I'm finally back from the hospital. I wasn't there for long, honestly, I could have left on Thursday itself, I only have stitches and to be treated for shock, but I just didn't really want to leave Senri. It didn't feel fair. Not after he'd saved my life.

It's my fault he's in there. The car, some drunken driver who died on impact, it was heading for me. If I'd just moved out of the way and reacted instead of frozen... I've been shot at before, how did a car make me freeze up? It's irrational, I know, but I can't help but think that if I'd shut up shop faster, if I'd not frozen...Senri could still be talking.

He's in a stable condition, but in a coma. I don't....I just...

I feel like a failure. I've helped so many other people, but I can't even help my best friend.

So, I'm finally summarizing the India Trip. I was back for a while, but the cafe is busy and Renge had been demanding my attention ferociously. I want to really thank Ishida-san, Kenya-san, Zaizen-san and Senri for looking after Renge while Shinji and I were away, you were all great helps and I am in your debt.

The trip itself was something incredible. Despite the standstill that came about due to rain and the short trip with illness, I enjoyed myself terribly. There's something very different about the air in India, beyond the extra humidity that makes you feel different. Shinji was great company and it was very very enjoyable.

We visited a lot of temples there and it was quite difficult to see, actually. While some of the smaller ones were utterly beautiful and breathtaking, I was somewhat disappointed by how the bigger temples have simply become money-making schemes, intending to rip-off the pilgrims that come and visit. I wonder whether the priests even consider the teachings of their Lords when they are so blinded by money.

The other places we visited were amazing, however. The Taj Mahal is really, quite spectacular to see. For a mausoleum, it's very beautiful. I saw many mosques and many bullock-carts in the road, which is quite an experience, even if they are very slow and halt the already molasses-like traffic! We visited the Gobi Desert and rode on camels, though I think mine liked me a little too much, as he was quite often chewing on my hair whenever we dismounted. Riding elephants through the forest is something absolutely vivid, their power is extraordinary.

And of course, India under the downpour of rain is a wonderful sight. When you aren't attempting to travel through it! The people in smaller towns are also very friendly. I spent most of the trip speaking english, since mostly everybody knows it, but it was nice to learn a few words in the local dialects. Everyone always appreciates the extra efforts of tourists trying to speak the language. Large cities, of course, are out to cheat you out of as much money as possible, but Shinji is very good at detecting how not to get cheated.

All in all, I enjoyed it and would do it again in a heartbeat, if Renge didn't complain so much about me going to have fun without her and if it weren't for the fact that poor Momoshiro would have to deal with all of my work again. It was certainly a ;learning experience, and I thank everyone who made it possible.

A legend died today. One of my icons, Kochiyama Yuri, a humans rights activist of all nationalities in the western world passed away this morning. I was shocked and saddened to hear of it, especially after all the good work that she did. It is rare that even a part-Japanese figure is known in western media for anything other than being cute or being a robotics engineer.

May her next incarnation be peaceful.
( Read more... )

I mentioned it briefly to Renge, and now she's determined to try and find some books about civil rights and activism. I think it may be a little too heavy for her, but I won't stop her.

I've been busier than ever, with business heating up at the deli and the numerous soup kitchens I've been making things for. Still, it's not reason to just completely abandon this place, for which I apologize. I'll try and get Renge to remind me about this, so I don't completely forget.

Yesterday was eventful. There was a gas leak, so I had to evacuate the deli in the middle of the day to make sure that nothing exploded and the gas could sufficiently clear out. The ambulance came around to check people for gas inhalation and luckily, Renge was okay, but I had inhaled some gas, so I spent most of yesterday with an oxgyen mask around the house and a major headache. Deli will still be open today, though. They cleared it for use again, though I have only one working stove.

Shinji, Momoshiro-kun, I think you two can probably take a break for a week. Though for you Shinji, as long as you need. I'll probably only be opening from limited hours, anyway.

-Tachibana

(ooc: Pretend this was posted on Sunday?)

Kenya-san, Zaizen-san, which street was your apartment on? Because Senri's....he's not in a shape to tell me and I can't remember. I would be very grateful. It's getting somewhat dark.

-Tachibana

Renge's been having those random fits more often now. She says strange things in the night and doesn't remember them. I filmed her one night and when she woke up in the morning, even when showed the video, she couldn't remember it happening. I'm convinced that Renge is fully asleep while all this happens.

I did some research after what Yagyuu-san said, and it is a somewhat common phenomenon. But I can't help but wonder what or who she's shouting at. I also wonder why this hasn't happened to her before. I called the orphanage and they said that this hadn't happened to her there. It is true that I adopted her shortly after her mother died, so it is possible she is only feeling the trauma now, but that doesn't seem quite right.

It's like a mystery story. But more confusing. At least her sleep isn't being disturbed by it.

-Tachibana

Business always picks up in holiday season, which leaves me busy but content. I never know how to decorate, but having Renge, Momoshiro-kun and Shinji to bounce ideas off, is refreshing.

But it also means that things get somewhat hectic. There was a house that partially collapsed around three blocks yesterday while I was walking That Dog. I spent most of yesterday evening helping the people out of the wreckage and seeing if their stuff was salvageable. I think I need to start getting people to help me stick up posters to make sure to check the wall quality of some of the more...shoddily made houses. If it starts snowing this year, then it might be disastrous for some of the less well-made houses.

-Tachibana

...there are people thanking me about the Tachibana Kippei scholarship. Will people please tell me these sorts of things beforehand before scaring the life out of me, please? I was pretty much speechless when the first letters arrived.

On the other hand. it seems Renge is out to scare me as well. She wandered off today and came back covered in what I thought was blood. Turned it out it was paint from helping a street artist, but she gave me a lovely fright. I don't know what I'd do if she got hurt. I don't even want to contemplate it at this point.

-Tachibana

It's strange just how much acquiring a child changes you. She's always on my mind, even when she's not around. I always worry about Renge, perhaps more than I worry about the rest of my friends and family. She and that dog are a force of nature (thanks for that, by the way, An. She still hasn't decided on a name, so he's that dog for now -_-) around the community, thanks to her school asking everyone to try and recycle more. She of course, decided that meant everyone and has become a door-to-door preacher.

Despite my slight distractedness,the deli's still flourishing and I have more time to deal with making the food even better quality. I can put that down to the hard work of Shinji and Momoshiro-kun. Thank you so much for being such dedicated employees. I'm really quite grateful.

-Tachibana

Well, this has been something that's been supposed to happen for a while. But what with everything going on...I always put it back. But today the paperwork was finalized, and there's a new member to the Tachibana family. I've finally finished adopting a lovely seven year old girl called Tachibana Renge. She'll be living with me for now and hanging around the deli, I suppose.

Here she is in her new school uniform:

( Renge )

Well, I suppose you'll all meet her shortly, anyway. She's a little angel (though her handwriting could really use some work). I'm sorry for keeping everybody in the dark...but I wasn't sure whether the paperwork would really be approved ^^;

Now that Renge's finally part of my family...I suppose I'm now looking for a proper house. I don't think my deli's attic is big enough for both of us and she definitely hasn't got enough room to move around and do homework. Any help with finding listings would be brilliant.

And Momoshiro-kun, would you like to start on Monday?

-Tachibana