It’s right after dinner and I’m really in a good mood! Makoto’s cleaning up upstairs and I hang around in the kitchen wanting to talk to Yagi-san. I’m glad he’s not here because we’ll it just makes things easier. Besides I haven’t seen him in what feels like weeks but again, that’s okay. After clearing the table Eiji-nii went up to our room. He was extra quiet but he’s usually like that.
But it doesn’t look like Yukiko-neechan is going to leave and so I sit around here.
“How’s Ai-chan? Is she already asleep?” I ask the room because I knew she was sick the other day and I don’t get to spend much time with her unlike Makoto who’s like my shadow but I don’t mind. She’s part of the Fujita house after all.
(ooc:assuming hide is in the kitchen.)
How’s Ai-chan? Is she already asleep?
“Not yet – I set her in her crib but I need to give her a bath before bed.” I say, wiping my hands off from where I was lining up things for preparing breakfast tomorrow. I just have to do things like normal. Even if she comes sailing in here tomorrow to claim her husband, this house, her sons…
I look at Tsutomu-kun. If it is her that’s called in… I’ll fight for this family. I’m no saint for being here, I’ve made -so- many mistakes… but the time for lamenting isn’t now.
I hand him a letter from the counter that was waiting for me when I came home – arriving via messenger, per Yukiko-san. “I was surprised to hear back from Yamaji-sensei so quickly. She said that she’s been considering housing the boarding girls in homes for some time, so they could learn household arts…. and that it would be a safer and more “moral” atmosphere for the girls.” I wonder about the internal workings of that school – did Takimi-sensei agree, or did she go around him? And what all beyond bullying is actually going on? “So unless Midori-chan’s mother disagrees, she’ll be moving in not this weekend, but the next, before your fall break.”
I don’t want to think about what happens if… would she welcome Midori-san?
I smile at him, suddenly. “Would you like to help me get Ai-chan ready for bed? She’s a squirmy one, I’ll warn you… but we can give Yukiko-san a break from it.” She’s had her own rough day, after all, and looks tired. “We can also talk about getting things ready for Midori-chan.”
I was surprised to hear back from Yamaji-sensei so quickly. She said that she’s been considering housing the boarding girls in homes for some time, so they could learn household arts…. and that it would be a safer and more “moral” atmosphere for the girls.
I nod. “Well they wouldn’t have to do all that if they’d only get rid of that Nitta.” I shrug. “But I’m glad Midori is coming to live with us.”
She smiles at me suddenly and I’m a little embarrassed being caught looking at her. Her short hair makes her look younger. Like a pretty young teacher from school, but that’s weird because that’s probably what -he- would think.
Would you like to help me get Ai-chan ready for bed? She’s a squirmy one, I’ll warn you… but we can give Yukiko-san a break from it.”
“Uhuh.” I nod. “Nee-chan has been looking gloomy so I’m sure she appreciates a break.”
“Tomu!” Nee-san exclaims and I grin back at her. It’s on for her to take a rest once in a while.
“Heh. With so many women in this house I never get to hold my baby sister.” I follow Yagi-san, “the one upstairs isn’t so cute anymore.” Oh if Makoto was here she’d be so upset I said that!
Well they wouldn’t have to do all that if they’d only get rid of that Nitta.
Niita… and the way he says the name – -that- Niita… “Is that the person bullying Midori-chan? Are they bullying others, too?” If there’s someone to be worried about, I really need to know.
And then I notice he’s staring at me! But it’s better than his scowl or where he puts his nose in the air, so I’ll take it.
He teases Yukiko-san and I see a real smile on her face for not just today… but for the first time in a while, honestly. “Well that settles it, Yukiko-san, you’re free from splashes tonight.” Ai-chan is like Makoto-chan in that she’s active.
I lead the way into the bedroom, and carefully pick up Ai-chan, who is waving her arms. “Lucky girl, oniisan is going to help get you clean and happy tonight.” I then hand the baby over to Tsutomu-kun, and she turns those eyes on him, and starts burbling. “You should be glad Makoto-chan wasn’t upstairs to hear you say that about her being cute – what a fuss she’d have at you,” I grin. But he’s right – there’s always me, or Yukiko-san, to do everything for Ai-chan.
I pull out the things we’ll need – towels, a fresh diaper or two, washing clothes, and a nightdress for Ai-chan.
In the bathroom, I get out the little tub I use for Ai-chan, and pour water in. I tie back the lower sleeves of my kimono, and touch the underside of my forearm to the water, to test the temperature. “That will be just right by the time we get you ready, Ai-chan.” I tap her on her little nose, and she burbles happily. Sometimes I wonder how Hajime and I had children who are such content babies – my parents were very placid (most of the time) but both of my brothers were fussy… I wonder what sort of baby Tsutomu-kun was.
“Let’s get her out of her outfit and diaper… and then, put some water and soap on a washing cloth, and clean her up a bit, then into the tub. If you’ll wash her I’ll get the tub prepared, since she can’t sit on her own yet.”
I let him start while I wrap a sponge in a towel, then ask, “so, Midori-chan is from the north, I think?” She mentioned a town, but it didn’t sound familiar, but her accent still carries traces of somewhere far away.
“Is that the person bullying Midori-chan? Are they bullying others, too?”
“Yes.” I say, “But I don’t know if he’s bullying others. I think Nitta is mad at Midori because Father pushed his weight around at Nitta who worked the night shift when Midori ended up breaking curfew. Still, that’s not Midori’s fault but -his-.” (OOC: he’s referring to Saitou being at fault.)
We go to the bedroom and get Ai. Yagi-san hands her to me and immediately Ai-chan stares. “Cute baby. Not like your sister Makoto.” I grin back at Yagi-san. She just said Makoto would fuss but she’s not here to hear me. I put her against my chest.
In the bathroom Yagi-san gives me instructions and I’m careful to follow it. “I know how to wash babies and kids. I used to do it for Yoshi all the time.” So I start and I’m careful since she’s a baby she squirms a little but I’m bigger than her and can easily hold her still.
so, Midori-chan is from the north, I think?”
“Yes. She misses it or rather the sea.” I tell Yagi-san, “But she has to peservere if she wants to fulfill her dream and go to a foreign school someday. She comes from a fishing merchant family in Sakata.”
He tells me more about this Niita. “Is he a student?” I ask – why would an adult bully a child? Well, I had my concerns about Futaba with regards to Makoto, given its connection with Tokio, but either she’s yet to encounter any of her good friends or they’re actually dedicated enough to their mission and teach, despite how they feel about the parents. But the way he blames Hajime for being out late… “but still, if he’s upset with your father, I’d imagine he’d take it out on you, and not Midori-chan…” If this is an adult, it’s even more troubling, either way. Now that I can walk better, I’ll start escorting them to school and back, even if Yukiko-san stays with us.
Cute baby. Not like your sister Makoto
Another grin! I grin back, and the baby joins in. “Brrrr! Grrr! Pffftftft!” Ai-chan chortles as Tsutomu-kun takes her and holds her close, drooling down her chin, with some going down on his shirt. “Still cute, even with the drool, ne? I think Makoto-chan only drools when she’s after those sweets you have.”
He does do a good job cleaning up Ai-chan, and is unflinching with the diaper area. “You do better than Makoto-chan – she won’t wipe her bottom and complains about it even when clean,” I say with a grin. But he mentions cleaning Tsuyoshi-kun… he’s not -that- much older, to have been left with it. “Ai-chan, you have an expert oniisan here to take care of you.”
I have her little tub ready, and I wrap a sponge in a washcloth to make a prop for her back, since she can’t really sit up yet. “You know now… this is to help rinse her off, and warm her back up… and she likes to splash.” As he puts her in, she makes a delighted sound and flings her arms and legs in the water. I laugh and hand Tsutomu-kun a towel. “But she can be slippery, so keep a hand or two on her.”
She comes from a fishing merchant family in Sakata
Sakata…. “That’s well up in the north – she must not be able to make it home very often.” She had a look in her eyes, the times she’s been here… “But if she misses the sea, there’s a train down the Izu peninsula to Atami, it’s not a far trip these days – we can plan something,” I say. Although I’d rather avoid Ito… there’s plenty of other nice places to see there. It’s still not what I’d imagine the northern seas to be like – wild and cold – but homesickness is a funny thing.
“Anything else I should know about your friend? I want her to not only feel safe here, but comfortable and welcome,” I say. Just as I do for him. Well, try. But I like seeing the young man I’m seeing tonight. Not because it’s easier for me, but… because he seems -happy-.
Tsutomu:
“Is he a student?”
“He’s one of the night guards but hangs around the school any time of the day.” I scowl a little. “And no he’s said things to Takimi-sensei about me I think, after all why would Takimi-sensei want me to stay away from Midori? And then -he- agreed to it.”
Ai-chan starts to really like her bath and I can’t help but smile and wipe away the drool with the towel.
“You do better than Makoto-chan – she won’t wipe her bottom and complains about it even when clean,”
“Well it’s because she didn’t have a younger brother who got dirty -all- the time.” I tickle Ai-chan’s tummy. “And now there’s so many people taking care of Ai. But aside from Eiji-nii… Well I didn’t want him to see us unkempt.” Because we were good boys and it would reflect badly on mother. Unfortunately he always came home first on the days she left.
Ai-chan makes a splash with the water and I hold her making sure she don’t slip like Yagi-san says. “You’ll be clean soon Ai-chan, and then everyone will know we take good care of you.”
“But if she misses the sea, there’s a train down the Izu peninsula to Atami, it’s not a far trip these days – we can plan something,”
“I was thinking of just taking her on a river ride but that sounds much better.” Besides I barely have any money left these days.
“Anything else I should know about your friend? I want her to not only feel safe here, but comfortable and welcome,”
It’s then that I decide to confess a bit. She’ll find out anyway, if she hasn’t figured it out from our conversation yet. “Can you just make sure Yagi-san that he… Father, doesn’t get in the way of Midori living here? It’s only until Nitta is gone.” And I do wonder how to get rid of him. I doubt “father” would help, so I have to come up with a plan on my own.
Ai-chan rinsed, I raise her from the water and hold her up as she babbles back at me and I stick my tongue out at her. “I think she’s ready to be wiped dry.”
after all why would Takimi-sensei want me to stay away from Midori? And then -he- agreed to it.
A guard who harrasses students? This is even more troubling… As for the rest, “the agreement to my request came from Yamaji-san. Unless I don’t understand the structure of Futaba, I don’t think she’d agree if your friendship were for some reason banned.” I’m still confused about Hajime… “as for your father… he’s had a lot on his mind lately – but, he should have spoken to you first before agreeing with Takimi-sensei’s ultimatum.” I don’t like to disagree with Hajime’s decisions to one of the children… but he’s going to have to listen to him, sometimes. Just like I need to, instead of floating around on my well-intentioned -assumptions-.
Well I didn’t want him to see us unkempt.
I realize that the he that Tsutomu-kun speaks of is not Eiji-san, but Hajime… and there’s that pride, and sense of protection for his mother. Because it should have been her job to see that a young child was clean and presentable. And while Tokio was ill, in her way, just as my mother was… it still shouldn’t have been him, under all of that pressure and stress so young. And the way he speaks to her…
“Well Eiji-san did tell me that you two were fond of playing in the mud…” I tickle Ai-chan under her chin and smile back at him before looking back at the baby. “Your big sister still would, I think… are you going to be like your older siblings?” She tries to grab my hand but instead it hits the water, making a big SPLASH onto both Tsutomu-kun and I. “I think that will be a -yes-.”
I was thinking of just taking her on a river ride but that sounds much better.
“Start with the river – that’s what she has here, after all, and I love rivers myself,” I say, smiling a bit, thinking of an old song. “Then we’ll build up to the ocean!” Then I think. “You’ll need to take Makoto-chan with you, or even Yukiko-san, with you two on outings around here. Either provides respectability – Makoto-chan even more, as younger siblings love to tattle. And since you have a tag-along… I’ll cover the expenses, but I don’t think I can afford cake -every- day,” I say, with a laugh. Tamesaburou would, in the early, early days come along, but then okaasan decided it was too dangerous for a little boy who had illusions of being a great samurai to be out on Kyoto’s streets.
I’m not sure how I’ll afford outings, though… but I’ll make it work. These young people, in this time of peace… should enjoy being young and the innocent amusements to be found in this time and place.
Can you just make sure Yagi-san that he… Father, doesn’t get in the way of Midori living here? It’s only until Nitta is gone
He says it in a tone that’s a lot like when he asked me about this in the first place. “I don’t know why he would have agreed with Takimi-sensei, unless he was made to believe something untoward…” but I look at Tsutomu-kun – even despite the book Hajime found, there’s still an innocence to the young man, “but I can’t see how that would happen.” And then I hand him the towel to wrap up Ai-chan, and she happily snuggles back against his chest as I prepare her diaper and sleeping gown. “Once, your father reprimanded me for not knowing more about you – such as who your friends were. I may not know all of the details of your life yet, but I can see what sort of young man you are – you asked me for a favor, because you were protecting a friend.” I smile at him. “That’s a young man I’m honored to know, and help when asked.” And… I’ll make it work with Hajime. Midori-chan seems to be a good influence on Tsutomu-kun, after all, as well as Makoto.
I get Ai-chan dressed, and hand her back to her brother, where now, having gotten herself tired, she’s content just to do her golden-eye staring at him. “You did good tonight with her, so I’ll remind the other women of this house not to hog her so much.” And maybe this little one… he can enjoy as a brother, instead of as a caretaker. “Thank you.”
And it’s thanks from me as well… for keeping me from dwelling on what’s going on with Hajime.
Unless I don’t understand the structure of Futaba, I don’t think she’d agree if your friendship were for some reason banned.
I don’t tell Yagi-san that it was Takimi sensei who told me that I would be a good friend to Midori if I kept hanging around. But he’s not wrong… Only that until Nitta is gone I have no other recourse.
“as for your father… he’s had a lot on his mind lately – but, he should have spoken to you first before agreeing with Takimi-sensei’s ultimatum.”
“Is it Yagi-san? He’s the head of the Fujita house. A -samurai- house.” And that’s why I expect him to take care of our house. The head gets to make the decisions but protects his house and the children defer to their parents. “Are you saying because he’s not protected the Fujita house that he doesn’t get to make those decisions?”
She talks to Ai-chan about making a mess and it seems Ai-chan’s response is a definite -yes-. I laugh softly at that. “Well hopefully you’ll not be as messy as Yoshi, Ai-chan.”
She offers to pay for a river outing, saying Makoto or Nee-chan can come. I shake my head, “Maybe just pay for Makoto or Yukiko-neechan.” If I’m taking out Midori, she’s my friend so I should pay for her… Unless of course, “Oh and Midori seems to be well to do, she can probably pay her way too.” Because why should I pay for her if I don’t have to?
Finally Ai-chan is dry and wrapped in a towel. I hold her close because it might be cold and Yagi-san is still preparing her clothes. I pat her back a little.
“Once, your father reprimanded me for not knowing more about you – such as who your friends were. I may not know all of the details of your life yet, but I can see what sort of young man you are – you asked me for a favor, because you were protecting a friend.”
I’m surprised. Why would -he- reprimand her for not knowing me? She’s not my mother and… Why was he thinking about me or my friends anyway? I don’t have many friends. Was he looking for something to rebuke me with from Yagi-san? I don’t know. It’s -confusing-.
Yagi-san takes back Ai and dresses her up. “Oh you look nice and smell nice Ai.” I grin and put her back against me, her head on my shoulders. “Now go to sleep for a while.” I slowly rock her. “I’ll put her in the crib when she’s asleep Yagi-san.”
Are you saying because he’s not protected the Fujita house that he doesn’t get to make those decisions?
I shake my head. “He may decide, as head of the Fujita house and as your father… but as both, he owes it to his house and his son to listen to both sides before making decisions – that’s just respect, which a samurai of any era should follow.” I then look at him. “But respect goes both ways, Tsutomu-kun. You both… sometimes will look at the worst of any situation. If you ever actually look up at see each other – the boy who has nightmares about his father’s death and the man who did lose his father as a child – maybe there’s a way to meet. Someday.”
I turn back to Ai-chan, who, like Makoto, seems to bring out another side in him. Something unguarded. I know Makoto tries, unconsciously or not, for that connection. “Don’t give her a challenge!” I tease, with a grin. Makoto -would- try to make a bigger mess, but this one? Remains to be seen. But if he’s here, he’ll wipe her hands gently, I know.
“We’ll figure out who pays for what when it happens – and if winter comes early, the river rides will be closed until spring,” I say. “But either way, let’s try to make her time here a happy one.” An -adult- bothering her… I still can’t shake that. I know why he probably didn’t come to Hajime about it, but… I will. If I get the chance.
He’s quiet as I tell him what his father told me, but his eyebrows furrow for just a moment. Annoyance? Confusion?
Ai-chan is dressed and he takes her back, now that he’s been holding her he can’t seem to get enough of her, and she snuggles against him. I come closer and kiss my daughter’s soft cheek and she babbles at me, just a bit, but her eyes are heavy…. “Good night, Ai-chan.” Then I lean up and kiss his cheek, too, as I did hers. “Thank you, Tsutomu-kun.”
(OOC – you may close)
She talks about respect that it should go both ways. But she doesn’t really know him does she? He’ll do what he wants. He may make a show of listening to her but he can’t be bothered to me. And she makes mention of my dreams. I turn away somewhat. It’s not something we can talk about.
But either way, let’s try to make her time here a happy one.”
Finally a subject we can agree on. “I’ll help Makoto clean up her room before Midori comes.” I offer. “Makoto’s not the neatest and I hope Midori can change that!
She kisses me after Ai goes to sleep. She’s a good girl and listens to instructions well. I place her in the crib and bid Yagi-san goodnight.
(Ooc end)