A quick note about the following. Any disrespectful terms towards Marie (Moe-chan) are only in the mind of the Narusegawa in this story.)
Teisu (.net)
Love Hina
Part 3
Motoko's Dilemma
The Living Doll
"When did you start doing laundry, Motoko-san?" Keitaro glanced at the pile of laundry she was sorting and started to walk around.
"Ah no..." Shinobu looked pained.
"The dress! He might see it. He might think..." Motoko recoiled at the thought. "Moe-chan has been in his family for generations!"
"Urashima-senpai." Motoko assumed a polite but firm stance. "The ladies' personal effects are not to be viewed casually." She indicated the underwear she was sorting.
"Oops. Sorry," Motoko nodded as he quickly exited and closed the door.
"Thank you, I thought he might see the dress." Shinobu sighed.
"Carefully put it away, with plenty of moth crystals. We need to inquire from some special people how to deal with cleaning it."
Shinobu carefully boxed the garments, sprinkling the white crystals on top of the ancient garment. The wool leggings were slightly frayed.
The lace undergarments were yellow. The red velvet was dark, most likely due to the colors used to dye it, and very dusty.
"It was very unlikely that the garment was ever intended to be washed." Motoko surmised. "Do you have a dress that Moe can wear? She is a little shorter than you, but about your build."
"Yes, I'll give her one of mine, there is also a box of clothes from previous guests and tenants that never claimed them. I'll check and see if I can find a few things." Shinobu brightened.
"Let's go! Shinobu exclaimed.
"Where?"
"To get a bath, Motoko-baka." Shinobu colored, realizing what she had said, and dashed out the door.
(Note: Baka when referring to girls, can also denote young and cute as well as stupid or silly. I think I made a pun!)
"Wait for me!" Motoko hurried after her.
"Uhh," Motoko colored as she observed Moe naked, attempting to wash her own back. Her figure was formidable and her skin flawless except for the beauty mark on her face.
"Ques que c'est?" Moe enquired. "Nan desu ka? What is it?"
"Japanese is fine." Motoko answered. " Generally, we bathe wearing these bathing garments. Bathing naked is usually done with family members or those with close families, or intimate friends.
"I see, so I should bathe naked with Keitaro-kun." The girl nodded as she accepted the garment. She watched carefully as Motoko washed Shinobu's back, the garment held to her front, covering her modesty.
Shinobu blushed, and looked down with embarrassment. "Well, not exactly."
"Pour quoi? Sorry, I need to pay more attention. Why is that?" Moe looked puzzled. I have known Kei-kun since he was about 10, his father,
his grandfather and his great-grandfather." I think that should make us both close and intimate."
"You're next." Motoko held Moe's soapy washrag. Moe imitated what she had just seen, opening the back of the garment and holding the front to her chest. "Firmly and gently." Motoko instructed. "The soak comes after the wash. The hot pool is to open the pores, heal and relax the body. Never enter the spring without washing thoroughly first."
Motoko turned and offered her back to Moe.
"Very nice touch." Motoko thought as her back was thoroughly scrubbed.
Finishing the soapy wash, the cold rinse caused everyone to gasp.
"One more bucket to make sure the soap is rinsed." Motoko poured the bucket across Shinobu, another on Moe and flipped another on herself so that she was completely rinsed.
"Now, we enter the pool." Motoko fastened the wrap around herself and carefully and gingerly entered the steaming hot spring.
"It is too hot!" Moe cried, pulling back her foot. "How can you stand it!" She watched as Shinobu also entered the pool.
"Over on the left side next to the large rocks is about 5 degrees cooler." Suggested Motoko.
"I think I can stand it." Moe grimaced at first, then slowly and carefully eased in. "Ah, I am beginning to understand. Clean the outside, then clean the inside!"
Shinobu nodded as the three were quiet, listening to the gurgle of water in the spring.
"When does Kei-kun take his bath? I would like to wash his back for him." Moe offered.
"He uses the men's bath." Motoko squirmed, realizing what was coming next.
"I see, he uses the men's spring, and one of the gentlemen here washes his back for him." Moe concluded.
Shinobu looked terribly hurt and began to cry. Motoko's eyes began to run as well.
"I don't understand what I said to hurt you." Moe exclaimed.
"Lessons in life are not earned without some discomfort." Motoko sighed. "I will show you the men's bath." He bathes alone, in a standard bathing room and tub. And to show my respect for him, I will begin to wash Senpai's back, as a promised one should." Motoko bowed reverently to the living doll. "I now understand why you assumed human form, to teach us."
"Yes, and if he rejects you, to become his bride instead, and bear his children."
"I thought so." Motoko stared hard at her rival. Shinobu looked at the pretty face and well-proportioned body, and then glanced away dejected.
"Now that we understand each other," Motoko said. "What shall we call you?"
"Keitaro-san would be frightened if you used my nickname." I don't have a true name other than the name of the daughter of my builder.
"Marie Encriver".
"You wouldn't know her middle name would you?"
"Olivier."
"It figures!" said Motoko
"Sounds like a good idea, but wouldn't they mind you using it?"
Shinobu objected.
"It's been a hundred years. Shinobu. Baka." Motoko returned the gentle insult.
"Oh! I guess not." Shinobu fell silent.
"Everyone here pays for the room, meals and bathing privileges. Except Shinobu, who earns her keep by doing the cooking and the laundry."
Keitaro-kun allows Mutsumi-san to eat breakfast and bathe, because she is a relative, and patient study partner.
"What about that violent girl Naru?"
Motoko realized that Marie (I will drop the Moe for a while now!) had left off the honorific.
"Naru-san pays her rent like the others." Kaolla-chan is royalty, we accept her country's money, but it is almost impossible to exchange for yen, so we usually think of her purchases as gifts. Mostly, we buy the bills back from the local merchants, so they will keep honoring them. "She is a innocent child, so we don't want to hurt her feelings."
Marie nodded. "I should have my first month's rent by the end of this week!"
"I am sure the Senpai will agree to that." Shinobu spoke again.
- - - -
"Bon Jour."
"Bon Jour Mademoiselle!" The manager looked up at the well-dressed young lady.
Je m'appellee Marie, Marie Encrivez, et vous?
He was overjoyed to hear his native tongue being spoken so fluently.
He hastily got up and introduced himself. Welcome to the Bank of Zurich, Tokyo Branch. How may I help you?
"Please, may we go somewhere private, this concerns a numbered account." Marie requested. The manager smiled. Numbered accounts were quite frequent and not the big deal they once were, but for the sake of appearances, he relented and ushered her to a corner office. "Do you wish a lady to wait on you?"
Marie nodded, acknowledging his concerns for her reputation. "Please close the door, this is business." The manager did not tell her about the video camera above his desk recording his actions but not revealing the customer's.
"This account has not been used for about 80 years, according to my records." I have full knowledge of the codes used to access it."
"Not a problem. But why so long? Not that it is any of my business!"
he quickly explained.
"The money was to be used only in the case of emergency. With the death of my mother and the end of the insurance money, I have to draw on the funds to live and finish my education."
"So where are you staying?"
"In the little town of Hina at the Hina Inn. I have to pay some sizable debts, but it should be less than 5% of the balance."
The manager logged on to the system and set up a receiving account.
Turning the console so that he could not see the screen, he presented the keyboard to Marie. She carefully typed the account number and the variable password corresponding to the desired amount and the date.
Marie nodded that she had completed the steps.
Turning the screen back, the manager filled in his name, title and struck the enter key.
"Please wait."
"Password accepted."
"Account validated."
"Inactive account activated."
"Interest calculated."
"Amount validated."
"Exchange rate accessed."
"Transfer started."
"Transfer complete."
"The printer spit out a transaction record, which he handed the original and copy to Marie. Take these to the cashier and they will take care of you."
Marie hesitated.
"Do you wish to open a checking account?"
"Yes, and I wish to also transfer a million yen to the Hina Bank."
"A million?"
The manager glanced at the record in her hand. "Ten million yen!"
"I have not set up an account there. I will need a letter of introduction to the bank there, then another to the French Ambassador so I may secure a French passport, and a letter of credit. I also need to set up a currency exchange for a small nation, Here is a sample of the currency."
"Sit down young lady, I have some work to do."
- - -
Marie clutched the purse containing the precious items closely.
Making her way down embassy row, Marie entered the embassy grounds.
Approaching the guard, and showing her letter of introduction, she asked to see the secretary.
"Your parents?" My father was from France, my mother never told me his name, Mama died a few years ago. She had asked to be cremated. I graduated from the Catholic High School here in Tokyo."
The ambassador grimaced. "Two months ago, the terrible fire, and such a waste, all the records lost."
Turning back to Marie, he prodded further. "Your diploma?
"The movers lost my trunk of papers, but I retained the Swiss bank account."
The identity story was flimsy on the face of it, but if an international bank acknowledged the person and wrote a letter of introduction, then the story was quite credible. Plus, the person spoke like a native.
"Did your mother tell you anything about Paris?"
"Yes, the little cafe across from la place de la Concorde, where she met my father, served the finest croissants and cafe au lait. They would enjoy their breakfast together and slip into a nearby hotel known to lovers and enjoy each other almost every day."
The Ambassador believed the story, he himself entertained his now wife at the old cafe, and remembered the friendly concierge who waited on them at the tiny hotel nearby.
"Mama danced for a while at the Moulin Rouge. She showed me some of her dance steps."
"Did you learn them?"
"Oh, yes. Would you like to see?
"But of course!"
The young lady hiked up her dress and began to sing the can-can!
The leg was raised pivoting, with the knee bent, then the other leg was displayed in a similar manner. Then the show of her lace underwear and a brilliant smile thrilled the ambassador. The high kicks were being expertly done. Her felt his pulse quicken and the blood rush to his face. He began to cheer, the staff heard the commotion and peeked in only to begin cheering themselves!
Then it was over.
"Magnificent!" he yelled. "You are truly a child of France!" he exclaimed. "Only a true woman of France can dance the can-can like that! I will take care of your claim personally!"
He signed and handed the interview form to his secretary.
She escorted Marie to a small room and took her picture for the passport.
She smiled at Marie. "Enchanting!"
"Merci!"
- - - "I understand that you know a cute, young blonde lady that presents money like this." Marie held up a bill with the three-eyed elephant on its face.
"It's worthless. Her friends buy it back, eventually," the shopkeeper smiled, Her purchases are small, so it doesn't hurt our business too badly. And she truly believes that it is money, so I and the other shopkeepers don't complain."
"I am staying at the Hina Inn, now." Marie announced to the man.
"Oh, I see! How much do you want to redeem? A thousand, a hundred,
maybe fifty yen?"
"All of it."
"I must have about fifty thousand in my petty cash box." Hold on. They aren't yen, but it's what we decided they were supposedly worth never having seen one of these before. She gives us denominations of 100,
500 and 1000 of these notes. We have no problem with the lower ones,
but we shudder on the larger ones.
"Shudder no longer, I will buy them all from you. You may call your fellow shopkeepers. I will be at the Hina Inn."
Marie pulled a wad of bills from her purse and the shopkeeper's face lit.
"Wait right here!" He instructed as he dashed for the back.
"Sorry!" The shopkeeper apologized, I didn't realize that I had that much."
"One hundred ten thousand yen." Marie counted the bills into the man's eager palm."
- - - The next day Marie dutifully rode the train into Tokyo. She made out the deposit slip, "Three hundred thousand Su-dollars."
The small diamond-mining nation had officially locked its currency to US dollars. Conceivably, they could lock it to any nation's currency and it would still be honored on the international currency trading market.
The bank manager bowed politely as the young lady entered. "Please deposit this back to my numbered account." Marie requested.
"Right this way!" The manager set up the deposit. Marie entered the account number and the manager entered the amount of Su-dollars less the bank's commission of one-half percent. Converted at the given exchange rate, the money was back in Switzerland as Swiss francs.
"Easy to put in, not so easy to get out!" He smiled.
"Thank you, I will have several more large deposits of Su-dollars in the coming weeks then small ones at intervals of one month, about 100,000 dollars a month."
Marie had set up a desk in her room. The line of people out the door was clear down the steps as Marie counted out the yen in exchange for Su's money. Shinobu acted has her receptionist. After discovering that Shinobu would not announce rude people who cut in line, the cue settled down.
Young men checked around for the unusual bills. Asking at restaurants, local markets, movie houses, even with cab drivers. The lady was a stunning beauty as well as practically giving money away!
"Marie-san." Keitaro cautioned. "I have no problem with what you are doing, but you should consider your own needs as well. If you spend all of your money buying Kaolla's scrip, what will you have to live on?"
"My dearest Kei-chan." Marie smiled affectionately. "I am well aware of my resources, and am able to do this. Everyone is happy, Kaolla's money is now accepted, you and your friends are not burdened with it.
Thank you for your concern."
"You mean it's all right to exchange some myself?"
"Naturally. Everyone, including Kaolla."
"Where did you get that?" The cabdriver had presented a ten thousand Su note.
"I accepted it for a taxi ride. My daughter told me that you were buying them back."
"Anyone I know?"
"Shinobu-chan."
"Here is ten thousand yen."
"And another ten thousand," she whispered, "Should you be so kind to young ladies again, even if it is Christmas Eve!"
"I promise."
Marie pressed the extra note into his hand.
"Another deposit?" The bank manager looked up as the now familiar figure entered the bank with her locked bag. He had been nervous at first with the opening of the ancient account. Several eyebrows had been raised in Zurich, the transaction had been scrutinized, but validated and re-validated without finding any hint of wrongdoing,
even the videotape had been pulled and his actions checked during the transaction. However, no one asked for the name of the client or even a description of the client. The bank guaranteed anonymity, and to now start questioning its customers without any evidence of wrongdoing would invalidate the entire premise of the numbered account.
The unusual currency made him nervous at first, but as the weeks went by and the money made its way to the island's national bank and was verified, he could now accept the currency without reservation.
"One million eight hundred thousand and 50 Su-dollars!"
The manager smiled as Marie entered the numbered account and sent the bulk of the money back to Switzerland.
Marie checked the balance on the numbered account, she would not soon use it again. She had returned all of the money plus twenty percent.
It was very sad, her builder's family had obviously either died or lost the account number and codes for the bank. The bank had honorably kept the money on account. She reminded herself to look any survivors up should the occasion present itself.
Marie checked her new passport carefully and signed it. She was finally an official person with resources and contacts. Her letter of credit was still in order. She had set up another numbered account in Zurich and had over ten million yen on account in Tokyo. There was another two million in Hina, as well. The tiny bank saw the money magically appear in the account. The petite young lady would take it out, then more would appear. It all came from the Tokyo Branch of the Zurich Bank. Several of the tellers knew about her buying the currency, it was speculated that she was a member of the Su Royal House making good on Su-chan's debts. Most people believe this was the case.
"Marie-san?"
"Yes, please don't be so formal. Marie is fine." The pretty young lady walked towards him at the door. She noticed him shake his head and shiver. Are you cold? "No, you just remind me of someone." He turned back to the reason for his visit. "Your timely rent payments and generous terms has helped a great deal with running of the Hina Inn,"
he began. "Um, I have some of Su-chan's money, which I would like to exchange, if it is not too much trouble. I have some repairs to make."
The young man's square glasses slid down his nose as he lowered his head.
"I will be happy to buy it back later, if you want." He quickly added.
"Please sit down." Marie spoke from behind her desk. "It is good business for me to acquire as much of Su-chan's "scrip", as you refer to it, as I can."
"I don't understand."
"That doesn't matter." Marie looked at the young man steadily. "You can rest assured that I am not being injured.
"Well I get 20,000 "yen" a month from Su-chan. Then there's the money I have bought back and that of Su-chan's sister. I have been here for three years.
My grandmother Hina-san accepted the money for three years prior to that. The Su family stayed here often before that as well. I know it's asking for a lot of money, but I will accept whatever you will offer for it." He laid the box on the table.
"I can't give it to you all at once." Marie acknowledged after counting through the massive pile of bills. "50 or 60 thousand yen?"
Keitaro looked at her hopefully.
"No way." Marie answered abruptly.
"Sorry," answered Keitaro.
"It's one million now, and two million three hundred thousand tomorrow." Marie answered warmly, counting out the bills and writing him a check on the Tokyo bank for the balance.
"You may cash or deposit that check at the Hina Bank or if you prefer,
I will bring you the cash tomorrow."
"What are you doing to have that kind of money?"
"It's not a fair question. I am not cheating or injuring anyone. I am not breaking the laws of Heaven or of Man. You are one to ask such a question. What are you doing living in a house full of pretty girls?"
Marie chided him.
"It's sort of an accident."
"How many of them have you seen naked?" Marie pressed herself against him.
"I...Uhh..." The young man flushed bright red. "I see your reasoning."
"Forgive me Marie-san, the check will be fine," he quickly added.
- - -
"Motoko stalked her prey quietly, stealthily, up the hall where it disappeared behind a door.
"I've got you now!" She smiled.
Shaking with anticipation, Motoko knocked on the door.
"Go away, I'm bathing." Keitaro yelled from inside.
"Prepare yourself! I'm coming in!" Keitaro had placed the waist cloth just in time as Motoko opened the door.
"Sorry!"
"For what? Bathing while naked? I wanted to inspect your wounds and check to see how well they have healed." Motoko explained to the embarrassed young man.
"Oh, that's ok, I'm fine now."
"Show me your back!"
"Hai, Motoko-sensei!" The man sat on the washing stool and bent slightly forwards.
Motoko traced the faint scars and then lightly stroked the smooth skin.
"Good! She exclaimed.
"The scarring is minimal, the sun will blend them to the color of the rest of his body in a few months." She thought.
Motoko soaped up a washrag and then wet and began to wash Keitaro's back.
"I am sorry that you have had to bathe alone with no one to talk to,
no sound of the spring to relax you, and no one to touch you." Motoko silenced his protests.
"I was reminded that everyone should have someone to attend his or her bath. Should you wish me to bathe with you, I am willing." Motoko's heart was beating very fast. Do not worry, I will be wearing a bathing garment."
Keitaro said nothing, his face very red.
"Please stand up and allow me to examine the other wounds."
"Thank you." Remembering how she had tended to him as a healer,
Keitaro reluctantly stood up holding the waist cloth. Motoko examined the pink traces of the old wound and smiled.
"Good, you are completely healed."
Motoko removed the black kimono, she was wearing the bath wrap underneath. She sat on the washing stool and motioned for Keitaro to wash her back. She was holding the covering to her chest with one hand and her long braid of black hair with the other. Keitaro gently and firmly washed Motoko's back and handed her the washrag. Sitting and facing away from each other, the two completed the soaping ritual.
Using the hand shower, they took turns rinsing off.
The burner hissed as the bright blue flames heated the large tank.
Finally reaching the correct temperature, the burner shut off.
"Hello, Senpai?" Shinobu's voice was terribly shy. "Would you like me to wash your back or attend your bath?" "Uhh..." Keitaro looked at Motoko. She looked at him calmly. There was no hint of embarrassment.
"Please come in." He responded, "We are getting ready to enter the soak."
"Motoko-senpai." Shinobu nodded at her; Shinobu wasn't shocked. "I will leave." She offered.
"No, there is nothing wrong with three in the bath." Motoko quickly explained.
"I soaped already, downstairs." Shinobu said. "Then I remembered what Mo-marie-san said."
The three entered the tub. "It is a little tight," Keitaro thought,
"but everyone seems to enjoy it."
They could hear the others down in the spring, the wind chime, the rustle of the wind through the leaves. Maybe this wasn't such a bad bath after all.
- - -
"Yes, Shinobu-chan?" The archeologist looked up from examining some of the porcelain fragments on his desk.
"I came across something that might interest you or one of your colleagues."
But it's something that cannot be parted with. "Hmm, a family treasure?" You need an appraisal on a vase? Or where to get a cracked dish mended?
Shinobu opened the box and showed the garment. "Wow." He breathed. "A French party dress from the 1890's complete with leggings." I have only seen old photographs of them. Where did you get it?"
"A friend asked if I could wash this so that she could wear it."
Shinobu explained. "It was so old, I did not want to damage it."
"Most likely dry-cleaning only, however, if I may take the dress apart and make a pattern from it, I will have the garment restored from within my own budget!" The professor smiled.
Shinobu shook her head. "That is something that I can't authorize."
That goes beyond cleaning of the garment."
"Here is a name of a dry-cleaner/restorer that we use to service old clothing."
Seta scribbled out the address and added a brief note of introduction.
"He's very good- and very expensive." Seta warned. "You should get an estimate before he starts!"
- - -
"Ah, Marie-san, the dress you left with me in the laundry the day you arrived here?"
Shinobu peaked in at the young lady going over the ledgers on her desk.
"Please come in," Marie laid a bookmark on the ledger she was writing in.
"I found that it can't be washed, but cleaning it will be expense,
terribly expensive." I found someone who will pay to have it done but wants to take the dress apart first, to make a pattern. Then, there is the theater costumer who wants about 75,000 yen to clean it, fix the holes and repair the frayed cloth!" He refused to simply clean it. I don't know what to do!" Shinobu's eyes filled up.
"It was terribly unfair of me to ask you to take care of it." Marie apologized. But if you will do as I ask, I will be very grateful.
Here is a hundred thousand," Marie unlocked her desk grabbed a stack of bills and efficiently snapped ten crisp notes into Shinobu's hand.
"Bring me the receipt. Keep ten thousand for yourself in payment for your efforts."
Shinobu stared at the amount in her hand, the living doll was an enigma.
The Inn had recently began to show signs of its former glory. Broken and cracked rungs on railings were being replaced, holes in floors were repaired, and inadequate wiring was being replaced. The bare bulbs were replaced with period fixtures. Paintings and calligraphy began to appear in the rooms. The artisans worked under her direction. This was not a quick renovation as Hina-san had done the prior year, but a careful historical restoration. She inspected the work carefully, She did not press the workers, but insisted the work be done correctly, rather than quickly.
Shinobu looked at the young lady, nodding acceptance, and carefully put the money in her wallet.
"Marie-san, where does it come from?"
"A proper wife knows how to run a house." Marie evaded the question and smiled at her. "I get this question all the time."
"What about Keitaro-senpai?" Aren't you taking his job?"
"He still does what he always does; clean the spring, dust the halls,
collect the rent and see to the day to day running of the Inn. His true job is preparing for Tokyo U and meeting his bride there."
"Uh, can you show me how to keep books, too?"
"Of course, I would love the company," Marie smiled.
- - - - - -
Fanf1cFan's note: I've taken the liberty of doing a small amount of spell-checking and such for readability's sake, but changed as little as possible. Any negative impact is my fault and not the author's.