Pathway to Japanese Literature

From between the lumber

——1——

In the lumber yard near Iidamachi, boards stood propped up across the entire space.
The young man Sanpei, clad in flashy work clothes, kept modulating his voice as he rearranged the boards this way and that, sometimes throwing in peculiar gestures.
Sanpei was a theater obsessive.

Sanpei suddenly strained his ears. He peered through the lumber, then abruptly widened his eyes and let his tongue loll out limply.

A bitter-faced man in an Inverness coat and fedora and a modern downtown-style girl were talking among the stacked lumber.

Sanpei pressed his ear between the boards.

…………

“So tonight from Iidamachi...”

“The last train…”

“Uh…”

“Wait there, alright…”

“I’ll steal the money and bring it…”

“There’s about two thousand yen…”

…………

Sanpei, startled, peered again.

…………

…………

The girl left.

The man who had watched her leave licked his lips as he surveyed the area.
He grinned with a fearsome expression.

Sanpei jumped back from between the lumber.
He glared fixedly at the spot and crossed his arms.
Adjusting his workman's hat low over his brow, he wove right and left through the lumber stacks and emerged onto the street.
He scanned his surroundings.

Dusk was settling over the street.

In the far distance, the modern girl walked away.

Sanpei gave chase.
When he drew near, he followed her while staying hidden.

――2――

The woman passed under the railway girder, crossed Suidōbashi Bridge, and entered a certain side alley near Tsukudo Hachiman.
Sanpei also followed her in.

The girl opened the small lattice door at the dead end and went inside.
In front of the small lattice door hung a sign that read “Pawnshop.”

Sanpei stood before it and looked around.

From the small lattice door emerged a bald-headed man.
When he saw Sanpei, he glared suspiciously.

Sanpei resolutely removed his workman’s hat and bowed.

“Excuse me, but...”

“The young lady who just returned…”

“Is she your young lady…”

The bald-headed man silently looked Sanpei up and down.
His eyes gleamed fiercely.

"That was correct..."

"She is my daughter…"

“Is there something you require…?”

Sanpei let out a relieved breath and ran his hand down his chest.

Ah, I'm saved…

Finally, I could relax…

The bald-headed man was dumbfounded.
He stared holes into Sanpei.

Sanpei looked at the bald-headed man's face.
He suddenly lowered his voice, widened his eyes, and said.

"It's... terrible, I tell ya..."

"The young lady... well..."

"With some man..."

"They're planning to elope tonight..."

Sanpei was pushed and fell flat on his backside.

The bald-headed man glared.

“You idiot…”

“Get out of here…”

Sanpei started at the bald-headed man’s furious glare.
He scrambled backward while clambering to his feet.
The daughter peered out through the small lattice.

Sanpei turned and fled in panic.

――3――

Sanpei walked pensively.
When he suddenly raised his head, he found himself before the police station.
He stood for a while thinking, then resolutely went inside.

Two or three police officers were gathered yawning.
When Sanpei entered, they noticed the mud plastered thickly on his elbows and buttocks.

Sanpei explained the circumstances while bobbing his head in repeated bows.

“Please help the young lady...”

The three police officers all smirked.

One of the police officers lit a cigarette.

Now, one of the police officers said to Sanpei while stroking his beard.

“There, there…”

“Alright, alright…”

“Go home and rest easy...”

Sanpei looked around at the three police officers’ faces as if the fight had gone out of him.
He left with his shoulders slumped and head hung low.

The police officers who had seen Sanpei off exchanged glances and burst into uproarious laughter.

――4――

Sanpei returned to the lumber yard after it became completely dark.

When the boss saw Sanpei, he bellowed.
"Where the hell've you been…"
"Idiot…"
"Enough with your damn theatrics… Cut that crap out…"

Sanpei flinched.
After wolfing down the meal provided by the maid, he immediately went up to the second floor.
He spread out the thin futon and burrowed into it headfirst.

――5――

Sanpei poked his face out from the futon and glanced around.
All his comrades were fast asleep.

Sanpei sat up and retightened his obi belt.
He began pulling out the fireman's hook from the storage cupboard but shoved it back in.
He crossed his arms and pondered, then suddenly clapped his hands together.
He crept down from the second floor with painstaking slowness.

Sanpei scanned his surroundings again and again as he muffled his footsteps and slipped into the tearoom.
He slid open a drawer in the chest and stole the housekeeper's kimono.
Then he went to the bathhouse and twisted on the electric light.

Sanpei peered into the mirror and thickly applied the white powder he found there.
He applied kohl to his eyebrows and along his hairline.
He put on Okami-san’s kimono and tightened the obi.
Next he placed pubic hair atop his head and covered it with a hand towel.
He slipped on the maid’s geta clogs, exited through the back door, and pulled it firmly shut behind him.

Sanpei went around to the back of the bathhouse and picked up one of the stacked bricks.
He wrapped it in the fundoshi underwear that was drying there, wound it tightly with string, and tucked the bundle into his sleeve.
He made his way through the lumber stacks, came to where the man and woman had been talking earlier, and thudded to a halt.
He darted his eyes around.

The pawnshop daughter had started to approach, but when she caught sight of Sanpei's figure, she suddenly hid behind an object.

――6――

From the direction opposite where the pawnshop daughter had hidden, a man wearing an Inverness coat and hunting cap approached.
He peered through the darkness at Sanpei and drew near.

Sanpei made a face and edged closer.

The girl who had been peering out tore her handkerchief to shreds with her teeth.

The man glanced around.
With his right hand, he quietly drew a dagger while placing his left hand on Sanpei’s shoulder and peering into his face.

"The money..."

Sanpei thrust out the brick bundle with his left hand.

The man reached to take it but jerked his hand back in surprise.

Sanpei struck the man's cheek with an open palm.

The man jumped back and raised his dagger.

Sanpei with a brick and the man with a dagger began their fight.
The daughter was astonished and started running.

Sanpei threw the brick, striking the man’s chest.

The man fell over.

Sanpei climbed on top.
He snatched the dagger and flung it aside.

The man thrust upward from below.

They grappled—first one on top, then the other—until Sanpei found himself pinned down with hands squeezing his throat.

“H... Murderer...”

The man tried to retrieve the dagger.

Sanpei fought to keep it from him.
He screamed with all his might.

“Thief... Murderer!”

The man shoved Sanpei away and scrambled to escape.

Sanpei pulled his obi belt and struck a warrior’s stance.
A large number of young men from the lumberyard came rushing out and surrounded the two.

Sanpei shouted.

“I’m Sanpei…”

“This guy’s the thief...”

Two or three young men lunged at the man.
They beat him mercilessly.

A police officer arrived at the scene together with the pawnshop daughter.

The police officer thrust a flashlight into Sanpei's face.

What... Wasn't this the lunatic from earlier...

Sanpei rolled up his sleeves.
He resolutely closed in.

What lunatic... Though I hate to admit...

The boss interrupted Sanpei and bowed to the police officer.
The young men handed the man over to the police officer.

The police officer handcuffed the man and picked up the dagger and brick.
The police officer took the boss, the daughter, and Sanpei and returned to the police station.

――7――

The bald-headed pawnshop owner who had rushed into the police station wept with joy when he saw his daughter's face.
When he saw the handcuffed man, he tried to lunge at him.

The boss interrupted and stopped him, then explained the circumstances.

The bald-headed man prostrated himself before Sanpei.
He brought the daughter before Sanpei and made her express gratitude.

The daughter fluttered her eyelashes coquettishly and pressed three fingers to the floor in a formal bow before Sanpei.

Sanpei returned the bow with an awkward gesture.

The boss and the police officer stroked their chins.

The handcuffed man's face swelled up terribly.

Light or Darkness

――1――

Maruyama Yōsaku, the practicing ophthalmologist, had been living alone since losing his wife several years prior and poured all his love into his only daughter, Otoe.

Otoe was nineteen that year, having graduated from girls' school with top honors and cultivated all the proper feminine accomplishments, but above all she loved koto music with a deadly passion.

Otoe’s koto teacher was a blind female musician called Kasu who lived alone.
Kasu loved her genius beyond measure, bestowing a treasured plectrum engraved with "Kasu" and devoting herself to training her with utmost care, but just when the time came to impart the secret techniques, Kasu contracted severe asthma.

Otoe worried with heartfelt concern.
Every day during breaks from household chores, she visited Kasu’s nearby house to care for her.
Yet strangely, the more kindly Otoe tended to her, the sadder and more forlorn Kasu looked.
At times she even shed tears.

Otoe pondered with suspicion.

――2――

Otoe had a fellow disciple—a youth named Akashima Tetsuya who often came to Kasu to have his shakuhachi accompany hers.
He was the eldest son of wealthy Akashima Teppei and a university student, but due to poor grades, he kept failing.
Instead, he was quite skilled at playing the shakuhachi and considered himself a tremendous genius.

Tetsuya asked Master Kasu to hand over her treasured instrument "Jade Mountain" at all costs, but Kasu refused, saying it was a memento of her late husband.

When he forcibly took possession of it, he boastfully showed it off to others.

Tetsuya had long had his sights set on Otoe.

Even after Kasu fell ill, he kept visiting frequently under the pretense of kindness while anticipating encounters with Otoe.

Otoe would invariably retreat the moment she caught sight of Tetsuya’s face.

This only intensified Tetsuya’s obsession.
Finally driven beyond endurance, he implored his father Teppei: “Let me have Otoe—I beg you.”

Teppei dismissed him with a curt “Graduate first—then we’ll talk.”

――3――

One day, when Maruyama Yōsaku was away on a house call.

A shabby youth wearing large sky-blue glasses entered the Maruyama residence’s front entrance, feeling his way with a cane, and began playing the shakuhachi.

Otoe listened spellbound.
When the youth tried to leave, she ordered the maid to give him money and detained him.

When Yōsaku returned home in a rickshaw through the front gate and saw this youth, he took money from his pocket and sent him away.

Otoe, who had come out to greet him, informed her father that the beggar youth was an exceedingly rare shakuhachi master.
"It’s truly a waste to leave him begging like that," she even said.

Yōsaku immediately ordered the maid to recall the beggar youth, had him directed to the kitchen entrance where tea was served, and personally inquired about his circumstances.

The youth blushed and repeatedly declined, but finally gave his name as Takebayashi Takemaru.

"My father was a shakuhachi player and my mother a koto master, but I lost them both when I was nineteen, and now I've gone blind—this is what's become of me," he said, wiping away tears.

Yōsaku was moved to pity.
"I'll examine your eyes once, so come back properly tomorrow," he said, giving him ten yen.

Takemaru prostrated himself on the earthen floor and choked back tears.

――4――

The next morning, Takemaru arrived having tidied his modest attire.

Yōsaku examined his eyes and said,“This comes from syphilis.
“If we apply our family’s secret treatment, it might cure you. Come every day.”

Takemaru was both delighted and grateful.
“Though I know not who it may be,” he said,“to whoever in your household appreciates the shakuhachi,I wish to repay this kindness by playing one piece daily for their listening.”

Yōsaku gave a wry smile.
“In truth,I make it a point to detain those who come playing the shakuhachi because my late wife was fond of it,”he glossed over.

“Then might I be permitted to play before her spirit?” Takemaru insisted with conviction, so Yōsaku had no choice but to guide him to the memorial room.

From then on, each time Takemaru came for his medical examination, he would come before the Buddhist altar and play one famous or difficult piece before leaving.

Otoe listened spellbound from the shadows every day. Through this, she had grown utterly captivated by Takemaru’s exquisite skill, down to the depths of her heart.

――5――

Akashima Tetsuya, the university student, had taken to a life of dissipation.

Tsurugi Mango, the police chief who had once been a house student for the Akashima family, detained Tetsuya under pretense of loyalty and sternly admonished him, only to receive the reply: "I turned to reckless dissipation because they wouldn't let me have Otoe."

Tsurugi swallowed his pride and negotiated this matter with Teppei, his father.
Teppei laughed forlornly. “Then I’ll leave it to you.”

Tsurugi visited the Maruyama residence in plain clothes.

When Yōsaku met him, the proposal was to "make Otoe Tetsuya’s bride."

Yōsaku replied, "I would like to consult with relatives," and asked him to wait for an answer.

When the Police Chief, having been escorted by Yōsaku, reached the entrance, he repeated, “I look forward to your favorable response.”

Takebayashi Takemaru had been standing outside.

Having returned, Yōsaku called Otoe into the inner room and asked, "What do you think of this favorable match?"

"I don't wish to contradict your words, but as for him..." she declined.

Yōsaku asked with slight irritation, “Then do you have someone else in mind?”

Otoe fled, saying, “Please allow me to consider.”

――6――

From around this time, sophisticated thefts began plaguing the local police force.
The thief was remarkably bold—the newspapers reported he always wore sky-blue glasses during break-ins.

When Otoe saw that article, Takemaru’s glasses came to mind, and her heart began to race uneasily.
Yet even as she told herself it couldn’t be true, days slipped by in contradiction.

――7――

The incident of a thief breaking into the Akashima residence, stealing a large sum of money, and making off with the famed instrument "Jade Mountain" was leaked to the newspapers and sensationally reported.

Police Chief Tsurugi Mango ordered Inspector Totsuka, who was in charge of searching for the blue-glasses thief, to spare no effort.

――8――

One day, after examining Takemaru's eyes, Yōsaku asked, “Can you see at all now?”

Takemaru smiled forlornly and shook his head.

Yōsaku made a puzzled expression.

Takemaru was guided to the Maruyama family’s Buddhist memorial room as usual.

Otoe, who had come to offer tea at the Buddhist altar, accidentally dropped the bowl before Takemaru.

Takemaru instinctively stepped back and righted the teabowl that had started to roll, but then suddenly noticed something and, smiling, looked up at Otoe’s face.

Otoe, having exchanged glances with Takemaru's vivid eyes, retreated to the next room trembling in astonishment.

After watching her withdraw, Takemaru's expression grew solemn.
He straightened the teacup before the Buddhist altar, wiped the damp spot on the tatami with his handkerchief, drew out his shakuhachi, and began playing "Snow"—the most secret of secret pieces.
The melody differed completely from his usual performances, radiantly pure in its beauty.

Otoe stealthily peeked through the gap in the sliding door.

On the shakuhachi, written in gold lettering, were the characters "Jade Mountain."

Otoe startled and pressed her sleeve to her face.
She wept in silence.
She listened while crying.

――9――

Takemaru ceased to appear after this.

Otoe lived gloomily.

Yōsaku crossed his arms and pondered.

――10――

Kasu, her asthma having settled, began teaching Otoe—who had come to visit—the secret piece "Snow," but soon stopped.
“Who taught you this secret piece?” she asked, her complexion slightly altering.

Otoe gasped but declared firmly, “I learned it from no one.”

Kasu grew agitated.
“The fingering just now does not seem like your first attempt,” she pressed back, interrogating insistently.

Otoe stubbornly insisted "I learned it from no one" and suddenly collapsed in tears.

Kasu hurriedly apologized and tried to comfort her, but Otoe simply wouldn’t stop crying.
Kasu finally became overwhelmed and postponed the lesson, sending Otoe home.

Tetsuya, who had had the famed instrument "Jade Mountain" stolen from him, came to Kasu's house in a daze, but upon seeing Otoe leaving, implored Kasu: "Please mediate with Otoe."

Kasu fled, saying: “In any case, let us try to hear the young lady’s thoughts.”

Tetsuya further pleaded to be taught "Snow."

Kasu reluctantly began teaching but stopped again and asked, “What became of Jade Mountain?”

Tetsuya answered that it had been stolen by the blue-glasses thief.

Kasu sighed and shed tears.
"You cannot capture the essence of 'Snow' without that bamboo," she said.

Otoe, who had been eavesdropping outside, let out a sigh of relief and left.

Tetsuya left disappointed.

“A reward of one thousand yen will be given to whoever discovers the famed shakuhachi Jade Mountain”—such an advertisement was soon published in newspapers under the Akashima family’s name.

――11――

That night, while Yōsaku was out, Otoe played "Snow" alone on the koto.

Then, unbeknownst to anyone, someone began accompanying her on a shakuhachi outside.

Otoe ran outside while still playing the koto, but there was no sign of anyone.
Otoe dejectedly returned home.

From the shadows, Takebayashi Takemaru emerged, picked up the koto plectrum Otoe had dropped, held it up to the eaves lantern’s light to examine the characters “Kasu,” then startled and looked around.
He pressed it to his forehead, tucked it into his pocket, and left.

Otoe stopped playing the koto after that. For no apparent reason having taken to bed, Yōsaku worried endlessly.

――12――

One night, someone sneaked into Kasu’s house and left a wrapped bundle of bills by her pillow.
Kasu grew suspicious.
When night fell, even the slightest sound would make her eyes snap open.
Nevertheless, after that, bundles of money were placed by her pillow time and again.
Kasu hid the money under her bedding without laying a hand on any of it.

――13――

It was a piercingly moonlit winter midnight.

About a block away from the house where Otoe lived, an automobile came to a stop at a certain crossroads.
From within emerged Takebayashi Takemaru, a gentlemanly figure in Japanese attire, who approached Otoe’s house, took out a shakuhachi, and began playing "Remnant Moon."

However, Otoe did not come out.

Takemaru put away the shakuhachi, climbed over the wall, and sneaked into Otoe’s bedroom.

Otoe and the nurse were sound asleep.
Beside the pillow lay sleeping pills and a small box.

As Takemaru took out a letter from his pocket and tried to place it into the small box, a koto plectrum case and a newspaper clipping bearing the article about the "Blue-glasses Thief" came out from inside.

Takemaru gasped in surprise.
He looked around, crossed his arms in thought, nodded several times, put away the letter, took out a soporific from his pocket, and began administering it for the two women to inhale.

――14――

Otoe was dreaming...of wandering endlessly through snow with Takemaru...when suddenly she became aware they were in an automobile, traveling an unknown country road as he held her.

As Otoe gasped “What’s—” in surprise, Takemaru pressed her down to calm her.

When Otoe saw the blue glasses, she understood everything. She wept into Takemaru’s lap.

Takemaru patted her back and said, “Everything is karma. Karma is more precious than fate or anything else.”

Otoe nodded tearfully.

Takemaru had Otoe change her appearance using the fine clothes and cosmetics he had stolen, and disguised himself as an old man.

――15――

The automobile arrived at a hot spring inn called Tsuruya.

Takemaru handed the driver a telegram reading “OTOE AND TAKEMARU ARE TOGETHER IN SAFETY,” ordered him to “Send this immediately after daybreak when you return,” and gave him a substantial bribe to ensure his silence.

After leaving a generous tip at the inn as well and stating “We’ll be staying here with my daughter for the time being,” he had them show them to the finest room.

When shown to their room, Otoe asked Takemaru, “Will I see Father again?”

Takemaru struck his own chest and smiled nonchalantly.
Otoe regained her energy and took a bath for the first time in a while.

――16――

Otoe's house was thrown into an uproar.
Yōsaku, who seemed deranged; the nurse weeping prostrate; police personnel; relatives; neighbors; patients who had come for consultations—all were thrown into disarray.

Inspector Totsuka discovered that one koto plectrum was missing from the hand box Otoe had concealed and that beneath it lay a newspaper carrying an article about the "Blue-glasses Thief," then crossed his arms.
Shortly thereafter, when they picked up a paper package lying in the shadow of the earthen wall surrounding the house and looked inside, they discovered the missing koto plectrum within.
The fingerprints from the hand box, the thief’s footprints, and other evidence were examined one after another.

Inspector Totsuka showed Yōsaku the koto plectrum and asked why one was missing.

Yōsaku shook his head emptily.

Inspector Totsuka visited Kasu and showed her the koto plectrum in the same manner.

Kasu felt the plectrum that had been passed to her with her hands and said, “This is what I gave to the Miss.”

Inspector Totsuka nodded.
"Then did you not hear that the Miss has a secret lover?" he asked.

Kasu stiffened.
“The Miss is not the sort to have a secret lover,” said Kasu.
Inspector Totsuka tilted his head in puzzlement and left.

Kasu, having intently listened to the departing footsteps, securely locked both the front and back doors, retrieved a wrapped bundle of bills from beneath the bed, placed it in the brazier, and began burning it.
Tears flowed ceaselessly.

A man who was both Kasu's disciple and under Yōsaku's treatment came to report Otoe's disappearance, but finding the front door shut with smoke seeping out from within, he grew increasingly alarmed, forced the door open, and rushed inside. When he saw the bundle of bills smoldering in the brazier, he was astonished and tried to snatch them out, burning himself. Kasu sobbed violently.

――17――

The automobile driver who had left Tsuruya hot spring inn ran over someone while dead drunk on his way back.
When taken to the police and questioned, he confessed everything and showed the telegram entrusted by Takemaru.

The automobile carrying Inspector Totsuka and his subordinates soon departed through the police station gate.
Plowing through snow across the dawn wilds at full speed, they pulled up to Tsuruya’s gate.
Takemaru and Otoe, however, were already gone.

Inspector Totsuka immediately rushed to the local police station to request assistance, then divided his team into two groups and raced their automobiles along the snow-covered national highway.

Inspector Totsuka’s automobile entered the mountain road.

In the distance along the rugged mountain path, a blind beggar and his guiding woman could be seen walking.
The automobile closed in.

As the beggar couple moved aside to the road's edge, the automobile came to an abrupt stop.
From within, Inspector Totsuka emerged and snatched the blue glasses from the beggar man.

The two men glared at each other.

From behind the woman, a detective approached and suddenly dragged her down into the snow.

The man bit his lip.
He suddenly pulled out a pistol from his coat and shot the woman with a single bullet.
He tried to kill himself.

Inspector Totsuka knocked away the pistol and grappled with him.

The man threw the Inspector down and leapt from the cliff edge.

When Inspector Totsuka rushed to the bottom of the cliff, there was no longer any sign of anyone.
However, a few drops of blood stained the grass blades, and footprints leading across the snow into the depths of the forest remained.
Inspector Totsuka gave chase.

――18――

That night, Takemaru, with his head bandaged, stood before Kasu’s house and played "Crane’s Nesting."

Kasu rose from her sickbed and opened the door.

Takemaru stumbled inside, closed the door behind him, and clung to her while crying, "Mother!"

Kasu wept and raged.
“Even after being disowned, not only have your thieving habits not improved, but what do you mean by stealing the young lady from the house that showed you such great kindness?” she rebuked.

“How do you know that?!” Takemaru exclaimed in surprise.

“How could I not know? Return the young lady,” Kasu rebuked.

Takemaru prostrated himself and wept bitterly.

At that moment, a large number of police officers stormed in.

Takemaru skillfully escaped.

Kasu passed away while unconscious.

――19――

Otoe’s corpse arrived at the Itokawa residence.

When Yōsaku saw the corpse, he collapsed weeping and was led into a back room.
People found themselves unable to offer comfort.

After a monk came and chanted sutras, a sorrowful wake was held.
Tetsuya also attended as Otoe's fellow disciple.

Late at night, a rickshaw with its hood deeply lowered arrived at the entrance. From within emerged Takebayashi Takemaru in formal haori and hakama, who without guidance passed through the parlor, bowed to all present, approached the altar, completed his worship, burned incense, took out the famed instrument "Jade Mountain" from his pocket, and began playing "Snow."

At first, the wake attendees were startled, but they soon found themselves captivated by the ethereal melody.

When Tetsuya saw the shakuhachi flute in Takemaru’s hands, he turned pale, slid out of the parlor, and hurried off somewhere.

Having finished playing "Snow," Takemaru placed the shakuhachi flute before the altar, approached Otoe’s pillow-side, gazed upon her lifeless face, offered a silent prayer, and was overcome by tears.

Yōsaku, his face contorted into a madman’s expression, emerged from the back.
He stood rigidly and looked down upon this scene.

When Takemaru saw Yōsaku, he clasped his hands together and prostrated himself.
He vomited blood and died right then and there.

Tetsuya arrived accompanied by Inspector Totsuka.

When Inspector Totsuka saw Takemaru with a bandaged head, he strode briskly over and pulled him up, but then shoved him back down in disgust.

Yōsaku burst into loud laughter.

The Slacker’s Love

――1――

Sakurada Tokuichi was having a dream.

...the wealthy parents were loving and raising their only son with utmost devotion...

...he was showing his freshly received Higher Commercial School diploma throughout the house and receiving congratulations...

...losing both parents in the earthquake disaster while simultaneously inheriting a vast estate and finding himself overwhelmed by both joy and sorrow...

...he was beginning to indulge in debauchery...

...he was brushing off the warnings from relatives and friends...

...he finally became penniless and went begging to the home of a woman he knew well, only to be met with scorn and driven out...

...he was drinking himself into ruin and sinking ever deeper into destitution...

In the midst of dreaming such dreams one after another, Tokuichi was kicked hard on the buttocks and woke up.

He was wearing filthy work clothes and sitting on a stone.
Before him stood Yoshi, the foreman, wearing a terrifying expression.
Tokuichi rubbed his eyes.

Yoshi kicked Tokuichi's buttocks once more with greater force.

He was slacking off again…

Why wasn't he getting back to work already...

Tokuichi reluctantly stood up.
He grabbed the handle of the water pump used for the road construction.

――2――

Yoshi watched the group of laborers who had finished their work and were heading home.

Tokuichi approached Yoshi.
He took off his hat and bowed repeatedly.

“Excuse me... Could I have a little of my wages...”

Yoshi shoved him away.

“You moron…”

“Just keeping trash like you around is costing me money…”

Yoshi strode off without another word.

Tokuichi hung his head and walked toward the lodging.
He stopped several times in front of the bar, but upon putting a hand into the pocket, he gave up and started walking.

――3――

Tokuichi happened to pass through a certain desolate backstreet.

A splendid gentleman appeared from behind Tokuichi.
When he noticed Tokuichi's condition, he strode briskly over and placed a hand on his shoulder.

Tokuichi stopped and turned around.

The gentleman grinned and said.

“Hey kid...”

“Could you come over here for a moment...”

“I’ve got a lucrative job for you...”

Tokuichi took off the hat.
He said timidly.

“What can I do for you, Sir…”

The gentleman smiled again.

“Until midnight tonight…”

“If you lend me your body…”

“I’ll give you ten yen… How about it?”

Tokuichi made a strange face.
But then he changed his mind.
He appeared to have made up his mind and bowed.

"I'll accompany you……"

The gentleman nodded.
He took cigarettes from his pocket and offered them to Tokuichi.
He struck a match, lit Tokuichi's cigarette, lit his own, took a drag, then started walking ahead.

Tokuichi followed along—from alley—to alley—

――4――

The gentleman stopped at the entrance of a certain alley.
He pushed open the glass door of the corner house and turned around.

Tokuichi saw the small nameplate on the house.

Tsushima Trading Company

The gentleman signaled with his eyes and went inside.

Tokuichi also entered.
Inside was a splendid office.

The gentleman personally lit the gas stove and twisted on the electric light.
He had Tokuichi sit on the chair before it and took a seat facing him.
He pressed the call bell on the desk.

From the entrance leading to the next room appeared a dazzling beauty.
She bowed amiably and politely to Tokuichi.

“Welcome…”

Tokuichi hurriedly returned the bow.

The beauty took out a whiskey bottle and glasses from the cupboard, lined them up between the two men, and filled them to the brim.

Tokuichi bowed repeatedly as he sipped.

The gentleman also drained his glass in one go.

The beauty poured another glass, bowed politely to Tokuichi, and left for the next room.

The gentleman showed an abundance of charm and said to Tokuichi:

“You’ll agree to this, won’t you…”

Tokuichi took a sip and raised his face.
He wiped his mouth and assumed a serious expression.
He said, breathing heavily,

“What kind of job would this be…”

The gentleman smiled even more broadly.
He said with even greater politeness,

“It’s nothing…”

“You must do exactly as I say until midnight tonight…”

“If you agree, I’ll give you ten yen right now…”

“along with a written agreement stating that if successful, I will give you one hundred yen…”

“How about it…”

Tokuichi became completely drunk.
With his heart racing and head spinning, he nodded.

The gentleman took out a single tattered ten-yen bill and something resembling a contract from his pocket, placing them before Tokuichi.

Tokuichi took them and looked at the signature on the contract.

――Namikoshi Kensaku――

The gentleman—Kensaku—said emphatically.

“That’s agreeable, then…”

Tokuichi nodded and put the contract and ten-yen bill into his pocket.
He immediately reached for the glass.

Kensaku said half-seriously while smiling and pouring drinks.

“A man must work...”

Tokuichi closed his eyes and gulped it down in one go.

Kensaku rang the call bell.

The beauty came out.

The two exchanged glances and guided Tokuichi to the back.

――5――

Tokuichi looked around with drunken eyes. A splendid washstand, dressing table, bath, and such caught his eye. Kensaku and the beauty grabbed the staggering Tokuichi and made him sit down. Tokuichi began to fall asleep unsteadily. Kensaku cut Tokuichi's hair with scissors in a stylish Western fashion. The beauty neatly shaved Tokuichi's beard and collar. The two shook awake Tokuichi who had fallen asleep without realizing, made him wash his face and limbs, took off his kimono and wiped down his body, then gave him a splendid suit, fedora, shoes, and overcoat to transform him into a fine gentleman. Then they took him up to the second floor.

Tokuichi finally opened his eyes.

It was an elegant living room where two Western-style meal boxes and two or three bottles of Western liquor were arranged on the central table.

Kensaku introduced the beauty to Tokuichi.

“This is my wife, Mitsuko…”

Tokuichi bowed as if dreaming.
He kept adjusting his Western clothes.
But when a feast spread before his eyes, he attacked it with fierce concentration.

Kensaku and Mitsuko exchanged glances and laughed.

――6――

Kensaku walked along the streets for two or three blocks with Tokuichi in tow.

Tokuichi, drunk and satiated now transformed into a gentleman, followed along in a dreamlike state.

Kensaku hailed a Tsujimachi taxi, and the two of them rode it to Tokyo's premier jewelry store, Okanmido.
They entered while leaving the car waiting outside.

Kensaku said to Tokuichi at the entrance, "Just keep quiet about everything..."

He was nodding…

Tokuichi nodded for no reason.

Kensaku went toward the counter.

Tokuichi saw his figure reflected in the store's mirror and suddenly came to a halt.
...A splendid young gentleman... Sunburned... Sturdy build... Imposing latest fashion...

Kensaku presented his business card to Kyūshirō, the head clerk, and bowed politely.

"I am from the Adachi family of Yokohama..."

"The honorable engagement article for the young master..."

“A diamond ring or something...”

Kensaku indicated Tokuichi through his words.

Head Clerk Kyūshirō glanced briefly at Tokuichi’s appearance.

Tokuichi stood in front of the large mirror and adjusted his necktie with practiced hands.

Head Clerk Kyūshirō looked at the business card.

―Adachi & Co. Accounting Manager Ōshima Shikatō―

Kyūshirō rubbed his hands together and went to fetch the items.

As soon as Tokuichi finished adjusting his necktie, through the mirror's depths appeared the glass entrance door opening to reveal a young lady entering under escort by a noblewoman who seemed to be her mother.
That young lady wore Japanese attire with what appeared to be an actress's flamboyant style.
Tokuichi turned around and stood transfixed.

Kensaku came before Tokuichi and gave a quick bow.

"Young Master…"

"Please take a look at these items for a moment, if you would…"

Tokuichi was led unwillingly toward the accounting counter.

Kensaku picked out this one or that one from the diamond-studded ring cases spread out there and showed them.

Tokuichi did nothing but nod absentmindedly.

The young lady approached and looked at the cases of rings spread out before Tokuichi.
She seemed to want one of them.

Kensaku picked out the largest diamond and thrust it toward Tokuichi.

The young lady's eyes fixed on the diamond.
Her eyes glowed mysteriously.

Tokuichi took the ring from Kensaku's hand and returned it to its case exactly as before.
He pushed it forward before the young lady.

“Please make your selection…”

“We can take care of ours later…”

Kensaku and Kyūshirō made strange faces.

The noblewoman and the young lady exchanged looks of inexpressible gratitude.

The young lady bashfully declined.

“Oh…”
“Please don’t trouble yourself…”

“Um…”

The noblewoman spoke with an expression brimming with gratitude.

“Oh…”

“You’re too kind…”

“No… Not at all…”

Tokuichi waved his hand repeatedly.

“Since mine is meant as a gift…”

“Not at all…”

“Here, please…”

Kensaku and Kyūshirō watched the trio’s exchange from separate positions, their smiles bitter.

The young lady hesitated to refuse.
She struck a coquettish pose and bowed.

Then...

“Um…”

“If you’ll excuse me…”

The young lady plucked from the case the largest diamond that Kensaku had previously selected.
When she tried it on her finger, it fit perfectly.
She laughed awkwardly while looking at Tokuichi's face.

“Um…”
“If I were to take this…”
“Would that be permissible…?”
Tokuichi nodded with a face that seemed to melt away.

The noblewoman and the young lady made expressions of deep gratitude.

The noblewoman asked the clerk Kyūshirō about the price of the ring.

Kyūshirō hurriedly began bowing obsequiously.

“Yes, ma’am…”

“1,200 yen… Yes, ma’am…”

“Thank you for your patronage… Yes, ma’am… Yes, ma’am…”

The noblewoman took out a bundle of bills from a handbag, counted them, and handed them to Kyūshirō.

Kyūshirō counted them once more and accepted them.
He put the diamond ring into a sack, handed it over, and bowed repeatedly.

Tokuichi watched dazedly, entranced.

The young lady took out a small business card from her handbag and handed it to Tokuichi while bowing once.

“Um…”

“This is truly inexcusable of me, but…”

“I am but someone of this sort…”

“At this moment, I truly…”

Tokuichi received the business card.
At the same time, he noticed he didn’t have his own business card and froze.

Kensaku promptly took out his business card and introduced Tokuichi to the two women.

Tokuichi sighed in relief, assumed an air of composure, and bowed once.

When the noblewoman and young lady saw the business cards they had received, they grew even more apologetic with heightened courtesy.

"Oh my, how dreadfully rude of me not to have known..."

"If you should ever find yourself nearby..."

"Do please call upon us..."

Tokuichi nodded magnanimously.
The two women left.
Kensaku said politely to Tokuichi.

“About that business card from earlier...”

Tokuichi found himself gripping it tightly without realizing.

――Shimorokubancho 19, Hoshino Chieko――

Tokuichi recalled the portrait of Chieko that had appeared in the newspaper the other day as a renowned soprano singer.

Kensaku quietly took the business card from beside him and looked at it.

He grinned suggestively while eyeing Tokuichi's face.

“I shall take custody of this business card.”

Tokuichi nodded discontentedly.

Kensaku began selecting diamonds again with an unperturbed face.
He selected a diamond-studded ring polished into the newest style with the strongest brilliance and showed it to Tokuichi.

“This one’s prime…”

“How’s this strike you…”

Tokuichi nodded dazedly.

Kensaku asked Kyūshirō the price.

Kyūshirō rubbed his hands together.

“Four thousand seven hundred yen…”

“Our establishment’s finest diamond…”

Kensaku took out a large wallet from his inner pocket, meticulously counted hundred-yen bills, and handed them to Kyūshirō.
In exchange, he received the ring that had been placed in a sack.

Kyūshirō began counting the bills.
He hesitated midway, lowering his eyes, but then began counting again quietly from the beginning.

Kensaku re-examined the ring placed in the sack once more, wrapped the sack with a new half-width cloth over it, and respectfully handed it to Tokuichi.

Tokuichi received it as if in a dream. He put it straight into his pocket. Kyūshirō guided the two to another room, saying he wanted to serve them tea.

Kensaku finished checking the remaining bills while excusing himself by saying he was in a hurry, then left the store without heeding Kyūshirō's attempts to stop him. He got into the automobile outside and drove away.

Kyūshirō forcibly stopped Tokuichi as he too tried to leave.

“It’s just a trifling thing, but…”

“As there is something I would like to present to you as a souvenir…”

“Please do take it home…”

“Please come this way…”

――7――

Tokuichi was forcibly taken into what appeared to be a reception room.
Kyūshirō left.
A waitress entered, placed coffee before Tokuichi, and left.
Kyūshirō came hurrying in holding the previous bills.
"I'm terribly sorry, but…"

“I would humbly request another brief look at that ring...”

“It appears we’ve received an excess...”

Tokuichi handed over the sack.

Kyūshirō received it and began untying the handkerchief.
After undoing the tightly fastened knot and opening the sack, he found it empty.

Tokuichi stood up in surprise.

Kyūshirō swiftly darted out of the room, shut the door tight behind him, and turned the key.
Tokuichi shouted in panic from within.
He threw his weight against the door, but it refused to yield.
His legs gave way as he collapsed onto the floorboards.
Hands clawed at his disheveled hair.

Kyūshirō and the plainclothes policeman opened the door and entered.
They recoiled in surprise at finding Tokuichi sitting right before their eyes.

Kyūshirō showed the bills to the plainclothes policeman.
"As you can see, these are counterfeit..."
"Since this man is an accomplice..."

Tokuichi shrank.
The plainclothes policeman grabbed Tokuichi's hands and put handcuffs on him.
"Stand up..."
Tokuichi started walking, bowing his head and bending at the waist like an old man.
Once outside, the plainclothes policeman shoved Tokuichi.

“This way…”

――8――

When Tokuichi arrived at the police station, his drunkenness had completely worn off.

Three men—a police superintendent, an inspector, and a plainclothes policeman—surrounded Tokuichi.

Kyūshirō, the clerk of Ōkandō, was present nearby as a witness.

The inspector thrust tattered ten-yen bills, a receipt, and the ring sack at Tokuichi and interrogated him.

Tokuichi whimpered as he confessed everything.

"Tsushima Trading Company was..."

"It's near Kanasugibashi tram stop..."

The police officers exchanged looks.

The police superintendent pressed the call bell, summoned an inspector and three plainclothes policemen, and issued some sort of command.

Four police officers boarded an automobile and departed.

Tokuichi was placed in a detention cell just as he was.

Kyūshirō the clerk presented a business card and handed it to the inspector.

"This is the master's business card…"

"I beg your pardon, but please allow me to act as proxy…"

"The truth is, this concerns our shop's reputation..."
"Please keep this matter as discreet as possible..."
The police superintendent nodded.

Kyūshirō bowed courteously to the assembly and departed.

Foreman Yoshi entered as a replacement.
He presented his business card to the police superintendent and wiped his sweat while bowing.

The plainclothes policeman had someone meet Tokuichi in the detention cell.

Yoshi guaranteed that Tokuichi was indeed the slacker.
He said resentfully to Tokuichi:

“You damn near made my liver burst…”

“I ain’t hiring scum like you no more…”

Having spat this out, Yoshi bowed curtly to the officers and left.

The party of the inspector and three plainclothes policemen returned empty-handed.
All the police officers exchanged dumbfounded looks.

――9――

Tokuichi was handed a ten-yen bill and left the detention cell.
Still in his soiled gentleman's attire, he started walking aimlessly with his head hung low.
After walking for a long time, he came to a quiet street.

Bang—……

Tokuichi started and raised his head.
He stroked his empty stomach and looked around.
Before his eyes stood a splendid house.
He glanced casually at the nameplate.

Shimo-Roku 1-9 Hoshino

Tokuichi suddenly straightened up.
He put his hand into his pocket and pulled out a ten-yen bill.
He examined both sides of the tattered bill once more and put it back into his pocket.
He started walking quickly while glancing around restlessly.

Tokuichi then entered a certain haberdashery, bought one large brush, and received his change.
He stepped out to the front and let out a sigh of relief.
He entered the nearest side alley with that brush and thoroughly brushed his hat, jacket, trousers, and even his shoes.
He put the brush into his back pocket and triumphantly stepped out onto the avenue.

He entered the next printing shop, ordered business cards, and paid an advance. He then entered a cheap Western-style restaurant where he drank sake while stuffing himself to the brim. With the remaining five yen from that payment, he bought a bouquet, found a shoeshiner on the avenue, and had his shoes polished. Finally he went to the printing shop and received his business cards.

――10――

Tokuichi visited the Hoshino household and presented his business card.

A modern maid came out, relayed the message to the back, then soon returned and showed him to the parlor.

When Tokuichi entered the parlor, he took a cigar from his pocket and began smoking.

Hoshino Chieko entered looking quite delighted.
The lady also entered and greeted him.

"I am Chieko's mother, Tokiko…"

"I must apologize for the other day…"

"It was truly…"

Tokuichi returned the courtesy with a wry smile.
He reverently presented the bouquet to Chieko.

Chieko's eyes shone with gratitude.

The mother and daughter served tea and sweets to entertain Tokuichi, then gave him two tickets to an opera in which Chieko would soon be performing.

Chieko said with a meaningful look,
"As for the other ticket..."
"Please give this to Madam…"

Tokuichi abruptly stroked his face and gave a wry smile.

“Uh…”

“I…”

“I’m still unmarried…”

Chieko gasped too, covering her mouth with a handkerchief as she apologized.

“Ma…”

“How terribly rude of me…”

Tokuichi laughed heartily.

Chieko also laughed awkwardly.

Tokiko intervened to mediate from beside them.

"Then perhaps to a friend..."

Tokuichi suddenly became serious and announced his departure.

Chieko and Tokiko were reluctant to see him go.

Tokuichi left the Hoshino residence as though making an escape, with the two tickets tucked into his pocket.

――11――

Tokuichi left the Hoshino residence and once again found himself with nowhere to go.
In his pocket were nothing but two tickets to the Imperial Theatre.
Utterly dejected, he happened to pass through a certain back alley.

A man with the appearance of a laborer approached Tokuichi and placed a hand on his shoulder.

Tokuichi stopped and turned around, recognized Kensaku in disguise, gasped, and staggered back.
Kensaku grinned and put a finger to his lips.
He motioned with his eyes and walked ahead.

Tokuichi hung his head and followed.

The two eventually came to Yamakan Yokocho in Marunouchi.
Kensaku pushed open the office door and turned around.

Tokuichi entered hesitantly after him.

Kensaku climbed several dark staircases.
When they reached an attic-like space, he brought two chairs before the cheap stove there, arranged them, and ordered Tokuichi to light it.

Tokuichi puffed out his cheeks.

Kensaku glared.

Tokuichi reluctantly took a shovel and gathered the coal scattered along the wall.

Kensaku smirked.

Tokuichi lit the stove and wiped it with a soiled handkerchief.

Kensaku approached and pulled out two tickets and a business card case from Tokuichi’s pocket.

Tokuichi hurriedly tried to retrieve them.

Kensaku withdrew his hand, looked at the tickets, smirked, and returned one to Tokuichi.
He offered Tokuichi a chair and sat down facing him.

Tokuichi sat down utterly dejected.

Kensaku looked at Tokuichi's business card.

Adachi Tokuichi

Kensaku returned the business card case to Tokuichi while patting his shoulder.

"So you've finally become a real villain too..."

"And quite the skilled one at that…"

Tokuichi shrank and hung his head.

Kensaku leaned back and laughed.

“Ah hah hah hah... You charmer...”

“Now don’t go spewing that nonsense...”

“I’ll back you up…”

“I’ll make you and that girl husband and wife…”

Tokuichi raised his head and glared resentfully at Kensaku.

Kensaku glared back.
He pulled out a large black pistol from his pocket and showed it.
He brought his face close to Tokuichi's and said:

"In exchange..."

"If you say no..."

"This is it…"

Tokuichi hung his head again.
He trembled violently.
A single teardrop fell from his eye.

Kensaku stared fixedly at Tokuichi's condition and nodded.
He holstered the pistol and instead took out a bundle of bills.
He said solemnly.

“Don’t worry…”
“Here… take this…”
“Use this money to do exactly as I say…”
“Do it wrong… and you’ll never see Chieko again…”

Tokuichi withdrew his hands and shrank back.

Kensaku, with a pistol in his right hand and a bundle of bills in his left, smirked again and again.

――12――

On the Imperial Theatre stage, Chieko finished performing her regular role amidst thunderous applause.

Tokuichi, wearing a frock coat and silk hat and holding a bouquet, was waiting in the dressing room.

Chieko clung to her mother Tokiko’s hand and entered. When she received Tokuichi’s bouquet, she became so tearfully overjoyed that she showed it to her mother.

Tokuichi introduced a well-dressed elderly gentleman to Chieko and her mother.

“He’s my uncle…”

“My name is Adachi Manpei…”

“He’s like a father to me…”

Manpei extended his business card with a magnanimous air,

“To our acquaintance...”

“Would you care for a cup of tea…”

“If you don’t mind…”

He pointed toward the second-floor dining hall.

Chieko and her mother bowed deeply, filled with emotion.

――13――

The seats of the four became the focus of attention in the Imperial Theatre's dining hall.

Kyūshirō, the clerk of Ōkandō, had been drinking beer at a far table with two friends, but when he saw the four figures, he dropped his fork in surprise.

His friends grew suspicious and asked why.

Kyūshirō kept his face lowered and looked around at his friends’ faces.
He gave a wry smile while pressing a hand to his lips.

Chieko and the three others stood up.

Manpei gave Tokuichi a meaningful glance.
He faced Chieko and her mother, gave a courteous bow, and bid them farewell.
Tokuichi bowed his head with a dissatisfied look on his face.

Chieko and her mother stopped the two men.

"Well, if we part like this…"

"Please do come to our home..."

"There's nothing at our home..."

"I know you're busy, but..."

Manpei declined once or twice while signaling to Tokuichi with his eyes.

Tokuichi trembled and glanced around nervously.

Manpei finally agreed.

The three rejoiced.
Surrounded Manpei, they got into the automobile.

Several gentlemen saw Chieko off and exchanged wide-eyed looks.

"What skill…"

They were astonished... That man-hater...

――14――

Manpei and Tokuichi were treated to dinner at the Hoshino residence.

Manpei bid farewell while ushering Tokuichi, who was lingering during their departure.

――15――

Tokuichi visited the Hoshino residence alone in a suit.

Chieko and her mother detained them and entertained them with overly familiar hospitality.
Tokuichi eagerly curried favor with the mother and child.
He grew completely close to the mother and child.

Tokiko, the mother, seemed to deeply trust Tokuichi and began a serious private conversation.
Tokuichi listened, nodding lightly with an air of importance.
He stifled yawns several times.

Tokiko continued earnestly and finally said:

"The stock certificates I currently hold..."

"I want to sell them for thirty thousand yen, but..."

"Unfortunately their value is quite low now..."

Tokuichi's eyes widened at hearing "thirty thousand."
Then he grew strangely despondent.

Chieko said with a light laugh. “Could your uncle...”
“Could he possibly purchase them...”
“Especially you...”

Tokuichi shook his head despairingly from side to side.
He grew even gloomier.

Chieko peered into Tokuichi’s face and asked worriedly.
“Your uncle...”
“A strict man...”

Tokuichi had succumbed completely to gloom.
He said despairingly:
“It’s not exactly like that...”

At any rate, he would try discussing it…

Chieko and her mother’s eyes suddenly shone.
They said fervently.

“Yes…”

“By all means please…”

Tokuichi left the Hoshino residence with his head bowed.

At that moment, Kyushiro, the manager of Crown Hall who had just arrived, passed by Tokuichi and turned around. Having confirmed it was indeed Tokuichi, he pulled his hat low over his brows and began tailing him.

――16――

Tokuichi came absentmindedly to Yamakan Alley.
He pushed open Kensaku's office door.
He ascended the stairs.

Kyushiro surveyed the entrance area.
He pressed his ear against the entrance door to listen for Tokuichi's footsteps.
Then he hid himself in a nearby shadow.

Tokuichi arrived at the attic room.
He tossed coal into the stove, lit the fire, and sat warming himself while thinking.

Kensaku returned.
He stood abruptly before Tokuichi’s eyes and looked down.

“What’s wrong…”

“Did a woman jilt you…”

Tokuichi weakly shook his head from side to side.

Kensaku lowered himself to sit facing Tokuichi, their knees nearly touching.
“Spit it all out...”
“I’ll back you up...”
Tokuichi shook his head with visible irritation.
Kensaku pulled a stack of fresh bills from his pocket, piled them on the desk, and smacked them down with a thump.
He drilled his gaze into Tokuichi’s face and chuckled.

Tokuichi glanced at the bills.
He waved his hand and averted his face.

Kensaku made a strange face.
He grabbed the bills, thrust them right under Tokuichi’s nose, and proceeded to insistently expound on their efficacy.

Tokuichi listened with an increasingly sullen face.
Finally pushing aside the bills Kensaku had thrust forward, he said irritably,
"No good..."
It has to be the real thing...

Absolutely...

Kensaku kept hold of the bills and stared fixedly at Tokuichi's condition.

A single tear streamed from Tokuichi’s eye and trailed down his cheek.

Kensaku slapped his knee.

“Got it…”

“You bastard… tryin’ to save the Hoshino family, eh…”

“Alright… talk…”

“I’ll work somethin’ out…”

Tokuichi flinched, his secret laid bare.
He let out a single deep sigh.
He hung his head and thought.
Eventually, he reconsidered and looked at Kensaku’s face.
He began speaking haltingly, still hanging his head.

Kensaku crossed his arms and listened.
Occasionally widened his eyes.
Finally, he laughed boisterously.

“Whaaat…”
Is that all…?

Tokuichi opened his eyes wide.

Kensaku firmly held the bundle of bills with both hands and showed it to Tokuichi.

"Look..."

"You're gonna buy these stock certificates with these bills..."

"Sell those stock certificates you bought right away and convert them into cash..."

"Then you go to the Hoshino house and swap them with counterfeit bills..."

"I take the profit in between..."

It won’t be a crime…

What kind of scheme…

Tokuichi gaped, his mouth hanging open in his excess of joy.
He clung to Kensaku and begged.

Kensaku laughed composedly.
He brought his mouth close to Tokuichi’s ear and whispered something.

Tokuichi nodded several times.

Kensaku took sake and a glass from the corner of the room and offered them to Tokuichi.

Tokuichi solemnly waved his hand.

Kensaku laughed and downed a glass.
As he was about to pour a second cup, he suddenly cocked his head toward the floor below.
He stashed the cup and sake in a corner, then peered outside through a rent in the window paper.
Rushing back, he whispered something in Tokuichi's ear while tucking away the bundle of bills.

Tokuichi started trembling like an aspen leaf.

Kensaku pulled Tokuichi up by the hand and stood.
Several police officers stormed in.
Kensaku discharged the pistol.

Two police officers fell.

Kensaku and Tokuichi escaped from the roof.

――17――

Tokuichi and Manpei (Kensaku) visited the Hoshino house by automobile.

Chieko and her child came out gladly to welcome them.

Tokuichi spoke with Chieko in the parlor.

Manpei and Tokiko held their discussion in the study adorned with a portrait of Chieko's father.

Tokiko soon took out a bundle of stock certificates from the portable safe and placed them before Manpei.

Manpei examined the stock certificates.
A satisfied smile rose to his lips.
He took out a bundle of bills from his pocket and placed it on the desk.

"At your desired price..."

"I shall receive it now……"

Tokiko nodded deeply in gratitude.

Manpei exchanged the stock certificates and the bundle of bills.
He stowed the stock certificates deep in the briefcase.

Tokiko finished counting the bundle of bills with slightly trembling fingertips and bowed politely.
She stowed them in the portable safe.

Kensaku took his hat and coat and stood up.

“I must be going now, as I’m rather pressed for time…”

“I’ll take my leave here…”

As for Ms. Chieko…

In due course…

Tokuichi emerged tentatively from the parlor.
While laughing and about to say something to Tokiko, he noticed Manpei's demeanor.
His face suddenly turned pale.

“Ah…”
“Where are you going…”
“You’re leaving me behind…”

Manpei made an unpleasant face but soon smiled.

"What... I'm in a bit of a hurry..."

"You should take your time..."

"I'll explain everything later..."

Tokuichi looked between Tokiko and Manpei's faces.

Tokiko explained the circumstances to Chieko.

Chieko bowed her head in gratitude to Manpei and Tokuichi.
She took Tokuichi's hand and gripped it tightly.

Tokuichi's body shuddered violently.

Manpei showed Tokuichi a fleeting fierce glance as he removed his hat, bowed to everyone, then calmly reached for the entrance door.

“Well then…”

Tokuichi had been blankly watching him go when suddenly his face turned terrifying. He lunged at Manpei and snatched the briefcase. He rushed into the study, grabbed a bundle of bills from the portable safe, exchanged them with the stock certificates in the briefcase, and wordlessly thrust them before Manpei. He pointed outside the door.

Manpei received the briefcase with a terrifying expression.

What was he doing…

Had the fool lost his mind…?

Tokuichi’s face contorted into a monstrous visage.
He sank to the floor, clawing at his hair.

“I’ll confess everything…”

“This guy isn’t my uncle or anything…
He’s a counterfeiter…
He used me as his pawn…”

“Ah… Please forgive me……”

Manpei lowered his eyes and laughed coldly.
He bowed while looking at Chieko's face.

"I do apologize for all the discourtesy…"

"Well then, the transaction will once again be settled through those channels…"

"As for today…"

Chieko and mother returned the bow while trembling with fear.

Kensaku (as Manpei) calmly stepped outside.

Tokuichi jumped up and closed the door behind him.

Kensaku stepped outside and looked around.
He noticed suspicious figures here and there.
He hurriedly tried to return inside the house.
The door was firmly shut and wouldn’t open.

Several police officers surrounded Kensaku.

Kensaku raised his pistol and glared around.

One of the police officers similarly raised a pistol.

Tokuichi suddenly opened the door.

Kensaku staggered backward.
He fired the pistol into the air.
Struck by the police officers' bullets, he collapsed into the entrance.

Tokuichi grabbed Kensaku from behind and held him.

The police officers ran up and thanked Tokuichi.
They carried Kensaku away in force.

Tokuichi watched them leave and covered his pained expression with both hands.
He nodded as if having resolved something, then released both hands and looked at Chieko with sorrowful eyes.
He gripped Chieko's hands tightly with both hands, and tears streamed down.

“Chieko...”
“Me...”
“Please give up on me...”

Tokuichi released his hands with a start and rushed out front.
Chieko clung to him from behind.

Tokuichi shook free and tried to pursue the police officers.

Chieko, together with Tokiko who had come out after her, finally managed to restrain Tokuichi.

The three of them shed tears and clasped each other's hands.

Chieko pointed at Kensaku’s corpse being carried far into the distance.

Your secret...

It disappears over there…

You are a pure person……

Tokuichi embraced Chieko.