I follow Yamaguchi-san’s instructions -exactly- to get dressed – I took notes, which I think amused her? But I learned that her smiles and quiet laugh is always kindly meant. It’s a change from Tsurumi-chan in the last couple of years. However, she demurred when I asked much about her. I guess we’re not close enough to be friends yet.
Now I’m dressed in one of my new kimono. We share a taste in staying simple – although it feels like a lot when I’m used to uniforms, it’s a much less exuberant pattern that some of the others in the shop! Although to Makoto-chan, who tagged along, it was ‘BORING’ because it didn’t feature birds or fish or something… I love how vivid she is!
There’s a small mirror in the hall. This outfit -is- becoming, I guess?
And now I stand in the hallway, waiting for her and Tsutomu-kun, for our day out. But can I fish in these sleeves? I ran a strip of cloth from one side to the other, up across my shoulders to tie back the sleeves, but what about the rest? Being a “young lady” is -complicated!
(OOC – Midori is waiting for Makoto and Tsutomu)
Ooc: stupid tired. Rp tom.
Tsutomu:
I’m not sure about this. I haven’t gone fishing in a long time and we don’t really have any fishing rods. I look out the window and see it’s way past the fishing time. It’s just past lunch time…
But Midori wanted to go so I go ahead downstairs. And there she is waiting. Wait something’s different?
“Hi.” I say and look her up and down. “Is something different about you?”
I look past Midori and out the garden wondering Makoto-chan is. She decided to come. But do we really have to take her? Heh. She’ll get angry if we leave… Probably.
Midori:
Is something different about you?
I smile, relieved. I didn’t want him making some… fuss over it all? I still don’t understand why I suddenly no longer find my perfectly nice (and overpriced) school uniforms suitable…
Then Makoto-chan comes running in. “Oooh, Midori-san, you’re wearing your new kimono!”
—-
Makoto
“It doesn’t have anything like I’d like, oniisan, she didn’t want animals or anything fun,” I tell him. “But it looks okay on you!” I tell her that to cheer her up, since she just chose -flowers-. I look at her. Why is her face red?
Then I remember… “Yukiko-san said I can’t go today, I didn’t do my chores.” I sigh… Yukiko-san said that I should let them go out just the two of them, that it would be nice of me? They’ll be bored without me! And I’m not afraid -at all- of any worms! “Can you bring back a good fish to eat? And if you find a nice turtle that needs a home…” He could live in the backyard, since I’m not allowed a nice dog.
Ooc will rp tom. Got home late and super tired from pt.
Tsutomu:
“It doesn’t have anything like I’d like, oniisan, she didn’t want animals or anything fun,” “But it looks okay on you!”
I look at Midori and smile. “Well if Makoto says it looks good enough…” I ruffle my sister’s hair. “I can’t really argue with that.” She does look nice in it.
“Yukiko-san said I can’t go today, I didn’t do my chores.”
My eyes go a bit wide, surprised. So Midori and I are supposed to go alone? I don’t mind it but she might.
“Can you bring back a good fish to eat? And if you find a nice turtle that needs a home…”
I glance back at Midori. It would be a waste to bring such a nice kimono to be ruined by the water… “I’ll bring back some good fish -and- turtle to eat for later.” I bow slightly to Makoto-chan. “Your wish is my command my -dear- little sister!”
Makoto-chan bringing attention to my look… well, it was strangely embarrassing? But thankfully, again, Tsutomu-kun agrees that it’s nice and doesn’t make a fuss. But would that have been a bad thing? Ugh. -I just don’t know-.
Then Makoto-chan tells us she’s not coming, but makes sure to issue orders! I laugh at her expressions, and the way Tsutomu-kun talks to her – and her expression of -horror- as he talks about eating a turtle! They’re so fun together. I think that’s what I like about living here – the laughter.
“Besides without Makoto-chan, Tsutomu-kun, we won’t have to worry about the fish being scared off by such a loud girl!” I say, adding in one of my own and laughing, to which Makoto-chan almost yells, “I’m NOT loud!” as she makes such a funny face.
“So should we go?” I don’t know how successful we’ll be, given the hour.
Tomu:
Midori makes a quip and I can’t help but laugh at doubt and ruffle Makoto-chan’s hair. “Yes you’re not loud.” Just louder than -most-. But I don’t tell her that.
“So should we go?”
“Alright.” I look back at Makoto. “Make sure you check in on Ai-chan.” I remind her and Midori and I leave.
We go down the main road away from the house and I really don’t think going to fish is the right thing to do here what with her really nice and -new- kimono. “Hey Midori, I don’t really have any gear to go line fishing.” I admit, “Maybe we can just go to a couple of shops to buy a rod and fishing line. Then we can go looking for dinner and a turtle pet for Makoto?”
I look back at her walking a little behind me and I wait for her to catch up. “How are you finding our place? I know it’ a little crowded especially when he’s here with Yagi-san, thankfully they’ve been gone.” Sometimes I wonder if it’s better that way. “What did your mother say about living with us?”
I made him laugh! My face warms -again- but I like joining in on this! And Makoto-chan, despite her silly faces, seems to be having the most fun.
We leave, and he’s nice enough to not walk too far ahead of me. “Sorry,” I say, shrugging. “I can’t walk like I can in a hakama.” I don’t think I’ve worn a real kimono since I was a child…
Hey Midori, I don’t really have any gear to go line fishing.
“That’s a better idea,” I agree, because river fishing takes so much more than sea fishing. Rods and line and hooks and bait… although my mother’s letters outline all of the new things involved from sea fishing that they’re adopting from the West. “So where should we start?” Where does one in a place like Tokyo even find such useful items?
How are you finding our place? I know it’ a little crowded especially when he’s here with Yagi-san, thankfully they’ve been gone
I smile a bit. “Makoto-chan isn’t a bad roommate – she talks in her sleep, but given how she talks all day, I’m not surprised.” But she’s quite tidy, which is the most important trait in a roommate, I’ve found. “But I like having so many people – the dorms feel lonely, a lot, as Takimi-sensei can’t seem to decide if girls should board out or in.” It still makes me sad, how he’s changed. But I smile again. “Yamaguchi-san has been teaching me how to cook – did she really used to make bad rice like little rocks? Or is she trying to make me feel better?” I can’t imagine it, she’s so good at things and even brings home new recipies!
What did your mother say about living with us?
I look up at the sky. “She trusts Yamaji-sensei, and she wants me to see more of the ‘real world’, as she puts it – not just school and cake shops,” I laugh, and look over at Tsutomu-kun. “Although I didn’t mention that sometimes your father and Yagi-san aren’t here.” I wonder how much longer they’ll be gone?
Tomu:
“Sorry,” I say, shrugging. “I can’t walk like I can in a hakama.”
“Oh? Well then why don’t you just wear hakama all the time?” I think a little, maybe she’s doing it because of Yagi-san or Yukiko-nee-san? “If you’re doing it because of Yagi-san or nee-chan, don’t worry about it.”
“So where should we start?”
“Well I guess we’re going to the market. I’m sure whoever we buy fish from will have an idea?”
She tells me that Makoto is tidy? I beg to disagree but Makoto’s still a child so maybe when she gets older… Besides she’s always skipping out on cleaning. I nod as she says she likes having people around her. It’s interesting because I never thought of it that way, I think there’s too much people I can’t even hear myself think. Then she asks about nee-chan and I scrunch up my face. “She didn’t know how to cook. When we used to stay at her father’s place in the summer, Eiji-nii-san ended up cooking all the time. That girl -cannot- cook!”
I nod again as she tells me about what her mother thinks but then she expresses some concern about those two… “I’m sure they’ll separate at some point. He always does that after he gets bored with his women. No matter how nice or good the woman is.” I’m thinking of my mother of course…
If you’re doing it because of Yagi-san or nee-chan, don’t worry about it.
“Oh, no no!” I smile a bit, neither of them said anything. Really, it’s Fujita-san who seems the most “traditional”! “But I’m fourteen, now, so….” I shrug a bit, embarrassed. “I guess it’s time?” I make an effort to try to move quickly, it’s a shuffle-shuffle instead of a striding step. “And if I go overseas… I’ll be representing Japan, so I need to be able to wear a kimono well, as well as Western dress.” I sigh a bit. “The comments on the last piece I sent over to the school in England were not… encouraging, so maybe I’ll still be here.”
I don’t think that Tsutomu-kun agrees with me about Makoto-chan. She’s not great at chores downstairs, but she has all of her things put away. She claims she has “secret items”, but I’m sure they’re those rocks she likes.
“Really? She couldn’t cook? But she does so well now!” I laugh, smiling over at him. “So Mishima-san can cook – how about you?”
I listen as he talks about his father and Yagi-san. Do men get tired of their women? My parents have been together for around 30 years, I’d guess. “I know it sounds selfish, Tsutomu-kun… but I don’t want to have to find a new place, or go back to the school. I feel safe at this house.”
“Why if it isn’t Tsutomu-kun? How nice to see you out today!” I hear a voice behind me, and it’s… Tsurumi-chan. She’s not been speaking to me at school. “Oh, and Midori-chan! So nice of Tsutomu-kun, helping you feel -safe-.” Her gaze remains on Tsutomu-kun.
(OOC – only post tonight. Get to bed early! Return to office day!)
Tomu:
“But I’m fourteen, now, so….” “I guess it’s time?”
I raise an eyebrow at that. Time for what? But I guess that’s what happens to girls? But that doesn’t seem to be a thing with my sister Makoto-chan but Midori’s much older. And onee-san has always had a way about her that make her seem much older but not as old as Yagi-san!
“And if I go overseas… I’ll be representing Japan, so I need to be able to wear a kimono well, as well as Western dress.” I sigh a bit. “The comments on the last piece I sent over to the school in England were not… encouraging, so maybe I’ll still be here.”
“They just don’t know good -lasting- style.” I say off the cuff. I don’t really know much about embroidery and all that. “Everyone wants the newest, “in” thing these days. I mean look around us.” I nod to a few Japanese wearing pants that are too long or folded at the seems. Then I nod over to some military students who have jackets that are too long in the sleeves and to be honest looks more like those uniforms were hand me downs from some foreigner. “They want what’s in fashion even if it doesn’t suit them.”
We keep walking. And she seems to not believe me about Yukiko-neechan? Why… And then she asks about me cooking.
“Well just because Nii-san can cook doesn’t mean I know how…” I put my hands behind my head as we walk, “Onii-san lived in a small village called Shingetsu but -he- messed up and so Onii-san ended up with us as a kid. He wanted to be useful so I guess he just ended up with the house chores.” I shrug. “I don’t ever recall having to do house chores but I guess kids from the country does that stuff.”
“I know it sounds selfish, Tsutomu-kun… but I don’t want to have to find a new place, or go back to the school. I feel safe at this house.”
“Oh don’t worry. He might move out but Yagi-san is a nice woman, she’d never let you leave without knowing that you have a good place to go to.” I try to parlay her concern, after all I think even if Yagi-san asks me to leave, that would make sense and I guess Yukiko-neesan will return back to Akashi and I? I wonder should I go back to mother or go with Onee-san? But my thoughts are interrupted when I hear a familiar voice.
“Why if it isn’t Tsutomu-kun? How nice to see you out today!” “Oh, and Midori-chan! So nice of Tsutomu-kun, helping you feel -safe-.”
I stop and turn facing Tsurumi. We always seem to chance upon each other. I smile at her. I do think she’s not a bad girl, just lonely? “Hi Tsurumi.” I say and look her over. “If you smile a little you’ll look even prettier. How have you been?”
I smile as he raises and eyebrow. “So only the adults understand, it, I guess,” I sigh. Why the obi has to be tied -just so- and the sleeves are too, too long to be useful… “but it’s also nice to be wearing something that is actually pretty. Our school colors I suppose are nice on boys but it’s rather… boring for girls.”
They want what’s in fashion even if it doesn’t suit them
I look at the soldiers, “they look like boys playing dress-up,” I say, shaking my head. “They said that my work didn’t have enough ‘Japanese spirit’, as if they understood,” I scoff. “But Yamaji-sensei thinks the English want to see cherry blossoms, things like that. Which is disappointing. I think we can all learn from each other, using our authentic voices, and not just,” I think of the phrasing, “what we think it’s supposed to look like.” Mine was for my home, with fish (Makoto would have loved it) and the ocean.
I think he’s offended that I questioned him about his cousin’s cooking? But more interesting is about Mashima-san. I didn’t think he was a brother by blood but they’re all so close, it seems like, but Mashima-san seems the most reserved. Always looking at Yamaguchi-san. “I’m from the country, at least, compared to here – I did some chores, being the youngest,” I laugh. “But not as much as a girl my age ought to know by now.”
He might move out but Yagi-san is a nice woman, she’d never let you leave without knowing that you have a good place to go to.
I’m told not to worry, but…
Before I can process that more, here’s Tsurumi-chan. As Tsutomu-kun tells her that she’d be prettier if she smiled… so he already thinks she’s pretty?
I guess that’s nice, if they’re getting married.
Tsurumi-chan preens a bit, blushing and batting her eyes, with a shy smile. “Oh, now you tease me, Tsutomu-kun! Telling me to smile and calling me so plainly by name.”
“I’m helping out my dear friends, the Shinsato family, who has taken me in – I suppose it’s appropriate if I didn’t board at your home,” she blushes and smiles, while fluttering her eyelashes, “you must remember them, they’re a good Aizu family and knew your family well, before all of this,” she waves her hand, dismissively, in a gesture that seems to indicate the entirety of Tokyo. “They ask often about you, and your dear mother. How is she?” She walks in step beside Tsutomu-kun, as if to leave me straggling behind.
But I’m tall, so I can keep up. “Oh, you’re just in time, Tsurumi-chan. We’re going to the fish market to get something for dinner, and then find a pet turtle for Makoto-chan.”
Her look of fawning over Tsutomu-kun drops as she gives me a -look-. “Why on earth would you bring a smelly thing like that into a house? Although it’s just Yagi-san’s house, it’s not some fishing shack.”
“But Yamaji-sensei thinks the English want to see cherry blossoms, things like that. Which is disappointing. I think we can all learn from each other, using our authentic voices, and not just,” I think of the phrasing, “what we think it’s supposed to look like.”
“Why not give them what they want? Once you get in, it wouldn’t matter what they think they want. You can -show- them first hand -what- to want.”
I’m from the country, at least, compared to here – I did some chores, being the youngest,” I laugh. “But not as much as a girl my age ought to know by now.”
“It would be a shame for a girl not to know housework.” I laugh a little, “that’s why I make sure Makoto-chan does her chores!” I nod my head, thats what a big brother is for, to supervise to ensure she grows up -well- when it’s time for a family of her own and not like ours. It’s understandable Midori doesn’t say anymore about him and Yagi-san.
But I now turn my attention to Tsurumi who thankfully seems to have brightened up after my compliment.
They ask often about you, and your dear mother. How is she
I stop for a moment. I haven’t heard anything from Aizu in a long time. Not even from Yoshi. So I answer, “Okaa-san is busy helping others less fortunate Aizu families with my uncle.” That’s what I was told they were doing so it must still be going on.
Why on earth would you bring a smelly thing like that into a house? Although it’s just Yagi-san’s house, it’s not some fishing shack.”
“Because I like fishing and I don’t mind getting a pet. A turtle is probably as good as a dog with much less upkeep.” I remind her.
Why not give them what they want? Once you get in, it wouldn’t matter what they think they want. You can -show- them first hand -what- to want
I nod, slowly. “You’re not wrong,” I mutter. My mother once said that you have to outsmart people who underestimate you, even if you have to start by letting them feel smarter. I grin, suddenly. “My next piece will give them all of the florals and and scenes they think our lives are.” When’s the last time I’ve ever wandered in a moonlight garden?
Tsutomu-kun shows agreement, though, that I should be doing chores!
(Tsurumi)
We approach the wet market, with the fishermen… “I guess this smells like home to you,” I say, smiling at Midori-chan, but a bit slyly. I don’t remember the old days, but Shinsato-san reminisces about a time when she never had to see to marketing, coming to these dirty, smelly places of commerce.
But Tsutomu-kun speaks of Fujita-sensei and my eyes light up! “I knew she would be helping people, she was such a wonderful teacher with such a giving spirit!” I glance over at Midori-chan, “although she wasn’t appreciated by -all- of her students.”
I’m about to gently chide Tsutomu-kun about the way he indulges his bastard half-sister, when Midori-chan makes a little squeal and goes -running- over to one of the fishermen! It’s funny at first, her going to her people, while dressed so nicely – ha, when did she learn to wear a kimono? But Tsutomu-kun follows her, where she’s chattering away at some old man -in an eyepatch- in some country dialect that barely sounds like Japanese.
She turns to us. “This is Hagiwara-sama – he was a captain in my father’s fleet for -years-.”
The old man wheezes in laughter. “Oh ho ho, missy! I fished for your grandfather, as a young lad! But my son moved to Tokyo and offered me a home so I came – these old bones had enough of those cold seas!” He flashes a grin at us and I put my nose in the air! Really! “I got a job at the market, mostly to hear good sea-stories!” He and Midori-chan laugh. I glance over at Tsutomu-kun. Really, how unsuitable she is for the son of Fujita-sensei should be -obvious-, even if she’s prancing around in a kimono now. She’s not one of -us-.
“Hagiwara-sama, these are my schoolmates, Sakata-san and Fujita-san. I’m boarding with Fujita-san’s family, and we need some good fish for dinner, and we’re also looking for a -small- turtle – that will -stay- small – for his little sister. Who should we see here?” Good. Maybe we can get out of this place quickly. “Oh, and we want to try our hand at fishing soon – who has good fishing gear? Something simple, since we’re mostly doing it for fun.”
Tsutomu:
I grin when Midori confirms she’s going to give them floral and scenes of Japan. It’s a good plan but I see Tsurumi is only getting upset so I keep further comments to myself.
“I knew she would be helping people, she was such a wonderful teacher with such a giving spirit!” I glance over at Midori-chan, “although she wasn’t appreciated by -all- of her students.”
I nod. “Yes mother is always talking about how it’s important that our family should be known as an outstanding and -upstanding- Aizu family.” Because we are after all, save for the blemish that he brought to us but one can’t keep piling on the mistakes of the past.
“This is Hagiwara-sama – he was a captain in my father’s fleet for -years-.”
I bow towards him. Midori seems very glad to see him. She must really miss her family. And the man is just holding a job for stories? He must live a fairly laid back life now. We’re introduced to the man whom she gives quite the honorific. Isn’t that odd? If he worked for her father, he should be the one calling her with an honorific.
“Hagiwara-sama, these are my schoolmates, Sakata-san and Fujita-san. I’m boarding with Fujita-san’s family, and we need some good fish for dinner, and we’re also looking for a -small- turtle – that will -stay- small – for his little sister. Who should we see here?” “Oh, and we want to try our hand at fishing soon – who has good fishing gear? Something simple, since we’re mostly doing it for fun.”
“It doesn’t have to stay small. If anything, the turtle needs to be sturdy and not die from being handled.” I tell the old man. “As for the fishing gear, I need something simple and -cheap-.”
I look at the old man expectantly and then remember Tsurumi is here, “Oh and this one here doesn’t like fish nor fishing. I’m guessing it’s because of the smell.”
(Midori)
Yes mother is always talking about how it’s important that our family should be known as an outstanding and -upstanding- Aizu family.
Tsurumi-chan agrees with -much- enthusiasm. “Yes, after the war where so much was taken from us, what else do good families of Aizu have?” She looks over to me. “I suppose, though, for some families life in this new era is -easier-, since the old rules have fallen.”
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to attend Futaba,” I say, which is my answer when Tsurumi-chan gets going on this. When we were very young, our backgrounds didn’t matter. But once her father died and mother remarried… I look around the market. Like Takimi-sensei, a changed person.
But it’s delightful to see Hagiwara-sama. Tsutomu-kun’s eyebrows show too much what he’s thinking, I realize… “Oh, your son decided to go into the transport business instead of fishing, right?” The old man nods, with a chuckle. “I reckon it’s fewer early mornings, and there’s a lot of people who enjoy those ‘joyrides’ down the river and whatnot. Waste of a good boat captain, but a safe job for a family man.” I nod. We both know how dangerous sea-fishing can be.
“As for what you’re looking for…” he scans the market. “Go see Umemoto-san, next row over with the big blue sign, he’s very trustworthy, for your eating fish. For a pet… Furuta-san, at the west end of the market, has goldfish and things, if anyone has a good pet it would be him.”
As for the fishing gear, I need something simple and -cheap-
That gets a grin out of Hagiwara-sama. “Ah ha, well only people who don’t care about catching fish want expensive gear. There’s a shop near Furuta-sans, he sells good stuff and often has used gear, too. Or you can take one of my son’s boats – he does one tour with a focus on fishing.” He offers Tsutomu-kun a card.
“Oooh, Tsutomu-kun, a river cruise! That would be nice!” Tsurumi-chan touches his arm and looks up at him with beseeching eyes.
I glance over at Hagiwara-sama who smiles placidly. “Well, she can learn all about fishing there – how to set fresh bait, clean the fish… and one does get used to the smell.”
“That’s not the sort of boat ride a lady would be interested in, -sir-,” she says, removing her hand from Tsutomu-kun’s arm and giving him a reproachful look. “Perhaps we can find a more… scenic trip some other time. But you must excuse me, all of this talk of flesh…” She puts her hand to her mouth, “please understand that the Shinsatos are very devout and we do not consume such things, and I too endeavor to meet their standards. I should see to my errands.” She bows to us both, and leaves the wet market.
I bid my farewell to Hagiwara-sama, and as we walk away, I tell Tsutomu-kun, “I suppose you’re wondering about the title, but it’s what my father called him. He’s the one that taught my father the ways of fishing, and captaining, as a young man after my grandfather died. But his health was suffering, so I’m glad he’s looking so good here. And found some other old men to swap sea-stories with,” I chuckle a little, “fishermen of all stripes love their tales.” I look over to him. “It’s not warm enough to worry about our dinner fish spoiling, so lets get that first before the other two parts – we don’t want the last fish of the day!” Now with Tsurumi-chan gone, the air feels a little… freer. Like I don’t have to apologize for my family or their status. It doesn’t seem to matter to Tsutomu-kun, even if Tsurumi-chan thinks that it should.
Tomu:
“Yes, after the war where so much was taken from us, what else do good families of Aizu have?” She looks over to me. “I suppose, though, for some families life in this new era is -easier-, since the old rules have fallen.”
She’s very insightful, Tsurumi is. “We have each other Tsurumi. Like Takimi-sensei, he was helped by Hideo-sama to become the administrator of our school.”
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to attend Futaba,”
“Exactly.” I nod. “Without much of the Aizu administrators running the school I’m sure they’d only accept students from the western clans.”
“I reckon it’s fewer early mornings, and there’s a lot of people who enjoy those ‘joyrides’ down the river and whatnot. Waste of a good boat captain, but a safe job for a family man.”
“But he should still work hard.” I suddenly interrupt. What is it with people these days, especially the younger ones? Don’t they remember how much blood the samurai shed so we can continue living our way of life? And here this man is, just enabling his son to hardly be a good member of society. But I know better than to say what’s on my mind since he is someone Midori seems to like a lot.
He gives us directions as to what we’re looking for. Which is good.
“Ah ha, well only people who don’t care about catching fish want expensive gear. There’s a shop near Furuta-sans, he sells good stuff and often has used gear, too. Or you can take one of my son’s boats – he does one tour with a focus on fishing.”
Well on that we can agree. No need for expensive gear, it’s catching fish after all! I’m given a card and I put it in my pocket and then Tsurumi lights up saying it’s a river cruise but the man corrects her as to what it really is.
“Perhaps we can find a more… scenic trip some other time. But you must excuse me, all of this talk of flesh…” “please understand that the Shinsatos are very devout and we do not consume such things, and I too endeavor to meet their standards. I should see to my errands.”
She leaves and I turn back to the man. “I didn’t know she was a devout Buddhist. But I hear most Aizu people are.” Which is weird, if I remember correctly mother always had fish in the house but never any beef. Still aren’t Buddhist vegetarians? So why aren’t we? If we were to be the model family of Aizu?
“I suppose you’re wondering about the title, but it’s what my father called him. He’s the one that taught my father the ways of fishing, and captaining, as a young man after my grandfather died. But his health was suffering, so I’m glad he’s looking so good here. And found some other old men to swap sea-stories with,”
“I see.” I think for a moment, “I had thought he was just the lazy sort and was being a bad example to his son.” Like my father of course. “But now I understand he has a perfectly good reason for being the way he is.”
I follow Midori to the fish vendor the Hashigawa-san likes. “Hey you get to pick the freshest fish. Yukiko-nee-san doesn’t cook that great but it’s hard to ruin fresh fish.” I chuckle a little.
We have each other Tsurumi. Like Takimi-sensei, he was helped by Hideo-sama to become the administrator of our school.
She just smiles and blushes at his comment, but by talking about Takimi-sensei and Hideo-sama, I think he means those Aizu samurai families as a whole. It makes sense, after all, in a place like Sakata we all work together. But our samurai class was tiny, and in a remote place we all needed each other.
But he should still work hard.
I look over at Tsutomu-kun, annoyed. Simply because a man chooses a safer life moving around people than fighting nature doesn’t mean that he isn’t working hard. But he’s just judging…
“Longer days, in the summer,” Hagiwara-sama said, looking over Tsutomu-kun. “Perhaps not fighting nature but it’s still honest work, young man.”
Tsurumi-chan leaves, speaking of a dislike of eating animals. She’s devout? “She ate fish back in the dorms, and beef,” I shrug. We had beef stew -at least- once a week, since Takimi-sensei says that it makes for strong boys, and we ate what they did.
But at least she’s gone. It’s terrible to think of an old friend that way, but once, it didn’t matter to her what sort of family I came from.
I had thought he was just the lazy sort and was being a bad example to his son. But now I understand he has a perfectly good reason for being the way he is.
“The people of Sakata work hard, we have to. Like I would think Aizu is, winters are long.” I smile a bit. “But had this been warm weather, you would have seen Hagiwara-sama’s arm where the shark bit him – but it took two back-to-back bouts of pneumonia to keep him land-bound, and let him agree to move to a warmer place. Had it just been the shark…” I laugh a little.
He asks me to pick fish, and I do, selecting two nice Karei. “Yamaguchi-san should be able to simmer this – Karei no Nitsuke is a good dish. It’s not as firm as other fish, but it’s nice and warming.” I grin over at him. “Simmering is easy, even I know how to do that, so she’ll do a great job.” Maybe she’ll let me help this time?
“Alright, fishing gear and a turtle, right?” I think for a moment as we walk. “Are you sure Makoto-chan can take care of a pet?” She is keeping her half of the room tidy, but Yamaguchi-san said something tomake me believe that she’s not always been so diligent!
Tomu:
Midori seems annoyed that I spoke back to the man in the market. He seems a much more abled man than he lets on but I can’t blame her. She must really like him.
We make our way to the next step that Hagiwara said would have good fish and on the way Midori disputes what Tsurumi said.
“She ate fish back in the dorms, and beef,”
With the way she shrugged, it’s almost like she doesn’t like her friend?
“It’s hard to be devout I’m sure.” I say in response, “Your friend must be having a real hard time of it.” I look back at where Tsurumi ran off to. “Maybe we should invite her to dinner once Yagi-san gets back?”
“Yamaguchi-san should be able to simmer this – Karei no Nitsuke is a good dish. It’s not as firm as other fish, but it’s nice and warming.” I grin over at him. “Simmering is easy, even I know how to do that, so she’ll do a great job.”
“Maybe you should show her how a fisherman’s daughter cooks fish.” I look at the fish she picked and although it’s as she says not firm, it seems meaty enough. “Yagi-san is very proud of her cooking but I’m sure Kyoto is so different from being by the sea.” Suddenly I think of my mother, she hardly cooked but I remember as my eyes catch the carp. “My mother grew up in Aizu and they only had lake fish, but she could make a really good sweet and sour one.” That’s all I ever remember her making for my brother and I because after Eiji-nii came along… And father never brought guest over again… We continue on and walk to the next shop…
“Alright, fishing gear and a turtle, right?” . “Are you sure Makoto-chan can take care of a pet?”
“Maybe no fishing gear.” I say, “Makoto’s birthday is next week I want to make sure I get her a present.” We get to the pet store and I look back at her. “She’s going to have to learn to take care of others. She’s not the baby anymore and so…”
I scan the store and there’s many little turtles swimming about with little red ears but they seem “delicate”. And it’s then that I spotted it.
“That’s the one!” I point to larger turtle by itself in a small pen.
“Excuse me storekeeper!” I shout at the person. “I want to buy -this- turtle for my little sister.”
A middle aged man comes over and looks at me. “Well you have a good eye. We recently imported him from China to see if there was any interest.” He grins, “But he’s not cheap like the red-eared sliders ones.”
“How much do you want for it?”
“30 sen!” He grins. “He’s the only kind in Japan right now.”
“Isn’t that too much for a pet store that hardly anyone visits?” I give him a knowing look. He still has a lot of “pet inventory” after all.
“Now don’t go insulting my shop. That Chinese box turtle cost me a pretty penny!”
“I’m not but if you want this turtle to become popular one day, you can’t sell him at 30 sen!”
“I’ve got to make a profit -boy-.”
“Wouldn’t it be better if you just sell him for 15 sen? Let me take him home to my sister who will probably take it to school and then tell all her friends about it?” I grin at him a bit, “Sure there’ll be no turtles like him in your store but you can be sure those kids aren’t leaving empty handed once you get them in the door.”
“Mmmm. You’ve got a point.” He rubs his chin, “Tell you what, I’ll sell him to you for -20- sen and if those kids actually come to my shop in the next week or two, I’ll give you back -5- sen. Sound good?”
I nod and smile. He’s a good man. “My sister’s birthday is this weekend. I’ll go pay him in full then.” I take out the rest of my money and show the man, “Here’s a down payment of 12 sen.”
“Now wait a minute boy! That’s not good enough!”
(OOC: assume 30 sen is 300 USD in today’s money)
Your friend must be having a real hard time of it.
“Her father died several years ago. Tsurumi-chan said he was a great warrior and took a bad injury during the war and was always ill after. Then her mother remarried, and that’s why she lived in the dorms even though her mother and stepfather live here.” I smile a bit, shaking my head. “She used to be different. Kinder, I guess. She didn’t needle me so much about the differences in our families.” I look away, at the bustle of the market. “I have no shame about it, it’s just… tiresome.” It doesn’t escape my notice that she’s worse now that Tsutomu-kun is in the picture… but if they’re meant to marry why does she see the need to do this?
Maybe we should invite her to dinner once Yagi-san gets back?
I nod, slowly. He has a -good- heart and… I should try to be more like him. “Only if Makoto-chan is fine with it – I know she was really upset about how Tsurumi-chan treated her.”
He mentions me showing Yamaguchi-san how to cook. “Oh, no, I know how fish dishes are cooked but I was so young when I left home. I can’t make -rice-, after all!” I grin a little. That, and we had servants. But Tsutomu-kun then talks about a carp dish and my eyes light up. “Oh! Yamaji-sensei made that for us when the weekend cook was out! It’s so good – I’m certain I can get the recipe from her.” After all, she’s from Aizu as well. And maybe that day there will be better carp than what I see here today…
Then we find the pet store and it’s the same assortment that I’m used to from back home – bowls with goldfish, swimming around, and small turtles. The sort I’d assumed that Tsutomu-kun was going to buy… but he instead indicates something bigger – a true king of turtles! “Oh, he’s so cute!” I say, delighted. “What a nice expression!”
But the king of turtles doesn’t come cheap, and Tsutomu-kun is very good at haggling! I should have let him buy the fish, we could have saved a little…
Now wait a minute boy! That’s not good enough!
I put my hand to my obi to pull out money, but I know that won’t work for Tsutomu-kun – he’s -proud- about money, and this is -his- gift. “Sir, this little girl will tell -everyone- about this turtle. And she’s very creative – what if we also throw in a picture with some text about how she takes care of it? I think it may help you convince parents to buy such a… novel and prestigious pet if they see another child who’s enjoyed it and that it’s not hard to care for.” I have no idea about turtle care, but they can’t be that hard.
“So certainly 12 sen is enough to reserve the turtle? We’re good for the money, it was Hashigawa-sama that directed us here and he would vouch for me, he’s known my family since my father was a boy.”
“Only if Makoto-chan is fine with it – I know she was really upset about how Tsurumi-chan treated her.”
I nod. “I’ll speak to Tsurumi before then. But as for Makoto, I think it’s not good for her to keep grudges against people.”
“Oh! Yamaji-sensei made that for us when the weekend cook was out! It’s so good – I’m certain I can get the recipe from her.”
“I forget that Yamaji sensei is from Aizu. Mother never spoke of her curiously enough.” Would the recipe be the same without mother cooking it? I wonder. “I don’t really remember what it taste like but maybe that man does.” Because he’s had it many times right? I’ve only had it a few times when I was younger.
Midori tries to help me out with the turtle vendor. Proposing to him a plan of putting together pictures. I secretly nudge her a little, doesn’t she remember how expensive pictures are? Those photos are out of the question and as for pictures with drawing, that’s an added expense! Well I suppose if someone were to draw… It’s then that I remember! Eiji-nii loves to draw scenes, people and landscapes!
“So certainly 12 sen is enough to reserve the turtle? We’re good for the money, it was Hashigawa-sama that directed us here and he would vouch for me, he’s known my family since my father was a boy.”
The vendor cups his chin once again, “So you’re related to Hashigawa? He’s a good man. Tries to help us out vendors here in the market. No job too small or difficult for him.”
He looks me over and takes the money, “I’ll keep the turtle -until- you bring the rest of the balance.”
“Her birthday is in the weekend. I’ll be back Friday afternoon.” I say. But in truth, I’m not sure where I’ll get the rest of the money. 8 sen… really just 3 sen if I get that rebate in the end. “But I need a receipt for the deposit.” I remind the man.
“Heh. You’re pretty sharp young man.” He places his hands on his waist and then fished for his stamp and paper, “I’m an honest vendor. Here you go.”
“Thanks.” Pocketing the proof, I take Midori’s hand. “Let’s go home Midori.”
(OOC she can close unless there’s more)
I forget that Yamaji sensei is from Aizu. Mother never spoke of her curiously enough
“I don’t think they got along well,” I say, carefully. At least, Fujita-sensei used to complain about her (to the entire class!) but Yamaji-sensei never did, apart from a dry comment here and there that now makes me wonder… hm. There’s a -lot- of drama among the teachers of Futaba and at the time, that one seemed less interesting, but who knew I’d end up being friends with her son and living at his house?
My proposal to the pet vendor seems acceptable, which is good. But why is Tsutomu-kun nudging me? Makoto-chan draws well for her age and I can help her… it should look enchanting, the sort of thing to make a parent’s heart melt, thinking of their own children wanting a turtle as well. I grin a bit. Perhaps being the daughter of a merchant with money running in my veins can be very very useful!
Thankfully my connection to Hashigawa-sama is helpful, and it’s great to hear that he’s been helpful here. He’s a good man.
After getting a receipt, Tstuomu-kun takes my hand, and my face turns -red- but thankfully we have to rush to get home in time to prepare the fish for dinner.
His hand is warm, and holding mine I feel… safe and happy and I hate to let go when we get home.
(OOC – close)