Pathway to Japanese Literature

Characters

Hone

Moeko

Nomi

Maruchi

Kumi

Minako

Act 1

Hone’s house—an eight-tatami mat room—had two desks placed at both corners of the space.

Hone faced one of the desks, researching something.

Nomi had brought out a zabuton cushion to the veranda and was basking in the sun.

Nomi: "This house isn't bad, but with such a garden here, couldn't you do a bit more with it? At least make sure not to miss having flowers for each season. Camellias, azaleas, quince—if you paid twenty sen per plant, you could get ones up to your navel."

Hone...

Nomi: “I’ve been thinking about this—your lives could use more variety.”
“This didn’t start recently.”
“It’s been this way since you were working daily.”
“Leaving at fixed mornings and returning at fixed evenings—that’s fine.”
“But when it’s machine-precise, it gets dull.”
“It’s mutual, see? Even Ms. Moeko’s no different.”
“From waking till sleeping—aprons when standing, thimbles when seated.”
“Sure, at dinner you both get human-like glints in your eyes—but your talk? How six-tenths polished rice has vitamins. How crowded trains kept you from adjusting belts. How Landlord Maruchi snubbed our greeting.”
“This way, none of us can endure.”
“Since you quit the company, this’s gotten worse.”
“Late mornings and early evenings help somewhat—but Ms. Moeko and I both fret over you glued to that desk all day.”
“Of course...”

Hone: “Hey, keep quiet for a minute.”

Nomi: “What’s the point of translating stuff you can’t even sell? Just because you’ve messed around with business English doesn’t mean you can handle O. Henry.”

Hone: “Doesn’t matter if it sells. I’m doing it to study.”

Nomi: “Forget that—at least get one newspaper! The Jiji Evening stopped delivery last week, and whenever I peek next door, the old man’s reading his paper—can’t exactly go ask to borrow it. It’s humiliating, you know? Fine, whatever—but you’re becoming a total hermit.”

Hone: “I have no interest in worldly matters.”

Nomi: “Well then—what about that advertisement section... If you’re looking for work, you should start by checking the newspaper’s advertisement section. Uncle in Azabu is all well and good too. Mr.Hanyu, your senior, might have been someone to rely on for that, but it’s already been three months since then—has anything resembling a proper offer come from either of them? What are you waiting for now?”

Hone: “Even without you telling me such things, I’m thinking of trying to check out some leads starting tomorrow.”

Nomi: “I’ll go around too.”
“At every place I know that has even the slightest prospect, I intend to make inquiries one by one.”
“If I say he’s my close friend—a guy who’s been a burden like this—they might think of something.”
“There’s this guy—a friend of my dead brother who’s now in construction or something—who once said, ‘If you’re ever in trouble, come see me anytime. I’ll do anything I can.’ I’ll go to that guy and ask him about your situation.”
“Since the office seems pretty sizable, they can probably accommodate one or two more people without issue.”

Hone: “If there was such an opening, you should’ve told me sooner...”

Nomi: “I see.”
“But it’s not exactly stimulating work—a construction office of all things...”
“You who attended an elite university right until graduation—I didn’t think you’d stoop to being a carpenter’s apprentice.”
“But even I can’t stomach our current circumstances anymore.”
“So I thought I’d try arranging something there if it came to that.”

“If it comes to this, I’ll do any job,” said Hone. “This isn’t the time for complaints. But listen—my own problems are mine to deal with, but I want you to find work soon too. If you keep loafing around like this after finishing school, you’ll miss your chance before long. When newcomers keep flooding in one after another, employers won’t stick with the old hands anymore. Chinese is in highest demand right now—why don’t you try hustling harder?”

“What’s the big deal? Even if you idle away four or five years, there’s no such thing as being unable to catch up later,” said Nomi. “As for me—well, anytime’s fine—let’s get your situation sorted out first. Otherwise, I can’t stand the mental strain of being a burden like this.”

Hone responded: “After all, back when I still had a steady income here, I could’ve managed to support just you alone if I tightened my belt—but in our current state, even we two as a family can’t get by satisfactorily.”

“That’s why I’m saying I’ll put in the effort, isn’t it?”
“You don’t need to fret.”

At that moment, the front door opened, and Moeko returned.

Nomi: (noticing Moeko) “Welcome back.”
“You’re back early.”

Moeko: "The trains were terrible…"

Nomi: “I’ve already heard that excuse.”
Moeko: “From whom…?”
Nomi: “More importantly—did you get Tōhō Jiron?”
Moeko: “They said it hasn’t been released yet…”
Nomi: “Impossible. Today’s the fifth. A magazine dated the first wouldn’t still be unavailable by the fifth. Did you really check everywhere?”
Moeko: “Everywhere… I asked at Kinokuniya.”
Nomi: “Kinokuniya? That’s a lie. A blatant lie. You must’ve forgotten, Moeko. Ask there and they’d say ‘We don’t carry such magazines.’ Did you forget? Or did you deliberately not buy it? It’s even at the Shinjuku Station kiosk.”

Moeko: “Oh, was that so?”

“That’s not how it is, Moeko. If that’s how it is, then give me seventy-four sen and I’ll go buy it myself.”
“Haven’t any letters come to my place?”
“There aren’t any letters. Come on, lend me seventy-four sen…”
“It’s fine—I’ll buy it next time…”
“I want to read it now… Look, I’ll bring back the change from one yen.”
“Mr. Nomi, you really are rather slow on the uptake, aren’t you.”

Nomi (after staring at Moeko’s face for a while, finally seemed to grasp the situation and awkwardly turned his face away)

Hone (still facing the desk as he held out the opened letter) "Sis... this."

Moeko (accepting it) "What does it say?"

Hone: "......"

Moeko (reads the letter)

It had been a long time.

"It would be better for Hone not to send a direct reply.
I'll handle telling them something from my end…"

Moeko: "But this breaks our agreement, doesn't it?"

Hone: "That's why you should stay quiet, Sister.
Let's tell Namura that and have him settle it."

Moeko: "We're living apart under this fifty-yen monthly support agreement—if you're going to say such things, I don't care what woman's involved! I'll come barging in myself!"

“Then I’d just end up being miserable,” said Hone. “They already grasp the situation—just tell them to formalize it officially. Since it’d be awkward coming from me directly, letting a lawyer handle things would settle matters quicker.”

“No,” Moeko countered. “I’ll go negotiate in person.”

“It’s pointless—if you do that…” Hone’s voice tightened. “They’ve arrived fully armed with prepared arguments. Having just the principals hash it out will only lead to endless bickering.”

“Shall I go?”
“If we’re as softhearted as you, they’ll just keep looking down on us.”
“A husband has an obligation to support his wife.”
“I know that already...”
“If that obligation isn’t fulfilled, then the wife will...”

Hone: “I said I know already….”

Moeko: “Just listing your own circumstances like this won’t accomplish anything.”

Nomi: “Ms. Moeko, you ought to cut your losses with that man already and hurry up starting a second new life.”
“If you’re thirty-two, it’s still not too late.”
“If I were even a year older than you, I’d make my move right away—but being five years younger means you’d never take me seriously.”

Moeko: “Oh stop it—talking such nonsense…”

Nomi: “Why…?”
“It’s just a joke, but if you need looking after, I’ll do it.”
“I know two or three men between forty and sixty who’ve lost their wives.”
“If children would be a bother, there are ones without.”

Moeko: “In that case, we won’t reply here and will ask Mr. Namura directly.”

“That’s right. That would be best.”

“But if doing that ends up prolonging things instead, wouldn’t that just cause trouble?”

“It’s okay,” said Hone. “We can’t keep counting on that money forever anyway… Just because we half-convince ourselves we’ll scrape by each month, we can’t afford to drop our guard.” His voice tightened. “Let’s strip bare—completely bare… Then the two of us will hold fast.”

“Right!” Nomi cut in, thumping the floor cushion. “I’ll hold fast too! No rice? Potatoes’ll do! When three mouths outnumber two portions, we’ll split ’em three ways—no sweat!” He spread his arms like an orator. “I’ll hold till hell freezes! Poverty ain’t misery—it’s fretting over poverty that makes you miserable!”

Outside, a man’s voice called, “Excuse me.”

Hone and Moeko exchanged glances.

“He’s here,” said Hone.

Moeko wondered what to do.

“Then why don’t you just say so?”

“What should I…?”

“It’s too much trouble—I’ll just hand it over.”

Moeko headed to the entrance.

Nomi said, “I’ll drive him off.”
“Chief, I’ve got this weird fondness for you, you know.”

Moeko’s voice sounded: “Please come in—it’s not proper to stay there.”

Soon, following Moeko, Maruchi appeared.

“Here, please...”

“It’s been too long.”

“Oh no—the same here...” Maruchi demurred. “It would be troublesome if neighbors found it difficult to visit each other.” His voice carried practiced diplomacy. “On my end I bear no ill will, but imagining you might feel awkward about it...well, one hesitates to intrude.”

Moeko slid a zabuton cushion toward him. “Please sit.”

“I don’t give it a second thought either,” Nomi interjected, leaning against the veranda post. “Truth be told, I’ve been meaning to borrow your newspaper daily—but whenever I check, you’re always poring over it.”

“If I don’t look at the newspaper, I can’t get through the day,” said Maruchi, his tone suggesting this was some profound confession rather than a statement about idleness. “Though mind you, when I had more freedom with spending money, I never wasted time lounging around the house like this.”

Nomi leaned forward, his smile sharpening. “I hear there’s been quite the expansion though.”

“Expansion?” Maruchi’s chuckle sounded like dry leaves rustling. “Who told you that?”

“Everyone around here knows.” Nomi spread his hands wide, encompassing the whole shabby neighborhood in his gesture. “Landlords who sell one rental house each year to fund their drinking sprees through Shinbashi and Yanagibashi—you don’t find many like that.”

There were indeed very few like that. And now, when it came to houses left to sell, this one was the only remaining.

Nomi: “Please don’t sell it for now.”
“If you do sell, I’d like to stay on as part of the tenancy agreement.”

Maruchi: “Quite reasonable…”
“But let me discuss this matter.”
“I’ve decided not to sell for now, so please pay at least some rent.”
“I meant to stay silent until six months, but last month it reached eight months overdue.”

Nomi: “Is that really such a big deal?”

“No—that won’t do,” said Maruchi. “This may sound like whining, but my only income now comes from gradually selling off what few calligraphic works and antiques I still possess. These days, even a Sasaki Bunzan piece only brings twenty yen on the market.”

“You must have more refined items than that,” Nomi countered.

“Well, it’s not that I don’t,” Maruchi replied. “I do own Hoitsu’s plum painting. But if they sense your desperation, they won’t even offer a hundred.”

“100 yen?”

“Speaking of 100 yen, that wouldn’t cover four months’ rent here.”

“Sell that and endure four more months, please.”

“I can endure as much as needed.”
“I do trust Mr. Hone as well.”
“However, there must be a limit to things.”

“Even with me backing him up from behind?”

“That’s precisely why I’m even more worried—because you’re backing him up.”
“I don’t know the details well, but according to my wife’s account, apparently Mr. Hone is even covering the bath money—isn’t that so?”

“Hone-kun and I are inseparable friends,” said Nomi. “We’ve agreed to help each other when in trouble. When Hone-kun’s struggling, I handle it, and when I’m struggling, Hone-kun takes charge—that’s our system. But as it happened, I fell into trouble first. So I ended up crashing at Hone-kun’s place. Then Hone-kun started having troubles of his own this time around. But I’m still stuck in my mess too. Once things reached this point, all we could do was wallow in hardship together. That’s exactly what we’re doing now. Whichever one of us escapes this trouble first will just end up losing out.”

“I see. That too counts as close friendship, I suppose,” said Maruchi. “In that case, someone like me still has no need for a close friend anytime soon.” His tone shifted as he turned. “Well now, Mr. Hone? Don’t just sit silent—give me some sort of answer.”
“I won’t make unreasonable demands.”
“Do your best to arrange something.”
“February’s payment or March’s—either will do.”
“I won’t press you for the rest.”

Hone’s reply came clipped: “I’ll manage something.”
“In due time,” he added with forced conviction, “I’ll definitely manage something.”

“That’s it,” said Maruchi. “Mr. Hone—when you put it that way, I find myself at a complete loss for words… These hardships weigh on us both equally, you understand? Very well—I shall wait. I’ll wait another month. But please—do something about this. Handle it as one would for a close friend.” He lowered his voice conspiratorially. “This stays between us—lately I’ve been visiting that new Café Don Juan over there now and then. Instead of tea house sake, I go to gulp down whiskey. That King of Kings brand—isn’t that fifty sen?” His tone shifted abruptly as Moeko arrived with tea. “Ah! Madam—please don’t misunderstand! I haven’t come here to hound you for rent! Neighbors living side by side yet turning their faces away—why, that would herald the end of civilization itself!”

Moeko: “This is truly such an embarrassing situation…”

Maruchi: “Ah, no—no, that won’t do.”
“After all, since moving into this house, only the very first month was paid properly.”
“The following month came a polite refusal saying they would pay together next month.”
“In the third month, after the end of the month had passed, when we happened to meet on the street, they again said they would surely pay next month—and that too came to nothing.”
“It was from that following month.”
“Of course by month’s end—but even when mid-month arrived—there was no word.”
“After that came a time when there was finally no opportunity to meet either—but for us landlords, you see—rather than losing just the rent itself—being resented for renting out the house would make poor business sense.”
“Therefore today—taking advantage of fine weather—I have come to visit with the intention of obtaining your kind understanding for now.”
“My wife also humbly offers her sympathy regarding your situation, albeit privately.”
“Please do come by for a bit of a chat.”

Moeko: “Truly, if you would say it that way, I am all the more ashamed.”

Maruchi: “In that case, I won’t mention such things anymore.”
“As for me, I’m fond of Mr. Hone, but I must say I’m rather more fond of this Mr. Nomi here.”

Nomi: “I like you too, Uncle.”
“I don’t feel like you’re a stranger.”

Maruchi: “No—strangers should remain strangers. But even when it comes to liking someone, I feel they make good friends to have fun with. I don’t want to share hardships together.”

“I feel exactly the same way,” said Nomi.
“First off, trying to share hardships with that old man would be pointless from the start.”

At that moment, a voice called “Telegram!” from the front entrance.

Moeko ran out.—“Yes, that’s correct. It’s for us,” Moeko’s response could be heard.

Before long, Moeko brought the telegram and handed it to Nomi.

Nomi: (While receiving it) “To me... What’s this? It’s a telegraphic money order.”

The gazes of everyone converged on Nomi’s hand.

Nomi (opening the contents) “I wonder who...”

A long silence.

“Ah, I see.”
“Got it.”
“I’ll just run to the post office.”
“Hmm, three o’clock now, eh?”
“Right!”

Nomi energetically stood up, took out a frog-mouthed purse from the desk drawer, and tried to rush out the front.

“Well then, I’ll take my leave” (stands up).

Hone (springing up like a coiled spring): “Nomi, wait a second!”

Nomi: "What?" Saying this, he came to a stop in the next room.

Hone: "Well..." he said, drawing near to Nomi and whispering something in a low voice.

Nomi: "Ah, got it."
"Got it."
"I'll do that."
"Course that's the plan."

When the conversation ended, Nomi ran out to the front.

Maruchi: "Wait, wait—Mr. Nomi! I also have business at the post office."
"Let me accompany you!"
(Shouting this while cutting short his greetings, he dashed outside.)

Hone and Moeko remained standing dumbfounded, exchanging looks.

Act II

The kitchen entrance of Hone’s house——a pump well to the right——laundry left forgotten on the line——a lidless dustbin——cold moonlight.

Moeko stuck half her nightwear-clad body out from the kitchen entrance, while Kumi stood outside adjusting her collar.
A brief silence.

“In the past, something like this wouldn’t have surprised me,” said Kumi, “but seeing as his nighttime gallivanting had stopped completely these past six months, I’d thought things were finally settled, you see…”

Moeko: “Mr. Nomi has been just the same way, you see. Since he came to stay with us, there hasn’t been even a single instance of him staying out late at night.”

Kumi: “Well, either way, that’s because his pocket money isn’t freely available, I suppose. However, if that’s how it is today, I’m certain the two of them went off somewhere together. As for me—until I heard that account here—I’d thought perhaps he’d arranged some rent money for you and simply gone out with that cash in hand.”

“Even I don’t think that’s the case,” Moeko said. “If it were just Mr. Nomi alone, I couldn’t say, but with your husband accompanying him, I don’t believe they’d engage in some childish errand.” She paused, then added brightly: “Ah! That Café Don Juan recently opened there—mightn’t they have holed up there? They say it stays lively past one in the morning.”

“Is that place mired in mud?” Kumi asked.
“I already went and inspected it properly earlier.”

“If it’s not there, then they must have gone to Tokyo after all,” said Moeko. “There’s hardly any time left until the last train.”

“But you know,” Kumi replied, “though I’ve spent years by his side and think I understand his temperament well, I can’t believe he’s the sort to go carousing about while counting on others’ purses.”

“Well of course,” Moeko countered, “my brother says the same thing constantly—‘There’s none as clear-cut as him,’ he insists. ‘A rare breed among landlords,’ he always adds.”

Kumi: “I’m most obliged.”
“But because of that, we may have suffered no end of losses over the years.”
“We get swindled by carpenters, have rent defaulted on us, and on top of that—when tenants are struggling—we end up advancing even their rice payments for them. That’s how it goes.”
“Nowadays we don’t have that kind of leeway anymore, but even so—when rent collection gets settled in some half-baked way—I always end up flying into a rage.”

Moeko: “Really though.”
“If such landlords don’t stay around occasionally, those in trouble will stay troubled.”

Kumi: “But these days there are too many brazen ones, you see. Once they move in, they start acting like it’s their own house—then when you go collect rent, some get strangely high and mighty.”
“In the end, it’s those doing the lending who lose.”
“Well isn’t that right? They keep what they ought to pay out, while we just don’t get what ought to come in—that’s all there is to it.”
“They’re not even comparable.”

“Standing there like that must be freezing.”

Kumi (covertly peering inside): “Landlords and landowners—they get resented even when doing nothing at all.”
“Though depending on who we deal with, we might have to say unpleasant things sometimes—not that we’re like moneylenders or anything.”
(As she spoke, she peered into the house again.)

Moeko: “My brother? He’s been sound asleep for ages now.”

Kumi (casually): “Mr. Hone doesn’t practice things like judo, does he?”

Moeko (offhandedly): “Oh? When he was a student, he used to frequent places like the Kodokan.”

Kumi: “I hear judo involves things like choking people’s necks.”

Moeko: “Moreover, he apparently also mimics killing by striking vital points. They say there’s such a vital point around the abdomen area.”

Kumi: “He teaches such dangerous things.”
“My husband may come from samurai lineage—but he hasn’t an inkling about such matters.”
“For a man to cower before burglars… how utterly pathetic.”
“Every night he must personally inspect every lock—won’t rest until he does.”

Moeko: “Still—we rarely hear tell of such troubles around these parts.”

Kumi: “That’s why I always tell him that, you know.”
“When he goes to collect rent or such, he shouldn’t overstay his welcome, you know.”
“First of all, it’s better not to go upstairs.”
“After arguing, there’s no telling what might drive the other party to violence, you know.”
“This concerns a moneylender, but have you not heard the story about him being beaten to death with a club by the very man he lent money to?”

“Well… No.”

“That was quite some time ago, you know.”

At this moment, Nomi returned alone, dejectedly.
He stood in the shadow of the wellside.

Kumi (noticing that): “Oh, isn’t that Mr. Nomi? Wasn’t my husband with you?”

Nomi: “We were together.”

“And then…?”
“He must’ve gone home to bed by now.”

Moeko (inadvertently revealing her entire figure): “Where had you been until this time of night...?”
“I’d grown quite worried.”

“Oh? That so?”
“This about me being late?”

Moeko…

Kumi: “Well then, I’ve been quite the bother.”
(Starts to leave, then turns back) “Mr. Nomi, where did you go with my husband?”

Nomi: “I was told to keep it from you, but…”

Kumi: “So it was true after all.”

“So that’s…?” Nomi asked.

“I already understand,” Kumi replied.
(To Moeko) “Ma’am—you see? It’s just as I told you…”
(As she said this, she dashed off.)

“What’s wrong?” Moeko pressed. “Get inside already.”

“How’s Hone doing?” Nomi inquired.

“He’s already asleep,” Moeko answered.
“I was waiting until just a little while ago, but…”

“Did he say anything?” Nomi pressed.

“He said it’s fine if you’re late, but…” Moeko trailed off.

Nomi: “I figured it’d be something like that.”

Moeko: “Hey，Mr. Nomi，if you’re going to come up，then come up already.”
“I’m dressed like this，and it’s cold.”

“I could come up, but if Hone gets angry, it’ll be trouble.”

“He’s not that angry.”

“Ms. Moeko—sorry about this—could you call the professor over here for a moment?”

“If there’s something to discuss, you don’t have to do it in a place like this. You’re such a strange person.”

“It’s not that simple.”
“There’s a reason I can’t come up unless I see his face.”

“Alright then, I’ll go call him over.”

(She retreated inward.)

Before long, Hone appeared while slinging his haori over his shoulders.

Hone: “What’s this? You’re a strange one.”
“What do you want?”

Nomi: “Hey, cut me some slack.”

Hone...

Nomi: “Even after all that lecturing, I went and used every last bit.”

Hone had been silently staring at Nomi’s face when he suddenly slammed his fist into the side of it.

Nomi, reeling from the momentum, staggered to the edge of the well and finally managed to brace his body against its side.

Hone, still barefoot, caught up to him and struck him again and again.
Nomi was being struck silently.

Hone: “Don’t you see our bitterness?!”
“Idiot!”
“Stray dog!”
“Maggot!”

Nomi (pressing each throbbing spot): Out of the hundred yen, I meant to bring back eighty.
Hone: "The sum isn't the fucking problem."
"It's your warped core that's the problem!"

Nomi: “But I suppose it was wrong to go and use up the money after all.”

Hone: “Idiot! You still don’t get it, even after all this?”
(He leaped at him again.)

Hone threw Nomi down, mounted him, and strangled his throat.

Moeko emerged.
“That’s enough now, Ben-chan…,”
“Mr. Nomi didn’t do it all by himself either, you know…”

Hone (still pressing on Nomi's neck): "Pull your tongue in. Your tongue..."
"Who sticks out their tongue when being strangled?!"
"You bastard!"
"What'll you do if I do this?"
(With one hand constricting his neck and the other gripping his head to force it forward)

Moeko, seeing this situation and perhaps thinking it troublesome, hurried over to the neighbor’s place.

Before long, Moeko’s voice could be heard—“Mr. Maruchi! Mr. Maruchi! Please come here! It’s an emergency!”

Following behind Moeko, Maruchi timidly appeared.

Maruchi (from a distance): “Mr. Hone—that’s unacceptable! That’s violence!”
“Everyone—this here, it’s my fault.”
“Mr. Nomi isn’t to blame.”
“Here—I am apologizing.”
“Mr. Hone, please calm down—”

Hearing Maruchi’s voice, Hone loosened his grip.
As Nomi tried to take advantage of this opening and rise up, Hone stopped him.

“I’ll explain everything properly,” said Maruchi. “But first, let Mr. Nomi go, won’t you? Look how pitiful he appears like this—exactly like a puppy being scolded.” He edged closer to Hone cautiously. “Now now, you shouldn’t torment those weaker than yourself like this... Please stand up.” Turning to Nomi, he added sternly, “And when you rise, Mr. Nomi, mind you don’t go clinging to Mr. Hone’s legs or such nonsense.”

Hone reluctantly released Nomi and stood up.
Nomi remained sitting right where he was.

“Maruchi! Hey—are you still drunk?”
“Get a grip, Mr. Nomi…”

Nomi: I’m exhausted…

Maruchi! You’re bleeding from the nose!
“Here, wipe with this.”
(Taking out a handkerchief from her sleeve and handing it over)

Moeko-san—wait right there—I'll go get some absorbent cotton now...
(She enters the house.)

Before anyone knew it, Kumi had arrived.

Kumi: “Mr. Hone, I truly have no excuse.”
“Mr. Nomi certainly has his faults, but my husband is no better.”
“This person here wouldn’t care no matter what happens to him.”

“Well, you may say that... But listen, Mr. Hone—I too was clearly in the wrong.”
“But this particular matter—it’s what you might call the momentum of circumstance. You can’t grasp it unless you’ve lived through such indulgences.”
“I’m not saying this because I’m drunk—money vanishes once you spend it.”
“That’s simply how things are.”
“When I speak, it goes like this.”

Moeko came out holding cotton.
She rolled it bit by bit into a small ball and handed it to Nomi.
Nomi stuffed it into his nostril.

Maruchi: "That's right—"
"If you leave it like that, it'll stop soon."
"'With this much, we can have a little drink'—it was indeed I who said that."
"'Wouldn't half be enough?'—it was Mr. Nomi who started things off with this remark."
"'Fine—with fifty yen, I'll show you a proper good time'—it was Kagurazaka—no lie—that got us carried away."

“Even though I told them to stop since it was dangerous, sir here had to go putting on airs like some big spender.”

Maruchi’s face being recognized meant there was no helping it.

“I didn’t find it all that fun.”

“Don’t go complaining about extravagance.”

Kumi: “Enough of this boring talk—why don’t we all turn in for the night? If you keep standing around chatting here like this, you’ll catch cold.”

Maruchi: “From that point onward, it was certainly my miscalculation.”
“That too, you know…”

Nomi: “Hey—keep spouting unnecessary crap and I won’t stand for it!”

Maruchi: “Given these circumstances, I offer my deepest apologies—so Mr. Hone, please let it pass for tonight.”
“In return, I will certainly compensate for this somehow.”
“Mr. Nomi—you should apologize to Mr. Hone too.”

“I already said sorry earlier. There’s no need for me to apologize anymore. Instead, Hone should be the one apologizing to me!”

“What the hell!” Hone snapped.

“Now, now…” Maruchi interjected. “Mr. Nomi—bringing that up now won’t settle anything.”

“Nope—if you don’t apologize, I won’t go back. Who says I’m going back? Even if what I did was wrong, three throws should’ve been more than enough. How many times did you throw me? I didn’t keep count, but from what I remember, it was more than ten times. On top of that, you went and strangled my neck! To strangle someone’s neck is to stop the very root of human respiration. It’s attempted murder. I don’t recall ever being killed by him. And you call this a close friendship! Damn you! Scoundrel! Thug! Brute!”

Hone growled, "Alright then—you said it."

Before Maruchi could restrain them, the tussle began anew.

But in an instant, Nomi yielded to Hone's physical strength and fell into a state of nonresistance.

Hone stood up leisurely and cast a victor’s glance at Nomi lying at his feet while even smiling.

Maruchi: “This is no good—if we leave it like this…”
“Ma’am‚ please take your brother and go.”
“I will take care of Mr.Nomi just for tonight.”
“Hey‚ quit playing dead and get up already!”

Maruchi pulled at the collar of Nomi, who remained fallen and showed no sign of moving, as he said this.

Scene Three

The tea room of Maruchi’s house—a kotatsu was laid out.
After a breakfast close to noon.

Maruchi, still facing the meal tray, was using a toothpick.
Kumi was clearing the items from the meal tray.
Nomi, his face still covered in bruises of red, purple, black, and varying shades, sat by the kotatsu using a toothpick and was reading the newspaper with great care.

“When I read the newspaper after so long, the world seems completely different.”

Maruchi: “Is your Chinese usable in the north or the south?”

Nomi: “Neither, really.
“First of all, I never paid any mind to the Chinese they taught in school.”

Maruchi: “What did you pay any mind to, then?”

Nomi: “At first, I intended to become a bandit and studied the geography of Manchuria and Mongolia.”

Maruchi: “And then, in the end...?”

“In the end, I intended to become a newspaper reporter and ventured into China’s social conditions and political economy.”

“Say, that Hone fellow—was he good in school?”

Nomi: “In middle school, I was above him.”
“I don’t know about after that.”
“He’s the studious type, you know.”

Why was he fired from Maruchi Overseas Communications Agency?

“He’s too earnest and inflexible, that’s why,” said Nomi. “Whenever there was something he didn’t understand in the daily dispatches, he’d actually go ask his old schoolteacher—the one who taught him Chinese. He has no concern for getting work done efficiently.”

“What a waste,” Maruchi remarked. “He could be useful if handled properly.”

“Exactly,” Nomi agreed. “If he knew just a bit more English, he could manage as a middle school teacher. And if he could manage a bit of flattery, he might even become a shop manager at some trading firm. But no matter what you have him do, he’s always lacking somewhere.”

“How about you?”

“It’s the opposite for me,” Nomi said. “No matter what I do—bit by bit—there’s always something extra.”

“That’s quite a problem too.”
“Uncle, can you play Go?”
“When it comes to Go, I doubt there’s anyone around here who could be a match.”
“Huh, is that true? That’s… That’s smooth. Staying like this every day, we’re both bored.”

Kumi came out from the kitchen, wiping her hands.

Kumi (to Maruchi): “Hey, listen… Mr. Nomi, staying like this isn’t helping anything. Why don’t you go along with him and get him to make up with Mr. Hone already?”

Nomi: “No—I won’t reconcile. Even if I tried, the other side wouldn’t listen.”

Kumi: “You’re saying that, but…”

“No, it’s fine—please just leave me be,” said Nomi. “I’ve got my own thoughts on this…”

Maruchi interjected with forced calm: “Now now, there’s no need to hurry things along.”

Kumi wiped her hands briskly on her apron. “Matters like this only turn sour if you miss your moment. Had you gone this morning after last night’s business, that would’ve been the time to settle it.”

Nomi slumped deeper into his cushion. “I spouted plenty of nonsense in my cups last night, I’ll admit. But seeing as I’m the one at fault here, I’ll wait quiet-like till he comes round to forgiving me.”

“But if you keep talking like that, things will only keep getting worse,” Kumi warned.

Nomi shrugged. “What’s it matter? Since we’re neighbors like this, we’ll have to keep running into each other anyway. We’ll naturally end up approaching one another from both sides sooner or later.”
He leaned back, his voice turning dismissive. “Besides, it makes no difference to me where I stay—I don’t care either way. I’m used to rough living by now… No need to trouble yourself over me.”

“Well, of course, we can’t accommodate that,” Kumi said.
“Our place is cramped enough as it is…”

“It’s still wider than over there,” Nomi countered.

“True,” Maruchi mused. “Only the detached four-and-a-half-mat room has decent space.”

“Make that my room and there’s no problem,” Nomi pressed.
“My luggage is just one trunk.”
“A four-and-a-half-mat room’s more than enough… I assure you.”

Kumi: “But that room has tools packed everywhere...”

Nomi: “Look—if there’s just somewhere to sleep at night,I can stay here during daytime anyway.Guests barely ever come—no need t'worry.”
“Boiled fish ain't my thing—sayin' it straight—and fiddleheads,hijiki,nothin' like that.I don't touch 'em.”
“Over at Hone’s,both o' them just eat that crap nonstop.”

“Mr. Nomi, no one’s said a word about putting you up in our house.”
“But you’re already putting me up as it is, aren’t you?”
(to Maruchi) “You don’t mean it that way, do you?”

Maruchi: “Hmm...? Well, we don’t need to decide that now. Anyway, if we can just reach an understanding with Mr. Hone, things will work out.”

Kumi: “We only let him stay last night, you know. Given what happened last night, I’ve been putting up without making a displeased face. And you’re no different yourself. Please try to consider our circumstances a little.”

Maruchi: “So I haven’t decided anything like that yet. As for Mr. Hone’s side...”

“You keep saying ‘Mr. Hone this, Mr. Hone that’—but surely his place isn’t the only one requiring your attention?”

“Are you talking about me? I’ll go anywhere—anywhere at all—if only I had somewhere to go… In exchange, while I’ve nowhere to go, staying put where I am now is my policy.”

“I don’t know if it’s a policy or whatnot, but could you kindly change that sort of policy? We haven’t the capacity to look after others…”

“Neither have I.”

Maruchi: “Kumi, don’t nag so much. You might say it’s none of your concern, but last night I was treated to quite a feast. Moreover, I myself don’t have the face to meet Mr. Hone again now. The rent issue does exist, but that’s separate from this matter. Even if I were to reduce their rent somewhat, I couldn’t make up for what I’ve done. Just consider this one point—for the time being, looking after Mr. Nomi here is my obligation to Mr. Hone.”

Turning to Nomi: “That said, Mr. Nomi—this time my wife isn’t being unreasonable either. As you heard yesterday, our current situation has already gone beyond mere inconvenience. You must make an effort and find work soon. If you just cover your food expenses, I’ll take care of you as much as needed. You truly are a man of spirit—keep pressing on with that determination. You’ll make something of yourself.”

“Auntie, if there’s anything I can do, just say the word. If you exclude kitchen work, sewing, house cleaning—ah, and greengrocer errands—I can handle most things. I’ll do as much as you can manage, Uncle. Someone like me doesn’t need to stick around anyway.” He paused. “Ah—the gate’s open. Should I go check?”
(Saying this, he went to the entrance.)

A pause.

“What do you think—he’s a likable fellow, isn’t he?”

“As for what happens from now on—I don’t know.”

“Maruchi, don’t be so resigned.”
“There’s no telling what’s for whose sake anymore.”

Before long, Nomi led the way and appeared, guiding a young woman.

Maruchi and Kumi exchanged looks of surprise.

Nomi (somewhat bashfully): “This person went to Hone’s house looking for me just now, apparently…”
“And then she was directed here.”
(The woman sat and bowed; seeing this) “Ah—this is Miss Minako or Mina… You—what was your surname again? Never mind… She’s a friend of mine.”
“You don’t need to be so formal.”
“Come on in here.”
“There’s a kotatsu.”
“You came all this way in the cold.”
“Why don’t you warm your hands?”

Maruchi and Kumi, though dumbfounded, still tried to leave their seats.

Nomi: "Uncle and Auntie, if the sitting room's too cold, why don't you go wait in my room?"

Minako (after they'd left): "Why were they gawking at me like that?"

Nomi: "First time a woman's ever come to visit me, see."

Minako: "Oh, what a load of nonsense..."

Nomi: "Did they say anything at the other house?"

“Are they gods or something...? From the very start, they ask what business I have coming here.”
“I hate being questioned like that.”

“So, what’d they say?”

“When I kept quiet, they told me about this place. They said you moved here last night…?”

Nomi: “Doesn’t my face look different?”

Minako: “Yes, I’d thought so since earlier but didn’t say because it seemed rude. Why did you end up like that?”

“We had a fight.”
“You got hit, did you?”
“I let him hit me.”
“My, what a philanthropist you are. To what kind of person...?”

“To a close friend,” Nomi said. “That man’s probably regretting it by now. But back then, there was no other way to settle things. We’ll keep avoiding each other’s eyes for a while, but deep down—I know our feelings still connect. Both of us feel this secret gladness, see? Like we did something for each other. That’s what makes a close friend a close friend.”

Minako tilted her head. “Getting punched like that must’ve hurt though.” She clicked her tongue. “How pathetic.” Her fingers played with the kotatsu blanket’s edge. “Anyway, I came to ask you something.”

Nomi: “Money?”

It was Minako.
“So can’t you spare some?”

Nomi: “If only you’d come yesterday...”
“I had about a hundred yen extra.”

Minako: “Why don’t you have that today?”

Nomi: “Don’t ask tactless questions—it’s not like you.”
“How much do you need?”

“No, any amount’s fine,” said Minako. “It’s for lending to a friend...”

Nomi retorted, “I don’t have money prepared to lend to your friend.”

“But I’ll be in trouble without it!” she pressed. “They said it’s absolutely necessary...” Her voice softened. “Twenty or thirty yen would do.”

“I don’t have any.”
“Not today.”

“I came thinking you’d come through.”

“That was back then.”
“Now it’s different.”

Minako: “Well then, there’s another thing—this one’s news that’d please you—but I won’t tell.”

Nomi: “You should’ve led with that first.”
“If it comes afterward, I don’t want to hear it.”
“Hearing it would be pointless anyway.”

Minako: “Are you angry?”

Nomi: “…”

Minako: “Even if you are angry… I’m not scared.”
“Hey—lend it to me.”
“If you don’t lend it… I won’t budge.”

“Don’t move.”
“Can I stay here forever?”
“Fine.”

“Your room—where...?”

“I’ll show you later.”

“Really? Then can I bring the luggage? It’s right nearby…”

“Where?”

“I left it at that tobacco shop over there.”

“Did you leave your previous place?”
“They say I’m too modern.”
“Hurry up and go.”
“I’ll stop by the post office while I’m at it.”

“What are you…”
“To send a telegram…”
“Where to…?”
“I was supposed to return home.”
“Alright, buy cigarettes too.”
Minako was quick about it.
“Quick work.”

Minako left briskly.

From next door came what sounded like Moeko singing.
It was "My Humble Cottage."

Nomi stepped out onto the veranda and listened intently for a while.
Before long, he too joined in, singing "How serene, my humble cottage" in a somewhat off-key voice.

――CURTAIN――