Pathway to Japanese Literature

Discover Japan's stories—across time, across language.

Good Friends Evil FriendsAuthor: Kume Masao

Original Title	良友悪友
Author	久米正雄
Genre	Modern Short Fiction
Author Type	Male Author
Summary	A young man reeling from heartache seeks solace in alcohol and reckless indulgence, only to find emptiness replacing his pain. Drawn into a world of decadence by newfound companions, he oscillates between guilt and defiance, clinging to his self-destructive choices as both rebellion and escape. When he reluctantly attends a New Year’s gathering with old friends—earnest intellectuals who critique his lifestyle—their well-meaning admonitions ignite resentment. Their polished arguments about artistic integrity and societal expectations clash with his raw need for distraction, exposing a chasm between their orderly ideals and his chaotic reality. Fleeing their judgment, he seeks refuge among his libertine allies, who welcome him with intoxicating camaraderie. Yet even in their midst, doubt lingers: Is this liberation or another form of captivity? Torn between worlds, he grapples with identity, belonging, and the haunting question of whether redemption lies in conformity or surrender to the abyss.