Hello, and thank you for waiting. I'm actually giggling happy that many of the reviewers are starting to call our smiling friend Jiro. I like calling him Jiro, too. Makes you feel like a member of a secret cult of Soujirou fans who know another name to call him by. By the way, can you guys suggest a different summary for "Jiro Came to Town"? I have a feeling some people are mistaking this story for AU and Jiro for an original character.
I added "What's Up with Jiro?" at the end of this chapter so you can see how using this nickname started. It's a one-shot mobile phone commercial spoof from the same year Nine Months was made (Egad, I've known Chiki for 2 years already! How time flies!). Hope you like. On to the story.
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Tsubame was angry.
For years she had released deep-seated tension and anger through Yahiko, through watching him flare up about whatever it was she did not like. Everything would then be alright. But this time she had to be angry by herself, because she was angry at Yahiko himself.
She knew from years of experience that he was like that with any man who came along who threatened her in any way. He acted on a protective impulse, that was all. He had always been a hot-headed boy. Nonetheless, Jiro-san had no intentions to hurt her! Yahiko's flareup against her new friend was uncalled for. Yahiko was just jealous, and he had no right to be jealous.
True, at first she thought she would just tease him a bit, about having this new suitor that she actually liked for once, and make him just a bit jealous. But now that she knew Jiro-san a lot better, she was starting to see Jiro-san in a different way. He was no ordinary suitor, not anymore. He was quickly becoming a close friend. Yahiko had no right to threaten a close friend.
As a result, Tsubame did not talk to the young trainer the rest of that day, and the next day.
The poor trainer took it hard, and it showed in the kendo lessons. The little kids and young teenagers who were his students knew that he was strict, sometimes more than the head teacher. But even they found it odd how irritable he was.
"Sensei had a fight with her girlfriend!" the students in the classes whispered.
"Yeah, I saw it!" one boy added. "It was at the Akabeko. He called Jiro-san some bad names! Tsubame-san got really mad!"
"Why would Sensei get mad at Jiro-san? He's such a nice person. He makes me paper planes!" a girl chimed in.
"He's jealous, that's what it is!" one of the older boys spoke with authority.
Yahiko hated to admit it, but the students………..did have a point.
Especially when one of the older boys would talk that "I do wish Jiro and Tsubame end up together, don't you?", then the others would nod.
"What's the matter with Sensei marrying Tsubame-san?" one student defended.
"Tsubame-san's too nice for Sensei! He needs somebody who can stand up to him. Someone like Himura-sensei," referring to Kaoru. "Jiro-san is just the right kind of guy for her: thoughtful, considerate, QUIET!"
It was disheartening to listen to. Because the kids………….did have a point.
The poor young man could not believe how fast gossip can spread. By the end of the second day, everyone who was a student of the Kamiya dojo had heard about the little spat between Jiro and Yahiko. Some had even gone to the Akabeko and gotten the scoop from Tae. The children took sides, usually the same side as their parents. Some had seen Jiro-san while visiting their parents at work, and they had been smiled upon and assisted with pull toys and paper planes. These children, of course, supported Jiro. The others had not met Jiro personally, and were more familiar with the fondness between their teacher and the pretty waitress. They knew that beneath Yahiko's brusque manner was a deep admiration for her. They wanted him to win in the end. These were the same children who shooed away any of Tsubame's potential suitors, or the ones who helped Tae in her schemes to get him beyond friendship.
But never mind all that.
What bothered Yahiko the most was this: Why did Tsubame take Jiro's side?
She did not even speak up for him to Jiro. She just got mad that Jiro had been threatened. It had not been like that before. She always apologized for him. And in the end, she would admit that he was right. But not this particular time.
He began to scan through his schedule. Could he have been at the Akabeko more often? Had he been so busy at the dojo that Tsubame was already feeling slighted? What could he have NOT done, just to be with her?
He sighed. Nothing could be done about the schedule. But at least, he would apologize. And when he did, it would be in style!
He had some savings left. He would give her a treat, one they had not had for a while. A new Chinese restaurant had opened in Tokyo. He figured he had enough money for a nice dinner and a little carriage ride. He would check the prices tomorrow, and then tell her that same day. Kaoru had given him the day off that Saturday, so it would be perfect time to be with her.
It would be a warning to Jiro. He was still serious about her.
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"I am really sorry you had to meet Yahiko that way, Jiro-san," Tsubame said, the next day after the meeting of rivals. "He's not usually that confrontational…….."
He visited during the Akabeko's closing hour, an hour he was sure by now that Myoujin would not be around. Jiro gave her a happy but blank grin. "It's alright, really, Tsubame-san…….."
"Just Tsubame, Jiro-san!" Tsubame giggled.
"Just Jiro, as well………..Tsubame," the young man chuckled back and smiled again, non-commitedly and blankly.
His eyes still had that flare she saw yesterday during the confrontation. It made Tsubame frown and cross her arms.
"Something the matter?" he asked.
"Yes, with you," she answered. "You give such a happy smile and say that what happened yesterday was no problem. But your eyes tell me otherwise. You look like you still want to give Yahiko a punch or two."
"Really?" he grinned a little wider and scratched his head. "Well, maybe I do want to give him a piece of my mind, but not too badly."
"That is not my point, Jiro!" Tsubame placed her hands over her hips. "Why don't you show people what you really feel?"
"Force of habit, sorry," was all he said.
"Anyway, please forgive Yahiko," she said again.
"If you say so, Tsubame, I will," he answered, and this time his eyes showed that all was forgiven.
He quietly mopped the restaurant floors with a distant look, while the women wiped the tables and cleaned the kitchen. When he was finished, he kept the mop and waited patiently for Tsubame to emerge from the kitchen. She gave her thanks for his help, and asked why he had not left yet.
"I had been meaning to ask………." He began.
"Ask away," Tsubame encouraged.
He kept tapping a foot on the floor. "Yuan-san – myboss – he has tickets to a play. It was given to him by an associate. He does not want to use them, so he gave them to me. Would you…………would you be interested? And go with me?"
She looked well into his eyes, and checked if she heard right. For once he was not smiling his blank smile. His face was earnest, and hopeful.
"Yes, I'll go with you," she said.
He first looked surprised, then grateful. He beamed on her. "Will Saturday be alright?"
"Of course," she replied, with a deep blush.
"Saturday, then." he said, and waved goodbye.
Her hands got clammy. Jiro had just………..Jiro had just…………..asked her out!
…………………………………………..
After getting angry, Tsubame got anxious.
Sometime between being on air from Jiro's invitation and a sudden influx of worried kendo students, she realized that she had been forgetting about Yahiko lately. Students had been coming to the Akabeko reporting that Yahiko looked quite miserable the past few days. A few teenagers had actually begged, "Please, Tsubame-san! Make up with Sensei! Otherwise he'll keep asking us for a hundred sword strokes, each!"
Maybe he did have a right to be angry at Jiro, after all. She finally gave in, and visited the Kamiya dojo near the end of the final kendo classes of the day, armed with a bento box in a basket.
She found him waving at the last of the students when she arrived. As she approached the practice area, she saw him place his shinai on the wall with the rest, then flop down on the floor with a sigh. He brightened considerably when he looked up, and saw her.
"Are you still mad at me?" Yahiko asked frankly.
Tsubame shook her head, and handed the box to him.
He smiled at her, opened the box and popped the nearest maki roll he found into his mouth. "The guy just got to me, being so annoyingly sweet and all, when he was the one stalking you…………And those eyes! They were piercing, didn't you notice?"
She placed her hands on her hips. "He was NOT stalking me, Yahiko! He was just too worried the first few days about coming over………."
"Anyway, I'm really sorry. It won't happen again." He patted her shoulder with a twinkle in his eye. "Unless, of course, Jiro starts it first……."
"Yahiko!"
"Just kidding!" and he popped some sushi in.
She was not amused, and showed him so.
"Hey, stop being so glum, alright?" Yahiko said. He paused for a bit, scanned her from top to bottom, and asked, "What do you think about us going to that new fancy restaurant? Saturday? I have to make it up to you."
This was not good.
Yahiko had just asked for a dinner alone with her, just like that. It was his way. It has always been like that, with no frills and fancy words, and Tsubame preferred it that way. Still, from experience, she knew. This was Yahiko asking for a date. To agree would be special to him. To refuse would be devastating.
But surely he would understand if she refused, just once? It was Jiro's first time to ask her out. Surely Yahiko would understand, surely!
As she looked back at his expectant gaze, the words she had to say came very, very slowly. "I'm sorry, Yahiko, but I can't."
He lowered the next piece of maki. "Why……….why not?" the young man asked.
"Why don't we go some other day, Yahiko?" she faltered. "I had………..other plans for that day."
"But it CAN'T be any other day, Tsubame! I'll be busy!" The disappointment in Yahiko's face tore at Tsubame's heart.
"I'm sorry, Yahiko………..really." She lowered her head and looked away.
Yahiko soon felt it. "You have a date with Jiro."
She kept her averted gaze. "Yes."
Yahiko was silent for a few seconds, clenching and opening a fist beside him. Finally he looked up at her, and smiled. "Sure. Have a good time, Tsubame." He sighed, and closed the bento box.
Tsubame moved a bit closer. "If not next week, maybe the week after that? Or right now?"
He kept a brave face. "Don't worry about it. We'll go some other time."
"I'm really, really sorry, Yahiko……….." Tsubame kept bowing and apologizing.
"Stop that, before I get mad at you or at that mask-face friend of yours again." He stood, tossed his head, and started walking, motioning her to follow. "Come on, I'll take you home."
Silence was maintained as they walked. Both wanted to keep to their own thoughts. But Tsubame felt Yahiko's disappointment with every step. It was not Jiro's fault things were like this, neither was it Yahiko's. She wanted to tell him that, but did not know how.
She took his hand, and held it as they continued walking home. He did not resist, but he did not look at her either.
When they stopped at the Akabeko, she did not let go. She tiptoed, and gave him a little peck on the cheek.
"You're my best friend, and I love you, Yahiko."
Yahiko did not know anymore if he believed her.
………………………EXTRA: "What's Up with Jiro?"…………………………………………
Everyone wants to meet Jiro.
"Jiro-kun! I'm so glad you're at my party!" a happy birthday celebrant in Kyoto exclaimed one summer night.
"Oh, you're very welcome! I'll do anything for a friend!" he responded.
The ballroom is packed with people, mostly teenagers and young adults, friends of the celebrant. The guest called Jiro is flanked right and left.
"Jiro-kun! Could I have your address please? I want to write you!" another girl begged.
"Of course, and may I have yours?" he sweetly asked.
"WAIII! Of course you can have it, Jiro-kun!"
Everyone wants to be with Jiro.
"Oh, come on, Jiro! Dance with me, please!" One young woman with a beautiful kimono implored.
"No, he dances with me!" An arrogant young woman pulled him to herself and locked her arm around his.
"One at a time, ladies, one at a time!" He beamed at both of them. "I'll have time for you both, alright?"
Other girls nearby simply dreamed about him. "Oh, just to be noticed by him would make me happy for a lifetime! Such a nice guy, and such a great dancer!"
"You said it, sister! He has the best footwork in all of Kyoto!"
The object of their affections was all over the dance floor, changing gracefully from polkas to waltzes without breaking a sweat. He was thoroughly enjoying himself. He relished the sight of so many people surrounding him. The people in turn enjoyed the sight of his cheerfulness and his fervor.
"Anybody know his full name?" One young lady asked.
"I don't think so," someone replied. "I don't care! He's just Jiro, and that's fine with me!"
Everybody wants to be like Jiro!
"Jiro!" A young man tapped him on the shoulder. "Man! You were awesome on the dance floor! Maybe you could teach me some of your moves!"
"Footwork, my friend, just footwork," he replied with a happy smile.
"Jiro-kun! Do you have my address already?" another young man asked him.
"Oh, yes! I have it right here!" and he brought out a compendious address book. "Can store 1000 names and addresses," he displayed it proudly and grinned.
"Oh, great! Thanks, Jiro-kun! Please write, pretty please! I'd like to know more about your dancing techniques!"
"My pleasure!"
What's with Jiro?
"Jiro-san! Have you heard about the party next week?" A friend asked as the night wore on.
"Really? Where?" he cheerfully asked.
"At the town square! Lots of dancing, too! You coming?"
"Um, anou, I'm not too sure yet," he scratched his black-blue hair with a sheepish smile. "I'll tell you what, I'll just try to tell as many people as I could for you, alright?"
"You'll do that for me?"
"Why not? I'll look them up in my address book, easy!" and he proudly displayed the thick book again.
"Thanks, Jiro-san! You're a pal!" He patted his shoulders in appreciation.
"You're welcome!"
Then he looked at a nearby clock. "Oh, I'm so sorry, but it's getting very late and I have to go now." He apologized with a beaming smile to the birthday girl.
"Aw, Jiro-kun! Can't you stay a little longer? We have one more dance for you!" The celebrant begged.
"I'm really very sorry, Mi-chan, but I really must go. I promise to write, I have your address!"
And with the speed of light, he was gone.
He reached a large mansion at the foot of Mount Hiei as the sun rose through the rice fields. The guards quietly let him in through the gates. He then sneaked into the main hall and breezed up the stairs with silent, lightning feet. He quickly opened the door to his bedroom and tiptoed in.
"SETA SOUJIROU!"
"Y-Y-Yumi!" the Tenken jumped and lost his plastered smile for a millisecond in surprise.
"Where have you been all night, you little rascal!" The geisha demanded. She was seated on an armchair next to his bed.
"Just out, Yumi! Don't worry! I didn't kill anyone!" Soujirou vaguely explained with a huge grin.
"Have you lost your sanity, Soujirou!" Yumi continued. "Shishio-sama asked several times last night for you. He wanted to clarify a few things with you before he started the operation! Henya, Iwanbou, Kamatari, Saitsuchi and Fuji have already mobilized toward the center of Kyoto. Only Anji, Usui, and Aoshi are left.You know as well as I do that Battousai is coming, and that you are the last line of defense! How DARE you leave his side at this time! What if he and his company attacked last night!"
"Oh, come on, Yumi, it's not that bad," he tried to console her.
"Yes, it is! Shishio-sama should not be made to fight Battousai anymore! Battousai should die at your hands! How do you expect to fight him at your fullest capabilities, if you haven't slept a wink yet!"
"That's why I'm going to bed now," Soujirou gave a happy smile and escorted –well, pushed—Yumi out the door.
"Oooooooooh, of all the members of the Juppon Gattana, you exasperate me the MOST!" Yumi marched off to her love with full steam.
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Yikes, the expectations about the characterization of both guys are mounting! I hope I do live up to them. Also, people are starting to take sides! Yup, I need both tough critics and loyal fans, to keep me happy and to keep me grounded. Do keep the suggestions coming. Great suggestions made White and Black come out really nice, I hope the same happens here. Again, thanks for reading!
Maeko – Nohara – It's already been 8 years, so Kenshin should correctly be calling his wife by just her name more often now, right? 8 ) Disappear? Just for finals. Shishio? I liked him best in Japanese, where his voice is almost dreamy and quite emotional (in a good way). I finally understood what Yumi saw in that guy. Unpredictable? Thanks a lot! My work like the original? Yipes! I guess it helps that I've been seeing the show at least once a year for the past 6 years on television, in any one of 3 languages even. Don't think too far off yet, ok? I do have the general layout in my head, but I haven't mapped out the details.
Pnaixrose – Thanks for telling me I'm not alone. 8 )
Junyortrakr – Wow, I'm getting longer responses from you! My sympathies about the problems.
Chiki – Just type up the song you have in mind, so you don't have to sing. I'm not forcing you to read White and Black.
MK zantaz – Wow. Tough suggestions, but really good ones. More characterization on the whole for both guys. I'll see what I can do. I unfortunately do better in writing dialogue than description, that's why it feels short, besides the fact it probably is rather short. Thanks for being one of the tough critics.
WhiteRabbit5 – Thanks for liking the confrontation and the meeting of Sou-chan and Ken-nii-chan.
Zezura – Sorry for missing you in the last review replies. Thanks for reading, and thanks for liking.