“Well I certainly thought you maybe trying to save face in front of the others. I can understand that, keeping up a face in front of others however how hurt you were.” Because certainly I saw that in my sister many many times.
“I suppose I could ask for my justice, get my brothers to come, but…” I sigh. “It won’t give me back what I lost.”
“What justice are you looking for?” I ask as I pat the leaves with my hands, “If what you said was true, then you were the one who did an injustice. Why are you in Aizu anyway and what is truly your relation to Ueda-sama and Akane? Are you some lost cat? Ueda-sama tends to take in strays like he did back then in Gonohe.”
She asks about my sister. Why is she asking but it’s a long time since someone asked about her. “She was a simple woman, our mother died early, our father died during the kimon no hen incident so my older brother and I grew up under her care.” I feel the ground and it is getting cold but it’s also getting dark. “She let my older brother go to fight during the Aizu war but I was too young but then my brother died as one of the Byakkotai and we were left. They wanted her to go die an “honorable” death but she refused. I heard them say she said she’d rather endure -rape- by the western army than -die-.” I stand up and grit my teeth, “But those Aizu elites left out the part where she asked who would take me in. That I was too young to send to war.” Was I too young? “I wanted to go just like my brother Tatsuo but now when I look back, I wouldn’t give even a strand of hair for this “Aizu” and their “Matsudaira”.”
My hands form into fist so I stand up, “She was a good sister. And even though they mocked and shunned her, she taught their children in exile. I thought she found a good husband but… He was trouble, always providing services to that -ex-daimyo- the princess and that -witch- Takagi Tokio. All influential people. I thought his service would eventually take away the -shame- the Aizu clan inflicted to my sister but, he was in it for himself all along. He just wanted to escape Gonohe! And he did I hear he’s working in the police! After what my sister did for him, covering up for him when he was an insurgent to the new government and now he works for that same government!”
It’s then that I realize I’m shaking. I must… Go and find him.
“I’m sorry Yagi-san. I didn’t come here for you. I came to find him.” I go to the side and get my metal plow and turn it upside down and remove the cloth that kept the spear head protected.
(OOC: Unless stopped Naito is going to find Ueda again.)
What justice are you looking for? If what you said was true, then you were the one who did an injustice.
The justice I tried to take out on myself, I would tell him, Or tried to have Souji do for me.
Are you some lost cat? Ueda-sama tends to take in strays like he did back then in Gonohe
He barrages me with questions. “My protector used to call me neko-chan, so yes, I am a lost cat. But I’m here for some unfinished business, the severing of ties, as Ueda-sama put it.”
The Shinoda-san talks of his sister. “I knew a life like that – my parents died before my brothers were of age.” Although I couldn’t see either of my brothers going this far for me… they love me, but this devotion from Shinoda-san to Yaso-san… but I gasp as he speaks of her will to live, even though the army was said to be willing to assault enemy women. Why would they look down on that? Is that all women were?
And then her role as a teacher, and then as a wife. I’d tell this man of Hajime’s justice that drives him, and not politics or glory, but this isn’t the time for that. Shinoda-san is shaking, and I reach out to touch his arm. “She sounds like a wonderful person, but would she want you devoting your life to anger? Don’t the people who save us want us to -live-?” I ask. “Even though they were wrong, she did what she knew was best. She kept you out of the fighting, she already lost one brother…”
“I’m sorry Yagi-san. I didn’t come here for you. I came to find him
What is he getting from that device? I step in front of him, keeping my hand on his arm. “The man – Fujita Goro, or Saitou Hajime, as I know him, was my lover. You’re looking for justice in your sister’s name? I already broke his heart, torn apart his family and took away his will to live. All he is now is a husk who feels tasked to “wrap things up”, like an old woman sweeping out a room.” I look at the young man, “there’s nothing left of the man you seek, and certainly nothing of the man you sister loved, now that I’ve done what I did to him.” I slide my hand down his arm, to his hand, which holds a metal implement of some sort. “Would she want this for you?”
Naito:
She seems at least sympathetic to my sister. But seems to disagree with my -will- to bring justice to her memory. But that’s fine, only I saw my sister decline day after day, moved from house to house until we were separated. But when she was too far gone, where did they send her but to her starving brother… -Me-.
Don’t the people who save us want us to -live-?
I grin a little, “I am living Yagi-san, through all those years.” I’ve lived only for one thing.
And then a revelation, the accursed name of the man who will -pay-. there’s nothing left of the man you seek, and certainly nothing of the man you sister loved, now that I’ve done what I did to him
And it’s then her name is revealed to me. She is the new woman, the one who usurped the Takagi witch. And I wonder should I implement my plan? I was thinking of taking the witch to draw him up North. Show him that which he abandoned. But whether it was I doubted he’d come or whether I refuse to play dirty tricks like he did… I abandoned the idea, but it seems I’m being presented with an opportunity.
“I’d kidnap you but as you said, you already broke him. He may not even come for you.” I lean in and show her my spearhead that she was trying to get a glimpse of. “I’m the son of the greatest Spearman of Aizu. I want to live up to that Yagi-san. I won’t harm you but you should give him a message for me. After the “old woman sweeps out the room”, he should head up to Gonohe, in Sannohe-gun up the same hill overlooking the field and tenement houses below. The son of Shinoda will be waiting for him there.”
, “He has a month to get there where justice awaits.” I take her hand away from my arm “I’ll show myself out.”
(Ooc naito is leaving doubtful if she can stop him)
I am living Yagi-san, through all those years
“Vengeance is a poor thing to grow up on,” I say, quietly.
He reacts to my revelation as I expected, with surprise, but he adjusts quickly. Maybe he knew this entire time and was simply playing me as well?
I’d kidnap you but as you said, you already broke him. He may not even come for you.
He came the last time, but it was already too late. Is Shinoda-san right, that he wouldn’t come for me?
I close my eyes. -That- thinking is not helpful right now. I cannot seek my own death while wanting the man I love to wish to live again.
And then he offers his challenge. I draw in a breath, shaking. Could he? Or, once the room is clean, would Hajime welcome such a death? To be taken out by a personal vendetta, against one who he…
Well, that’s the problem. I still don’t know it all about what happened with Yaso-san, or what he feels.
“I’ll tell you. But even if you get what you wish… do you think that’s what she would want?” I turn away. Ueda-sama will be upset that I let it escalate like this.
(OOC – Hide will not try to stop him)
Naito:
Vengeance is a poor thing to grow up on,”
“You’re wrong Yagi-san. -Justice- is what I grew up on.” If it was merely vengeance I’d have picked off everyone he cared for one by one, including the witch and I suppose his “lover”.
“I’ll tell you. But even if you get what you wish… do you think that’s what she would want?”
I’m sure she means that he’ll be told. Poor woman, in the face of true justice she shudders. What more that man who represent nothing but injustices? Leaving wakes of wives, “lovers” and families torn asunder in his path. “It’s time to put a stop to this. Is what my sister would want.”
I bow politely, “Thank you Yagi-san. You’ve saved me a lot of time in convincing the old man.”
Truly I didn’t think it would be so easy and so as I leave the garden I tell Ueda-sama what a great time I had and what a wonderful guest he has. No need to make an old man worry. I also wave to Akane who’s now standing by an open shoji door. She’s a wonderful girl I’m glad she found a husband, even if he is an Aizu man. Turning her down back then was the right thing to do.
(OOC: Naito exits)