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 to go find what sorts of wagashi Kyoto puts out for the season. I was just -too- busy last fall.” He smiles charmingly at my mother – we’ve been seeing to the laundry.
My mother smiles back, “oh go on, Hide-chan. Make sure to bring something back for your brothers.” She leans in closer to me, “but go and change first?” I look down – I’m not fit for going out.
“Don’t worry, Yagi-san, I’ll wait – I’ll meet you at the gate.” He goes back over to where some of his troupe stands around.
Quickly I get out of my water-spotted kimono into one more appropriate, and find him at the gate – along with some of the first troupe, arguing with him about plans for the day. He shoos them off, and turns to me as we walk onto the street.
“Sorry about that – they never want to let me out alone,” he laughs. “But today is our day off, so I told them all to go about and not worry me!” I hear some mutterings behind us – well, they must be devoted to their captain, even if he works them hard. “Besides, it’s your company I want today.” He smiles and looks up at the sky, squinting into the sun.