April 16, 1885 (Thursday)

Some things never change in the Keishikan, paperwork for one but today I shunned it and decided that it’s time to patrol. At least get some exercise and away from the place which eternally reminds me that I am not who I used to be. It was probably around lunch time that I found myself near Joshi Takashi, one of the first in Japan, a school focused primarily and exclusively for women. Tokio has recently been offered a job here by Hideo, for a moment I stood across from it’s gates wondering what she is doing. The mother of my children is here and if it was the perfect life or at least a better one, perhaps it would be around this time that either she or I will visit each other. But it’s not, so I go on my way passing the school children in ever increasing strides.
Turning a corner I decide to inspect the school grounds of the Futaba Elementary School where both my sons are enrolled. I had missed the opening ceremony earlier this Spring as I was busy looking for Hide and Makoto. My eldest Tsutomu has not spoken to me in quite a while after that, not that he has in the past months. He’s growing older in mind and makes decisions for himself and one more year he will be entering intermediate school. I hope not to miss the opening ceremonies then…
Going to a clearing and settling behind the shade of a tree, the children played in the concrete pavement. I doubt I’d see Tsutomu outside, he has taken a liking to burying himself in the library and reading about the west or so I’ve heard from Tsuyoshi… I frown slightly, the Namuzawa’s has not rescinded their request, I still do not know what to do. I do owe them my release and they are a relative of Tokio… Aside from which they have supported us many times financially. But my son is -my- son, even if their lineage will stop and even for honor, I still cannot settle with myself. Sometimes I wonder if I did the right thing in keeping straight and still keeping with the TMPD. Certainly there were better jobs out there that paid well… But time and time again, I come to the same conclusion that it is in public service that I need to be. Unfortunately, being a cop is the only way that I know how and the way I prefer. Even just as a figurehead, I cannot separate from this work. My eyes narrow slightly in discontent.
“Tou-san!” I hear a shout from behind and I turn around quickly. It is my son Tsuyoshi… I smile.
“How are you doing?”
“I’m fine! I’m glad you came tou-san!”
“Eee…” I say and watch his face which always seemed to beam no matter what the circumstances are. I wonder where he got that? Probably from Eiji they were quite close. “Lunch is almost over, did you eat?”
“Hai!” He comes closer but makes no effort to pull at my hand. I think while children get older, in a public setting they become quite uncomfortable showing physical affections to their parents. That’s fine. I don’t want Tsuyoshi to be ridiculed later. Children can be quite callous in name calling.
“Where’s your brother?”
“Anou he’s in the library as usual!” He beams again and shuffles his feet, keeping both of his hands behind his back. “Anou.. Tou-san I gave him the -book-!”
I tilt my head slightly and try to figure out what he’s talking about… But all I could do was quirk my eyebrow and shake my head.
“Eee… Tou-san don’t get mad!” He starts laughing. “I just can’t read it right now. I have other interest and Tsutomu can find better use for it! You know that his interests are of those things… He’s gotten quite good actually.”
“Sou ka.” I light up in front of my youngest. Not that I’m uncomfortable but I would prefer it if Tsutomu spoke to me of his day instead of Tsuyoshi being the constant catalyst between us. “So… How are your grades?”
“Eto…” Tsuyoshi scratched his head and smiled, “they’re alright… I’m passing all of them.” then he looks up at me, “I’m doing well in physical education though! And I’m good in kendo!”
I try to stop from chuckling… Ah, he always did remind me of myself against Hiroaki. “Hai hai… Make sure though that your brain doesn’t rot. The body is a good investment but the mind as well.”
“Eeeh…” He whines, “I know that already!”
The bell rang and he turns to leave. He waves and flashes a wide grin at myself. “Tou-san do come by. I’m sure Tsutomu wants to see you. Haha ue is doing fine and so is Uncle Morinosuke.”
I nod at him, watching him disappear through the doors of the school. He is now, what Eiji to me was a few years ago. I hope Eiji is doing well, I should write to him soon. Ah but before that I should get back and finish those papers on my desk.