Anchor
Written by: RinoaDestiny
#15 – Good News
I got a sponsor! The text message couldn't have been more euphoric and if Kyo was anything like Yabuki, Iori could imagine him punching the air. It was a good thing Kyo wasn't like his one-time student. Some paperwork and then I'm all set!
Iori had helped him glean through the starter list that Kagura provided, discarding names and selecting certain ones to contact. He'd compiled the final list, all with contacts and their information, and told Kyo it was his responsibility to call or e-mail. If Kyo wanted his replacement sponsor that badly – he did – then Kyo needed to pull his own weight.
It was, therefore, rewarding to find their efforts weren't in vain.
Congrats. Short and simple. You looking to celebrate?
Wait 'til I get it in writing. Then, we can hit that bar.
It was like a shot of whiskey going down, warming him from inside. You really like it that much, huh?
Can't think of a better place.
Iori had taken some time out of his schedule today and swung by the old family estate. While the traditional Yagami estate hadn't been neglected – they still had members of a branch family keeping the place tidy – there were property matters to resolve. He'd gotten the notices in the mail from the appropriate government authorities and decided not to waste any time.
Rising taxes and keeping the place from being torn down despite regulations was its own battle.
You still owe me a play. A slight hint of mischief there, which only Kyo would pick up on. Have you decided on one yet?
While he waited for Kyo's response, Iori spotted a servant on the outer walkway. Her sleeves were bound back and her hair was covered by a cloth wrapping. It was traditional – suitable here, where it seemed time hadn't caught up – and as he entered her periphery, the woman startled and bowed. Despite being heir, he wasn't prone to dropping by often, so her reaction was to be expected.
Silently, he nodded and passed by her. He felt her gaze on his back.
The shoji lining the right wing's exterior needed minor repairs. He could afford to sink some funds into its maintenance. Money wasn't an issue for him.
Already started practicing. You'll find out soon enough.
Got an audience?
You know how often my dad drops by and watches? It's amusing to him, I swear. Although, when I told him you put me up to this, he gained some respect for you. Some proper schooling, he said. Whatever that means.
Iori snickered. Maybe he thinks you can finally graduate.
Not happening. I'm done with school.
Rubbing it in would be too easy, but knowing how sore Kyo got about his delinquent (now expired) high school status, Iori refrained from further comment. He entered the central courtyard and stood there, observing the well-kept step stones and tended foliage. In the distance, he heard the rhythmic hollow 'thud' of a bamboo water fountain. It was tranquil here, far removed from his childhood memories.
Dad was surprised you're well-read, you know.
He could only imagine why. Did he think I was illiterate?
Nah. Just associating a foaming at the mouth Rioting rival and books doesn't…you know.
Can't say I blame him. After all, his first impression left on Kyo back in the day consisted of being a stalking, raging, and obsessive boor. Even Yuki, Kyo's ex, had doubted his sincerity in this relationship. Changing the mind of Saisyu Kusanagi would take much more effort, not that Iori sought to impress him.
Yeah, well…he's laughing at my falsetto. Hope your ears are strong enough.
If I can tolerate your rock music, they are.
Yeah but you've never heard me high-pitched.
The image was hilarious – Kyo pitching his octave higher to mimic a feminine voice – and Iori guffawed right there in the courtyard. If servants were about, they probably wondered why the heir was laughing for no apparent reason. While Iori had indeed worn a dress in his younger days – not that Kyo needed that confirmed – he hadn't maintained his falsetto very well. Kyo wasn't the only one lacking in that area, but Iori decided to hold onto his little secret.
I'm sure you'll surprise.
If your ears bleed, don't blame me. You set the conditions.
Wouldn't have happened if you'd let me choose the wager. Iori smirked. But that's why you're an idiot, right?
As much as you sometimes. Pause. What're you up to?
From the courtyard, Iori traversed onto the walkway, heading into the left wing. He'd take some pictures later as evidence of the estate's condition, in case he needed them to prove why his ancestral home should remain intact. Regulations be damned – there wasn't a need to demolish every home. He avoided certain rooms – some carrying dark memories – but mentally cataloged what he noticed.
There were servants here, too. The wooden walkways were in need of cleaning and polishing.
Does your home ever run afoul of the authorities?
A few seconds before Kyo's reply. No. Not that I know of.
Since I don't live at the old estate, the local government's considering tearing it down. Taking care of that matter now so that they don't.
Why? Can't you get it protected? Like a historical relic?
What historical relic? It's not Osaka Castle, Kyo.
Six hundred and sixty years of history means nothing to them?
If the Yagami estate had a daimyo or shogun, perhaps. But we were our own entity. Nothing important revolved around us. Except the business with Orochi.
Several long seconds before Kyo's response pelted his screen with speech bubbles. Yeah, but if it wasn't for us, Japan wouldn't be here right now. Your clan, despite the break with ours, still contributed to keeping Orochi sealed. If they're so ungrateful that they see your home as fodder, then…. I mean, I get it. We need more room, but if they want to put an apartment building there or something…
That doesn't concern me. It's just…important in a different way.
It's your home, Yagami. Roots.
I know. That's why.
He left the enclosing left wing, passing a few chattering servants who also gave him a flurry of surprised bows, and walked towards the estate's main gate. The gate also needed maintenance – additional funds – and even their family plaque could be replaced. Maybe he'd locate a local craftsman who specialized in wood carving and sign making.
It wouldn't restore the luster of his clan, but that was in the past.
The only thing it'd do was keep them relevant.
What are you doing, Kyo? Besides the sponsor?
Besides making Dad laugh his ass off? I'll be sparring with Beni and Daimon later.
Sparring was always exciting. It stirred his blood. Let me know when we can do that again.
Sure. Hey, can you show me some of your clan records? I wanna compare.
Compare what?
The language. Dad told me it's archaic, which is why I can't read it. Wanna know if yours has similarities. Might be able to pin down the time period.
After the servants cleared out and he got his photos, a quick trip to the archives wouldn't be amiss. Scrolls, clothbound and stitched books, and several tomes of his clan's historical records. Old personages, biased accounts of battles – the Kusanagi's probably the same – and genealogies dating back to the beginning. He'd tried going through the family tree once and got lost, with how often the branch families intersected to introduce new blood into the clan. The women, for instance, were never mentioned by their true names – only by names adopted once they married into the Yagami clan.
As it was, he never found out what his mother's real name was.
If you see just hiragana, you've probably stumbled onto the women's writing. Heian era. Just kanji – men's domain. Back when Japan relied on China.
You're a real fount of knowledge, Yagami.
I'm surprised you know that word.
Hey, I'm not that stupid. A moment of inactivity on the text application. I would like to celebrate this latest great news with you, though.
So drinks?
Maybe more after. Your call.
His cheeks burned. That sounds…
No rush. We can decide once I get the contract signed and stashed away.
Iori glanced from the phone towards the sky and its bright burning sun. He blinked as a small breeze blew past. Maybe I can…I'm curious.
Heh. Why not?
He still remembered a lighter and how soft Kyo's lips were. He wanted to be the one imparting that to Kyo this time. Give and take, a full reciprocal process. He wanted it badly.
I'll let you go. Got this play to get back to.
Tell your old man to leave you alone.
Won't work. He's having too much fun.
Heh. His finger lingered over the digital keyboard. He typed in the rest and hit 'Send'. Drinks, Kyo. Once you're ready.
Always, Yagami. See you soon.
See you soon, Kyo.