I awake much earlier than usual, the sun isn’t even up yet. Leaving the room, I go straight to the out house to get prepared. I just finished when I heard some noise coming from the kitchen and I wonder if Hide’s awake so early already. Wasn’t she tired? I grin slightly to myself and head back into the house.
“I hope you’ve fully recovered.” I say with a grin as I open the back door.
“Uncle?” Yukiko quickly turns around with a rather aghast look on her face.
With a chuckle I shake my head. Now what to do? Of course… “I noticed you stayed up very late last night. Waking up so early to prepare breakfast, well you must still be tired.”
“Ah I met with Kinosuke-san…” She pauses and returns to cooking. “I hope Makoto likes Tamago and Kinosuke brought over some fish earlier.”
So early? Him too? But why… I smoke and watch as she puts one on each plate.
“Uncle there’s something I’d like to talk to you about.”
“What is it?” I ask leaning by the door looking outside.
“Kinosuke-san told me you spoke to him.”
“That’s right. I want you to come back with us to Tokyo.” I don’t say anything about what I heard last night. To stay here one more week? I don’t know how I’d feel about that.
“I’ll go but only if I can leave next week. I have something to see to here.”
“There’s nothing that you need to do here. Kinosuke will take care of this house.”
She’s quiet and I don’t say anything.
“I really hoped you wouldn’t be so stubborn about this.”
“I see no reason why you need to stay.”
“Would it be so wrong to want to spend more time with…”
I turn and give her a look, “You’re pretty set on him aren’t you?”
She nods. “I don’t want to leave him alone this week.” I frown, she’s just like her father. The truth is there’s nothing I can do with her choice considering I don’t think it’s a bad one. However I still want to make sure, just like Hiroaki would that she’s making the -right- choice. And if I risk her “following”, if she doesn’t I won’t have time to come back here. Besides, I don’t want anymore damage done under my watch.
“If that’s your only problem, then he can come to Tokyo for a short while.” I look at her. It’s not that I don’t trust the Suzuki’s I’ve known them longer than anyone else in this house but I needed to be sure. “Hide and I will be leaving for Aizu and it will be good if you can watch Makoto, while there’s another man in the house. How does that sound?”
She just nods but I see her eyes brighten a little, obviously pleased. “I’ll expect you two no later than tomorrow morning.”
“Yes Uncle.” She starts setting the table, “Thank you.”
I flick the cigarette outside. In hindsight, I suppose this isn’t the perfect arrangement but it would fulfill two of my purposes. One not to become the antagonist gurdian that I drive my niece away… And second, to not leave Hide behind wondering what it is I am doing with my ex-wife.
(OOC: Hide can enter for Sunday breakfast or she can post a new thread Monday morning preparing for Futaba. If Monday morning Saitou has not asked her yet to go to Aizu with him.)
Jan 10 – Early Morning – Concession
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I come into the kitchen with Makoto from the bathhouse, having her now washed and dressed and slightly more awake – it -is- early but we have the trip back, and if we need to help Yukiko-san pack and close up the house… I did see Yukiko-san have a visitor and thought it would be good to give her some privacy…
Besides, I’m very -fond- of the old family bathhouse now. I try not to grin.
Coming back to the kitchen, I see Yukiko-san with breakfast, and Hajime. I’m beat to going to give him his good-morning kiss by our little girl, who scoots over to put her arms around her beloved father. “Good morning, Chichi.” She yawns but then smiles at him.
“Oh, tamago!” She perks up then. “This looks wonderful, Yukiko-san,” I tell her with a smile, wishing her good morning, and then finally getting to get over to Hajime to steal a quick kiss. “I am doing well this morning,” I tell him, because he always asks, and now with more urgency.
I go to the stove and prepare Hajime’s coffee from the packet I brought with me, and sit at the table as Yukiko-san serves breakfast.
Sipping my tea and eating some of the egg dish.
“Chichi, is the nice horse coming back today?” asks Makoto.
Saitou:
?EURoeGood morning, Chichi.?EUR?
At once I get my kiss and I can’t help but smile back at her. “Good morning sleepy head.”
I watch as she inspects breakfast and say the obvious. “You’ll eat your fish too of course and here’s some pickles.” I grin and place some of mine on her plate. “It goes well with the fish.” I tell her.
?EURoeI am doing well this morning,?EUR?
Looking back at Hide, I don’t say anything but I do give her a nod. I am very glad to hear that. She’s probably not far along enough yet to have morning sickness.
?EURoeChichi, is the nice horse coming back today??EUR?
Taking a bite of the fish and vegetables, I felt my brow furrow at the question. “We’ll be taking the train back this time.” I probably should hurry up and finish breakfast to find someone to take us to the train station. From this house it’s walkable but it isn’t the kind of walk anyone would like to take. I start to hurry up and finish the fish. Quickly I gobble up the eggs too.
Hide brings the coffee over and I take a sip. I should get going if we’re to catch the earliest train out of here.
Yukiko:
I didn’t notice that Yagi-san was already awake. Although I am a little tired, I am glad to at least see to breakfast after having been a rather bad hostess yesterday. I hope she does not think too badly of me.
“Good morning Yagi-san.” I also nod at the little girl and smile as she clearly likes tamago, “You too Makoto-chan.”
To be honest, I’m quite surprised at how affectionate Yagi-san is and her daughter to Uncle. He seems to be reciprocating back. I try not to stare. That’s not the norm for him unless he’s with his youngest son. Come to think of it Tsuyoshi was just as affectionate. Perhaps that’s why.
I pour some tea for everyone just in case. I’ve always wanted to make tea correctly but I know the kind I make is always too thin. I hope they don’t mind.
Makoto:
Chichi gives me pickles. I eat them but I don’t like them, but he’s very stubborn. The tamago is very good, a lot sweeter than how Okaasan makes it!
I eat ALL my tamago. And most of the fish, and some of the pickles.
“The train?” I think. “That’s an adventure too! I’ve only ridden the train once.” Horses are nice but oh it’s so fast in a train, and it’s fun to look around!
“We can come back? When it’s not cold, so we can play in the river?” I would like to visit turtle-san again.
Hide:
Hajime eats quickly. I look over to Yukiko-san. “Do you need help packing?” I sip the tea. We will have to work on it, but it’s a good tea she uses, which helps. She has good taste, she just needs some practice. “Please let me know if I can help with that, or around the house.” It will be nice to have her there, it was strange to think of Makoto going back to school and leaving me all day.
I notice her eyes on us as we lavish attention on her uncle. Is that unusual?
I watch as my daughter eats and leaves food on her plate. I do get the feeling that had I not watched she wouldn’t finish most of her breakfast but she ate enough and that good. She talks about our train ride from Ito. I’m surprised she remembers it so well.
?EURoeWe can come back? When it?EUR(TM)s not cold, so we can play in the river??EUR?
“Perhaps when school is out for the summer.”
Catching her question for Yukiko, I interject. “She’ll be following us tomorrow with Kinosuke.” I say off handedly. Standing up I light a cigarette. “I’ve asked them to look after Makoto when we go to Aizu later this week.” A few days delay won’t hurt I think. I steal a glance at Makoto, I didn’t want to leave her the next day without her mother. Hopefully a week will be enough for Makoto to adjust, although I doubt it. I puff a little and turn to Hide, “You don’t mind do you?”
Yukiko is being quiet but I can see she’s listening very intently, obviously worried that Hide would say no.
Makoto
“This time will be better since it’s during the day,” I tell him. He says we can come back for summer. “That would be fun, Chichi! We can take the horse again then?”
Then I’m confused – is Yukiko-san coming with us? And who is “Kinosuke?”
Look after me? Where is Okaasan and Chichi going?
I don’t know if Yukiko-san will be as fun as Saya-san, but she is really nice.
—
(Hide)
Hajime fills me in on plans for Yukiko-san…. Kinosuke is coming?
And we – WE – are going to Aizu? I’m quiet for a moment, taking this all in.
“I would like that. I wanted to go to Aizu… but only if we could leave Makoto-chan in good hands.” I smile at Yukiko-san. Hajime wouldn’t have it otherwise. “I won’t mind at all.” It’s also better that Aizu has been pushed back to later in the week – that will give us time to get everyone settled in.
Yukiko-san is quiet, so I smile over at her. “You will like our house, it is little but it’s a lovely place. And I will be very glad to have you.” I think. “When we return, I’ll teach you everything I know of cooking.”
Yukiko:
?EURoeI won?EUR(TM)t mind at all.?EUR?
I breathe a sigh of relief. I really thought she’d say no after what happened yesterday. I smile over at Makoto-chan and mutter under my breath, “Isn’t that nice Makoto-chan? Kinosuke-san and I will be staying with you for a week.” The little girl looks apprehensive as she turns to look first at her mother and then Uncle.
?EURoeYou will like our house, it is little but it?EUR(TM)s a lovely place. And I will be very glad to have you.?EUR? I think. ?EURoeWhen we return, I?EUR(TM)ll teach you everything I know of cooking.?EUR?
“Thank you. I’ve not been to Tokyo a lot, much less stay at length there but Kinosuke-san knows the place well.” Ah…Am I talking too much about Kinosuke? The offer to learn more about cooking before they leave for Aizu is enticing, maybe… just maybe I can cook better and not have Kinosuke lie to me about my cooking. Simple BUT GOOD, he says. I doubt it.
Uncle comes over to Yagi-san, thanks her and then -kisses- her! I blink a few times. That is first…
“Well Yukiko. You heard your aunt.” He grins widely and just leaves. I watch as he walks away and I turn back to finishing breakfast.
OH WAIT! What was it that Kinosuke said to tell Uncle today? Oh no…
(Makoto)
“Who is Kinosuke-san?” I ask. I am -confused-. The grown-ups are strange! But what I do know is that I get to see Yukiko-san more. She seems nervous about Tokyo. “It’s not that big and there are very nice parks,” I tell her.
Chichi and Okaasan are then silly again. I whisper to Yukiko-san. “They get like that a lot.”
(Hide)
Yukiko-san seems happy enough to
Hajime then kisses me, right in front of the two girls, and -grins-. I can’t help but smile back, happily at him. I wonder where he’s off to -now-? Sometimes… after a lot of waiting that we must endure, he moves like a whirlwind.
He also called me Yukiko-san’s aunt. Ah… my future husband. Standing, I take our plates to the sink, taking the fish Makoto left for myself. I am always -hungry- lately. Ah… I grin and lightly touch my stomach.
Turning, I look over at Yukiko-san. “It will only take us a few minutes to pack, is there anything I can help you with here? If you are leaving tomorrow I imagine that there’s still a bit to do in getting the house ready.”
Yukiko:
?EURoeIt will only take us a few minutes to pack, is there anything I can help you with here? If you are leaving tomorrow I imagine that there?EUR(TM)s still a bit to do in getting the house ready.?EUR?
“Thanks for the offer but…” My eyes scan the room, “there’s not much to do here. Save for a few things I use everyday, everything else has been put away.”
I start to wash the dishes as Yagi-san clears the table. “Can you tell Uncle however that we might not get there as early as he’d like? I haven’t told Kinosuke yet about it and Uncle wants us there first thing in the morning. We might not arrive until later that afternoon.”
Maybe I can tell him this myself but perhaps if it comes from Yagi-san he won’t put up too much of a fight. I hope she tells him later after they leave.
Hajime
No sooner had I opened the gate when I spot two rickshaws park themselves across the street and Kinosuke gets off. He spots me and starts waving.
“Yamaguchi-san! Please wait!”
I tilt my head and stand by the gates. It’s not like I’m going to get very far, there was no need to be so frantic. In just a few moments he’s right in front of me out of breath.
“Ah I’m so glad I caught you before you left.”
“Is there something you wanted?” I eye him but he smiles.
“Didn’t Yukiko tell you?”
I cock my head and blow smoke to the side. “No.”
“Well those are for you and the lady.” He scratches the back of his head and laughs nervously. “Transportation is hard to come by here so early in the morning.”
I try not to heave a sigh. Of course I knew that. Just because I’ve not visited in a while… I’m not an out of towner…
“Thanks.” I say and motion him to come inside the garden.
“So is Yukiko leaving too?”
Ah he doesn’t waste time… “We’ve talked.” I stand there smoking and looking rather disinterested, “I won’t allow her to stay here any longer.”
At once I see his smile fade somewhat but he catches it in time. “Ah, well I hope she’s ready.”
“You’re to accompany her tomorrow morning.” I finally say. I suppose that was rather mean of me but I was interested in how he’d react. How selfish he’d be.
“Really?!” He blinks.
“Unless you dont’ want to.”
“No no… Of course I DO!” Then I see him hesitate, as if he just remembered something.
“Early you hear me?”
“Hai!”
Satisfied I flick the cigarette to the ground and re-enter the house.
“Hide get ready, our rides are waiting outside.”
(OOC: hide can close and move them to a new thread to morning of next day. Or she can choose to continue this thread)
>>Can you tell Uncle however that we might not get there as early as he’d like? I haven’t told Kinosuke yet about it and Uncle wants us there first thing in the morning. We might not arrive until later that afternoon.
I nod. “I will tell him.” I go upstairs and bundle up our things, as Hajime enters the house to tell us that we’re ready to go. Peeking out the door… rickshaws? I grin. “I don’t know the last time when I’ve been on one of those.”
Makoto runs out. “I want to ride with Chichi!” Then she stops, and looks at Kinosuke-san. “Who is this?”
“That’s Kinosuke-san, he’s your cousin Yukiko-san’s suitor and will be staying with us for a while.” I turn to Hajime. “Ah, and Yukiko-san said that they’d be coming in the afternoon.” Unless that causes disarray to Hajime’s plan, it’s better for me, since we’ll be out in the morning going to test Makoto at school. Makoto then remembers to be polite and introduce herself, but Hajime looks impatient so I make our farewells.
“See you tomorrow!” Settling into the second rickshaw, riding behind Hajime and Makoto, I try to plan ahead to get the house ready for visitors, and… leaving for Aizu. I hate leaving Makoto, but her father will need me more, I believe.
—
OOC: Closing unless Saitou has a reply.
Kinosuke is introduced to Makoto but it’s all a whirlwind as I find myself securing the bags to the second rickshaw to distribute the weight since my daughter is insistent to ride with me. Since we didn’t have time and I wanted to leave without much ado, I just agree to what Hide says eventhough it might put a damper for dinner plans.
(OOC: end)