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Kamiya Dojo Monogatari Tale 70 (JUMP SQ 23/11)

About Kamiya Dojo Monogatari:

Tales of Kamiya dojo is written by Kaoru Kurosaki and published along with the “Rurouni Kenshin Hokkaido” arc in JUMPSQ. The tale involves the Rurouni Kenshin character in daily life that takes time between Kenshin and Kaoru marriage until the epilogue chapter in the original manga before the Hokkaido Arc. Until this month (October 2023) there are a total 70 chapters in Tales of Kamiya dojo. This is an unofficial translation.

Previous Story: https://www.tumblr.com/kenkaodoll/728811546452656128/kamiya-dojo-monogatari-tale-69-jump-sq-2310

At the police station's chief's house, Chief Uramura forgot his duties and nudged the rabbits all over the place.

There was not enough room to shelter the rabbits, so he finally had to let the rabbits into his room.

“Touching this soft fur… I’m happy…” he murmured.

The chief was enjoying the soft touch from the rabbit fur, but he had no idea what he should do with the rabbits. He could keep one or two rabbits at his house, but not this many.

“Aha!"

At that moment, suddenly he got an idea.

Perhaps it was the relaxing effect of stroking the fluffy fur that brought on the inspiration.

“Yes, the Rabbit Club!”

He thought that there were many members in the Rabbit Club who really love rabbits.

It was just a guess, since the chief did not know all the members of the Rabbit Club, but he was sure about it.

There were many Rabbit Clubs here in Tokyo, and the chief had an idea of one who was a dedicated rabbit master. His name was Usagawa.

The head of the rabbit club was not his main job, of course, and rabbit was just his hobby. His day job was a businessman who owned a coal mine in Kyushu.

He came to Tokyo from a merchant family in Osaka that had been in business since the Edo period. He was a successful businessman who not only ran a coal mine, but also bought a ranch in the northern Kanto region．

The chief was well acquainted with Usagawa, as most people in the business have a wide circle of acquaintances.

He wondered if Usagawa could find someone who would buy a large quantity of rabbits.

If there were 30 members in the Usagawa Rabbit Club, if each member took in two rabbits, he could let 60 rabbits go. If he could get another Rabbit Club outside his club to buy, then he might find a place for more rabbits.

It would be worth asking. However, the other party was quite a tycoon. He couldn't let a lowly policeman go to him to ask for a favor. He would have to go directly to the chief of police.

The chief began to prepare for his departure.

・

Meanwhile, Kenshin and Kaoru were looking for a wind chime as a souvenir, and they were selecting one with a nice sound from among those hanging for sale.

“How about this one?” Kaoru asked

“This one has a nice tone too, I think.”

They seemed to be enjoying each other's company as they rang the wind chimes in each other's ears.

“Then I'll go with the one Kenshin chose.”

“No, I think Kaoru-dono's choice is also quite good.”

“I can't decide on just one.”

“Since both tones are good, how about we decide on the color of the glass?”

“Well, I think the light blue one is good. What about you, Kenshin?”

“I also think that color is cool and refreshing.”

Mikio, while looking sideways at the two of them, thought to himself, “I can't do this”. He watched as Kenshin and Kaoru bought wind chimes, wondering in himself what in the world he was being shown.

“Well, shall we go home now?”

“I can't wait for Kenji to hear the sound of this wind chime.”

Mikio was relieved to see Kenshin and Kaoru’s back and they finally showed signs of leaving. He could finally walk through the streets of heaven without being scared to death.

・

Kenshin and Kaoru brought wind chimes as souvenirs, turning from the main road to the side street.

“There he is, someone who's really shady,” Kaoru whispered in a small voice.

“I think he was the son of the Nagaoka family, whom Tsubame-chan's family served, wasn't he? It's the Meiji era, and he's still trying to make it look like he's the master.”

“I wonder if he is related to the Rabbit Incident,” Kenshin added.

"Let's find out."

Kaoru immediately looked at the main street from the side street’s shadow. Mikio had not gone far.

“The woman with him looks like has a baby in her belly. I wonder if she is his wife.”

“If so, they won't be able to run away, so I'll follow them slowly.”

“Let's do that,” Kaoru tried to follow Mikio out onto the main street again.

“No, it would be too conspicuous if two people do it. I'll go alone here.”

“I want to follow him too. I want to try myself at being like a spy. I've always admired Misao because she looks so cool when she acts cool as a spy.”

Kaoru's eyes sparkled, but Kenshin looked reluctant.

“No, but...”

“Eh, no?”

If something happens and that glass wind chime breaks, you won't be able to show it to Kenji, right?"

Kenshin said while looking at the wind chime in Kaoru's hand, then she finally understood.

“I got it. Don't do anything dangerous, Kenshin.”

“Of course, don’t worry."

With that agreement, Kaoru went to the dojo. Kenshin continued to follow Mikio.

・

Mikio and the woman were walking home.

“Hey, you.”

A well-dressed man approached Mikio. He was accompanied by his apprentice, he looked like an important person.

“Well, well, well, Usagawa-san. Long time no see,” Mikio bluntly humbled himself in front of the man.

“I've been in the mines in Kyushu for a while now, so it's been a while since I've been in Tokyo. Is it your wife?” Usagawa looked at the woman beside Mikio.

“This is my wife, Shino.”

“Thank you for your help. My husband is indebted to you,” the couple bowed in unison.

“Oh, congratulations!” Usagawa turned to Shino and smiled broadly.

“You need to get some nutrition. Yeah, eat some dojou*(loach fish),” he said, and made a quick movement to bring the sake cup up to his lips.

“Oshino-san nourishes her body with dojou, and we nourish our souls with sake.”

“I'll be your guest!”

"You don't mind if I join you, do you?"

Mikio and Shino smiled.

“Of course. We must cherish our rabbit’s business.”

Mikio explained, “Master Usagawa is the head of the Rabbit Club, Usagawa-san bought a lot of rabbits too. He's been a big help to me.”

“Thank you very much,” Shino bowed politely.

The first person who approached Mikio about selling rabbits was Suwa, but it was Usagawa who actually bought the rabbits from Mikio.

“I took up the rabbits as a hobby for good luck because my name is “Usa” like usagi "rabbit," and ever since then, I've had nothing but good things happen to me.”

Mikio, Shino, Usagawa, and his apprentice entered the restaurant.

Kenshin, who was following them, pondered what to do, but decided to wait outside.

・

Once inside the restaurant and seated, the four of them sat around a fish stew while Usagawa and Mikio drank sake together.

“So, how's business these days?” Usagawa asked.

“The business hasn't been going very well lately. The Year of the Rabbit had ended,” Mikio shook his head.

“You come from a samurai family, don’t you?”

“Yes, from the venerable Nagaoka family, though I am not the heir to the Nagaoka family. It's not easy for a samurai family to survive in the Meiji era.”

“I guess so. The rabbits bring a lot of good fortune.”

“The rabbit has a lot of blessings. On the other hand, what kind of blessings did Master Usagawa get?”

“Me? Yes,there are many things. The kanji character for rabbit (兔) is similar to the character for escape from disaster (免れる), so it is said to bring good luck in avoiding calamities. Our mine hasn't had any collapses or injuries yet. Moreover, since rabbits jump, it is also said to bring good fortune that business will be booming. With the spread of steam engines, the demand for coal is soaring. Business is booming.”

“That's a good thing, isn't it? I wish I could have had the blessing of Usagi-sama, but I can't.”

Mikio's words were met with a laugh from Usagawa.

“What are you talking about? Rabbits are fertile, and they are also blessed with the gift of fertility. I'm sure Oshino-san will have a safe delivery!” He laughed broadly.

“I'm glad to hear that blessing,” Shino also smiled.

At that time childbirth was life-threatening. It would be better to ask God or a rabbit for a blessing, if there is one.

“Well, I guess it is a blessing to have an easy childbirth. Even if a baby is born, if our business doesn't improve, we won't be able to raise our child,” Mikio spat out.

“This man has no job right now.”

Usagawa raised his eyebrows in surprise at Shino's words.

“Are you not selling rabbits anymore??”

“No, what a shame”

“But we got to know each other because you sold rabbits to me. If you're looking for a place to work, how about my coal mine? They are a rough bunch, but if you work hard, you will earn as much as you work.”

Hearing Usagawa's words, the apprentice tugged at his master's sleeve.

“Master. The mines are in Kyushu. Isn't it too much to ask a man to go to Kyushu with his heavily pregnant wife?”

It was a fair question.

“Oh, I see what you mean.”

“I don't mean to be presumptuous, but I don't really recommend it.”

Usagawa pondered over what his apprentice said.

“So, where else can you work besides the coal mines? Hmmm…”

“No, no, no, I'll just be grateful for your kindness,” Mikio refused.

・

On the other hand, Chief Uramura visited the Usagawa residence and sluggishly returned home without any results due to the absence of the Master of the house.

.…..to be continued in chapter 71……

Notes: Dojou: or loach fish was believed to be a source of nutrients.

TLnote(1): translating Japanese is so hard because the sentence structure is very different compared with English. Also the style of writing is different, plus there’s a lot of figurative, poetic language and things that don't make sense if it’s directly translated into english. So forgive me if this is very weird to read, and please tell me if you want to give corrections.

TLnote(2) I will provide the original Japanese text for correction if any of you who read have better knowledge of the Japanese language. Just dm and I’ll send the file.

TLnote(3) Dtninja had translated some earlier chapters on his website. You can go and check on there

Read the rest of the story here: https://at.tumblr.com/kenkaodoll/kamiya-dojo-monogatari/5dqxxnmq29m0

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