A day or two, Tenma-sensei’s letter read. From when? It’s been four since it was written, three since it arrived… I went back to that secret hospital, twice, and continued to be denied entry. I figure if not by today, then tomorrow, I need to go back. Insist on seeing Tenma-sensei.
Or maybe he’s resting at -her- place. Where she makes soba and sits in his lap and brings nothing -heavy- to him. In the floating world, after all, where are troubles? It’s a fantasy where… well, I suppose much like the fantasy our early relationship. I just didn’t paint my face, so I considered myself better than any of -them-.
I shake my head. That’s… not useful thinking.
I look up at the blue fall sky, as I’m setting laundry out to dry. I used to be able to sense him, feel him… I sigh as I hang school uniforms up to dry, and then the endless parade of diapers.
I miss him… but which one?
The shadow-Hide has been haunting me. Whispering offers at night, when I’m just between waking and sleeping… just when I thought I was rid of my sister, here comes another. <i>He made me,</i> she says, her tone almost gloating, <i>I’m the one he wanted, because he knows I’ll comply with whatever he wants. While all you do is kick and scratch and hurt. Why don’t you give up, instead of facing the indignity of having him order me back, hmmmm?</i>
I told her I’m not running. Brave words… but I’m not.
I would’ve given my card to the driver and asked him to call on the people inside but instead I go ahead and alight from the carriage and tell the good man to wait a while. It’s high time I paid the residents of this house a visit. Kawaji-san has been eluding the talk of why Fujita-kun hasn’t followed up since our last meeting. And here I thought we were finally getting somewhere. But I’m not here on official business, I simply wanted to visit the women of the house.
Fixing the ends of my mustache and straightening my vest, I walk up to the gate and use my cane to knock on the wooden gates. “Good day! Anybody home?!” I say in English and I chuckle, if it’s that young lady she won’t understand so in a much more broken Japanese I add, “Sumimasen, dareka imasuka?”
(Hide)
Yukiko-san was excited about making her new recipe today, and went out early for the school run in order to go to the market.
I’ve just finished the laundry and put down Ai-chan for a nap when I hear a voice outside. English? And then in… passable Japanese.
I go to the gate and open it, “Ah, Sir Howard, please, come in,” I say. Wishing it had been Hajime… but this is connected to his work. And if it were bad news, they would send Kawaji-san, right? Even to a mistress?
“Ah, Sir Howard, please, come in,”
I’m let in but it seems the madame was expecting someone else? I wonder.
“Thank you.” I bow slightly and tip my hat, entering the abode. I follow her across the garden and we stop just right outside the entrance to the home. “How have you been doing Yagi-san and the rest of the house, are they well?”
I smile and casually look beyond her. Maybe the young lady is there or one of the children?
“I just came from Uramura’s and I think I’ve started to overstay my welcome so a change of pace was necessary.” And of course I haven’t seen Fujita-kun at all the past week.
I bow in return. “Welcome again to our humble home, Sir Howard,” I say, remembering my manners.
How have you been doing Yagi-san and the rest of the house, are they well?
“The children and young people are well, but aside from the baby, are at school or out on their own errands,” I answer. “But Goro has been in the police hospital for a few days – nothing major, but they insist on keeping him until he’s fully recovered,” I lead him into the house.
He says something about overstaying at Uramura-san’s house? Well his wife does seem kind, and gentle, like a good Japanese woman. “May I offer you refreshments? Tea?” I offer.
“The children and young people are well, but aside from the baby, are at school or out on their own errands,”
“I see. I suppose I’ve not the rhythm of young people. My schoolboy days are long gone after all.” And I admit the vitality that used to go along with it!
“But Goro has been in the police hospital for a few days – nothing major, but they insist on keeping him until he’s fully recovered,”
I can’t help but chuckle, “Ah! That explains why even Kawaji is elusive!” I look thoughtfully at Yagi-san. “I swear, I thought Fujita-kun was simply trying to avoid me.” Which would be unfortunate for -him-.
“May I offer you refreshments? Tea?”
“Certainly. But if you don’t mind, I prefer to stay on your engawa and enjoy this nice day.” I look up. Most of these Japanese homes have formal receiving areas but they are not the most inviting thing. And the last time I was here, well, it wasn’t that inviting. But the children and the young woman certainly made the visit worth it.
My schoolboy days are long gone after all.
“Our schoolboy is much occupied with kendo, as of late,” I say, nodding. “And his sister enjoys cheering him on,” I smile.
He mentions that Kawaji-san is “elusive”, but, isn’t he also one of the most important men in Japan?
I swear, I thought Fujita-kun was simply trying to avoid me
“Oh, goodness, certainly not!” I say, shaking my head. “But you know, he is terribly busy – I fear the amount of paperwork on his desk that Kawaji-san is piling up there for him to tackle once he recovers!” I say, lightly.
He expresses an interest in staying outside, and I go quickly to prepare tea, along with a light snack. “Please accept out simple food, Sir Howard. Have you taken to Japanese food yet?”
Yagi-san tries to cover for Fujita-kun but don’t all well meaning mistresses do that? I simply agree with her about the paper work. That man doesn’t strike me as someone who’ll just sit down and do paper work. “Ah well then, when he comes back then he’ll be even further behind.”
I watch her leave and go to sit on the edge of the engawa. Certainly not at all proper but their engawa is not so low. It’s height is just exact for my knees.
“Please accept out simple food, Sir Howard. Have you taken to Japanese food yet?”
“I find Japanese food an acquired taste.” I take some of the tea, “The tea though is excellent. I miss beef steak at times.”
“Sit down Yagi-san.” I smile a bit, “Tell me some stories. How you learned English. What places you’ve been to and what places you wish to go.” We’ll start with her and then maybe we can get a bit more comfortable -later-. “What are your hobbies? I’ll take a guess and say it’s gardening.” The flowers are beautiful.
Ah well then, when he comes back then he’ll be even further behind
“I’m afraid so,” I say, shaking my head.
The tea though is excellent. I miss beef steak at times.
I nod my head. “Yes, I hear that the English are another nation of great tea-drinkers. As for beef, it is a new taste here in Japan, with some Japanese, who keep to a stricter version of Buddhist teachings, avoiding it altogether. But certain dishes – such as a beef stew, or hotpot – are quickly becoming popular.”
He tells me to sit, and I do so, pouring his tea and offering him the refreshments.
“I learned English… well, Goro picked it up while he was overseas, so I learned from him. I suppose I must have some natural talent – the younger of my two brothers is something of a polygot – I think he’s up to six languages now? But I’ve hardly been anywhere, just around Japan a bit.” I look at him, with a smile. Does he -know-? Or does he know -him-? Or is it merely innocent questioning of an unusual skill – a Japanese woman of this time being fluent in English? “As for where I’d like to go, I’m rather content here. After all, as you deduced, one of my hobbies is gardening, and I can’t leave this dear place behind too long.” Well, I did, once. And I do like to go places – but with the man I love.
Ooc reply tom
As for beef, it is a new taste here in Japan, with some Japanese, who keep to a stricter version of Buddhist teachings, avoiding it altogether. But certain dishes – such as a beef stew, or hotpot – are quickly becoming popular.”
“And are you and Fujita-kun a devout Buddhist yourselves? I’d love to try some stew or hot pot, see if the Japanese version is good.” Well I know she’s turned down my request to go to her knee doctor. I wonder if it will be the same this time…
I learned English… well, Goro picked it up while he was overseas, so I learned from him. I suppose I must have some natural talent – the younger of my two brothers is something of a polygot – I think he’s up to six languages now? But I’ve hardly been anywhere, just around Japan a bit.”
I chuckle a little setting down the excellent tea. “Was Fujita-kun a good or at least a patient teacher?” The man seems an unlikely educator. “What other hidden talents does your man have Yagi-san?”
And she says she’s been around Japan? “Were you displaced then by your civil war? Most people were I heard, running from one mountain or island to another.” She does seem like a homebody. As she said content where she places a garden. “A garden does need care of course but does anyone here in the house appreciate the flowers? They have so much hidden meaning!”
“And are you and Fujita-kun a devout Buddhist yourselves? I’d love to try some stew or hot pot, see if the Japanese version is good
“We eat meat in this household,” I answer. Do the English generally just ask about these things outright? But I suppose this is a curious man… “But we keep other traditions and practices.” He speaks about trying Japanese takes on beef, and I nod. “There are a number of well-regarded restaurants for hot pot, they seem to be popping up all over. But other than the military where it’s become popular, nikujagu remains home cooking – but for us, not too often – beef is an expensive meat!” I say.
Was Fujita-kun a good or at least a patient teacher?
I smile softly, without realizing it. “He is more patient than people would understand him to be. Extremely patient with me, for one. And as for hidden talents – well, I’m certain you’re aware of his professional talents, if you know Kawaji-san. At home… he’s an excellent, caring father and head of this family.” And then, one tear runs down my cheek, and I wipe it, quickly. “Please excuse me, I’ve missed him terribly.”
“I was lucky to remain in Kyoto for the duration of the war – my family needed me during, and after. Times were … chaotic, but we were lucky to be able to remain as we were – Kyoto was where the war simmered for years, but the larger actions took place elsewhere. Other than a trip to Lake Biwa as a very young girl, I didn’t leave the confines of Kyoto until I journeyed to Tokyo several years ago.” I sip my own tea.
“Goro likes to spend time in the garden,” I say, looking out. Not just the time we made Makoto, but other times… we spend some of our golden afternoons there, and it wasn’t that long ago that he was helping me water the vegetables… “but as for meaning, it’s not a language I have skill in – although I understand that the language of flowers is different between our two cultures as well.” I smile, “I prefer flowers for their beauty, and try to say what I mean instead of leaving a mystery in ikebana.” It was one of the ladylike skills my mother didn’t teach me, as she had the same preference. But saying what I mean, what I want? I still struggle with that. I want Hajime to be direct, instead of speaking as he sometimes does… but at least he speaks, unlike me.
Ooc reply tom 2
But we keep other traditions and practices.”
“And pray do tell what those other things maybe Yagi-san?”
And she exclaims beef is expensive. “It keeps a man strong, there’s no better meat out there.”
And as for hidden talents – well, I’m certain you’re aware of his professional talents, if you know Kawaji-san.
“Actually Kawaji hardly speaks about the man. Save for when he thinks I’m about to share more information about how us Brits run our police.” I shake my head. Kawaji is either very discreet or doesn’t think much of officer’s below him.
. At home… he’s an excellent, caring father and head of this family.”
“Is that so. But the sign outside says a different name Yagi-san. Yamaguchi”
And with some horror I watch as she wipes away a tear on her face.
Please excuse me, I’ve missed him terribly.”
I reach inside my pocket and lean over and wipe her damp cheek. “Either you’ve downplayed that man’s sickness or you’re covering for him. There. There.” I told Fujita-kun the number one mistake with a mistress is to fall in love with one… but that didn’t mean he should make her cry! In fact quite the opposite! She should be blissfully unaware of the realities of the world!
I politely listen as she tells me about the war and lake biwa, in Kyoto. Then her talk about gardens and “Goro”. I’m careful on the subject painfully aware that I may trigger something again with the lady.
“I prefer flowers for their beauty, and try to say what I mean instead of leaving a mystery in ikebana.
“Is that right? Then how about telling me truly what the problem is Yagi-san? You said I misread your situation but it seems like I’ve not.” She doesn’t strike me as someone who says what they mean. In all my interactions with the woman, she seems highly guarded. So unlike what my benefactor described to me.
And pray do tell what those other things maybe Yagi-san?
“We celebrate life’s milestones, certainly, but unlike Western faiths which require regular attendance, everyday activities are done at home – you saw our little shrine in our formal room, which is for regular prayer,” I say, my eyebrows slightly raised at this line of questioning. “And are you able to attend to your faith, here in Tokyo?”
Actually Kawaji hardly speaks about the man. Save for when he thinks I’m about to share more information about how us Brits run our police
“We are an old country but a young nation, and we know the eyes of the world are on us, so I do not fault Kawaji-san for not sharing all of the details of what Goro has done for this country,” I say, knowing very well that he has been there to help turn the tide against madmen bent on destroying this fragile time of peace, but that it remains unknown because it -must-.
Is that so. But the sign outside says a different name Yagi-san. Yamaguchi
I take a sip of tea, before looking back at him. “In England, may a man unilaterally declare a divorce, Sir Howard? Under our new laws, this is no longer possible and his wife refuses to relinquish him – their marriage was arranged by high-ranking members of her clan, after all. ‘Yamaguchi’ is only temporary, until things can be made -right-,” I say, putting down my teacup.
He reaches and brushes my tear away with a handkerchief, and I stiffen, sitting back, at him making a gesture like that. “Please excuse a moment of weakness, Sir Howard,” I say, bowing. “The police have not been forthcoming with information and I have only been allowed to see him one time,” I say, which is truthful, even though he accuses me of lying.
“Is that right? Then how about telling me truly what the problem is Yagi-san? You said I misread your situation but it seems like I’ve not.
I just look at him for a moment. “Sir Howard, your… interest in my situation is surprising, even if you do find the lives of ordinary Japanese people to be captivating.” I look out at the garden. “I’ve made many mistakes in my life, and Hajime suffers for them, and I don’t yet understand my path forward. But… my question back to you – who sent you here? Sir Charles?” That can be the only reason for this. The gesture earlier was invasive, certainly, but not… lustful. He probably even considered it kindly meant.
“And are you able to attend to your faith, here in Tokyo?”
“Not so much.” I grin, “My ex-wife used to go every day, I once joked with her she was a saint.”
Under our new laws, this is no longer possible and his wife refuses to relinquish him – their marriage was arranged by high-ranking members of her clan, after all. ‘Yamaguchi’ is only temporary, until things can be made -right-,
I raise an eyebrow at this, just as she did me earlier. “Yagi-san, you and I both know the underpinnings of the law. A man can still divorce his wife provided there are grounds to do so. Fujita-kun merely by the position of his office can -easily- be free of his wife if he so choose.”
And she tells me about her gripe about the police not allowing her to see. And yet just moments ago, she defended the the high command for being discreet. “Well as you said, it is a young nation.” Maybe this Fujita is more than he seems? But my benefactor did tell me Fujita was. I sit back to give her some space. The last thing I want is for someone to think there is something going on here.
She thinks my interest is suspect. I smile. “Well Lady Yagi, I merely wanted to hear stories of old, but since you didn’t seem too keen to speak about the old warriors who stayed at your father’s house. I thought I’d just get to know about you and Fujita-kun.”
“I’ve made many mistakes in my life, and Hajime suffers for them, and I don’t yet understand my path forward.
“Like what errors? And how could such errors affect such a strong member of the Shinsengumi?”
who sent you here? Sir Charles?”
“Charles?” I laugh softly. “I wish it was. Do you want to tell me about Charles then?” Certainly this woman may have more interesting stories than what he told me before!
He jokes that his ex-wife is a saint. Why is that a thing here?
Yagi-san, you and I both know the underpinnings of the law. A man can still divorce his wife provided there are grounds to do so. Fujita-kun merely by the position of his office can -easily- be free of his wife if he so choose
“Then wouldn’t it be a judicial divorce, which is complicated and public, creating trouble for his career and distress to his sons? My brother is a lawyer and has studied this at length, and wishes for nothing more than for me to have a settled life as Goro’s wife.” It can’t be as simple as this man says it is, and I frown.
He does sit back. Says he just wants to hear stories of the old days. But then why does his questions relate more to Hajime and I than -that-? Or did my defensive nature just lead him down this much more -interesting- path?
Like what errors? And how could such errors affect such a strong member of the Shinsengumi?
I lean my head back, to look up. “Like how he entrusted me with something precious. And I ignored it too often, avoided it when it was too hard, didn’t listen to those who came to offer lessons.” I glance over at him. “And when it was time for me to show the sort of woman I was, I threw it to the ground, breaking it… I tried to take it back, to mend it… but some still see the cracks, Sir Howard. And he never forgot. So yes, someone like me – plain, ordinary, not clever, can make errors which affect such a man.” I pause, “that most of them are dead tells you that even legends are real men, who bleed and hurt and suffer, just like anyone else. That Hajime lives when the others didn’t doesn’t mean he’s immortal – far from it,” I say, almost in a whisper.
I look off, again. “Truthfully, Sir Howard, I don’t like who I am anymore. Inflexible. Self-absorbed. I’ve seen too much of the worst of me since we returned to believe I have a right to ask him to put his trust, his faith in me again. And I love him so much… to never want to see him hurt again.” I once said brave words, that we could hurt each other and survive. But I’ve seen what he is willing to do to himself, to get my attention, to get me to do -something- and I always get it -wrong- and he’s the one that hurts, and this family he love suffers. He’s the one taken “OOC”. “But the dream… the dream I have is still there and while it lives… I want what I can’t have.” Dreams can change, can’t they? That’s what I’ve tried to tell myself. In Ito. In Hokkaido. -Everywhere-.
I look back out to the garden, but I see beyond that, to an endless ocean, a dreary city appearing out of the fog as I regain my composure. “I’ll tell you about Sir Charles. He was someone, well, barely an -anyone-, who I used to get closer to Hajime when the opportunity offered itself. Yes, you see, my hands aren’t clean – I use people as well. I needed a way to get to England and misunderstood the directions. In doing so, I sullied myself -and- broke a special promise. The stories around it – was it a marriage or love or not, if we were intimate or not, what sort of -man- Charles was, doesn’t matter. What matters is is that I used him, discarded him, and still didn’t get it right. -Years- later, Sir Howard, it’s not forgotten.” I glance over at him. “So now that I’ve laid it all out, will you tell me who did send you?”
Ooc reply tom 3
Howard:
“Then wouldn’t it be a judicial divorce, which is complicated and public, creating trouble for his career and distress to his sons? My brother is a lawyer and has studied this at length, and wishes for nothing more than for me to have a settled life as Goro’s wife.”
“You’ve many excuses Yagi-san.” I say sincerely, “His sons are likely already distressed and his career, well if Kawaji keeps him in high esteem as you seem to imply, this would be nothing more than a mere “bump”…” So I look at her again, “Perhaps the issue here is that you’re afraid that he’d actually say no or worst, say yes and keep dragging you along.”
And she goes on describing in plain words her anguish. But many of it not making much sense. That she hurt the man. A man like that? I can hardly imagine it… But I suspect if I go against her again, she’d only insist.
“Truthfully, Sir Howard, I don’t like who I am anymore. Inflexible. Self-absorbed. I’ve seen too much of the worst of me since we returned to believe I have a right to ask him to put his trust, his faith in me again. And I love him so much… to never want to see him hurt again.”
“Oh surely my lady, you can’t possibly think that. Maybe you are a bit inflexible…” I admit as I try to have a mere conversation but it ends up like she’s angry at my questioning.. “But you can hardly be called self absorbed!”
“But the dream… the dream I have is still there and while it lives… I want what I can’t have.”
“What is your dream?” I ask, mostly for the benefit of another.
And she tells me about this Charles. About her -being- in England when just moments ago she told me she’s never left Japan. About marriage and intimacy and I realize I must be speaking to a very distressed woman. Perhaps a manic woman?
“So now that I’ve laid it all out, will you tell me who did send you?”
“I’m bound by my honor not to say. But of course it’s not “Charles”. In fact, I don’t know anyone named Charles.” I stand up and help the lady up, “But I assure you, I was sent here by my benefactor to ensure your well-being.” And unfortunately I have to report back this development.
“And he is like your Fujita-kun a good man.” I’d say better.
I look around. “Now Yagi-san, perhaps you should go inside and take a rest? I would help but, it would be ungentlemanly of myself to be alone with a lady in her house.”
It’s then that I hear the gates open and a young lady steps inside. “Yukiko!” My eyes brighten and I wave. Thankgoodness I wouldn’t want the lady to be left alone.
Perhaps the issue here is that you’re afraid that he’d actually say no or worst, say yes and keep dragging you along
I find this… frustrating. That it keeps coming up. That it’s assumed that he doesn’t want it – when he goes up to face her, knowing what she’s capable of, endures that. And that I don’t want it! But I know that’s how the world sees us. The stupid Hide-san, pulling the wool over her own eyes, and Hajime getting, what, exactly? Is there status anymore in that absent wife of his? He needs to -deal- with her, true, but I now see that she just wasn’t some traumatized lost woman – she could be -cruel-. It’s then I’m aware of the loss of the thin band of gold on my finger, and what it represented…
Oh surely my lady, you can’t possibly think that. Maybe you are a bit inflexible… But you can hardly be called self absorbed!
I raise my eyebrows and look away. He’s not had to stare into a mirror of my worst selves for months as I have. Or seen how I’ve been able to hurt those I proclaim to love. But even he can see how… unbending I am, but I’ve been pushing back against even the simplest of conversations and interactions every time I see him.
What is your dream?
I look down, my fingertip tracing the rim of my empty teacup, and then to my hands, one good, one scarred and clumsy. “It’s simple. To find a place with him, to love and be loved, to bring meaning to my life, and light to his. To have a family, from many pieces. To grow old with him. It’s so simple…” I smile a bit. “But it’s not simple to achieve. Perhaps I am unworthy of such a dream, because while it sounds simple, it takes a good woman, and not one obsessed with the -idea- of goodness, as I have been.”
And as I speak about Sir Charles I see the look in Sir Howard’s face, the one of someone who isn’t aware of the layers and strangeness of this world, who when I speak of it, only hears… delusion. Like my old friend back in Ito. I thought this one, like the caped man, was -sent- for a reason and had some knowledge… but he’s a creature entirely of this world.
But I assure you, I was sent here by my benefactor to ensure your well-being. And he is like your Fujita-kun a good man.
Who… who would care enough to send this man to check after my well-being. One of status that someone like Sir Howard would call a “benefactor”? My mind races to possibilities.
One. Of all of those, the one who could pick himself up in a new land, and with the drive and intelligence to make something of himself, against all odds. But one whose ties back to his homeland are weak, with most of his friends dead, and little family left… there’s another, but I dismiss him. There’s a -will- that it takes, to live on despite it all. This man has it, if he’s indeed alive. Hajime… still has it, somewhere. There are others, but I can only see them bending to the times, instead of making it bend to -them-.
“Please thank him for his… care for me,” I say, bowing. “The ‘demon vice commander’ rarely gets credit for being a good man, after all.” He tells me I should rest…
It’s then Yukiko-san returns, laden down with shopping. I go to her to relieve her of some of her burden, and I switch back to Japanese, “Ah! Was the pork at a good price, or did you think the boys would be very hungry tonight?” I smile at her. I turn back to Sir Howard, going back to English, “you of course remember Goro’s niece, Yamaguchi Yukiko-san?” Although the look in his eyes tells me that, obviously, he did -not-.
Howard:
She doesn’t say anything about the possibility that she’s afraid or that he may not want it. But maybe her response to what her dream explains the silence.
“But it’s not simple to achieve. Perhaps I am unworthy of such a dream, because while it sounds simple, it takes a good woman, and not one obsessed with the -idea- of goodness, as I have been.”
“Well there are probably worst things to be obssessed with.”
She seems to take more kindly to my answer as to who my benefactor is. But says something about a demon? “I’m afraid I can’t say that. After all he’d be disappointed I’ve been found out so easily.” I tip my hand, “Maybe next time you can tell me about what happened to the others.”
We go up and meet the young -beautiful- Yukiko which the lady of the house introduces me to again. I make a deep bow and remove my hat and bring it to my chest.
“So very nice to see you again Lady Yamaguchi. Yoroshiku onegaishimazu!” I give her my most winning smile. “Yagi-san was just telling me about the beef hot pot restaurants around here. Once things open up, I hope you will accompany me to one.”
“De wa… I’ll be going then.” I bow to both ladies and exit. I’ll let the Fujita-kun’s woman explain to the beautiful Yukiko what I just said.
(OOC: close. i’ll leave it up to you whether Hide explains it or not to Yukiko. It can be written in casually in some other post that’s appropriate.)
Well there are probably worst things to be obssessed with
“Yet probably ones that are more sincere, Sir Howard,” I say, quietly.
I’m afraid I can’t say that. After all he’d be disappointed I’ve been found out so easily. Maybe next time you can tell me about what happened to the others.”
Ah… And I’m -glad-. Glad he’s alive, and hope that on the other side of the world, he’s found purpose, and maybe even happiness. But do these complicated men ever find anything so simple?
“I’ll tell you what I know, Sir Howard,” I say, now knowing that these questions have a purpose. “Please visit again.”
Sir Howard greets Yukiko-san in Japanese, but goes back to English with his invitation. “He’d made an invitation,” I tell her, but on this time and place, young ladies don’t go alone to a restaurant with a man, and there’s the language barrier, “he wishes to try beef hot pot,” I tell her.
Going back to English, I answer, “we will have to arrange something, Sir Howard, for Yukiko-san and I to join you.” I bow again. “Thank you for your visit, Sir Howard.”
Helping Yukiko-san, we go inside. The baby should be up soon… and still wondering if this is the day that my man returns home.
(OOC – close)