Tuesday 1st half

Hajime (At the office mid-day):

The events from this morning has left me off kilter that I’m finding it hard to put together a side case I’ve been working on. I put the papers aside and light another cigarette. Although my son seems to have dropped his obstinate and unwarranted deprecation of Hide as the other woman, it seems this time it’s not some aspect of our illicit relationship but something more specific to how he feels like he’s been treated during his time with us. Although I’m sure it’s not due to lack of effort on Hide nor my part, perhaps it’s just the way things are, like oil and water. Is that why he’s not done well in school? I thought it was just his obstinate nature of not wanting to accept what’s in those textbooks as true, for which he can be forgiven and the last time I was with Takimi, that seemed to be the case. I know she said he’ll never be hers, but I wished and I hoped that they will learn of each other in time. That my oldest would see the woman I fell in love with and she would see him beyond being my son with Tokio. But maybe that was a misplaced hope and when it comes down to it, there is no going back. It maybe best for everyone involved to send him back to his mother in Aizu – maybe he’ll be happier there and the stresses here in Tokyo will dissipate? Have I given up on him? I hold my head on my palm feeling a migraine rear it’s ugly head.

Tsutomu/Tsuyoshi’s Room (Before mid-morning)

Tsuyoshi:

I wanted to run up the stairs but I go up quietly. I’ve finally caught my breath as I slide the door open and close it behind me.

“Tsutomu-nii…” I call out to my brother who’s sitting on the edge of the open window. “You might fall you know.”

“I’ve never fallen, not even once. You know that.” He doesn’t look back at me.

“I’m sorry about earlier.”

“What are you saying sorry for? It wasn’t your fault those people outside were being contrary.”

“Maybe they have a point you know?” I go closer and sit on the single chair by the study table.”

“You’re taking their side now?”

“No.” I look up at my brother. “I’m just thinking maybe Yagi-san feels obligated to follow Chichi-ue because she did say he was the head of this house. And it must be hard for her to go against him because she’s pregnant.”

“You’re too kind Yoshi. And it seems like you’re a lot more excited about the baby than it’s own sister.”

“Well I’ve always wondered what it would be like.” I look outside the window, “You were lucky, you came first so you got to touch me before I came out.”

“I didn’t touch you. Who would want you as a brother anyway?” I look down. That hurt a little.

“You say that but I think you did. And I bet you’re at least curious about how the baby bump feels.”

“That’s probably you…” He sighs, “But besides the baby, Yukiko-nee-san told me Yagi-san already thought it was okay to go to the Akabeko. That she and onee-san talked but Yukiko-nee-san wanted to let father know before we left.”

I look at him again and I can’t help but smile. “That’s the second time you’ve called him that.”

He sighs, “What’s the big deal?”

“You don’t hate him anymore.”

I watch him shrug, “It’s hard to call him with pronouns. That’s all.”

“I was always so jealous of you, when he’d train you just by yourselves.” I play with the tsuba on the table, “Yagi-san said you can read ki now too. You practiced again with him didn’t you?”

“You should ask him to show you, if you want.”

“I already asked to hold his sword.” I hold the tsuba up against the light, “when Yagi-san and Chichi-ue were in Aizu but he wouldn’t let me.”

He gets up and takes the tsuba from me and puts it back in it’s place on the table carefully, “It’s no big deal. It’s just a piece of metal.”

“He loves you more you know. You get to stay -here-.”

Suddenly, he flicks his finger against my forehead. “Get your head out of a rut. Besides you’re in a much better place now with Namuzawa-san.”

He goes and sits by the table, “Initially I was very angry at Namuzawa because I thought…” He pauses and seems to change directions, “I mean I’m really glad that family wants you in their life. You get to be the center of their attention and go to a good school.”

I nod. He’s right of course. “I do want to help them.”

He grins at me slightly, “Father did tell me you made the decision to stay.”

“Well it was easier for everybody that way.”

“You can’t always take it for everybody.”

“Besides I was angry at father back then because I thought, he was making an excuse when he said it was not his decision… You know because he couldn’t keep our family together, so he put the blame on us, on you.”

“So you believe him now?” I glance at my brother, “I remember when no one seemed to get us from school or from the neighbors, you would tell me, “I’m sure he’ll come. Believe Yoshi! We’ll persevere!”

“That’s child talk.”

I laugh, “I guess not too different from Makoto-chan?”

“Idiot.”

I get a knock on the head.

“Anyway, let’s just have some fun today. I want to eat at a great ramen place and Makoto-chan wants that sweet tofu drink for breakfast.”

“That’s only maybe a third of the day.”

“Then let’s go to Ueno park, you know that Sakura tree…”

He groans and I wonder if I should’ve said that. But the three of us used to go there him, chichi-ue and me.

“Don’t you want to go to the museums or galleries instead? They have lots of new ones in Tokyo with all the western exhibits.”

I shake my head. “I’d rather sit under the sakura tree and eat daifuku, mochi, sweet ramen, yakitori and watch the leaves fall.”

“It’s summer already.”

“Well I can still sit under the tree.”

“Yagi-san said there’s a lot to see in the museums, gallery and even the zoo. We should go to at least one.”

“I thought you didn’t like Yagi-san?”

“I just hate how she acquiesce to father even when he’s wrong. And I don’t like her trying to be close mostly when he’s around.”

“But isn’t that better than how it was before?” Doesn’t he remember when father and mother used to fight so openly? Or when mother would disappear or leave us when he was around.

He shrugs, “Can we stop talking about that? Let’s just plan for the day. I think Makoto would have more fun at the zoo.”

“Wait you mean father hasn’t taken her yet?”

“Does it look like he’s taken us anywhere except to the back streets?”

“Well you’re in charge because you’re paying.”

“Aren’t you supposed to be the golden child?”

I laugh. “Only after I change my name and become the head of the Namuzawa.” Of course that day seems faraway and a part of me is glad it’s still seems like the distant future. “By then you’ll already be the head of the Fujita house so you’d still be “it”.”

“Idiot… Who’d want to be the head of the Fujita house?”

I could only smile.

“Alright! Let’s go! Food! Drink! Animals! And no going home until the sun sets!”

“Yes brother!”

(OOC: I don’t actually plan to write out the kids going around town. Just assume they do. I’m unclear on Hide’s request that Yukiko should stop by before they leave – is this mostly a comment or does Hide need the interaction because if so then I can write Yukiko to post.)