A/N: Yay, an update. And through a bad head cold, too…Off to rest.
Chapter 9: Business
It had taken several days to ride, but Aoshi had arrived in Yokohama as scheduled. It was mid-morning when he arrived at the Western hotel where he would be spending the next few nights. A look around the harbor city and it appeared to him that the place was growing, filled with Western visitors and residents.
He was surprised to see a familiar petite female figure waiting at the front of the hotel.
"Aoshi-sama!" she called out, waving.
When he dismounted and retrieved his bag, one of the caretakers came to guide the horse to the stables. He took in Misao's appearance as she quickly walked up to him.
"Jiya told me that you'd be arriving today, so I tried to get here as soon as I could," she explained, smiling. "Besides, I haven't been to Yokohama in so long…"
He arched a brow and said gently, "I'm not here on vacation."
"I know," she responded, nodding. "Jiya said something about business. But that's okay."
He let his features relax before glancing at the hotel. "I need to check in to the hotel. My meeting isn't for several more hours…so I will buy you lunch."
Her eyes lit up.
"So why travel to Yokohama?" Aoshi asked after he had settled into his room. Misao stood in the hallway, looking at one of the paintings on the wall.
Misao wasn't quite sure how to answer without sounding too forward. Truth was…she had missed him while he was gone. She had felt that with all of his business deals…he never had time for her anymore. It was as if she was losing something very precious to her. But explaining that would attract all kinds of awkwardness which she had no desire for. She wasn't that naïve, she had realized on the trip to Yokohama that she cared very much for him. In spite of Kaoru's nudging, Misao knew that her relationship with Aoshi wasn't the easiest to define. Growing up, he had been her hero. He still was. But she had the sneaking feeling that that was all he was going to be.
"Well…because…I…I…" she shrugged, at a loss for words.
He studied her for a few moments before finally saying, "You and Okina are family. You do have the right to know what is going on…for your peace of minds…"
She grinned. "Yeah. And right now, the Oniwabanshu have nothing to do."
"There's always something to do," he assured. "You must find it."
~
After Aoshi had taken a bath, he and Misao had a small lunch in the hotel's restaurant. She chatted about the Aoiya, the chaos some customers caused, the gossip she heard about the train, some boy who came courting, while Aoshi sat back and listened.
She asked to come along to his meeting, and he agreed. His correspondence with the American told him that John Calhoun would not have a problem with Aoshi's energetic ward. Besides, he recalled that Calhoun had a dog. He might be able to keep Misao occupied.
Misao had been impressed by the size of the mansion the man was staying in temporarily. A woman in black, who Aoshi assumed to be the housekeeper, greeted them warmly before letting them into the hallway.
"I will inform Mr. Calhoun that you have arrived," she declared. Then she turned to enter one of the rooms that apparently led to the back of the house.
"Aoshi-sama…these paintings…" Misao pointed to a piece done in watercolor. "This is such a great place…If I was a kid, I would find so many places to hide."
A hint of a smile appeared. That was so much like Misao…
The housekeeper appeared. "Mr. Calhoun will see you now. Please follow me," she requested, a pleasant smile on her face.
Aoshi and Misao trailed behind the housekeeper, passing through a house of marble floors and American paintings. Occasionally, he'd see a scroll with a Chinese proverb, but the house was distinctly American. When they reached a sitting room, a man just several years older than Aoshi rose to his feet. He was dressed in a brown and gray suit, his sandy hair combed back from his face.
"Hi, nice to meet you, Shinomori…san?" John prompted, then admitted after they shook hands, "I'm still trying to familiarize myself with Japanese customs…so if I say the wrong thing, please excuse me."
"Of course." Aoshi switched to English, earning a quick surprised look from Misao. "Mr. Calhoun, this is Misao Makimachi."
"How do you do, little lady?" He grasped her hand and tilted his head in her direction before turning to Aoshi. "And call me John. I take my business seriously, but I'm not formal by nature."
Light barking filled the room and a terrier bolted towards Aoshi and Misao.
"And that's Russ, my dog," John stated, humor lacing his voice.
Misao immediately picked up the pet, who licked her cheek.
"Russ always likes young people…" John commented. "Anyway…would you like some tea?"
"Yes. Thank you for meeting today," Aoshi spoke up. "You are a busy man and the train…" he faltered, uncertain of the word.
"Attack? Bombing?" John prompted.
Aoshi nodded. "…made many things difficult."
"Understandable." They settled back in several plush leather chairs. "I appreciate you coming to Yokohama. I know we originally agreed to meet in Tokyo, but given the situation…"
"It's fine," Aoshi assured. "I am meeting with the architect tomorrow about the inn."
"The inn you plan to build here? One of few similar to the Aoiya in Kyoto?" John asked.
"Correct." Aoshi cleared his throat. "My architect tells me that the inn should be completed in one and a half years. Tomorrow I will meet him to discuss the final plans for the building." He pulled out a folder from his small briefcase. "When it first opened, the Aoiya used these methods to attract business…" He held out a sheet of paper, which he had written in English. "Many of these…strategies could be used for your business as well."
John whistled. "Quite aggressive advertising you do…"
"Most of the actions were modified to fit this time period," Aoshi explained.
"Who was running the Aoiya when it first started?"
"Nenji Kashiwazaki…he still participates in the operations."
"I see." John sat back. "So where do I come in?"
"I propose a trade. Your sailors can stay at the inn for a generous rate while they rest for their next journey."
The American studied him carefully. "Give you guaranteed business."
"Exactly." Aoshi gestured to another sheet he had spread out onto the table. "If you look at the rates for local hotels…very few offer a special rate for transportation employees. And those that do…much larger than the amount I had in mind."
"What happens in the event your inn is full for the night? What will happen to the sailors then?"
"The manager will have a schedule. He will know exactly how many from your company will be arriving, and set aside several rooms for you. Your company saves money for lodging, and mine always has a guaranteed amount of business. This can also apply to the Aoiya in Kyoto, should you decide to have a fleet there as well."
John nodded before smiling slightly. "Before I have my lawyer draft a contract…what would you consider a fair rate…?"
~
"He seemed to like you, Aoshi-sama," Misao declared once they left the mansion. "So…open-minded."
Aoshi nodded in agreement, listening as Misao talked about the dog and the games she played while Aoshi had been in his meeting. He learned long ago that Misao did the talking mostly because she enjoyed freely expressing herself. She didn't expect him to reply.
"Would you like to see the site of the new inn?" he asked once Misao stopped speaking.
At Misao's affirmative gesture, he turned slightly and led the way up a slight hill which overlooked the bay. The walk was short from the main road, and Misao looked in nearly every direction as they made their way to the top. When Aoshi stopped at a stretch of dirt field, he indicated with his hand that they had arrived.
Misao surveyed the land for several moments before smiling. "This is it?" She walked forward.
"Careful," Aoshi warned. "The architect has already begun to dig up some of the land to build its foundation."
Misao circumvented the marked holes and ditches so she could look down at the city below. Aoshi followed, not missing the sharp intake of breath she released at the view.
"This is beautiful!" she exclaimed, turning to him. "Aoshi-sama…where did you find this?"
"On one of my trips to Tokyo," he answered.
"What made you decide Yokohama?" she pressed.
He paused for a brief moment. "I saw an opportunity and took it." Then he added after a moment, "For some time I've been thinking of expanding the business."
"I…I know," she admitted. Then she said, "Jiya told me that…you've…been busy. It…It sounds like a wonderful project, Aoshi-sama…" She paused. "So how much of this are you going to see over the next few years..?"
~
Three months later, the inn at Yokohama was well under construction. If possible, it seemed that the Aoiya was busier than usual. Aoshi had already begun expanding the size of the inn. It was a little inconvenient for overnight guests, but for the most part, the community supported their expansion.
Misao had been busy, helping Okina run the Aoiya. There were times she was too occupied to bring him his usual tea. But he had no complaints. Misao was growing up, taking more responsibilities. She had also taken to building a network of informants across the country. Any time Aoshi had to provide input on what he had done as okashira had been received willingly. He noticed that she seemed less…attached to him as well. Now…she was so busy she lessened the four visits to his office to one a day.
Himura and his wife had written to Misao, announcing the birth of their child, with a promise to visit when the child was old enough for the travel. Jiro had also written to himself and Okina, telling them about his students at the university. It had been quite a while since they last heard from him.
Aoshi closed his book after making the final report for the day. The sun was setting early this winter season. Omasu had come in just an hour ago, to deliver tea as well as letters addressed to him. He picked up several envelopes that occupied the corner of his desk. Most of them were from customers writing about the excellent services they received. Another…the familiar handwriting caused something inside of him to falter.
It had been three months since he last saw Takani Megumi. When was the last time she had contacted him? Not since her visit to Kyoto. After the incident in Aizu, they had exchanged very few and brief letters since then. But she had never bothered to mail anything once she left that small village by the train tracks. He was a busy man, and he had the suspicion that she was quite occupied herself. He opened the envelope and unfolded the letter:
Aoshi,
I hope you are doing well. Kaoru tells me that you've already begun building a new inn in Yokohama, news from Misao, no doubt. I wish you the best of luck.
It seems that everyone is going through some life change. Kaoru just had a child. You have your business. I've been selected to serve as an advisor for the medical staff at the university…a position I refused at first. But my brother encouraged me to accept. I now consider it a gift…the ability to not only help my patients, but other doctors as well. Also…my brother is getting married. You are invited to the celebration, as his enclosed invitation indicates.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
~ Megumi
He picked up another folded piece of paper, written in Kei's writing, requesting his presence at his wedding party. So he was marrying his assistant.
Aoshi quickly placed a sheet of paper on his desk, brush in hand. And had no thoughts whatsoever. No idea what to say in his letter. His letters to her had always been very short and to the point. He only sent her a few. But each one always had something important to say. Besides congratulating her on her new job, and Kei's wedding, what else could he say that she didn't already know? And furthermore…why did it matter to him what he had to say?
~
Megumi pulled her cloak tighter around her slender frame to block the chill from the air, quickly retrieving the letters that had been placed in her mailbox. She held them against her chest as she walked back home, smiling to acquaintances who passed by.
Once inside, she filed through them, stopping at the sight of Aoshi's precise handwriting. Her breath caught in her throat as anticipation coursed through her.
What was she doing? Why did the sight of a friend's letter make her seem so…unlike…herself? It wasn't as if he had never written to her before. She frowned slightly. Perhaps it was all these wedding preparations…seeing Kei and Ayu so happy and obviously in love…caused something to twinge inside of her. She was happy for her brother. She truly was. Ayu was a wonderful assistant and confidante. She was loyal and generous. But Megumi felt as if something was slipping away from her…
Shaking her head, Megumi opened Aoshi's letter, surprised as she read the words, at her own ability to hear his voice in her head.
Sensei,
My offer still stands. But I do respect your and your brother's wishes to remain in Aizu. Congratulations on your position with the university. Experience has taught me you have much to contribute to their medical department.
Also, congratulations on receiving a new family member. I will be in Aizu for the wedding as well.
~ Aoshi
Direct, sincere, and to the point. Megumi smiled.
~
Aoshi was fairly surprised that Megumi wrote back. Considering her new employment along with running the clinic…
Aoshi,
I've spoken to my brother, and he is declining your offer. He feels Aizu is the perfect place for he and my soon to be sister-in-law to settle in and raise a family. They're starting to discuss family now, even though they have yet to wed. And even after their wedding, they still plan to go away for a week, leaving the clinic in my care. As for myself…I am still considering your offer. I enjoy my work, but a part of me feels that I could do more. Given the time that has been used already to build, is it not too late for a physician? Do you even still need one to care for your staff?
~ Megumi
Aoshi might be reading too much into her letter, but she seemed restless. Perhaps the rapid change in her family and professional life weren't going as she had hoped. Still…would a sudden change…such as relocation…ease that restlessness?