I decided not to hire a rickshaw even if Kanbee?EUR(TM)s house is quite the distance from where I need to return. It is not a hot day at least. A lot has changed in Aizu after the war, the once well maintained roads and walls are starting to show their age. Even the people, most of the young ones have left, those who could afford to send their sons abroad did so while the old had kept hushed behind closed quarters. Though it is not a ghost town by any means, it has lost it?EUR(TM)s vibrancy from the old days of being the most powerful han of the Tokugawa.
Had it been any other time, perhaps my younger self would be bothered by all of this, but the years and the people?EUR(TM)s actions have taught me that clan loyalty can both be a good or an evil force. I chose instead to embrace a higher form of ideal, maybe not for noble reasons but I believe my reasons were good ones. I?EUR(TM)d like to think she did too. Isn?EUR(TM)t that right Yaso?
Looking up the sky isn?EUR(TM)t so blue here in Aizu. I much prefer the climate of Tokyo though I think Ito is much better as well. Ito?EUR? Unfinished business. I could feel my eyes narrow. I had taken advantage of Kawaji?EUR(TM)s insistence that I stay close to my wife and child. My wife huh? There is a sour ring to it now, knowing how things turned out here but even so, maybe it?EUR(TM)s for the best. After all until I ?EURkill- him, what business have I trying to put things in order?
But I can?EUR(TM)t deny the fact that I had hoped to put things right with Hide as soon as possible, before our second child is born. I wanted to do things right this time, for us to have no shame when visiting with her family or meeting old friends. For others not to question or be confused of our situation like Akane or even my sons or even in the Keishikan. But maybe I was aiming too high. Not enough work has been done. When I get back, there is no more playing with Kawaji and Shindou. Tanaka is an evil man, there is no need for me to wait on Shindou or take Kawaji?EUR(TM)s advice. I didn?EUR(TM)t realize my fist were already curled. I take a deep breath and start a new cigarette. I must work the old acquaintances and networks. I may not be able to go head to head with the likes of Shishio anymore but I still am a skilled undercover agent. Back then, one of the best.
I sigh as I turn the corner. I know it is not right but what about Tsutomu? If I am going back to do undercover work, he cannot be my priority. In fact I might not be able to see them frequently at all. I may just end up proving his point but for now,all I wanted him in Tokyo for is to finish his schooling. If he does that then it will be enough. I cannot hope for more than that. Besides I have already let one of my sons go to another, what else can I do for Tsutomu? There is nothing I can do except keep him safe.
Ueda?EUR(TM)s house comes into view. The walk took me almost an hour and yet I hardly thought of any answers. I go inside the gate but hang around in the front yard, just sitting on the engawa. My mind drawing a blank. What was it that Kanbee said about Naito? Morinosuke? How about Yukiko? I hope Hide has taken care of what I asked her today?EUR?What else was I supposed to do? To take care of? I close my eyes. Suddenly I feel tired.
(OOC: Saitou ends up sleeping, sitting up leaning on one of the wood columns.)
A Lone Wolf
18 thoughts on “A Lone Wolf”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Ueda-sama enjoyed his lunch, and Akane-san made her excuses – of course, she has her own home to attend to.
Ueda-sama seems pleased about what Hajime arranged for him – even if he couldn’t see, he could see how warn his things were becoming. He lives like this because of his kindness. I’m sure there are those who held onto more treasure and money while others suffered – it’s the same everywhere.
After lunch, I set to doing some washing – he wants to keep his old things, so I make sure they’re nice and clean before I store them away.
When I go out to get some of the laundry, I see Hajime.
It took too long today. He left right after breakfast.
And now here he is, sleeping against a post of the engawa.
These aren’t good signs
My heart aches looking at him. This – falling dead asleep in a place a man as -careful- as he is normally wouldn’t – I’ve only seen the one time. I take one of the dry, sun-warmed blankets and slide it around him. I only leave his hand uncovered, so I can hold it, as I gently kiss his cheek.
A fresh scent, like a morning breeze wafts through my nostrils. I inhale a bit more before opening my eyes feeling something brush against my cheek. The afternoon sun has gone to the back of the house so at least there is no blinding light, still I blink trying to focus.
Clearing my throat, it has become rather dry, I greet her. ?EURoeTadaima.?EUR? I don?EUR(TM)t remove the hand that is holding mine. I would just like to keep it there for a moment.
?EURoeDid you get to go around town today??EUR? I know she did, I just hope it was not too troublesome however. I bend my neck to the side a little, it was rather stiff.
He awakes as if he was somewhere far away, and his voice sounds rough…
Did you get to go around town today?
I nod. “We did – I got everything you asked for for Ueda-sama. I already fed him lunch but I did get things for dinner, as well.” I indicate the laundry. “As you can see, I’m cleaning his old things before putting them away.” Cleaning being… the best way to keep myself occupied while I worry about him.
I notice how he’s moving his neck and I scoot around him. “Let me,” I say, as my fingers move and knead, trying to remove his troubles.
However, it’s rarely as easy as this.
“It didn’t go well, did it?” I hope he wasn’t there all this time. She has the ability to spread a certain sort of poison to him. I remember those old days well.
We did – I got everything you asked for for Ueda-sama. I already fed him lunch but I did get things for dinner, as well.?EUR? ?EURoeAs you can see, I?EUR(TM)m cleaning his old things before putting them away.?EUR?
I smile slightly at her. ?EURoeThank you for all of that.?EUR? It is a different kind of caring that an old man like him needs and it is not something I can provide, only a woman like her could.
She helps me with my aching neck. I close my eyes thankful again that this woman is beside me. Woman huh? I sigh slightly.
?EURoeIt didn?EUR(TM)t go well, did it??EUR?
She cuts right though the heart of the matter. I suppose it can?EUR(TM)t be helped that she worry. ?EURoeTsutomu will be coming with us tomorrow. We?EUR(TM)ll meet Eiji and him at the train station.?EUR? I don?EUR(TM)t say anything else that transpired today. I was not really sure if any of it that happened would matter. But now I understand ?EURclearly-, that things were not going to be as easy as I force them to be. It is frustrating so I decide to change the subject.
?EURoeYou weren?EUR(TM)t feeling well this morning, how are you feeling now? We have a long trip home tomorrow.?EUR? I tug at her hand, so she would sit beside me.
“I’m glad to help Ueda-sama. He’s a good man – Akane-san told me some of what he did during the war and after to help people.”
He sighs as I work on his neck and pulls me around next to him.
I answer his second question first. “I’m feeling well. I think our littest one just likes to remind us that he’s -waiting-.” Or she. We are perfectly capable of having a stubborn son -or- daughter.
Tsutomu will be coming with us tomorrow. We?EUR(TM)ll meet Eiji and him at the train station.
I get under the blanket with Hajime. “That’s what you came here for, right?” I look up at him. “But you don’t seem like someone who got what he wanted.” I sit quietly for a moment, my head on his shoulder.
“I know you don’t want to tell me about it.” I sigh. “You think than a man should fight his own battles, after all, and your past is your own. But when your past effects us – and our children – I need to know.” I squeeze his hand. “I remember our early days – how I’d lay in your arms and you poured out your problems to me. I felt so honored that someone like you would trust me that much.”
“You’re a man who should have died so many times before now, but you were stronger and smarter than that. And for that I’m grateful. So please, tell me what went wrong.” I suspect that I was too naive in certain things – the fault of being hopeful, I suppose.
So they got to talking?EUR? That?EUR(TM)s a good sign. I wanted Akane to know what kind of woman Hide was. I suppose the same can be said of Ojii-san, but I was able to tell right away that he had accepted Hide. I suppose I was looking for their approval, but really the one opinion I wanted most of all was not here, so what else but to use surrogates.
She answers my last question first and I knew right then and there that I will have to tell her something. But I can?EUR(TM)t help but smile a little as she uses the word ?EURoehe?EUR?. True I want a son with her eventually but, lately I?EUR(TM)ve been thinking another daughter much more like her mother would be welcome as well. Boys are a handful. ?EURoeSo you?EUR(TM)re letting me win huh??EUR? I tease just slightly, ?EURoeWe probably should go back to calling it an ?EURoeit?EUR?. Since we can?EUR(TM)t seem to decide.?EUR?
But the talk turns again to today?EUR(TM)s events and I stifle a groan.
But when your past effects us – and our children – I need to know.?EUR?
Oh I know. I will eventually tell her. Maybe?EUR? I listen to Hide talk and hold her hand. I?EUR(TM)m not angry but I am exhausted.
?EURoeI remember our early days – how I?EUR(TM)d lay in your arms and you poured out your problems to me. I felt so honored that someone like you would trust me that much.
I?EUR(TM)m quiet as she talks about the wilderness. How many times did I come to her there, but she doesn?EUR(TM)t seem to recall, I mostly talked about others, not her and I. Yes I would talk about Tokio to her in the beginning but it slowly became a taboo topic for us, when I saw what I was doing to her. To my hime-sama. I narrow my eyes and reach for a cigarette. My throat hurts but I just can?EUR(TM)t seem to stop smoking.
please, tell me what went wrong.
Inhaling deeply, I let out a long stream of smoke. What to tell?EUR? What to tell?EUR? The truth ahou!
I?EUR(TM)ve already hurt one person today. Why not just go for broke? I look back at her, not angry, mostly sad I think. She won?EUR(TM)t like what I have to say and Kanbee did say I don?EUR(TM)t have to tell her anything. After all there will be other chances, but that?EUR(TM)s not what I wanted Kanbee?EUR?
?EURoeTokio is not granting me my freedom.?EUR? Ah, that?EUR(TM)s one way to say it. Simple and straight. Had this been the Tokugawa era, I could?EUR(TM)ve simply left Tokio with a note saying, I am leaving you for such and such reason. Feel free to remarry., but times are much different now.
I know what Hide will say. We’ve been in this situation many times. Besides, now that it’s obvious to me we can’t move forward, at least it refocuses me on the things I must do to deserve the life I want to live. As soon as we get back to Tokyo… I feel my eyes narrow and my lips set -firm-. “Don’t worry Hide, I will find a way around this.”
So you?EUR(TM)re letting me win huh?
I laugh at that. “I simply hate referring to this child as an -it-. I think he or she will be a little more respectful if we treat it properly.” Oh course, it’s too early to think of names.
Tokio is not granting me my freedom.
Ah.
The -sadness- in those eyes. I don’t see that often.
It’s heartbreaking. My wonderful, strong man.
“I… didn’t think it would be easy.” I shake my head, and I pull his free arm so that it’s around me. “I had -hoped-… but from what I know about her, I didn’t think so.”
“One day I will be your wife, even if I’ll be eighty by the time it happens.” I look over to him. I wish I could remove that sadness, and give him that release he needs – not for my sake, but, oh, the burden it is on him.
Until this happens I am, to the world at large, “only” his mistress. The Other Woman. It will be a stumbling point for our children. Oh, I know the weight of that. I had those long years in Ito to feel those consequences. It’s better in Tokyo, being larger and more modern, but it will rear its head. Thankfully, my family is understanding. Or at least chooses not to interfere.
“I know you’ll find a way. But Hajime, talk to me.” I kiss him, gently. “How I was years ago about her – that’s – well, I have changed. Now I know… there was a lot I didn’t understand, back then.” So much of it was my jealousy, my insecurity.
I’m here, after all, because she forgot his birthday. Which was a sign that she would never care for him in the way he needed. When the lack of a forgetting a birthday can break a marriage… there isn’t much left.
How it’s not so much jealousy… I almost feel pity for the woman who could have had something wonderful, had she opened her heart just a little.
Yes, he has his darkness. But… he is my treasure.
Don?EUR(TM)t worry Hide, I will find a way around this
“So we’ll have Tsutomu-kun with us for the year. I’ll be glad to get to know him. For now, the best thing to do is make a good relationship with him. In the end, that’s more important.”
I kiss him one more time. “I love you, even if I am an elderly bride and we have -grandchildren-.” I grin a little, “it’ll still be a -great- honeymoon.”
I’m reminded again of the roughness of his voice. I doubt Tokio even had the courtesy to give him a drink. “You need some coffee, I think. Do you want me to bring it out here?” If Ueda-sama heard us, he is keeping his distance. I think his tragedies has made him an understanding man.
?EURoeI?EUR? didn?EUR(TM)t think it would be easy.?EUR? ?EURoeI had -hoped-?EUR? but from what I know about her, I didn?EUR(TM)t think so.?EUR?
?EURoeNeither did I. Perhaps I was hoping for too much.?EUR?
?EURoeOne day I will be your wife, even if I?EUR(TM)ll be eighty by the time it happens.?EUR? I knew she would say this but I am ?EURunwilling- to wait that long.
?EURoeI know you?EUR(TM)ll find a way. But Hajime, talk to me.?EUR? ?EURoeHow I was years ago about her – that?EUR(TM)s – well, I have changed. Now I know?EUR? there was a lot I didn?EUR(TM)t understand, back then.?EUR?
She kisses and I?EUR(TM)m glad for it as it is a tender kiss, loving and comforting. I touch her cheek and smile slightly. ?EURoeWhat do you know now? What didn?EUR(TM)t you understand??EUR?
?EURoeSo we?EUR(TM)ll have Tsutomu-kun with us for the year. I?EUR(TM)ll be glad to get to know him. For now, the best thing to do is make a good relationship with him. In the end, that?EUR(TM)s more important.?EUR?
?EURoeHalf a year.?EUR? I correct her. ?EURoeHe is a lot different than Tsuyoshi. It might be a difficult transition.?EUR? I tell her honestly. But as to what?EUR(TM)s important, Tsutomu is important but also his safety and my family. I didn?EUR(TM)t realize it until today at how capricious fate can be. I was busy living the dream, catching up with Hide.
?EURoeI love you, even if I am an elderly bride and we have -grandchildren-.?EUR? ?EURoeit?EUR(TM)ll still be a -great- honeymoon.?EUR?
I almost chuckle at that but then something Tokio said threw me off kilter?EUR? No if I can prove to Hide I am worthy then whatever Tokio said is ?EURnot- true. I look away suddenly and say, ?EURoeWater I think for now. If you don?EUR(TM)t mind. Thank you Hide.?EUR?
Ueda: Even as my room is not to the front of the house, I hear their conversation. Over the years as I lost my eyesight my hearing has become rather sharp. Kami does indeed take care of the rest doesn?EUR(TM)t he? I smile as I sit by the window.
It seems he has found a kindred spirit or at the very least a kind one. Yaso will be pleased. Perhaps one day when they have settled all their troubles, maybe we will visit together in Gonohe. I would like to see the place one last time. Ah not see, but at least breathe in the fresh mountain air.
(OOC: Ueda is actually listening in on Saitou and Hide?EUR(TM)s conversation but he is not worried about the two at all. LOL)
?EURoeWhat do you know now? What didn?EUR(TM)t you understand??EUR?
“It’s something that comes with age, I suppose. Maturity. I wasn’t young -then- but…” I shake my head, “perhaps it’s something about feeling more secure in the things that matter.”
“Early on, I was -certain- I would have to give you up. That she’d come to love you. And when that didn’t happen, I thought I might be able to keep you after all. But I doubted that I could hold you, that I was good enough for you.”
“Now,” I smile, and look into his eyes, my gaze level and sure, “I think I’m one of the -better- things that’s happened to you.” Not the best. Because I will never forget what I come in second to, but I have -never- minded that. I am the daughter of samurai, after all. I brush back his bangs. “And I could say the same for myself.”
Half a year. He is a lot different than Tsuyoshi. It might be a difficult transition.
I nod. “I would expect that.” He’s the one that’s closer to his mother, I think, so he probably knows more about me. “I’m glad he’s coming, I look forward to meeting him.” I think for a minute. “Perhaps Tsuyoshi’s guardian will let him come down in the summer for a few weeks as well?” I want these boys to have time with their father.
He suddenly asks for water and I feel him withdrawing again. I come back quickly with a mug of water. I bring a second for myself, but it’s really to have a backup for him. He’s probably not eaten properly since breakfast…
I returned to my place by his side. “You should go see Ueda-sama soon. I think he’s being very polite and letting us have some time,” I laugh softly. “But I know he’ll want to thank you.”
?EURoeIt?EUR(TM)s something that comes with age, I suppose. Maturity. I wasn?EUR(TM)t young -then- but?EUR??EUR? I shake my head, ?EURoeperhaps it?EUR(TM)s something about feeling more secure in the things that matter.?EUR?
I?EUR(TM)m quiet as I listen to her answer my question. It is a question that I?EUR(TM)ve always wondered the answer to back then. Why couldn?EUR(TM)t I make her believe. If only she could read my mind back then and if only I could?EUR(TM)ve done better ?EURshowing- her how much she means to me.
?EURoeEarly on, I was -certain- I would have to give you up. That she?EUR(TM)d come to love you. And when that didn?EUR(TM)t happen, I thought I might be able to keep you after all. But I doubted that I could hold you, that I was good enough for you.?EUR?
Ah ?EURthat-. I toyed with the same idea so much as well. Not just with having to go back to Tokio had my sense of ?EURoeduty?EUR? made me, but that same sense of duty asked me to let her go and let her live a much fuller life. Both reasons, made me leave her so many times but I couldn?EUR(TM)t lie to myself. I couldn?EUR(TM)t live with myself. These were only answers we could get through the passage of time, through it?EUR(TM)s tests and of realizing what was most important to us and ?EURtrue-. Softly I kiss her forehead.
?EURoeNow,?EUR? ?EURoeI think I?EUR(TM)m one of the -better- things that?EUR(TM)s happened to you.?EUR? I smile back at her. ?EURoeYou were definitely one of the best things. You cook, clean, do my laundry, bear my children?EUR??EUR? I can?EUR(TM)t help but grin, ?EURoeah and many ?EURother- things.?EUR?
?EURoeAnd I could say the same for myself.?EUR? Ah ?EURthat-. I wasn?EUR(TM)t sure how to answer that so I don?EUR(TM)t. Maybe someday I will be.
Our talk turns to my boys and I nod. ?EURoeWhen school is out I did tell Namuzawa I will be coming to see him. I will telegram him to send Yoshi here instead before summer.?EUR? As for Tsutomu, I do wonder about how he?EUR(TM)ll take all this. I still do not know. I suppose I don?EUR(TM)t know him well enough.
She gets me my water and I take a drink. Ah that felt ?EURgood-. The best thing to soothe an aching throat. She asks me to see Ooji-san and I nod, ?EURoeHe?EUR(TM)s probably taking an afternoon nap.?EUR? I pull her closer to me. ?EURoeLet me enjoy this a while longer. Besides, he doesn?EUR(TM)t have to thank me, you did all the work.?EUR?
Hajime’s quiet as he considers my answers, and I get a gentle kiss. It says that he understands, and I return the kiss onto his cheek.
You were definitely one of the best things. You cook, clean, do my laundry, bear my children… ah and many ?EURother- things.?EUR?
“Hai, hai,” I agree, laughing softly. “But in return I get a nice lap, someone who loves my cooking and all the rides up the stairs I could ask for.” And much more.
He talks about Tsuyoshi. Maybe we should look at a bigger place, so there will be room for -all- the children? I’d also welcome Yukiko-san, I’m sure Hajime would like to keep an eye on his only niece. I’d miss our little place… but we can make memories anywhere.
As long as we can bring sofa-san!
Let me enjoy this a while longer. Besides, he doesn?EUR(TM)t have to thank me, you did all the work.
I lean back into his arms, resting my head back on his shoulder. “Mmm, but it was your idea. I think you’ll make his life more comfortable. And you should make the most of your time here with him.” I pick up his hand and play with it before handing him the second mug of water. His mood seems to have lifted but the problems are still there. At least we have the afternoon, much as we did in an earlier time.
?EURoeMmm, but it was your idea. I think you?EUR(TM)ll make his life more comfortable. And you should make the most of your time here with him.?EUR?
She plays with my hand and I lift hers to bring it up against the sky. I grin slightly.
?EURoeI never made that man?EUR(TM)s life comfortable.?EUR? I tell her honestly. ?EURoeI?EUR(TM)m only trying to appease for the past I suppose.?EUR? That man has kept my secret for many years, just like I asked him to. Kanbee?EUR(TM)s news of Naito confirms that.
She settles into me and I lean back, taking the other cup of water. I take a sip and place it down. Tomorrow we will be leaving, I hope Makoto and Yukiko is doing fine. Then it struck me, we don?EUR(TM)t have enough rooms.
?EURoeDo you think Makoto and Yukiko can share a room? I think Tsutomu will need a room by himself. It should only be temporary since we Kinnosuke should leave when we get back and once things are a bit more settled I would like to take up your offer to send Yukiko to Kyoto.?EUR? Though to be honest, I am uncertain of a few things. I am sure those in Kyoto already knows about Hide and I?EUR? Did she plan to send my niece to her relatives there or perhaps to others? Then I am uncertain if Tsutomu will even choose to live with us once he finds out that Eiji has been living in my old place at the machiya.
?EURoeI never made that man?EUR(TM)s life comfortable. I?EUR(TM)m only trying to appease for the past I suppose.
“You can do what you can, now,” I remind him. Some people will rightly see what is it, and accept it. Ueda-sama seems to be a wise man.
I grin as he plays with my hand, and I lean up and nuzzle his neck, enjoying sharing the afternoon sun with the man I love.
Hajime then speaks of the living arrangements. “How did you know I was considering that as well?” I laugh. So often now he seems to know what I’m thinking.
“Yes, that’s good. I hope to send Yukiko-san’s to my brother’s perhaps by spring? Hanako has the three little ones and I think Yukiko-san could learn a lot about being a wife and a mother from her. They’re closer in age, so hopefully they’ll be friends.” Maybe we can make a trip there in the spring to take her and introduce her.
I smile up at him. “I love our little house. Perhaps we can make it stretch to fit all that need to be under our roof.”
?EURoeYou can do what you can, now,?EUR?
I look at her and for some odd reason, I give in. “We’ll try.”
?EURoeHow did you know I was considering that as well??EUR?
Looking thoughtful, I pause for a moment before replying, “Well I didn’t know. But I suppose we think a bit more alike these days? But then again with everyone moving into our space…” I chuckle softly, “We do need to think of practical matters.”
?EURoeYes, that?EUR(TM)s good. I hope to send Yukiko-san?EUR(TM)s to my brother?EUR(TM)s perhaps by spring? Hanako has the three little ones and I think Yukiko-san could learn a lot about being a wife and a mother from her. They?EUR(TM)re closer in age, so hopefully they?EUR(TM)ll be friends.?EUR?
I nod, “Yes spring is good.” Maybe Yukiko can help my boys adjust and Hide can help her as well. I am a little apprehensive about Yukiko being with Hide’s kin. I still don’t know what they think of us, especially Tamesaburou. He had -no- idea I was the same person who had caused his sister unspeakable hardship. Ah and I even took money from him as well on my 2nd visit, yes payment to find her but during that time I had no idea what it was I’m doing having lost all my memories of her. How do explain -that- secondary lapse?
?EURoeI love our little house. Perhaps we can make it stretch to fit all that need to be under our roof.?EUR?
I’m brought back with her question and I consider it carefully. I never really thought we would stay there permanently. If anything it was a safe house until Tanaka is captured or -killed- by -me-.
“I love that house too.” Oh but how I hated it the past years when we were apart, but now I could not think of living anywhere else in Tokyo. “There is not much room left in the back but it has a large front yard. I’ll have to consult the plans but I think if you can give up a little of your garden, we can build an extension to the side.”
Truth is we could probably give up the tatami room but I’m not willing to give that up. It’s my favorite part of the house aside from the sofa, though with all the visitors we’ve not had an opportunity to use sofa-san a bit. I wonder if we should move sofa-san to the tatami room? I can’t help but chuckle suddenly.
We’ll try.
I nod. “There are things we can do from a distance – perhaps Akane-san would be agreeable to writing us and keeping us updated.” Even after a short time, I like Ueda-san.
I also think of writing Tamebo, and Hanako, about our plans for Yukiko-san. I’m sure Yuunosuke told Tamesaburou all about -us- when he came back from his trip to Ito, but I’m sure he’d want to know more. In the last letter I got from Hanako, though, had more questions about the “Saya-san” that Yuubo had been talking about since he got back.
There is not much room left in the back but it has a large front yard. I?EUR(TM)ll have to consult the plans but I think if you can give up a little of your garden, we can build an extension to the side
“I wouldn’t mind,” I say, smiling. “The little one will stay with us for a while, after all, so that’s a little more time to get everything built.” I squeeze him slightly, “but I really want to keep our spaces, so it’s worth a little garden to keep that.” That, and I’ve yet to fully rehab the garden after being away so long. Whoever lived in it during that time had kept things trimmed but not the way I would have.
In time, it will be beautiful again. Perhaps by spring? I smile up at Hajime. Part of that garden is very special, after all.
“I should make us all dinner,” I say. I don’t move, though, I’m enjoying being -here- too much. It’s been too long since we’ve had a chance to talk.
?EURoeThere are things we can do from a distance – perhaps Akane-san would be agreeable to writing us and keeping us updated.?EUR?
?EURoeIt?EUR(TM)s a good idea but I doubt Akane will want to write to me.?EUR? It would be awkward at best. ?EURoeIf you didn?EUR(TM)t find her too disagreeable, perhaps you can write to her sometime and ask? I don?EUR(TM)t think she?EUR(TM)ll see us off tomorrow.?EUR?
?EURoeThe little one will stay with us for a while, after all, so that?EUR(TM)s a little more time to get everything built.?EUR? I squeeze him slightly, ?EURoebut I really want to keep our spaces, so it?EUR(TM)s worth a little garden to keep that.?EUR?
?EURoeHmm?EUR??EUR? She squeezes my hand and I think harder. I don?EUR(TM)t particularly like the idea of having construction while she?EUR(TM)s in that condition and who would ?EURoemanage?EUR? it? She certainly can?EUR(TM)t and I ?EURmust- start seeing to some official but personal business. ?EURoeWe?EUR(TM)ll have to find someone reliable and works ?EURfast-.?EUR?
?EURoeI should make us all dinner,?EUR?
?EURoeYou certainly should. You?EUR(TM)ve become your lazy self again.?EUR? I grin at her, ?EURoeI remember all those afternoons that you would be doing nothing, just waiting for me to come visit. Ah such a spoiled little woman you were!?EUR? I kiss her cheek and slightly urge her to get up.
(OOC: You may close, the next time Saitou posts will probably be at the train station. If Hide wants to talk to Ueda prior to leaving he will be available before then. Akane will not be available.)
If you didn?EUR(TM)t find her too disagreeable, perhaps you can write to her sometime and ask? I don?EUR(TM)t think she?EUR(TM)ll see us off tomorrow.
“I’ll handle that,” I tell him. I don’t think Akane-san liked me -much-, but there’s really no other way to be in contact with Ueda-sama.
Hajime seems to be thinking more on the house, but nothing needs to be figured out now. I would rather wait and open up a hole in the side of our house once it’s warmer out, if we can make room for everyone until then.
I remember all those afternoons that you would be doing nothing, just waiting for me to come visit. Ah such a spoiled little woman you were! I’m laughing at him as I get up, tugging at his hand. “That was back when I was -learning- how to make soba. It took time.” I laugh as I head into the kitchen to get dinner ready.
(OOC: close)