He left the invitation on his desk and according to Kawaji he was taking a few days off. But the event is this Friday already and it’s my mission to make sure everyone feels included, even him. Especially people like him who needs to transition from field work into something more conventional. People like him hate office work but at some point we all have to stop being lone actors.
I hold the invitation in my hand. It’s specifically for married couples of higher ranking officers and discourages bringing “guests” or children. But Kawaji didn’t stop me when I said I’ll be delivering this invite myself and he knows the person who lives with him is not his wife but may as well be.
Knocking on the door, it takes a while until someone comes out.
“Oh you’re from the Police.” A little girl looks up, “I thought you were Chichi-ue – he wears the same uniform.”
Is this the daughter he mentioned once? “Are you Makoto-chan?”
“Hai!” I smile at the little girl, “Your chichi-ue left this at work.” I show her the sealed invitation. “Please ensure that your father or mother receives this invitation letter.”
The girl takes the letter and looks up again. “My brother Eiji-nii and I were at the TMPD this afternoon. It’s too bad we didn’t know and you had to walk all the way here Mr…?”
“Ah I’m Police Chief Uramura. Uramura Muraki.” I look back at the little girl, “What business did you have at the headquarters Makoto-chan?”
“We had to fetch some ice for the baby’s milk.” She stares at me again, “Your eyes are even squintier than Chichi-ue’s!
I just smile at that and instead address her first statement. “Your father did tell me a baby was coming.”
“Yes! Her name is Ai-chan.” She says with a hop.
I smile a little, bow and turn to leave. “Isn’t that nice?”
It must’ve been a name Yagi-san picked out. Perhaps they took turns? Makoto seems like a strong name that there can be no doubt, he chose it.
Letter:
All Officers:
Our annual ball will be held at the Royal Imperial Theatre! All Officers are expected to attend with their significant other. Unfortunately no other guests nor children are allowed at the event. Please ensure to wear proper attire, formal uniform for officers and for the women, we encourage a western dress. We will have esteemed guests from all over Europe! We want to manifest the best of Meiji Japan especially to our important visitors!
Signed: Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department
(OOC: Hide can get the invitation from Makoto)
“What was that, Makoto?” I ask, putting the “results” of my pumping session in the icebox.
She hands it over, peering at it with great interest. “A police officer brought it!” She thinks for a minute. “His name was Uramura Muraki and he had glasses and a funny point moustache -and- squinty eyes! He said that that this was an -invitation- letter!” She thinks for a minute. “Oooh, do you get to go somewhere?”
I pop it open, and read the text. “This Friday?” I ask, a little surprised. Did Hajime know about this? And… would I get to go? Despite what we call each other, and how we feel about each other… well, that all depends on what is happening in Aizu, but he’s been gone a little longer than I expected.
Which… I’m not taking as a -good- sign.
I try to remember but it’s -fuzzy-. My old Western dress was a -day- dress. Nighttime clothes for a -ball- requires… well, more skin showing on the arms and chest. And then there’s the matter of fit. I look down. The other day when I went out I purchased a special undergarment meant to help a woman’s body (and her shape) recover from childbearing. It’s tight but it’s said to get results… I didn’t even bother last time, of course, because I didn’t intend for anyone to see me.
I remember what I saw in the weekly “women’s page” in the paper. Fashions are still tight in the front and bosom, and with that bizarre “bustle” contraption in the back.
“I can’t afford a new dress,” I say. And don’t they take a while to make? Unlike kimono… today I’m wearing one that my -stout- grandmother wore. They’re so adaptable!
“Oh but there are shops that offer rentals!” Yukiko-san chimes in, having been informed of the situation by Makoto while I was lost in thought. “You should go first thing tomorrow!”
“Chichue said that you were good at dancing!” Makoto adds.
“He did?” I look down at the invitation, with a bit of a smile on my face. But is this a place that we can actually dance together?