Month: May 2020
A Long Time Coming
It’s time. We meet again at the same Izakaya and we drink. He’s not much of a drinker but I don’t mind taking more than…
The Visiting Doctor
A week into June, early morning (Dr. Kobayashi) “I have Yagi Hide this morning, correct, nurse?” I look over at Hironaka-san – she’s been strange…
Message from Kyoto
A telegram? From the police? My, my Hide-neesan is busy these days… I read it over. Thankfully I have nothing pressing today, and I know…
Old Grudges, New Troubles
It was time to get up to speed with the 9th Captain. I strode to their table confidently and with a smug smile, I take…
Garden Time
It’s already June. Finally I have time for the garden, to work -properly-, and on the weekends when the construction workers aren’t here is the…
Happenings at Yoshiwara
So the Captain of the 9th Troop appears. I watch as Mikisaburo and what now seems to be his attendant Arai Tadao enter the hall.…
Memories: An Agreement
Spring 1865, Part II My family has been kind, leaving me space to air my sadness. For the first time, I rattle around the house…
Makoto’s New Club (That She Will Not Skip!)
“Well since your mother and I can’t seem to meet in person, we’ve been exchanging letters, and I think we have a solution for the…
Piecing things together is Slow
Fifteen yakuza men dead. That’s the thought running into my head as I meet with Fujita-san. I heard it was a Saitou and Kano who…
Memories: A Goodbye
Early Spring 1865 He’s saying goodbye. In my memories later, after the war, during those lonely years, I recall there being sakura falling. But of…
Dreams more like Nightmares
“No please don’t! I can’t! I can’t! No!!!!!” She screams suddenly. More like a shriek. I shook her awake. She’s sobs into my chest. “Another…
Birthday Dinner
The beef gyudon is slowly simmering itself done as I get out a stool for Makoto. I had to buy the cake at a bakery,…
1st Day as a Crossing Guard
As I help the children cross the street and keep watch at the school gates, I go over the list of things I have done…
A Package Arrives
I unwrap the brown paper covering a box and instead of a stack of papers, it’s … tea? A very specific sort of tea, for…
Memories – Sword Hunting
Kyoto, Fall, 1864 It’s a warm autumn afternoon, and Okita-san seeks me out. “Come, Yagi-san, let’s go out. The leaves are falling and I want…
Working for a Fat but Dangerous Man
As usual the men are gathered but I notice their gatherings have gotten more chaotic, even spilling out to the streets but no one in…
Tea From Kyoto
(Hanako) Dear Hide-san – I was so excited to hear the news that you are expecting again!! I hope you are staying healthy and keeping…
First “Semi”-Official Visit
The next day I go to the house where I followed that kid just the other week. I came mid-morning to ensure the kids are…
Waiting at the School
Kinosuke-san comes with me to the school earlier than usual as I have an appointment with someone at Makoto’s school to talk about the incident…
The Right Person for the Right Job
I stole to my office before the cock crowed. I admit I missed being in uniform and much more my cigarettes. I take a long…
Endless Nights
It’s been a couple of days and Kano has been more than willing to update me on the Goryo Eiji. Apparently Arai Tadao and Suzuki…
The Yagi Boys are on the case
(Yuunosuke) I’m surprised when my brother sends word to the school to come home -now-. Oh no… is it one of the children? I find someone…
Errand Boy
I head first to the post office and drop off the letter for Yagi-san. She was adamant it go through the post. I did pay…
A Letter to Kyoto
Dear brothers (and yes I do mean both of you) I hope this letter finds you well, as well as Hanako-san and the children. I am…
Wasting time in the garden
A few days later… It’s the afternoon and Makoto and I just got back from school. She’s running around -again-. Her and Yoshi are the…
Rainy Monday
I walk out with Makoto, Yukiko-san and Kinosuke-san. “No, you two go to the school, I’m going in the opposite direction.” I don’t think that…
Ageya-machi Yoshiwara
Most night’s I’m awake, building up trust with Imai’s group. They’re a rough lot, interested in drink and women and quick tempered. I wish I…
Looking for Yukiko-san
After returning home, I go to look for Yukiko-san. I’ve not been able to talk to her since she went to Eiji-san’s, and I would…
Talking to a Wall; Everything Comes Together
We walk through our old neighborhood in Ueno. I stop by one of the stalls and bought a simple dish of gyudon and tofu with…
Memories: How to Watch a Fight
Fall, 1863 I slide the door open to the side courtyard which the Shinsengumi has appropriated as a dojo, and enter with my trays of…
Afternoon Errands
I’ve yet to get Yukiko-san alone, and I realize that the afternoon is escaping me. For some funny reason, the postal service follows Western traditions…
Making Sense of their Past
I promised Yukiko I’d do this. I let myself into the Yagi’s. I should take him for the weekend as it will be a difficult…
Old Fights, New Enemies
Scanning my eyes in the room, it seems Imai’s group has increased in size. She did say this would be a gathering of various Shizoku…
Evening – After bath
Baths are quick these days – it’s said that an expecting mother should not spend too long in hot baths. I get us washed and dry,…
Night Ramblings: The Distant Past
Since I heard the news of Yaso’s passing I had not been able to sleep well. Tokio and I had now been married 5 months…
An Evening of Waiting
It’s the afternoon. I haven’t seen Yukiko all day. That’s unusual. The workers just left and I look at the gates wondering where she could…
Tanaka Arc: So a New Day Begins
I wash up from last night. Looking at myself -hard- in the mirror. Last night with Aioi was tough and unwelcome. Had it been a…
Makoto: Cutting Club
It’s club day but I don’t want to go. Teacher said since I didn’t start at the beginning of the year that I had to…
Hide’s Afternoon
Thanks to Yukiko-san, we were ahead for dinner preparation and I could go run some errands prior to picking up Makoto and Tsutomu-kun – it’s…
Interpersonal Relationships
After providing morning refreshments to Kinosuke and the workers outside, I go back inside the house waiting for Yagi-san. I want to try to see…