I get the girls to school and come back as quickly as possible. I was glad Isuzu-chan was ready to go, sometimes she’s a little slow in the mornings, and Makoto didn’t stop to hunt for rocks; so I made good time in returning here. I didn’t tell Makoto about Hajime being back in town, I do want her to focus on school today.
Back at home, I begin to make preparations for a second breakfast, the usual things – rice, miso… and pickles. Makoto made a face when she noticed I had those around. I make a trip out to the well to make sure I have enough water for tea and coffee.
Then I notice tofu from last night – thinking it will be a good addition to breakfast as I don’t have any fish – rushing back here pre-empted my usual Wednesday morning market trip – I begin to heat the oil to fry the tofu. As I do that I think back to the night before… the changes I saw in Hajime. But no matter what he has lost… in there somewhere is the man I know. I know this… I -believe- in this.
Saya… today I will take her to see about that job. But what about Hajime? What is he going to do with his time? Perhaps we shall speak about that… last night he -would- talk to me. Even if we can only talk here… it is something. A beginning.
(OOC – Hide is in the kitchen. The gate is unlocked, as she is expecting company. Said company is free to enter when they wish.)
Wednesday, June 10, 1885 – Morning at the Yagi House
31 thoughts on “Wednesday, June 10, 1885 – Morning at the Yagi House”
Comments are closed.
Here in Ito, I must look like any other woman so I dress up in a simple but rather conservative kimono. It is a pleasure to walk down the streets with Hajime in tow. He’s not complaining I see, but of course we both know why.
I’ll call you Yamaguchi Sasue. You and I are both divorcees understood? We met a few months ago and decided Ito would be the best place as both Kyoto and Tokyo hold bad memories for us.
Hmmm… I smile a little at that. It means that I can do whatever it is I want. He’s given me permission I think. The house of the Yagi’s come into view and I let go of his arm as he leads me inside the yard.
“Aren’t you coming in Hajime-han?” I ask, but he shook his head and pointed to his pack of cigarettes. It looks like he wants to smoke first. I shake my head and go into the kitchen. I wonder what’s for breakfast…
“Ohayo Yagi-san.” I look at the table, it looks like breakfast -is- ready.
I turn to see Saya come into the kitchen but not Hajime.
“Good morning, Asuka-san,” I bow slightly. “Would you like coffee?” I indicate what I already have on the table, and set down the tofu, fresh from the frying pan, “I prefer simple breakfasts – most mornings I’m in a hurry to get going and to work. I work an an onsen, doing the books and other paperwork,” I tell her.
“Did you sleep well last night? You and Hajime get all settled in?” I ask. “I hope you found the house agreeable.”
“Hmmm tofu so early in the morning…” I mutter. “Yes some coffee please.”
I sit down, not really sure what she and I are going to talk about. “The house was fine. I think though, I’m going to need to go around the market today so that I can cook or at least fix some coffee.”
“Where is your daughter?” She did say…
She doesn’t seem pleased by the tofu…
“Ah yes… after I take you to Miyake-san’s, I can show you to the market, if you would like. There’s only one place where I can consistantly find coffee, they also have other western goods.” I place a cup of coffee in front of her, and another one for Hajime. I sit down across from her, wondering where he is.
Where is your daughter?
“I already took Makoto-chan to school. She’s five, and in her first year at school. They don’t stay all day yet… so she’ll be back in the early afternoon.”
“Ah yes… after I take you to Miyake-san’s, I can show you to the market, if you would like. There’s only one place where I can consistantly find coffee, they also have other western goods.”
Miyake’s… “Hmmm okay.”
I take a sip of the coffee and just listen to Yagi-san. I do not tell her of my worries it’s too early anyway and for all I know I -could- be wrong.
“I already took Makoto-chan to school. She’s five, and in her first year at school. They don’t stay all day yet… so she’ll be back in the early afternoon.”
I want to see this child… I wonder if… But she already talks of Makoto as someone elses. Maybe that’s why… I finish the coffee quietly. I sure wish Hajime would come in soon, that Tofu doesn’t look like it’s for anyone else but him, since her daughter is not here…
She’s quiet in the mornings, perhaps? And not fond of tofu? I do wish Hajime would come in soon – it tastes best when hot.
Though… we are strangers in many ways. I watch her carefully as I tell her how old Makoto is, I wondered if she would make the connection from that. It was shortly before the trip Hajime and I made to Kyoto that I learned that I was going to have a child.
“So how have you been since I saw you last?” I ask her.
“Quite well, thank you.” I sip more of the coffee. “How have the two of you been?” I mask all the worry from my voice, to speak as if Hajime and I just didn’t have that conversation earlier.
In a way I’m glad he’s not here yet. But I hear footsteps along the engawa…
How have the two of you been?
Does she mean Hajime and I?
“That is a -story-.” I tell her and smile wryly. She knows him well, I know this. “It’s … complicated.”
I would say more but it’s a conversation that needs more time and privacy. And… I do wonder if it’s something she would really want to discuss. I remember that note she gave me. Telling me that he loved me, asking me to be kind… what advice. I should have found that note back in April, when I truly needed that advice.
It’s complicated? I nod my head. He is that and a bit more.
“Glad the two of you kept as friends.” I glance briefly behind me as I hear footsteps. “He could use that.”
Finally finished with the cigarette, I step inside. Damn it… I need to smoke more! That conversation earlier with Saya has dimmed my morning quite a bit and this place with it’s slow pace…
I step into the kitchen seeing both women seated and talking of… Well whatever it is that women talk about. Grabbing a seat beside the octopus, I bow slightly at Hide and look at the morning meal.
Tofu…
Reaching for a block of tofu, I toss it quite carelessly on my plate.
“Planning your day ladies?” I ask no one in particular and start reaming at the tofu.
“Good morning, Hajime.” I smile over at him but he seems preoccupied by breakfast. He doesn’t seem to note the tofu as he once did… but he probably considers it just another dish… because I wouldn’t know about how Yaso once made it for him.
“Planning the day? I was speaking to Asuka-san about the lead on a job I had for her, and of showing her where to buy coffee at the market.”
I finish my tea.
“Good morning, Hajime.”
I look up once and nod my head, pre-occupying myself with the tofu. I reach for some rice and look at the pickles.
“No fish?”
“Planning the day? I was speaking to Asuka-san about the lead on a job I had for her, and of showing her where to buy coffee at the market.”
Stopping momentarily, I look back at her. “A job for her would be good.” I look over at Saya.. She has coffee… “I’d like some coffee too.” I say without a second thought.
He’s being…
“Ah gomenasai Yagi-san…” I say in place of Hajime. “Hajime-han is…”
I hit his arm lightly. “Stop being so rude.”
Then I look back at Yagi-san, “I’ll make him some coffee…”
Yes… he is being rather rude. Another subtle change…
“No fish this morning, usually just for Makoto-chan and I we have levtovers from the night before or from when I make her bento for lunch.”
“Last night we had tofu… so tofu for breakfast today.” We probably won’t eat fish as much as we do if we did not live in an area so blessed in fish, both from the sea and inland waters.
I’ll make him some coffee…
“Thank you for seeing to the coffee, Saya.” I do wonder how much she can cook…
“No fish this morning, usually just for Makoto-chan and I we have levtovers from the night before or from when I make her bento for lunch.”
I shrug. “Nothing wrong in being frugal…” I tell her but I know with her -situation- she probably can’t afford to be anything else. I pop some pickles after the tofu.
“Your work does it pay well?” Quirking my eyebrow I wait for an answer as I wait for my coffee.
Your work does it pay well?
“I am able to support Makoto-chan and myself, and see to her school expenses,” I tell him. “But I do only work part-time, after all.”
“Last night you told me you found Makoto’s father…” I try to say this as matter of factly as I can, “You should tell him he has responsibilities.”
I scowl at that. I never did like men who run out of women after they get what they want. The way she spoke of him last night tells me that she is still quite smitten with him, which annoys me even more this morning.
I finish with the coffee and bring it over to Hajime. Of course I hear his comment about Makoto’s father. So it is true… He and her had a falling out. I have had some inkling of course that one time he visited Kyoto a few years ago. He was different but I’m surprised at how they still remained friends…
With that I won’t complain. I smile lightly and sit down beside him.
Last night you told me you found Makoto’s father… You should tell him he has responsibilities.
“Ah… he did know and wished to help.” I think how Hajime offered assistance to Makoto and I and how I accepted the offer… but how it was something we never got around to discussing. “He has yet to, however.”
Saya seems to smile at the comment. She doesn’t seem to connect Makoto’s age with the last time I saw her. Ah well. I help myself to the last of the tofu.
“He has yet to, however.”
I scoff just slightly. How this morning just isn’t one of the better ones. Saya hands me the coffee and I utter an incoherent thanks. But I realize I really do need to smoke and the coffee just heightens that need, so I stood up.
“Thanks for breakfast.”
I go out the kitchen door and leaned on the opposite wall. Reaching into my pocket for a smoke, it doesn’t take long till the bland aroma reaches my nostrils as I survey the backyard with my eyes. It is quite barren which would be perfect for… I smirk and puffed the cigarette all at the same time.
I stand and take my plates over to the sink. “Asuka-san, would you excuse me for a moment?” I ask her with a slight smile before I leave the kitchen to go see where Hajime went.
To smoke, of course. I walk up and place my hand on his arm. “Hajime, were you and Asuka-san able to get settled in last night? Do let me know if there’s anything else you need.”
A smile at him. “And I trust you slept well?”
Hide comes out. Bah… Not really what I want… Well I do not want to hear about her husband of course. I do not see him here so as far as I’m concerned he’s still an oaf. But something like this.. Being smitten with someone, I understand it well. It is like a disease, a blindness to the truth.
“Hajime, were you and Asuka-san able to get settled in last night? Do let me know if there’s anything else you need.”
“She needs some cooking utensils and some supplies. Not that I care for her cooking…”
I smirk and look at Hide. Now she was… Still is a good cook.
“And it wouldn’t hurt if you can get her dressed up in a better kimono. That baggy kimono, I don’t want to be subject to a woman who doesn’t know how to dress herself.”
Taking a sip of the coffee, my eyes avert once again towards the clearing in her backyard.
“And I trust you slept well?”
“Did I ever tell you she snores?” I chuckle all of a sudden. I never noticed it till last night. Back then when we still slept together, I fell asleep almost immediately after having indulged in my physical needs. I never spoke to her of course… I have nothing to say after -that-.
She needs some cooking utensils and some supplies. Not that I care for her cooking…
“Well, you are welcome here anytime.” I say, “I remember you are fond of soba… I do that well. It’s been said that I’m an -excellent- cook.”
“As for how Asuka-san dresses… for a woman that is very personal. I still dress very much in a Kyoto style.” I smile at him. “See?” I turn slightly to show him the blue one I wear. “When we are out I’ll show her where to shop, if she so cares.”
Did I ever tell you she snores?
“No.. you didn’t.” Are they… I tilt my head slightly as I look up at him, and I grin. “I’m not certain about myself… if I am quiet or not.”
It does not escape my attention, she still haven’t removed her hand from my arm. Was she… Did she ever do this back then when she was in Tokyo?
“I remember you are fond of soba… I do that well. It’s been said that I’m an -excellent- cook.”
“Hmmm… Souji did say that. But the ahou is too fond of mochi and making soba… has a certain art to it Hide.” I look at her and suddenly I’m struck with her brown eyes… At how… I shake my head slightly. “You might be disappointed… I have quite a distinctive palate for buckwheat.” I mutter and look away.
“I’m not certain about myself… if I am quiet or not.”
How all of a sudden this conversation struck me as odd. If she had been any other woman, I’d jump at this and tell her it’s not too hard to find out… But I restrain myself as it is not proper for us. She will think… But a month ago, didn’t she throw herself at me on that platform?
“You have a quite a yard…” I tell her steering the conversation to something less risky. “I was wondering if it is possible to practice my kata here in the morning when your daughter is at school.”
“Ah… then I shall have to make soba for you soon…” I turn my head to look out into the yard, but my eyes look at him from the side. “Do offer your opinoins… I know you have high standards.” I lean in a little closer. “The secret, however, is in the tsuyu,” I say quietly before taking a step back.
You have a quite a yard… I was wondering if it is possible to practice my kata here in the morning when your daughter is at school.
“Of course.” I turn to look back at him. “Makoto likes it that I keep an area free of plants so she can run around.” I take his arm. “Come with me, then. Help me water the camellias along the fences, then Asuka-san and I can get going.” I take him to the well. “Help and I -will- make it up to you.” I smile as I draw a bucket full of water up.
“Do offer your opinoins… I know you have high standards.”
Of course, her and Souji probably did speak about me -behind- my back. That ahou… But I grin, how the thought of an old friend… As if he -was- still here amuses me. How she reminds me of him, I feel as if a part of myself was very much alive.
“Makoto likes it that I keep an area free of plants so she can run around.”
“Sou ka.” Domestic life of course has never been in my vocabulary and if I dwell on how it was lacking in my life the past years… Today, I refuse to think about that. Although that part of my life is still very much a reality, I’ve done what I can and in time, perhaps maybe they will understand at least my sons will. “Children do like that… However I’ll practice here when she’s not around. A katana of course is a weapon Hide.”
It’s then that I remembered I have given her a tanto a long time ago. I wonder if she followed my advice? But before I can ask I found myself drawn to a well.
“Help and I -will- make it up to you.”
Suddenly I feel myself grabbing for her hand, an almost involuntary action that even I’m surprised.
“I’m a -hard- bargain Hide.” As I said that my face contracts to a wide smirk as if it was the most natural thing to do.
Children do like that… However I’ll practice here when she’s not around. A katana of course is a weapon Hide.
“Oh, yes. She’d probably go find her stick and try to mimic you,” I laugh. When she’s older of course I’ll show her something of defending herself. The incident a few weeks ago shows that even in the Meiji era there are still men who prey on women.
He takes my hand and I’m surprised, and lace my fingers through his.
I’m a -hard- bargain Hide.
“Ah, I would imagine so, Hajime.” I set down the bucket to turn to face him, meeting his smirk with a grin. “As I said… I -will- make it worth it for you.”
“Oh, yes. She’d probably go find her stick and try to mimic you,”
“Absolutely not.” Why there is such a firmness in my voice… But no I truly do believe that the children in this era, there is something else for them. And for a girl to… It is simply -unacceptable- even if she is not mine.
“As I said… I -will- make it worth it for you.”
I look at our hands laced and I realized that I’ve made a mistake and let her go -immediately-. To think that I’m being my lecherous self even to an old friend… If her husband were to see us at this moment, it would be unfortunate for them and for her child. Taking the bucket I move away from her and started watering the plants hastily. I had thought that my attraction for her has waned in time but I realize it hasn’t. Maybe it is because I -am- lonely… And perhaps she is as well…
But I already learned that from Saya, and to repeat the same mistake again is unacceptable. To build something on a weakness guarantees nothing else but failure. I keep my eyes on the flowers of her garden, but damn it! My eyes refused to settle and I look at her from the corner of my eye.
“Is this enough?” I ask
Absolutely not
I remember a conversation we had about Makoto and what he wanted for her.
He lets go of my hand rather quickly… I am being forward but this reminds me of a time when he drew -me- out with this teasing and flirting… He waters the plants rather quickly.
Is this enough?
Moving closer I nod. “Ah, yes, you did -quite- well.” I look over at him. I tilt my head up, and my hand goes to cover his that holds the bucket. “And I don’t forget my promises,” I say in a low voice, looking to meet his eyes.
A bead of sweat runs down my forehead. She’s holding me -again- and I swallow hard.
“And I don’t forget my promises,”
“Ah you don’t?”
Bah! Think Saitou! Think of something smart to say… I grin slowly and put the bucket down, taking her hand again so I can drag her back to the kitchen where it is safer for the -both- of us.
“Yes… When you and Saya get back.” I look back at her for a moment and then walked again, “I want that soba you’ve been boasting to me about.”
(OOC: You may close the thread)
He doesn’t go for… but he doesn’t let go of my hand either as he leads me back to the house.
I want that soba you’ve been boasting to me about
I smile back at him. “Ah, yes, if that is what you wish… I would like to do that for you.” Going back inside I clean up from breakfast before getting ready to leave with Saya.
(OOC – end thread)