Five rooms, three on the second floor and two at the back and an outhouse. This house always seemed crowded to me when both Katsu and Hiroaki both lived here but now… It is empty like father’s room and Katsu’s. It seems no one’s bothered to live on the second floor but it was -clean-. Too clean… I close the shoji door behind me and enter the room that used to be mine, the one Hiroaki would always let the boys stay in.
Going by a window, I open it and light a cigarette, looking outside over the rooftops. My eyes glide upon the clouds hanging low above. I always did like the view here, away from the street, quiet and with a good view of the sky.
“Tou-san! Why do I have to give him my room?”
“Hiro, you are a young man now. Your brother is afraid to stay downstairs by himself.”
“But this is -my- room.”
“The room downstairs is bigger. You’ll like it.”
“But I don’t like it down there. No one’s down there at night!”
*laughter* “Are you telling me that you’re afraid too?”
“I am not!” *sound of a stomping foot*
“I see. You are a brave young man. Look here. I’ll give you the lamp in our room. It’s the brightest one in the house.”
I smirk a little recalling the little fight my brother had with otou-san that day. The truth was I merely liked this room for the view. I was never afraid of the dark like he was but that’s all I had to say to father. I got what I wanted as -usual- and he at least overcame his fear for dark places. Shaking my head, I decide to go downstairs and inspect more.
(downstairs at the back)
Coming out of Yukiko’s room, I found nothing amiss. Only one more room opposite hers is Hiroaki’s. No one stays there anymore since he moved upstairs again to the master bedroom. So of course I expected it to be empty like the one upstairs. Entering it, nothing seemed to be amiss. The small reading table was still there by the small window, on top of it was a small lamp. Curious I go up to it and the smell of kerosene was still -strong-. It was probably used last night. I frown and go open the closet after which I can’t help but frown. A couple of hakama, a few shirts, a yukata and a plain looking kimono was hanging in plain sight. These clothes were much too small and short for being Hiroaki’s. I spy some sandals. Turning a geta sandal over, I see there’s dirt on the heel which confirms my suspicion. Leaving the room, I head straight towards the back. There is no other place left where he can be hiding.
No Time for Tea
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I see him sitting by the well close to the outhouse. He seems to be thinking of something as he didn’t notice me open the door from the kitchen and go behind his back. I tower above him not saying anything but I do stare at the back of his head. His family had always been supportive of ours, my father worked for Suzuki-san in his early days before he started traveling to teach at the various Aizu sponsored dojo in Edo. His older brother, Juunosuke was bestfriends with Hiroaki and from what I remember he used to tag along with the two of them, always the whiney little runt. Always complaining he was being left behind… I heard from my brother that he was in the stock business with this man, after his older brother left for Holland and could no longer advise Hiroaki on his investments. He was -decent- according to my brother. There is no question, he is a good family friend of ours so why -this-?
I light a cigarette and ask, “So how long have you been staying here?”
“Yamaguchi-san! You startled me.”
“Just answer my question.”
“There’s nothing weird going on h ere. We did not do anything wrong.”
“Tch… You do know the first thing a guilty party says is he’s not guilty even when not asked?”
“It’s not what you think.”
“Oh? So tell me what is it that I’m thinking?”
“Look. It’s been almost a year since Hiroaki died. The girl was all alone…”
“And you wanted to be her company?”
“It’s dangerous for a girl like that to be alone in this day and age. She’s only 17.”
“She has other relatives in Hyoga, why didn’t you just help her go there? Surely you know that Katsu’s family is still there.”
“She didn’t want to leave this house. It meant a lot to her father.”
“It’s not about what she wants. It’s about what will be good for her.”
“She only has her inheritance. No viable source of income. It’s dangerous for her to live alone.”
“And so you think that gives you an excuse to live with a 17 year old who doesn’t know what’s good for her? Need I remind you that you are more than twice her age? I could say you are taking advantage of this girl and arrest you right here.”
“No crime committed here.”
“You really expect me to believe a man your age did not take advantage of an inexperienced girl?”
“She’s not a girl anymore…”
“Oh a young woman then?” I smirk, “You would know that why?”
“Again… There was no crime committed here. I would not take advantage of Hiroaki’s daughter. You know that Hiroaki is a good friend of mine.”
“I see… So you dishonoring my niece, is a favor to my brother?” I flick the cigarette to the ground, “I want you out of here by the time I come back this afternoon.”
“Look, I was waiting for you to come back. I knew you would since Hiroaki told me that you two were talking again while you were in central Tokyo.”
“That’s not important.”
“It is.” Looks down. “It is because I want to marry Yukiko.”
“Tch…” narrows eyes, “Don’t make me repeat myself. Get -out-!”
I watch him leave. It is good he didn’t insist on going on with that ludicrous -excuse- of actually wanting to marry my niece. What better excuse was there after all? Only an idiot would believe such a thing.
No wonder, I’ve been ill at ease lately. As if Hiroaki was turning in his grave begging me to come here.