Notes to School

“I didn’t say anything about the bullying, only that she wanted to live with a family for a while. I hope that sounds alright.” I’m…

A Song for You

What had he been hoping for? I go in and watch him in the dark tatami room. He left me there, at that kitchen table.…

Bedtime Story

Ai… I look at her beautiful face, those golden eyes. A resemblance to a woman I never got to meet, who died before I came…

Visiting Hours

(The next morning) (Okita) “Hey, you have a visitor,” an officer comes to my cell, looking at me. It’s then I recognize him – he…

Misao at the Yamaguchi House

(Misao) “Brrrr! Brrr! Guhhhr!” The baby waves her arms at me, and I hand her back to Hide-san. “Haha, she’s a cute one!” I say,…

Tsuyu

Yukiko-san is occupied elsewhere, and I’m in the kitchen. I take a sip, and frown. I hate to waste food… but this is frustrating. Cooking…

To All the Girls I’ve Loved Before

(Souji) Jail is just… boring. It reminds me of the times that I was lost in limbo, just…. waiting. The food here is terrible. And……

Sewing Time with Sensei

I knock, hesitantly. When I was younger I often came to Yamaji-sensei’s quarters. She’s one of the few faculty who lives here, but as I…

An Old Face

That was him, I remember him, and that tall friend of his… not that they talked to me, back then. I keep my head down,…

Looking in the Morning

He’s gone – early riser. I make breakfast for the family. Everyone is still subdued. I am… tired. The library isn’t a place to sleep,…

Library

I dream… I fight it but I dream. It’s the library. Even during my Judgement it was a sunny place. But now, it’s a dark,…

Evening

A quiet dinner. Most of us, too tired, or worn down by the day. Even Ai-chan is fussy. Soon enough, though, I’ll have her weaned.…

Morning Outing

I wake up in bed, and he’s gone, of course. I help Yukiko-san with the children, getting them fed and them out of the door,…

Neighborhood Watch (Later Afternoon)

(Okita) That dojo where the Battosai lives is a quiet place. Not well-secured at all. Is he that confident in his skills that he’d live…

Making Lunch

I go with Yukiko-san to give Ai-chan a quick nursing – not just because she may hungry but also to soothe her a bit. “Do…

The Chase

Why am I running after him? Because… he’s upset. I saw just enough of his face. And I can’t let him go. Something happened and…

Delivery

“Ah, can’t you get him to come out here? I have a delivery for Fujita-san…” I lower my voice to the clerk. “It’s a medicinal…

At Futaba

“School will be out shortly,” protests the clerk in the front office. I had hoped to avoid Takimi-san and apparently he’s out this week. “Can’t…

A Little Light (Tues Night)

I kept a secret! When hahaue was stolen and chichiue was going to find her, I did go in the secret cabinet to get the…

Ghosts (Tuesday Night)

Okita Souji… alive and well, it sounds like. Well enough to take Kenji-kun out for a “treat”, as my son described it. I remember the…

Old Chocolate (Tuesday After School)

I wait by the stand of trees, where I can see the main gate. There’s a time, where the guards change, and that rotten one…

Rain on a Tuesday

Tuesday – After the Appointment Feeling bad about skipping out on therapy yesterday, I instead went today after Yukiko-san returned from taking Makoto-chan and Tsutomu-kun…

So a Letter Arrived

“He makes his own hours,” the young officer shrugs. “Are you sure you only want to see Fujita-san?” “This one can wait,” I say, with…

Monday: Ready for a Guest

I tell myself it’s work. And then I worry about -that-. He usually lets me know these days…. but police emergencies don’t happen on schedule.…

A Quiet Sunday Night

I was allowed to cook today. Just the rice! But it was something. I felt clumsy and I’m glad that I didn’t ask to do…

I wasn’t done…

I’m sorry that you couldn’t wait on me. *sigh* But I know you don’t like to be stuck – I remember that from a long…

A Japanese Sword

I always watched my father. After all, until Tamesaburou, I was… his heir. Not acknowledged, because they hoped otherwise, for that great gift – a…

Film Review

There is not enough of you in it You did not get any good fights in! I still like the actor, though still not as…

Deliveries

Thankfully, the man got the message. Thankfully, the delivery arrived when I was home alone. “Oh, ho, some good stuff this time?” The old man…

Waiting up on a Thursday Night

It’s late… dinner has come and gone, as had bedtime for the younger set. I’m trying to figure out sewing one-handed. Yes, I’m right-handed and…

Checking

It must be about two or three in the morning, but I stir and get up quietly, without disturbing Hajime. Or at least I -hope-…

Household Matters

When I imagine it, her face is always blank but I can read the expression. How she’d sweep into the room, tall and slender, dressed…

Waiting Waiting

I did my prescribed exersizes three times today. I rested. I do what Yukiko-san seems comfortable with me doing – feeding Ai-chan, playing with her…

Waiting for Patients to Come for their Appointments!

(Dr. Anton Senefelder) Ah, rain on a Monday, what a bother! But I do have a new patient today… On Hide Fujita. The missing woman…

Fumbling

This afternoon a package arrived… from Frau Susannah. Her letter read that she had heard that I was to begin physical therapy and she knew…

Sunday in the Garden

Ah, it was good to sleep in our bed again – and next to Hajime. To wake to Ai-chan’s little sounds… and she was happy…

The Third Night

I heard we’re to be leaving soon. I still have so far to go to heal and be whole as I promised… but it was…

The First Time…

My writer doesn’t usually know “oldies” like this, but I came across it… and it made me think of you. *sends kisses*