(Miyagawa)
If I have to go to that horrid place, at least I was able to get the old man Yamagata to let me use one of the Department’s private train cars. But it’s for a good purpose – another memorial to my father, this time, in his birthplace of Shimonoseki, at the far end of civilized Japan. Just in time for his birthday!
I look over my speech, but think for a bit about that lovely tayu I had the other night. I checked with the old woman and yes, yes, she “belongs” to us, so I told her that I’ll pay to have her -exclusively- until I return to Tokyo. She says that won’t be a problem. Heh heh. I can’t wait to make that haughty tayu -pay-, even if she’s older than my usual taste. A woman like her will make any man’s mouth water.
Speaking of my mouth watering… an attendant brings lunch! Fine food, not those sad little boxes commoners buy at the station, clamoring to get the rare one with choice bits. I do pass on the wine, though, sadly, as it tends to make me flushed and red-faced. I must be entirely dignified as I represent my honored father.
I also look over some news reports. My father, being a man who changed Japan, has enemies, but the police in Shimonoseki assured me that I would be safe, even if the old man denied my request for a better category of protection, like TMPD sword police. As the emissary of my beloved father… even those who opposed him them can see now the full measure of the man, in the way that I take care to see that he is elevated as a hero. His legacy. -My- legacy. A great hero of the Choshuu, and now, his son, rising in the new world!
One day I’ll be free of Mama-sama. One day I’ll be head of the Interior, and then, Prime Minister. My father’s son. Yes. That damn Fujita better do his job and deliver that slut to Mama-sama. His eyes are weird but some people have the misfortune of being born like that. I catch my own reflection the window. The beard is coming in well.
(OOC – Miyagawa is out of town until sometime Friday)
Fujita:
(At Saitou’s office)
-Damn!- I bite on the cigarette I’ve been smoking. Aioi left me a message that our “Special Guest” was not available and was heading for Shimonoseki to attend a ceremony. Of course the first thing I did was go to the Research department of the TMPD and sure enough, there is that event for tomorrow afternoon. Another dedication to his father, no doubt another pilfering of the Interior’s budget. I take the newspaper with me back upstairs. If it’s for tomorrow, then he won’t be back until at least Friday.
I could -go- there and finish him off. It doesn’t really matter where…
But that’s not what I want. I want him to have an agonizing death besides it would tip off that old woman if word gets out I killed him. His body cannot be found first, until I get to that -evil- woman and I’ve decided already how to -dispose- of her. It will be an -equal- exchange. Standing up I stub the cigarette that’s now up to its filter and shove another one in my mouth.
Should I go to Ito first then? I -could- but first I need to see what the condition of the prefectural police there is… If she’s hiding there then it might be like Osaka, teeming with corrupt policemen. There is a way to find out quickly and so I go downstairs to the telegraph office and send an innocuous message addressed to the head of police there, Muriyama Buchou.
I’ll have to wait. I’ll stay here in my office until the message arrives.
After Lunchtime:
Telegram Response
Sir:
With regards to your request of visiting with the Chief, Muriyama Shio, he would be unable to fulfill that request as he is no longer acting as Head of Police in Ito Shizuoka. However if you should wish to visit with him for a personal matter, attached is his address in Ito.
Lt. Musashi
Exhaling the smoke, I read the response. So just as I suspected, they have relieved Muriyama of his duties but it seems there’s still a few men who maybe loyal to Muriyama. Musashi for one. Musashi guarded Hide and Makoto at the Ryokan when they were displaced after Tanaka’s attack. He took his duties -seriously- then. But who else? Only Muriyama can tell me that. I pocket the address.
Should I go to Ito tonight? I can be back here by Friday morning.
I should probably stop by Hikage first, that’s where Aioi will be, with the Obaa-san who brokered her entry to the Hachirou. I’ll need to get dressed into something else however unless I want to be hung upside down by that Obaa-san. I pull out a mirror from my drawer and look at my face that’s now started to grow a slight stubble. Well at least -that- part doesn’t need changing.
(OOC: Saitou is getting ready to go to Yoshiwara for the afternoon. If interaction is needed for whatever reason this would be it. Otherwise consider that he’s exited this thread.)