Chapter 3
Takashi carried around the two envelopes the rest of the week. It was Friday and he had yet to figure out the clue hidden in the picture of the foot. He used a magnifying glass, cold, heat, black light, but nothing had revealed pertinent information. At the end of his classes, Takashi went to the library to study a bit. He had a quiz the following Monday and needed to make sure he was prepared. He sat down at a table and opened his book while scanning his notes. After five minutes he knew he was doomed. There was no way he was going to be able to study while thinking about the photograph. He exhaled heavily through his nose and gave in, pulling the envelope out of his bag.
He pulled the foot picture out and stared at it. He felt his brain ticking. He thought through every possibility. He knew it was a dojo of some sort. The blue mats gave that away. He focused on that. Maybe he could narrow down the type of martial art. Takashi looked closer at the mat. It was standard, nothing special. His eyes scanned upward and he saw something that helped narrow it down. Blurred and out of focus behind the foot were black ropes outlining the mats. It signified Karate, Judo, Tae Kwon Do, or Muay Thai. It was a fighting ring. Kendo didn't use boundaries that way hand-to-hand combat did. He thought about each individual sport. Tae Kwon Do and Judo were both Olympic sports, Karate and Muay Thai were not.
Mitskuni took the seat next to Takashi, pulling him out of his thoughts.
"Still hung up on that picture, huh, Takashi?" the blonde boy asked.
"Yeah," he said.
"Figure anything out?"
"Yeah."
"What?" Mitskuni leaned closer to look at the photograph.
"Mixed martial arts, it's a ring." Takashi pointed to the black ropes outlining the top portion of the picture.
"Hmm, what kind though?"
Takashi shook his head signifying he didn't know yet. "Do you know any dojos that teach more than one martial art?"
Mitskuni tapped his chin and thought for a moment, "Yeah, actually, isn't there that small family owned dojo in downtown that is always advertising in the papers? I forget the name. It's the one with yin-yang sign and they're always boasting the best masters."
"Ah," Takashi said shortly. "I think I'll visit it."
"You think there's something there?"
"Maybe," Takashi said and put the picture away. He went back to studying, feeling a bit better about working out a detail.
Mitskuni was eating a small pack of cookies while filling out a sheet of calculus problems. Most people didn't know the Haninozuka heir was so smart. They were thrown off by his boyish looks and disposition. Takashi smiled to himself and continued surveying his textbook.
The cousins stayed in the library for almost two hours before heading back to their respective homes.
"What are you going to do this weekend Takashi?" Mitskuni asked.
"I'm going to visit that dojo downtown," Takashi answered. "And you, Mitskuni?"
"Reiko-chan is coming over tomorrow to meet otou-san and kaa-san," he giggled.
Takashi smiled, "She really likes you, Mitskuni."
"I know. I like her a lot, too."
"Good."
Mitskuni smiled at his cousin before exiting the car. Takashi thought about the past week. He was being stalked and had been given a chance to track down a woman who seemed oddly interested in him. It had given him a thrill. He was looking forward to going to the dojo. Maybe he would get a lead and be just a little closer to meeting this woman. He smiled to himself.
"Taka-kun," Satoshi yelled when he stepped out of the car.
"Hey," he said ruffling his brother's hair.
"Otou-san said he needs to see you."
Takashi nodded and entered his home. The entry way was ornately decorated with old Japanese art and Morinozuka heirlooms. He dropped his bag next to the doorway knowing that one of the servants would bring it to his room. He made his way to the back of the house to his father's study. When he opened the door, his father was nowhere to be found. His brow furrowed. Takashi retreated and went to the dojo located in the basement. He opened the door and saw his father sitting patiently in the middle of the room dressed for a kendo match.
"Otou-san," Takashi greeted and bowed.
"Takashi," he answered and gestured with his head toward robes for him to change into.
Without another word, Takashi closed the door behind him and began to undress. He changed into his robes and folded his street clothes. Takashi came to kneel in front of his father. He bowed and when he raised his head, his father was smiling.
"You have matured so much," he spoke. "I am very proud of you."
"Thank you, Otou-san."
"I want to speak with you about your studies for a moment."
"Yes, Sir."
"Are you enjoying your pre-law classes?"
"Yes."
"What do you like about it?"
"I like having a chance to find my individuality."
"How so?" his father asked.
"I do not feel that I am being held back by anything. I am not saying that Mitskuni holds me back," he explained. "I just enjoy having a voice."
Akira grinned at his son and patted him on the head. He sat back and took in the sight of him.
"You are happy," it wasn't a question.
"I am," Takashi smiled back.
"Now, on to other matters, the photographs."
Takashi stiffened.
"Have you learned anything about the sender?" Akira asked.
"Only a little," Takashi answered. "There was a hidden clue that brought me to one bit of information."
"What information?"
"I apparently met her in April," Takashi told his father.
"Ah, anything else?"
"Not yet. I am going to pay a visit to the Shien Dojo tomorrow morning."
Akira cocked his head, "Why?"
"The newest picture, I have figured out was taken in a dojo. One that has a ring for hand-to-hand combat. Shien was the only one I could think of that teaches more than one form of martial arts."
"Hmm, that's a very good deduction," his father said rubbing his chin. "If you don't mind, I would like to have a look at that photograph after dinner."
"Of course," Takashi answered.
There was a pause while his father took a calming breath, "Shall we spar?"
"Yes," Takashi bowed and stood.
The sparred in the style of judo until one of the servants came to inform them that dinner was ready. The two men breathing quite heavily and sweating bowed to each other and exited the dojo. One of the servants down the hall gave them each a wet towel to wipe their faces and then a dry one to hang over the back of their necks. They continued on to the dining room.
"There are my other boys," Takashi's mother smiled as they came in.
"Hello, Dear," Akira bent to kiss his wife on the cheek.
Takashi took his seat next to Satoshi. His brother grinned at him and he ruffled Satoshi's hair in response.
The family began their meal together. Hiromi asked her husband about his day and then turned to her boys. This was their dinner every night, a time to catch up on each other's lives. Takashi felt his heart warm at the thought. Not many families were as close as his.
After dinner, Takashi went to his room to take a shower. The hot water felt good beating against his back. He finished and dried himself off before changing into bed clothes. He pulled a robe over his shoulders. Takashi pulled the picture of the foot out of his bag and hurried down the stairs to find his father. The older man was in the sitting room with his wife. Before entering the room, Takashi watched on for a moment. He watched his father hug his mother just a little tighter and kiss her neck. His mother sighed and leaned into his embrace. Twenty-two years of marriage and they still loved each other more every day.
Takashi cleared his throat before entering the room. His father turned his head to look over the top of the couch. He kissed his wife on the top of her head and got up. He motioned for Takashi to follow. They ended at the study. Akira closed the door when they were both inside. He took the picture out of his son's hands and took a seat behind the desk.
"Hmm, a dojo is definitely a good place to start," he commented. "What made you think Shien?"
"It was the only one I could think of that taught multiple disciplines," Takashi answered.
"That's not entirely true," he answered back. "I would suggest visiting the Kenjoto dojo as well as the Haninozuka's."
"The Haninozuka's?" Takashi asked.
"You forget," Akira paused. "They may be experts in judo as well as karate, but they do teach other disciplines to the public."
Takashi sighed feeling so stupid. "I did forget."
"Follow your gut and visit Shien first, though," Akira said handing back the photograph. "Any idea what you'll be looking for when you get there?"
"No," Takashi answered. "There is nothing in this picture that directs me to something specific."
"Hmm, well, I'm sure you'll know when you see it."
"I suppose."
Akira stood from behind the desk and patted his son on the head. "Good night, Takashi."
"Good night, Otou-san," Takashi answered before heading up to his room for bed. He would sleep on it, and think about his options. He was glad he talked to his father. It helped to have an outside perspective.
He laid in bed, darkness surrounding him, but he couldn't sleep. He stared at the ceiling. Something was bothering him. The fact that she could be leading him to the Haninozuka's dojo bothered him a great deal. He didn't want to have to confront his cousin about that. Takashi sighed and rubbed his hand down his face. He turned over and tried his best to fall asleep.
