Page 87 of Blossoms of the Heart
And, I was so shocked the only thing I could think to do was slap him.
He was the second man I’d full on bitch slapped in my life.
I didn’t know what was happening to me and I didn’t want to think about it today. Tai had a day off yesterday. I was having one today, and for a good reason too.
Akito was sick with a bad cold and he couldn’t stay here by himself.
Mitsuke had a photoshoot she needed to be at, but wanted to turn down before I stepped in to help.
What was the good of me being here if I couldn’t help in these small ways?
Besides the notes I’d made on the journal had slowed my progress. Just as I suspected it was going to take a while. I’d already had to send off a few request for help from my friends back at the Smithsonian. Straight to the Washington headquarters where they had more resources. I was stuck on the meaning of a few words. When I translated the characters it didn’t make sense.
The date verification on the samurai came back from the antiquities authenticator yesterday. It was agreed that the samurai lived around the early fourteen hundreds.
It didn’t really help me much in the practical sense but maybe helped me piece things together to some extent. They’d verified that the samurai was a general and I came up with the theory that maybe he was on a secret mission.
That was what I was on to last night when Tai interrupted me.
He interrupted and still hadn’t thought to apologize for his behavior towards me.
I spoke to Akito about my findings earlier. Then I went into town to get him some rose tea. When I got back he looked a little better.
He was on his feet and in the kitchen making Umami beef stew.
“Akito I can finish that off for you.”
“No. You’ve done enough and you will not make it like me. This is Rukia’s recipe.” He nodded firmly and smiled. “I appreciate you staying with me today.”
“I’m glad to have stayed. How are you feeling? I was gone for just over an hour you should still be resting.” I placed the box of tea on the kitchen counter.
“I feel much better. I’ll be at work tomorrow. This isn’t the week to get sick. I need to be able to man the place while everyone’s at the cave on Friday. There are two more big projects that I have to tend to on top of this one.”
Yesterday we decided on another trip to the cave. I didn’t need to go but thought I would in case they found something more. They were going to be taking some additional equipment down the path we’d gone to try and see if we could go deeper.
“Akito you work so hard.” He did work hard for a man his age. Not even dad worked as hard as him.
At least he wasn’t going in the caves with us.
“It keeps me going. Come let me show you how to make this. You can show it off to a man more deserving of you one day.”
I smiled at him. That was a nice thought. Being with someone more deserving, like I was something special.
He’d lined up a host of vegetables and other ingredients on the work top. Onion, garlic, carrots, sake and miso.
Looked super healthy.
“Thank you for saying that.”
“Only saying what’s true my dear. You know in my book I have two daughters. Since your father is the same with Mitsuke I think it’s safe to consider yourself with two dads.”
“I already do, otousan.” Father in Japanese.
He looked touched to hear me say that.
I took one of the smaller knives and started chopping the carrots.
“So daughter,” He tilted his head and smiled. “Tai called me three times today to see if you were okay. Imagine my disappointment since I’m the one who’s sick.” He chuckled.
