Visiting and reminiscing

As the concert had been scheduled for midday, around early afternoon, my work was done. I had been freed from further duties for the day, so I decided to pay my sister a visit.
It had already been over a year since I left her alone, so she did all of he housework on her own. Not to mention was an adult. Still, I wanted to check in on regularly. In the beginning it was 100% true, and I helped out when I saw unfinished chores, that pilled up due to her work. But that became less and less. Currently, it was more a pretense than anything to visit her unannounced. Not that I would ever be rejected.
Whether it was due to me wanting to see her, or not trusting her to take care of wasn’t relevant anymore. One way or another, I would go to visit her.

So, I got home, changed out of my work suit, and wore private clothing. I had never been one for fashion, and simply bought combinations similar to what was displayed on the store mannequins.
I put on a leather jacket, grabbed my helmet, and went out. In the underground garage, I jumped onto my bike and turned it on.
I could have taken the train, but today, I wanted to go for a ride, even if it was short. Plus, a bike had to be moved from time to time. Also, the train station was further away from my old home, so taking the bike would lead me directly to the place.
Now, I drove out, and to the highway. It was only a 20 minute trip, a rather short affair. Riding through the familiar streets, I entered an empty driveway. As I could have guessed, Sis was still out at work. Parking my bike, I entered through the front door, after unlocking it.

Inside… was alright. I wasn’t greeted by chaos. Not that I expected it, after a year. I hung up my jacket, set my helmet aside, and entered after taking off my shoes. Inspecting the rooms, there was some slight dirt, but not much. She would probably clean one of the next days.
But, with not much else to do — and year long routine kicking in — I helped where I could: dusting a few shelves, doing some of the accumulated laundry, and cooking diner. She still had a variety of ingredients around, so I prepared food that would keep, and could later be put in the fridge. I hadn’t written her I was coming over, so there was a chance she would go out with her co-workers before heading home. Then I heard the door open while I was cooking. It turned out, today was not one of those days.

“I’m home.”
“Welcome home.”
I heard her in the entryway, from where she made her way over to the kitchen. She grabbed a beer from the fridge, and cracked it open.
“You could wait until diner for drinking.”
“Stop nagging.”
“Just saying.”
We didn’t have a bad relationship, we just told each-other straight what we meant, not mincing words. This was part of our closeness.
“You do not have to come over, you know.” She looked at me from the corner of her eyes, concern showing. She had told me in the past that I could live my own life, and didn’t need to sacrifice my own free-time to check in on her.
“I know, but can’t I visit my adorable, reliable, cool older sister?” As always, I aimed to dispel her worries.
“… Can I punch you once?”
“Go wash your hands first.”
Sis left the room, heading for the bath. Her comment wasn’t in any malicious sense. Rather, it was because she cared for me.

Currently, she was the only relative I had contact with. At times, a few other wrote me messages several years after my parents death. I mostly ignored them, and only wrote back curt replies. I didn’t want to have to do anything with them. It was too late for reconciliation. At least, these had been my thoughts. Now, slightly more mature, I reflected on it once more, and might have to give them another chance.
My train of thought got interrupted as Sis got back, and set the table before taking a seat. I finished a few minutes later, and put the dishes on.
““Let’s eat.”” We had put our hands together, and started eating. Taking a look at her, she still looked the same as before.

Another thing I noticed while taking a look at her, was the lack of new alcohol. “Are you going out?”
“Yes. Seiko wrote me she had time today, so we decided to head to Misato’s.” She paused for a moment. “If you want, you can come too. Or we could stay here.”
“There is no need to. I had already accepted the possibility that you might not come at all. I could have written you beforehand, asking if you had any plans. But I got to see you, so I am already happy. So, no need to feel bad. Also, I intend to move early tomorrow, so it would not be a good idea.” I planned to stay the night. As Nee-san had told me many times before, I could stay whenever I wanted, so I stopped asking whether I would sleep here or not. Either I was not here, or a welcome surprise, in her words.
“Got it.” We trusted each-other to speak the truth, as can be seen with the more direct conversations. So, no hard feelings.
After eating, she headed out, and I did the dishes, after making sure she was leaving on foot. As Seiko’s car didn’t show up in our driveway, she would meet her there, having driven to the bar, and then come here on foot. After sleeping, she would walk back to the bar and then drive home or to work.
Finishing the cleanup, I proceeded to take a bath, idled around, and turned in early for the night.

The next morning, I got up early. Sis was asleep in her room, and walking down the stairs, I saw Seiko crashing at the house once more. Laying on the couch in her usual spot, as expected. I washed myself, and prepared a quick breakfast. Covering up two portions so they would only need to warm it up, I got out of the house and eat my portion as a sandwich while walking up a hill, to the local shrine.
I wanted to pay my visits there, and hoped to meet someone. Soon, the trees on the hill parted, revealing a set of stone stairs. Rising them to the top, until I reached the grounds themselves. From there, I went through the normal routine: purification, offering some coinage, and praying.
After I was done, I turned to the administrator’s office. An elderly man was sitting on the deck belonging to it. Sipping his tea in peace with the cleaning tools next to him.

“Good morning, Takamori.”
“Good morning. Coming to pay your respects?”
“Yes.” I took a seat next to him. “But I have to get moving soon again, I need to head to work.”
“I hope you still take care of your training. Otherwise you will never beat me, despite my old age.”
This was true. For several years, Takamori had been my martial arts instructor. He had never mentioned where he himself had learned, nor why he wasn’t teaching somewhere, nor why he didn’t own a dojo. I felt like he preferred his current life of taking care of the shrine over instructing others in martial arts. But as to why he still decided to teach me, was a bit of a mystery. And whether I would ever be able to defeat him, was a mystery to me too.

“Yes, I train regularly, two to three times a week. Now, I even get paid to do so.”
Part of being an effective bodyguard was being able to guard someone, as would make sense. So, to ensure our capabilities were up to task, we were allowed to train during our work hours, if there was no other task that needed doing. So, I benefited from the large training rooms, some of which even had wooden training dummies. I met many different people, practicing many different martial art styles. Seeing them all had really opened my horizon. But I did not only train then. I made sure to do stretches and light exercises daily.
Sensing a preaching coming for putting money and training together, I opted to change the subject. “Is your grandchild still living with you?”
Upon hearing her mentioned, his solemn expression turned gleeful. ‘I guess this works for all old people.’ “Yes. I am quite happy she chose to stay with me, instead of renting an apartment. She is getting used to living in a city now, but there are still many things she has to learn.”
When I started work a year ago, Takamori had his son’s daughter come stay with him. She wished to follow into the family tradition her father had chosen to forsake, and become a shrine priestess. For this, she was studying at the Tokyo University.
“It has already been a year. I ought to introduce her to you at some point.”
“Maybe once the chance arises.”
“That is true. Now, don’t let this old man keep you. The young’uns have places to be, and so do you.”
As I had been officially excused, I went back to my sister’s house. The occupants were still asleep, so I silently said goodbye, grabbed my things, and drove away. Back at my own place, I got ready for another day at work.

***

All in all, I got along with everyone around me. My coworkers were nearly a given after a year, but also the idol girls. Despite my rough appearance, they were always nice and forthcoming, never acting distant. I had to be really grateful for having them as my first ever long time charges. Not only due to this, but we also understood each other pretty well. Getting along with your charges was a nice thing, a way better alternative to having to guard someone you had no sympathy for.
Plus, if I was able to satisfy my clients, everything should be fine. At least, that is what Seiko told me when I asked her for advice.

But not only did I work with them, I also learned from Takeshi at the same time. He thought me many new aspects and facets of the job, which differed from the acts I had done until then. He was rough at times, but deep down, he cared. Whether it was about me, or about the fact that I might take over for him at some point and therefore cared about them, I didn’t know. But, he was actually a nice person to be around, sharing wisdom in pleasant conversations.

But there was yet another person I got closer with other the time, which would be Hanekawa. Fairly often, she would come by to see the girls train, watching over them. A few times I suggested she could talk with them a bit more, but she seemed reluctant to do so for some reason. Perhaps I would learn about it in the future.

Furthermore, I did my best to get along with my coworkers. Despite not meeting them as much since I was assigned somewhere away from them, I saw them in the hallway. Calling out to them, making some small-talk, etc. Good relations were important, and in future events, I would be working with them, so having a good foundation would be beneficial. Not only increasing trust, but making sure we understood each-other.
But I didn’t just meet them in the hallway. At times a few also invited me to go out with them after work for drinks. As everyone had different shifts, and there were always a few that needed to work the next day — not to mention get home — we never overdid it. I was used to these things form the perspective of the other side, but being the guest wasn’t so bad. After getting used to it.

Naturally, it wasn’t only work all the time. I had time in between, where I did my own business. Not only housework and the like, but naturally also visiting family and friends.
Checking in on Sis, making sure Seiko didn’t drink too much, and from time to time help out Master in her bar voluntarily. I helped the three out when I could, and they did so for me in return. Mostly in the form of advice when I was stuck struggling with something. Since they were from different walks of life, they always were able to give some insight. And talking to them was a nice change of pace for me.

Another thing I did semi-regularly was visit a certain shrine in the old neighborhood. I offered my respects and prayed. And when I managed to meet Takamori, I would sit down and have a chat with him.

Overall, my life was good, and most things went well. Not only for me, but also the people around me. And as one could expect, when everything seemed harmonious, bad things were soon to arrive…