Kanbee:
I didn’t want to leave Yagi-san but it was obvious to me what they not only wanted… but also needed. I smile at the girls as if nothing is happening as I pull the cart up the house gates.
“Well welcome to my humble abode girls!” I muster a wide grin. “Nanae will be -thrilled- to see what nice girls I brought home!”
I unlock the back of the cart and hold out my hand so I can hold the baby. The last thing I want is to tell Yagi-san or that -missing- fool that someone dropped the baby getting off the cart!
I hope the girls like my home, it is a little too spacious for just two people and a couple of helping hands in the house. Sometimes it can get quiet… But hopefully -not- today.
(Midori)
Kanbee-san… he’s good at this, I think, whatever -this- is. There’s danger and Yagi-san is of course… rattled.
And Makoto-chan is quiet, until she rattles on for a minute about the supposed animals, or something about the snow, and then she just… shuts down into silence. Her eyes stay fixed on her baby sister.
Kanbee-san offers to take Ai-chan from me and I hand her over, gratefully, as I’m not used to getting down from the wagon with her and if I dropped her…. well, Tsutomu-kun would never, ever forgive me. But it’s Makoto-chan that almost pushes me over, going around me to get out next, staying close to the baby.
“Hey, Makoto-chan, be careful, she’s fine,” I say, in a light tone as I get down.
The house looks so nice! A real home, with an air of welcome, and I can’t help but to compare it to Fujita-sensei’s grand home. More like Ueda-sama’s, but there’s more activity. It’s a proper farm.
“Thank you very much, sir,” I say, bowing and taking the baby back. Goodness, Makoto-chan can -glare- just like her brother! “See, she’s fine!” Ai-chan seems to agree as she makes her baby sounds.
Kanbee:
I’m surprised as the baby’s -promptly- taken away from me and the glare of Makoto-chan. I’ve seen -that- look before. Many times in fact.
I put a hand over Makoto-chan’s shoulder and say, “You’re just like him alright. Come make yourself at home just like he does.”
And as soon as I said that the gates open and I see my wife all smiles, first at me and then realizing we have guests, smiles even more, so much so that her eyes almost close.
“Welcome home.” She bows slightly as a welcome to us and approaches me, “I heard the horse cart. I wasn’t expecting you back so early and with guest!”
“Ah yes. Yagi-san wanted to show the girls our house while she’s busy with Naito-kun.”
“Oh I’m glad to finally have girls as visitors! And a baby! You’re always bringing home men so this is a nice change of pace.”
She knows who Naito is and what -that- means, but she doesn’t bat an eye just as I expected and wanted.
“Now girls go on inside. Get refreshed and we’ll get the baby situated. We don’t have a crib but we can open up the tatami room facing the garden and have a small futon with lots of pillows so she doesn’t roll over! Then we can all huddle up close to the kotatsu and be warm.”
I laugh softly at my wife. She loves babies and I bet it’s taking all her discipline to not just go for Ai-chan. She turns and leads us inside and calls for one of our helpers to get some water from the well so the girls can wash up.
(Makoto)
You’re just like him alright. Come make yourself at home just like he does
Does he mean chichi? Has he been here? But it looks more like a him place, unlike the house that Tstuomu-kun’s mother lives in. Midori-san told me about it, she sounded weird but I don’t know why? Maybe she doesn’t like fancy things that she can’t eat or sew?
A nice-looking lady comes out and she’s excited about Ai-chan but I stay -close-! If Midori-san is tired then -I- can hold her! I -see- ladies look at babies, I know my baby sister is pretty cute but she’s mine and Tsutomu-kun’s to protect!
We go inside and she’s setting up a nice place for the baby and… Midori-san wants to take me to wash up and leave Ai-chan -alone- with -strangers-?!?
“I need to change Ai-chan’s diaper!” I announce.
(Midori)
She’s going to… what? The girl who makes loud protests in complaint and holds her nose when someone else is changing the baby? But I see the set of her jaw… oh, dear, they are -too- much alike. And since I’m the one holding her, I know she’s clean; I had changed her when we were hiding in the washroom at Ueda-sama’s…
“Sagawa-san and his wife were charged by your mother to take care of us,” I kneel down, looking into Makoto-chan’s eyes. “Isn’t her trust enough? Your mother would worry knowing you were grubby and wet, what if you catch a cold?”
She sticks her jaw out more. “I have to protect her, I’m the only one left,” she says, her voice tight.
Ai-chan reaches for her sister in a burble of noise, but I keep a hold on her. “It’s fine, Makoto-chan. Don’t be so stubborn.” I grin a little, trying to catch her eyes. “Or else I’ll have to start calling you Tsutomu-kun.”
Her shoulders relax a -bit-. “Fine. She needs a nap anyway.”
I glance out at the open shoji of the tatami room and see the mountains. On the other side is my home… if only I could take these girls away from all of this -drama- the adults seem to have put them in and take them to my family. Poor things.
Nanae:
Oh my… The girls are arguing but I go ahead and setup the futon close to where we’ll huddle later.
“Fine. She needs a nap anyway.”
“There there. It will be nice, soft and warm for Ai-chan here.” I tap the soft sheets on top of the futon and re-arrange the pillows so the baby doesn’t roll off.
“Why don’t you check it first Makoto-chan and make Ai-chan’s bed how your mother would like it?” I smile at her and then at the older girl who seems very well balanced and smart too.
My eyes however settle at my husband. He doesn’t let it on but I see the bags under his eyes. He hasn’t had much sleep himself.
“Can I leave the girls to you Nanae?” He asks. “I just need to run another errand. I won’t be long.”
I bow slightly to him, “Of course dear. The girls and I will be just fine until you come back.”
I’d ask him why he’s in such a hurry? He did say he was to guard Yagi-san and the children, but now that the most vulnerable of the children are here, did he intend to return to Ueda-sama? But he said he won’t be long. “Come back soon, we’ll wait for you and we can all have lunch together.”
He chuckles a bit. “I -am- hungry and I’m sure these girls are too. I won’t be long. So wait for me.”
“Hai hai.” I answer him with a smile. He’s a reliable man. No matter what anyone else says about him. I watch him leave the room and turn my attention back to the girls.
“So Makoto-chan, do you think the bed is good enough? If it is. I’ll stay and watch Ai-chan so you and the young lady can wash up and return here quickly. Hot tea and milk will be waiting for you two when you get back.”
(OOC: Kanbee will leave for 15-20 minutes. He’s just delivering a message to someone. He’ll be back promptly as he said he would.)
(Midori)
Makoto-chan hovers as Sagawa-san makes a comfortable little place for Ai-chan – and she handles Makoto-chan so well! Soon she’s helping smooth the sheets and fluffing pillows. “Ai-chan is a rolly soft baby,” she says, “so we have to give her a soft place to sleep!”
I’m surprised that the man of the house is leaving so soon! It’s then I realize that I wasn’t introduced nor did I do it myself. “Forgive me, ma’am, I am Nishino Midori, I attend Futaba with the Fujita children and also board at there house. I am from Sakata,” I say, bowing. It is nice to be in a home showing the true hospitality of the North! “Thank you for taking us in.”
Makoto-chan seems happy with the bedding, and Ai-chan’s place on it. I wait for Makoto-chan so we may wash up, and she tells all of us that she’ll be quick! Even though she’s come down a bit from her defensiveness over her sister, she’s still -watchful-.
I help her do so quickly and attend to my needs. I hope Sagawa-san is back soon, I’m rather hungry…
Nanae:
I smile as the girl introduces herself. “It’s nice to meet you Nishino-san.” I bow slightly, “It’s rare that someone from as far as Sakata visits Aizu. It must be such a different sight for you being here, in the land surrounded by mountains. But we do have Lake Inawashiro and if the weather was better and the circumstances, I would ask Kanbee to take us.”
The younger girl named Makoto inspects everything and I nod. “I hope it’s to your liking.” I say and look at this girl who if not by her features resembles someone we know. But I’m glad like him she’s comfortable enough here that she can be herself, watchful over her precious baby sister.
And my! Who wouldn’t be with that lovely baby. I can’t help but look at Ai-chan… Is that really his? I wonder what the mother is like. Kanbee told me she is a Kyoto woman on the shorter side. Odd. The women that Fujita-san has been with has always had some “height” to them.
“I’ll watch Ai-chan.” I tell the girls as they leave. And I will! What a cute baby and it seems a good baby. Not fussy at all…
As the girls wash up, our help start preparing the table. I tell the two of them that Kanbee will be back in a short while and they both nod and leave some warm tea and crackers for us girls. They of course won’t bring out the main food until Kanbee gets back. He is the head of this house after all.
“Thank you for taking us in,” I say. Without Yagi-san I guess I’m the ‘adult’ of this group. “Oh, but we see the other side of those great mountains,” I tell her. “But too often we’re looking to the sea!” For it’s the sea that keeps my hometown going, after all… but she’s very kind and welcoming and open. It’s not fair to compare, but I do… and her offer of the lake visit is nice, but it’s not likely I’ll ever be here again, isn’t it? I’m obviously NOT the girl Fujita-sensei likes…
It’s good to see Makoto-chan finally -relax- and that nothing is going to happen to Ai-chan. I take her and help her wash up, and don’t let her rush through – I remind her that big sisters need to stay clean to keep baby healthy. It’s simply common sense, my mother would say.
I’m glad to see there’s something on the table. Makoto-chan frowns for a moment to see her sister being tended to by a stranger, but she needs to rest herself. It’s been a… long morning. I take the cup of tea offered and point out the crackers to Makoto-chan.
“Oh, but we see the other side of those great mountains,”
I laugh a little. “That is very true.” She’s a smart girl. I wonder… But they go and clean up and it’s not too long they come back. Thankfully our help placed some snacks to tide everyone over until Kanbee gets back.
Oh my! I spy the little girl frowning as I look after the baby. “Your name is Makoto isn’t it? Your father mentioned you and that the baby was coming soon the last time Goro-san was here last.” I look back at the baby and ask Makoto, “I wonder… Has the baby eaten anything since you left Ueda-sama’s place?”
I don’t think the baby will sleep, it’s the middle of the day after all. And she is staring right up at me!
“There there. Are you going to be hungry soon?” I pat the babys tummy.
“She’s old enough I think for wet food or maybe goat”s milk.” I then look at Nishino-san, “Do girls who live on the sea know how to milk a goat or if Makoto-chan prefers, she can take some of the crackers and tea and mush them.” Although I don’t think that combination would taste that good to a baby compared to milk.
(Makoto)
I think the lady understands that Ai-chan is a VERY important baby! She set up everything for her, and I think she did a alight job. I think Ai-chan is okay with it because she keeps looking at Sagawa-san and she doesn’t seem upset… but Ai-chan is a very happy baby, most of the time.
“Oh yes she’s very big now. She’s been eating mushy things and milk for a while now, she’s over 100 days!” I nod happily, Ai-chan is growing well. “Hahaue sometimes mushes up rice, too, and one time, even this funny fruit called a ‘banana’.” It was funny how much ends up on her face and not in her mouth!
Then I think …. and I look at the lady. “Is my hahaue alright? We had to leave her behind…” I’m sure she’d like to meet Sagawa-san. But earlier this morning feels like it was forever ago!
Nanae:
“Over 100 days! Oh my…” I smile and look down at the child. The time has passed for Kanbee and I but one can always wish. But a banana!? “Aren’t those very rare Makoto-chan? I’ve only seen one in all my time.” I laugh a little, “But then again I’ve never lived in such a big city. Just here and… up north.” Of course I was part of the migration back then.
“Is my hahaue alright? We had to leave her behind…”
“I’m sure your mother is fine. She’s with Ueda-sama.” Kanbee did tell me there was trouble but I wasn’t surprised after all this is Fujita-san we’re talking about. Trouble follows him and his family around. Back then Yaso-san, then Takagi-sama and now this “friend” from Kyoto.
“Makoto-chan, I think your mother wanted you here so she can take care of other things in Ueda-sama’s house. So why don’t we help your mother by making sure you’re taking care of ourselves -here-. That way she doesn’t have to take care of you when you girls get back.”
“Now where were we? Mushy crackers or goats milk?” I smile. “We should get something for Ai-chan to eat before Kanbee comes back. Then us “grown ups” will eat to nourish ourselves.”
(Makoto)
I nod. “You can get all sorts of stuff in Tokyo, but bananas are still a special treat. But hahaue said they’re good for babies since they’re healthy and easy to eat!” I thought they kind of smelled funny?
She explains about hahaue and not letting her worry. I don’t want that! And I can take care of Ai-chan! Midori-san reaches over and squeezes my hand and gives me a smile.
“Hahaue squishes up her food and puts milk in it,” I tell her. That way it tastes like the food she’s used to! I think. There’s a LOT to remember with babies. Without Tsutomu-niisan here, I have to do my best! Midori-san has learned a lot but she’s not hahaue or Yukiko-san.
I miss her too… “okay let’s feed my sister!” It’s funny to watch her eat, she pushes out as much as she gets down! So messy!
Nanae:
“So Makoto-chan please keep Ai-chan’s food. Just as your haha-ue does it.” I say and hand her the small wooden spoon. I could do it myself but keeping the little girl distracted is what’s best for now.
“okay let’s feed my sister!”
“Okay!” I laugh a little as she tries to give the food to Ai-chan and the baby spits it out. “You know all babies does that Makoto-chan? I bet when you were a little child you did the exact same thing and probably made a face at your mother. And it is the same when Nishino-san was a baby and will be the same when she has children of her own.”
Kanbee:
“Ah sorry to keep everyone waiting!” I go in the room and see that at least the table’s already set. “I hope you girls aren’t so hungry… But i see the baby’s having her fill at least!”
I sit down beside Nanae and sit crossed legged on the table.
“Did you get to do everything you needed to dear?”
I nod and smile just a little. “Everything is taken cared of.”
“I’m glad to hear that dear.” Nanae starts fluffing the rice and starts filling the bowls. “Now you can rest easy.”
“Certainly! And I can enjoy time with the girls!” I grin at everyone, “We hardly have guests around here so this is a special treat.”
(Midori)
Why is he here, I wonder? Are things resolved already at Ueda-sama’s house? Is Yagi-san alright – and what about Tsutomu-kun? Their conversation seems… stilted, between husband and wife.
“Thank you again for your hospitality,” I say, as Makoto-chan’s face is screwed up in concentration as she’s trying her best to get a small baby to -eat- when it’s clear that the small baby thinks that being fed is a funny game. But the food is finally served and I have to confess to being hungry… it’s alright to be hungry and worried all at once, right?
I watch as Sagawa-san serves all of us, in a warm and simple setting like at Yagi-san’s. I can’t help compare it to Fujita-sensei’s family – eating alone off of a tray I suppose is more respectful, but this is more comfortable. And as rattled as I’ve been over everything since we had to flee Tokyo… I start to relax a bit.
“Was everyone there content?” I ask. I guess one can’t normally around a child, and Makoto-chan can be perceptive… but I worry. That young man… didn’t look like someone paying a friendly visit.
Kanbee:
Ah we’re finally eating and I finally get to relax a little! But the young lady Nishino-dono is a perceptive one and seems to read between the lines of the short conversation between my wife and I.
“Everything will be as it should be. In fact I’m sure just like us, they’re already way ahead of lunch!”
I take some of the fish – a very small crucian carp and pierce the skin. “Now Makoto-chan, it’s your turn to eat. Baby Ai I think has had her fill and is just playing now.” I grin.
“Oh and you should try this pickled tree cucumber. We dry them durign the summer months and them make them into pickles perfect for winter season! Your father loves this with fish!” I go ahead and put a heaping spoonful on the girls plate.
“Oh dear, not everyone loves pickles like you and even if Fujita-san did like those, I’m not sure little girls…”
“Oh nonsense! Now try it Makoto-chan.” I urge the girl and then also pass the jar to the young lady, “You too Nishino-dono. This is a specialty of ours.”
(OOC: Umm this pickled thing looks like worms… 😀 )
(Makoto)
Midori-san chats away with the grown ups but I’m really really hungry. Hahaue made us leave before breakfast!
You too Nishino-dono. This is a specialty of ours
Midori-san looks -delighted- she can be -so strange-. “Oh! We have this sometimes, when the traders bring these!” She starts eating and does she not see that it looks like -worms- and there are also pickles!?!?!? I’d rather have Ai-chans mushy crackers… and I wonder what sweets Midori-san snuck up here…
“Come on, Makoto-chan,” Midori-san urges me. She winks. “Do you think Tsutomu-kun could eat these?”
Well I don’t think he’s afraid of -anything- and I don’t think he’d like them if they were chichiue’s favorite. He gets grumpy about him.
“Besides, you are a guest and need to show off those nice manners your mother taught you,” she adds.
Fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiine.
“You have to tell oniisan! And chichiue! That I eat -everything-!” Even old dry worms… and pickles…
I shove some in my mouth and it’s bad. So sour! The worm-fish are… but the pickles make everything worse.
But the rice is very fluffy and nice and warms me up.
(OOC – Makoto fails to hide that she makes a face when she bites into the tree cucumber pickles)
Nanae:
Kanbee starts laughing as he spies Makoto making a really -sour- face and I have to lightly slap his arm. “How rude my dear!” I say, “Can’t you see our Makoto-chan is being such a good guest?”
I shake my head at him. Men… That’s nothing to them. I hope the little girl doesn’t start crying!
“Now dearest Makoto-chan, when you grow older your taste buds will change and who knows? Maybe one day you’ll like our pickles and our preserved tree cucumbers.
“And yes Nishino-san will -definitely tell your haha-ue what a good girl you’ve been. Helping out with Ai-chan and being a good house guest!” I nudge Kanbee and he happily nods.
“Well if you don’t like our food Makoto-chan what do you like?” My husband asks so bluntly! I slap him again. It’s been a while since we’ve had guest and truly the only guest he usually have is Fujita-san or maybe old war comrades. They don’t know how to talk to little girls do they?
(Midori)
Sagawa-san likes to tease Makoto-chan, and his wife gently childes him. I think I can see why he likes Fujita-san, but why Fujita-san is his friend? Fujita-san doesn’t look like someone who would appreciate that humor…
Makoto sticks her chin up like her brother. “I like umeboshi! And I’m going to set a good example for my baby sister! She needs to eat healthy foods. But I don’t have to -like- all of the healthy foods!”
I’m enjoying this food… I’m obviously not someone like Tsurumi-chan who -only- will eat Japanese food but good home cooking is good home cooking!
Makoto-chan is being a bit rude, too… “it’s my fault, sir, I feed her too much cake and Western style sugar treats,” I tell them. It’s true we do spoil her sometimes. Well, a lot. “But I appreciate the food sir, ma’am.”
Kanbee:
I like umeboshi! And I’m going to set a good example for my baby sister! She needs to eat healthy foods. But I don’t have to -like- all of the healthy foods!”
“Umeboshi? Ah isn’t that a favorite of Eiji-kun?” I nod remembering, “Gorou adopted him many years ago. How is that young man doing now?”
it’s my fault, sir, I feed her too much cake and Western style sugar treats,
“I see.” I grin, “Well that’s Tokyo for you. It’s been a few years since I’ve visited but I can imagine from the stories I heard how vibrant and -different- it is now compared to when it was still Edo. Unfortunately the Aizu clan mansion there is no more and unless one is willing to work for the current government like Gorou or Takamine…”
“Dear. Now now. Young girls wouldn’t want to hear our politics.”
I wave my hand? “I know. I know. But after the government sent us to the Seinan war much like human fodder, thankgoodness Gorou got me out. I swore I’m never going back to work for the police nor the military ever again. I still don’t understand why he didn’t quit the TMPD right after the war.”
“Dear… you might bore the girls.” Nanae whispers.
“Fine fine.”
“Oh Eiji-san left to go back to the Army, after helping out our family.” Her face drops a bit. “I miss him, but I think onee-san really does. And Yukiko-san did too.” He was so quiet, and by the time I got there he was mostly out of the house. He seemed nice…
Sagawa-san speaks of Tokyo’s rumored wonders and I nod. “There’s so much change, the old-timers say. But it’s nice, here, to hear the wind and snow again.” Even when it snows in Tokyo, the sounds of the city overwhelm the sounds of nature. However his talk turns to the government, and politics…
Dear… you might bore the girls.
I smile a bit. “Sir, we attend a school run by Aizu people and my classmates are among the children of Aizu families. Some more outspoken than others. Fujita-sensei, for one, often spoke of her role in the war.”
Makoto-chan pipes up, “like how she helped to defend the princess.” I don’t wonder if some of that was exaggerated? Yamaji-sensei made dry, cryptic comments sometimes that made me think -perhaps-, much like Tsurumi-chan’s tales of her father.
Kanbee:
“It’s good that Eiji went back to the army. You know that your father asked Okura-sama to take him in as a favor. A man must find his place in the world after all.” I say. “And who is this Onee-san and Yukiko-san Makoto-chan?” I ask a bit surprised. Gorou had a packed household didn’t he?
And I nod as agreement to Nishino-dono. “The capital is nice but one can’t forget about one’s home land.” Though I don’t tell her how unwelcoming the Meiji government is for people who don’t bend to their will.
“Certainly, the government had placed some of Aizu’s finest in “safe” positions like education. Hideo-sama who is the head of the education ministry is certainly a pride of Aizu and no doubt will shape many young minds just like what Fujita-san, his cousin does.”
I’m not close Tokio-san but she is an educator, “She too is a pride of Aizu. She’s not much for fighting bit in the languages and the arts she taught some of those skills to our Princess Teru.”
Onee-san and Yukiko-san Makoto-chan
“Oh no that’s ONII-SAN, Tsutumo-niisan!” She giggles.
I gently tap her sleeve. “Don’t eat with your mouth full, people won’t understand you!” She nods, “now tell him about Yukiko-san.”
Makoto-chan nods. “Yukiko-san is my -cousin-, she’s chichi-ue’s brother’s daughter. She was a lot of help around the house, like when Ai-chan was born or when hahaue was kidnapped.” I blink as she talks about her mother’s kidnapping like it was… ordinary?
Sagawa-san talks about Aizu’s role in education, and that it’s safe? I guess it’s not like the army where they could over throw the country… but they’re raising the next generation? But perhaps this accounts for some of the attitude from my schoolmates and even the teacher in history class when we’re not talking about the -distant- past…
She’s not much for fighting bit in the languages and the arts she taught some of those skills to our Princess Teru.
She’s not a fighter? But the stories… “oh, yes, she taught me sewing,” I tell him. “But other women of Aizu took up defense, correct? The one who runs a school in Kyoto, I believe?”
Kanbee:
It must’ve been serious if he decided to have even his niece live with them. His eldest son would’ve been a given but a niece? Then again I can almost hear Gorou scold me about taking his relationship with Yagi-san lightly. But that was then and I don’t know how it is now. What a change.
Nanae’s jaw almost.dropped when Makoto mentions the kidnapping. I did hear of it but…
“Oh my Makoto-chan. Then it’s all the better that you and your mother are in Aizu. We look after our own.” I look at my wife who has a genuine look of concern on her face. “Oh dear that must’ve been hard on you.” And she follows it up.with a slight pat on the child’s head.
That’s why you had them come all.the way here Goro? To not have a repeat? But I’m surprised they got Yagi-san. Tokio-dono had complained about the many attempts due to Gorou’s job, I always thought of it as tall tales…
“Oh the other women? A few women around 30 or so did join the fight. But more than half of them are now dead. Most of the women like Tokio and Nanae here were helping either to fortify the castle or tend to the wounded.” And I’m sure this girl is thinking that it was just women running around with basins of hot water… but I’m not about to tell stories of bodies piling up by the waist or chunks of the castle being blown to bits along with our men and women…
Oh my Makoto-chan. Then it’s all the better that you and your mother are in Aizu. We look after our own. Oh dear that must’ve been hard on you.
Makoto-chan seems surprised by the touch, and then is quiet for a minute. “Eiji-san and Yukiko-san took care of us, and oniisan helped me so Ai-chan didn’t even have time to miss hahaue…” She blinks, and then smiles slight. “Tsutomu-niisan said that we have to ‘endure’!”
I’m sure he did…
Sagawa-san starts to tell tales of the war but then his talk suddenly ends, he’s probably remembered his audience. I decide to steer Makoto-chan away from war talk. I’m certain she’ll hear enough when she’s old enough for it. “Sagawa-san, I was told you have chickens and goats here. If Makoto-chan eats everything, can she go see the animals while Ai-chan naps?”
I hope everyone is alright back at the other house… the Sagawas are -kind- and very good hosts but everything has been… a lot.
Nanae:
“Tsutomu-niisan said that we have to ‘endure’!”
“Tsutomu-nii?” I smile, “I see. That would make sense, he is Fujita-san’s and Tokio-sama’s eldest. They lived through the harshness of the North and so must’ve taught their son.”
Kanbee looks at me for a minute as if he was going to say something but then he goes back to finishing the last of his rice. I wonder… Did I say something wrong?
But it is the young lady who helps steer the conversation elsewhere… “Yes we definitely do have some farm animals in the back. It is good to keep chicken for egg and goat’s milk is wonderful so you girls can go visit them with Kanbee.” I look at the very cute baby. I’d rather spend some time with her and make sure she’s not missing her own mother.
“We’ll go out to the back after we finish dessert.” My husband interjects, “But you girls need to put on some straw coats. It is still a bit nippy outside and I don’t want to return you to Yagi-san sneezing and all that. She might tell your father and I’ll never hear the end of it.”
I smile a little. He makes Fujita-san sound like a nag when in fact it is -him- who can be one. I can’t imagine that man who hardly speaks around me be a nag. Well there was that one time with the lady doctor here… What was that doctor’s name again…?
(OOC: You may close. What happens to the people in this house depends on where the other thread goes)
It’s good that Sagawa-san takes my turn in conversation, and she seems very willing to keep Ai-chan warm and inside. I don’t want Yagi-san upset if she takes cold – and then there would be Tsutomu-kun!
It seems Sagawa-san has similar concerns about us handling the weather. While I am from the north, I’ve not been here for a winter since I was sent to school. The cold here is different than a Tokyo winter.
Straw coats? I brighten up – it -is- like being at home! A nice change from the wool cloaks which are part of our uniform. I urge Makoto-chan to finish up. “I can’t wait to meet a real live goat!” she says.
Good. She’s happy and distracted.
(OOC – close)