To protect and serve

What is one thing you regret doing in the last year?

Regrets. You know I don't do regrets. Yeah, there was a lot I should have done differently but do I regret it. No.

All right. So that was a lie. I regret not being strong enough.

I regret not going to see my old teammates when we went back to Okinawa during the last Tsunami. I regret not planning more and getting put into this condition. I regret not telling you about...certain things...sooner. But I can't dwell on those or I'll never move forward.

I already spoke to Genichirou about this. I might have to resign from the police. It's not something I ever wanted to do. But I just got back from the doctor. They've told me...well... even with more surgeries on my shoulder... I've never going to be the same. The bullet shattered too much in there, tore too much. I don't know if I can perform my duties. I'm useless to SWAT and I don't know how useful I'll be in Organized crime sitting behind a desk.

I don't want to give up. That's not who I am some annoying know-it-all blond reminded me. But I also know I can't run from reality. My reality is that I've lost the use of my right arm other than for the most simple of actions and motions.

It's much harder than I initially thought it would be. Genichirou's grandfather is cutting me zero slack. It doesn't matter that I'm down an arm. He says I'm still capable so I better work hard and that he expects a lot of his grandson's fiance.

....He's called me that before. It's nice but also sort of strange. I don't know where he got that idea from, as neither of us have proposed. I don't feel like arguing with him though. I doubt I'd win even if I tried. So I'll just leave it be.

Thanks to Genichirou, I get a few hours on a laptop a day. The doctors won't let me have more than that. They also seem to want to pump me up on painkillers but I've been refusing them. I don't want them. I want them to tell me the real damage. They refuse to tell me how long it'll take me to recover. They refuse to tell me when I'll gain feeling back in my right hand. When I'll be able to move it again. I want them to tell me.

Also, before I forget. I've appreciated the visits I've gotten. My two best friends. Even my baby sister. Chidori visits almost every other day. She's actually talking to me again. Getting shot is a small price to pay if this is what I get for it.

Tetsuya. Rin. Thanks for helping me out. I know it was a bit out there as a favor so I owe you one. However, I didn't manage to get pass the boss. I learned something new about Genchirou, so I can say it wasn't a total waste of time and effort on your parts.

We'll just have to go about getting that guy a different way. Because something needs to be done.

My computer issues are finally fixed. It took longer than I wanted. Good thing too, as there's a lot of things coming from Okinawa about work that I really can't talk about. Suffice to day that those living in Osaka, please be careful. If you can help it, don't walk around in places you don't know alone at night. If you see anything out of place, report it immediately.

In other news, October 14th is Naha’s annual Otsunahiki. It's a giant tug of war. I remember those days when me and mine would pick a side and pull with all our mights. With Higa on the rope, whatever side we picked won. I wonder if present day Higa keeps the tradition.

I got a call from my mom today with some "good news". It seems Chiodori has gotten engaged to one of the Tanishi boys. My little sister is going to get married to one of Kei's younger brothers. I won't allow it! Anyone. Anyone but one of those runts! Think of your career, Chi-chan! That family breeds like rabbits! Ballet is your love. Okinawa is your love. Kei's third youngest brother is NOT. It hurts. It hurts that she wouldn't tell me about it herself. It hurts that she still hates me after so long.

The typhoon made a real mess of things down there. I am glad I went. My parents were fine and the house was too. My sister, she hurt her ankle pretty badly though and won't be dancing for a while, according to my parents, since she's still not talking to me.

The dojo though... It was almost utterly destroyed. My sensei survived it, but the storm took out a lot of that old place. He said that maybe it was a sign to close up and stop. He's not getting any younger. But I know he was just saying that so we wouldn't be troubled.

Too bad. I spent most of the time down there putting things back together. My dojo will live on to fight another day.

But now it's back to work. I think my paperwork bred while I was away. I can't see the bottom of my desk.

That means it's time to break out the goya recipes. Genichirou, don't worry, I won't make you eat any. It's just too bad we can really grow it here. I think I'm going to start my summer right, with a traditional stir fry. Then it's off to work. I'm pulling a few night shifts for a while.

As you all know, Genchirou's birthday is coming up. By now, everyone should have invitations. Please keep it on the down low as it's supposed to be a surprise party. This is just a reminder that it's tomorrow night at Yukimura's place. I hope everyone can still make it.