I go over the shopping list with Yukiko-san. The red snapper will be costly, but it’s tradition -and- my littlest girl won’t go without, even if she won’t remember it. And besides, most of the rest of the dishes are more conventional, cost-wise… very traditional things. The fish is the exception, but a typical dish of celebration.
But it’s been an expensive few days. Thankfully, Frau Susanna had something new, called “Ready to Wear” that comes from a catalog and is affordable… mostly. Clothes already sewn in a factory, but improved with some tailoring. I am now the owner of two long, dark skirts and three blouses, or “shirtwaists”, enough to always be rotating through a wash… and I suppose I’ve entirely taken over Midori-chan’s gifted boots. Ah well.
I look up at Yukiko-san. “Thank you for your help. This will be a lot of work, but… she should have it,” I say. I’ve not seen much of Eiji-san since I gave him his letter, he didn’t have much to say to -me- about it all other than he’d let me know his plans. So he may not be coming… so that might leave Yukiko-san as Ai-chan’s oldest relative. After all, she doesn’t have grandparents. I -should- have invited my brothers, but to bring them into this?
I smile back across the table. She doesn’t need to know how tired I am, with the nightmares of fire back again, but in those dreams… there’s no rescue. The imposter laughs as I burn… I come to, silent and paralyzed and sweating, having some inborn mother-sense not to cry out and wake my daughter, my sweet baby… and when I can move, I reach across the empty side of the bed… maybe I should have that bed put away, and go back to a -single- futon, as not to -feel- him not there.
Ah, but that won’t work. I feel it each time I breathe.
The other night, in another time, was Tanabata. I wonder if the magpies came this year. Are they happy to see each other, those famous lovers? Or did she ruin it, and he question her motives? Were they happy, on that one night, or…
I realize that I’m lost in thought. “I’m sorry, I’m just trying to coordinate everything.” She seemed happy about the house. And maybe my new job? But it will be more on her, but now I won’t have to rely on her helping with expenses. At least -that-.
We make preparations and it’s a lot of different kinds of dish for a little baby. Well not really after all we will all be eating. We can hear the children playing outside. I guess I still think of Tomu and his friend Nishino-san as children though just another year and they will not be Yagi-san is fairly happy preparing this meal. Her new job must get her excited.
I’m sorry, I’m just trying to coordinate everything
“Don’t worry Auntie. It’s just preparing meals which you’ve done 100s of times.” I smile, “I’m glad you’ll be starting a new job soon and it sounds like it will not only be demanding but exciting.”
Imagine! Going from being a housewife, to being kidnapped and then highly sought after by the Police for her talent and skill! She didn’t even think twice about it! I cant imagine it at all. If it was me I’d probably struggle just making a decision. Is that what it was? Back then with Kinosuke-san? And now Eiji-kun?
“I’ll be sure to help in all ways that I can.” I smile and take out the red plates she’s been keeping. They’re pretty from Aizu.
Don’t worry Auntie. It’s just preparing meals which you’ve done 100s of times
It -is- better than what I was able to do for Makoto, in her babyhood. A thought which is both good and… reminds me what she didn’t get. But, like Makoto, Ai-chan won’t have her father around either.
I’m glad you’ll be starting a new job soon and it sounds like it will not only be demanding but exciting
I sigh. “I’m a little nervous. That I know English well… I’ve not had to do it -professionally-, and my brother Yuunosuke always said that translating is more of an art than a science. But he’s probably talking about novels and poetry, not…. whatever the police needs done.” I start to wipe the red lacquerware that Yukiko-san removed from the cabinet, it’s not dusty having not been stored for long. “It’s just… different.” It’s hard to articulate. But it’s like in Ito. I’m doing what I must, and maybe this time I’ll get some personal fulfillment from it.
I look up at her. “And I feel that I’m putting too much on you,” I tell her. And I hope this won’t make her feel like she can’t move on, when the time is right for her. “But since the school is on the way, at least I can take care of that, and breakfast too.” Also packing my own lunch, which… is a reversal.
I’m a little nervous. That I know English well… I’ve not had to do it -professionally-, and my brother Yuunosuke always said that translating is more of an art than a science. But he’s probably talking about novels and poetry, not…. whatever the police needs done.”
“Exactly Auntie. I’m sure no one’s going to ask you to translate a Noh tale for them!”
And she voices her concern about placing a burden on me but on the contrary I’m worried I’m not able to do more. Though I don’t remind her that Uncle seem to be interested in still getting me and our ancestral house situated. But with all that’s happened lately I’m sure that’s the last task on his plate.
“I’m sure Ai and I will have a lot of fun by ourselves and even more so when everybody’s back from school.”
I hear the gate and i go look out the window and it’s Eiji-kun. I wasn’t expecting him at all. Like Uncle he’s been scarce lately. I go back to the table and help preparing the dishes. “Well at least Eiji’s come.” I wonder who else may come?
Exactly Auntie. I’m sure no one’s going to ask you to translate a Noh tale for them!
I laugh at that. “You’re right,” I agree. “I’ll just have to wait and see what Monday brings – for now we have tomorrow to get ready for!”
She talks about the fun she’ll be having with Ai-chan and it… hurts a little. To leave her, to not be the wife and mother… well, I’m not anyone’s wife. Just a pretend one, once. “Although we’ll need to make plans for the days I have to work in the evenings.”
Well at least Eiji’s come.
I look out the window but by the time I do, I hear the front door. “Oh, good,” I say. Ai-chan, who has been laying in her basket on the floor, babbling quietly to herself, perks up. “Brrrrr! Grrrrr!” She calls out.
Eiji:
I hear them in the kitchen and the children were too busy playing by the treehouse with their new pet. I go ahead upstairs, I’ll have a good vantage point there. I want to catch him before the Ai-chan’s party, because he’ll be busy. It’s too early though, so I go ahead and start taking some of my clothes from the dresser. I don’t need a lot of things. It’s then that I remember I still keep that gun at the lowest part of the tansu in the main room. Should I leave it? It’s not mine after all. Finished I sit again by the window.
Yukiko:
“You’re right,” I agree. “I’ll just have to wait and see what Monday brings – for now we have tomorrow to get ready for!”
“You mean there’s all day tomorrow to prepare for your new job Auntie.” I look at Ai-chan who’s now awake, “For today, it’s all about Ai and she seems to know it!”
I go and pick up Ai and hug her close. “Good baby.” I say to Ai. Eiji didn’t bother to stop by us. He’s been so cold lately.
(OOC: I think Saturday was the party? It’s not Sunday. Eiji will stay upstairs until the time passes to about lunch as he’s waiting for Saitou. If he’s needed to be spoken to feel free to have characters go upstairs otherwise, this thread can close)
I leave Yukiko-san downstairs and go upstairs, knocking on the door of the room EIji-san and Tsutomu-kun share. I caught the look in her eyes as he went directly upstairs – he’s not been talking to -any- of us lately, and I wonder if he’s going to say anything to Tsutomu-kun about him leaving?
“Eiji-san? Do you have a moment?” I call through the door.
(OOC – Saturday is fine, sorry. Please assume that Hide has all of the ingredients and preparations are underway as scheduled.)
Yagi-san knocks and I open the door.
“Hello Yagi-san. Please come in.”
I say and let her enter. I go back to the window, I wouldn’t want to miss Otou-san. Thankfully it’s still a little early.
“I hope everything is going well? What temple do you plan to take Ai-chan later?”
He lets me in, but returns to the window. Who is he looking out for? Hajime?
I don’t tell him that it’s unlikely, if he’s not working he’ll be with his new woman, and she probably knows just how to -demand-. In a way that’s sweetly beseeching instead of the neediness that he both wanted yet disliked in me.
“Everything is going as planned, Yukiko-san has really become a good cook and such a help. As for the temple, a small one in the area, nothing too elaborate,” I tell him. It’s the same one I went to for my stomach-band, all the way back in the summer, which now feels like years.
I look around the room, he must have tidied it up some? “What are your plans, if I may ask? We’ve not seen you around much lately, not since I delivered your letter.” I sit down on the chair at the desk.
“That’s good to hear that all is going as planned then Yagi-san.” I nod “So what time are you leaving for the temple?” I nod at the 3 kids playing downstairs. “They’ll be coming too? That will be quite a troop!” I hold back a little chuckle.
What are your plans, if I may ask? We’ve not seen you around much lately, not since I delivered your letter.”
“I wanted to speak to Otou first.” I tell her truthfully. “Maybe he can give me some advice. But I suppose since he’s been wanting me to go back since I got here then that’s probably the answer.”
They’ll be coming too? That will be quite a troop!
I smile at that. “Well…. Tsutomu-kun doesn’t think anyone else is qualified to carry Ai-chan, and Makoto-chan won’t stay behind if -they’re- going. I think Midori-chan likes being a part of their group… so it’ll be quite a gathering, but not having everyone…” I trail off, and then smile a bit, trying to redirect my -issues-. “Grandparents, other family,” I say.
Maybe he can give me some advice. But I suppose since he’s been wanting me to go back since I got here then that’s probably the answer.
I nod, if he makes an appearance, maybe? “What do you want to do, Eiji-san? I know you took leave to be here for Tsutomu-kun, to take care of your family. But what now? Is the army where you want to be? I’ve heard that you have quite a skill with sharp-shooting.”
“Well those kids are their own little family themselves.” Though I do think of the one left behind in Aizu. “As for others Yagi-san, didn’t you invite your brothers and other friends at least?”
She asks about what I want to do but I only shake my head. “Tomu seems to have adjusted well. So in that sense my time here is done.” I only have one last question and knowing how close Yagi-san is to Yuki, she’s not one to be asked. “The Army is not a bad place. Although I’m sure Himura-san would’ve preferred for me something else.”
Though over the years I’ve come to appreciate Otou-san’s reasoning above Kenshin-san. I too want to rid the world of evil if there’s nothing else.
“Well I don’t want to be holding you up Yagi-san. I’m sure you have more to do today.” I look out “and Otou will be coming soon.” Not that I think Yagi-san is looking forward to it, after all they are merely tolerating each other now for the children. That’s better than I can say for Otou and Tokio-san.
As for others Yagi-san, didn’t you invite your brothers and other friends at least?
“I don’t have many friends…” I look down. “As for my brothers, they both have busy lives – the older of my brothers won’t leave his wife’s side as she’s expecting and is having a hard time.” It’s strange that I’ve not heard anything from them about my letter, but the mail -can- be slow…
Tomu seems to have adjusted well. So in that sense my time here is done.
“He has, and thank you for helping him. He’s settled in to being a protective big brother.” Well, until spring, and who knows then? “But he’s not the only one you stayed for. Have you not had a chance to speak with her more? Take her somewhere, where she’s not always worried about the next way she can help.” But even then… she doesn’t seem to know what she wants.
The Army is not a bad place. Although I’m sure Himura-san would’ve preferred for me something else.
“The Army needs good men, Eiji-san,” I tell him. As for Himura-san… what path would he have wanted? His first family, and then Hajime, set an example of service that must still stick with him.
Well I don’t want to be holding you up Yagi-san. I’m sure you have more to do today.” I look out “and Otou will be coming soon.
I had wanted to check on him, this quiet young man who seems to too easily fade into the background. “Well, I need to work on the snapper – Yukiko-san is so improved but I’m going to handle a fish that cost as much as that one did!” I laugh softly. As for Hajime coming… it’s nice he believes it.
(OOC – Hide will exit and you may close)
“I don’t have many friends…”
Yagi-san looks down and seems ashamed of that fact? “Well you must have the same curse as most people living in this house. All of us don’t have much friends and so we turn to family.” Which in itself isn’t a bad thing except when that family doesn’t want you anymore.
Yagi-san seems to think Yuki and I spent some time. I merely shake my head. “I wanted to give her space and it seems she took it. My last hope was perhaps someone who she trust had put in a good word for me.”
I can’t help but grin, “But that’s done now. I think that door has closed and well…” I look out the window wondering when he’ll come. “A new one has opened thanks to Yamakawa-sama.” That would be the service Yagi-san is talking about.
(OOC end)