“…My father would be proud of this new Japan – one of progress, one who is moving forward to take its place among the great nations and empires of the world!”
I wait for the applause. There’s not as much as there -should- be… but I pull the ribbon that will reveal the plaque for my father. Another smattering of applause, and I start to shake the hands of the local dignitaries in attendance. All in all a mostly worthwhile trip. I’m a busy man but I will always take the time to honor my father… and in this, the place of his birth, should they not have monuments to him -everywhere-? I’m shaking the hand of the mayor…
“He was a traitor who abandoned his comrades!” comes a voice from the crowd. I spin around and look. “He was no true patriot of Choshuu!”
There’s now murmuring, and my face flushes. Who speaks of him so? Suddenly, then, a flash, and a crackling BANG as there’s screams. I’m shoved down by a nearby police officer before I can even reach
“Go to hell like your father!” The voice screams out again and as I lift my head, I see there’s police action the crowd, and I stand up.
“Get back down!” yells the officer.
I clear my voice, and speak loudly. “I am not afraid, of a man who comes to besmirch my father. Let me see this villian.”
I look at the crowd, where the police have subdued a man. An older man, and I see two sticks on the ground and that the man is missing most of a leg. Even as he’s being restrained, he sneers at me. I alight from the dais where we had the ceremony, and go closer.
Before I can, a young man comes running up. “Otou-san, Otou-san!” He looks at me, and bows, and his face is pleading as he dares to look at me. “Please, sir, he’s an old man, in pain from his injuries during the war…” He tries to get to his father, but is held back by the police.
“Oh, so you’re his accomplice? You knew of his plot to not only hurl insults and falsehoods, but to assassinator me as well? What sort of plot were you hatching against your government?” Some sons… I look grim. “Officers, arrest him as well.” I look over at the chief of police. “I expect a full investigation, as will Yamagata-sama.” He nods, as he knows that his job is on the line. That old man’s entire family will pay… I narrow my eyes.
I go close to the old man, and whisper, “no, it your sons who will be in hell with you.” Was he a man of my father’s? Who served beside him? Either way, this is near-treason, to speak of a hero in such a way. “For they will rot in jail, buried without rites and see the downfall of your line.” He still stares at me in such defiance! Were that I was not surrounded by so many, I would strike him… I turn to let the police do their work. They will not be gentle with an assassin, after all.
I’m offered protection and I refuse. I realize that the newspapermen are nearby, with their notebooks and cameras. Turning so that my good side will be photographed, I express dismay that a few leftovers who cannot accept our new Japan still wish to make trouble, but that I will rely on the law and the police to continue to tamp down such persons. As for myself? I am not afraid. Like my father, I would give my life to Japan! So I do not walk in fear!
One day when I’m Prime Minister this will be a key story, of my rise, my promise, of the bravery I showed during adversity. I’m also lucky that I wore black trousers today; they don’t show where I wet them when I was pushed down.
I thank the police and dignitaries, and make quickly for the train. Truthfully I’ve little fear of these rustics, it’s a truly boring place with ugly, -ugly- women. I’ll have to see to reporters and old man Yamagata in the morning, early. And then at night… I’ll take that tayu. After all, a hero needs his pleasures, ne?
(OOC – Close, Miyagawa returns to Tokyo Friday)