Kyoto – Morning – A shopping trip
Over breakfast, Tamesaburou smiles over at me. “Hide neesan… we have decided, since you won’t be here during your birthday, that we would go ahead and treat you -now-.”
I look over at him, surprised. I’m helping Hanako-san with the children, trying to convince Hiroshi to eat his breakfast, but it is a messy task. “Oh… thank you… you don’t need to…” I smile at him, gratefully. I’m still a little out of it this morning; last night… I’m still not sure what to make of it, I suspect that it won’t make sense until I see Hajime again.
“No, no oneesan…. we -want- to,” says Yuunosuke, looking up from his papers. “And what else for you but a pretty new kimono? Oniisan will even watch the children so you and Hanako-san can shop in peace!” He winks over at Tamesaburou, who looks surrpised for a minute and then nods. I hear a thump – I bet someone was just kicked under the table….
They are kind to me… supporting these choices I’ve made in my life. Maybe one day I can bring Hajime home to them at it will be my hand in his then… maybe they will understand that again my happiness might come in a way that isn’t conventional.
Finishing breakfast, Hanako and I head out to the shopping area of Kyoto. As much as Tokyo is home now, nothing quite compares to the stores here, if one wants true -elegence-.
Hanako-san and I wander along the shops. “Hide-san… so you must choose a kimono. Something pretty for summer, ne?” She smiles over at me. “And I must find something to make Kioko-chan a yukuta for summer.”
“But there is so much to choose from…” I say, touching the soft fabric. We come to the shop that was always my favorite. I had told myself that I wasn’t going to go shopping… well, at least for an entire new kimono, since Hajime just gave me one… maybe just accessorize it.
She tilts her head and looks at me. “You have a lot of blue already… maybe something like purple?” I’m a little surprised, still, at how easy we’re getting along. Maybe being away has helped. I’ve changed… maybe she has, as well. With the assistance of the lady who runs the shop, we go through what they have and narrow it down to two.
“The second one!” we both agree. The flowers on the first… not quite right. While the kimono is wrapped for us, she helps me choose things to go with it. We chat about the children and the house, just like… friends. Maybe even sisters.
Hanako-san then leads me over to a new cafe. “They have western sweets here!” she says, giggling a little. “Your weakness is clothing; mine is those clever fluffy cakes that they make!” She reminds me so much of the little girl that used to chase after my brother all those years ago. In the shop I’m struck by the smell of coffee. It’s strange… what reminds me of him.
Over tea and something Hanako-chan calls “eclairs”, we talk more. “You are in Tokyo, to stay, then? I know that Yuunosuke-san would like you home… as would I.” She laughs a little, “I would even not be so -territorial-, you know.” Her eyes meet mine, questioning.
I reach over and pat her hand. “No… Hanako-san. I did not leave because of that…” Ah, well, it was one of many little parts that added up to a reason. “I am happy in Tokyo. I am finding a life there.”
“Is there someone there for you?” She gives me a -look-, searching my face.
I smile and take another bite of the eclair (too sweet!), and sip my tea. “Mmm… yes.”
She leans back with a triumphant little smile. “I knew it! You seem… different. Except for last night at dinner… your smile since you came back looks like I remember it from when I was little. Not this smile.” She makes a face, mimicking a smile that is too bright but with eyes that show no happiness. “That’s how you looked… before you left.”
Ah. I must have been so -obvious- last night. “Did I…?” I laugh a little. “I suppose… I’ve found parts of myself that I thought I had lost. And some I thought I never would have.” A reason… someone to really smile for. To be happy with, to love. And… to hope for.
“I… understand. I think! And I won’t tell Tamesabouru anything until you do…” she winks at me. “Women must have their secrets, ne?” She looks at my plate, where half of my eclair remains uneaten. “Tsk, tsk, Hide-san…” and she takes it from my plate, and happily finishes it. “Next time I shall treat you to something more traditional…”
“No… this was fine. A bit rich, however.” Thinking, as we leave the cafe. “Have you ever had chocolate mousse…?”
And it is like this that we head back to the house.
(OOC – okay to add anything that needs to be done in afternoon.)