“Don’t eat so fast… he won’t leave without you,” Okaasan smiles at me. I nod, my mouth full of rice and a -little- of the pickle.
its-not-so-bad
I have one more gulp of milk and hop up. “I have to go!” I run over to her and hug her, -tight-. “Happy Birthday, Okaasan.”
She brushes my hair back. “This might just be the best one I’ve ever had.”
I nod. “We’ll work -hard-.”
“Now don’t work -too- hard,” she laughs. “Just having the two of you and maybe some tea…”
“I like having Yamaguchi-san over this morning. Did you know his birthday is New Years?”
She smiles. “Yes… it’s a very important day.”
I tilt my head some, watching her. “You kissed him because you like him?”
She blinks, twice, and laughs. “So that’s…” she mutters, and then grins, “hai… -very- much.”
“I kissed him because I like him too. Was that alright?” I still feel shy about that…
She kisses my cheek. “Yes. Kiss the people you love… it’s just another way to let them know, that’s how I tell the two of you besides just saying it.”
Oh… then I tell her, “he called me hime-sama again… is he better?” Okaasan said he was sick and didn’t remember things, but I think he is.
“Mmm… I think so, don’t you?” I nod. “And you are his hime-sama… it’s a name for someone precious.” She smiles even more, touching my face, it tickles a little, and says quietly, “you are so special to both of us.”
I giggle. Okaasan is being -silly-, but I feel happy… Then I remember – “Oh! He’s waiting! And you can make shrimp tempura, it’s not -that- sweet!”
“Be good today!” I hear her call out after me. Of course I will!
I go upstairs, finding a little bag under the bookshelf. Six… I run to put on my zori, and go outside to look for my uncle. “I’m ready!” I tell him.
June 30th
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“Slow down, it’s still early.”
She seems eager, that’s a good thing. Opening the gates I beckon her to go first.
“So tell me… If I were to get your mother a present…” I watch my daughter as she skips in front, “what would that be?”
I grin… To ask from a child… I should know what to get, but I’m rather clueless at these matters. Ah well no one ever said I can’t cheat a little.
I skip ahead down the hill, it’s a very nice morning, but stop when he tells me to slow down, waiting. I can’t help but hop a little.
So tell me… If I were to get your mother a present… what would that be?
“Oh she likes…” I look up, biting my lip. “Flowers but she already has a lot of those.”
I tug on his hand and pull the little bag from my obi. “I have six…” I hold up the bag, making the coins jangle. “Me and Isuzu-chan helped her father at his store some, and he -paid- us.”
“We should get her something…” I think, “pretty. Do you think we can get her a kimono? Not dark or boring though.” I frown, and hand him my bag. “Is this enough?”
(OOC – consider it a small amount, like $10USD)
“Ah she still love kimonos? Your mother is so easy to please Makoto.”
A grin escapes me as I take the bag counting the -change-. A kimono, the most generic gift a woman can receive, aside from flowers that is. I gave them away to women before without them batting an -eyelash- about it. But the following morning, when I forgot her birthday I went out and rushed to get something “passable” during lunchbreak… And what do I get? A twirling little princess, eager to please I might add… Giving the bag back to Makoto, I propose…
“Not enough I’m afraid but let’s make it a collaborative effort. I’ll add to this if that’s okay with you.” I chuckle and shake my head. Ah yes, those were the days.
Ah she still love kimonos? Your mother is so easy to please Makoto.
“Yes, but it must be -just- right, she wears more pretty colors now.” I try to keep up with him, since he walks a lot faster than Okaasan. “She always has loved them?” I ask.
Not enough I’m afraid but let’s make it a collaborative effort. I’ll add to this if that’s okay with you.
I smile up at him, and nod. Then I can get Okaasan something nice. “Last year all I gave her was tea, but I didn’t have my own money then.” I look proud, because we worked hard for that money.
Then I remember breakfast. “Yamaguchi-san, did you see I was right? She likes you.” I hop along on one foot, arms out, trying to miss the lumpy parts of the road.
“She always has loved them?”
“Ah yes. When she was still staying at Tokyo…” Glancing to the side, I consider how much to tell. “You’re and I lived close to each other once, so I know some of the things she likes.”
“Last year all I gave her was tea, but I didn’t have my own money then.”
“Money can get you many things… Pretty dresses, “English” books and the like…” I stop, “but even then it can’t give you happiness nor dignity. Although life would certainly be much easier with it.”
I chuckle for a moment. How was it that I thought having -some- money would’ve solved all my problems with Tokio and my boys. I realize, it’s not at all that. Looking up, I stretch my arms then take Makoto’s hand.
“Yamaguchi-san, did you see I was right? She likes you.”
“And what would you like me to do about that?” I ask as we walk further down. I should stop by the confectionary store to get something sweet for tea. Then after that perhaps we should go to the Mochizuki’s once we’re done finding the right kimono.
I stop hopping when he takes my hand, and walk normally.
And what would you like me to do about that?
I stop walking. I wish…
I look up at him, and hold his hand tighter. “Okaasan said… that I was precious to you. And that I was special to both of you.” It seemed kind of silly but it made me happy…
I tilt my head up to look up, up, he’s so tall. “I think we should all stay together. You and me and Okaasan.” Then look down, blinking.
Make a wish… the woman said. I couldn’t see her, just a sky full of stars, but her voice was kind. I wish… I said. It had always been for my father. But when I thought of him, what I thought he was like, I only think now of Yamaguchi-san. I make my wish… she tells me it’s a -very- good one…
And then I woke up, with Yamaguchi-san beside me, calling me his hime-sama again. “I could be your little girl.” I take a step forward, burying my face in his side.
It does not escape me that her grip is very tight. I’m quite surprised by her request to stay together but she looks down and I wonder what is running through my little girl’s head.
“I could be your little girl.”
Her voice is low and awkward for some reason. Embarassment? Sadness? I can’t quite place it, but the moment my little girl hid from me I realized what it was.
“Don’t hide Makoto.” I move and urge her to face me as I kneel down. I’m tempted to just tell her, how this was not necessary. After all, I am her father but I cower at the thought. If this is what happens when she doesn’t know the truth… I wonder how it would be like if she did find out?
“You are my little girl.” I plant a wide grin on my face, “And I don’t have a princess in my life either aside from you. I am a lucky man Makoto to have had you…”
Ah… I couldn’t settle for a lie only obscurity. Quickly I pick her up and settle her on my shoulders.
“There’s this old folksong that I used to sing in my head for a friend named Susumu… then later on about your mother…” I start to hum a low tune and sway her on my shoulders slightly…
Butterfly of the fields that flew here and there
In the middle of the road it would flap its tiny wings!
Her obi is ten feet long, her sleeves is a feet too short
And that kimono so pretty as it touches the floor.
She even has an cute parasol – Oi!
A pretty haircomb too – Oi!
Only her best posture will she display – Oi!
Don’t put her in front of a mirror
OR she’ll sway from side to side…
Sort – of – like – this! Oi!
Spreading my daughters arms, we dance from side to side on the empty road. Will someone see us? Hopefully not, but right now, I don’t really give a -damn-.
OOC: leave comment instead of “reply”… And yes the song is a doctored song from an old folksong (tagalog) that I tripped to make Japanese-like… Although I’m sure I botched it! LOL!
Don’t hide Makoto
I look back at him as he kneels. I was afraid I was going to cry… I don’t want him to think I’m -sad-. Just… I was scared he would say no, that I was someone else’s little girl.
You are my little girl
Then I feel all… floaty. Happy! I smile, just smile. “Good. I want to be. That was the wish I made… I want you to be my father, not just him to be like you.” I told him that once… but the wish I made in my dream was for Yamaguchi-san.
And I don’t have a princess in my life either aside from you. I am a lucky man Makoto to have had you…
I nod, and just hug him tight, and I kiss him again. “And then I’m just yours and Okaasan’s little girl.” It’s like I like thinking it’s the three of us…
I like it when he lifts me up. “This is dancing… Okaasan said you took her dancing, too.” I giggle, “I like it too.” Then I think about what he said. “Susumu is a boy’s name, why was he in a lady’s kimono?” I look at him, puzzled.
(OOC – good song!)
“And then I’m just yours and Okaasan’s little girl.”
“That would be correct.” I chuckle and end the dance but I do continue to walk with her on my good shoulder.
“This is dancing… Okaasan said you took her dancing, too.” I giggle, “I like it too.”
I smirk. If she likes to dance perhaps it is better to nudge her in that direction instead of… Ah yes, the stick. I’ve had enough of that. Someday I’ll teach her juijitsu and perhaps enough in the ways of the sword but first and foremost… I want my child to experience the joys of being a girl. Calligraphy, Ikebana, Tea Ceremonies, dancing and so many other things…
“We can go dancing… There are places with great halls that I’ve seen while outside of the country.” Making a turn I continue, “But you’ll have to learn how to dance from your mother…”
I was about to tell her of the Roumeikan in Tokyo when I remembered, I have promised to take her to a zoo near Ueno. I place her down and walk, if we leave for Hokkaido and once I start a job there, I won’t have time to bring her anywhere… Much less, Tokyo. I wanted to take her to -that- place, just like her mother and to visit Hiroaki. I walk in silence, it has been a while since I visited him, he would be so proud of her, he always did love Children. I wonder how Yukiko is doing? My eyes narrow. So much unfinished business…
“Susumu is a boy’s name, why was he in a lady’s kimono?”
My thoughts are broken when I hear my child. “Susumu is… like a brother to me.” I answer… Like Okita and the others… But they are gone, Susumu disappeared without warning… Okita died…
“We were in the Shin…” I clamp my mouth shut. A child would not understand and it is better if she does not know my past… Like my son who abhors it, that and my work… I shake my head slightly and smile as I spot Saya looking at us. What was it again that I needed? Ah yes… Something sweet.
“Go to your Aunt and ask her what sweets go well with tea.” I instruct Makoto after we cross the road. Leaning by the door I wait and finish the cigarette.
But you’ll have to learn how to dance from your mother…
I nod, reaching for his hand after he puts me down. “You’ll have to do the spinning parts, though. She says I’m too big to pick up anymore.”
Susumu is… like a brother to me. We were in the Shin…
I stop, and look up at him. “Okaasan told me about the Shinsengumi at her house. That’s when she dressed as a boy.” I blink, confused. Susumu was a boy that dressed like a girl and Okaasan dressed like a boy? “You should tell me about them too.” It’s not been so long that Okaasan has told me stories about herself. Just this summer. Too bad I always fall asleep before she’s done…
Go to your Aunt and ask her what sweets go well with tea
“Hai!” We are on a -mission- today, of course. I see Asuka-san at the sweets shop. “Hello!” I remember -not- to run. I’ve missed her – we had a lot of fun when she stayed with me while Okaasan and Yamaguchi-san were gone to Kyoto.
“We need sweets for tea,” I ask her, “what should we get? It’s Okaasan’s birthday.” I look over at the case of sweets. They -all- look good.
I just finished serving one of our daily customers when I see Makoto-chan walk up to the door. Motioning her to come in, I smile. She seems very happy today.
“We need sweets for tea,” I ask her, “what should we get? It’s Okaasan’s birthday.”
So that’s why…
“Planning for a party Makoto-chan?” I look over some of the sweets we have, it’s too bad that we’re out of chocolate truffles. Makoto would love that… But perhaps not the older guests… Looking through the boxes, I think I found just the right one.
“Will your mother like something more traditional and less sweet?” I know Hajime likes things that are not too sweet but it doesn’t follow that Yagi-san would like it either. Perhaps, she is more of a “cake” person… I wait for an answer… My… Something is different about Makoto-chan today, it is almost as if she was glowing but that’s probably just me.
Planning for a party Makoto-chan?
I nod. “Can you come too, it’s this afternoon?” I smile up at her, looking away from the case at the counter.
I look back out the window, why is he still standing outside? I wave at Yamaguchi-san.
Will your mother like something more traditional and less sweet?
I think for a minute… “Yes!” She likes a lot of fruits and when she buys sweets, she has one piece and gives the rest to Isuzu-chan and me. But I keep looking at everything under the counter. “Do you have the truffles?” I like the ones she brought over when she looked after me.
Makoto looks over her shoulder and I see Hajime smoking his cigarette. Lately he’s been avoiding me of course and I do know that he’s left me to Kyo. This is not his type of work and I know it, plus Kyo already told me that Hajime received word from the main office. I think I have an idea of what that means. Why he won’t tell me, well that’s so typical of him. He’s probably having second thoughts on what he should do. I’m probably being a bother at this point especially now that he’s been spending a lot of time at the Yagis. I wonder if I am a bad person hoping for…
Sounds of containers being opened takes my gaze from Hajime to Makoto. This little girl is his and I should remember that. I saw that curiousity and stubborness after all while they were in Kyoto and she was left under my care. Such beautiful hair… Straight and raven black…
“Makoto-chan… I don’t have truffles but you can have this.”
I hand her the taiyaki. Children loves that. Then I bring out something for her mother. It needs to be something good, despite of my feelings towards her right now. I should not be petty, after all it is not her fault that… It’s his for being himself, a stupid idiot.
“Take this to your mother. Tell her Happy Birthday but I have to work overtime today.” I hand her a two packages, one tokoroten and Azuki Shiratama, both less sweet and can be adjusted for taste.
Smiling one last time as I hand it to her, I turn my back. It doesn’t matter if Hajime sees me, after all he won’t even come in. Ever since, I refused that one time to visit the Yagi’s, he’s avoided me like the plague. Maa… Men are idiots.
Oh, taiyaki! I shove about half of it in my mouth and nod happily. “Thank you!”
Take this to your mother. Tell her Happy Birthday but I have to work overtime today.
I put up the rest of the taiyaki in its wrapper. “Oh…” I frown. I’ve not seen her a lot lately. “You’ll come see me some other time though?” She doesn’t seem happy, but I wouldn’t want to miss a party either.
I look out the window and my uncle is still outside. He needs to come in and pay for the sweets, because my money is for Okaasan’s present. “I’m going to get Yamaguchi-san, wait!” I tell her, putting the packages down and running to the door. I wave outside, trying to get his attention. “Yamaguchi-san, come here!”
I hop out of the carriage at the small sweets shop and a little girl runs in front of me at the door.
“I’m sorry, young lady. I didn’t see you coming out.” She barely looks up at me and nods, but her attention is focused across the street and waving at someone. I smile, probably a child wanting to ask her parents for candy. And such unusual short hair…
I look inside the shop to see a young woman busy behind the counter, and see that short hair on women wasn’t uncommon here. “Excuse me, could you help me?” I take a deep breath, it smells wonderful in here… I’ve always been fond of sweets.
“Excuse me, could you help me?”
I was just about to open the door towards the back when a man probably not even in his thirties came in. He has glasses and seems to be a rather serious person. He takes a deep breath as if, well perhaps he’s not so serious after all. Returning to the counter, I ask…
“Can I help you?”
“Yamaguchi-san, come here!”
“Ay…” I shake my head and make my way across the street. As I draw near, I take a second look. That young man who went into the store looked like Yuunosuke. No… That can’t be. I must be seeing things.
“Let’s go Makoto.” I tell her and take the packages. “We need to buy your mother a present, then stop by the Mochizukis.”
I probably should go inside and tell Saya to come. I doubt she would. I wonder if…
“Did you ask your Aunt Saya to come this afternoon?” Not that she would. She’s been difficult lately.
Did you ask your Aunt Saya to come this afternoon?
I nod. “Yes, but she said that she’s having to work overtime,” I sigh. It would be really crowded in my base with everyone but it would be fun.
“Let’s go Makoto. We need to buy your mother a present, then stop by the Mochizukis.
I take a step towards him, then stop. “Oh! But we didn’t pay Asuka-san!” I glance back at the shop. When I stayed with her she would bring sweets home but she said the that it was alright.
I push my glasses back up and smile. “Hai… I’m in town to visit my sister and her daughter. What would you reccomend? I’m afraid I have no idea what my niece would like,” I sigh.
“Is there a local speciality? I’ve never been to Ito.” The sea air is refreshing…
“Oh! But we didn’t pay Asuka-san!”
“I’ll take care of that later.” After this day is over, I think I’ll have to speak to her. I doubt Saya would ask Makoto for payment.
“So should where can we find a hair comb…” I smirk at that. Maybe she’ll give me that haircomb in the end, just like… I take Saya’s hand and motion for her to walk down the street.
“Oh… I’m not here from Ito so I really wouldn’t know…” I take out a small box that was cooled earlier. “But I’ve seen the others are quite fond of these nata… These are peach flavored one.”
I push the box to him.
“You can have a free taste if you like.”
Haircomb… I look at the street ahead of us, thinking of where Okaasan goes…
“Oh! Here!” It’s a little shop inbetween bigger kimono shops. Okaasan -looks- at the windows of this shop a lot but never buys anything, and I have to wait and wait and sigh…
I take him by the hand and lead him inside. He’s not so slow! There’s some combs out on the counter, “not something -old-,” I tell him. I step up on my tip-toes to try to look into the glass.
I take a bit of the nata and nod. “It’s good, not too sweet.”
Not from Ito? I listen to her words carefully. “Kyoto?” The accent of Kyoto is more subtle than those from Osaka but one can tell… “I’m from there myself, on the way back from Tokyo.”
Hmmm… I don’t really know this guy and… I shouldn’t have said anything and just got him to buy something. But he seems harmless enough.
“Yes I’m from Kyoto. Will you be buying some of this?” Oh that didn’t come out right. A bit too rude. I sigh. I wanted Hajime-han to come in here after all. Must -distract- myself! I take the peach nata and start eating it.
“So… Are you going to pay? You already tasted it! And Kyoto is far away, not to mention out of the way from Capital.”
I chew and chew and chew… For some reason, this makes me feel better.
Hmmm… My daughter doesn’t seem to know which one to get. I lift her up so she can take a look. One particular haircomb caught my eye. A lacquer one and from the looks of it, tailored from Aizu. An almost imperceptible grin graces my lips and I’m tempted to tell Makoto to get that one. However, I decide against it because Hide deserves something just for her. Not something that will remind me of someone else.
“Look Makoto!” I point with my left towards Kushi haircomb set decorated flowers and hints of the color teal. “Should we get that one? Will your mother like it?”
He holds me up and I look in the case. “That one…” I look at it, it’s pretty -but-… I look in the case. Lots of bright colors but that’s not -right-… but not plain either.
“I like this one better,” I point at a black one with little flowers and leaves on it, it’s It’s like her pretty music box.” I turn my head around. “Which I -have not- been playing with.” After all I promised! I don’t really look at the strange things she keeps in there, but I like to hear it play and try to figure out -why-.
She’s a little short with me… I grin slightly, realizing my mistake, “ah, I’m sorry… I was forward. My sister-in-law is right, I spend too much time with books that I forget how to talk to people.”
Pay… yes… I pat down my pockets, looking for my wallet. Pulling out a small English book of poetry I had been reading on the train, I find it -finally-. “Not too far, just a day on the train… I was going to talk about a job offer.” With that I smile, I’m still so pleased by how it all turned out as I count out the bills to pay.
The young woman starts eating the nata and looks somewhat… distracted, her eyes glancing towards the window. A woman as lively her, if not married, I would imagine would have a suitor. Maybe she’s waiting for him.
“ah, I’m sorry… I was forward. My sister-in-law is right, I spend too much time with books that I forget how to talk to people.”
He pulls out a book and I think it’s in English. True my english is poor but I have been trying to learn it the past year. I wave my hand around.
“Gomen gomen! Sorry about that. I’m just a bit annoyed at someone.” I laugh a bit… I wonder if he knows he’s paying for ummm the nata which I ate mostly by myself. “Forget about paying but do come back here again. It’s not everyday I meet someone who has an interest in English poetry.”
Well that was a guess, I barely made out the words poem. “And goodluck with your job offer.” I’d ask what it is but that’s not polite. I’m glad though someone is distracting me from that baka baka Hajime.
“Hmmm…” I frown and shake my head. “Not that one even if it goes well with the music box. I want something special for your mother and that’s too common place.”
I wait for her to pick out something else. There’s absolutely no way we’re buying that hair comb and how would I explain it to Hide. I do not want to lie, especially on her special day.
Special… special… A woman who works in the shop comes to the case, and brings out a small box. “We just got these boxwood combs in from Osaka, you might want to consider these as well if you do not care for laquerwork?” She bows and walks away to someone else asking her something.
I point at one with bright flowers. “Oh, she doesn’t have anything like that and it’s pretty!”
Annoyed at someone? I hope nobody is giving her trouble… “Thanks for the luck but I already have what I wanted. I’m a teacher, but they’re starting a university in Kyoto, and I just accepted an offer to teach there. Right now I’m at a boy’s school.”
She knows the book. “You know English?” I’m pleased… so rare to find a woman who knows such things… or will -admit- to it. “These are by an English poet, Lord Byron.” From memory I recite,
She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that’s best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes…
I stop, and chuckle. I slide the book across the counter to her, feeling slightly embarrassed. “Ah… then this will be my gift to you this day, as battered as it is from being in my pocket they’re still fine poems.”
I put Makoto down and take the small box from the elderly woman. Inspecting the comb, I give the woman a suspicious look. They -do- look pretty with the sakura but she must not make Makoto and I pay a small fortune to it.
“How much is this?” I frown and look straight at her.
“It depends… Who will you give it to?” She folding her hands but with a smile on her face. I subdue a sigh.
“What’s it to you?” I continue with a slight snarl.
“Well I’ll be…” She comes up and starts wagging her little crumbled finger in front of my face. “You sir! Need to learn some manners!”
A bead of sweat started to fall down the side of my cheek. Why is it that I always have a problem haggling prices?
“You know English?”
“Not well enough to leave this place yet and travel.” I tell him the truth. There’s no denying now what I want to do, after all I’m almost done with my mission once we get to Tokyo. And there’s nothing for me here in Japan, well there’s the Keishikan but I’m young and want to see the world so I can decide whether to come back or not.
He recites a poem. I understand a few lines here and there. Something describing a woman, he’s probably recited this to many others. I smile at that.
“Lord Byron, I think I’ve read about him once. Yes I think he also did the poem ‘I Would I Were a Careless Child'”.
I take the book. The binding is not as tight as it should be, obviously he carries this around with him everywhere. Oh well. Just another to add to my “collection” of almost “readables”.
“Thank you.” I hand him some Sembei, “Careful you don’t eat the bitter or salty ones but the sweet ones should be easy to pick out.”
Yamaguchi-san and the lady are being funny about prices. This is like like at the onsen when the vegetable man haggles with Aiko-san…
I pull the little bag out from my obi with my money in it. This will be boring if they go on with this too long, and waiting in shops where I’m not supposed to touch things gets old. I put the bag on the counter, and look up at the woman, who’s being -rude- to my uncle. He doesn’t need to learn manners! I frown.
“It’s for my mother, it’s her birthday,” I push it across to her. “And this should be enough.” It’s just a little comb, it can’t cost a -lot- of money like a big thing like a kimono would.
Not well enough to leave this place yet and travel
“Travel… that’s a wonderful idea.” And this job I still will have that chance, but still have a place in Kyoto. “I’m looking forward to seeing America and England myself. Study though… and you never know.” I certainly as a boy would never have imagined this.
I know the poem of which she speaks, and nod. “It’s in that book, page 47.” I know that book well, but I don’t mind giving it up, though, to somoene who will love it.
I cough, “maybe, we could meet sometime? You could bring some of that peach nata to share and I could read? That would help your English…”
Then I laugh, nervously, and fiddle with my glasses which have slid down -again-… if she thought I was forward before she must now. It’s just nice to meet a woman for once that doesn’t hide that she’s bright behind giggles and modesty. “I’m sorry, I don’t even know your name, I’ve been very rude.” I bow slightly. “I’m Yagi Yuunosuke.”
“maybe, we could meet sometime? You could bring some of that peach nata to share and I could read? That would help your English…”
“Ah… eh…” What would Hajime and Kyo say to this? Well hmph! Kyo is a weirdo and Hajime leaves me alone -all- the time so… “Well yes! I’d loved that!” Oops… I think that came out a little -too- ecstatic. I’ll deal with the two bakas later… That is if they ever find out. Oh secrets… This is going to be fun.
“I’m sorry, I don’t even know your name, I’ve been very rude.” “I’m Yagi Yuunosuke.”
Yagi Yuunosuke? Eh? Sticking out my hand, I opt for a handshake. If perhaps I didn’t know he was a bit more open-minded, well at least by his interest I wouldn’t dare to do so.
“Asuka Saya. Nice to meet you. You wouldn’t happen to be related to Yagi Hide would you?” This would of course be my luck… This nice young man related to… Oh why am I being such a…
Smile Saya! This has nothing to do with it!
Before the woman could inquire any further, I took the comb from her and a box that was lying on the counter. I can almost see her swelling up with curiosity and I’ll be damned if she’ll inquire further. Like if she’s my wife. If this is my child… And so forth. That would be uncomfortable especially with Makoto right here.
“That should be enough indeed.” I tell the old woman, “Good day madame.”
I turn on my heel and grab Makoto so we can get out of here. After we turn the corner, I put Makoto down and look towards my back. Good she didn’t follow…
“How much was in that pouch?” I ask.
“Mean old woman,” I mutter, but old ladies can be like that, like when they ask where my father is. Just -nosey-. “But the comb is pretty.” I pat his shirt pocket where he put the comb. We just won’t need to tell Okaasan the story about how we got the comb. She’ll be happy just to get it.
How much was in that pouch?
“All the money I had saved from working at Mochizuki-san’s shop.” I count back in my head and sigh, it was a lot of money, but I think it’s worth it. “Ten of the silver coins with a ship on them, and my yellow pouch.” I drew a fish on the outside, it was nice.
(OOC – a small amount like $10USD)
She seems -enthusiastic- to see me again, and now I don’t feel foolish. “Would you have time tomorrow? Afternoon?” I wonder if there’s a nice place by the sea…
I shake the hand offered, I’ve never met a Japanese woman who was -comfortable- shaking. Her attitude is so refreshing…
Asuka Saya. Nice to meet you. You wouldn’t happen to be related to Yagi Hide would you?
“Asuka-san, I’m pleased to meet you. Yes… that’s the sister that I’m in town to see, and meet her daughter Makoto-chan. Do you know them?” Is it that small of a town that she would?
“Would you have time tomorrow? Afternoon?”
“I think so… When I get off work.” I’ll just have to find a way to get around Kyo.
“Asuka-san, I’m pleased to meet you. Yes… that’s the sister that I’m in town to see, and meet her daughter Makoto-chan. Do you know them?”
“Hai…” My voice drops a little. I hope he didn’t notice. “Actually you just missed the little girl but they’re not too far, just turn to your right when you meet the first intersection and go up the hill. It’s a small house with a low fence without any neighbors beside it…”
Oh what the hell am I telling him for? Of course he knows where they live. He’s her brother after all.
“Mean old woman,”
I raise my eyebrows at Makoto and pull out my wallet and some bills.
“You shouldn’t talk like that.” I tell her and hand her the money, “Some people are a nuisance but -you- shouldn’t let yourself be swayed by them.”
Counting the money I had left, I’m glad there’s enough for something else I want. As I flip through the bills, of course I chance upon her mother’s old picture. I take it out and hand it to Makoto as we walked towards the Mochizuki’s house.
“Beautiful woman isn’t she?” I say with a proud grin on my face.
“Ah, then I’ll come meet you here.”
Her voice takes on a lower tone when talk turns to my sister, but she suddenly launches into directions.
“That was Makoto?” I smile, how strange life is sometimes. “Thank you for the directions, I’ve never been there myself, and that’s how I could pass Makoto-chan without even noticing her.” It must seem strange…
“Thank you for the sweets.” I walk towards the doorway, “until tomorrow, then, Asuka-san…” I bow one last time, already wondering what I’ll read to her…
(OOC – Yuunosuke will exit unless stopped)
I put the money away, “now I have money for Tanabata! Last year there was thing where you caught goldish, and they had special ramen for the festival…” It smelled great. I wonder if I’ll go with the Mochizuki’s again this year?
You shouldn’t talk like that. Some people are a nuisance but -you- shouldn’t let yourself be swayed by them.
“I know,” I look up at him, “but sometimes they just make me mad.” Just like kids at school…
I look at the picture, she looks so -happy-. “Hai!” I grin back up at him. “I like it when she smiles like this.” She used not to as much as she has this summer.
“Hmmm… You get mad and you lose.” It’s quite a simplification but that’s how it is in kendo and real life. I chuckle a little, because Kami-sama knows unless I’m working a case most of the speech I’m throwing at Makoto right now, gets thrown out the window too.
She grins as she looks at the picture. I take it from her of course, there are some things I cannot part with.
“I like it when she smiles like this.”
I nod in agreement. The Mochizuki residence comes into view and I ready myself lighting a cigarette before knocking on the gates. The woman of this house knows my secret.
(OOC: Feel free to start a new thread with the Mochizukis. I’ll stop here.)