Conversations are Troublesome

Sometime before the start of winter Yaso and I were conversing about everday things. What we did that day… Who we met… And I don’t know why I asked but I did…
“How old are you?”
“That’s really not a question you should ask a lady Inouhe-san!”
She burst out in a series of giggles. How annoying.
“What’s wrong with that?” I ask.
“Why ask?” Another giggle.
“Because I want to know.” And stop that laughing.
“But what is your purpose?” She covers her mouth. I think she thinks this is very funny. I do not find it funny and now I know for sure I am scowling.
“There’s always a reason why you ask Inouhe-san. Like when you ask where’d I go? What’s for dinner? Why am I wearing a hakama instead of a kimono? If I didn’t know any better I’d swear you were taking this marriage thing seriously.”
She smiles but I’m not sure if she’s mocking me.
“No I don’t. It’s for convenience. And have you forgotten I did you a favor?” And saved your sorry ass woman.
Then all of a sudden she drops her teasing. “I’m 29”, she says… What the hell is up with that tone?
“You’re a lot older than I am…” I try teasing back.
“Hai… You know… I think supper’s ready.” She smiles back. “I’ll be back in a minute.”
I sit crossed legged by the window while watching her. She seems awfully quiet now… And I… I don’t like that. I’m not used to her being like that. We are only two people here in this small shack and… I can’t be alone. I want to be with someone. Someone who talks and listens at the same time. Who wouldn’t mind hearing my stories of Bushidou and the Shinsengumi. Of Kondou and Hijikata. Of my old friends like Souji. I want to tell her of my stories as Saitou Hajime. But will she listen? She seems…
Upset.
Finally she calls me to the table and today we have a decent meal. Salted fish and rice and some sweet potato for dessert. I had wanted fish for such a long time. I wonder how she got it. But I couldn’t ask because I knew she was upset. But why is telling the truth so upsetting? It was convenient for both of us and it still is.
“Yaso…” I call out as I stand by the door as she continued to wash the dishes. “The meal was good. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome Inouehe-san…”
Still that tone… I hate it.
“Maybe you should not go to the rice fields tomorrow.”
“Naze?” she answers back quietly.
“There’s a nice spot I want to show you by the ocean and I think we have enough money to skip a day’s work.” Ugh… That sounded really lame and obviously a lie.
The water stops…
It is quiet…
I don’t want to look back. She is upset. I am a stupid man… Bribing a woman with scenery and laziness after I just berated her friendship.
Damn it! Speak Yaso! Be angry… It is alright to be angry.
So she wants to fight… FINE!
I turn around abruptly to storm towards her.
But she was…
There holding out a towel in front of me.
“It’s hot ne? I noticed you were sweating a lot… So yes tomorrow we will go. It should be nice and cool by the sea.”
She offers a smile.
I am..
Relieved..
But wait… It’s not hot at all… What is she talking about?