When Kinosuke-san takes the children to school, I ask him to bring me some of the morning papers. Last night was quiet in our neighborhood… but it should have been last night, according to Shindou-san. I was almost anxious enough to sent Tsutomu-kun to the roof…
Ah, here they are. Two have nothing. One has an article on the second page, a brief item on a controlled fire in Yoshiwara. The final paper had more information, mentioning a heavy TMPD prescence but not much else.
I look up at the blue morning sky. Was that it? Is he safe? Will he come home soon?
(OOC Hide is pottering in the garden if anyone wants to interact)
The morning after
8 thoughts on “The morning after”
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Yukiko:
I ended up sleeping in. There’s nobody upstairs and I look out the window and it seems work has started again with that addition. It’s coming along nicely and should be finished this week I heard Kinosuke-san say.
Going down the stairs, I cross the living room and go to the kitchen but spy Yagi-san sitting on the engawa with the paper. Odd I’ve been here a while and I’ve never seen Yagi-san peruse the papers. Noticing she’s not had anything to drink and it’s still a little cold I quickly prepare us some tea.
Finally done I walk out to where she’s sitting and kneel down beside her, “Yagi-san, I thought you’d like tea?” I smile. “It’s such a nice morning isn’t it?”
The sky is so clear it won’t be raining.
I’m looking through the first two papers -again- in case I missed it – I cannot “skim” newspapers as they’re printed so closely and sometimes use kanji that I’m unfamilliar with. But nothing else about a disturbance last night. Maybe it didn’t happen?
The thought leaves me with dread… wasn’t there a plan?
Then Yukiko-san surprises me with tea! I had entirely forgotten my morning needs in light of focusing on the children and then getting the news. “Thank you – you know exactly what I needed this morning.”
“Kinosuke-san said that there’ll be a walkthrough at the end of this week on the house addition. I’m not sure if he’s told you.” I look outside at the half finished treehouse. “They’ll have to get that treehouse finished though before any final exchange of money can be done.” I just hope Kinosuke-san hasn’t paid them in full already!
“Thank you – you know exactly what I needed this morning.”
I hand her the tea. “Are you feeling ill Yagi-san?” I ask a little concerned. She looks okay, just ill at ease as if she’s looking for something in the morning papers.
“What are you looking for? Maybe I can help you?” Although I never left the vicinity of Akashi, my father had me go to one of the better schools there. I was his only daughter after all but I don’t tell Yagi-san this. I don’t want to her to think I’m so well learned. Besides I can hardly cook although I’ve some headway in that department.
Kinosuke-san said that there’ll be a walkthrough at the end of this week on the house addition. I’m not sure if he’s told you
I shake my head, “He’s not, but I’m glad that it’s almost done.” I’m still a little worried that he went overboard, but we can deal with that if it happens.
Yukiko-san asks after my health, and I shake my head. “No, no, we’re fine, I pat my tummy, “I just know that a big turn in the case your uncle is working on is happening and I was seeing if it would be in the paper anywhere.” Of course, Shindou-san wasn’t exact, and why I assumed fire… well, I am from Kyoto.
“I found this,” I show her the acticle from the fourth paper, “but not much else.” I sigh. “But it may not have even happened last night.” I give her the first two – of the group, the more “respectiable” papers. “Could you look through these? Anything about major police activities.”
Yagi-san doesn’t seem worried about the construction work so I think once they’re done I’ll ask Kinosuke to make sure she sees the results.
She pats her middle and says she’s good. “I’m glad. I think he’d be more worried about that.”
“I just know that a big turn in the case your uncle is working on is happening and I was seeing if it would be in the paper anywhere.”
Ah… I understand now. She gives me the other set of newspapers asking me to look through them. Any police… “Keisatsu… Keikan…” I turn the pages slowly, “The Tokyo Asahi Shimbun mentions of several buildings being set on fire in Yoshiwara. No civilians were hurt, only 30 sword police casualties.” I read some more but the details seem to be lacking.
“That’s odd. If even if there were widespread fire in such close quarters, 30 dead is still a high number, which means injuries were likely higher.” I take a sip of my tea, “But why would they need the sword police to manage an arson?” I shake my head and give the paper back to Yagi-san.
“Aren’t you being a little too concerned Yagi-san? It’s not like you can do anything about it. Even if Uncle were involved. It’s highly unlikely he’d be one of the 30.” I think a bit more, “At worst, he’s probably just injured and already at a hospital somewhere recovering.”
I’m not sure I understand Yagi-san’s worry or am I making too light of it? I’ve never had to worry too much about anyone before. Even when father died. Odd.
Yukiko-san tells me about the story she found… I look it over and I’m -embarrassed- that I didn’t catch that one. 30 sword police dead? That’s… a lot of that group, as I undestand it. She gives an astute anylsis of the situation, which surprises me – does she follow the news?
Aren’t you being a little too concerned Yagi-san? It’s not like you can do anything about it. Even if Uncle were involved. It’s highly unlikely he’d be one of the 30.” I think a bit more, “At worst, he’s probably just injured and already at a hospital somewhere recovering
“Well I’m -always- going to be concerned anytime he leaves out these gates,” I say, quietly. “What he does is -dangerous- and that’s part of being with him – but it doesn’t mean that Ican’t worry.” I smile at her a little.
A hospital? “Does the TMPD have its own facility?” I wonder. I’ve only seen a part of the massive complex – the way to his office.
Yagi-san looks surprised as I point out the article. It was written in a weird stylized Chinese font so it’s easy to miss.
She smiles as she tells me of her worries. I suppose it’s not too dissimilar to when my father would complain back in the day. I wonder if Tokio-san did the same? But if she did it would show on Tsutomu. The contrast is so striking even if I’ve never met his wife.
Does the TMPD have its own facility?
I shake my head, “I don’t know Yagi-san but that young cop probably knows, if he shows up in the school again. ” then I again i don’t want Yagi-san chasing and come out empty handed. “But don’t you think he’d come straight home instead? I’m not sure if uncle would want you looking for him every time he’s gone for a job.”
I look down, in those novel stories I read, the man always came back to his lover. I look up at her “I think he’ll come back to you. ” i end up with a smile.
(Ooc: you may close)
But don’t you think he’d come straight home instead? I’m not sure if uncle would want you looking for him every time he’s gone for a job
I smile. “I know – and it’s not easy to gain access there anyway.” I stand and fold the papers. I’m not his wife, after all, and only Shindou-san and Kawaji-san know of me. After all, there are probably those in the government that would take more offense to him having a mistress than what he does as a part of his job.
“yukiko-san, has anyone ever taught you how to make soba noodles?”
(OOC – close)