I had been gathering intelligence on Imai and Tanaka’s movements the past week. I had worried that Tanaka was onto us as he unexpectedly didn’t make any effort to leave Nakasendo until the past week. His destination surprisingly was back to Kyoto but for now enough eyes are on him.
As soon as Tanaka left I had met with Shindou and sent him to the wolves but with all the information he needs. Aioi won’t know him but I’ve given him an old tell, one we used in the Shinsengumi. There’s no doubt she will trust him and if she doesn’t?
I violently inhale the smoke. I -know- I should be the one going there. Not Shindou. What if something happens? To him or to her? I’ve put my family business first, before my duty.
Idiot. Don’t confuse the two. You said it yourself, retrieving Aioi was not police business.
But why is Aioi your business ahou?
She’s an asset. Nothing else.
Are you sure?
Tch! I beat my chest lightly after inhaling the smoke again. As soon as my business with Tokio is done in Aizu, I can go back and take care of other things. But for now while there’s still light out, I leave the office to see my wife and our children.
I wonder if the little one is awake? She’s been keeping her mother awake at all hours at night and morning. Maybe I should tell it to be a good little baby girl and to try to sleep for a few hours straight? I grin. Maybe I’ll try that.
(OOC: Saitou is going home. This thread can be used for Yuunosuke’s visit or if the “afternoon” doesn’t work you can start a new thread)
(Yuunosuke)
I stand outside the gates. Tamebo said that it was the “Yamaguchi” house, so I guess this one is it?
“Hello?” I call out. I certainly hope this is the right place – the crate I brought from Kyoto is large – the girls helped Hanako-san carefully pack up all of the dolls. And I don’t think this is the part of town where there’s carriages for hire just wandering around. I already had to deal with the grumblings of the driver about the crate.
I laugh to myself. I had to tip the man well. My brother, though, upon hearing the cost, probably would have just tried to push it down the streets from the station on his own!
I try the gate but it’s locked and -sturdy-. I’m about to call out again –
Then I see a tall man coming down the street… that’s Saitou-san. “Hello!” I call out.
“Hello!”
I look the man over with his large crate. At first I wondered if it was a merchant but as I came closer…
“Ah. I’m glad you came. ” I tell him. It’s always a little awkward seeing one of Hide’s brothers show up unexpectedly. I suppose I’m used to them being out of sight… and with that out of mind.
I open the gate. “Here I’ll help you with your things. ” I take the large crate he doesn’t look song enough not to struggle with it. “Hide will be glad to see you. ”
I motion him to proceed to the front of the house.
Hmm… Saitou-san doesn’t look happy to see me. “Ah, hello,” I say, bowing. “I meant to telegram, but I could only get a couple of days from school to come up here.”
I look around, it’s a nice place! I saw it the one time when I helped her move in, but I don’t know Tokyo at all. It’s always being rebuilt….
But at least he takes the crate.
Hide will be glad to see you.
“How is she?” I ask, quietly. I know it’s a rough time for some women, and Hide-neesan keeps things to herself. But maybe he actually knows things… which would be good. “And the little one? What did you name her?”
“I meant to telegram, but I could only get a couple of days from school to come up here.”
“No need to telegram.” I shake my head as we come up the engawa. “After all you’re her family, so you’re welcome.”
On the engawa I place the crate to the side and start to smoke.
“And the little one? What did you name her?”
I answer his first question first. “Ah I can’t believe I forgot to add it to the telegram. Her name is Ai.” I grin slightly. “We had a hard time picking a name. Sumana.”
“How is she?”
I wasn’t sure how to answer this. I think she’s okay? She seemed happy? But I never really know and we haven’t had a lot of time to speak – mostly due to a full house and the baby -is- a lot of work for the mother. “She says she’s fine.” I pause, “Well at least her childbirth went smoothly, that’s why I wanted it at the clinic.”
“Hold on for a minute?” I turn and open the door and just announce that we have a visitor.
After all you’re her family, so you’re welcome.”
“Yes, and I know my sister runs a household well enough to adjust to anyone coming, but it’s always nice to know.” I’m certain my mother would have fussed at me…
Ah I can’t believe I forgot to add it to the telegram. Her name is Ai. We had a hard time picking a name. Sumana
He grins as he says the name… “Naming is hard, I’d imagine,” I nod. “My brother and sister-in-law argue every time, and they’re already full of opinions for a number five that hasn’t even been started yet!”
“But it’s a good name,” I say. They do have a knack for it.
Hold on for a minute?
“Certainly,” I say, a little concerned at his response about how she was feeling….
—
(Makoto)
I saw Chichiue come home from my treehouse (well, I was on the roof, like Tsutomu-niisan showed me! (okay I watched him and he told me not to but it’s the best place to watch!)) and he had a big box! I wonder what it is… maybe it’s a toy I can show the baby how to play with?
I hope she plays soon. Now all she does is -eat-! She’s going to be an even fatter baby!
I’m going to get down and someone is with him! I look…
Oh. It’s just my uncle Yuunosuke-san.
“Yes, and I know my sister runs a household well enough to adjust to anyone coming, but it’s always nice to know.”
I look at him and just nod.
“My brother and sister-in-law argue every time, and they’re already full of opinions for a number five that hasn’t even been started yet!”
“Ah I’m glad to hear that of Tamesaburou. Five is…” I take a drag on the cig, “a lot.”
He compliments us on the name and I nod at him again. Well after Ai-chan, if it’s a boy it will be her father’s name. But if it’s another girl? We’ll have to figure that one out or maybe I’ll just agree to what she comes up with first.
I’m surprised no one is coming out to greet our guest so I finish the cigarette.
“Come on in. No sense waiting out here.” I say and drag the crate inside. “If you go straight and turn left – that’s our kitchen.” Then I realize it’s not very proper to receive him in the kitchen but I suppose it’s a habit we’ve grown accustomed to in this house. “Or if you want, you can turn right and wait by the alcove and I can get you some refreshments.” He is our guest after all.
(Hide)
I’m snatching a bit of sleep… and I hear voices. I leave a thankfully sleeping Ai-chan in her basket, fix my hair and clean up a bit, and come into the kitchen. It’s a quiet time – the children are outside, and Yukiko-san wanted to go to the market…
Would Hajime be home this early?
And there in the kitchen is my brother, looking around. “Ah, Saitou-san, we are family, no need to be so formal – and my sister’s favorite place is the kitchen.”
I enter the room and smile. “Yuubo! What a nice surprise!” I go to stand by Hajime, to whom I give a short kiss. “Too bad you’re a day late – yesterday we had the baby’s naming ceremony – her name is Ai-chan.” I look up at Hajime with a smile. I hope the family picture turns out well. “And if you came to see her, she’s sleeping.”
My brother nods. “Yes, to see the both of you. And I brought a gift – it’s rather large so it’s in the other room.”
and my sister’s favorite place is the kitchen.”
“Ah it is.” I say and was about to fix us something to drink when finally Hide appears.
“Yuubo! What a nice surprise!”
I watch her as she comes over, she has that look of someone who just woke up. Ah… I bend down slightly to get my customary kiss. “Ah… Ai-chan’s finally asleep in our room.” I say and just touch her hair briefly. “Thanks for taking care of things. Do you want me to tell Tomu and Makoto not to make too much noise? I’m not sure if Ai-chan is a heavy sleeper like you.”
“Too bad you’re a day late – yesterday we had the baby’s naming ceremony – her name is Ai-chan.”
She looks up at me with a smile. Initially I wasn’t sure we’d get through the photo shoot but we eventually did. Makoto took the little Akebeko cow she got from Tsuyoshi saying that’s him in the photo, while my son promptly told her Yoshi is not a cow. Eiji seemed nervous about getting his picture taken but I’m not sure if it’s actually the camera or whether it was the camera man who made him sit very close to Yukiko for the whole 15 minutes.
“Yes, to see the both of you. And I brought a gift – it’s rather large so it’s in the other room.”
“Do you want to see it now?” I ask Hide. I can’t bring it in here but we can unpack it in the living room.
(Hide)
I look up as he touches my hair and some of the fatigue that having a small baby (and being its sole food source) leaves me with goes away. He’s here… I nuzzle my cheek against his jacket for a minute.
Thanks for taking care of things. Do you want me to tell Tomu and Makoto not to make too much noise? I’m not sure if Ai-chan is a heavy sleeper like you.
I smile. “She’s not a heavy sleeper but doesn’t seem to mind it – although that will change when she gets older and realizes the fun she’s missing out on. And they like popping in to ‘check’ on her.” Makoto’s really come around with the baby… and Tsutomu-kun’s protective side seems to come out with her. He -fusses- at me if she’s up too long…
“Oh? What is this gift?” I wonder what it could be.
“It’s a bit large… but it looks like you added on to the place since I came all those years ago, to get you settled in.”
Do you want to see it now?
I grin at both of them. “I -love- presents, yes, please?”
Suddenly Makoto appears from outside, a leaf still in her air… “ooh what sort of present?” she grins as well.
We follow Yuunosuke into the living room. “That is large,” I laugh.
The crate is pried open, and amidst piles of excelsior…. “my hinakazari set!” I cry out. “Oh, I can’t believe that it’s all still here!”
Yuunosuke laughs, “well, you’ll need to get a new red cloth… I think some mice found it over the years and found it tasty, but the dolls and decorations are fine.”
Makoto starts pulling out dolls. “Look, hahaue, how pretty they are!” It was bought new for me, as there hadn’t been a daughter in the Yagi family for a couple of generations before I came along. “Chichiue, look, at all of these!”
“Yes, next spring we’ll be able to have a proper hinamatsuri for you and Ai-chan.” We’ve made do with paper dolls, and just three tiers…
She’s not a heavy sleeper but doesn’t seem to mind it – although that will change when she gets older and realizes the fun she’s missing out on. And they like popping in to ‘check’ on her.”
“Oh is that right.” I can’t help but smile a little at that. I do like the idea of the children getting along. “But do get some rest. I came home early…” I don’t finish that, it would be rude to Yuunosuke. I had thought that I’d give her a reprieve but now we have a guest.
“I -love- presents, yes, please?”
“Of course.” I shake my head a little at this but we go ahead and Yuunosuke opens the crate.
“my hinakazari set!” I cry out. “Oh, I can’t believe that it’s all still here!”
“Look, hahaue, how pretty they are!”
“Chichiue, look, at all of these!”
I raise an eyebrow at the two of them. In another place and another time, I suppose this is what they’d call “Christmas”? But I’m glad for their reactions, especially my daughter – I suppose my worries are the same as Hiroaki’s with Yukiko. For a moment I wonder where is Yukiko but then think, it’s probably best she’s not here. If I remember what my brother used to say about his daughter, she wasn’t raised properly without a mother – so she missed out on these things. But she still turned out quite well, brother. You should be proud.
“Yes, next spring we’ll be able to have a proper hinamatsuri for you and Ai-chan.”
“Ai-chan would hardly be walking then.” I remind the both of them. “You two can play with the dolls.” I chuckle and shake my head again.
“I’m going to fix some tea or coffee.” I tell Yuunosuke. “I think the “girls” will probably be here a while. You’re welcome to join me if you like.” Of course I plan to smoke and I don’t want the dolls to smell of smoke.
(OOC: Saitou goes back tot he kitchen)
I’m not sure who’s more delighted – Hide-neesan or Makoto-chan!
“I bet Yukiko-san will like these too!” I hear Makoto-chan say. Yukiko-san… Tamebo did say that a niece of Saitou’s stayed here as well.
I’m going to fix some tea or coffee. I think the “girls” will probably be here a while. You’re welcome to join me if you like
“Yes, thank you,” I say, following him to the kitchen and watching him get things together. “You two have really made this house into a home – I came with her to move her in, years ago, but now it’s full of family.” I smile. It’s a comfortable place. “Oh, and I brought some books for your son – he’s not the only young person to struggle with the “modern” history they teach in schools.” Futuba is said to be a school dominated by former members of the Aizu clan, so I’m a little surprised that they’re toeing the government line so closely – but perhaps they’re aware they’re under scrutiny. “I also talked Tamesaburou into handing over a copy of his first draft of the Shinsengumi chronicles – perhaps he’ll find that interesting?”
He follows me to the kitchen. He doesn’t tell me his preference so I just make coffee for the both of us.
“You two have really made this house into a home – I came with her to move her in, years ago, but now it’s full of family.”
I hand him his coffee and sit down across from him. “It is a change from many years ago.” I don’t add that of course I used to visit her here alone and one thing led to another. I do wonder if this house was full perhaps of her “friends”, would we have gotten to know each other enough to move forward? Just like that sister who lived with -that- friend.
“Oh, and I brought some books for your son – he’s not the only young person to struggle with the “modern” history they teach in schools.”
“Thank you.” I don’t say much else. Of course I know what the issue is with my son and additional books won’t fix that. I had hoped that more supervision would help and Hide did – but at least it’s clear what else is the issue. I need to spend time with him myself, how to carve that out…
“I also talked Tamesaburou into handing over a copy of his first draft of the Shinsengumi chronicles – perhaps he’ll find that interesting?”
I light a cigarette and don’t answer right away. After some time I ask, “Why is Tamesaburou writing about the Shinsengumi?” Doesn’t he know, that our enemies are still here? They know about Kano and others from the Goryo Eiji.
“It is a change from many years ago.
“Yes, but it looks like a good change – Makoto-chan has grown from when we parted when leaving Ito.” Of course, I wonder now about oneesan’s insistence on a full-size futon when she settled in here. Did she know where her life was going – or did she really, as she said, just want the space to stretch out?
He doesn’t seem pleased about the books, perhaps I’m overstepping? But Hide-neesan said the boy was struggling, and it’s a difficult topic for many of my students.
Why is Tamesaburou writing about the Shinsengumi?
I smile a little. “He says… it’s the work of his lifetime. Only to be published, long from now, when everyone is… gone.” I remember who I’m talking to, and not just that, what he is to my sister, and take a too-big sip of the coffee. “Many, -many- years from now. Hiroki-kun may be the one who actually sees it to print. But, um, yes, so it’s a secret project for now – much like the archives he’s managed to collect.” I put down the coffee. “It pleased us both to be of use, when you needed those archives. We were surprised – and concerned – to hear that elements of the Goryo Eiji are still around.”
“Yes, but it looks like a good change – Makoto-chan has grown from when we parted when leaving Ito.”
I nod and take a drag on the cig. Ito feels like a lifetime away. Now we have this house – a household – a new baby.
He says… it’s the work of his lifetime. Only to be published, long from now, when everyone is… gone.”
“That’s good.” I say and after some consideration, “I’d like a copy but I probably won’t give it to my son. He wouldn’t be interested.” Oh he might but it’s likely from the point of view of his mother, condescending. I should at least review this manuscript – make sure.
“It pleased us both to be of use, when you needed those archives. We were surprised – and concerned – to hear that elements of the Goryo Eiji are still around.”
“Things are taken cared of for now.” I take a sip of the coffee, “But if anyone else comes visit – do send me word. From the Goryo Eiji or even from Serizawa’s old acquaintances.”
We’re quiet again for a while. I don’t really have much to say so I ended up talking about Tamesaburou of all people. “Your brother came here, checking in on us. What did he tell you when he got back to Kyoto?”
I’d like a copy but I probably won’t give it to my son. He wouldn’t be interested.
That’s surprising. Hiroki-kun can’t get enough of Shinsengumi stories.
Things are taken cared of for now. But if anyone else comes visit – do send me word. From the Goryo Eiji or even from Serizawa’s old acquaintances.
“Of course,” I answer. “I suppose you know about Abe Juro’s visit. It was strange to me,” I say, drinking some of my coffee, “that he was so interested in Hide-neesan. Our ‘official line’ is that she’s living in the countryside – to some of the old members and the “fanboys” she’s a figure of interest.”
Your brother came here, checking in on us. What did he tell you when he got back to Kyoto?
“He went… all full of fire,” I say, looking down into my coffee cup. It’s nice to have it here, at my school it’s not even -allowed-, tea only! “I told him what I observed of you two, and what… Asuka-san,” I make sure to use her name formally, as Saitou-san may not like me referring to her as ‘Saya-san’… “told me then, and what she told us when she came to see us in Mibu.”
“He came back… well, he’s willing to let you and Hide-neesan figure it out,” I say. “About your marriage, and the status of your children.” I sigh. “He struggles with this… ‘head of the family’ role, sometimes. With the children, it’s easy. But with Hide-neesan? Who is not only our sister but the person who practically raised us, gave up her chances at an education and a real childhood, for us? He wants to do right – both to protect her and to see that she’s happy.” I finish my coffee. “And I told her, that you make her happy.”
“I suppose you know about Abe Juro’s visit. It was strange to me,” I say, drinking some of my coffee, “that he was so interested in Hide-neesan. Our ‘official line’ is that she’s living in the countryside – to some of the old members and the “fanboys” she’s a figure of interest.”
I nod. “What fanboys exactly are you referring to?” I need to know what else could potentially come up. One never knows and I want to be prepared.
I listen as he tells me about Tamesaburou. About his fire. I knew it was likely something like that but perhaps the unexpected visitor threw him off. And then Yuunosuke mentions Saya which surprises me. We have not spoken in a while, although I do know she’s enjoying her job in Kyoto now. I watch Yuunosuke closely, he tried to run away with her. The women of the red light district has a way of getting to men, well they are trained that way.
. “He struggles with this… ‘head of the family’ role, sometimes. With the children, it’s easy. But with Hide-neesan? Who is not only our sister but the person who practically raised us, gave up her chances at an education and a real childhood, for us? He wants to do right – both to protect her and to see that she’s happy.”
I blow out a smoke as he speaks about Tamesaburou being the head. He certainly let me know that when he was here but I keep the thought to myself. I sigh, “I told him…” I smoke a bit thoughtful, “that if anything should happen – if she appears on his doorstep to not let her go, even if she says she doesn’t need help. I don’t want her running off alone again.”
He doesn’t say anything about Saya-san… but most likely she’s in contact with him….
What fanboys exactly are you referring to?
I sigh. “They were never members of the Shinsengumi – most are around my age, my brother’s age. They know the legends… but they weren’t there, so they’re mostly romantic legends.”
I think. “The most pesky is one named Kata Hayato – very wealthy, new money, he offered to buy the beam that has the sword gashes in it from the Serizawa incident. He’s known to pay for former members for information, but he mostly gets the most minor – the sort that begged off due to illness after a month or so. He used to try to pester Shimada-san, but the last visit – back in early summer – he was very interested in Hide-neesan.” I shrug. “However, I heard from a friend at school that he dabbles in politics and some of the old samurai groups, but who knows?”
It is strange that we’ve had two visitors who are -insistent- about oneesan.
I told him… that if anything should happen – if she appears on his doorstep to not let her go, even if she says she doesn’t need help. I don’t want her running off alone again.
“If I had been there… ” I say, quietly. Could I have stopped her? But then I look at Saitou-san. “But I would hope she wouldn’t have cause to run off again.”
Then I hear a cry coming from another room, and then the sounds of Hide-neesan’s feet as she nearly runs through the house.
“I suppose my new niece is awake?” I grin and smooth back my unruly hair, trying to dismiss Saitou-san’s comment about my sister “running off”…
Hide-neesan comes back into the kitchen, carefully carrying a baby. “This is our Ai-chan!” She looks at the baby with a loving look, and then back at Saitou-san with a look that also speaks of love. I suppose that explains the name? I peer forward into the blanket, only seeing the back of her head, but she -does- have the “wild” Yagi hair!
“They were never members of the Shinsengumi – most are around my age, my brother’s age. They know the legends… but they weren’t there, so they’re mostly romantic legends.”
I think. “The most pesky is one named Kata Hayato
I listen carefully. In this new age of the Meiji, wealthy men are a source of trouble but not all the time. Just sometimes. But the fact that this one pestered Shimada is worrisome. Shimada is an imposing man, even back then in Aizu he could scare the western army just by swinging a canon around.
“If I had been there… ” I say, quietly. “But I would hope she wouldn’t have cause to run off again.”
“Of course not.” I say quietly, he doesn’t know what transpired just a couple of weeks ago. I’m still reeling with what I heard from the Tanuki and has mostly ignored Eiji’s reaction. But am I really worried about what I can’t remember, more than what I know to have happened? Well what’s done is done so I go ahead and ask the question, one that may one day help her stay.
“Your brother told me your father had a wish for your sister? What was it? How about your mother?”
But we’re interrupted again. I almost grimace but catch myself as Hide comes in with our Ai-chan so excited to present Ai-chan to her Uncle. Putting out my cigarette, I stand off to the side so the brother and sister can be closer.
OOC will post in AM
(Yuunosuke)
Saitou-san seems to take my story about the “fans” seriously, which is good. Tamesaburou seems to think they’re something to be humored, but this one seems… to know too much?
Of course not.
Maybe I can get a chance to talk to Hide-neesan while I’m here… maybe?
Your brother told me your father had a wish for your sister? What was it? How about your mother?
I’m going to tell him, as maybe I’ll make progress where my brother did not, but my sister is here, showing off the baby. I take Ai-chan and hold her (as I’m an experienced uncle by this point). “Maybe you’ll think I’m cool? Unlike your big sister?” I laugh and look at her. Other than the hair texture I think she must favor Saitou-san’s side… those eyes! “What a little beauty!” I tell both parents.
However she starts fussing and I hand her back over. “This one is always hungry!” my sister says, almost in an apology. She spots Makoto-chan, “Makoto-chan, please go to the tatami room and make sure that there’s everything your uncle would need is in there?” Hmm. I guess all of the bedrooms are in use?
“Hey, I live in a house with four kids,” I remind her. But she excuses herself and goes into another room with the baby.
“As to my parents… let’s talk when it’s a little quieter? But I can pass along something from my sister-in-law… try to get her out some? Hanako-san wanted me to press that – because Hide-neesan is the sort who takes care of everyone else first. And she sent some device to um, help with the, ah, feeding.” Growing up with all of those sisters, Hanako-san doesn’t seem to have a filter sometimes when discussing some physical aspects of motherhood. Working class women feed their hungry babies where needed but samurai women are more modest… But I shake off my embarrassment, and add, “not even in Kyoto do mothers hide in the house for 100 days anymore. It always did Hanako-san and Tamebo good – and I didn’t mind babysitting!” I grin a little. Of course he won’t like me meddling, but Hanako-san really does have good insight…
I watch as Yuunosuke expertly handles the baby. I suppose being a Uncle to several nephews and nieces, he’s quite adept with handling children.
“What a little beauty!”
I can’t help but slightly grin at this. She is beautiful… But my eyes end up settling from Ai-chan to her mother instead. The baby fusses and Hide takes her back, instructing Makoto to fix the tatami room. I’ve noticed that even with the room addition, we’re still lacking bedrooms and I don’t particularly like our guests to keep taking the tatami room. I’m tempted to tell Hide the 2 girls should share a room temporarily but I refrain, Yuunosuke did say he’ll only be here for a few days.
Opening the door to the outside I start to smoke again as I let them catch-up but no sooner had I done that, Hide and Makoto leaves the room. So instead I stand quietly by the open door just smoking.
“As to my parents… let’s talk when it’s a little quieter? But I can pass along something from my sister-in-law… try to get her out some?
I look at Yuunosuke. Does he know that Hide has mostly sequestered herself to this house? But she was pregnant… Though I know she has a tendency to do that even back then when it was just the two of us. So I simply nod at him.
And she sent some device to um, help with the, ah, feeding.
“That would be good. You can give it to me or her directly, unless you need to provide some explicit instruction to operate…”
not even in Kyoto do mothers hide in the house for 100 days anymore. It always did Hanako-san and Tamebo good – and I didn’t mind babysitting!”
“My niece Yukiko is helping. I imagine going forwards even with the babysitting but…” I sigh and take a long drag on the cigarette. I don’t finish. I’ve always wondered if having too many people or children in the house posed a burden to Hide. It certainly did it seems to my ex-wife. I grin only slightly, “Aside from “pretend” getaways, I don’t think she wants to get away too much from the people in this house.” He’ll probably not know what I mean by pretend getaway, after all even those has come to a stop – in this world.
Saitou-san seems agreeable to the suggestion I passed along from Hanako-san… good.
That would be good. You can give it to me or her directly, unless you need to provide some explicit instruction to operate…
I go over to my luggage and hand over a small satchel. “Oh, no, no, I think Hanako-san wrote down instructions.” I shake my head. “And women always seem to -know- things, but she told me this was new to Japan.” One of her sisters has parlayed her experience into being a midwife, and she knows about all of this…
Aside from “pretend” getaways, I don’t think she wants to get away too much from the people in this house.
Pretend getaways? This must be some little “in-joke” that couples share, and then he grins a little… I think, and say, “well she likes having a full house. When my mother died and it was just the three of us, I don’t think she knew what to do with herself.” Well, Hanako-san joined us soon after, but that was its own complication.
“Tamesaburou mentioned that you have a washroom? If I could…?” -Running water-. I’m under strict orders not to tell his wife…!
(OOC Yuunosuke will exit unless stopped. Hide is in the bedroom and Makoto is around. If Saitou doesn’t join one of them, you may close or start a new thread)
I’m given the contraption and I look it over. I -see-. But how would we keep the milk… It’s then that I’m hit with a longing for the conveniences Hide and I used to know, in that other world where our friends are alive.
I grin at it a little. Well we live -here-. The people we care deeply about, our actual family is -here-.
“Tamesaburou mentioned that you have a washroom? If I could…?”
“Ah yes.” I point to the direction of the washroom with the hot water. Another one of those conveniences.
He leaves and after finishing my cigarette, I take the “gift”. I hope it helps Hide tremendously. Now as for the ice I’ll have to arrange that, unlike in Gonohe where we could store ice relatively easily… Here in this house, that is not an option.
(OOC: Saitou exits. End)