“Fujita. I heard you were trying to requisition the Sword Police again to guard the house of your mistress?” Kawaji spat, obviously upset. “I told you, the Shinsengumi gold and that house were to be the last of it!”
“Daikeshi!” I bow slightly. Calling this man merely by his name would be tantamount to shooting myself on the foot right now, while I still need something from him. “The woman is no longer my mistress sir. The house that I gave to her, was in fact so that we can separate amicably.”
“You mean it was your -hush- money.”
I grit my teeth. It wasn’t hush money. It was a parting gift to a woman who had never had a -need- for support. It was always I who took it from her and so what was there left to give but the house? I bow to Kawaji. “Yes sir. It was important that she and I had an understanding.”
“Stand up straight Fujita.”
I do and he stares at me with his hand behind his back. “I never ever know what you are thinking.” He paces and shakes his head. “But I am -glad- that you’re trying to make your paths -straight-. I let you and that woman tell our colleagues here that she was your wife, mostly because you are in fact married but no one has ever -seen- your wife. But I also didn’t like the deception! And then of course Uramura being another idiot like you, hires the woman here!”
“I’ve taken care of that sir. Yagi Hide is no longer working here.”
“Yes but of course certain people already heard she was and now…” He heaves a sigh, “Fine! Get a few Sword Police at her house!”
I blink at him surprised. “Daikeshi? What made you change your mind?”
“The woman will probably have some foreign visitors, so the place needs to be protected.”
“What foreign… Don’t tell me it’s Howard…” Again.
“Him and whoever else he brings along. He’s been busy with some guests of his touring Japan but as soon as he heard that she was working here, he had planned a return to the TMPD.”
I can’t help but feel annoyed at that. I thought we were done with him. And guests? It can’t be that… But even if it was… We’re done after all. It would be good for her to move on to new experiences. New people. New everything. Besides I cannot see the future. Not anymore.
“What?! Cat got your tongue Fujita?!”
Shaking my head, “No.” I bow, “Thank you for approving the request Daikeshi.”
“This is not indefinite! I’ll only approve this for a month or whenever they leave!”
I nod. A month is more than enough time and longer if the blasted men stay? But no matter, my justice is -swift- and I will make them -pay- with interest. “Understood.”
Without waiting for him to get another word in, I go downstairs to choose the men who will be assigned to the post. I need better men than the one’s that were assigned last time by Uramura. Men I hand pick myself.