I wasn’t sure if Makoto already let her know, so I hung around in the hallway hoping Midori would come by. The other students gives me passing glances, while the others don’t hide their stares because all of them heard didn’t they? That Makoto’s mother was abducted and the rumor was that she was abducted because of her immoral behavior with -him-. But they said he was of the police and so he could do anything he wants, get anyone he wants and throw away what’s old for the new. “Old like a rag” that’s what I heard some of the teachers say about my mother.
But he came back with Yagi-san, like he promised and yet… I had those dreams that felt they were real.
I said I would be glad if…
Shaking my head I pull out the envelope from my pocket, I remember I need to stop by the post office -today-. But I don’t want to ask Yukiko-neechan anymore, she seemed uncomfortable the last time. So I should do it myself and let Makoto and nee-chan go ahead on home.
(OOC: Tsutomu is looking for Midori)
(Midori)
I was glad to see Makoto-chan back today – although she looked a little bewildered, and the one time I looked out the window she was playing alone…
“Well now everyone knows what a rotten woman her mother is,” Tsurumi-chan said, later. “She was abducted because of her immoral past, you know.” She looked smug. “I hope it was people acting for Aizu, to -remove- her and -restore- Fujita-sensei – both to her place here and with her husband!”
I shook my head and walked on. I just hope she’ll leave Makoto-chan alone, and enjoy her fiction on her own time.
I look up as I come to the door and I see Tsutomu-kun.
“Hi,” I say, looking at him. “Are you waiting for Makoto-chan? I saw her heading to the gates.” I can’t miss how the other kids are staring at him, how rude…. but I guess Tsurumi-chan isn’t the only one who heard, believed or made up outlandish stories.
Tsutomu:
“Are you waiting for Makoto-chan? I saw her heading to the gates.”
“No I was waiting for you.” I say and look back at her. I’m not sure why I’m here after all she probably already heard. “I just wanted to let you know that Yagi-san got back last Saturday.”
“Makoto’s probably going to meet with Yukiko-nee-chan by the gates.” Most of the students are leaving and so I start walking out with them. It’s then that I had a thought. “Do you have anything to do this afternoon? If not then come with me?”
Waiting for me? Why? I duck my head as I feel my cheeks go pink… What? He’s Tsurumi-chan’s intended, after all…
I just wanted to let you know that Yagi-san got back last Saturday.
“Oh, good… seeing Makoto-chan back today, I thought it must be so…” I didn’t try to think about if they never came back, if she never came back. “Nothing was in the papers.”
Do you have anything to do this afternoon? If not then come with me?
Yamaji-sensei has started allowing me leave as I wish – she’s worried that after all these years, I spent too much time shut in at the school. “I can go out, and I don’t have any activities this afternoon.”
I walk with him to the gates, with the other kids, meeting their mothers or whoever it is they come to see. I remember my first year, standing under the big oak and looking out at the scene… feeling homesick.
Tsurumi-chan appears. “Oh, going somewhere?” She starts walking with us. “Tsutomu-kun, I’m so glad to see you back!” she says, smiling. “I was so worried about you!”
Tsutomu:
“Nothing was in the papers.”
“It’s probably for the best.” After all the more details, the more they’ll talk about it right? She agrees to come with me and I’m glad. We keep walking and then from out of nowhere her friend Tsurumi suddenly appears. I try not to frown and be rude, after all she is Midori’s friend.
“Tsutomu-kun, I’m so glad to see you back!” she says, smiling. “I was so worried about you!”
I glance back at Tsurumi. “I wasn’t the one who was abducted.” I say rather flatly and finally spy Yukiko-nee-san already with Makoto. She waves at us and we go near.
“Well it’s time we all go home.” Says Yukiko-nee-san and I shake my head.
“I’m going out with my…” I glance at Midori and then tilt my head at Tsurumi, “My friends.” Grinning a little, “Can you just go home without me?”
Nee-san gives me somewhat of a disapproving look and I only grin more. I bet she thinks these girls are my girlfriends but they’re not. Isn’t that supposed to be a mutual thing? But it’s a good enough cover.
“Fine but you can’t stay out late!” She says and takes Makoto by the hand and in a quieter voice adds, “They just got back and have a lot of things to worry about.”
“Don’t worry. It’s been a while since I’ve seen my friends. We just want to catch up.” I assure her.
Yukiko smiles over at the two girls and gives them a nod.
(OOC: Yukiko will exit with Makoto unless stopped)
I wasn’t the one who was abducted.
She chuckles. “Well, they wouldn’t have harmed you anyway! You’re a son of Aizu, after all!” She smiles brightly, and moves so she’s standing in-between Tsutomu-kun and I. She throws me a smug smile. “Oh! This pavement is still so wet from this morning’s rain that I may slip! Could I please… hold your arm, Tsutomu-kun?” She smiles at him, but with worry creasing her brow.
Maybe I should step back and let them… but we approach the gates and there’s Makoto and the young woman. He seems to enjoy going out with the two of us – I didn’t think he was that sort of boy! But I don’t miss what the young woman says, quietly. They have a lot of things to worry about? Well Yagi-san was kidnapped…
Don’t worry. It’s been a while since I’ve seen my friends. We just want to catch up
“Oh, there’s nothing for you to worry about, ma’am! I’m a respectable daughter of an Aizu samurai!” Tsurumi-chan says. Makoto just stands almost behind the young woman… but they leave.
“Tsurumi-chan!” An adult’s voice comes from behind us. It’s Yamaji-sensei!
“Ah, I was going out with my friends,” she starts, glaring at Yamaji-sensei, very rudely.
“Your mother will be here shortly – you’ve ducked out on two prior appointments. April is coming and if you want to go on with your education you need to start the process-” she looks at me, and then Tsutomu-kun. “You two are dismissed to go about your business, and mind curfew, Midori-chan.”
A fine carriage rolls through the other gate and Tsurumi-chan narrows her eyes. “I hope she enjoys all of her fine -trappings- she got for betraying my father’s memory!” she mutters, glaring at Yamaji-sensei, and then me. She straightens her back, though, and glances over her shoulder. “But maybe I’ll marry instead… but I suppose -now- isn’t the time to introduce you, Tsutomu-kun. I guess your father will have to…” she shakes her head.
“Please excuse me, Tsutomu-kun,” she bows, smiling prettily. “-Family- business is intruding!” She rolls her eyes and turns to follow Yamaji-sensei.
“Well, they wouldn’t have harmed you anyway! You’re a son of Aizu, after all!”
I can’t help but feel my face go cloudy all of a sudden. Yes they would’ve hurt any of us. In fact I saw… No. I didn’t. I could only shake my head as she gets in between Midori and I and asks if she could hold my arm. I extend it out slightly, the ground is wet after all and there’s no need to hurt herself.
“Oh, there’s nothing for you to worry about, ma’am! I’m a respectable daughter of an Aizu samurai!”
Yukiko-nee-san bows at her. “I’ve heard about Aizu samurai but our family is originally from the Akashi clan in Honshu.” She smiles and takes Makoto just in time for Yamaji-sensei to interject saying something about Tsurumi skipping out on her mother?
“I hope she enjoys all of her fine -trappings- she got for betraying my father’s memory!
I watch as the carriage rolls into the school. Her family must do pretty well.
“But maybe I’ll marry instead… but I suppose -now- isn’t the time to introduce you, Tsutomu-kun. I guess your father will have to…”
“What?” But she quickly disappears along with Yamaji sensei. I let out a breath.
What was -that- about?
Once their out of earshot I say to Midori, “Well at least she’ll be meeting her mother… And thank you for agreeing to come with me.” I say as we walk along, “I’ve been stuck in the house for weeks and so I haven’t been able to go to the post office to send my mother some money.”
Thankfully the post office isn’t too far.
His face changes when Tsurumi-chan insists that he wouldn’t be hurt. So her crazy theory has to be wrong… but she goes off, giving me a dirty look that’s the opposite of the smile she showed to Tsutomu-kun. One that clearly says, hands off!
Well, I can walk in the rain. And I’m tall, so I don’t have to scurry to keep up with him as we go to the post office.
“Oh, good, I need to buy some stamps.” The school secretary sells them in the front office, but she’s a cheat – she charges 3 sen for 2 1-sen stamps! For the “convenience” of it… well, everyone has to try for something, I guess.
“You’re supporting your mother? Are you still working?” I ask. I heard a rumor he was washing dishes at one of those beef-pot restaurants. I wonder what those are like – thanks to some of the old traditionalists, the school food is strictly of the non-meat variety.
ooc will reply tom
“Oh, good, I need to buy some stamps.”
“You write your family a lot?” I ask as we walk along. “Do they write back?”
She ask about my mother, whether I support her.
“I guess for now, since -he- won’t.” I sigh as the small outpost of a post office comes into view. “I used to work at the Akabeko just for the summer because Yoshi was visiting and we needed some fun money. But I had to quit the job because of -him-.”
We get to the front and there’s a small awning. It’s then I notice that I’ve made her walk in the rain… Well it was more like a drizzle really. I don’t have anything except… I go through my bag and find the towel. It’s not dirty but I have used it.
“You can use that or not. I had to use it after gym earlier.” I offer the towel but if she rejects it, I wouldn’t feel the least bit slighted.
You write your family a lot? Do they write back?
“It takes a while for a letter to get there since there’s no train yet,” I say. “I get a letter from my mother once a week or so, my father and my siblings less often, and now some of my nephews and nieces send me drawings and notes.” I smile a little, they seem really cute but I think the oldest wasn’t even walking when I last saw them.
“Your father? He doesn’t support your mother -and- he doesn’t let you work? Is there a school in Aizu she could work at?” He didn’t seem that unpleasant when I’ve seen him lately – well, he was cross with Makoto-chan and the younger brother, but I remember his face that day in the rain.
He smiled for them, but as he approached… he looked bothered.
But that was a -long- time ago.
He hands me a towel and admits he used it in the gym! I wrinkle my nose. “It doesn’t smell too much like a stinky boy,” I tease, patting down my hair and face before handing it back. I wonder if Tsurumi-chan was here… she’d probably steal it. I hope I’m not that silly about boys next year when I’m her age.
We go inside the small post office and I take two letters (using my last two stamps) from my bag and slide them in the out of town slot. One for my mother, one for my oldest sister, who lives on the other side of town and doesn’t always get the letters passed around to her. “Now, stamps,” I say, but groan a little at the line, and there’s only one clerk working!
“English practice for waiting time?” I ask, switching. “My test much better!” I tell Tsutomu-kun.
“I get a letter from my mother once a week or so, my father and my siblings less often, and now some of my nephews and nieces send me drawings and notes.”
“That’s really nice.” I say. “My brother and mother never writes me but I can’t say I write to them a lot.
“Your father? He doesn’t support your mother -and- he doesn’t let you work? Is there a school in Aizu she could work at?”
“He said he did but I guess after Yoshi was given away to my mother’s Uncle and since I live with him, he doesn’t care much about her.” I frown, “I quit my job because there were people in the Akabeko that did not like him and that he was harassing. And my mother, I’m not sure if she can work in Aizu” I rub the back of my neck, “She stopped teaching here probably because of the rumors right? I can only imagine what they say about her in her hometown. We were Aizu’s model family, she said we were the perfect family… Well, until he decided to go running after Yagi-san instead of my mother.”
I watch as she uses the towel and makes a comment that I don’t stink as much. I can only smile wryly at that and take back the towel after she was done. I’m a little wet too but I wouldn’t use it after a girl’s just done that.
Getting in the long line, she decides she wants to practice English. “I guess it’s not a bad idea.” I look at her and start speaking in English.
“I have a story to tell.” I begin wanting to get out the silly dream out of my head, “There was once a samurai whose wife was abducted so he had to leave his sons. To his youngest son he promised to bring his mother back so he would stop crying and to his oldest son he left his short sword and told him to be brave and strong. But the oldest lost the sword and he couldn’t find it, he was worried that if his exalted father came back that he wouldn’t be able to face him but worst he worried that it was signs of things to come… Then one day the Samurai’s clan came and ask the brothers to go back to their hometown. There they didn’t find their mother but they did find their father already cold. His old friends said good things about him. The master he served praised him. Then they asked the oldest son to speak but he couldn’t say anything, thinking it was his fault because he lost the sword. His younger brother always said that a Samurai’s spirit lived in his sword and when he found out his older brother lost the sword, he left his brother as well.”
OOC – will reply tom – picked up a cold from the kids and I just want to go to bed lol)
Ooc bye
That’s really nice
“I don’t want them to forget me, after all,” I say, simply. “One of these days I’ll need to go to a photographer’s and get my picture made, and send it, so they don’t forget my face.”
He speaks in a bit of a jumble about his family. His brother that was “given away”. Samurai families did adoptions, I heard – that’s what happened with the prominent family in Sakata – they adopted a distant cousin to be heir.
And my mother, I’m not sure if she can work in Aizu
“She was such a well-liked teacher here, maybe in time, she can return to that? I think… it made her happy.” I say, remembering the woman standing on the table, waving her arms, her eyes glowing. And he speaks of him running after Yagi-san… but Tsurumi-chan places the blame on Yagi-san. She doesn’t -seem- like an enchantress, but what do I know?
I have a story to tell.
I listen, carefully, so carefully that my muscles tense, as I’m trying to understand his voice that’s low and quick. Everybody else in the post office melts away as I listen…
As he ends I almost feel dizzy… was it the English? “Where is that story from?” But a samurai with his wife abducted? But the rest is different from what just happened to his family…. Yagi-san and Fujita-san are back, not gone?
“Did you have… poor dreams when they gone?” I say, trying not to stumble over the words, but afraid that speaking Japanese would break this spell, this peering into another side of this boy who always seems so guarded. But… what he’s saying sounds like dreams. I’ve heard enough, sharing dorms with homesick girls, about bad dreams, and the way he talks, how he talks, how it tumbles out… reminds me of that. For Tsurumi-chan it’s a dream that her father is alive, strong and healthy but the nightmare is when she wakes up and he’s still gone…
For me is that the letters stop, that something happens to my mother and that the rest don’t care enough to keep me in the family anymore. I know that’s not true… but in the darkness of night, so far from the sea… the worst things creep in.
Tsutomu:
“I don’t want them to forget me, after all,” I say, simply. “One of these days I’ll need to go to a photographer’s and get my picture made, and send it, so they don’t forget my face.”
I blink. Why is she afraid of that? “You sound like you have a nice family, nice families don’t forget each other.”
“She was such a well-liked teacher here, maybe in time, she can return to that? I think… it made her happy.”
“I don’t remember her being ever truly happy but maybe she did like to teach.” I’d tell her except for when she tended to disappear, but I’m glad someone remembers my mother in somewhat of a good light.
“Where is that story from?”
I pause for a moment. I wanted to get it out but it was too much to expect her not to ask any questions right? “It’s made up.”
“Did you have… poor dreams when they gone?”
Her question… I could lie. But as I stared into that face, her concern so genuine, I hesitate to respond to it with deceit. “It’s probably nothing.” I tell her quietly in English, “I don’t even care about that man who abandoned us.” And he doesn’t really care about me nor my mother.
You sound like you have a nice family, nice families don’t forget each other.
“Not… forgotten. But just… no longer an -active- part of their lives, their minds… I was already so much younger than my brothers and sisters when I was born – and now they all have families, jobs…” I smile a bit, ruefully. “I may be forever eight years old to them.”
I don’t remember her being ever truly happy but maybe she did like to teach.
“I learned a lot from her, but… I wasn’t her favorite. That would have been Tsurumi-chan,” I say, honestly. Fujita-sensei was, after all, pleased to encourage me in Japanese techniques, but once I started Western styles… and while I always thought her stories were a bit much, after that day, in the rain….
“I remembering something,” I say, trying -hard- with my bad English. “A storyteller, a gifted one. Would stand on tables and tell her tales to any listening one. Many them loved story, story were… romantic. Brave. Excitement. But when she tell story, the real world stopped for storyteller. Nothing did matter.” I exhale a breath I was holding. “Children in the rain, I saw children. Waiting. She not stop, even I tell her, but their papa came, instead,” I say.
It’s probably nothing. I don’t even care about that man who abandoned us
I look at him, and respond back in Japanese. “He didn’t, that day… but that was a long time ago,” I don’t know why I feel compelled to comfort Tsutomu-kun, to tell him that I saw someone different that day than the one he spoke of abandoning him. Worry and concern… but relief and care. I saw an older brother protecting the younger one, his uniform jacket held over his head while he got soaked. The way they ran to him. Calling out. Embracing him.
“But what do I know about families, after all this time?” I ask, looking down. “Probably not much.”
“NEXT!” a clerk barks from the window, and an old woman behind me -pokes- me with a umbrella. “Stop flirting, missy, and get the line a-moving!”
I go up to the window to buy my stamps, looking back at Tsutomu-kun before attending to my business.
Tsutomu:
“Not… forgotten. But just… no longer an -active- part of their lives, their minds… I was already so much younger than my brothers and sisters when I was born – and now they all have families, jobs…” I smile a bit, ruefully. “I may be forever eight years old to them.”
I wonder why she says that. She has plans to move further away doesn’t she? Out of Japan where it’s unlikely any of them can follow her.
“I learned a lot from her, but… I wasn’t her favorite. That would have been Tsurumi-chan,”
“Maybe it’s because they have a connection. -Aizu-.” I tell her and I admit after learning that about Tsurumi and also her father, I’ve gotten a lot more forgiving to Tsurumi.
“I remembering something,” I say, trying -hard- with my bad English. “A storyteller, a gifted one. Would stand on tables and tell her tales to any listening one. Many them loved story, story were… romantic. Brave. Excitement. But when she tell story, the real world stopped for storyteller. Nothing did matter.” I exhale a breath I was holding. “Children in the rain, I saw children. Waiting. She not stop, even I tell her, but their papa came, instead,”
And she speaks in English again. “This storyteller… Is it my mother?” Because I know she tells great stories when he wasn’t around. But I also remember when we were left at the neighbors, at the store, or just -outside-. “She would stop telling stories when he came, even if he came for us. And after a while, she stopped wanting to be with us.” Because of him she completely changed, -afraid- of he’ll do. I remember she started disappearing more frequently then. But Midori seems convince the one she saw was different. Sure he came for us and it made Yoshi -happy-… Then he made mother disappear but after a while he stopped being there too. I frown a bit but catch myself and try to keep an even face. Finally I could only shake my head to clear the cob webs now forming in m mind.
“But what do I know about families, after all this time?” I ask, looking down. “Probably not much.”
I’d tell her who would know? I don’t have a family and hers is far away. She gets called to the counter and a woman pokes at her. I glare at the old hag. “She wasn’t flirting. She’s studying English!” I correct her.
Finally Midori is done and it’s my turn. And the clerk asks what my business is. I take a whole months worth of allowance. It’s generous I’ll give Yagi-san that.
“I need to send this to Aizu.” I place the thick wad of cash on the counter.
“Don’t you have a guardian with you? Why are you the one sending this?” He gives me a dubious look. “You didn’t steal this did you -boy-?”
My eyes go wide. “Now why would I do that?”
“Well usually children don’t ever have this much money and you’re all alone. You could be part of some syndicate laundering money around. And to that hell hold of a place, Aizu…” He crossed his arms and sported a wicket grin, “Maybe I should call the police on you and of course confiscate this money.”
I curl my fist up into a ball and shot him daggers with my eyes. I could tell him, that won’t work. That I’m the son of a police officer so even if they were to call them up… But I don’t need him here. I don’t want him here.
“No way a kid like you can have so much money. I should just be taking this and turn it into the authorities.” He takes the money from the counter and starts to pocket it, with a sly grin. He’s going to keep it for himself.
Maybe it’s because they have a connection. -Aizu-.
“That’s why you two will be good for each other,” I say, making myself smile because I… it’s what she wants, after all, and he’ll want to please his mother by marrying her favorite. “That connection,” I add, looking away. I mean, even if… I’m the fishmonger’s daughter who was “non-compliant”, as she called me once.
This storyteller… Is it my mother?
“She… told stories until the day she left, Tsurumi-chan said.” I… didn’t feel welcome in the sewing room during that last year or so, and kept to myself, which suited me fine. But he’s frowning and he probably doesn’t like talking about her, or his father.
Although it is nice that he stands up for me from that outspoken woman!
I’m dealing with my business and the old woman pokes me -again-! I turn around and she says, “hey, pretty girl – your boyfriend in there is in trouble.”
The clerk handling my transaction looks over. “Oh, he’s doing it again…” He shakes his head. “But the government pays us peanuts…” I see a thin, pale hand slide over some money that was in front of Tsutomu-kun on the counter. “What can you do, you know?”
The old woman grabs my arm. “Hey! You!” She drags me over to Tsutomu-kun. “Are you bothering my granddaughter’s fiancé? I’ll have you know that he’s a good, hard-working boy who sends his wages home to his sick mama instead of taking his sweetheart out on dates!” She’s short but she stares down the clerk. “If you have a problem with that, call the police! We’ll let them sort this out!”
I find myself blushing furiously (curiously?) but I look at Tsutomu-kun. It’s the same look I see in kendo – the power in his fighting spirit, as it’s called – just in check. Other people in line are looking and murmuring, and some of the other clerks are peeping around their counters to the one facing Tsutomu-kun.
Tsutomu:
That’s why you two will be good for each other,”
“Oh is that what Tsurumi was speaking about meeting -him-?” I simply chuckle and shake my head, “Good luck with that.”
And she confirms it was mother, this story teller. I knew it was, she told us many stories. All glorious and free spirited and somehow he broke that spirit. I’d explain more to Midori, but the only thing that’s important is she knows my mother didn’t deserve what she got from him. Him I don’t care about. It was just a dream after all that he was dead.
And so the clerk starts to make trouble and takes the money. I’m in a bind but suddenly that woman whom I thought was an old hag is up and arms and glaring over the desk clerk.
Hey! You!” “Are you bothering my granddaughter’s fiancé? I’ll have you know that he’s a good, hard-working boy who sends his wages home to his sick mama instead of taking his sweetheart out on dates!”
I look first at Midori my eyes asking, was this her doing? But the surprised look on her face says it all. I’m about to correct the woman that Midori is not my fiance and we’re probably too young for that but then I think of the money.
“Is that right madame? Well even if he were your granddaughter’s fiance, you’re still not his guardian.” He grins wickedly. “I’ll just be keeping this until the police comes or you all can go home and let this be a good learning for all of you. I’m sure the police won’t appreciate a minor trying to transact here, after all they have much more to do.”
“Call the police!” I shout at him, “Call Superintendent Fujita then! I’m only here because of what he’s done!”
“Hoi hoi. Quiet down boy. You really don’t want him to call the police.” The other clerk pulls me to the side and whispers. “He does that all the time. Don’t you think he already has connections? You’ll end up in prison if you do.”
I’ll just be keeping this until the police comes or you all can go home and let this be a good learning for all of you. I’m sure the police won’t appreciate a minor trying to transact here, after all they have much more to do.
This man is openly crooked… the lobby of the post office must have twenty people in here, and he’s… getting away with this? The murmuring from earlier has turned to stunned silence. These are just ordinary people… they’ve probably seen this sort of abuse before. I remember the flushed face of the customs man at the port in Sakata, wanting his share of my father’s bounty….
Call the police! Call Superintendent Fujita then! I’m only here because of what he’s done!
I’m surprised that he actually invokes his father’s name.
Hoi hoi. Quiet down boy. You really don’t want him to call the police. He does that all the time. Don’t you think he already has connections? You’ll end up in prison if you do
In the stunned silence of the room, the whisper sounds like a shout, and the crooked clerk only -smirks-.
I step forward and place my hand on Tsutomu-kun’s arm. “Dear, we must get these funds to your mother, her treatment -” but the rotten man isn’t going to be moved by -that-. He knows he’s going to get away with this!
The old woman nods. “Yes, yes, call the police, they’ll get to the bottom of this.” She then motions to a young man standing by the door, who is wearing a carriage driver’s cap, but he knows her. “It’s just a few blocks, go down to the headquarters and get this Superintendent Fujita, and my nephew Toshiyoshi-kun if he’s there – tell him Auntie Naomi says it’s important. We’ll stay here until then.” She turns her glare back to the clerk as the driver leaves. She pats me on the shoulder. “All this way I travel from Satsuma, to meet your young man and see you and my dear sister… only to find someone out to make trouble.”
“Thank you, granny,” I say, not knowing what -else- to say.
(OOC – her nephew is indeed Kawaji. Poor man!)
“Auntie Noami?” I look back at Midori who’s just called me dear and is holding my arm. What’s going on? Suddenly I wished I just asked Yukiko-nee-san again to do this. I didn’t know it would be so hard… And I guess to this man who knows how to prey, I am nothing but a child. I’m not sure what’s worst, losing the money for my mother or that I’m a child in front of all these people.
“It’s just a few blocks, go down to the headquarters and get this Superintendent Fujita, and my nephew Toshiyoshi-kun if he’s there – tell him Auntie Naomi says it’s important. We’ll stay here until then.”
What??! I was only bluffing…
But before I cana do anything that carriage driver is already speeding away and Midori and I are stuck here with our “Aunt Naomi”. I heave a sigh.
“So much for my plan. Now there’ll be no way to send money to Aizu… Now or ever.” Suddenly I smile, “Well Midori, you’ll see what kind of man he is. He won’t come.”
But Kawaji… Kawaji… Where did I hear that name before?
I turn to Midori suddenly blurting out, “That man Kawaji was the one in my dream. Kawaji was the man who asked me to speak at his funeral. His -master-.”
The clerk just keeps smiling. Does he have corrupt cops, too, in on his schemes? How many others does he steal from? The new postal system is a relief for those, like the fishermen and factory workers my family employs, to -safely- send money back home to their families who need it. Mother and I had a series of letters over it, and I had assured her that it was safe… but how many men are like this one? How many families starve because of him?
But the old woman has sent someone out for Tsutomu-kun’s father, and her nephew. She’s keeping her look on the clerk. “Just keep the money out, where we can all see it when the police gets here.”
So much for my plan. Now there’ll be no way to send money to Aizu… Now or ever. Well Midori, you’ll see what kind of man he is. He won’t come
He smiles, but it’s bleak. Hopeless… and it hurts, because it’s that boy all over again. Waiting for someone….
That man Kawaji was the one in my dream. Kawaji was the man who asked me to speak at his funeral. His -master-.
“Kawaji?” I look at him. Who’s that? The old woman asked for her nephew Toshiyoshi (which is a funny name, really, but when she said Satsuma, it made sense, they’re different over there, after all), but is he also this Kawaji? Tsutomu-kun suddenly looks unwell, and I take out my mostly dry handkerchief and pat his forehead.
Ooc reply tom
It seems my day job now is an assigner of investigators and what to investigate? Is this really my job? But it’s a little better than the “Police manual”… I sigh and stick a cigarette in my mouth.
“Fujita-san! Fujita-san!” The clerk from downstairs throws open my door. Didn’t I put a do not disturb sign? That Kawaji must’ve removed it again.
“What in the world do you want?!” I bark. It’s a monday and the sun is almost ready to retire and so am I.
“There’s trouble at the post office sir!”
“And?” I glare at him, “Don’t we have a ton of recruits just loitering around specifically for this kind of issue?”
He scratches his head, “But sir! A carriage is waiting downstairs for you sir. They specifically asked for -you-.”
“What kind of nonsense is this?” Crossing my arms, I turn up my noise at him. “Shoo. Go there yourself or find some idiot to go with you.”
“Sir! It’s not only that sir!”
I let out a frustrated breath, “What else?”
“They said they wanted Toshiyoshi sir! Err… I mean Kawaji-san and he’s not here!”
Oh Kami… I stand up.
“Did they say what it’s about?”
“Some grandmother, with a fiance and a young man sir! Aunt Noami is Toshiyoshi’s… I mean Kawaji’s aunt sir!”
Reluctantly I leave my desk and drag the clerk with me.
“You’re a corporal correct? Not a private?” I ask as he follows me downstairs.
“Yes sir.”
“And you spend your days behind a desk.”
“Well someone’s got to do the job sir.”
“Have a private watch the desk. You’re coming with me.” If it doesn’t turn out to be anything important and only a relative of Kawaji being high maintenance then, a Corporal will do.
I’m relieved that the old woman, Aunto Noami was it? Is keeping a eye out for us and the money! My mother -needs- that money. She’s not working and he’s not supporting her.
“Kawaji?”
It’s then that I realize that Noami-san didn’t say his last name but I recognized the name right away. The dream felt so real and yet I -hated- it. He’s alive after all and he didn’t die trying to get my mother back. He got Yagi-san back instead. “In my dream… His name was Kawaji Toshiyoshi, a short man with a short mustache. Pushy and apparently he worked for him.” Why do I know so much about this man Kawaji whom I’ve never met. It’s only a dream…
Midori-san pats my forehead. I didn’t know I was sweating. I take her handkerchief. “I lost the sword guard.” I tell her. “In that dream it went missing and I couldn’t find it anymore. I always kept it on my study table.” I’m babbling aren’t I? Suddenly I feel hot.
In my dream… His name was Kawaji Toshiyoshi, a short man with a short mustache. Pushy and apparently he worked for him
He looks like he’s seen a ghost and I guess this name showing up after a dream like that.
I lost the sword guard. In that dream it went missing and I couldn’t find it anymore. I always kept it on my study table.
“When you get home, get Makoto-chan to help you – she’s observant for her age and like all girls her age she likes to snoop – you’ll find it in no time,” I tell him, trying to distract him. Not only is he sweaty, he’s flushed… Hurry, hurry, whoever is coming. Because I think this young man would rather injure himself or worse in the name of protecting his mother.
“What a fuss,” grouses one of the clerks, but the other man is still smiling. Thankfully, “Granny” is now standing next to his counter, her sharp eyes on the money. “Yes, it is a fuss,” she says, evenly. “I lost a son, you know, in the revolution that brought this country to this place where we have postal offices to serve the people. What a shame that it’s enabled those who make a ‘fuss’ like you, young man,”
Hajime:
It’s an opulent carriage and it only takes a few minutes to get to the post office. There’s a line of people when we get inside, apparently the processing for one of the line has stopped and there’s a bunch of murmuring. I push the Corporal to cut through the crowd.
“Now in a loud voice, say “What seems to be the trouble here?!” I tell him as I nudge him to the front of the line.
Looking unsure he does as he’s told and the crowd parts for the two of us. I grin and think, “Good man!” but someone else catches my eye. Tomu… What are you doing here?
I don’t say anything as our eyes lock. He’s with that girl. Nishino wasn’t it?
“Go up to the old woman, her name is probably Naomi but call her madame. She’s likely Kawaji-san’s Aunt.” I whisper, “DO NOT SHOW FEAR.”
He nods stiffly and goes up to the front, demanding an explanation from the old woman.
Blowing a smoke to the side, my eyes settle the only clerk who didn’t seem to cower and has a grin on his face. I stand behind the Corporal just observing. I don’t need anyone here to know he’s -my- son.
The old woman nods as the police finally come.
“Good! But I don’t see Toshiyoshi-kun,” she says, shaking her head. “We have a problem here – my granddaughter’s fiancé is sending money home to his mother – like a good boy – and this clerk seems to think he should be able to seize it at will -for no reason-.” She looks over at Tsutomu-kun’s father, who seems to be letting the younger officer take charge. “Threatening the boy with jail!” She looks to the other clerk. “This seems to be nothing unusual here, though, according to that man.”
She’s old, and rather slight, but she holds herself life she could face armies. I guess this is what samurai women were like, once.
I see that Tsutomu-kun notices his father, and I stay close to him. I’m tall and pretty strong but if he passes out… I -think- I can catch him. But then he’d probably never speak to me again.
Tsutomu:
He came but he’s not going to do anything is he? He’d rather the bad man take the money than it be sent to my mother. My breaths start getting shorter and shorter and I hold onto the nearby table. Midori-san is here. If I pass out I’ll never be able to show my face.
Besides he’ll think me -weak- and so I straighten up and simply glare at that man who I do -not- call my father.
“I don’t care if you take me to jail. That money needs to go to where it’s needed, in Aizu to my mother.”
The bad man goes over to the policeman who’s doing the investigation. “Sir, I’m not the one who’s trying to cause trouble here. This boy doesn’t have any identification and it’s impossible to know where he got the money from.” He smiles at the policeman almost apologetically, “He came and was insisting that I take the money -blindly- and he wasn’t with anyone. The obaa-san is saying she knows him, a fiance of the little girl… Now… Now… Aren’t they a little too young? We’re no longer in the Edo period of Samurai traditions where their kids are betrothed so early.”
He takes the thick wad of money and brandishes it in front of all of us. “I wasn’t going to pocket this money. It will go to the box in the back, where confiscated money is turned into the police. I get no cut from this. I’m just caught in the middle, just doing my job.”
“Oh is that right.” The policeman stammers and gives an unsure look to him. “Well does this happen often then sir?”
“Well yes. Kids like him? It’s unfortunate but syndicates tend to use them as mules. If you take him in, I’m virtually saving his life.”
I can’t help but bristle… But suddenly I grin. If I’m taken to jail, wouldn’t that prove everything about this man?
“Yeah take me to jail!” I shout. “He’d rather see rot there.” I throw him a look and he simply raises an eyebrow and frowns back at me.
“Boy calm down.” Came the other postal clerk who tried to help me out earlier. He looks at the name tag of policeman, “Zenigata-san, I’m sure the boy just wasn’t aware of the requirements to send money. That’s no reason to throw him in prison. You can go ahead and confiscate the money as is what’s required when the source is dubious, but do let the boy go.”
“I… I suppose…” He gives an uncertain look at him again.
“Take the collection box Corporal.” He simply says and stares at me again. He’s disappointed isn’t he? So what’s new?
“And I’m taking the -boy-.” He then turns to Midori-san and Naomi-san, “Thank you for trying to intervene but it’s not necessary to continue on with this ruse.”
Tsutomu-kun seems to get another round of strength as he straightens up. His face is still flushed, though…
Sir, I’m not the one who’s trying to cause trouble here. This boy doesn’t have any identification and it’s impossible to know where he got the money from. He came and was insisting that I take the money -blindly- and he wasn’t with anyone. The obaa-san is saying she knows him, a fiance of the little girl… Now… Now… Aren’t they a little too young? We’re no longer in the Edo period of Samurai traditions where their kids are betrothed so early.
A little girl? I’m almost as tall as he is?
“Yeah take me to jail! He’d rather see rot there.”
I look at Tsutomu-kun in almost a panic. His face still red, and his eyes look almost glassy. He’s almost… daring his father to think the worst of him, isn’t he?
But does he? Fujita-san’s face remains unreadable as he lets the other cop blunder around.
Zenigata-san, I’m sure the boy just wasn’t aware of the requirements to send money. That’s no reason to throw him in prison. You can go ahead and confiscate the money as is what’s required when the source is dubious, but do let the boy go.
“Wait!” A third clerk comes out from behind the counter. “I’m tired of this!” He pushes his way through. “The government pays us terribly low wages and we had to pay a finders fee to some higher-up to get this job but I’m not going to be a part of this anymore! Stealing from people worse off than we are! These boys aren’t criminals! They’re country boys, working the worst jobs and sending whatever few sen they can back home!” He pulls out a bag. “This is the real collection bag.” He throws it on the floor, it’s heavy, with the sound of coin and paper. “I’m done being a part of this!”
The old woman only nods. “See! This is what Toshiyoshi-kun and his people should be looking into! Rot in the system, not nice young men like this.” Then she grins. “A ruse? Why, I had to keep them moving, they were flirting so in line and holding up government business.”
“Sir,” I say, addressing Fujita-san. “I’m worried Tsutomu-kun is ill…” He’s still sweating. “I’m sorry, we walked a long way in the rain and he didn’t dry off…”
Hajime:
“Wait!” “I’m tired of this!
“See! This is what Toshiyoshi-kun and his people should be looking into! Rot in the system, not nice young men like this.”
I almost groan with the obaa-san’s comment of flirting and then… Another one huh? I was hoping we’d only have to apprehend one person but it seems it’s an ongoing swindling racket amongst the postal crew. He goes and shows us the “true collection bag” and I throw my cigarette to the ground and look into it. It’s -sizable-.
Standing up, I look across the room. “We’ll take all three of you for questioning.” I say and quickly handcuff the worst of the lot, the one I’ve had my eye on since I stepped in here.
I motion to Zenigata to cuff the third person who came clean and I approach the second person. “He might confess but I need collaborating evidence and you seem like someone who knows about this “racket”. Go inside and get a list of all the staff here and all financial records. We’ll need it for forensics.” That’s not my forte but I’m sure Uramura has someone on his team to handle this.
Then I turn to the crowd, “This post office is closed for the day and assume for tomorrow. There’s another branch further South. You’ll have to go there.”
The crowd starts murmuring and others throw me a look of disdain but that’s how it is.
Sir. “I’m worried Tsutomu-kun is ill…” He’s still sweating. “I’m sorry, we walked a long way in the rain and he didn’t dry off…”
I look down at the girl, “Nishino right? It’s getting late, actually it’s almost dark. You have to get back to your dorm or otherwise you’ll break curfew.”
Finally looking back at Tsutomu, he does look a little haggard. What’s happened to him? But now I have all these men to take back to the Precinct and I’m not sure if Zenigata can handle them alone.
Stepping over to the old woman, I say, “Your name is Naomi-san correct Madame? I’d hate to impose but I need to use your carriage to bring these 3 men to the precinct.” I look at Nishino and my son, “If you can stay here with them and wait for my return. Then I can take the two children home. I’ll return as soon as I can.”
I’ll have some explaining to do at the school about Nishino and as for Tsutomu? He looks more stressed than actually sick.
(OOC: Depending on Naomi’s reply, Saitou exits immediately.)
(OOC – replying tomorrow)
Fujita-san deals with everything but Tsutomu-kun still seems like he’s going to be ill.
Nishino right? It’s getting late, actually it’s almost dark. You have to get back to your dorm or otherwise you’ll break curfew
“Well, sir, I’m certain that can be forgiven – one doesn’t plan on having police business interrupt a simple trip to the post office.” I try not to sigh – I’ve never had a demerit, and I’d hate to lose my new privileges… but it couldn’t be helped today.
Your name is Naomi-san correct Madame?
“Tokudaiji Naomi,” she answers. “And yes, I’ll stay with the young ones and you may use my nephew’s carriage. Better yet, we’ll go up two streets to the lobby of my hotel – I think the young man needs something to revive him and they serve excellent fare in the public dining room.”
Two streets or so… I think. That can only be the Royal Berkshire… and that would make the dining room a Western one? Perhaps Fujita-san will say no. He still looks deeply annoyed by everything.
“And don’t forget to return the young man’s money! He said he was sending it to Aizu, and that he fought for it so… it must be something important,” the old woman tells Fujita-san.
“Well, sir, I’m certain that can be forgiven – one doesn’t plan on having police business interrupt a simple trip to the post office.”
I take a moment to write a note for Nishino, directly to Takimi the principal. Explaining the situation with just enough detail and that her further detention is due to my request so as to control the scene. Signing my name Fujita Goro, Takimi should identify it easily. I also add that he may reach out to me if needed.
“Here if the school gives you trouble. You can also reach out to me as needed.”
Then it’s the old woman’s turn. Thankfully she agrees to my using her carriage but the rest… A dinner in a fancy hotel? That’s not what’s needed here. I look Tsutomu over, his color is returning although he still looks a little pale. He’s my son and I know he can hold out.
“I’m sorry madame but I’d prefer not to drag this out any further, nor let the boy think everything is fine and he gets a fine dinner out of it too.” I suck on my cigarette a little. It’s not that I’m punishing him but it just not good to coddle the boy and he should’ve known better.
“And don’t forget to return the young man’s money! He said he was sending it to Aizu, and that he fought for it so… it must be something important,”
“Unfortunately, I can’t do that. It will be held as evidence just like the rest.” I can’t tell this woman of course that my son deceived both his stepmother and I.
“Tsutomu, don’t cause anymore trouble here.” I turn to him with somewhat a disappointed sigh. “Sit quietly and wait for my return.”
Sit quietly. That’s what he wants all of us to do. To just -comply-. Well my brother complied, look where that got him. My mother? Well she didn’t -comply- and he threw her away.
I’m about to tell him off but the room seems to spin for a moment and I ended up sitting down at the nearest chair.
“I’m fine. Go do your job like you’ve always done.” -Idiot- father. Oh wait he doesn’t even deserve that.
But I had an idea, “Midori-san, why don’t you go ahead home? Maybe obaa-san can go with you? It’s not too far to the dorms right? I’m fine to stay here and wait.”
(OOC: Saitou will exit unless there’s strong opposition.)
I take the note Fujita-san offers. “Thank you,” I say, reading it.
And, as expected, he turns down Tokudaiji-san’s offer of dinner. I’m glad. I know I’ll have to learn it at some point, but a full Western meal… I can handle dessert but what comes before is a bit intimidating.
Tsutomu, don’t cause anymore trouble here. Sit quietly and wait for my return
With that, and his refusal to return Tsutomu-kun’s money… he’s treating him like a child!
But after he leaves, he nearly stumbles to a chair. Tokudaiji-san takes the one other. I sit on the floor by Tsutomu-kun’s chair, to keep an eye on him. Because… Tsurumi-chan would like me to, I’m sure.
Midori-san, why don’t you go ahead home? Maybe obaa-san can go with you? It’s not too far to the dorms right? I’m fine to stay here and wait
I shake my head. “It’s fine, we’ve waited this long, and I don’t want to leave you alone.” I look away. “If you need to close your eyes for a minute, I won’t look so don’t be all embarrassed,” I say. I take my bag, and find a small tin, and hand it to him. “Lemon drops, a bit sour but not too bad. Go ahead.” I also take out my fan, but make sure that I “miss” my own face and send some cooler air his way.
I guess I couldn’t forgive myself if I left him here sick, too.
Tsutomu:
I take deep breaths and with him gone. I feel better. I think. But Midori-san is watching.
“If you need to close your eyes for a minute, I won’t look so don’t be all embarrassed,”
“No I’m fine. I must persevere.” I tell her and take some of the lemon drops she offered. She fans my face and it’s cool and nice but the obaa-san is watching us and I can’t help but avert my eyes from her watchful one. So what if I like Midori-san providing some air?
Thinking of something else so we can distract obaa-san, I ask, “Obaa-san, didn’t you say your nephew is Toshiyoshi? Is that the same Kawaji Toshiyoshi, head of the Tokyo Metropolitan police?” I look up the ceiling, “He’s not some short man with a funny short mustache and with a receding hairline, like this.” I place my forefinger across the very top of my forehead and grin. It’s a funny image from my dream, that it’s -impossible- in real life. I hope Midori thinks so too.
He takes the candy, and doesn’t object to the fanning. Maybe he’s getting better? I glance back, he’s not as flushed, I think.
Obaa-san, didn’t you say your nephew is Toshiyoshi? Is that the same Kawaji Toshiyoshi, head of the Tokyo Metropolitan police?
“Oh, yes, that’s him. You know of him? How nice to see a well-informed young man.” But she frowns, though, as he describes the man, I guess from what he remembers from his dream. “Oh, he’s not tall as that officer here today, but he has a fine mustache and is quite handsome,” she says, nodding and looking proud and indulgent. “And such a good nephew – which I’d say even if he didn’t find himself in such a good position.” Then she adds, “had my son lived to his age, I’m certain he’d be just as his cousin is and have found a place in this new world.” Her face changes, and she looks away from us.
But I can’t help but grin a little at his motion of a receding hairline. “Maa… don’t be too hard! It may be you, one day, showing more of your forehead!” I’m glad that he doesn’t get his hair cut in the “military” style like most of the boys at school. His look suits him.
“Oh, yes, that’s him. You know of him? How nice to see a well-informed young man.”
I’d say yes from a dream but then she frowns. Why?
Oh, he’s not tall as that officer here today, but he has a fine mustache and is quite handsome,”
I look at Midori for a minute and quietly say, “Well the one from my dream wasn’t -that- handsome. He looked like a pouty stern man.” The moustache though… Could it be?
“And such a good nephew – which I’d say even if he didn’t find himself in such a good position.” Then she adds, “had my son lived to his age, I’m certain he’d be just as his cousin is and have found a place in this new world.”
“So where are you from Obaa-san?” She’s probably from another one of the samurai clans that this new government oppressed! If she lost her son in the fighting after all.
“Maa… don’t be too hard! It may be you, one day, showing more of your forehead!”
My mouth gapes open and I unconsciously run a hand through my hair. It’s thick and luscious. “No way I’d lose my hair. I got it from my mother.” I tell her.
Well the one from my dream wasn’t -that- handsome. He looked like a pouty stern man.
“Maybe she has affectionate eyes?” I say, trying not to giggle. She talks about him like he’s still a little boy!
So where are you from Obaa-san?
“Kagoshima. I still live there but I come here every year or so now, to see my sister and nephew. Now that my husband has passed…” she looks distant again. “My son died during the war, in Kyoto – he and Toshiyoshi-kum were there together, along with their fathers. My son was injured during the Kinmon incident and died soon after.” She then smiles over at us. “So forgive me for making you a granddaughter today – having grandchildren wasn’t something I got to have, and Toshiyoshi-kun thinks only of work so I won’t be getting any great nephews or nieces!”
Tsutomu-kun does seem to worry about my comment about his hair. His mother… well, she always wore her hair properly, so I never saw if it was unruly like his .”Well they say a man gets his hair from his mother’s family. Too bad for my brothers, my mother’s father was as bald as an onion,’ I say, laughing a little.
Midori seems amused at the obaa-san’s fondness of this nephew but… In my dream he seemed very laced up and -stern-.
“Kagoshima. I still live there but I come here every year or so now, to see my sister and nephew. Now that my husband has passed…” she looks distant again. “My son died during the war, in Kyoto – he and Toshiyoshi-kum were there together, along with their fathers. My son was injured during the Kinmon incident and died soon after.”
“Kagoshima?” My voice rises up a bit. “That means you’re Satsuma… So this Kawaji is from Satsuma…” I look down. It makes sense that he has a high post. He’s one of -them-. He’s from the western army, just like my mother said, they were our enemy. They took our Lord, raped the women, killed the men, burned our land and castle! Took our rights! I can’t help but give the obaa-san a look but I say no more. I thought this woman was nice but she’s… One of them.
Suddenly I grin wickedly at Midori. “See what happened? My so-called father works for a Satsuma man now, but he always was a dog of the Meiji government. Never mind that it’s the western army that made my mother…” What was the word? Difficult? Unstable? What? Unsure? It’s all because of -them-.
Suddenly I’m no longer in the mood for conversation. I look outside. It’s about time that he came back didn’t he? Some time has passed already.
Kagoshima?” That means you’re Satsuma… So this Kawaji is from Satsuma…
“Yes, the men in my family all served Satsuma domain… but once the war was over, my nephew served Japan – even fighting against his own kinmen during the Satsuma rebellion.
See what happened? My so-called father works for a Satsuma man now, but he always was a dog of the Meiji government. Never mind that it’s the western army that made my mother…
“We have to move past that – but some on both sides refuse to. My nephew prides himself on hiring the best men – why, my sister said he even has a former Shinsengumi captain as a senior officer!” She looks at Tsutomu-kun sternly. “Don’t take the fights of a previous generation on as your own -” and she sighs, and looks sorrowful, “your generation will find enough trouble, the way things are going now.”
At least he’s perked up, if he’s arguing with an old lady…. but how much longer will Fujita-san be?
(OOC – done for tonight)
Tsutomu:
“Yes, the men in my family all served Satsuma domain… but once the war was over, my nephew served Japan – even fighting against his own kinmen during the Satsuma rebellion.
Feh. I’d tell this old woman, it’s only natural the western army turn against each other. They had no other clan to bully and so they bickered amongst themselves but she seems that sort of woman who’d only think highly of Satsuma.
“We have to move past that – but some on both sides refuse to. My nephew prides himself on hiring the best men – why, my sister said he even has a former Shinsengumi captain as a senior officer!”
I can only purse my lips. The Shinsengumi officer, that’s -him- isn’t it? “How many Shinsengumi officers can there be in the police? It can only be him.” I mutter mostly to myself.
“Don’t take the fights of a previous generation on as your own -” “your generation will find enough trouble, the way things are going now.”
She looks away and I’m about reply back but instead I hear him.
“It’s not for the children to worry about madame. There’s enough men for that.”
He comes in. It’s not even half an hour and he’s back. That was quick. He probably dumped those men to the nearest officer or worst to that Zenigata who needed more training.
He stands in front of her. “Thank you for letting us use your carriage. I can take the children back to their places so you can be on your way. We’ve detained you enough.”
He bows apologetically to the woman from Satsuma. Does he know? Well even if he did, what does it matter? He’s their… Dog. I look to the side suddenly. I can’t believe I worried about him when he was gone and that dumb sword guard that went missing. Idiot.
With a sigh I tell Midori, “Sorry you got caught up in all of this.”
The woman seems heedless of the stubborn set of Tsutomu-kun’s face. I’m a little surprised, with that face, how much he resembles his mother… I saw that same look, -often-, when she disagreed with me.
Fujita-san comes back. It took a while…
Thank you for letting us use your carriage. I can take the children back to their places so you can be on your way. We’ve detained you enough
“Well, it was nice meeting you all,” she says. “‘Granddaughter’,” she says, with a smile and a wink. “Son of Aizu,” she says, with a bow to Tsutomu-kun. She then leaves out the door, with her driver waiting for her.
Sorry you got caught up in all of this.
“It’s… fine,” I say. “You didn’t know this would happen.” I sigh a little. And… “you should talk to your father. About your dream. It’s… not foolish to do so.” It’s -deeply- bothering him. “I never get to tell my father when I have bad dreams about him dying.” I look away. He looks so much like his mother… he’ll probably snarl at me, just like she did.
“Well, it was nice meeting you all,” she says. “‘Granddaughter’,”
The old woman seems fond of Midori-san. I’m sure they’ll meet again.
“Son of Aizu,”
She bows and I wouldn’t bow but he looks at me and I know my mother taught me better than to disrespect an old woman… So I return her bow with a rather stiff one.
As he escorts the old woman back to the carriage, Midori-san comes up to me saying, “you should talk to your father. About your dream. It’s… not foolish to do so.”“I never get to tell my father when I have bad dreams about him dying.”
I’m -surprised- and with a bit of a hiss say, “-No-. Never!” I turn away.
Why does she think he would even care. He’d only think of it as a weakness or worst, think that I’ve lost my mind just like my mother. I stomp away and throw the door wide open and see him calling the driver of a much more utilitarian carriage with no roof. I guess that’s our ride.
“Get in.” He tells me, then looks over my shoulder behind me.
“Nishino-san, unless you need anything else, we’ll escort you first to the dorms.”
He smiles that weird close-eyed smile to Midori, one that he offered to that old woman as she left. I know that’s not real. Sitting down, I cross my arms and look to the side of the road.
(OOC: You can write about them in the carriage and a drop off, unless Midori wants to speak to Saitou.)
-No-. Never!
I expected this… but I’m still surprised at the force of it. I blink. “You think the worst of him, and you let him think the worst of you,” I say, shaking my head, and looking the other way.
Nishino-san, unless you need anything else, we’ll escort you first to the dorms
I’m glad for the carriage. “Yes, sir, thank you, sir, I appreciate it.” His weird smile is even less approachable than his usual look!
It’s a quiet, uncomfortable ride back to Futaba.
The night guard is outside the gate. “Oo-ooo-, are you in trouble, Nishino-san,” he says, a bit too gleefully.
“I was detained – there was a problem at the post office. I have a note from the police for Takimi-sensei,” I say, getting down from the carriage. Looking back. “I hope you feel better, Tsutomu-kun, and get a good night’s sleep.”
“Haha, no more trips out for you! I told them and told them, no good comes from a girl leaving the school,” he keeps on. He’s gross… but whatever. I’m tired and probably won’t get dinner.
As the night guard closes the gate behind me, I look back again.
(OOC – Midori exits unless stopped)
Tsutomu:
None of us is speaking… But what would we speak about? Now I don’t have money and Midori still broke curfew and we wasted that woman’s time. I guess everyone lost… Well except for him! I throw him a sudden glare then look away again.
We finally get to the gates at Futaba and Midori gets off. She tells me to get better and I just nod. I don’t say anything but I look at the guard who seems too glad to catch her breaking curfew. He looks at me as if I’m supposed to do anything but I just turn away.
“Haha, no more trips out for you! I told them and told them, no good comes from a girl leaving the school,”
“All the more reason sir, to ensure this girl get to her room safely and unpertured.” I can’t help but spy one last look at them, he lights a cigarette and simply stares at the guard’s name plate. Obviously taking a note of it. “The police appreciates Nishino-san’s assistance earlier.”
The guard closes the gate and we continue on. This doesn’t seem like the same carriage he uses for Yagi-san. Guess he reserves the best for her, but I much prefer the open carriage – it helps dissipate the smoke he’s puffing all over the place. Quietly I wait but it’s a longer ride just being alone with him.
“That’s not the way to treat a girl you like.” He suddenly tells me. “You had balls to go up against a roomful of adults but not one to defend your girl?”
What the hell is he talking about? “She’s not my girl. Just a cohort at school.” I spat.
Slowly he puffs some more while looking at me, “Is that right? Well for a girl like that, she’s close to your sister, knows your mother, met your -other- mother, your brother and met me… Visited our home a few times.”
“So?”
He shrugs, “I guess until you’re willing to spend money on her, your right. She’s not your girl.” He suddenly chuckles.
Why the hell does he find all this amusing.
“Give me back the money.” I hiss. I know he didn’t include that for evidence. Did he?
“Want to spend it on Nishino-san?”
“No.” I growl but sit further back into my seat opposite him, “You know what it’s for.”
It’s his turn to look away, to the street. It’s almost like he forgot I was sitting there before he spoke. “You’re not a bad son…” He starts to puff, “And some things about your parents it’s better not to know, although I’m sure Tokio had enough story telling to fill your head.” He shakes his head. “A samurai is bound to his family and his duty. He protects his family and grows his family to join clans and those clans join alliances. A man’s duty initially is just himself, then his family, then his clan and lord… But ultimately it is society, his country. But most of all his honor and his honor is not just his castle and station but his accomplishments and -deeds-.”
Why am I having to sit through a lecture of Samurai values when he himself hardly exhibit those qualities? He doesn’t even believe in a society that is led by the Samurai, much less those values. I don’t say anything. Soon this carriage ride will be over.
“I -want- to punish you, spank you like you deserve for acting more like a child than a son of a bushi.” He shakes his head, “But I know Hide would stop me and remind me that it would make no difference anyway but only serve that fire of resentment you nurture.” He sighs, “But her ways of kindness and at times blindness and avoidance, does not work with you either. I honestly don’t know what to do with you.”
Slowly I grin at him, “I guess you’ll have to stop trying then.”
He doesn’t answer and only ashes his cigarette and look out to the shadows. “It’s wrong that you deceived us, even if it’s for something you deem honorable like supporting your mother for my refusing to support her. I don’t have to explain myself to you but for the sake of -your- honor I’ll tell you that your mother does not need the money. She used to work, not because we needed the money, my job provided enough for us – she was always reaching for something… Your mother had her own money from her days in the Court and from her family who received a healthy stipend which your grandmother gave to her and Morinosuke. I decided to withold giving her support because she didn’t need it and since there’s only enough to pay for our house in Tokyo and to support you and myself.”
He looks away, “It is shameful to me but most of the household finances are being funded by Hide. She doesn’t mind it of course but…”
So all this time we’ve been mooching off his mistress? With our only saving grace is that cramped house? He’s really the worst.
“I’ll grant you this, if you really want to send your mother money each month, you can… But obviously that will leave you nothing for your expenses here in Tokyo.” He throws the cigarette away, “But why send your mother money? She doesn’t need it, never needed it even when you heard I didn’t bring in enough. It’s true we lived simply, that was my preference and it was what I was capable of…”
The carriage stops and he gets off. Going down myself, I try to digest what he said, “But wait! What about Tsuyoshi!” That means they didn’t have to give him up. If we weren’t that bad off and mother had some capacity, why didn’t they…
“We’re home.” He tells me and closes the gate behind us. “And I’d rather not talk about it. Think what you wish.” He replies obviously exhausted.
(OOC: Close)