The thing about animes, is that they never give you an exact location, I would kill to know where Kamiya Dojo and the Akabeko is really. Well, yes they are fictional places, but at least give us the neighbourhood. Mou.

Luckily, the Fujitas were real people, and somewhere along the line, I read that they live in Bunkyo Ward. Considering the fact that both of them taught in TWNS and TNS, this thus, places them in Ochanomizu area, just south of the vicinity of Kanda Shrine and Shihan gakkou (which I suspect is TNS).

This ties in well with the fact that Ochanomizu is that area that cradles Bunkyo and Kanda (now Chiyoda) Ward, thus she's involved in both the world of academics (arts) and politics which both wards represent.

15th November 1885

Dearest cousin Hideo,

I love you, you know that right? They are simply perfect! Even Sakamoto Ryouma would be jealous of these babies. How you managed to get the specifications done beyond my expectations...

Now for the bad news, I appreciate your warning, but unfortunately it came a wee bit too late. Will send you details and the bill tomorrow, once my arm is more co-operative.  As for the missive you sent me to translate, it was for beef stroganoff... Yes, I am serious, it's Russian gyunabe. Will ask Honda to try out the recipe soon. Aside from the importance of how tender beef should be cooked to, it holds no matters of security for the country.

Another thing, I need you to give me more information on one Kazuo Makoto who works at the Chrysanthemum Teahouse. It just hit me that he seems familiar.

Tokio

P.S.: But I love calling you Taishou. Your wife derives a lot of amusement from it. So do I actually... Well, better then kumichou ne?

P.P.S.: I'm not a retard, I'm in Tokyo, why the heck would I telegraph this note? As for previous telegrams, well, until your  P-chan goes on pigeon diet, that's the quickest way to send missives from out of town.

P.P.P.S.: Where on Earth did Yagao-chan find someone like Hotaru-chan? The poor girl is as nervous as a jack rabbit hunted by falcons. Are you sure she's a shinobi?

15th November 1885

Dear Tokio,

The situation is increasing in its complexity. We may have reason to worry that your cover might be compromised. Please take extra caution, I will send another person to back you up soon. Until then, CONSTANT VIGILANCE.

Regards,

Hideo

P.S.:  This note should come with your new babies, I'm sure Honda will make sure it will reach your hands safely.

P.P.S.: Would it kill you to at least address me less informally? I am your cousin not a random yarou with a power trip

P.P.P.S.: Please do not telegram this, you seem to have this unholy pleasure in draining the Kiheitai's fund.

15th November 1885

This mission is starting off very nicely.
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I wish. Some kami out there is out to get me. To think I was sent on a simple 'translation' errand.

To name the few things that happened to me; got soaked to the bone by the rain, ruined kimono no.1, almost got mauled by ecchi men, made to play dress up, got mauled by ecchi gaijins and ruined kimono no.2 (not mine, another to add to the espionage bill).

To top it all off, the important missive needed to be translated, was...
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for beef stroganoff, some Russian gyunabe. Mou.

On the plus side, I now have an adorable assistant- and met an extremely good-looking man. Have yet to decipher his sexual preference, his employer mentioned something slightly disturbing.

I'm glad I got back in one piece. Now to evade Kazuo-sans questions...

14th November 1885, Tokyo

And so it is, I'm back in my city of birth. I never knew Edo Tokyo could change that much. Even my obaa-chan's place is different, it's... lonely. I remember my childhood years, coming here, learning how to be a lady from her, preparing me for court life in Aizu. Sometimes I half expect her ghost to wake me up early in the morning, gently rebuking my tardiness.

She was the only one whoever smiled at me, perhaps to make up for her daughter who only view her children as assets. She was also the only one to remind me that though I am technically under the ownership of the mikado of Aizu, I'm still very much my own person. She taught me how pride is not necessarily a bad thing and that dignity must be upheld

It's empty now- the house, no servants hustling and bustling. No annoying relatives pulling my hair or to play with... All of them gone, they have either fled, died or keeping a low profile. Working in a house with close ties to the Matsudaira family is a dangerous thing during the Bakumatsu. If it wasn't for taishou and Honda, this house wouldn't be standing.

Dear Honda, I knew he would survive-  he is after all, the great yokozuna Akebono. Ever loyal to my obaa-chan, it was his influence and tenacity that kept this place from falling into the wrong hands and disrepair.

I didn't expect him to be here... He has paid his debts more than once over, and I'm not obaa-chan, his beloved okami and surrogate mother. Yet there he was on the gates, bowing low to me and welcoming me home and offering his loyalty and services.

Wouldn't take no for an answer either. I'm glad though, it makes things less lonelier, he's easily more of a father-figure than my chichi ever was.

In all, it's good to be home.

Tokyo, 14th November

These are the events that led this prodigal daughter back (reluctantly) to her city of origin.

14th November

Leaving for Tokyo today, my formerly ex-taishou has once again roped me into the world of espionage. I figured the bafuku has not taught him anything much. I will miss living the normal life. I'm glad Hajime-chan has them sequestered away somewhere safe. Speaking of Hajime-chan, I found a lithograph of him when he joined the police force in Tokyo. He's not very photogenic is he?