I spent the afternoon pouring over some paper work. I buried myself in it so much today that I was able to finish a chapter draft of the “Hands and Eyes of the Police” and sent it to Kawaji’s desk. He’ll be happy, I think. But likely not enough to let me off the hook about ghosting Sir Howard. Or should I ghost him? Maybe it’s better if I appeal to his common decency? He’s an Englishman after all.
Ashing my cigarette, I glance towards the window. The sun’s not down yet and I’m already done with work but I seem stuck in this place for some reason. No. There’s probably something else I can do isn’t there?
You’re an idiot.
So what?
I start rummaging through the files on my desk. Hoping there’d be a new assignment for me or maybe even a letter from the Department of the Interior but either Japan has become a safe place, which I doubt or my superiors have decided I’m more valuable at my desk than in the field. And it’s a Sunday, I won’t hear anything from Osaka.
So I decide to read the Sunday paper. I tend to avoid the Sunday newspaper because I find its socialite geared content irks me but there’s nothing else. Another ball at the Rokumeikan arranged for elite foreigners and high flying politicians by Inoue the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Imagine that, the man who was once suspected of gunning for Okubo’s place is ending up trying to negotiate treaties with other nations? How well is that going I wonder?
My eyes wander to a list of prominent attendees, a bunch of people I don’t know but a few names stand out that Field Marshall von Lindenberg, Sir Howard Vincent, Kamei Shichirou and Miyagawa Kichirou. I heard the Department of the Interior took him back here in Tokyo but it makes no sense he’s now hobnobbing with Tokyo’s elites. I can feel my breath go heavy as I put the paper down. It’s been a few weeks since I’ve heard anything from Osaka and from the prefectural chief there. Sucking on my cigarette tightly, I hear a knock on the door.
“Come in!” I bark at the unwelcome visitor.
“Supt. Fujita.”
I look up and see he’s paid me a visit. I thought he’d never show his face to me again. And I’m not sure how I feel about him wearing the uniform again. There was a time I’d have regretted not trying harder to keep him.
“What are you doing here Shindou?” I say coldly as I ash the last of my cigarette.
He nods, closes the door and approaches my desk.
“I know I’m not welcome.”
“You’re not.”
“But I heard of what happened to Yagi-san and I wanted to see how she’s doing. I’m sure you wouldn’t want me to pay a visit to your home.”
Crossing my arms I stare at him for a long minute. Was he really that concerned? Or what kind of ploy is this?
“She’s recovering. She -will- be fine.” I click my tongue, “Thanks for your concern.” Not that I think he’s at all concerned about my wife or woman.
“So she got hurt?”
The way he said that, it almost seemed like genuine concern. But I can’t help averting my eyes to the side. “It will be a while before she can walk straight. She’s also had to endure a gunshot wound.” I didn’t realize it at first, but after last night seeing that wound up close I realized what she had ended up doing. Baka Onna.
“Sir!” He catches himself. “I’m glad that she’s home then.”
I simply nod impatiently. All those injuries mostly because I didn’t magically appear or weren’t fast enough. I don’t know which was worse. “Anything else?”
“About the other week sir.”
I can’t help but let out a growl. “I don’t need to speak about that right now. Don’t waste my time.”
“Look Fujita-san, I was wrong.” He scratches the back of his neck, “I don’t know what came over me. It was like I was in a trance and during that time I’d do anything for Aioi-san.”
“Fool. That’s what that woman does best.” I start another cigarette, “Learn your lesson and go back to your girl.” I watch as he squirms and I realize, he probably doesn’t even have a girl. “Kami… If you don’t even have a girl, go get yourself one. A nice one you can take home to that demon mother of yours. And the next time you get an itch, go get laid -elsewhere-.”
He looks to the side, “Well even if Aioi-san was just using me. I don’t think it’s right that the police is using her in such a demeaning way.”
I almost laugh at him. Aioi use him? Perhaps to relieve herself of boredom but nothing else. As for the police, we do what we must. Or -you- must.
“Don’t worry she’s back in Kyoto.” I lie. He’s so damn gullible sometimes.
Like her?
We’re not talking about her!
Even so, you certainly can’t seem to stop thinking about her. You idiot.
“Really?” He smiles and nods agreeably at the fake news. “Then that’s good. I would feel responsible for…”
I scoff. “Are you really that of an idiot? Just because you slept with a woman doesn’t mean you have to marry her.”
But isn’t that what happened Goro?
Shut up!
“Go home. Your mother is probably waiting for you.” I wave him away.
“Alright.” He goes to the door, “Please tell Yagi-san to have a speedy recovery. And if there’s anything I can do Fujita-san.”
“Sure.” I grin contemptuously at him. “And as for what you -can- do, just make sure you don’t cause unnecessary worry to Hide by telling her about Aioi.”
He gives me an odd look but I go back to the Sunday newspaper. This day certainly turned into a chore and I’m just not inclined to go home. All this talk about Aioi… I look outside, now it’s dark.
Maybe I -should- visit her. See what that woman who wants for nothing and requires nothing is up to. Drinking alone probably. I can’t help but grin at the thought.
You really are an idiot. We’re supposed to go home!
Shut up! She doesn’t want you.
Heh.. Nor you. You fool.
She pouts and pours herself a drink. I don’t say anything. I just needed a place to park I guess.
“If you’re going to pay a visit at least lets have some fun Hajime.” She comes over and she wraps her arms around me. She’s warm. I like that.
“Mmm.” I say and take a hit on my cigarette which she promptly takes away from my mouth. I close my eyes in resignation.
“So will you be visiting me weekly now?”
“I’m busy.”
“But yet you’re here.” She smiles smugly at me. “Trouble at home?”
“No.”
She laughs and smokes my cigarette. “That’s a definite yes.” Placing an arm around my neck, she hangs on me like a… snake. Very different from the Octopus. “So what did this aspiring non-wife do this time? I heard you know or rather saw one of the flyers that she went missing -again- but you know I thought that ordeal was over, after all you even took me shopping last week and made me wait while you ate soba.”
I pull on her arm but she’s either have a vice like grip or I’m just not up to it. “Nothing’s wrong with Hide and I.” I lie.
“Alright.” She gives me back the cig and starts nibbling on my ear. “I guess that’s better than if you were running over here angry about that Tokio. Taking out your aggression of her on me.”
Tokio deserved what she got.
Or didn’t get. *smirk*
Glancing back at Aioi, I suddenly hold her face in the palm of my hand. I didn’t regret what I did, making a fool of Tokio – making her think I was still seeing Hide all that time until I told her I wasn’t. I let that face go.
She smiles knowingly. “You really did enjoy our time together didn’t you.” She leans in and plants a kiss at the corner of my mouth.” Then leans back, letting her already loose kimono open up a little that I can see just a bit more beyond it. “Can I ask you a question?”
I shrug and take a shot of the sake.
“Those nights when you wanted me to pretend I’m that Mibu girl, do you think that will happen again?” She smirks, “The sex with your mistress seems much better, than with your wife – but I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. You’re just a man after all.”
Should I be ashamed? Maybe I am because I can’t seem to answer that question.
The answer is “No” idiot.
“Hajime…” She leans in and removes the glove from my left hand, guiding it inside her kimono. “I know you had some fun with me just last month.” She laughs softly, “But I was too out of it to really get enjoy it you see. But the pre-amble was certainly “tasty”.”
I cup one of her breast in my hand and I can’t help but compare. Her’s is much fuller than my… YOUR WHAT? I retrieve my hand from Aioi and I see the ring.
“What’s that?” She takes my hand and looks at it closely, “Is this -pure- gold?”
I nod.
“That’s worth a lot of money Hajime-han!” She grins, “How about you give that to me? Remember the good old days when you were my patron?”
Shaking my head, I retrieve my hand and my gloves. It’s true back in Kyoto I’d spend a lot of money on her. After all I got her first and I wasn’t willing to share her with the others like Hijikata-san, although I heard he tried. There were even rumors of Okita visiting the same brothel house as I did, but I heard he mostly spent his time drinking and telling the maikos stories about some girl he was with. Shit.
Standing up I drink the rest of the sake and let it burn my throat. Then I go to the closet and take out a futon.
“You’re sleeping here tonight?” She gets up.
“It’s my place.” I remind her.
She laughs, “Then are we placing our futon together?”
Going to the opposite side of the room, I move the only table and remember the time that Hide and I about broke that table… Damn it.
Placing the futon down. I try to go to sleep. This time sleep came faster than I realized. I guess I was just so damn tired from not having any.
Don’t stay too long here ahou.
It’s too late.
(OOC: Saitou stays the night. He’s uncertain where he’ll go to next probably work.)