Tsutomu:
We finally enter the central part of town and it’s high time because we’ve been walking quite a fair bit. It would’ve been fine if it was in the middle of summer but with the snow on the ground we walk along slowly. But now that we’re in the middle of town, the few businesses and lodgings block the blowing wind earlier.
“We’re almost there.” I tell Midori and wait for her to catch up. “It would’ve been better had we avoided coming here in winter. The snow -can- be pretty but not when we’re trying to get out of -this-.”
I look down and see our sandals a complete mess. These weren’t really made for a lot of snow. In Tokyo it snows but only a few inches. “I suppose it can’t be helped. That idiot father of mine made us come here without any preparation.”
I shrug and smile a little, “Here let’s hurry. Once we get to Kurosawa’s, it will be warm and I’m sure the servants will make us comfortable. Then I’ll introduce you to my mother. She’ll be happy to see you.”
I think for a moment, “She probably misses teaching at Futaba -badly- and will be happy to see one of her students pay her a visit.” I hold out my hand so Midori can have an easier time walking.
(Midori)
I’ve forgotten how to walk in -real- snow! Oh, if my brothers and sisters knew! I’d be teased so much! I can hear it now, how living in a big city in the South makes you soft…
I suppose it can’t be helped. That idiot father of mine made us come here without any preparation
He seems upset about the state of our shoes. It is too bad, that I didn’t grab my uniform boots, right there in the genkan! Even Makoto-chan had the sense to! I grin a bit. “I’m from the north, but for us, the mountains,” I indicate the ones around us,” are to our backs, and the sea to the front.” At least it’s not as windy here as it is by the water! But the wind is a sailor’s friend, when they know how to read it.
There’s that smile again that makes me feel all… but he speaks of his mother and I have a moment of dull panic. Does she remember me, the troublesome girl who wanted to look to other places for inspiration in my art? Or was I just another student?
She probably misses teaching at Futaba -badly- and will be happy to see one of her students pay her a visit.
I nod. “Certainly,” I tell him. I did grab my embroidery bag, both when we left Tokyo and now today. Thankfully my current work is very, very traditional. Maybe it would cheer her up to give me pointers.
“I’m from the north, but for us, the mountains,” I indicate the ones around us,” are to our backs, and the sea to the front.”
I look at her for a minute. So what does that mean? Did it mean the wind was stronger or the mountains protected them from the wind? I’m confused…
But I let it go as we turn the corner where Kurosawa’s house is. Besides she seems “happy” to finally see my mother.
“So what subjects did you take from mother?” I ask, “You and Tsurumi were in a block class weren’t you?” Which means they were not only roommates but took most of their classes together. I laugh a little, “Who did better in class?”
He seems confused as I describe my hometown. I smile, “you’ll have to follow the river, sometime, and come see Sakata and then compare the winds.”
So what subjects did you take from mother? You and Tsurumi were in a block class weren’t you? Who did better in class?”
“Needlework,” I tell him. “And remember, I’m a year behind you and Tsurumi-chan, but there isn’t as many girls as there are boys so sometimes we had classes with more than one year in it – like your mother’s class.” I look over at him. “She used to tell stories. Tsurumi-chan enjoyed them, and… your mother liked her better.” I smile a bit. This is why they’ll be married one day. I look down at his hand, holding mine. It’s so… warm. “Tsurumi-chan is good in most classes, but she’s refused to learn English – she said that she wants to be a teacher like your mother, and a writer.”
He stops in front of a house, the nicest one I’ve seen so far in this town. I don’t mean to hold his hand tighter, but were her stories true? That she was from a great samurai family, close to the court?
Tsutomu:
“Needlework?” I chuckle a little at that, “Mother hated sewing. You know that my father sometimes used to go home with his uniform torn? No way my mother was going to touch that -filthy- uniform of his.”
“She used to tell stories. Tsurumi-chan enjoyed them, and… your mother liked her better.”
“Ah well then you got this! You remember the stories just as well as Tsurumi right?” I look at her glad, “Those times before the war were the best so she likes to relive them.”
she said that she wants to be a teacher like your mother, and a writer.”
“That’s… good.” I knew that Tsurumi was a good girl deep down but I don’t understand why she seems to dislike Makoto. Maybe they need time together to get to know each other.
But I’m brought back to now when suddenly I feel a squeeze on my hand. I chuckle, “Don’t be nervous. Unlike Yagi-san’s place, this is -my- home. We’ll be comfortable here.” I let her go and knock on the door.
“Hello. Please open the gates. It’s Fujita Tsutomu!” And no sooner have I said that, one of the lady servants opens the gate for us revealing a larger estate compared to the rest. We enter and to one side is Japanese garden, now blanketed with snow and although it’s hard to see, further down is a rock garden.
“Goshujin-sama.” The young woman bows.
I don’t remember her face but it’s a long time since I’ve been here. “Is my grandfather here?” I look around. “How is my mother?”
The woman bows again, “Kurosawa-sama is as usual busy taking care of the adminitration of the city. He went to the castlegrounds. And Fujita-dono is inside. Please follow me.”
I glance back at Midori and nod for her to follow. “This house is so much nicer than ojii-san’s place. It’s really curious why Ojii-san wants to keep living all by himself now that he’s practically blind.” I tell Midori as we’re shown into one of the rooms and some pillows are arranged for us to sit. I simply nod at the servant, while another one comes over.
“Would you like some refreshment Goshuji-sama?” This time an older woman, I kind of remember her. But it’s so fuzzy.
“Of course and can you get us something to dry us off and some warm socks.” I’m sure they saw how disheveled we are after traveling by foot all the way here.
Needlework? Mother hated sewing.
Maybe that’s why she was so unhappy? But why would they make her teach it if she hates it – did she have no choice, or did she want to be uncomplaining? She told us how hard it was after the war…
Ah well then you got this! You remember the stories just as well as Tsurumi right? Those times before the war were the best so she likes to relive them
I look at him, confused. “She spoke of serving the princess, but most stories she told were about her bravery during the war.” The tales of the princess seemed really idyllic, but she’d always end them with a big sigh, that that world was long-lost.
Don’t be nervous. Unlike Yagi-san’s place, this is -my- home. We’ll be comfortable here
I was about to tell him that I found Yagi-san’s house comfortable, and other than when his father around he seemed relaxed at the Yagi house, with his sisters and Yamaguchi-san. But a woman comes running up, bowing and calling him Goshuji-sama!
“This house is so much nicer than ojii-san’s place. It’s really curious why Ojii-san wants to keep living all by himself now that he’s practically blind.
“Maybe it’s about being where he is comfortable,” I murmur. We didn’t stay long but Ueda-sama was very polite and hospitable, even though we were unexpected. And true, his house is neither fine nor large, like this place, but the simplicity seems to suit him.
We’re lead to a well-furnished room, and there’s another bowing woman! But my bemusement fades as he speaks to the older lady. We have servants, but maybe it’s because we’re not samurai – if I came in with wet socks to one of our good rooms and ordering food without any polite language… well that would earn me at least a -look-, if not a swat, from our housekeeper! And then I’d be set to wiping up my wet footprints!
“Thank you, ma’am, I would appreciate both refreshments and socks,” I tell her, bowing. Tsutomu-kun can be… brusque sometimes but never… high-handed. No doubt he’s excited to see his mother.
As she leaves I turn to Tsutomu-kun. “Are these old family servants? They seem to remember you well.”
Midori says something about Ojii-san, him wanting to be comfortable but it’s comfortable -here- and then he wouldn’t even have to rely on Akane-san. But I let Midori’s comment pass as if I didn’t hear it. After all she murmured it, I wasn’t supposed to hear it so I -wont-.
I try to get comfortable as Midori thanks the servants. Why? Isn’t that their -job-, their duty even. Maybe she’s not used to being waited on?
It’s been a long time since I felt I could relax somewhat. I go ahead and sit cross legged on the tatami as the old woman gives us our socks and some tea was put beside us. Immediately I put some fresh socks on and immediately the servant removes my soiled sock. I look at her and simply nod to take it away. It’s nice to be served once in a while, unlike in Tokyo where I had to do everything. I watch as the servants leave but one of them confirms mother is coming and I nod my head again.
“I think Makoto might like it here. Don’t you think?” I look around, so comfortable and I take some tea. Good enough to keep us warm.
“As for my mother, that’s right she had many stories about the war about her involvement in it…” And then I remember something I forgot a long time ago. That night when that “father” of mine took me away from that “Hiko-sensei”. He said that mother wasn’t in the castle and didn’t know how to fight. Back then I -almost- believed it, in fact I -did-. But now I’m -sure- that Hiko was lying, after all that “father” of mine is the -liar-. He lies to everyone, not just my mother but Yagi-san and -everyone-, even Makoto-chan. If Ai-chan was a little bit older I’m sure he’d lie to her too. I frown a little but catch myself and instead focus on my mother’s good qualities instead. “Some of it may have a -little- embellishment but I’m sure it was just to keep it interesting for her students.”
“Are these old family servants? They seem to remember you well.”
“Mmm?” I look at her as I stretch my back a little, “It’s hard to remember. I think I remember the old woman, mother used to love visiting her brother and would take us along most summers since he’s -never- around. The longest, I stayed here was last year, for several months when that father of mine sent us away so he could live with Yagi-san in Tokyo.”
And it’s then that I look at her, “Hey try not to mention too much about Yagi-san in front of my mother.” Though I feel bad telling Midori not to speak of Yagi-san, I -will- tell mother that he did it again. Abandoned his other family for a -new- woman. Maybe that will help my mother, knowing it wasn’t her. He always blamed her but it was -him- who made her…
Suddenly the door is thrown wide open and I look towards it.
“Tsutomu!!!” My mother almost squeals my name, in that mostly quiet voice of her. She must be in good spirits.
“Mother!” I smile and get up. “How have you been mother?”
“You’ve grown my son.”
She holds me by the arms but she’s still just a little taller than me but not by much anymore. “Well it has been almost a year.” I grin and step aside. “Ah and I brought someone from Futaba. A student of yours!”
“You did?” She walks past me and stops, “Well hello young lady. And you are?”
(OOC: Tokio is as usual a little delusional, happy. For now her voice is somewhat sweet in a sing song… Yuck.)
Tsutomu-kun does chores at Yagi-san’s without complaint so it’s surprising to see him like this, handing over his socks. One of the ladies offers to take mine, and I nod. “Thank you, very much.” I bow again.
I think Makoto might like it here. Don’t you think?
I look around. It’s all so… formal. From the stories Fujita-sensei told, and Tsurumi-chan, I thought Aizu was a burnt-out wasteland, devoid of any of its old finery… I laugh a bit. “She’d be impressed, and probably wondering if there’s a tree-house like at home,” although I doubt it. It’s probably like the house of the one aristocratic samurai family in Sakata, where the children learned formal arts instead of playing. Makoto-chan has entirely too much spirit! It’s not that she’s naughty (well, sometimes) or willful, she’s just a bright girl who enjoys life.
Some of it may have a -little- embellishment but I’m sure it was just to keep it interesting for her students
“Oh, yes, she enjoyed it – sometimes she would stand on the desk, and nothing could stop her once she started.” Not even reminders that her boys were waiting for her, in the rain. Was it interesting? It seemed very… removed, like a story. But some girls, like Tsurumi-chan, lived for it.
Maybe it’s my merchant blood. No, that’s just Tsurumi-chan showing her snobbery…. I’m capable of feeling. Tsutomu-kun seems a bit lost in thought, but certainly this place must be full of memories. And his mother!
Hey try not to mention too much about Yagi-san in front of my mother
I nod. I understand -that-, at least. But it could make it hard to explain why I came along, and not her favorite, Tsurumi-chan.
The door is opened with a surprising flurry of energy, and she comes in. She’s even prettier than I remember her, as if she’s lost years. When she wasn’t storytelling or scolding sloppy stitching, I remember her being withdrawn and morose. But her now…
But Tsutomu-kun looks so happy, as his mother looks him over.
And then I realize, her voice… her voice was never like this. Like there’s… sugar in her words, her tone. She’s happy, of course. Who wouldn’t be, being surprised by Tstuomu-kun?
Well hello young lady. And you are?
She doesn’t remember me? The girls school is so small, compared to the boys. I had already stood when the door opened, and now I bow. “Nishino Midori, Fujita-sensei,” I say. “I’m honored to meet you again.” I straighten up and glance back at Tsutomu-kun. “It was kind of your son to allow me to accompany him.”
Tsutomu:
Midori introduces herself to mother so properly. She glances back at me and I nod and smile at her.
“Nishino Midori, Fujita-sensei,”
“Nishino… Nishino… Hmm.” Mother goes up to her and stares at Midori’s face. “Oh I see you are -that- girl, who was always hanging around with Tsurumi-chan.”
Then mother turns to look at me, “Well where is Tsurumi? Surely she’d have come right?”
I blink at mother. “Tsurumi’s back in Tokyo. She didn’t know we were going to Aizu.”
“So you left Tsurumi-chan? That wasn’t very nice Tsutomu.” She scolds me and then asks, “And what brought you here? School is not out yet.”
“I have something to speak to you about mother. When you can spare a moment.”
“Ah well, later. Let me see to the guest first.” Then she turns back to Midori.
Tokio:
This girl… She’s the one who kept to herself wasn’t she? Never participated in our huddles and back then I suspected of not listening in class. I let her be because Tsurumi-chan seems to like her.
“Ah sorry dear. Tsurumi’s a nice and proper girl from Aizu. It’s a shame her father died so early but he was a good Aizu samurai. Please sit.”
I too sit on the silk pillows.
“Now why did you come along by yourself with my son?” It’s of course not proper for a girl to be alone with a young man. And of course a young man shouldn’t be speaking to a girl in public. Ah but they’re -inside- now.
Well where is Tsurumi? Surely she’d have come right?
She would have liked to have come, but I wonder if her mother would permit it? Not that -that- would concern her much, had Tsutomu-kun offered her… I’m only here because of the trouble in the Yagi household. I take my place back on a cushion.
Fujita-sensei turns her full attention to me, and I recall how it was back in school. So pretty, but the tone in her voice makes me have to suppress a shiver… this is how she’d be when it was all good, and it could turn quickly. But she speaks more of Tsurumi-chan. Well, she was her favorite, back then, at least, according to Tsurumi-chan. I didn’t see it, but I know she was among the favored group who hung on her stories.
Ah sorry dear. Tsurumi’s a nice and proper girl from Aizu. It’s a shame her father died so early but he was a good Aizu samurai. Please sit.
“Yes, ma’am, she speaks of him still, and of Aizu often.” Although she was born and lived all of her life in Tokyo.
Now why did you come along by yourself with my son?
I glance back at Tsutomu-kun, with Yagi-san as an unspeakable person now, how do I…. “Fujita-san, I, too, am from the north, a town called Sakata on the Sea of Japan. I’ve been homesick for the north, but as Sakata does not have train service, it is difficult to get to.” As for by myself? Who else would have brought me? “Already, feeling the cold wind has eased my homesickness, as has being received so kindly by yourself, ma’am.” I bow again.
Tokio:
“Yes, ma’am, she speaks of him still, and of Aizu often.
“That poor girl!” I look at my son and motion him to sit. “Tomu, you really must get to know Tsurumi-chan better. She’ll need a friend and friends don’t leave each other behind.”
I smile at my son. They -are- friends right? If he’s friends with this girl, I take a long glance at the other girl.
“Of course not mother. I’ll be sure to check up on her when we return to Futaba.”
“Fujita-san, I, too, am from the north, a town called Sakata on the Sea of Japan. I’ve been homesick for the north, but as Sakata does not have train service, it is difficult to get to.”
I nod and nod. “From the North. Ah Sakata, that was part of Echigo back then. The clans in that area joined the Ouetsu Reppan but they were no match for the Western army once Niigata fell.” I look the girl over, “Of course it’s understandable that they don’t put up much of a fight and acquiesed and joined the New Government…Although -we- had welcomed some brave men from the area who decided to join us and fight for Aizu. I remember those days…”
“Already, feeling the cold wind has eased my homesickness, as has being received so kindly by yourself, ma’am.”
This girl is so carefree isn’t she? Doesn’t she or her family have any history of the war? The war that changed the nation… That took away so many things. And I feel a frown landing on my face.
“And you? What did your family do to assist the Northern clans?”
“Mother.” My son interjects, “Midori’s family would not be involved much in the war. They lived peacefully and continued on as a family of fishermen in Sakata.”
I blink. She’s a merchant’s daughter? And I’m now staring again at the girl but slowly I smile.
“So what -really- brought you here Nishino-chan? And during a school week. Has Tsutomu decided not to continue his schooling and frolick here instead.”
With a merchant girl… It must be -his- influence or worst, that woman’s.
“Mother she’s -my- guest. I asked her to come here.” Suddenly my son answers and interrupts me?
“Son, I’m speaking to the girl.” I say sternly. He knows his place.
My mentions of Tsurumi-chan cause Fujita-sensei to ask Tsutomu-kun to spend more time with Tsurumi-chan. While that makes me feel… weirdly disappointed, I’m also happy because that must mean that despite what Tsurumi-chan says, they’re not actually engaged? I feel Fujita-sensei’s eyes on me…
She then speaks of the war, and this is a Fujita-sensei I remember well… even if it’s not about her own exploits, it still looms large in her mind. How fresh the fall of Echigo sounds as she speaks of it, as it if were only yesterday! My parents were there for it but it always seemed a long time ago. But I suppose that’s my lack of samurai status. Merchants look at today and tomorrow, after all.
And you? What did your family do to assist the Northern clans?”
“Mother. Midori’s family would not be involved much in the war. They lived peacefully and continued on as a family of fishermen in Sakata
I’m grateful to Tsutomu-kun for speaking up. “It’s true my family did not fight, but, along with other merchant seamen of the Kitamaebune, sent dried fish over the mountains prior to the siege and later to the resettlement further north.” The government must not have minded, much, after all, we now have that military contract….
Son, I’m speaking to the girl
I look at her. “Ma’am, Futaba now has a New Years’ break, as its reputation draws children from further than just Tokyo, who wish to return home.” We -did- leave a few days early… but there is truth that school will be closed, but it didn’t do so when I started, just the single day itself. “I missed the north. What those in Tokyo call snow…” I smile a bit, then look at her hands. “Fujita-sensei, your replacement as Needlework instructor doesn’t have hands as fine as yours. I recall how elegant you made even mending look.” I tell her. She is very, very… elegant is the word. Not like Yagi-san, with her small hands… why am I comparing them?
Tokio:
It’s true my family did not fight, but, along with other merchant seamen of the Kitamaebune, sent dried fish over the mountains prior to the siege and later to the resettlement further north.”
“Ah that’s good to know.” Of course they’d be concerned for their own clan. “The samurai after all -protected- the merchants and craftsman of their villages. It’s only -right- and natural that the villagers be grateful for all the blood that was spilled also in their name.”
“Ma’am, Futaba now has a New Years’ break, as its reputation draws children from further than just Tokyo, who wish to return home.”
“Of course I know that young lady. I -did- spend years teaching there.” And it’s still too early for them to have come but the girl compliments my needlework. And I nod agreeably. At least the girl can perceive the quality of my work even if I don’t particularly like doing it. I did it for the Princess of course, but only for her. And -now-? I’m relegated to teaching needle work when my friend like Yaeko gets to be head of her own school! But she never was a lady in waiting to the Princess…
“As -the- lady in waiting for Teru-hime-sama, I had to be -skilled- in -all- manners, practical and of beauty.”
I smile back at her as she smiles at me. “Well I suppose Sakata -is- very far. And a young lady such as yourself should not be going to places -alone-.” I look at my son, “Back in the day, we women couldn’t just walk about without a man by her side. At least no self respecting woman -should-.”
Of course his father was gone most of the time and I had to take it upon myself to get out of the house. “But don’t be mistaken! Aizu women -know- when to be obedient and when to be independent! Otherwise I’d never have been able to fight along side of the men just outside the castle walls! And that’s why I left his house many, many times. I’m my -own- woman.”
I conducted myself just like Princess Teru. She didn’t just obey anyone.
“Mother.”
“Yes Tsutomu?”
Tomu:
It’s the mention of our house in Tokyo that I knew mother was getting excitable. I didn’t want Midori to see mother this way and besides, I need to speak to her later before we return tomorrow morning. Tell her about -him-.
“I’m tired.” I pretend to stretch out my arms and crane my neck, “It was a long trip to Aizu for Midori and I.”
“Oh son.” She smiles, “Of course. Of course.” Suddenly she stands up and opens the door and motions for one of the servants to come. “Prepare two rooms for the young lady and my son. She can take the very last room down the hall and Tsutomu can use the room upstairs next to mine.”
I glance at my mother, why is she sending Midori to a room downstairs when there’s several rooms upstairs for guest? But it’s just one night. Hopefully Midori doesn’t mind.
“I’ll also have some food sent to your rooms.” She tells us but I shake my head.
“I’m rather full mother. We ate before we came here.”
“Oh?” She looks at me, “I suppose you ate at the train station…”
I scratch the back of my head a little and chuckle nervously, “We did…” It’s not exactly a lie but there’s no need to tell her we were staying at Ojii-san’s house. “Besides I know you don’t particularly like cooking.”
She laughs heartily, “Oh you know me too well my son. But there are servants here that can take care of that.”
She looks again at Midori, “As one from a merchant family, Nishino-chan I’m sure you tend to help in house work? Feel free to help in the kitchen later and help yourself if you get hungry.”
My eyes start to narrow. Speaking to Midori like she’s a servant… But I know she doesn’t mean it. It’s her illness, her instability that’s starting to shine through. My unannounced visit must be triggering her in some way. But I -know- what will help with that. I’ll have to speak to her later tonight after everyone’s gone to bed.
“Mother…” I bow a little to her, “Thank you for taking care of us. Now please get some rest? We can take care of ourselves and I’ll visit with you a little later.” I smile a little, “To catch up.”
She turns to me and pats my head. I almost grimace at that. I’m no longer a little boy, “Ah I -do- have many other things to do. Come up to my room whenever you like.”
(OOC: Tokio will go upstairs unless stopped. Midori and Tsutomu can stay in the receiving room or if Midori retires, Tsutomu will as well. Note it’s late afternoon turning to dusk.)
The samurai after all -protected- the merchants and craftsman of their villages.
The ones my father and others spoke of, before the war, were ruffians who claimed they were owed free fish for their protection. From what? The wind and waves? Samurai belonging to the old families were stiff and disdainful, but at least they didn’t steal. At Futaba it’s said that the old class doesn’t matter, but there’s enough there to whom it -does- that I’ve heard this before.
As Fujita-sensei talks, I see her getting more and more excited. Her cheeks flush, her eyes sparkle, her voice gets louder. I’ve seen this before, and then she starts talking of a woman’s obedience, a woman’s independence. But leaving her house? That’s not something she ever spoke of, but the fighting… now she fought outside the wall? I nod along as she talks.
Tsutomu-kun dances around where we’ve been, what we’ve been eating. Nice Northern home cooking for lunch! It’s clear, too, what she thinks of me as I’m assigned a room that doesn’t sound… welcoming. But then she –
As one from a merchant family, Nishino-chan I’m sure you tend to help in house work? Feel free to help in the kitchen later and help yourself if you get hungry.
I lower my head, my bangs covering my eyes, as I feel my face flush. As Tsutomu-kun now seems to have abandoned speaking up for me. “Thank you, ma’am, for your kindness and consideration.” She can insult me, but I was raised better, to not speak against my hostess.
She pats Tsutomu-kun on the head and I peek out from my fringe to see his expression… so happy to be back with his mother, where he belongs. She then leaves, and I see a woman open the door for her, not one of the servants from earlier, but a woman with long hair hanging down, and…. a doctor’s box. “Fujita-san, it’s past time for your medicine… yes, I understand that your brother said that, but he’s still wishing me to treat you….” I don’t hear any more as they go down the hall. So she’s ill? Should I excuse her rudeness, then? Excuse her forgetting her sons? This one who remains so -devoted- to her?
I stand up, and start picking up the tea things, not looking at…. my heart pounding, thinking how silly I was. Thinking that we could be…. I was happy to help at Yagi-san’s – not only was that the point, to learn household skills – but I was treated… as a daughter of the house, with appropriate responsibilities and privileges. I keep my eyes down, as my face is still embarrassingly red. “If you’ll point me in the correct direction, I’ll take care of this and perhaps find a floor to scrub.”
Tch. Now I’m rude. Perhaps there’s only so polite that a fishmonger’s daughter can be. It’s not his fault that his mother treats people the way she does, but I did expect more from my -friend-.
Tsutomu:
Someone I’ve not seen before comes. Is she a nurse? She seems to know mother well and even Uncle Morinosuke! I watch as the woman takes mother further down the hall until they disappear. I’m -relieved- that Uncle is taking such good care of mother and here in Grandfather’s house everything is provided for her comfort. I suppose even ours, as the servants come in, one arranging the pillows back to how we found it and the other going for the cups but Midori has them. Perhaps she’s helping out just like mother asked? But then she…
“If you’ll point me in the correct direction, I’ll take care of this and perhaps find a floor to scrub.”
I sigh and get in front of her, taking the tray that has the tea cups. “You don’t have to do that.” I tell her and instead give it to the old woman. Who immediately takes it away. I wait until everyone leaves before speaking.
“You’ll have to excuse mother. She’s gotten worse over time because of what -he- did.” And it probably didn’t help that I stayed at that house, rather than being here.
“But this is a samurai’s house, so there are certain ways things are done.” Like the room downstairs had always been reserved for other guests of a different class or at the very least, those who’s not close enough to the house, which Midori would -not- be. “I should’ve probably briefed you on how things are done here. It’s not like what you’re used to at Yagi-san’s place, that is not run like a proper Samurai abode.”
I look again to where mother and that woman disappeared to. Mother will have to rest after she takes the medicine. I hope she’s better later. I only have tonight to speak to her as I promised Yagi-san Midori will be back in the morning.
I look at Midori who seems flushed? “Are you catching a cold? If so go ahead and take a rest in your room and I’ll ask that nurse if she has anything that can help you.”
You don’t have to do that
He sighs and in his eyes I don’t see the expressions I was fearing – the cold fury or, even worse, the even colder disdain I see in his eyes when his father is around of even -spoken- of. I let the servant take the tea things. Besides, I would disappoint them – while I’ve recently learned how to wash dishes, I have -no- idea how to scrub floors. I’m rather spoiled myself.
You’ll have to excuse mother. She’s gotten worse over time because of what -he- did
But those years ago, he was around, although her moods about him seemed to swing wildly from the brave, handsome captain who asked her to fight alongside him to the one she belittled for not making enough money or bringing her prestige.
I should’ve probably briefed you on how things are done here. It’s not like what you’re used to at Yagi-san’s place, that is not run like a proper Samurai abode.
“Her house is very comfortable,” I say. I guess I should mind having to room with Makoto-chan, but it’s been nice to play the big sister, having been the baby sister back home. “I do appreciate your mother’s hospitality, as we were unexpected.”
Are you catching a cold? If so go ahead and take a rest in your room and I’ll ask that nurse if she has anything that can help you
I look down, but then back at him. “I – I’m used to it. At Futaba, because of who my family is. Our money is good… but we – I am not good enough for too many people. I know with Tsurumi-chan it comes from pain, but from the adults? It’s just -cruel-. But I’m used to it.” I look at his eyes, so much like hers, eyes I’ve recently seen alight with laughter, or looking tenderly at his baby sister, and I look away. “I’m not used to it in front of you, Tsutomu-kun.” If she was still in Tokyo, would we even be friends? Will we be when we go back to Tokyo?
“And I should have told you…” I look up at him. “I was not your mother’s favorite student. Not like Tsurumi-chan. She probably wasn’t happy to see me.” I smile a bit. “I don’t need a nurse, so please, go ahead and attend to your mother.” I smile again. “I know she’s missed you.”
She’s quiet as I make excuses for my mother. But maybe she’ll understand why my mother is the way she is but for now I’ll take her comment about my mother’s hospitality at face value. Though I do wonder, does she mean it?
Her house is very comfortable
“Yagi-san’s house is. But she runs it the way she -wants-.” Though -he- said she was from a respectable Samurai family in Kyoto, she doesn’t act like it. As if no one taught her.
– I’m used to it. At Futaba, because of who my family is. Our money is good… but we – I am not good enough for too many people. I’m not used to it in front of you, Tsutomu-kun.
That’s odd? Why would it matter if it was in front of me or not? “I don’t think she meant it or at least…” I avert my eyes for a moment, “In a way, it’s the only life mother knew as she spent most of her time tending to the Princess and being in the castle. She’s not crude like him or…”
I don’t finish that sentence. I’d say Yagi-san but I know Midori is fond of her and there’s a difference to just being ignorant to being utterly dismissive of tradition and appropriateness befitting a Shizoku.
I should have told you… I was not your mother’s favorite student. Not like Tsurumi-chan. She probably wasn’t happy to see me.”
“You should’ve told me but even if you weren’t her favorite student, it shouldn’t matter.” I look at her and smile a little, “But you were being very polite to her. Thank you.” Not many people would especially not that “father” of mine.
She tells me to go to attend to my mother but I shake my head. “She maybe happy to see me but… I think that’s enough excitement for now. She needs rest.” And so do we.
“Well I’ll see you at dinner later.” I look at her wondering if she’s really not coming down with something? Either way resting in the privacy of her own room where it’s quiet and not much people or “little sisters” running around will probably do her some good.
(OOC: you can close)
Yagi-san’s house is. But she runs it the way she -wants-.
Like the home I came from, I suppose? My mother knows nothing about samurai manners, either.
I don’t think she meant it or at least… In a way, it’s the only life mother knew as she spent most of her time tending to the Princess and being in the castle. She’s not crude like him or…
I think she did mean it, just with more subtlety than Tsurumi-chan does. Hands off, eyes off. Your friendship is -questionable- and any thing more is out of the question.
He thanks me for being polite, and that smile… Why… wouldn’t I be? I was raised properly, first by my mother, and later at Futaba. Yajami-sensei served at court after all as well, she was one of the Princess’s tutors. He does show his concern by his mother by letting her rest. She is being attended by her nurse right now anyway.
Well I’ll see you at dinner later.
I nod, and turn my head back at him to smile before leaving. Will I see him? I have a -feeling- that I’ll be presented with a tray in my room. And even if I’m invited to dinner I doubt it’ll be like one of the warm, laughing dinners around the kitchen table like at Yagi-san’s. But he thinks good about his mother and her household, so I’ll go along. We’ll be back at Ueda-sama’s tomorrow anyway.
(OOC – close)