Pathway to Japanese Literature

Characters

Shishido Daisan

Keya Kei

Keya Kyōko

Mera Mei

Mera Miyako

Kai Kayoko

Woman

Act I

In a residential area on the outskirts of Tokyo—a low-roofed tile house of perhaps three or four rooms—a paper sign boldly inscribed with “Rental House” was ostentatiously pasted on the entrance door, separated only by a token gatepost.
Early April afternoon.

Before that gate stood a married couple—a man and woman of the proletarian intelligentsia, married for a year or two, who while telling themselves “any day now,” found themselves unwittingly crushed beneath the weight of daily life.

Keya: “This must be the house.”

Kyōko: “That must be it.”

Keya: “The address isn’t written here.”

Kyōko: “This must be it. Let’s ask where the landlord is.”

Kei: “Since it was listed under the same address, maybe it’s the house next door. Go check the nameplate.”
“It says Shishido.”

Kyōko (returning): “It’s not there.”
“Then perhaps over there…”

Kyōko: “Then that’s not it either?”
“Maybe around back…”
(She starts moving toward the rear.)

“Wait, wait,” said Keya. “Why don’t we at least look at the outside first? This garden should be plenty.”
“That’s true,” replied Kyōko. “When you think of the city...”
Keya continued: “This must be the eight-tatami and six-tatami rooms. The toilet’s over there... The sunlight seems decent.”
“Well...” Kyōko hesitated. “If I like the kitchen, I’ll rent it immediately.”

“Well now, don’t be in such a hurry,” said Keya. However, today he was thoroughly worn out.

“But if you think of it as a walk, it’s nothing at all,” Kyōko countered. “You’re the one who gets exhausted straight away—that’s the trouble.” She added more brightly, “The weather’s rather good for April, don’t you think?”

“I’m always the sort who’s worn out anyway,” said Keya. “Lately…” He then continued, “So that means there’s the entrance and another room, right? A three-tatami or four-and-a-half-tatami room, I suppose.” He nodded to himself. “Ah… This should do then.”

“The station isn’t that far, is it?” Kyōko remarked. “It’s because we took quite a detour today, though…”

Keya rubbed his chin. “Thirty-five yen would probably be about right. A bit harsh, isn’t it?”

“Depending on how the discussion goes,” Kyōko countered, “we should be able to get it down to thirty yen.”

“The Keya-Mabe residence costs forty yen as it stands,” he mused. “Of course, the teacher doesn’t smoke either. He doesn’t buy one-yen books either…. Originally, it was a house built as a shop.”

“The wife probably doesn’t dress up either.”
“Anyway, let’s try talking to the landlord.”
“What should we say?”

“But first, we need to see the inside, you know…”
“Ah, right. If you ask next door, you’ll find out.”

(At this moment, Shishido Daisan appeared from the back, holding a hatchet for splitting firewood.)

“Do you have some business here?”

“Well, actually, we’d like to see this house…”

Shishido: “Will you be the ones living here?”
(He looked them up and down)

Keya: “Yes.”
“We’re a married couple.”

Shishido: “Just the two of you?”

“It’s just the two of us,” said Kyōko. “Though we’re thinking of hiring a maid at some point…”

Shishido peered at them. “There won’t be anyone else coming to stay afterward, will there?”

“At present, there isn’t anyone else,” replied Kei.

“Do you have any children…?”

“We don’t have any children yet,” said Kei. “So it’s just the two of us.”

Shishido leaned forward, axe handle creaking in his grip. “There isn’t anything like… expecting a child in the near future, is there?”

“Well, I can’t guarantee that,” said Keya. “Is having a child not permitted?”

“It would be preferable if that didn’t come to pass,” replied Shishido.

“We’d prefer that too, but you—what about children...?”

“I don’t have any children,” said Shishido. “After separating from my wife five years ago, I’ve lived alone ever since—fortunate not to have children.” He shifted topics abruptly: “Your occupation?”

“I work at a company,” Keya replied, producing his business card. “This shows my position.”

Shishido studied the card. “I see... Forgive my asking—what’s your monthly salary?”

“Must we really discuss such personal matters?”

Kyōko interjected softly, “Our household doesn’t depend solely on salary income.” She let the implication hang: “Therefore regarding the rent...”

“Oh no—that wasn’t my intention in asking,” said Shishido. “While I do rent out this house to others, I’m not a man who lives solely on that income. Even if we spoke of thirty or forty yen, I’d only use part of it to supplement my livelihood. Should thirty become twenty-five, I wouldn’t complain.”

Keya turned to Kyōko. “This seems perfectly acceptable, doesn’t it?”

“You see,” Shishido continued, “my policy is to take what I can according to the tenant’s income—in principle, just one-fourth of their earnings...”

Kyōko: “When you say one-fourth…”

Keya: “So if one’s income were a hundred yen, that would mean twenty-five yen?”

Shishido: “Precisely.”
“Now then—since Madam mentioned having income beyond your salary earlier—in such cases, it would still be one-fourth of your total earnings.”

Keya: “Well—actually, as for us…”

Shishido: “Two hundred yen would mean fifty; five hundred yen would be one hundred twenty-five…”

Kyōko: “My…”

Shishido: “Isn’t that acceptable?”
“Well?”
“If you find it too costly, you’re welcome to rent elsewhere.”
(He began moving toward the back)

“Well, I suppose that’s right.”

Shishido (returning): “In return, once I rent it to you, I’d like you to consider me as one of your household.”
“I’ll do anything that might be helpful.”
“Even now, as you see me splitting firewood here—when it comes to physical labor, I still don’t lose to younger men.”
“And in the evenings especially, having nothing to do, I just wander about—so when you go to plays or moving pictures, I’ll gladly watch the house for you.”
“This neighborhood’s rather rough, so it’s unwise to leave your home unattended.”

“This place is 132nd block, correct?”

“That’s correct,” said Shishido. “Did you see the listing in the newspaper? Today makes three groups of young married couples like yourselves who’ve come to view the house. It’s been seven years since I built this place—for the first two years, I lived here myself. The remaining five years, it’s been rented out continuously.” He leaned forward slightly. “All those tenants were young couples like you. The first was a military man—Mr. Kitou, who’s now stationed in Taiwan. Then came some upstart I mistakenly approved—claimed to be a novelist or some such nonsense, a complete greenhorn. And his wife! She styled her hair like a kappa and wore Western dresses as shapeless as wrapping cloths. Dreadful business—I evicted them after six months. After that came a university professor who stayed until recently... Now what was his name again…?”

Keya: “Well…”

Shishido: “No—I mean those books that looked like English ones. He had three whole beer crates of them.”
“Along with a young, lovely wife.”
“No matter how close they were—the moment they woke up each morning, those two would start singing.”
“I ended up memorizing that song myself.”
“Love is gentle, flowers of the field…”

Kyōko: “My goodness—you’re quite good at it.”

Keya: “Though it does feel rather old-fashioned.”

“Tsk—there are splendid couples and then there are some like that,” said Shishido. “What do you make of that? If I didn’t see that couple’s faces at least once daily, I couldn’t sleep at night. It was unbearable.”
“It’s not like I had business there every day. Though if I invented an errand, I lived just a stone’s throw away. Being a landlord puts one in such an awkward position—if I showed my face carelessly, they’d glare as if to say ‘What a nuisance! Why’d you come?’”
“Even so, I desperately wanted to see their faces.”
“When voices carried through the walls, I couldn’t stay put.”
“When silence fell over the house, my heart would race—until finally I cast aside all pride and decorum.”
“‘Pardon me,’ I’d say each evening, bringing a bag of rice crackers and a string of dried persimmons. ‘It’s nothing much, but please have one.’”

Keya: “While we’re talking, might we take a quick look inside the house?”

“Yes, right away. I formerly worked at the Railway Institute, and after saving a modest sum, retired from service—or so one might say. With that money, I first built this house, intending to live frugally on my pension. But then my wife passed away unexpectedly, leaving me without any joy. So I built a sort of shack in the vacant lot out back to live in, while renting this main house to... well, people I find agreeable. I look after them however I can—to put it bluntly,” (glancing between the two) “like keeping chickens. I thought spending my remaining years this way might distract me somewhat.”

Kyōko: “We’re in a bit of a hurry, though…”

Shishido (taking a key from his obi and unlocking the front door): “Well, please…”
“The cleaning has been taken care of properly.”
“The tatami mats were also replaced just this spring…”

They all entered the house.

“How long has this house been vacant?”
“It’s only just recently become vacant.”
“When you say ‘recently’…”

“Only just the other day.”
“Then that would mean…?”

Shishido: “It’s been about ten days…”

Keya: “Even so, it’s rather dusty, isn’t it?”

Shishido: “The dust around here is quite bad, you see… Well, I can clean it right away.”
(Slides open the storm shutters on the veranda)

Keya (while looking at the ceiling): “It can’t have been just about ten days.”

Shishido: “Well, or perhaps it has been a month now, I wonder. After all, it’s been since the start of this year…”

Keya: “It’s been rather worn down from living in, hasn’t it?”

Shishido: “Well, you see—the two of them were rather carefree people, so I would occasionally clean during their absences…”

Keya: “The sliding doors are terribly torn, aren’t they?”

Shishido: “You see, that’s…
“The two of them would play tag, you see.
“They used this six-mat room as a living/dining area and the eight-mat room as a combination guest room and study.
“As for where they slept, that was also in the eight-mat room…
“We never sleep with our heads facing north, but the two of them used this direction for their pillows—this way is north.”

Kyōko: “I wonder if it stays cool in summer.”

“Yes, well… If you open this window when you sleep… That’s where I live, so there’s no need to worry about security.”

Kyōko: “Did the previous tenants sleep with the windows open in summer?”

Shishido: “On muggy nights, they used to say they couldn’t sleep unless they did that.”
“Oh, there’s nothing to worry about regarding security.”
“So you see, even though I’d grown so close to them, they claimed they needed to bring their mother or someone from their hometown here—which made this place too cramped—and moved to Meguro instead. That’s why I’ve been hoping whoever rents it next might be someone like them.”
“So you see, while many people have come to look until now, I’ve ended up turning down quite a few from my side…”

Keya: “So does that mean we’ve passed inspection?”

Shishido: “Well, I shouldn’t phrase it quite like that—but both of you do seem like such upstanding people…”

Kyōko: “My, what smooth talker you are.”

Shishido: “It all comes down to fortune in the end.
Even if I consider this side perfectly acceptable…”

Keya: “It still depends on whether it suits them over there...”

“Indeed,” said Shishido. “Even if they approve on their end, there might be an outright refusal on this side…”

Keya asked, “What’s the total floor area of this house?”

“Twenty and a half tsubo,” Shishido replied. “The toilet’s so wide you could lie down and sleep in it.”

Kyōko: “I wonder what to use this three-tatami room for… I still haven’t found a maid…”

“How about placing something like a chest here?” said Shishido. “The previous tenants had it arranged that way. From what I heard, the Madam’s family home was quite distinguished—their chests were splendid pieces indeed. There was a clothes rack right here where they always hung these eye-catching kimonos, changing them out one after another… And then there was a dressing table right here. The Madam would perform her makeup with great care every morning and evening—the husband would watch that from over there. Sometimes he’d crumple paper and throw it at her shoulder, you know.” He laughed: “Ha ha ha ha.”

"I don't like this."

"What should we do?"

"Well..."

"Please, do consult me about anything without reservation."
"Depending on your circumstances, I'll adjust the rent however needed..."
"After all, it's sitting vacant like this anyway..."
"Oh, whether it becomes ten yen or fifteen yen makes no difference to me."

"But..."

"You see, if it's all the same, I'd prefer having dear young married couples like yourselves move in."
"For one thing, you're so cheerful, you see."

“That won’t do.”
“But we…”

“Not at all,” said Shishido. “If you’ll pardon my asking—how old are you?”

Keya laughed without answering.

“And Madam…?”

“What exactly do you intend to accomplish by asking such things?”

“No—in any case, your era is in full bloom,” Shishido replied. “You know, when I worked at the Railway Institute back then, I traveled quite frequently myself. On those trips—no matter what I did—there’d always be some sort of talk…”

“In that case, we’ll give our answer after careful consideration.”

Shishido let out a sigh.

“Thank you for having us.”
“Then please, do give it careful thought...”
“Excuse us.”

The two of them stepped out and, from the gate, each looked back at the house.
Shishido began locking up.

Kei thought there certainly were such bothersome landlords.

Kyōko mused how lonely he seemed.

Kei: “The guy who lived here before must’ve been a real slob.”

Kyōko: “Everything’s laid so bare here.”
“But he sure kept a close eye on every little thing...”
“What a nuisance of an old man.”
“Still... I did like the house.”
“What do you think?”

Kei wondered what rent they’d settle on—with him acting like that, twenty-five yen seemed likely.

“That’s right. If that’s the case, it’s quite cheap,” said Kyōko.

“It’s cheap,” Keya replied.
He couldn’t help feeling it was a waste.

“Don’t you think so?”
“Why don’t you at least ask how much it’ll be?”

“Yeah, but after coming here and getting pestered like that—I can’t stand it.”

“We just need to not engage with him,” said Kyōko. “It’s because he asks you to house-sit that things go wrong. We don’t go out much anyway—it’s not like we’ll need looking after or anything. We’ve already decided…”

“That’s true too,” Keya conceded. “Anyway, let’s at least hear him out.”
They turned back.
“Um… If we were to rent it,” he addressed Shishido emerging at the entrance, “about how much would you set the rent? If we don’t ask about that…”

“That’s right.”
“Well then, shall we discuss that matter appropriately?”
“As for your previous residence—how was it arranged…?”

“Up until now, we were in a place slightly narrower than this and had been paying twenty-five yen, but…”

Shishido: “Where was that?”

Keya: “In the city.”

Shishido: “Which part of the city…?”

Keya: “Um... Hongō.”

Shishido: “Hongō…?”
“Well, I suppose it’s comparable to this neighborhood.”
“In that case, shall we settle on thirty yen?”

Keya: “But...”

Shishido: “No need.”
“That’s perfectly acceptable.”
“As I mentioned before, ten or fifteen yen would be…”

Keya: “So...”
Shishido: “Now, now—if you could handle things like the tatami mats...”

“No, that’s not what I meant. We’re still on rather meager salaries ourselves…”

“How much do you earn?”

“I only make about ninety yen.”

“And your other income...”

“Well—that’s actually from my wife’s side, but circumstances have made it unreliable starting this month...”

“Very well,” said Shishido. “Then we’ll set it at twenty-five yen. But instead of saying you’ll decide after thinking it over—make up your minds right now. There’s nothing left to consider, surely? Madam’s here too, and she seems quite taken with the place.”

“Well, it’s not exactly like that—we were just saying that if you could lower the rent…”

“Twenty-five yen is cheap, don’t you think?”

Kyōko approached. “What are you discussing?”
Shishido replied, “Sir here says even twenty-five yen is too high...”
“Then what should we do about the security deposit?” Kyōko pressed.
“And your circumstances?” Shishido countered.
“But wouldn’t it be better to follow your earlier suggestion?”
“Then let us abolish the security deposit.”

Kyōko: “Oh!”
Keya: “Is that so.”
Shishido: “You can move in starting tonight.”
Shishido: “I will start cleaning now.”
Kyōko: “Well then, I’d like to take another good look.”
Keya: “Oh.”

“Please, please…”
(He unlocked the door again.)

Kyōko (while stepping in): “I wonder how the kitchen was arranged…”

Shishido: “I don’t know about those who rent out houses just to collect rent, but for someone like me who keeps tenants here for my own enjoyment—having old folks chanting sutras or children bawling their eyes out would hardly make it worthwhile.”
“If possible—a dreamily entranced young newlywed couple like yourselves—and moreover…”

“We’re not newlyweds anymore, you know.”

“No—even so, you haven’t yet been so battered by life’s hardships, have you?”

“Not at all, not at all…”

“In other words—I want to rent this house to a couple from that era. When meeting face-to-face, they still have things to say to each other; a time when they ceaselessly kindle shared flames of emotion. That couple’s life might well be my true life now.”

(to his wife who had emerged) “What do you think?”
“Let’s go home first and discuss it properly.”

“That’s true… but…”

Shishido: “If you would decide, then the sooner would be preferable. You don’t need any deposit or anything—just give me your word.”

Kei: “Well, since he’s gone to all this trouble for us—why don’t we take him up on it?”

“I suppose so,” said Keya. “Then, since tomorrow’s Sunday, let’s settle things properly…” He whispered to his wife while pulling banknotes from his wallet. “Anyway, I’ll give this much upfront.”

“No need for that,” Shishido interjected. “When gentlemen make a promise”—he emphasized the word with a bow—“whether I take payment now or not makes no difference, so long as you come tomorrow.”

“In that case…” Keya trailed off, tucking the money away. “Tomorrow… without fail…”

Shishido (after scrutinizing the namecard again): “It’s Mr. Kei Keya, then.”
“That will be acceptable.”
(He starts to lock the door)

Keya: “Well, thank you for having us.”

Kyōko: “Excuse me.”

Shishido: “Ah, well then, I will be waiting.”
“I’ll start wiping down the tatami right away.”
(He entered the house.)

“That landlord’s a bit strange, don’t you think…”
“It’s quite rare these days.”
“But if there’s no security deposit, that means we’d save 150 yen.”

“We’ve got to treat that as nonexistent,” said Keya.

Kyōko considered treating it as nonexistent—if she could have a dress made… This time for sure.

“Speaking of which,” Keya continued, “let’s keep chickens… chickens…”

“Chickens are fine,” said Kyōko, “but I’m already sweltering in this shawl.”

The two figures disappeared from view.

Act II

The next day—evening.

The rental sign had been peeled off.
The storm shutters were open.
With an obi and a duster slung over his shoulder, Shishido Daisan, wearing nothing but a shirt, sat on the veranda.

Nameplate—it was an exceptionally large nameplate, set as “Kei Keya.”

Inside the house, of course, not a single piece of furniture—or anything resembling it—had been placed.

There, a couple passing by—a man and woman showing even deeper signs of life’s weariness than the Keya couple—watched this scene quizzically, until at length the man called out.

Mera: “Has this house already been taken?”

“It’s been rented out.”
“Well, actually… not quite yet.”
“Was there something you needed?”

“This is number 132, correct?”
“Actually, I came after seeing yesterday’s newspaper. If it’s still vacant, might I take a brief look inside?”

“Will you be residing here?”

“Yes.”

“Just the two of you?”

“Actually, since I’ve had my wife’s younger sister come from our hometown, we wished to rent a somewhat larger house…”

Shishido: “So that makes three of you. And this younger sister you mention—is she younger than you, Madam?”

Mera: “She’s eight years younger than my wife.”

Shishido: “I see… So she’s finished school and come here looking for a marriage prospect, I take it.”

Miyako: “No, she’s entering a higher school—women’s university, you see…”

Shishido: “To women’s university, then.”
(thinking) Madam’s younger sister.
This one—I should decline.

“Why is that?” Mera asked.

“I prefer renting exclusively to couples,” Shishido replied.
“Otherwise, triangular relationships become too complicated.”
“Not that such matters would concern you—but if any trouble occurred, I’d be the first burdened with worry.”
“At my age, witnessing human strife firsthand is unbearable.”

Miyako stared. “You’re actually concerned about that?”
“In your house of all places...”

“You say ‘your house in particular,’ Madam,” Shishido retorted, “but I am not yet senile. However, if sorrow were to strike here even once, at my age I’d have to carry that grief all the way to my grave. I can’t afford to make careless mistakes.” He began putting on a kimono.

Mera: “Then… is it absolutely impossible?”

Shishido: “Your name is…”

Mera: “Mera Mei.”

Shishido: “Huh…?
‘Mera Mei-san…’”

“Mera is the family name, and Mei is the given name,” Miyako explained.

“I see,” said Shishido. “And your occupation…?”

“I work at a government office,” Mei replied.

“The government office being…?”

“The railway department.”

“The railway department…?” Shishido echoed. “Well then, please come in.” He stepped up from the engawa. “This six-mat room and eight-mat room here—the entrance is two mats, that space three mats. It comes with a spacious toilet.”

“Which part of the railway?”

“The main ministry,” Mei answered as he ascended.

Miyako continued: “My, what’s happened to this sliding door?”

“I too was once with the Railway Institute.”
“Well then, I suppose we’re colleagues of a sort.”

The group disappeared into the interior.

At that moment, a woman who looked about twenty years old and carried herself like a student entered while surveying her surroundings.

Kayoko: “Elder Sister! Elder Sister!”

Miyako: “My, that was quick. What’s wrong?”

Kayoko: “Tsuru-san keeps insisting—she says to bring Elder Sister and Elder Brother along. Even though I told them today was just to look at the house, Mother teamed up with her and absolutely wouldn’t listen unless I brought them along. What will you do?”

Miyako: “Fine.”
“They’re just being flattering anyway… I don’t want to go to a house that keeps three maids like that.”

“You know,” she continued, “I wouldn’t want to move into such a grand house either.”
“We shouldn’t have gone.”
“But since the address was so close by… we just felt compelled to stop by…”

“If you take people like that as friends from now on, you’ll only end up with unnecessary trouble.”
“If it’s just associating at school, there’s nothing to be done about that...”
“By the way... what do you think of this house?”
“The three-tatami room will be your study room.”

Kayoko: “Oh, three tatami?”
“The maid’s room, right?”

Miyako: “It’s plenty, so...”
“If you talk back so impertinently, I won’t agree to it, you know.”

Kayoko: “Then what about your room ‘elder sister’?”

Miyako: “There isn’t really a room for elder sister.”
“There’s just the living room.”

Kayoko: “It’s so dull.”
“If there aren’t rooms for each of us…”

“Talking about such luxuries, you...”
“How much do you think this rent would be...?”

“I don’t know.”
“Twenty-five yen...”

“Don’t joke about that.”
“Forty yen.”
“I’m sorry, but...”

“Oh… So you decided on that?”

Miyako: “Well, it’s still up to what Brother will say…”
“It will probably be settled.”
“As for me, anywhere would be fine now.”
(Slumped listlessly)

Kayoko: “Let’s see… We’ll hang white curtains here.”
“In the garden, let’s plant some flowers.”
“This parlor is nice and bright.”
“When Brother isn’t around, may I read books here?”

Miyako: “That’s fine—I don’t mind.”
“Cleaning will be Kayoko’s responsibility.”

“It’s always been that way up until now, hasn’t it? I’ll hang all the frames over here. Where would be good for Millet’s ‘The Angelus’…? The slightly shaded area would be good, but…”

“Please hang them wherever you like. I’ll be fine as long as I can take a nap…”

Kayoko: “I’ve never met anyone who cares less about housekeeping than you, Elder Sister.”
“And stop leaving your kimono strewn about in the parlor—I won’t keep reminding you.”
“From now on…”

Miyako: “You’re being tiresome.”
“Instead of lecturing me, why don’t you go inspect your own room…?”

Kayoko: “Before that—we’re replacing these sliding doors, aren’t we?”
“What sort of pattern should we choose?”
“Won’t you let me decide…?”

At this moment, Mera appeared from the back, followed by Shishido.

“The madam would diligently apply her makeup every morning and evening,” Shishido said. “The sir would watch her from over there. Sometimes he’d crumple paper and toss it at her shoulder…”

“Ah… I see,” Mera replied. “There are certain aspects that don’t quite meet our requirements. We appreciate your time, but we’ll continue our search elsewhere.”

“What exactly doesn’t meet your requirements?” Shishido pressed.

“There would be no purpose in stating that.”

“Hey, let’s go.”

“It really won’t work after all.”

Mera: “That won’t work.”
(Walking)

Kayoko: “Oh, why?”

Shishido: “If it’s about the rent—I can lower it even further for you.”

“No, that won’t be necessary,” said Mera. “I’ve inconvenienced you.”
(He went outside.)

Shishido: “Installing a pump is no trouble at all.”

Mera exited rapidly.
Miyako and Kayoko slipped into their geta and tried to follow after him.

Shishido (blocking Miyako’s path): “Madam, if it’s something you can endure, won’t you try moving in?”
“Is this young lady your sister?”
“I see…”
“If there’s anything inconvenient for you—if you would just inform me—I will accommodate your requests at any time.”
“I am not renting this house for profit.”
“You understand this.”
“The fact that there’s no one living in this house means I’m being robbed of my only pleasure.”
“As long as you’ll accept any tenant at all, I won’t complain.”
“To see three youthful lives—a couple like yourselves, especially with such a young lady included—growing healthy within the house I built… that would truly be my joy.”
“You see? Isn’t that right?”
“Young lady.”
“I don’t need any rent!”
“Please come starting tomorrow.”
“No—starting tonight would be perfectly fine.”

Miyako (to her husband): “Hey, you…”
(To her sister) “Could you go call Brother here?”

“I apologize for being unreasonable, but I can no longer bear to keep seeing this house devoid of human presence. To you all, I’ll lend it completely free. As long as you just move in, I won’t ask for even a single penny.”

Miyako (since her husband hadn’t returned, chasing after him): “Hey, you…”
“Since he’s gone this far…”

Mera: “Hey... look at that guy’s eyes... his eyes...”

Shishido (from behind the fence): “Then I’ll set the rent at twenty-five yen.”
“Security deposit isn’t required.”
“How does that sound?”

The three of them left briskly without responding to that.

Shishido (after watching them leave for a while): “What fools... Where do they think they’ll find a house this cheap anywhere else?”

At this moment, a woman in her mid-forties happened to pass by the front.

“Excuse me, but would you happen to know where the residence of Mr. Shishido at the 132nd address might be located?”

“I am Shishido,” he said. “Have you come to view the house?”

“Yes, though I fear it may trouble you…”

“No, no trouble at all! Then—you would be the one moving in…?”

“Yes,” she replied. “It would be myself residing here.”

“And your family?”

“Just myself and one maid.”

“I see… How splendid—” He caught himself. “When renting to young couples, they ruin the house completely. But respectable people like yourself—with a maid even—that’s truly ideal for me.” His voice tightened. “You don’t have children, I presume?”

“Well… If I were to explain that, it would take some time, but I did have an only daughter. Due to certain circumstances at present, she has gone to stay elsewhere…”

“Well, I can generally infer your circumstances.”
“If I may ask… your spouse…?”

“Well... due to certain circumstances, we have become separated...”

“Hmm... So what are you saying?”
“Still, sometimes…”

“Ah, well... no, I mean... that’s just the way of things.”

A long time.

Shishido Daisan stood there in a state of profound bewilderment.
The more urgently he sought to reach a decision, the deeper he sank into indecision.

“If it wouldn’t be any trouble,” said Fujin with polite hesitation lingering at her lips like morning dew on a spiderweb,

Fujin: “If it wouldn’t be any trouble… I would like to take a look inside…”

Shishido: “Ah… well… regarding that…”
(Started walking ahead
Still deep in thought)

Fujin: “And concerning the rent…?”

“I too lost my wife five years ago... Though truth be told, I’m now living alone behind this place, but—”
“Ah, it’s hardly worth mentioning.”

“Oh, is that so?”
“Might you have no children either?”

When his wife had been alive, they had lived in this very house...
“Please, do come up.”
(She enters)

“Ah, thank you kindly.”
“It’s rather a good layout.”
“And what might the rent be?”

Shishido: “The previous tenants were a young couple—truly splendid people.”
Fujin: “There are few such people these days.”
Shishido: “Absolutely.”
Fujin: “If I may ask... Regarding the rent...”
Shishido: “Oh, that’s no concern at all.”
(Earnestly) “As long as you stay long-term, thirty yen or forty yen makes no difference.”
“I receive a pension from the authorities anyway—the rent isn’t essential for me.”

“I wonder if this area isn’t dangerous… with only women here…”

“Ah, there’s no need for such concern,” said Shishido. He opened the window and pointed outside. “That over there is where I dwell. It’s not what you’d call a proper residence, but I’ve ensured it withstands rain and wind.”

“When I’m there, I can hear every sound in this house as clearly as if holding them in my palm. Should it come to that—from this window… Well, such occurrences are exceedingly rare.”

“But rest assured, you can sleep peacefully here.” His finger tapped the windowsill. “Will you be sleeping in this room? Or perhaps using the six-mat room?”

“Well… Those matters… Perhaps another time…”

“Well, you see—I thought if I asked about such things now, they might come in handy later. Do you have many household items?”

“No, not particularly…”

“Then this closet can be used just for bedding. As for slender items—there are half-sized closets in both the six-mat and three-mat rooms…”

“But… doesn’t it seem somewhat too spacious?”

“What’s spacious can be used compactly. What’s narrow can’t be used widely.”

Fujin: “Well, you see—it’s because we’re all women here.”

Shishido: “Oh, there’s no need for that concern. Well then, when would you be so kind as to move in?”

Fujin: “I must return home and consult…”

Shishido: “To consult... Haa… But here’s the thing. Even if you consult various people, in the end, it’s you who will be living here. No—” (awkwardly) “I don’t mind. Consult whoever you please.” (abruptly) “I’ll tell you this—if someone comes to me with their worries, I’ll take care of any concern they have, but I absolutely detest it when people consult others instead. My wife also occasionally had such a habit. This is certainly a bad habit of women.”

(Taken aback, Fujin put on her geta.)

Shishido: (Surprised) “Are you leaving already?”
“(Pleadingly) Is there truly nothing more you wish to ask?”
“Well then, you’ve come to understand, haven’t you?”

The woman: “Ah… I understand.”
“Thank you for your time…”
The woman scrambled away in a flustered state.

Shishido (pacing around the room): “She doesn’t get it… That woman… Does she even get it?”
He crumpled the paper—then what? Did he mean to hurl it at the ceiling?
(He peered through a gap in the sliding door into the next room.)
(Then crept toward the veranda on tiptoe) Tch, damn...
Damn.
(He folded his arms.)
(Looking around with a tearful voice) Another day gone to waste.

—Curtain—