Pathway to Japanese Literature

Act I

On the outskirts of Tokyo—

The villa terrace backed by a mixed forest

Old Lady

Osamu

Henriette

Hiroshi

Autumn afternoon—

There were two benches—on one leaned the Old Lady, on the other a young man. This seemed to have become their daily custom—both of them displayed perfect naturalness and relaxed composure as they read quietly.

The Old Lady wore a traditional Japanese everyday garment, with a fur stole carelessly thrown over her shoulders—an attire and bearing that didn't appear particularly discordant.

The young man wore casual walking clothes.
He was hatless.

Osamu (Without making any attempt to pick up the book slipping from his hand) Let's take a short walk.

Old Lady (without taking her eyes from the book) "Just two or three more pages..."

Osamu stood up and waited silently for her to finish reading. But seeing no sign of it concluding soon, he sat back down.

Old Lady (without looking up) "Be quiet."

Osamu (vaguely) "I am being quiet."

A long silence.

Osamu (as if soliloquizing): "Even at your age, I see you still find things to become engrossed with."

Old Lady …..

Osamu: "But when you do become engrossed in something, you don't lose yourself in it—meaning you don't get so absorbed that you forget everything else. Isn't that right?"
"If you wanted to stop, you could quit anytime..."
"You keep going not because you can't stop, but because there's nothing else for you to do. Isn't that it?"
"At the very least, there's no real difference between doing this and doing anything else..."
"That must be how it is."
When I think about it...

Old Lady (still keeping her eyes downcast) "Because you're being noisy again..."

Osamu (laughing insistently): "Now Grandmother—you think everything would be just fine if everyone in the world wore reading glasses like this, hunched their backs, and read religious books, don't you?"

Old Lady: "If there's no mistake, then what? You’re being noisy, really..." (thrusting the book under the young man’s nose) "Is this what you call a religious book?"

Osamu (somewhat deflated): “Oh... Anatole France?”
“La Vie en Fleur...”
“If you keep tangling with that old codger, you’ll bring ruin upon yourself.”

Old Lady: “Enough of your prattle—make yourself useful.”
(Attempts to rise)

Osamu (staying her): “Before that—Grandmother—there’s a matter we must discuss.”
(Pause) “Here will suffice.”

Old Lady ...?

Osamu: "Then please..." (helped the Old Lady sit back down) "Strange... just a bit...?"

Old Lady: "What is it? Just say it quickly..."

Osamu: "I'll say it now. When having this kind of conversation, please don't look at my face like that."

Old Lady: "Then you should be the one looking downward. So what exactly are you telling me to do?"

Osamu: "You already know, don't you?"

Old Lady: “What…?”
“Oh, enough of that. Just tell me.”

(Pause).

Osamu: “Grandmother, where do you intend to have Henriette married off?”

Old Lady: “Sending that girl off in marriage isn’t my doing.”
“There’s her splendid father, after all…”

Osamu: “However, that father of hers is always abroad, and since her mother passed away, you, Grandmother, have been taking care of everything, haven’t you?”
“If that’s the case, then even regarding marriage—if you were to give your approval…”

“Oh, wait...”
“I do bear some responsibility for that.”
“But that’s all there is to it.”
“That girl has been educated to choose her own path.”

“I wonder...”
“How rude! You’re the one still finding your footing in life, aren’t you? What value could this law you’re dabbling in possibly have? Henriette may seem flighty, but she’s actually quite clever.”
“She’s too good for someone like me... Grandmother, what sort of man do you truly favor?”
“You’re asking me?”
(momentarily flustered) “Setting your age aside...”

“Why?”
“That’s precisely why you’re hopeless.”
“Youth alone doesn’t make a woman. Shall I tell you what’s truly laughable? You’re insufferably affected—a man like you…” (pretending anger)

Osamu (feigning ignorance): “You’ve got pine needles caught in your hair.”

Old Lady (plucks them off indifferently)

“Grandmother—how old were you when you married?”

Old Lady: “Why?”

Osamu: “Just because...”

Old Lady: “I married too young... Eighteen—that spring... At Henriette’s age, I’d already finished girls’ school and was studying Italian at that Signora Pariani’s place—her mother was Olga.”

Osamu: "So Grandfather was waiting for you to come fetch him from Rome—he was... at that time?"

Old Lady: "His age? Well, he certainly wasn't as young as you are now. He had grown a mustache and cut quite the imposing figure as a gentleman..."

Osamu: "An imposing presence suits him well. And you must have been such a delicate young lady yourself back then..."

“Of course I was,” the Old Lady retorted. “I wasn’t as tall as your mother, but hardly some diminutive creature like Henriette either…”

“That’s true enough…” Osamu agreed, his voice softening with nostalgia. “And you were rather accomplished at horseback riding and the broad jump too…”

Old Lady (laughing): “That’s a lie…”

Osamu: “Hey, Grandmother, that photo of you and Grandfather taken together in Paris turned up the other day from Mother’s keepsake box. With the hem of your black cape gathered like this, lightly hooked… That must be Luxembourg Gardens—you were feeding pigeons in front of someone’s statue… with gestures like this…” When I saw that, all I could say was “Huh,” and then I sat right down there.

Old Lady: “There was such a photo? What’s Grandfather doing there?”

Osamu: “Grandfather was holding this walking stick—which really should’ve been handled quite differently—horizontally in both hands like so—as if performing some gymnastic routine—sitting composedly while gazing at young, beautiful Grandmother’s profile.”

“What are you saying?”
“Indeed, the mustache alone is splendid.”

Old Lady: “Is that so.”

Osamu: “That’s right.”

“Those photos from back then... Yes, I haven’t taken them out to look in so long...”
“I should have some like that too...”
“Oh!”
“Then that must have been the time...”

A long silence.

“Whether we speak of Grandfather, our father, or Henriette’s mother—they all died young, didn’t they.”

Old Lady: “They died young, didn’t they. Yvonne hadn’t even turned thirty yet.”

Osamu: “I suppose I’ll die young too. This time, well, I’ve managed to survive…”

Old Lady: “You—that’s precisely your problem. Immediately deciding you’re a weakling…”

Osamu: I haven't decided that!
"So even today, when I suggested playing tennis, that judo second dan said you're not allowed and won't let me do it."
"Henriette takes advantage of that again and doesn't even turn to look at me."

Old Lady: Tu es bête!

A long silence.

Old Lady: “Aren't you cold? You're not wearing anything over your clothes... Today, the wind is cold.”

Osamu: “A month will pass before we know it. When I first came here, the poplar leaves hadn't turned this yellow yet. In any case, I probably don't look like a patient anymore.”

Old Lady: “You don't. But you still need to be careful for another year. If something like that time were to happen again...”

Osamu (suddenly looking gloomy): "I wish I could cancel the seaside trip and stay here a little longer."

(Pause.)

Old Lady: "If only it wouldn't get cold..."
"After all, this place isn't made for winter..."

Osamu: “Either way, it seems better that I’m not here.”

Old Lady: “Why?”

Osamu: “Why… Grandmother, you must know the reason better than anyone.”

Old Lady: “Enough—let us cease speaking of this. Be a man and take your leave promptly.” Grandmother too had been wrong. Had she but discerned his feelings sooner and done what she could… Now that matters had reached this pass, nothing remained to be done. From this moment onward—whatever happiness…

“You mean it can be obtained,” Osamu said, “if only I would wish for it? But Grandmother, I’m happiest right now. No, truly. Henriette still sometimes plays with me alone. The breakfast table must be prepared daily just for us two—since you wake late.”

Old Lady: Pauvre garçon!

“Even now—look! The sun’s setting; we can be just us three again.”
“Doesn’t just thinking that make you feel so much better…?”

The Old Lady placed a hand on the young man's shoulder. "If you're feeling better now, stop this crying." Her fingers lingered like autumn leaves caught on wool. "Let us take a turn about the grounds."

Osamu's lashes trembled, droplets catching twilight.

"Up you get," she urged, the camphor scent of her shawl enveloping them both.

At this moment, a girl in athletic wear appeared, swinging a racket.

Henriette: “Ah, I’m thirsty.”

The old lady’s labored breathing had already subsided.

Henriette: “But I can’t see the ball—it’s too dark...”

“That’s probably right.”

“But it’s not dinner time yet, is it?”
“Oh, what happened, Brother Osamu?”

Old Lady: “They say Chateaubriand made him cry.”

Henriette: “Did you weep over a novel?”
“How peculiar.”

Old Lady: “More importantly—you—what of Hiroshi...”

Henriette: “Yes, well—he meant to bid farewell at Grandmother’s.”
“Then he saw that persimmon tree and wouldn’t be dissuaded from picking fruit.”
“So I told him I’d come consult you first—‘Wait right there,’ said I—and here I am.”

“They probably aren’t ripe yet.”

“But they are red.”
“So is it all right to pick them?”

“Ah, that’s fine—but mind you don’t hurt yourself.”

Henriette: "Yes."
(About to leave)

Osamu (stood up): "I'll pick some too." (After saying this, he followed the girl)

Old Lady: "Tell Tsuruhana to bring out the laundry pole."

Osamu: "Ah, right!" (He ran off toward the back)

Old Lady (scoldingly): "Don't run again!"

Then, Hiroshi appeared in his place.

Henriette: “Oh!”

Hiroshi: "It’s already late—I must go."
I’ll get scolded again…
Henriette: (listlessly) Why…?

Hiroshi: “The persimmons can wait until tomorrow.”

Henriette: “Even though you were the one who suggested waiting until tomorrow...”

Hiroshi (laughing cheerfully): “Goodbye, Auntie!” (He doffed his hat, then suddenly broke into a full sprint.)

Old Lady: “Please give my regards to everyone.”

After Hiroshi had left, Osamu came out holding a bamboo pole.

Henriette (trying to take the bamboo pole): “Hey, lend it to me…”

Osamu: “You can’t handle it.”

Henriette: “No—I’ll get them.”

“Henriette!”

Henriette glanced toward her and thrust the bamboo pole into Osamu’s hands. “Let me pick some too.”

The two disappeared.

Old Lady (After seeing off the two, turns the pages of the book again)

There was a long silence.

Henriette's voice: “That one looks good.”
“More this way... There, that spot...”
“There’s a red one there… Look!”

Old Lady (seems occasionally distracted by the direction of the voices.)
(Still, she immediately lowers her eyes to the book and begins reading aloud) J'étais loin d'être un beau garçon etlepis est queje manquaisdehardiesse. Celame nuisait auprès des femmes.

Henriette's voice: "Oh! If you handle them that roughly, they'll bruise... Lend it to me... [Pause] I'll be fine... Just watch."

Old Lady (reads aloud): Car j'estimais que le plus grand péchéd'une femme est de n'être pas belle.

Henriette's voice: What are you doing?
“You’re climbing the tree…?”
“That’s dangerous!”

Old Lady (pricks up her ears for a moment.
(but immediately) "I noticed that in society, many young men who were not my equals were more liked and successful than I."

Henriette's voice: There are so many red ones growing on that branch, aren't there?
“Yes, that... the branch you’re sitting on...”

Old Lady: J'ai toujours cru que la seule chose raisonnable est de chercher le plaisir.

Henriette's voice (raising her pitch): Oh, Grandmother! Listen—Brother Osamu has climbed up to a high part of the persimmon tree!

Old Lady (raises her face and slightly furrows her brows, but soon lowers her eyes again): Il n'est pas difficile de s'apercevoir si un hommeest heureux ou malheureux. La joie et la douleursont ce qu'ou dissimule le moins, surtont dans lajeunesse.

“No! I said no...!”
“Grandmother! Brother Osamu is throwing unripe persimmons at me!”
(hurriedly) “If you do that, I'll do this!”

A long silence.

Old Lady: Ils étaientjaloux, haineux, ambitieux. Jétais indulgent etpaisible; j'ignorais l'ambition.

Henriette's voice: Oh, stop that! Doing such a reckless thing...

Old Lady: Il ya de cespassions violentes qui font les grands hommeset dont je n'avais pas l'étoffe.

“Grandmother! Brother Osamu is eating persimmons with the skin on...”
“Is that really permissible?”
“How sneaky...”

Old Lady (gradually began showing signs of restlessness.
Took her eyes off the book and glanced occasionally toward where voices came from)

Henriette's voice: Grandmother!

“What’s all this racket?”

Henriette: "Grandmother, listen—" (appearing) "Listen—Brother Osamu says he's taking a nap up in the persimmon tree..."
"He's closing his eyes, crossing his arms, sleeping..."
"No matter how much I poke him with a stick, he won't wake up."

Old Lady: "No mischief now."
"You tell him to come down at once..."

Henriette (leaves while laughing)

Old Lady (continued her silent reading for some time)

Henriette's voice: Brother Osamu, please pick them quickly! It's getting dark.
(Pause) No—left! A bit more left! If you'd just go left...
“No—that’s the right…”
“There! Even though your hand’s touching it, you can’t tell? That one—that one—yes, that one!”

Old Lady (begins reading aloud again): Mais ce dont je m'aperçus après une longue observation, c'est que le désir embellit les objets sur lesquelsil pose ses ailes de feu, que sa satisfaction, décevante le plus souvent, est la ruinedel'illusion, seulvrai bien des hommes.

Henriette's voice: “That’s enough... that much...”
“Really, that’s enough—that’s plenty...”
(her voice trembling) “Please stop... It’s so dangerous up there. Brother Osamu, I said that’s enough—” (her voice breaking into tears)
(suddenly in a high-pitched voice) “Grandmother! Brother Osamu won’t listen to a word I say!”
“He’s climbing higher and higher... reaching the thin branches...”

Old Lady (flinching): “Osamu, won’t you stop this foolishness now?”

A long silence fell.

Henriette's voice: “Look at that!”
(Pause) “Eh!”
“Everyone...?”
“There are so many...”
“One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve… thirteen…”

Old Lady (reads again.
(this time, in a slightly higher pitch)

O Thébains!Jusqúauj'our qui termine la vie

“Let us not look upon anyone with envious eyes.”

“Can one ever foresee fate’s final blows?”

“Let us proclaim no man happy before his death.”

Henriette’s voice: “Oh, what are you doing climbing so high... Brother Osamu! No! No, that branch won’t hold... I beg you, come down...”

Old Lady (At this moment, suddenly as if startled by something, released her book and convulsively brought her hand to her mouth.
And before Henriette's shrill scream of "Ah! Dangerous!" could be heard, she was already on her feet.

――CURTAIN――

II

Old Lady

Henriette

Kazue

Hiroshi

Tsuru

The morning of late March in the following year—

Two benches identical to those before—the Old Lady leaned against one, Henriette against the other. Both sat with their half-read books on their laps, silent and lost in thought.

The girl had a compress on her throat.

Old Lady: "When Aunt from Hongo arrives shortly, you should just greet her and immediately begin tomorrow's review."

Henriette: "Yes, but Hiroshi will be coming at ten o'clock."

“You still can’t play tennis today.”

Henriette: “Why...?”

Old Lady: “Why do you ask? Your fever has only just subsided, hasn’t it?”

Henriette: “Then what about a walk...?”

Old Lady: “Stay still all day today, okay? Be a good girl... This coming Sunday, you may play tennis or whatever you like. For Hiroshi, you could let him listen to the gramophone or something…”

Henriette: "He dislikes things like the gramophone, you know."
Old Lady: "Then what does he like?"
Henriette: "He likes listening to my voice..."
Old Lady (suppressing a laugh): "Your singing?"

Henriette: “It could be singing or anything. If I stay silent, he’ll get angry.”

Old Lady: “What do you mean by ‘get angry’?”

Henriette: “He’ll get angry, that’s…”

Old Lady: “Oh dear... You’ve found yourself the perfect match. Then for heaven’s sake, keep quiet around your grandmother a little longer. When I'm with you, I can't even read a book.”

Henriette: “But Grandmother, you...”

Old Lady: “That's enough... I’ll sew your lips shut...”

Henriette (keeping her lips tightly closed—as if they had been sewn shut—laughs aloud)

Old Lady (ignoring this, turns the pages of her book)

A long while.

Tsuru appears.

Tsuruhana: “A letter has arrived.”

Old Lady (receiving and opening the letter): “Call Hongo, please, and check whether Madam has already gone out.”

Tsuruhana: Yes.
(Exit)

Old Lady (reads the letter.
The letter was foreign mail.
It was a rather lengthy text.
This was undoubtedly a long-awaited missive from family.
It also appeared to contain matters of significant import.
And finally, it left various indescribable emotions lingering in every corner of their hearts).

Henriette (all this while watching her grandmother's complexion and fingertips trembling with emotion).
(Finally unable to contain herself) It's from Father, isn't it.

Old Lady: (silently nodded)

Henriette (jumping for joy): "What—!"
"For me—?"

Old Lady examined the pages of the letter one by one.
(peered into the envelope) "Excuse me, excuse me— Ah, this must be it—"
"Now, go over there and read it slowly—"

Henriette: “Why can’t I read it here?”

Old Lady: “Here is fine—”
“Just be quiet for a moment…”
(continues reading)

Henriette (becoming equally engrossed, reads the letter)

Old Lady (having finished reading once, reads it again)

Tsuruhana appears.

Tsuruhana: “Um, Madam Hongo apparently left about an hour ago.”

Old Lady: “Ah, right. Since it’s nearly time for his arrival, make the preparations.”

Tsuruhana: “Yes.”
(Exit)

Old Lady (putting the letter back into the envelope): “What does it say from Father?”

Henriette: “Wait a moment, will you? There’s something complicated written here that I don’t understand… this part…”

Old Lady: “Go on, read it.”

Henriette: “No way!”
Old Lady: “Oh? To me as well...?”
Henriette: “But... Then... what does it say to Grandmother? There’s something about me.”
Old Lady: “It does say so... It’s all about you.”

Henriette: "Really? You must have mentioned something about me, didn't you? That's awful, Grandma, I'm telling you…"

Old Lady: "Now, read it properly."

Henriette: “Then I’ll just read the good parts.”
“…—‘The letter dated November 20th—since I was traveling, I only just received it today.’”
“‘Your penmanship and composition keep improving…’—Ugh, Father! This part’s terrible—‘In that photograph you look rather plump, but quite charming…’—You’ll make fun of me—no!”
“It’s hopeless—every part I try to read…”

Old Lady: “Instead of just saying such things, why don’t you read it all?”

Henriette: “Then just this part.”
“‘Poor Mr. Osamu.”
“‘You who were there must have been terribly shocked.’”
“‘Since he wouldn’t listen even when stopped, you bear no blame—but when playing together with anyone, you must take care, or such irreversible things will happen.’”
“‘...you escaped injury this time—well, that’s fortunate—but girls really shouldn’t go tree-climbing.’ ——Shouldn’t go tree-climbing, he says…”

Old Lady (with tears welling in her eyes): “Is that all about Osamu…?”

Henriette: “Yes… Then I’ll skip this part…”

Old Lady: “Which part are you skipping?”

Henriette: “Next time, try writing your letter in French.”
“Don’t have Grandmother correct it.”
“Ah... I’ve finished reading it.”

At this moment, guided by Tsuruhana, Kazue appeared.
Traditional Japanese attire appropriate for mourning.

Kazue: "Have there been any changes in your health?"

Old Lady: "Thank you."
"You're the one who…"

Kazue: "Are you studying?"
"Henriette."

Henriette (bowed politely)

Kazue: “How is your cold...? Are you quite recovered now?”

Old Lady: “That child detests being confined indoors... What can one do? Though you’ve come out rather promptly yourself.”

Kazue: “But I’d been anticipating this so.” (Glancing about) “A full month has passed, hasn’t it? Spring has settled in completely...”

Old Lady: “Shall we move yonder then?”

Kazue: "No, here is perfectly fine."
(Pulls a chair closer.)
(Sits down)

Henriette: "Well then, Aunt, please take your time..." (attempts to leave)

Kazue: “Oh... Where are you going?”

“If you stay out too long, it might happen again...”
“I’ll call for you later.”

Henriette exits.

“I truly thought I’d recovered, but being here again, I still…” (presses a handkerchief to her eyes)

Old Lady: "That... I suppose that's true."

A long silence.

Kazue: "The persimmon tree—you've already had it cut down, haven't you?"

Old Lady: "Even so, hauling it away took considerable effort..."
"It required a full day's work."
"When I saw it felled, what a massive tree it truly was."
"I had them dig out even the roots and remove everything."
"At that spot...I thought perhaps we might plant Osamu's favorite 'Mokkou roses'..."

Kazue...

Old Lady: “Since autumn, I too have aged completely.”

Kazue: “Please don’t say such disheartening things.”
“Mother is far healthier than someone like me.”
“It must be because you have your diversions.”

Old Lady: “Diversions... you say...”

“As for someone like me… I haven’t felt like reading books since then…”

Old Lady: “That’s a different matter altogether. Mine is an illness, you know.”

Kazue: “If it’s such an illness, then that’s perfectly fine. But I do think this way of things won’t do. Lately, I’ve been trying my hand at painting sarasa patterns again. Though I can’t make anything decent, well… it does serve to pass the time.”

Old Lady: “That’s good. Let’s go see them sometime. And then you should try doing something more uplifting. Is tennis no good anymore, I wonder?”

Kazue: “Me?”
“Oh dear, what sort of figure would I cut?”

Old Lady: “Appearance doesn’t matter one bit. What truly brightens the spirit is exercise, I should think.”

Kazue...

Old Lady: "Music might be good too, but that's something you can't force yourself to enjoy..."

Kazue: "That's true..."
"It has to be something you can do mechanically, doesn't it?"

Old Lady: "What you need is someone to keep you company."

A long time passed.

Kazue: "What I need is someone to keep me company."
"Anyone at all..."

A long silence.

Old Lady: “Though his illness may have been a factor... He only ever seemed cheerful when exercising...”

Kazue: “But that child never particularly liked exercise...”

Old Lady: “Yet when he did... That’s how it turned out... So vigorous...
So seemingly delighted...”

“It must have been because he was with Miss Henriette, that...”
“That isn’t all there was to it.”

A long silence.

Kazue: He never climbed trees even once since childhood, though...
"Utterly baffling..."
"On that day of all days... why did he... again..."

“There’s no use saying that anymore.” The Old Lady showed the letter. “Now Akira had also mentioned...”

“Brother already knew,” said Kazue.

Old Lady: “It states here he received word on February twentieth.” — “Apparently he spent winter circulating through Algeria.”
Kazue: “How remarkable that he never wearies of journeying.”

“He’s been wandering around the Mediterranean for ten years now since then—without seeing his daughter grow up…”

“All by himself…”

Old Lady: ……

Kazue: “Aren’t you going to call for Miss Henriette?”

Old Lady: “A young girl following around an archaeologist who spends his life wandering would serve no purpose whatsoever.”
“If he were settled in Paris conducting research like before—that would be different…”

A long silence.

Kazue: "You know, yesterday when I was organizing the bookshelf, I found Osamu's diary."

Old Lady: "Was he keeping a diary, that child..."

Kazue: "The entries are scattered, though…"
"No matter which date you look at, it's written about what H said or what H did."
"When I wondered who H was…"

Old Lady: “It must be about Henriette.”

Kazue: “Yes.”
“I... never knew.”

Pause.

Old Lady: Pauvre garçon!

A long silence.

Kazue: “I hadn’t the slightest inkling.”
(Pause) “It appears he endured such torment.”

Old Lady: “You kept silent admirably. — He must have wrestled with it himself endlessly, knowing it was an impossible matter to voice…”

Kazue: "Though they were cousins..."

Old Lady: "Even so... He kept quiet so well."

Kazue: "Yes."

Old Lady: “And given how spirited Henriette is—as you well see—what must that have been for Osamu? Though it’s too late to say such things now…”

Kazue: “Does mixing with Western blood make them turn out that way?”

Old Lady: “What do you mean?”

Kazue: “Their temperament, I mean.”

Old Lady: “Your temperament takes after your father.”

Kazue: “I wonder… Now that you mention it, Osamu took after his father too, didn’t he?”

Old Lady: “The one from your family—though he was the younger brother—was so mild-mannered that everyone mistook him for the elder. After all, he was a child fated to die young.” She paused, her voice deepening. “Lately, I’ve found myself dwelling on such matters.” Placing a bonbon in her mouth, she extended the box. “Have one? They’re quite good.”

“Thank you… I’ve had plenty…”

At that moment, Massenet's Élégie could be heard coming from the gramophone in the back.

Kazue: "Has someone come?"

Old Lady: "It must be Hiroshi."
"He’s Henriette’s tennis partner, you know—quite a reliable young man."

Kazue: "Ah yes, that lively one who came by sometime ago..."

Old Lady: "They do seem rather close, but well, well..." (smiles)

Kazue (forcing a smile herself): "Yes."
"Rather…"

A long silence.

Old Lady: “Akira may seem indifferent, but it appears he’s still concerned about the daughter he left behind. Even today he came to discuss various matters about the future.”
“I can see my time is near—keeping her close like this has started to weigh on me.”

Kazue...

Old Lady: "I do think things will work out when the time comes... and yet."

Kazue: …

Old Lady: "Yvonne never could get used to Japan's climate and ended up like that, but a motherless girl is such a pitiful thing.
"It was as if Henriette’s mother had crossed the distant seas just to learn the words 'thank you' and 'good day'…"

Kazue: “That’s true.”

Old Lady: Why must I keep dwelling on these matters today?

“Because you saw my gloomy face,”
“When I come here, I always set out with such a lighthearted mood, and yet…”

When hurried footsteps echoed through the room, suddenly the window curtains parted.
Henriette's figure appeared.

Henriette: “Please excuse me coming through here. You know, Grandmother... Hiroshi’s suddenly been told he must go to Osaka...”

Old Lady: “What’s that you say…”

Henriette: "Why must he go?"

Old Lady: "Oh?"
"Have Hiroshi come here..."

Henriette (rushes off)

Old Lady: "Did you see Henriette's face?"

Kazue (nods)

The gramophone stopped.—Hiroshi appeared with Henriette.

Old Lady: “So it’s true… You’re really going to Osaka…”

Hiroshi (after bowing to Kazue and the Old Lady): “My old man told me this morning.”
“It was so sudden—I’m completely thrown off.”

Old Lady: “Has your position in Osaka been settled?”

Hiroshi: “That’s part of it, but…”
“Well, I suppose that’s how it stands.”

Old Lady: “That’s wonderful news.”
“Company?”
“Bank?”

Hiroshi: “Well... which department am I being rotated into?”
“At first, it seems I’ll be made to do all sorts of things.”

Old Lady: “So it’s practical training then.”
“You have connections in Osaka, don’t you?”

Hiroshi: “Well... my old man’s friendly with this fellow who dabbles in various businesses...”
“Basically I’m being lodged with that man’s household.”

Old Lady: “And when will you depart?”

“That’s what’s odd—they say it’s this Monday…”
“I don’t even have time to have clothes made, you see.”

“If you mean this Monday—” (counting on her fingers) “—that leaves four days, doesn’t it?”
“There had been no mention of this beforehand at all.”

“Is it me who’s going?”
“Well, there had been talk for some time now about sending me there.”

“Oh—so you’re being adopted into the family?”

“Yes… To put it plainly, that’s how it stands.”

From this point onward, Henriette’s expression looked about to burst into tears.

Old Lady (noticing this): “Henriette, go over there and ask Tsuruhana about the lunch preparations…”
“Tell them they should begin making preparations soon.”

Henriette (rushed off like an unshackled lamb)

Kazue: “Excuse me for asking, but the young lady over there...?”

Hiroshi (gestured with his hands): “She’s just a child about this big, you know.”

Kazue: “But you’re still so young yourself...”
“That must be quite something to look forward to, no?”

Hiroshi (laughing)

“So it hasn’t been settled yet, has it?”

Hiroshi: “Well, it’s practically settled.”
“There’s no sense dwelling on it now.”
“But if it becomes unbearable, I can always come back anytime.”

Kazue: “Surely not…”

Old Lady: “You must have met that young lady countless times by now, surely...”

Hiroshi: “Twice... three times... maybe?”
“But she’s only sixteen.”

Old Lady: “What a charming wife you’ll have.”

"I won't be getting married right away."

Old Lady (laughing): "Well now, I suppose that's true - what can one do..."

Kazue (laughs)

Hiroshi (scratching his head): "Being a foster child—it's such an unpleasant business, you know."

Old Lady: "That isn't necessarily so.
Well then, you don't often get to come to Tokyo, do you?"

Hiroshi (cheerfully): "I'll come over.
I'll have to come see how Ms. Henriette's doing..."

Old Lady (glancing at Kazue): "Oh... my, my..."

"You'll be staying in Japan for the time being, won't you?"

Old Lady: "I am indeed...
Abandoning me—where could you possibly go?
Listen, Kazue…"

Kazue nodded with a smile in her eyes.

Hiroshi fidgeted a bit. "Even so... it's Father's circumstances again..."

The Old Lady said, "Oh, how that will turn out, I don't know. After all, someday I will be left all alone."

Kazue responded, "I am here." Then, to Hiroshi: "Listen."

Hiroshi agreed, "That's right..."

The first time the old lady had felt lonely at the prospect of being alone was already five or six years ago.

Kazue said softly, "Someone like me could never become like you, Mother."

"My mother gets lonely too—she’s been crying nonstop since this morning."

"I knew it."
"Because she has no one beneath her…"

"Oh, children never think about their parents, you know."

...

"When they want to go somewhere, off they go..."
"When they want to die, they die quickly…"

Kazue (with a lonely smile)

Hiroshi: "I don't like it... Your sarcasm..."

Old Lady (laughing): "You mustn't forget the house you used to visit every Sunday to play tennis."

Kazue (also forcing a smile): "And then... the house where the boy who fell from the persimmon tree and died lived."

Old Lady: "Yes."

Hiroshi (lowering his face): "I won't forget."

Old Lady: “Henriette too will feel lonely from now on without a tennis partner.”

At this moment, suddenly from the shadow of the window, Henriette’s stifled sobs could be heard.
Everyone looked in that direction.

Old Lady (with an unusually tense expression): “Hiroshi, let us leave our discussion here for today.”
“Before you depart, please come once more.”
“Let’s have tea as a farewell.”
“As Henriette seems to be feeling somewhat unwell, we must take our leave.”

Hiroshi: “Ah, well then, please excuse me.”
“Someday... again...” (bows politely and exits)

Silence.

The Old Lady called out, "Henriette..." (No response) "Henriette..." She quietly rose and stepped into the interior.

Moments later, she reappeared with her hand resting on Henriette's shoulder, tenderly guiding the girl.

Kazue asked, "What happened?"

Old Lady (returning to her seat and holding Henriette on her lap): “Is there someone crying? Over such a trivial matter...”

Henriette (bashfully buried her face in the Old Lady's chest.
But then, as if struck by some thought, suddenly pulled away from that spot and fled deeper into the house.
(The sound of footsteps racing up the stairs))

The Old Lady (taken aback, exchanged glances with Kazue) — but suddenly, as if some premonition had brushed her mind, abruptly rose from her seat.
However, reconsidering, she now quietly followed after Henriette while softening her footsteps.)

Kazue (left alone in such a state, unconsciously stood up from her seat but absently gazed up at the second floor).

A long silence.

After some time, the Old Lady reappeared, still muffling her footsteps as before.
Her face bore a somewhat tired look—the kind that follows release from extreme anxiety.

Kazue: “She’s okay.”

Old Lady: “What?”
“Henriette?”

(Without answering that) It didn't work out after all.

Kazue: "But..."
"That's just how it is."

Old Lady (sighing): "I thought it was happening again."

Kazue: "Huh?"
"You mean... again?"

Old Lady: "That's right... Let her cry as much as she wants."
"Women... young women can wash away their sorrows along with their tears, you know."

――CURTAIN――

III

Old Lady

Henriette

Tsuru

Doctor

That autumn afternoon of that year—the poplar now bare of leaves.

The window was open.
Although the interior wasn't clearly visible, only the figure of the Old Lady busily going in and out could be seen.
Henriette's voice calling, “Grandmother, could you come here for a moment...?” could be heard from the second floor.

Tsuru goes in and out of the house.

Before long, Henriette, dressed in outdoor clothes, led the way, followed by the Old Lady and then Tsuru.

Old Lady (looking at her watch): “It’s still rather early.”
“If we leave now, we’ll end up waiting nearly an hour.”

Henriette: “It’s better to arrive slightly early.”
“Auntie should reach there by five o’clock.”

Old Lady: “Ah yes—your father might kiss you, so don’t act startled.”

Henriette: “A kiss means nothing.”
“I remember when Father was leaving.”
“His beard scratched terribly—I didn’t know what to do.”
“Does Grandmother not kiss?”

“Grandmother would like to do it too, but Father would be the one to get startled.”

Having said this, she suddenly placed one hand on her forehead and braced the other against Henriette’s shoulder, swaying unsteadily forward.
Henriette and Tsuru hurriedly caught and held her.

Henriette: “Grandmother, what’s wrong?”

Tsuru: “Madam...”

The two of them settled the Old Lady onto the bench.

“Shall I call the doctor?”
“Quick—call Dr. Mizoguchi’s office—hurry…”

Tsuru (rushes off)

Henriette: (tearfully) “Grandmother, are you feeling unwell? Do you have any medicine...?”

Old Lady: (Waves her hand weakly)

Henriette: (Placing her hand on the Old Lady's forehead) You shouldn't lower your head like that.

Old Lady: (Gently) It's because you rush me so.
(Pause) — Don't fret.

A long silence.

Henriette: “What should we do about that?”

Old Lady: “Rest a bit more… It’ll probably get better soon.”

Tsuru appeared.

Tsuru: “He will arrive immediately. He was just about to go out when we called.”

Old Lady: “It’s nothing—just a bit of dizziness. There was no need to call the doctor like that… I’m a bit thirsty, so please make me a cup of hot tea.”

Tsuru: “Yes, madam.” (exited)

Henriette: "Wouldn't it be better if you didn't go today?"

Old Lady: "Oh, it's nothing serious."
"There's simply no question of me not going to meet him!"

Henriette: "But if we keep delaying like this, won't we be late...?"

Old Lady: "You're such a fussy girl. Didn't I say we have time?"
"It's not just you who's been waiting eagerly."
"Even Father wouldn't be pleased if you alone went to meet him."

A long silence.

Tsuru brought tea.

Old Lady (quietly sipping tea): "Please tidy up the reception room properly."
"And don't forget to replace the dining room light bulb."

Tsuru: "Yes, madam."

Old Lady (checking her own pulse): "You lose your mettle when you grow old.—Forgive me, Henriette."
"I just said something a bit mean, didn’t I?"
"No—that’s not it."
"Your father came back specifically to see you."
"So you must be first to greet him—step right up and say 'Welcome home'."
"What do you suppose he'll say then?"
"He'll embrace you with both arms—'My good girl who waited so patiently'—"
"...then stroke your cheek—"
"'The very image of your mother'—"
"...that's what he'll say."
(Pause) "Tsuruhana—we're done here now. Go start dinner preparations..."
"And Yoshiya—hasn't he returned yet?"

Tsuru: "Yes, madam. He hasn't... yet."
"He’s so slow with his errands—it’s quite troublesome."

Old Lady: "You're not exactly quick yourself either."
"Now, when the doctor arrives—since we can’t stay here—let’s go upstairs." (Checking the time) "We still have twenty minutes..."
(Tried to stand up but leaned back against the chair again) "How strange—I still can’t manage it."

Henriette: "It would be better to leave things as they are for a while longer."
(Looking outside) "You're in pain."

“No, no—if I stay like this, it’s nothing.—If only someone would take me quietly to Tokyo Station just as I am…”

Henriette: (Amusedly) “Along with the chair?”

Old Lady: “Ah—carrying me along with the chair... What do you suppose everyone would think...?”

Henriette: “People are gathering around, aren’t they?”

Old Lady: “If they knew this pitiful figure of an aged mother who came to meet her son’s return, there would be none who would laugh. Here, hand me that scarf.”

Henriette draped a fur scarf over the Old Lady's shoulders.

Old Lady: "When I stay like this, the hem feels cold. Something to cover myself with..."

Tsuruhana entered the inner room.

Henriette: "You mustn't move around so much."

Old Lady: "Why don't you sit there too? You'll tire yourself standing." She adjusted Henriette's hair escaping from under her hat. "This hat suits you best. Now turn this way... There we go... What will you say when you meet Father?"

Henriette twisted her body awkwardly, struggling to form words.

Old Lady: "What will you say?"
"Aren't you going to say anything at all?"

Henriette: "But there are so many others here..."

Old Lady: "Who can say...?"
"He might not have told anyone—that would be just like him..."
"Though it was in the papers—people would know he's returning, but not the exact time..."
"I wonder what became of those old friends from his past..."

Henriette: "But Father must be a famous scholar."

Old Lady: "In France, you know."
"That seems to be precisely why he isn't accepted in Japanese academic circles."
"Osamu's father managed to earn his doctorate in his early thirties with that work of his, but your father always ridiculed him."
"When academic disciplines differ, must they exclude each other so vehemently?"

Henriette: “Brother Osamu’s father must be in anthropology.”

Old Lady: Ah, that’s right.
“Well then, as an archaeologist, your father is now the foremost authority in the world...”

Tsuru brought a down quilt.

Tsuru (while draping it over her): Ah, the doctor has arrived.

Old Lady: Well then, if you'll excuse me, please come this way...

Tsuruhana left.
Before long, she returned guiding the doctor.

Doctor: “What seems to be the trouble?”

Old Lady (feigning composure): “Oh, it’s nothing at all. I had a slight spell of dizziness. It must be the fatigue from these past days catching up with me.”

Doctor: “Ah yes—today is finally the day of your long-awaited arrival. Were you preparing to go out just now?”

Old Lady: “Well... Just as I was about to depart and had come this far, I felt quite unsteady, so I’ve been resting here in this manner.”

“This must be rather uncomfortable here,” said the Doctor. “Are you still feeling unsteady?”

The Old Lady shifted slightly. “I thought this spot had become too much and tried to rise just now, but somehow I still…”

He took her pulse in silence. “Hmm…”

“I had steeled myself that such a day might eventually come,” she murmured, her voice trailing off.

“That’s rather dramatic of you,” the Doctor countered gently. “No—it’s nothing grave.”

“It isn’t... the usual condition, is it?”

“No, no—this differs entirely. As I thought—mild cerebral anemia. You must have overtaxed yourself considerably.”

“Yes... given this will never recur...”

“Your tongue, please... Satisfactory...”
(After inspecting her eyelids) “Now then, let me briefly examine your chest as precaution...” (applies stethoscope) “Normal rhythm. No cause for concern. However”—he straightened—“rest would be most prudent today.”

“Would it be too much?”

“There’s nothing better than being cautious. Since I’ve come to examine you, I must insist you refrain.”

“If it were only a small exertion...”

“That won’t do,” said the Doctor. “You’re normally exceptionally careful about your health, yet today…” He scratched his head. “Well, this must be an exceptional circumstance, but I must ask for your forbearance. I must say, I’m rather astonished… That I should have to say such things to you myself, Madam… How the world does change.”

The Old Lady wiped her eyes. “I have no spirit left… When it comes to this…”

Doctor: “I can imagine.”

Old Lady: (wiping her tears) “I suppose I must resign myself. Henriette, you go ahead alone then… Can you manage? Find Aunt in Hongo and have her help look for Father… Do you want to take Tsuruhana?”

Henriette: “I’m fine.”

Old Lady: “You’ll be alright on the way… No—on second thought, take Tsuruhana with you.”

Henriette: “I’m fine, Grandmother. I know my way around Tokyo Station.”

Old Lady: “Is that so? Aunt in Hongo should be waiting in the ladies’ waiting room. There’s still plenty of time—no need to rush.”

“I wonder what clothes Father will be wearing…”

“Well now—that I couldn’t say.”
“You don’t properly remember his face then?”
“Your aunt would recognize him regardless.”
(Considering) “Then let’s do this—take this photograph along and match each face descending from the train...” (With a laugh, she removes the chain from her neck and fastens it about Henriette’s)

Henriette (staring at that photograph for a moment)

Old Lady: "There's a large mole by his nose, so use that as your marker." (smiling at the Doctor) "This feels exactly like the old tale of 'Looking for Parents'."
"If Aunt asks, tell her I'm feeling a bit unwell."
"You mustn't tell Father that I felt dizzy and collapsed just as I was leaving."
"Now, go ahead before it gets too late."
(To Tsuruhana) "Has the driver gone off somewhere?"

Tsuruhana (ran outside)

Henriette: (briskly) "I'll take my leave."
(ran off)

Old Lady: (silently watched her go)

A long silence.

Doctor: "It must bring you joy to see the young lady."

Old Lady: "Do you mean my son?"
"Yes... As for that matter... It's already..."
"No matter how long we old ones wait here..."

Doctor: "Ah, that's an entirely different affair."

A long silence.

“Last year around this time as well, you rushed here like this, Doctor.”

“Ah, yes, yes... But in both cases—though in different ways—I proved unnecessary. At that time, there was absolutely nothing I could do.”

“I was right here, like this, reading books.”

“Was that so? You must have been shocked.”

“It’s such a strange thing. I knew that child—Osamu, I should say—had been climbing the persimmon tree to pick persimmons. ‘It’s dangerous—I wish he’d stop soon’—thinking this all the while, yet I ended up not stopping him and became completely absorbed in my reading, I suppose.”

Doctor: “That’s quite common.”
“If I recall correctly, the young lady was also present at the scene.”

Old Lady: “Even as I heard her insisting something loudly to me over and over… I wonder what I thought was happening… Though I do believe I warned him once or twice…”

Doctor: “When it comes to injuries, you see, there’s simply nothing one can do in advance.”

Old Lady: “You see, when I look back now, it seems it wasn’t just an injury.”
“Though I’m not certain if I should speak of such things...”

Doctor: “No, I shan’t press the matter.”
“A physician need only provide the required treatment when presented with a case.”
“Prying conversations would hardly benefit us both.”
“Besides, continuing this discussion at length will only weary you...”
“Let us remain here a little longer before I escort you to your room.”
“It has grown rather cold.”

Old Lady: “I had that persimmon tree cut down after all.”
Doctor: “I was informed.”
Old Lady: “I had Moutan roses planted there instead, but they don’t seem to be taking well. Osamu, that boy, was fond of those flowers.”
Doctor: “I see.”

(Checks her pulse)

A long silence.

Old Lady: "I don't know what it is... this sense of foreboding in my chest..."

Doctor: (continues taking her pulse in silence)

Tsuruhana appeared.

Tsuruhana: (to the Doctor) “Is there anything you require?”

Doctor: “Ah—in that case, go to my house... No—have your companion fetch this.”
(He wrote something on a scrap of paper and handed it over)

Tsuruhana: “Yes.”

(Exits.)

Doctor: “How are you feeling...?”

Old Lady: “I have a slight headache...”

Doctor: “Please remain calm.
You’ll feel better soon.
What time is the train?”

Old Lady: “5:30...”

Doctor: (looking at his watch) “5:30 and...”

Old Lady: “Will we be in time?”

Doctor: “What do you mean?”

Old Lady: “You mustn’t conceal it from me.
Tell me.
The truth...”

Doctor: “When you speak of the real truth...”

“Exactly as much as needed...”
(Sigh)

“What do you mean?”

“My life...”

“You mustn’t speak such commonplaces.”

(In distress) “I can’t... stay here.”

“Yes, now...”

Old Lady: Tsuruhana...

Doctor: Miss...

Tsuruhana hurriedly appeared.

Old Lady: "Tsuruhana, take me over there."

Doctor: “Wait—just a moment... Madam, it’s nothing serious. Things like this happen all the time.”

Old Lady: “That must be so.”

Doctor: “Before we move you, let me just give you a shot of camphor first.”

Old Lady: “An injection?”

Doctor: “I don’t believe it’s necessary...”

Old Lady: “In that case, very well. It would only be a waste to endure the pain.”

Doctor: “Don’t say such things...”

Old Lady: "In that case, I shall stay still like this."

Doctor: "As long as you make yourself that clear, there can be no complaints."
Doctor: (to Tsuruhana) "Is the bed ready?"

Tsuruhana: "Yes."

Doctor: "The bed is on the second floor..." (pauses) "Then perhaps—" (thinks) "Do we have anything to put under her?"
"It would be better to keep things as they are a while longer."

Tsuruhana left toward the back.
Soon she returned with two or three cushions.

Doctor: "That should do." (placing cushions under the old lady's waist and shoulders) "Is there any pain?"

Old Lady: "My head..."

Doctor: (taking her pulse) "No need to worry about that. Since I've always spoken to you in that manner, you might think it serious, but as you see, your heart remains perfectly sound. Nothing to fear."
"As for arteriosclerosis—at your stage, Madam—it's still..."
(Pause) "Your color has improved."
(To Tsuruhana) "Do you have whisky or something here... Wine would suffice."

Tsuruhana: "We have wine."
Doctor: "Just a little, please..."

Tsuruhana left toward the back.
Soon, she returned with wine.

Doctor: (Making the Old Lady drink it) "You've been taking it little by little as usual, haven't you?"
(Examining the bottle) "This is undoubtedly a rather fine vintage."
"What is this... H... U... Te... Sa... Sauterne..."

Tsuruhana: "It must be Haut-Sauterne, sir."

Doctor: (Looking up at Tsuruhana) "Ah, book learning through the ears, I see..."

Tsuruhana covered her mouth, laughing silently.
(Tsuruhana, suddenly becoming serious) "Madam, are you cold?"

Doctor: "Yes, it does seem a bit thin."
"Another layer... Something else..."
(Places a thermometer)

Tsuruhana went into the back and brought another down quilt.

Old Lady: "Aren't you cold, Doctor?"

Doctor: "Oh, I'm quite well-padded, you see."

Old Lady: "What time might it be now?"

Doctor: "It's exactly five o'clock now."

Old Lady: “...”

Doctor: “What a shame about such a specially arranged day.”

Old Lady: “I have already lost one son, one daughter-in-law, and one grandchild, you know.
Then there’s another son who deceived me for ten whole years before leaving on some journey without ever attempting to return.
Even so, I kept that granddaughter in my care—treasuring her like the only precious thing in this world, raising her with all the affection one could give—and yet even that has been snatched away by a complete stranger today.
That complete stranger is no different.
I don’t mean the son returning from his travels.
It’s another man.
Another man—one who appeared suddenly from who knows where, claims to be my son, and acts so bold-faced.”

Doctor: ….

Old Lady: “He declares, ‘This is my daughter’—and now schemes to wrest Henriette from my grasp. Were he truly my son, he would never commit such an act. You must agree with me on this.”

Doctor: ….

(He removed the thermometer and examined it.)
(He tilted his head.)
(with an anxious expression)

Old Lady: "For Henriette's sake, I nearly killed a man."
"That man was my own cherished grandson."
"That lonely boy who lost his father—whose eyes seemed clouded for life..."
"It was I who killed Osamu..."
(Sighs)

Doctor: "Madam."

Old Lady: "Yes—from the persimmon tree..."
"At the very top of that tree, Henriette's heart hung red..."

Doctor: Madam.

Old Lady: (Almost under her breath) My head... my head...

A long silence.

Old Lady: (growing increasingly agitated) "Kazue, please forgive me. Your irreplaceable only son—the one so devoted to Henriette—yet even back then, that Hiroshi boy had already appeared in her eyes... And then that young man too, regarding Henriette... I who had convinced myself otherwise—this spring, what tragedy I was shown! Kazue, you alone know this full well."

Doctor (takes the Old Lady's pulse)

“You were thinking of Osamu then.”
“And you were looking at me with that look.”
“How I tried to avoid those eyes of yours this past year.”
“You would claim to know nothing.”
“Who could possibly know?”
“But you are a mother after all…”
“A mother who can hear God’s voice regarding her child’s fate…”
“You had detected my sins with that sensitive maternal nose of yours.”

Doctor: (with an increasingly anxious expression)

Old Lady: (breathlessly yet in a cheerful voice)

O Thébains! Jusqu'au jour qui termine la vie

Ne regardons personne avec un oeil d'envie.

Peut-onjamais prévoir les dernies cous du sort?

Neproclamons heureux nul homme avant sa mort.

A long silence.

Tsuruhana, holding a white cloth bundle, fearfully approached.
She handed the bundle to the Doctor and whispered something in a low voice.
The Doctor nodded.

Doctor (leaning close to the Old Lady's ear): “You appear considerably better now, so let us take you over there.”

“Be quiet...” The Old Lady’s voice cut through the medical tension like a whetstone. “You should go anywhere with your father.” Her clouded gaze drifted past the Doctor’s concerned face, addressing phantoms of memory. “Grandmother will stay somewhere out of your way—this body has outlived its purpose.”

The Doctor adjusted his stethoscope with professional composure. “You mustn’t catch a cold now.”

“Henriette…?” Her fingers plucked at the quilt’s embroidery threads. “Why do you keep facing away? Are you cross?” The words trembled with geriatric fragility yet carried an aristocrat’s wounded pride. “There’s no cause for such temper.”

Doctor: (Signaling to Tsuruhana with his eyes while attempting to lift the Old Lady's body)

Tsuruhana circled around to the other side and assisted.

Doctor: (Suddenly) Oh no, no!
He released his hands and quickly prepared an injection. “You do have relatives in Hongo, correct? Is there a telephone?”

Tsuruhana: “Yes.”

Doctor: “Try not to alarm them too much… Nevertheless, request their immediate presence.”

Tsuruhana: “Shall I inform them that she’s taken ill?”

“Of course, tell them that...”
“The Honorable Madam from Hongo should presently be on her way to meet the master at the station...”
“Will they be coming here together?”

“Well, that…”
“Anyway, just make sure to inform them…”
“There’s nothing else in particular that needs to be informed.”

Tsuruhana: “I’m afraid that’s somewhat beyond my understanding…”

Doctor: “Very well.”
“Please proceed with that for now.”

Tsuruhana hurriedly exited.
The Doctor administered an injection.

Old Lady: "Henriette... Henriette...."

Doctor: "Right now... It won't be long now."

Old Lady: "Osamu, why do you stare with such a face? There's nobody there at all."

Doctor (taking the Old Lady's pulse)

A long silence.

From this moment, the setting sun began to tinge the surroundings and bathe the Old Lady's face in a kind of solemn light.

Old Lady (regaining some calm in her tone): "Ah yes... you've come back... If you had been any later, I wouldn't have been able to see your face. Come now, over here... Wasn't the sea rough?" (Pause.) "You came back for me after all... You took so long that I worried you might have gotten lost." "Oh, what happened? That dust all over you…"

A long silence.

“Is everyone here?”
“What happened to Osamu? Osamu... (Pause.) Oh, someone, quickly...”
(Pause.) “Forgive me... all of you... forgive me....”
I have simply... lived a bit too long.
That’s all there is to it….

The sun has finished setting, and the stage gradually darkens.

――Curtain――