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 her done.
“Don’t worry Ai-chan, they’ll be home soon.” I tell her but the truth was, I was telling it more to myself.
“You like having Ai out here.” Eiji comments.
“Well we’re always in the kitchen and I think it would be lonely for Ai-chan to be in her parents room, while they’re gone.” I can’t help but swallow my worry and smile at Eiji-san as he starts the fire for our supper later today. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen him cook but I’m glad he’s doing it. I watch as he takes out a small block of dried mushrooms and then some leaks and added miso paste to it.
“I’m sure Otou-san will return with Yagi-san.” He tells me as he blows into the coals. “Don’t worry.”
I pull Ai-chan closer, she’s keeping me warm. “I’m not worried.” I tell him and look at Ai.
He straightens up and looks at me and smiles. “At least Tomu and Makoto are behaving themselves.”
I nod. I’m lying. I’m worried. I always worried about them ever since I saw what loving could be like, but then Kinosuke-san left without a word. “Eiji-san, what would you do if they don’t come back?”
He slowly turns around and comes near, “You shouldn’t be thinking like that.” He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear, “But if they don’t, I think we both know what we’re supposed to do.”
Looking down at Ai-chan she begins to cry. I try to give her the milk but Ai turns her head away.
“Here let me.” He takes Ai-chan and starts to rock her, “Hush now baby. It will be alright.”
I watch as he presses Ai-chan on his shoulders and Ai starts to quiet down. It’s very much like when he’d take one of those brothers in his arms. Sometimes I thought to myself, he was their father when Uncle was away. To see a person like him, who went through those horrific events at least that’s what my father heard from Uncle. To leave his sons under Eiji’s care while trying to make sense of the lot given to them, Uncle must have a lot of trust in Eiji.
Standing up, I take Ai-chan back. “You’re supposed to be cooking for all of us.” I remind him, “And I’m supposed to take care of Ai-chan.”
He grins slightly at me and for a minute, it’s the same grin that Uncle gives Yagi-san sometimes. I guess even if they’re unrelated, a little bit of ourselves manages to shine through in the people we love. Maybe that will be enough for all of us.