Anchor
Written by: RinoaDestiny
#27 – Three Days
The rock crystal name stamp's square edge bit into his palm, impressing a sticky line.
The local government office had decided, and he'd agreed, for there weren't other options. In order to keep the Yagami clan estate from being demolished, he was required to live there three out of seven days. He couldn't bring a tenant in – who would live there? – and besides some elderly servants who remained on the property, everyone else went home after tending the place. No, it fell to him – the rightful heir – to make it his second residence. It was the only way to keep his ancestral home standing.
Iori sighed, closed his hand tighter around the name stamp, and leaned back on the park bench. Three days out of the week in which Kyo couldn't stop by. Three days staying in the old estate that had more bad memories than good. The official who'd stamped his papers left the decision to him as to which days. Iori wanted to space them out, so he'd have alternate days with Kyo. Perhaps Monday, Wednesday, and Friday? He didn't want to live three straight days there.
A childish giggle some distance away as children played tag with their mothers nearby. The women sat together, chatting; their purses and shopping bags beside them on their bench. A lone cat watched them, licked its paws, and then loped away. Iori watched until the cat vanished, a small orange speck in the distance.
The conditions of his stay began next week. That left him four consecutive days at his current residence. Four days to get in contact with Kyo – no invite from his end, yet – and spend some time with him. Thereafter, three days each week would be behind shoji and the gates of the Yagami estate. A place he could never truly call home, despite growing up there.
Iori uncurled his fingers, red paste line faint on his palm. He kept it there, its shape distorted through the sunlit rock crystal.
Best thing to do now would be to give Kyo the details.
He withdrew his phone from his pocket. Opened it, thought a bit, and then started typing. You busy right now? Got some news. Left it at that, waiting. For all he knew, Kyo could be in another clan meeting or with friends. If that was the case, he'd stop right now.
What's up?
His fingers flew over the digital keyboard, filling the text box with characters. Just finished the proceedings regarding the estate. Three days per week there starting next week.
You know which days? Did they say?
Up to me to decide. I'll let you know.
Yagami…you'll be okay, right?
Yeah. Why wouldn't I be?
Kyo's text bubbles stopped for a brief moment, as though processing his reply. You need anything, let me know. Another pause. You want to meet up sooner? Don't have my invite for the tournament yet.
If you have time.
Should be free for a few days. Where'd you like to go?
Not the bar. He needed a different location – a place away from that fucking stalker of his – and somewhere they could relax without outside interference. Don't feel like sparring. His apartment could work, too but…. Before the tournament begins, I'd like to get away.
Outside the city?
Some place other than Osaka.
Nothing from Kyo's end for a few seconds. In the distance, he heard the women calling their children by name. North, south, or east?
Iori's fingers hovered over his phone as he considered the question. North would bring them into Hokkaido, but he wasn't feeling up to traveling there. Going south directly would lead them towards Kyoto; yet, his idea of relaxation didn't involve temples and shrines, despite the famous hot springs there. East would take them into Kanto and Tokyo was there. He was familiar with Tokyo.
East. Tokyo.
My cousins live there. Can ask them if there are any recent concerts or new attractions.
You have cousins there?
Two. Maybe you can meet them one day. Kyo's text bubble started throwing out ellipses, indicating a message in progress. After a minute, the entirety showed up on his phone screen, a cluster of characters. About our age, give or take a few years. They decided to move away from the clan together for their own reasons. Dunno what they are. But they're nice. I still talk to them from time to time.
All well and good, but Iori's next question wasn't about Kyo's cousins. You said you have a few days. One day or more?
How long do you have?
Four days if I decide to move in Monday.
Can always stay in the countryside. It's not summer yet.
Humid summers meant staying indoors with the air conditioning, if it was available. They weren't there yet, but the seasonal change would occur soon. Once it did, Iori's idea of traveling included Westernized hotel rooms and plenty of room service. It wouldn't be too different from being on tour. In fact, he'd welcome it.
That sounds nice.
We can start tomorrow if you like. Can't leave in the morning, but late afternoon. Catch a train there and we'll figure out the rest later.
No schedule?
If we're just having fun, we'll make it up as we go. That okay with you?
It wasn't something planned in advance – spur of the moment, actually. Maybe, with this, he could see what Kyo had in mind or would do unstructured. The park bench beneath him creaked as he angled forward, bending at the waist. His fingertips tapped on the screen. Three o'clock at the train station? You prefer Hikari?
I'm covered on that, yeah. Or do you want to do Kodama instead?
If we get bento boxes, that'll work.
Great! I'll reserve our seats for the Hikari train. See you tomorrow.
Tomorrow, Kyo.
Iori raised his head. The kids were gone, along with their mothers and the multiple purses and shopping bags. Elderly men and women strolled on the established walkways, enjoying the weather. Sunshine shone down, bright and clear. When he reopened his hand, his name stamp gave off a fierce translucence, as though invisible flame burned within it. The red line on his palm, mark like a brand. Last of the Yagami clan. The heir with all its inherent responsibilities.
Next week. The old estate.
He clenched his fist around the rock crystal stamp, allowing brief discomfort.
Tomorrow. Tokyo.
Respite before the next change.