Month: April 2021
Misao on the Docks (Tuesday AM)
“Hello, I’m looking for Sugita Kazuhiro,” I ask. I keep getting pointed part of the way there, but not all of the way. I marvel…
Planning for Osaka
I ended up stopping by the precinct early that morning. I wanted Saya to research this man Kato, to find out what kinds of dealings…
Fortune Favors the Bold! (Tues AM, Osaka)
Now that was a great meeting… my efforts at kissing up to the British in Hong Kong will open more markets to us. The little…
In Dreams
In the hallway again… I don’t want to be here I don’t. The door is glass, and there’s some English words on them, but I…
Keep Looking – Monday Night
Getting back from Toshio’s office, he’s assured me that all ports and docks are being watched from here to Osaka. By now I’m sure whoever…
A Gift
(Midori) On Monday, in the morning, I heard that both Makoto-chan and Tsutomu-kun were out of school. By afternoon, news went around that it was…
A Moment of Worry
Ai-chan is a good baby, I think to myself as I change her diaper. She just looks up at me as I try to get…
Osaka Harbor – Near Midnight, Monday
(Kato Hayato) “Welcome back, sir, and so early!” I nod my head at Uchiyama Jun. He’s turned out to be a mostly decent assistant. Willing…
The Yado River – Monday Afternoon
It’s taken about an hour for us to get here … past where three rivers come together to form the Yado, and a few ferry…
Monday at Myokian Temple
(Jo Takao, a teamster) Dammit! And here I thought I’d really come out ahead! An easy trip with -people-… well the one guy complained the…
Chief Toshio: Monday Morning Update
Toshio: I will say that anytime Fujita-kun appears something interesting happens in Kyoto. It’s not even been a week since the prostitution ring with Tanaka…
Tuesday Morning – Dressing the Part
(Kichisaburo) I turn around, slowly. “So, what do you think?” Asato-san claps her hands like a child, her eyes bright. “Oh, Souji, it’s just perfect!”…
Hours before Dawn
In the end I ended up staying at the Yagi estate. I actually never had slept in a room here as I lived in the…
Kyoto Prefectural Police – Dead ends?
Like a dog I shake my head to rid it of the rain outside. The front desk just stares at me. He’s seen me before,…
Monday in a new place
(Asato) It was a long trip, and it’s now mid-day Monday. I’m exhausted. “I thought we’d be at the main house,” Souji complains. “Oh, but…
Welcome to the Aoiya, Kyoto’s Favorite Place!
(Yuunosuke) It’s the time between lunch and dinner, so it’s not busy at the Aoiya. It’s a famous place – but just far away enough…
Shimogyo Ward
As I gallop to Shimogyo ward, I can’t help but think about what Hanako-san said, that perhaps it’s someone in Aizu. Maybe even Tokio. Is…
At the Yagi Estate
I forgo going to the Kyoto Police Headquarters and instead head straight to Mibu. I want to see what the brothers know… -If- they know…
First Class
After a quick round to Kobayashi’s clinic, I was able to get a drawing of this Sato Nana. It’s probably not her real name but…
At the Yagi House
The telegram came after lunch. It had been a few good days – the chaos returned as the children did, but Tamesaburou seemed really relaxed…
Tokyo Investigations
I get back to the Precinct having procured the horse I’ve been using for the rest of the day. The house secure, I send men…
Sunday Dawns in Kyoto
Report at Shimagyo Ward Police Station, Kyoto Sunday Morning A young couple, Nakao Masaru and Nakao Etsuko, arrived this morning to claim that they had…
Waking up Sunday Morning
(Makoto) I stretch out and it’s still nice and early. Since it’s warm, Hahaue said we could do a lot of gardening today – some…
Late Saturday Night, Tokyo Central Station
(Asato) “Oh god, what did you do?” I whispher at him, furiously. Bringing me a bloody woman… she’s alive, at least. “My dear… I do…
Saturday Night Darkness
Saturday Night (Hide) As always, when I’m lost, I go out to the garden. Sitting out there in the dark, on the little bench. Near…
Diary Fragments
Strong April, 1863 “She was never meant to be married,” my mother starts. I want to lean against her, like I’m a child again, hearing…
Bringing Lunch (Saturday)
He didn’t come back to me the other night…. I shake off my inaction and curse who needs to be cursed. Not that it does…
Saturday a Full Day at Work
When I arrive at the Precinct that morning, Kawaji was giving me the evil eye. And eventually I was called into his office and I…
Return (Saturday Midnight Oct 1886)
I get back past 1 AM, so I’m careful not to make a sound as I entered the house. The train had “engine” trouble I’m…
The Kyoto Police (End of 3rd Week Oct 1886 – Morning)
“Thank you for your assistance Toshio-san.” I bow to him. He’s a short man but has proven invaluable time and time again. He is a…
Dark Nights in a Small Place
“She had a good delivery, no issues, in and out,” I say, reading over the files, crumpled from being stuffed in my kimono. “There must…
A Dead Man’s Hand (3rd Week of October 1886 – Mid week)
I have maybe 15 minutes, no more. Then Toshio-san’s forces will come and raid the place. Aside from the front gates leading into the small…
Doing Good
Eiji:I bring the next batch of ice like I promised. Just in time of course when Yukiko and the children are still at school this…
Changing Plans
“You really couldn’t have left this alone could you?” I hiss as I take her by the arm, away from the temple. “How can I?…
Around Enryaku-ji
It’s almost the afternoon and Yuunosuke-san and I have spent most of the day at the temple and along the paths surrounding it, waiting, watching…
She was a good thing?
Aioi-san looks even nicer with normal clothes on! Now if only she’d stop coloring her teeth! The hair combs and pins can stay though, she…
Empty Pockets
It’s been a week since Yamakawa-sama’s visit. It’s quiet now and I missed Eiji-nii, apparently he dropped by when I was in school. He’s been…
Up and Down Mt. Hiei
It wasn’t like I wanted to get in his way. After the other night, I finally understood why he was doing this. Why the police…