I hate this. Why does she have to watch me study? It’s not like she’s helping. She just -sits- there and lazily pretends to supervise me. She’s much more distracting than if I were to study -alone-. Who wants to read this crap anyway? The Seinan wars. The Boshin wars. The Hakodate war. The Aizu war. The abolition of the clans and the change to the prefectural system? At least the Sengoku war – I can stomach that.
I pretend to be reading the book but really I’m just waiting until she tires, which isn’t too long anyway. Who cares about school? The only thing I enjoy is Kendo. I hate science. I hate math and most of all I hate history.
“I’m done with this book.” I tell her with a smile and put it to the side. “I’m going to practice reading English.” If I take the detective book she’s been giving me to read, I’m sure she’ll leave and think all is well. She’s not much of a guardian after all.
(OOC: Going to get this thread out of the way since I’ll just be moving on to the Kamiya dojo since everyone is homebound. This thread doesn’t have to be long but it does determine whether he’ll improve or won’t under her supervision.
Also since I’ve started writing the Kamiya dojo stuff. If you want Kenshin or some interaction during the kamiya dojo scene, let me know because otherwise I’ll just write him in or maybe I’ll just use Kaoru or Eiji.)
He rebuffs every attempt I’ve been making to help him study. Of course, I had a household to run (and wanted to stay very very busy and not think) when my brothers were in school, and some of these subjects…
But I keep trying.
It’s not just that I’ve promised Hajime, but that I also… want him to return to Aizu, if he must, with something. Not to have lost a year. I’m certain that I’ll be regarded as a poor guardian and attempt at a step-mother by others, but I…
I can’t leave him worse off than when he came.
I’m done with this book. I’m going to practice reading English
“Oh, English is one of your best subjects,” I tell him. It really is… “So why don’t we use one strength to help one of your weaknesses?”
I pull out an envelope – something Yuunosuke sent me – a rather battered magazine that’s been passed through several owners. “Sadly, we can’t use English to help with your Japanese history as they don’t write about us, but they do love talking about science. This is a magazine that’s been out in the US for a few years, it’s called Popular Science Monthly.”
I flip open a page. “This one is interesting – it’s about electricity. They’ve set up a demonstration by a large waterfall, called Niagara Falls, with some new types of lights.”
I hand over the magazine. “Why don’t you read the article, and then we can talk about it? And then correspond it to the section in your science homework? Your textbook seems a little dry, but the magazines are written to make people interested, so they’ll want to buy the magazine.” I smile a little and hand it over. It’s certainly more approachable. Why must they write schoolbooks in this new era in the most formal language? That’s not engaging -at all-…
Tsutomu:
“Oh, English is one of your best subjects,” I tell him. It really is… “So why don’t we use one strength to help one of your weaknesses?”
Oh geez. I can’t help but look at her indignantly. One of my weaknesses? Really? At least I’m not her age and still project like she’s not a learned woman from a Samurai house. Father said she came from this proud Bushi house but she hardly seems like it.
“In true Samurai families, girls were taught from an early age.” I flip open the book she’s forcing on me. “Why is it that you can read some English and struggle with Kanji?” Of course she’d try Science rather than Japanese because her grasp of reading Kanji seems low. When she reads through the newspaper she seems to struggle and she avoids Japanese history books like the plague.
This one is interesting – it’s about electricity. They’ve set up a demonstration by a large waterfall, called Niagara Falls, with some new types of lights.” “Why don’t you read the article, and then we can talk about it? And then correspond it to the section in your science homework?
“We already have electricity downstairs. I’m not sure what we have to talk about since we finished electricity a month ago with that man flying a kite.” I shrug, doesn’t she even know the syllabus from the school. Well I never did give it to her because I have nothing to give since I threw it away.
She smiles and I smile back. “Since we’re already passed that and you said I was good in English already. Then I’m done for the day right Yagi-san?”
Maybe I’ll go and take a walk outside. I hate it in here – even the treehouse is like -jail-.
He gives me a -look- as I discuss his weakness, and I only smile.
In true Samurai families, girls were taught from an early age. Why is it that you can read some English and struggle with Kanji?
“I was needed by my family. Women servants were rare in the lead-up to the war; Kyoto wasn’t considered a safe place, and I put my brothers first. As for the English…” I smile a little, and switch languages. “Life can lead us in unexpected directions.”
“We already have electricity downstairs. I’m not sure what we have to talk about since we finished electricity a month ago with that man flying a kite
“Yes, we have it, but do you understand it?” I ask. “That’s the point of science. The man with the key is lucky that he didn’t die – as he didn’t understand it, not truly. Do you think that’s what your teacher wants to know? ‘It just works’ won’t be enough.” I take his science book and flip through it. “So if you’re done with that, what are you on now?”
Since we’re already passed that and you said I was good in English already. Then I’m done for the day right Yagi-san?
I smile back. “Perhaps you think… failing out of school next spring, and not graduating, will suitably repudiate your father and I,” I shrug. “Then you can go home, and enjoy speaking ill of us, our failure to you.” I look at him. “But that’s not a very good plan in the long run. This is -your- life, Tsutomu-kun, and your education is the foundation of that. You can waste this year… and maybe you’ll end up well enough. I’m sure you’ll have connections enough in Aizu… or you can really show your father and make something of yourself.”
“I remain committed to -all- of your options, as long as you’re here.” I take out the newspaper clipping. “See? This is a path for you. But to get there, you’ll need to apply yourself.” I look it over. “Yes, because your father your additional education could be paid for, but that’s the opportunity thousands of young men in Japan have. But fewer can actually make it. You’re smart enough, and goodness knows you’re stubborn enough…” I stand. “And I don’t give up on those I love,” I say, knowing how he’ll scoff at that, but it is why I keep trying, over and over again, with him.
“Finish your math homework – I’ll check it later. The baby… it’s uncomfortable sitting for too long and I need to walk a bit.” I look out the window. “And you’ve been setting a good example for Makoto-chan – now that she knows you’re working on your schoolwork, she’s not being lazy about her homework now.” I lean over and kiss the top of his head.
Tsutomu:“I was needed by my family. Women servants were rare in the lead-up to the war; Kyoto wasn’t considered a safe place, and I put my brothers first.
She makes an excuse about not being educated. So I answer, “Before the Aizu war, the women in Samurai households not only took care of their family, they pushed themselves to get educated and not just in the household duties. Maa… I suppose there’s no need for that with you Yagi-san.” Her lack of initiative, excuses and her timidity is disappointing. Even if he didn’t find the qualities he wanted in mother, he could’ve at least…
“That’s the point of science. The man with the key is lucky that he didn’t die – as he didn’t understand it, not truly. Do you think that’s what your teacher wants to know? ‘It just works’ won’t be enough.”
“Teachers at Futaba are not lazy nor are they dumb Yagi-san. I’m not sure what you are implying.” Ah whatever, girl’s and women like her are unknowable and they like to be right all the time. It’s arrogant really.
She tells me I’m wasting my life. And accuses me of speaking ill of them before I’ve even done so. Well isn’t that sweet of her? I don’t say anything and maintain a smile. That’s what it is really with a woman who pretends to be your mother, but they aren’t really. Then she gives me a newspaper clipping and that I should apply myself and get additional education because of my father. The rest of the words she says I don’t hear. Who can? After all she wants is to dump this “opportunity” (what is it anyway? who can make heads and tails of this?) and go back to him and tell him “Oh I love him but he just doesn’t apply himself. I tried over and over.”
I smile up at her, I guess I heard her after all.
“Finish your math homework – I’ll check it later. The baby… it’s uncomfortable sitting for too long and I need to walk a bit.”
“Sure.”
“And you’ve been setting a good example for Makoto-chan – now that she knows you’re working on your schoolwork, she’s not being lazy about her homework now.”
“That’s good.”
She kisses the top of my head. Why? Oh it’s that game she plays – so she can tell him, she’s trying without actually -trying-.
“I’ll get this done.” I smile wider. Then you can go tell him all the good works you’ve done today. I’m tempted to tell her not to try too hard, he only listens to her anyway.
(OOC: Close)
“Before the Aizu war, the women in Samurai households not only took care of their family, they pushed themselves to get educated and not just in the household duties. Maa… I suppose there’s no need for that with you Yagi-san.
“And I’m trying to catch up -now-. So I can be a help to my children.” I add, softly. “I admitted my weaknesses to you, Tsutomu-kun, so perhaps you could forgive some of my failings… maybe even help me, as you are good with kanji and the things I’m not,” I smile a little. “But that’s a lot to ask.”
But he’s a child, and one burdened with so much hurt. So no matter how many time he slaps back the hand that’s offered to him, I’ll keep offering… even when he leaves us.
I blink, but shake my head.
And to the rest… I get smiles that don’t go to his eyes, and one-word answers. I accused him of rudeness, he’s right to be angry.
“Alright, I’ll check your math before dinner,” I say, leaving the room.
(close)