It’s the big day…
I get up early – before Hajime even – to work on the lunch for today’s big event. Upper school field day, capped with Tsutomu-kun’s kendo tournament. Makoto is impatient for her own field day, but theirs is not until the fall. But she will be helping with the kyudo demonstration today, which she’s excited about.
Thankfully I have a four-tier bento – which I start to fill. Inari – including some cut open and decorated. Tamagoyaki. I fill a layer with cut fruit while I fry up the karaage, and make sure there’s a variety of pickles to go with it. Should I make onigiri as well? I would hate for there not to be enough.
(It’s early, if anyone else is up and around)
June 30th – Early Morning
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I was about to head straight outside when I spy a light in the kitchen. Perhaps…
Of course there she is, making preparations. Ah today is… Stepping quietly into the kitchen, I catch her from behind and hold her by the waist and kiss her on the side of her cheek.
“Before anything else today, Happy Birthday to the most wonderful woman a man could hope for.” I grin and have her face me and give her a proper kiss. “I won’t ask how old you are.”
Before anything else today, Happy Birthday to the most wonderful woman a man could hope for
I can only smile at that, my eyes glowing.
I won’t ask how old you are
I grin back. “Young enough to keep up with you… cooking, cleaning, children… and anything else you come up with.” I respond to his kiss, putting my arms around him. “But a long time ago you asked me to grow old with you. It’s going a little slowly, but I don’t mind the extra time – and of course, my answer remains a -yes-.”
We kiss as I keep her in my arms. I can’t seem to get enough of her. Why?
“Young enough to keep up with you… cooking, cleaning, children… and anything else you come up with.”
“Hmm..” I say thoughtfully, “Anything -I- come up with? Cooking and cleaning was your idea, though I don’t think you particularly like cleaning and doing laundry.” Finally I grin, “Children was -mostly- my idea.”
“But a long time ago you asked me to grow old with you. It’s going a little slowly, but I don’t mind the extra time – and of course, my answer remains a -yes-.
“If I didn’t know better I’d say you were complaining.” I chuckle, “But I’m glad you haven’t run away from me yet.” I go again for another kiss. This time with a little bit more passion that I’ve been feeling strongly the past few days. I’m going to have to let her go, soon of course.
Yukiko:
Kinosuke and I go down the stairs. There seems to be activity in the kitchen? It’s so early but I wanted to have breakfast with Kinosuke-san before he leaves again. Maybe if we start talking things will be back to how they were? He hardly stays in the house but I can’t say I’m minding. Yagi-san said if only she and Uncle used their lips more for talking than for kissing… Not that Kinosuke-san has kissed me lately and could one call -that- a kiss.
“If I didn’t know better I’d say you were complaining.” “But I’m glad you haven’t run away from me yet.”
“Yuki maybe we shoudn’t…” Kinosuke-san tries to stop me but I’m a few stops ahead of him.
Looking back at Kinosuke-san, I reply. “I think you’re being silly. They’re just…” I stop at the door. There they are in each others arms and kissing and not the innocent type of kiss that like a peck or light, but uncle is really going at it. My eyes go wide and I suppress a scream??
“Ahem.” Kinosuke clears his throat and announces us, “Good morning everybody!” He shouts rather loudly. If that doesn’t get their attention…. Nothing will. Should I run back upstairs?
I laugh, “Oh? I seem to remember being -enthusiastic- in agreeing.”
If I didn’t know better I’d say you were complaining
“Hardly,” I smile, and meet his kiss, and, oh, the passion I feel from him – which I match.
But I hear voices – ?
Ahem. Good morning everybody!
We’re interrupted, but what did I expect, here in the kitchen with the light coming up? I look over and greet them, “good morning, Kinosuke-san, Yukiko-san.” It’s then that I step out of Hajime’s embrace, with a pat on his arm. Unlike the other day, the interruption doesn’t set me off kilter – after all, this is our home and we’re an affectionate couple?
Yukiko-san has a strange look, so I go over to her.
“I’m working on the bento boxes for lunch today – we’ve not talked much about those, since the school provides lunch for the children – but today is the upper school’s field day and I’ve been told that preparing bento for a celebration lunch is what is done.” I smile – these are all new traditions for me, as the schools my brothers attended certainly didn’t have field days. “I indicate the layers of the box I’ve already prepared, and the karaage is sitting out cooling. “What else do you think we need? And are you and Kinosuke-san planning on going as well?”
To the men, I say, “we’ll have breakfast ready shortly, but I’ll go ahead and make coffee and tea.”
My eyes catch Hajime’s. Later. It is my birthday, after all.
I almost groan when I heard that loud greeting meant to interrupt Hide and I. I turn around with a rather exasperated look on my face and intend to direct it to Kinosuke but instead I see Yukiko staring at us… This time with a look of utter shock.
Only a girl not having had intimate relations would have such a look which on one hand puts me at ease that nothing has happened between her and Kinosuke but leaves me agitated that this girl is truly watching Hide and I. Have I set a bad example? Hiroaki might turn in his grave..
“Good morning.” I manage to grunt at them.
Hide tries to save the moment by acting casually, smiling and talking about preparing bento boxes. I wish I had -that- excuse.
“we’ll have breakfast ready shortly, but I’ll go ahead and make coffee and tea.”
“Nothing for me Hide.” I answer but catch her giving me a look. I blink trying to communicate that she’s being too obvious. “Excuse me I’ve left something unfinished upstairs.”
(OOC: Saitou hurriedly exits leaving Hide to deal with the two. LOL. Saitou will start a different thread.)
I’m told I cannot read a room for the life of me but I think I can read a look and that look means… I look at Yukiko she still has a shocked look on her face although her expression is still much too restrained.
“I’m working on the bento boxes for lunch today – we’ve not talked much about those, since the school provides lunch for the children – but today is the upper school’s field day and I’ve been told that preparing bento for a celebration lunch is what is done.” What else do you think we need?”
Yukiko nods and starts to look at what’s been prepared. “Let’s have onigiri. Perhaps one with just salmon and one with umeboshi? I can start with the rice…”
She still has that look. I hope she’s able to cook the rice correctly this time.
And are you and Kinosuke-san planning on going as well?”
I’m trying to look straight at Yagi-san but avert my eyes. Too many times now I’ve interrupted and it has become embarassing but it might be because the house is too small for all of us and no one is using the new addition!? Yamaguchi-san may in fact throw me out very soon but I’ve been busy but admittedly have been making myself sparse so they don’t feel crowded. So going on with that theme…
“I’m sorry Yagi-san but my business will likely keep me away until the evening but I’ll have the leftovers if you celebrate in the house or I get back early enough.” I smile closing my eyes and rubbing the back of my neck.
Let’s have onigiri. Perhaps one with just salmon and one with umeboshi? I can start with the rice…
I indicate the full rice bucket, “oh, I’ve already been busy this morning – after the inari, I wasn’t sure what else to make, but I like your onigiri suggestions.” I smile over at her as I get out the jar of umeboshi, and the other things she’ll need for her onigiri. I -do- need to work on her with rice – I cannot let her leave my care without learning it – but it’s too busy today. I notice she still has that -look-…
I’m sorry Yagi-san but my business will likely keep me away until the evening but I’ll have the leftovers if you celebrate in the house or I get back early enough
He looks away from me. What sort of business? “Well, Yukiko-san, are you coming, then?” I get out a smaller box to start setting aside items for Kinsouke-san. “And Kinosuke-san, are you staying for breakfast?” I start to get the soup ready – I need to make sure the children have a good breakfast – it’s a big day for them.
Oh! And at some point I have to pick up the cake I’d ordered. I grin a little to myself. It’s my birthday but I’m doing all of the planning… I suppose that’s the way it is as an adult!
Kinosuke:
Yukiko is quiet but does agree to coming to the school. Maybe the distraction or excitement there will get her back to normal?
. “And Kinosuke-san, are you staying for breakfast?”
“Of course Yagi-san. I have a full day ahead of me of running around.” Chasing all those who owe me money of course! I laugh a little at the thought, “I’m going to need a full stomach for that.”
I casually slide over to where Yukiko is now sitting and forming the rice balls, sliding my hand under the table I nudge her a little to help her be present.
“By the way Yagi-san, I heard it’s your birthday.” Of course I heard it earlier, Yamaguchi-san wasn’t very quiet, they might’ve thought everyone was still asleep. “Will you be celebrating here at home or are you all going out?” I’m just curious of course. If they’re going out maybe I can treat them? “There’s this beef hot pot place that is all the rage in Tokyo. I can get us a reservation even if it’s short notice.”
I hear movement upstairs, so I finish work on breakfast – there’s plenty of rice, the soup – today with tofu, to help keep the children until lunch on this busy day – along with pickles and nori.
By the way Yagi-san, I heard it’s your birthday. Will you be celebrating here at home or are you all going out? There’s this beef hot pot place that is all the rage in Tokyo. I can get us a reservation even if it’s short notice.
I shake my head. “It is my birthday, but I’ve made special plans for dinner here. But thank you for offering the reservation – is it the Akebeko?” I suppose maybe the beef is better than that attempt at soba, but if beef is pricey at home, I can only imagine what it is when dining out!
The thought of the Akebeko reminds me – I did send a message there to invite Eiji-san to both the school event and dinner tonight, but I’ve not heard back. And I need to ready things in the yard for tonight’s plans…
“Breakfast,” I call up the stairs. Then, with the hot water ready, I get the drinks together for the adults, and milk for the children.
And since we were interrupted, I didn’t get the chance to ask Hajime what today at school would be like. Perhaps I should break up the large bento, in case Makoto or I have to sit separate, due to the “uncle” ruse… I sigh, and look down at the boxes. One day I’ll be able to be by his side, properly, as his wife, even at that school.
Looking up, I blink. “Breakfast is ready, please help yourselves. I need to go to the back garden.” I can split up the food as needed, later.
(OOC: Hide has exited to the garden)