“So what do you think Fujita?”
“My time would be better spent -elsewhere-.” I sigh and blow a smoke up in the air. With a grim smirk I stare back at Kawaji. For him to think that having me organize some psuedo-match for kendo enthusiast in the precinct would actually placate me is rather preposterous. “Besides there’s hardly anyone here who knows how to use a real katana. They’ve been reduced to sabre wearing idiots who just charges blindly.”
He walks to the window and looks down. “It’s true we don’t encourage kendo anymore. The government even has closed down several dojos…” He turns to look at me. “But it doesn’t mean we should throw away everything.”
I tilt my head and stare at the samurai from Satsuma. I could easily fulfill his request but he’s not budged on mine. “I don’t know what to tell you. I find it ironic that you’d want this out of me when you wouldn’t even let me advise our junior officers in the secret police. I’m not an ambassador of goodwill after all. Those projects are better left to those who crave attention.”
“Fujita-kun… I don’t need an answer right now.” He sighs and sits down across from me. “But as for leading the secret police, trust me, you wouldn’t want that now, with things the way they are.”
He speaks of course of the new laws. Ever since the government has pledged more transparancy, our jobs has been a lot more difficult. One can hardly “interrogate” a suspect without getting some form of backlash. Even Kawaji understands this but he’s from the old world, the same as I, who will do everything to get what they want. Sadly he doesn’t seem to have confidence in my abilities lately…Even that old case of mine against Tanaka is still open. I wonder if that’s the reason. If so then I need to work faster.
“Are we anywhere with the Tanaka case? Has Shu gotten some headway?” I ask.
“Not really. They seem to be laying low and Shu’s been working alone. I didn’t want him to tip off anyone here.”
“Let me work on this again Kawaji. You know I’m not done with him.” My eyes narrow as I put out the cigarette on the ash tray. “You really can’t expect me to just sit here…”
He doesn’t speak but rests both of his elbows on my desk, hiding his lips. “I don’t want you going under cover… Let Shu do that for you. Guide him… But if this ends badly… You know we can’t be held responsible.”
“It won’t.” I light another cigarette. I understand Kawaji’s situation quite well after all with the oligarchy in place and no Okubo to protect him, he’s hardly able to keep the police force together. Going so far as to establish the secret police just to get the job done… I will never understand why I ended up in this office instead of in that new unit… If only I didn’t disappear that year.
With a very serious look on my face I continue and assure him, “You don’t have to worry, I’ve always acted on my own.”
He nods and I grin, “Well then… I will expect you to organize the games in the next few months.”
(OOC: Hide can drop in for lunch. She may or may not have heard the last few words between Kawaji and Saitou).
Precinct before lunch
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It was hard to explain to Makoto why she had to be left downstairs since she wanted to see her Chichi -badly-, but she was placated with seeing him later, but Yukiko-san dragged her and Kinosuke-san across the street.
“Promise he’ll wave at me from his window!” she said. “I’ll be looking!”
I hear voices as I approach the door of my husband-to-be’s office. I knock on the door, we’ve had a busy morning so far but I’m glad we made it here before lunchtime. I know he knows all of the best soba stands in the city but a home-cooked meal…
“…I will expect you to organize the games in the next few months…”
In the other voice, I wonder if he’s being sent away on a mission? Games? I knock on the door again.
A knock on the door sends our heads spinning in that direction. They’re not announcing themselves and I’m a little irritated at that. Kawaji stands up and motions me to sit back down.
“Let me handle it.” He tells me and opens the door.
“Oh… You must be Tokio-san?” He bows slightly and ushers her in. “I hope your new lodgings suits you well.”
I don’t say anything as Kawaji eyes what Hide is holding… Probably lunch. It’s about that time.
A man answers the door, he looks familiar from pictures but I’ve not seen him personally. I bow as he looks at me, and the package I’m holding.
>>Oh?EUR? You must be Tokio-san?
I stop for a minute – I thought he knew about me when he got my house back after we left Ito? Or would have met her after all these years? I shake my head. “Iie, I am Hide-san. I am very pleased to meet you, you must be Kawaji-san?”
In no way… I just -can’t- lie and take her place. I have my own place in Hajime’s life. I smile at the man, and then over at Hajime. “I’ve brought Fujita-san his lunch.”
I just hope… that I’ve not made life here more difficult for him here.
(Kawaji)
?EURoeIie, I am Hide-san. I am very pleased to meet you, you must be Kawaji-san??EUR?
I blink that the woman knows my name. How much does she know or rather how much has Fujita told her? I force a smile. “Ah of course you must be Yamaguchi Hide. Yes I’m Kawaji. Good to finally meet you.” I must be getting old to commit such a faux pas but it’s better to err on the side of safety. Now that I think about it, this is the same woman whom Fujita wanted to keep away from prying eyes so why is she here? I should remind him about the new policies in the Police force. No matter how idiotic it is…
?EURoeI?EUR(TM)ve brought Fujita-san his lunch.?EUR?
“We just finished our meeting. You came at a good time.” I show her to a seat and look at Fujita. How careless of him after what we just spoke about. “I’ll be leaving you two. Enjoy your lunch.”
Leaving I lock the door behind me. No one should just barge in there, although I’m quite sure Fujita would’ve locked it himself if I didn’t.
(Saitou)
Kawaji leaves and that look he just gave me… I know it well but what would he have me do? Lock Hide up in a cage just like Tokio accused me of? He’s right however, I should be more careful.
“Sorry about that.” I sigh and light a cigarette, “If I’d have known you were coming today, I would’ve made sure Kawaji wasn’t here.”
Helping myself to the basket I take out the contents and lay it out on the table. “He does know about you and Makoto… but his concern is purely for your safety so he didn’t expect you to come here.” I shoul’ve thought about that. What the hell is wrong with me? I’m getting sloppy… Unacceptable.
I smile at her, “Quite a start to our day huh?”
Kawaji-san…. he seems a bit surprised.
But, I do like that name. Yamaguchi Hide.
“I’m glad to meet you, sir, and my new home is just perfect, than you very much.” I smile at him.
>>We just finished our meeting. You came at a good time.
However, why do I feel that it was a -bad- time?
Kawaji-san leaves and I turn to Hajime.
>>If I?EUR(TM)d have known you were coming today, I would?EUR(TM)ve made sure Kawaji wasn?EUR(TM)t here.
I shake my head. “I should be more careful, and asked to be announced before coming up.” I come closer and kiss his cheek. “But you left this morning before I could make your breakfast.”
He starts on the food but I take his hand at the mention of Makoto. “I -promised- Makoto that you would wave at her from your window.” We’re a few floors up, and I squint slightly to see if I can spot the three of them on he street. “There they are!”
Going back to his table, I set out his lunch, pouring him hot coffee from a thermos. “Ah, well, I am thankful to him for getting us back in our house after leaving Ito. I just hope that I’ve not made trouble for you?” A concerned look crosses my face, I want to take care of him but not become an -issue-.
>>Quite a start to our day huh?
I kiss his other cheek. “Mmmm… I am glad to see you and make sure that the man I’m going to marry is eating well. After all, November will be here -one day-…” I look up at him with a grin.
you left this morning before I could make your breakfast.?EUR?
I get a kiss… Good. “Well I knew you would be tired and will probably have a busy day.”
We go to the window and start looking for Makoto. I doubt they could see us but Hide is already waving and takes my hand to wave it. I sigh.. I am glad to see my daughter however.
?EURoeAh, well, I am thankful to him for getting us back in our house after leaving Ito. I just hope that I?EUR(TM)ve not made trouble for you??EUR?
“I’ve not spoken to him again since bringing you here. He’s a busy man and most probably forgot.” I look at her, it’s always a bad thing when someone mistakes Hide for my ex-wife and I don’t like it. “Don’t worry about anything… Although next time I think we should go for a change of scenery.”
I get another kiss… I grin and catch her hand. I did miss her which probably explains why I’m not turning her away when I -should-.
?EURoeMmmm?EUR? I am glad to see you and make sure that the man I?EUR(TM)m going to marry is eating well
“Well I’m getting my “fill” of kisses…”
After all, November will be here -one day-?EUR??EUR?
“So what about November?” I must admit, I’m confused.
>>Well I knew you would be tired and will probably have a busy day.
“I’ll be up earlier starting tomorrow, to get Makoto ready with breakfast and lunch. Then I may even beat you to getting up,” I tease. I don’t sleep late like I did when we first met, but my life with him is wonderfully busy, with family to take care of.
>>I?EUR(TM)ve not spoken to him again since bringing you here. He?EUR(TM)s a busy man and most probably forgot
I smile. “For what he carries on his mind, I wouldn’t be surprised.” He mentions a change of scenery. “I’d like to see some of the places you know, after all, I do need to know more about Kanto cuisine to feed my Hajime properly.”
>>Well I?EUR(TM)m getting my ?EURoefill?EUR? of kisses?EUR?
“Mmm… there’s a way to be full of those?” I laugh and open up the bento I brought for him, with fresh zaru soba, vegetables, fish, and of course, pickles. “I’m going to teach Makoto how to make these, that -may- help with her resistance.”
>>So what about November?
I laugh. “Well, November in -other- places. Here…” I smile at him, and reach for his hand and place it on my obi. “it will be when summer turns into autumn.” I stand closer to lean against him, one arm around his waist. This isn’t the time or place, but I’ve learned that we have to -make- our times as we can.
Then I may even beat you to getting up,
?EURoeI ?EURhighly- doubt that Hide.?EUR?
She dismisses the event earlier with Kawaji and for that I am ?EURthankful-. It?EUR(TM)s a change I think, before she would cower at the mention of Tokio, especially when they mistook her for my wife, but now she is not afraid to claim a place by my side. Now that I think of it, I felt no need to explain nor correct the situation immediately unlike before?EUR? Has things changed? I look at my future wife and hope they have for the better.
?EURoeI?EUR(TM)d like to see some of the places you know, after all, I do need to know more about Kanto cuisine to feed my Hajime properly.?EUR?
?EURoe-Maybe- we?EUR(TM)ll go out for leisure but perhaps not anytime soon.?EUR? Taking the papers I form a neat stack on my desk so she can arrange the table. ?EURoeI like Kanto cuisine?EUR??EUR? Surreptitiously I glance back at her, ?EURoebut I like Kansai ?EURmuch- better. Light and not overpowering like most foods here in Tokyo.?EUR?
?EURoeMmm?EUR? there?EUR(TM)s a way to be full of those??EUR?
?EURoeOf course.?EUR? Not?EUR? She laughs and I relish the sound. It?EUR(TM)s been a long time that my office has been filled with such laughter, lifting up the rather mundane atmosphere that seems to permeate this room everyday.
?EURoeI?EUR(TM)m going to teach Makoto how to make these, that -may- help with her resistance.?EUR?
Leaning my back and placing my hands behind my head I think?EUR? If it?EUR(TM)s not important then maybe we shouldn?EUR(TM)t push Makoto?EUR? But I wipe the thought out of my head, she?EUR(TM)s still young and there are important things she must learn now than later so I nod my head. ?EURoeTell her to make some for me too.?EUR? With a smirk I stand and go beside her, ?EURoeNow don?EUR(TM)t start getting jealous, you are an ?EURexcellent- cook after all.?EUR?
?EURoeWell, November in -other- places.
?EURoeYou mean now isn?EUR(TM)t?EUR??EUR? I sigh of course ?EURnot-?EUR? but she takes my hand and place it on her obi.
?EURoeHere it will be when summer turns into autumn.?EUR?
There?EUR(TM)s nothing there yet and autumn is still far away?EUR? But ?EURsoon-. ?EURoeYou?EUR(TM)re going to be a handful until then?EUR??EUR? I tease and turn my palm up to hold her hand.
He doubt that I’ll be up early… but with Makoto back in school I’ll need to be. I catch his eyes on me, and smile back. I’m glad the incident with Kawaji earlier went… well, as well as I could hope, given who he thought I was. Hmph.
>>Light and not overpowering like most foods here in Tokyo
I laugh. “Mmm… see, that’s why you need a Kyoto-born wife. My soba is excellent because my tsuyu is subtle but still flavorful.” Grandmother said that old recipes and traditions in foods are good, but a bride must bring her own personality, even if she’s sent up north and has to cook -bear-.
“Hai, hai, pickles for Chichi.” I grin at him. “Jealous? When she learns from -me-? It’s just as much as a compliment to see my helper making -excellent- pickles.” We’ll need to find a good pickling stone, though…
He sighs as we think about our “celibacy” in other worlds, until there is -privacy-… his hand at my waist moves to take my hand, and I squeeze it. “A handful? I’m afraid you’ll have to lean over to kiss me, though, when my belly is in the way.” I can’t wait to grow large with his child again… But for now, as I -can-, I lean up on tip-toes to steal a kiss. It’s been to long… but I -always- think that, even if I was just kissed an hour ago. I break it off with a grin. “Ah, if you’ve had your fill I should be careful not to make you -overstuffed- with kisses.”
Mmm?EUR? see, that?EUR(TM)s why you need a Kyoto-born wife. My soba is excellent because my tsuyu is subtle but still flavorful.?EUR?
“Ah…” I grin slightly, knowing that she missed what I meant. But now that she talks about soba in such a manner… I shake my head and try to think about -food- and not that tasting I particularly enjoy.
?EURoeJealous? When she learns from -me-? It?EUR(TM)s just as much as a compliment to see my helper making -excellent- pickles.?EUR?
That confidence! I can’t help but chuckle a little at that. “They do say that tasteful cooking comes with age.”
We kiss and I support her by the arm as she tip toes up to reach me. I always did like that. Letting go of her arm, I settle my hands on her bottom and pull her close to me, deepening the kiss… Wanting more from it that what I’m allowed to have at the moment. It’s good that she breaks it off… Otherwise…
?EURoeAh, if you?EUR(TM)ve had your fill I should be careful not to make you -overstuffed- with kisses.?EUR?
Stepping away from her I take a taste of the coffee and sit down quietly. “You’re probably right.” Looking up at her, I tilt my head, “So are you having lunch here or do you need to leave shortly?” Because if she can’t stay, then the food can wait I think.
He kisses me and his hands rest on my bottom, and I hold myself closer to him, forgetting the time and place as I indulge myself with the presence of this man. His warmth, his taste…
It’s hard to break away.
He looks at me with a tilted head, in such a way… I come and sit in his lap behind the desk, and thankfully, the chair doesn’t moan under the extra weight. Not all Western furniture is as sturdy as our sofa-san.
>So are you having lunch here or do you need to leave shortly?
I shake my head. “No, Makoto-chan and I are going home after this to have lunch and get ready for tomorrow and the young couple are going to spend the afternoon sight-seeing.” I nuzzle his cheek, and nip at his earlobe. “I came up to see that you had a -very nice- lunch.” Funny, though, neither of us seem into the food I brought…
She takes her customary place, that is on my lap. Why she would when she knows we can’t… I look at the desk and imagine placing her there but I try to focus on what she’s saying.
?EURoeNo, Makoto-chan and I are going home after this to have lunch and get ready for tomorrow and the young couple are going to spend the afternoon sight-seeing.?EUR?
“I see.” The disappointment in my voice is apparent but I remind myself there are other things that she -must- see to and so do I. “She’s starting school tomorrow… Maybe I should drop by when you pick her up?” I can escape from here early if I finish everything this afternoon. Until -he- comes back next week, there’s nothing for me to do but schedule Kawaji’s kendo tournament. Pathetic… I muster a grin for Hide since I shouldn’t be thinking these things while she’s here.
?EURoeI came up to see that you had a -very nice- lunch.?EUR?
I kiss her cheek and try to ignore those teasing lips. “Well you better get going then? You should get back home early and take a rest… -Both- of you.”
I settle on his lap, it just seems like… the place to sit. And somehow, I think that perching on the side of the desk would be…
I’d wonder how -quick- we could be. And if anything we pushed off his desk is breakable.
How well that door locks.
I’m just as disappointed as he -sounds-, and I nod. Although there’s much to be done, I wish there was time…
>>She?EUR(TM)s starting school tomorrow?EUR? Maybe I should drop by when you pick her up
I smile at that, and agree, “oh, that would be wonderful. She’d love that so much.” The grin that follows is strange, I wonder -why-? Perhaps memories connected to that school.
I get a kiss on the cheek. “Home to rest…” I sigh and lean my head against his shoulder. “Now that I’m here with you, it’s hard to leave.” I grin slightly. “Is there… time? Privacy?” He knows that I don’t just mean -here-, but also the other things that have come between us lately.
“If not… I will -make it- until November, but you will need to reserve for us a -weekend-.” But not just for intimacy… I just -miss- being with this man. My future husband draws me to him in so many ways.
?EURoeoh, that would be wonderful. She?EUR(TM)d love that so much.?EUR?
“You think?” I look back at her. I’m not as busy as before, I’d like to see my children more if it can be arranged.
?EURoeNow that I?EUR(TM)m here with you, it?EUR(TM)s hard to leave.?EUR? I grin slightly. ?EURoeIs there?EUR? time? Privacy??EUR?
She settles her head on my shoulder and I take some time stroking her hair and do not answer. “Is there time? Yes… -Some-…” I smell her hair, “Privacy? I’m afraid not…”
?EURoeIf not?EUR? I will -make it- until November, but you will need to reserve for us a -weekend-.?EUR?
Time for just the two of us and we could go away somewhere… but lately I’ve not been up to leaving -this- place. As if I’m stuck here for some odd reason. I turn her head to face me and I kiss her lips with much restraint and keep my hands firmly to myself. Ending it, I take her off my lap.
“Get out of here woman…” I growl a bit. “My food is going to get cold.”
>>You think?
I smile at him. “Don’t you know how much she adores you? That will make her special day even better.” I love watching her face light up when she sees him.
I’m still as he strokes my hair, and I nuzzle my cheek against his shoulder. “Mmm… I was afraid that we wouldn’t be able to have one or the other.” It’s a disappointment to be sure but at least… we got to spend lunch together. I am greedy when it comes to him but I am overjoyed for every stolen moment we manage to get right now.
I don’t get a comment about the weekend. “Perhaps we can go hide in that little cabin… you bring the firewood and I’ll bring food for when we have free time.” I laugh softly.
He kisses me but remains still. I sense this is what we’ll have today, and I deepen the kiss, the unspoken language of my lips conveying to him my love for him… soft and tender, my hands go to gently caress his cheek as the kiss ends and I stand.
>>Get out of here woman?EUR? My food is going to get cold.
He really shouldn’t -growl- if I am to leave… but I just grin back at him. “Maa… enjoy your lunch. It’s a very good one.”
I straighten myself and look back over to him, coming back to hold his hand. “Please also let Eiji-kun know that I hope to see him at dinner tonight.” That would be nice… and and maybe with time he’ll grow more comfortable with me.
(OOC: you may close)
?EURoeDon?EUR(TM)t you know how much she adores you? That will make her special day even better.?EUR?
I just grin at that. “I probably won’t stay long.” Just to see… That’s it.
?EURoePerhaps we can go hide in that little cabin?EUR? you bring the firewood and I?EUR(TM)ll bring food for when we have free time.?EUR?
She seems to like that old cabin out in the middle of nowhere. Well if she likes it there, “I suppose it’s about time we visited the place. It might need a little cleaning however.”
She takes my growl as a tease. Not that I was joking but she can get away with that I suppose. “I’ll be the judge of lunch.” I tell her.
She starts to leave and I follow her with my eyes but I’m surprised as she goes back to holding my hand. Is she really trying to drive me insane?
?EURoePlease also let Eiji-kun know that I hope to see him at dinner tonight.?EUR?
“I’ll get word to him.” Standing up, I lead her to the door. I refrain from saying anything anymore and just close the door behind her.
(OOC: End)