Pathway to Japanese Literature

Arita Kozo

Wife Kurako

Live-in student Mizugaki

Maid Gin

Helper Taki

Mizugaki's friend Takenaka

1

Arita Kozo's study.

Morning.

Arita Kozo (Without looking up from the newspaper he was reading, to his wife who had entered) "Good morning."
"Did you sleep well last night?"
"You were talking in your sleep again."

Kurako (taking the newspaper from her husband's hand) "You've already looked through this, haven't you?"
"Yes, I slept quite soundly."
"Me? Talking in my sleep?"

Arita Kozo: "This makes three times now."
"I don't believe you're making that face because you're hiding some dreadful secret, but still—I'm constantly anxious you might let slip something I don't know about."

“Oh my, you’re making such an issue out of me?”
“How thoughtful of you.”
“So you’ll be coming home late again today?”

“I might be late.”
“Why?”

“No—if you’re late, then be late. It makes no difference.”
“That’s what I expect anyway...”
“Shall we go to the dining room then...”

“Before that—there’s something I need to ask you.”
(Pause) “You know everything that happens in this household.”

Kurako: …

“I’m busy as you can see, so I can’t attend to household matters at all. If you don’t keep a closer eye on things, it’ll be a problem.”

"Is there something displeasing you?"

Arita Kozo: "Have you noticed anything regarding Mizugaki and Gin lately?"

Kurako: "Mizugaki and Gin... Could there have been some mistake?"

Arita Kozo: "Whether there's been a mistake or whether there will be one—I can't say for certain. But regardless—it's a fact they're in a dangerous state."

"Did you happen to observe something of that nature?"

Arita Kozo: "I saw it."
"I saw it clearly."

“What exactly did you see?”

“What do you mean... That sort of thing. Whenever they have a moment, aren’t they huddled in corners whispering furtively?”
(Pause) “I’ve caught them like that many times before. This morning too—when I left the bedroom, there was Gin with her broom and Mizugaki with his hand towel having an intense secret talk behind the toilet.”
“When they saw me, they scattered in opposite directions, but their eyes betrayed everything.”

“How strange,” said Kurako. “I’ve never witnessed anything of the sort.”

“You simply fail to notice,” Arita Kozo retorted. “You may not comprehend the essence of romantic entanglements, but when a young man and woman whisper furtively to avoid being seen—that alone proves their relationship isn’t merely casual. Surely even you grasp that much.”

“I wouldn’t be so certain,” she countered. “They have shared practical matters to discuss. Such subjects naturally require extensive conversation.”

Arita Kozo: “If you want to take it that way, then take it that way.”
“I have no reason to deliberately make their relationship seem improper.”
“However, once a mistake occurs, there are things that can’t be undone.”
“I’m simply worried about that.”

“Even so, am I supposed to take responsibility for such matters as well?”
“Isn’t that obvious?”
“How exactly am I supposed to take responsibility?”
“Don’t you understand that…?”
“But even if those two are in love, there’s nothing I can do about it.”
“Hey, hey, cut it out. Talking like a child... Do you think having the live-in student and the maid love each other will keep this household in order?”

Kurako: ….

Arita Kozo: “If those two are in love, shouldn’t we let them go elsewhere to be together?”

Kurako: “If that’s your wish, then so it shall be.”

Arita Kozo: “How should I know? I simply detest your methods. You maintain this glacial demeanor toward me while lavishing absurd kindness upon the servants. Your benevolence itself I’ll tolerate—just prevent any indecorous conduct. I’ll caution Mizugaki myself—you must thoroughly admonish Gin regarding her prospects.”
(Pause) “Since we’re speaking plainly—you are my wife, you realize.”

“You are my husband.”

“So you do understand that, don’t you?”

“Yes, I understand.”

“Then does a wife lock her own bedroom door when she sleeps?”

“....”

“You know I’m very prone to catching colds, don’t you?”
(Pause) “Call Mizugaki here.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to call him after you’ve had your meal…?”

“Enough. Call him here.”

Kurako exits.

Kozo spreads out another newspaper and reads.

A knock on the door.

Kozo: “Very well.”

“Do you require my assistance?” Mizugaki asked while entering.

Kozo: “How old are you?”

Mizugaki: Me?

Kozo: If I'm asking your age, state your years.

Mizugaki: I... am twenty-five.

Kozo: At twenty-five—doodling on walls?

Mizugaki: On walls?

Kozo: Don't feign ignorance.
"Whose face is that?"

Mizugaki: It isn't anyone's face.

Kozo: A woman's face.

Mizugaki: Not a woman's either.

Kozo: Liar.

Mizugaki: The hair may be like that, but…

Arita Kozo: It’s Gin’s face, isn’t it?

Mizugaki: No, that’s not true. Absolutely not.

Arita Kozo: “From now on, you are not to speak with Gin in places like behind the toilet.”
Mizugaki: “Yes.”

“If such a thing happens again, I’ll dismiss you.”

Mizugaki: “However—that was… you see—Miss Gin mentioned having a headache this morning. I was discussing that matter.”

Arita Kozo: “Whether Gin has a headache is not your concern.”

Mizugaki: “No matter what the reason, am I not allowed to speak with Miss Gin?”

Arita Kozo: “No.”

Mizugaki: “But in that case…”

Arita Kozo: “Have Taki relay it.”

Mizugaki: “Through Miss Taki?”

Arita Kozo: “Furthermore, you are someone I employ. If you do anything that isn’t for my benefit, I won’t stand for it.”

Mizugaki: “…”

Arita: “Regarding Madam—have there been any unusual changes lately?”

Mizugaki: “Are you asking about Madam?”

Arita: “Must you question every little thing… If there’s anything to report, just say it.”
(Lowering his voice) “Doesn’t someone come around to see Madam now and then?”

Mizugaki: “What sort of person are you referring to?”

Arita: “That’s precisely what I’m asking you.”

Mizugaki: “No… nothing in particular…”

Arita: “While I’m away—does Madam stay at home the entire time?”

“She remains.”
“She has never once gone outside.”

Kozo: “Even for shopping…”

Mizugaki: “Yes…”

Kozo: “Lately – what on earth have you been studying?”

Mizugaki: “English.”

Arita Kozo: Have you begun to understand at least a little?

Mizugaki: There remain many parts I still don't grasp, though...

“How about this—why don’t you go out and try working your way through school…”

“I am working my way through school as it is…”

“That’s exactly why I'm telling you to go out! Even if you stay here there’s not much for you to do! And besides—being dependent on someone’s charity won't spark any ambition! You end up having unnecessary wicked thoughts!”

“When you say ‘wicked thoughts’…”

“In any case—you're utterly useless! You can't even properly do what you've been told! I told you to cancel this newspaper since we don't need it! It's still being delivered! What's wrong with you?”

Mizugaki: “I did post it at the entrance, but...”

Kozo: “That’s exactly why I say you’re useless.”
“And you—I told you to cut that unsightly hair short! Why haven’t you done it?”

Mizugaki: “This?”
“I... I haven’t cut it yet.”

Kozo: “Are you refusing to obey me?”

Mizugaki: “That’s not what I mean.”
“That’s not what I mean—I just thought it would look strange if I cut it too short all at once...”

“It’s that attitude of yours that makes even someone like Taki look down on you.”

“Did Miss Taki say something?”
“…”
“Damn you!”
“Enough. Change your ways and study.”

“Ah, last evening around six o’clock, there was a call for you, Master.”
“Where from….”
“From the office.”

“From the office?”

“Yes…”

“Does Madam know about that?”

Mizugaki: No, since I was the one who answered it, I have taken care of that matter.
Kozo: You kept quiet about it, didn’t you?
Mizugaki: Of course.

Kozo: “Good.”
“Keep that resolve and do it properly.”

—CURTAIN—

TWO

Dining Room—After Dinner.

Kurako (wiping around her mouth with a napkin): "I've grown quite accustomed to it."
"It was a loveless marriage from the very beginning anyway."
"There's nothing surprising about it at all."
"Though you might call it misfortune depending on your perspective—when I consider how coming to this house let me save one parent's life, I could even feel grateful to heaven."

Gin: “Well, if you say you’re busy—that may suffice—but day after day like this is simply too much.”

Kurako: “If I thought your duties were excessive,” I might have mentioned they weren’t harming your health.
“But since these so-called duties seem to be other, more amusing ones, that’s why I’m keeping silent like this.”
“Rather than us making bored faces at each other at home, it’s easier for me this way—with him coming back late at night.”

Gin: "But my, Madam, how you can manage to say such things."

Kurako: "You... I envy your freedom."
"Working in service doesn't mean being physically bound, you know."
"If you dislike it here, you could just go elsewhere..."
"Do what you want—if it displeases the master, then you needn't consider him your master at all..."

Gin: "I couldn't possibly do that, Madam."
"I couldn't possibly feel that way."
"So long as you continue showing me such kindness, I lack nothing. But I wouldn't dream of acting any more selfishly than this."

Kurako: “What do you think of Mizugaki?”

“Mr. Mizugaki, you mean?”
“It’s nothing special…”
“He may be as blunt as they come, but he seems deeply caring.”
“He feels that way about you.”
“Oh no, Madam.”
“It’s true.”
“If that’s the case, don’t you have any intention of marrying him?”

Gin: “If you’re going to mock me like this, I’ll excuse myself.”

Kurako: “You can leave anytime—let’s settle this matter first.”
“Since I live this way myself, I think if just you two could truly love each other, this house would grow much brighter.”
“I look forward to your shared happiness bringing some warmth to my frozen heart.”
“There may be masters who fuss over such household affairs, but I pay them no mind.”
“Rather, it pleases me.”

Gin: “Madam, are you deciding such matters entirely on your own? There’s something about Mr. Mizugaki that I simply can’t abide.”

Kurako: “But I... That can’t be true. You two seem quite intimate when conversing.”

Gin: “Do we truly appear that close?... Well, the formality has faded between us. We merely exchange trivialities...”

Kurako: “If you can exchange trivialities, you can manage serious conversation too. You haven’t had that kind of talk yet.”

Gin: “There haven’t been any.”
Kurako: “Not even once?”
Gin: “Do try asking him.”

“That’s why he says he likes you.”
“When did he ever say such a thing?”

“This morning.”

“Is that really true?”

…

“What an unpleasant person.”

“He must have phrased it poorly too. Why don’t you just tell me what’s on your mind without embarrassment?”
“I won’t let anything bad happen to you.”
“I’ll take care of everything…”

“Did he come here himself to say such things?”

“Well, who can say?”

“When he does such things and it becomes awkward afterward, even if he tries to speak to me, I don’t respond.”
“He’s utterly shameless!”

“There’s no need to get so angry,” said Kurako. “He likely thought this better than confessing directly to you and being coldly refused. After all, he probably knew you’re such a proper woman.”
“Rather than that, he must have believed telling me would make things work out again.”
“That’s certainly a clever method—and what’s more, an admirable approach.”
“Doesn’t he seem reliable?”
“If I could hear a favorable answer from you, even he would find motivation for his studies.”
“Within four or five years, he’ll become a fully capable worker.”
“Until then, let’s endure here together while anticipating brighter days.”

“I... I don't feel that way at all.”

“Then you’re absolutely against it?”

“I would like to think about it a little longer.
But as for marriage... I haven't even thought about such things yet...”

“So you don’t have to get married right away.
In other words, an engagement.
You could even call yourselves lovers.
Lovers who meet face to face every day in the same house—how stylish that is.
Oh, you mustn’t run off just yet.”

“The tea must have cooled.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“Then I’ll let you consider it.”
“Give me your answer by tomorrow evening.”
“Leave tidying this for later—go call Taki.”

“Miss Taki is heating the bath.”

“Never mind that—tell her to come immediately.”

“Please don’t mention anything about me…”

“Ah, I understand.”

Gin (Exits.)

Taki (Enters.)

Kurako: “Lately, hasn’t Mizugaki been coming around to visit your room?”

Taki: “Yes, he sometimes comes.”

Kurako: “Does he come to your place or Gin’s? Which is it?”

Taki: “Well, I don’t know which it is.”

Kurako: “Does he come even when you’re alone?”

Taki: “Yes.”

“What do you talk about?”

“I don’t recall clearly.”

“You probably like him.”

“Mr. Mizugaki? I wouldn’t say I like him, but…”

“If you like him—go ahead and like him. Did he say anything to you?”

“What do you mean?”

“If that person were to say he wants Gin as his bride, what would you do?”

...

“This indecision won’t do. Can you really stay so composed?”

“I have no business remarking on what Mr. Mizugaki does.”

“That may be true, but why doesn’t he say he wants you…? You’re not thinking that, are you?”

Taki: “That’s absurd, Madam…”
“Is Mr. Mizugaki going to take Miss Gin as his bride?”

Kurako: “It’s not settled yet.”
“It’s just that I’m thinking of arranging it that way.”
“I’ll find you another good husband.”

Taki: “Oh... such things...”

Kurako: “Enough of that—go heat the bath at once.”
Kurako: “And keep this matter quiet from everyone.”

Taki: “Yes—the bath is already prepared.”

(Exits.)

Kurako (finishes drinking tea): "Gin... Gin..."

Gin (Appearing): “Were you calling for me?”

Kurako: “I’ll be taking a bath in about ten minutes.”
“Bring me the eau de Cologne.”
“Then open the parlor window once—I’ll be playing the piano later…”
“When I tried stepping in just now, it was so dusty…”
“When cleaning, even if it’s troublesome, you must open the window…”
“Don’t forget the candles.”

Gin: “Will two candles be sufficient?”

“Ah.”
“Miss Taki just said something strange to me.”
—What was that?

Gin: “Miss Taki was saying… ‘Madam is such a kind person…’”

“If it’s true, then isn’t that fine?”

—Curtain—

Three

Parlor—Only two candles burned in the piano’s candlesticks, leaving the room half-dark.

Kurako (facing the piano, idly touching the keys without playing).
(As if accompanying her own words) “You’re spineless for a man.”

Mizugaki (A motionless silhouette can be seen some distance away.)

“Youth doesn’t come twice, you know.”
“Studying is all well and good, but vivid dreams aren’t found in printed words, are they?”

Mizugaki...

Kurako: “Then you must consider your future too. But if you think merely reading books diligently will make something of a person, you’re mistaken.”

Mizugaki...

Kurako: "Being called serious has its advantages, but if you don't notice yourself gradually withering away because of it, then seriousness ultimately becomes misfortune."
"A person whose emotions never flare up is like an instrument with broken strings."
"A piano is made to be played like this, and humans are born to love as much as they can." (Pause) "Don't you think?"

Mizugaki…

“It’s over for me…”
“I chose this marriage precisely to be utterly alone.”
“In this world, there are people forbidden from loving, you know.”
“I am one of them.”
“For such people, being loved becomes agony.”
“I think the only one who truly tends to someone like me is myself.”
“So that’s just fine.”

Mizugaki...

“For both men and women, the time that determines one’s fate comes only once,” Kurako continued, her fingers grazing the piano keys. “People often remain unaware of it—letting hard-won happiness slip away or stumbling into avoidable misfortunes.” The candlelight deepened the hollows beneath her eyes as she leaned closer. “The one you seek might be nearer than you think. Both might linger unaware, or one might sense it yet let it lie unchanged—” Her voice dropped to a whisper sharp as a parlor knife. “I’ve come to understand such things intimately.”

Mizugaki (holding his head, leans back against the chair)

Kurako (continued playing the piano silently)

Mizugaki (suddenly stood up)

Kurako (sensing the shift in atmosphere, quietly turned around) “What’s wrong? Are you leaving already?”

Mizugaki (timidly approached Kurako)

Kurako (apparently unaware of this): “But at times like these, women find it tedious.”
“Because women are more attuned to their own destinies—even when the person they believe is meant for them appears right before their eyes, they can’t bring themselves to make it known.”
“Well, it’s not that such opportunities are entirely nonexistent.”
“But it’s terrifying—like believing there’s a peaceful realm beneath the water yet being too frightened to dive in.”

Mizugaki (stopped, his hand trembling)

Kurako: “Why are you so spineless?”

Mizugaki (begins backing away as if frightened by something)

Kurako: “Then I’ll teach you what you should do.”
“Something good…?”

Mizugaki (stopped and stared ahead).

Kurako: “Before that, give me a clear answer. You’re not hiding anything from me…?”

Mizugaki...

Kurako: You don't have someone else you like, do you?

Mizugaki...

Kurako: “That couldn’t possibly be true, could it? That would be too pitiful.”
“Since it’s awkward to say her name plainly, I’ll call her ‘that woman.’—That woman has been doing nothing but brooding lately.”
“In her heart, she must be thinking this—”
“‘No matter how much I yearn, he remains oblivious.’”
“‘I wonder if there might come a moment when I hear his tender voice right by my ear……’”
“‘Even if it’s a dream, I want to keep seeing it without ever waking…’ And she also says—”
“‘Perhaps he might actually be thinking of me…?’”
“‘But she doesn’t speak of this because he doesn’t understand my feelings…’”
“‘Next time he sees my face… I’ll gaze back at him with every ounce of feeling I possess……’”
“‘If his eyes try to read mine even a little… I’ll let every emotion in my heart show through my eyes… that’s what she’d say.’”
“Well—what will you do?”

Mizugaki returned to himself and looked around.
He was saying something under his breath, but it was inaudible.

“A man I once knew used to say that declaring ‘I love you’ to any woman was like handing out a business card that says ‘This is who I am.’”
“Like handing out a business card.”
“And then, asking that woman ‘Will you love me?’”
“Is like inquiring ‘What’s your address…’”
“—That’s what he says.”
“If men act that way, it makes things easier for women. Why don’t you try doing it like that once?”

Mizugaki...

“Don’t stiffen up.”
“Don’t attempt elaborate speeches...”
“In seventeenth-century France, they say ornate courtship flourished—but modernity demands efficiency above all.”
“Secret missives—you understand—coded telegrams. That’s the sole method worth pursuing.”

Mizugaki (drawing nearer to Kurako once more): “Madam...”
(Pause.) “Madam...”

Kurako continued playing the piano in silence.
This time, she seemed to be providing accompaniment to his words.

Mizugaki brought his mouth close to Kurako’s ear.
“Madam…”

Kurako flinched and shrank her neck.
“Oh, you mustn’t come so close…”

Mizugaki startled and took a step back.
“Madam, I beg of you.
I don’t know what to do.”

Kurako...

Mizugaki: “I’d never even dreamed of such a thing until now.”
“I never imagined things would come to this.”
“I’m someone who isn’t good for anything.”
“Someone no one’s ever spoken a kind word to.”
“That’s something you should know better than anyone, Madam.”
“I’m a wretched man.”
“A man even Miss Taki looks down on.”

Kurako...

Mizugaki: “I have doubted myself countless times. However, this very night—this very night—I’ve realized these twenty-five years of maintaining an insignificant existence weren’t in vain. Madam, my heart pounds like this. My emotions blaze up like this.”

Kurako quietly turned to look behind her, then immediately resumed her original posture.

Mizugaki: “Madam. I’m someone who interprets things honestly. Someone who closes his eyes and goes where he’s told. Well—I’ll go. Please don’t look at my face.”

Kurako (continues playing the piano, feigning composure)

Mizugaki (takes a step or two toward Kurako but cannot advance any further.
(extending both hands forward) Please help me.
“Madam—I implore you—give me courage.”

Kurako...

Mizugaki: “It’s a lie, isn’t it? All of that just now—it was all a lie, wasn’t it? I once received a letter bearing a woman’s name when I was idling about at a Kanda boarding house. That turned out to be a friend’s prank, but the heart-pounding unease of that time—ah, that excitement—remains the sole memory singing of my youth. That memory has now been revived. No—this bears no comparison to such trifles. I’m witnessing a beautiful moment right before my eyes. I’m trembling with wondrous exhilaration. Now, Madam—what I wouldn’t regret even if I gave my life is...” (takes a step forward) “Now... now... ah, now...” (takes a step forward and squats down)

Kurako (struck the piano somewhat more intensely during this exchange)

Mizugaki: “I can’t.”
“I just can’t do it.”

Kurako (suddenly begins playing a quiet melody)

Mizugaki: “After all, I should stay still.”
“I’ll just stare steadily at the wall.”
“I’ll at least scribble on the wall with a pencil.”
“The one I seek must surely be within the wall—when that face smiles at me, I will answer it.”
“That reply alone I have long since prepared.”

Kurako (turns around and smiles at Mizugaki)

Mizugaki (losing himself, lunging forward): “Madam...” (his hand nearly touches Kurako’s shoulder)

Kurako (lightly brushing it off, rising from the piano, moving away while gently glaring at him in a slightly raised voice): “I’ll call her for you now.”
“Gin...”
(After a beat) “Isn’t Gin here?”

Gin (appears)

Kurako (retreating): "Close the piano lid properly. Then extinguish the candles..."
(Exits)

Gin (watching Mizugaki's unsettled demeanor with wariness, secures the piano lid and moves to collect the candles)

Mizugaki (intercepting): "Leave them be a while longer, if you please. And you—take that seat there..."

Gin (gazing quizzically at Mizugaki’s face)

Mizugaki: “Just... please sit down there.”
“Just for a moment.”
“Please.”

Gin (reluctantly sits on the chair where Kurako had been sitting)

“Yes, yes, that’s right.”
(After a beat) “Miss Gin—are you busy now?”

“But Madam is retiring—I can’t not be there...”

“I see. Then there’s nothing to be done.”

“Is there something you need?”

“No—it’s nothing at all.”
“I just thought... we might talk here awhile...”

“If you do that, I can’t stay.”
“Another time when you’re free.”
“Alright—I’ll put them out now.”

(Takes the candle and extinguishes the flame.)
(In the darkness) Dangerous.
“No... you mustn’t fool around...”
“Oh! What are you— (Slap!)”

CURTAIN

IV

Student quarters—the evening sun was shining in.

Mizugaki (brushing dandruff from his head): "The sooner the better."

Takenaka (lying prone): “If you kick up a fuss over every little thing that dents your honor, you’ll have nowhere left to live in all of Japan.”

Mizugaki: “I'm a man too. If I can’t even hold my head up to some mere maid, there’s no point in living.”

“What are you on about? Don’t go making this into the same old song and dance again.”

Mizugaki: But it was dark!

Takenaka: “So what if it’s dark?”
“Did Madam find out?”

Mizugaki: “Enough about Madam. Stop talking about her.”
“My eyes are itching.”

Takenaka: “What a weird disease you’ve got…”

Mizugaki: “Don’t you have any tobacco?”

Takenaka: “I was just about to ask you. Isn’t there a tobacco shop around here?”

Mizugaki: "It's right outside when you step out. Go buy some."

Takenaka: "I'll buy it—give me the money."

Mizugaki: "Don't get cocky.... Hey—seriously—fix that earlier matter."

Takenaka: “Now, wait.”
“Don’t panic.”
“So—how old’s this Miss Gin anyway?”

“Twenty-three.”
“Does she have any schooling?”
“Why?”

Takenaka: “Nah—I’ve got a plan.”

Mizugaki: “Instead of wasting time on nonsense, help me figure out what to do with myself. I haven’t been able to leave this room since morning. I haven’t even washed my face.”

Takenaka: “You actually wash sometimes?”

Mizugaki: “I wash every day.”
“Sometimes I clean all the way up to my nostrils with that French soap Madam left behind in the bathhouse.”
“Pretty fancy, huh?”

Takenaka: “Bragging about such dumb stuff.”
“Where’s Madam’s room anyway?”

Mizugaki: “You’re such a nosy bastard.”
“Upstairs.”

Takenaka: “Upstairs?”

Mizugaki: “What does it matter where?”
“I’ll make you bow down to me later.”
“Don’t even think about fainting.”

Takenaka: “You’ve really developed some slave mentality, haven’t you? Get a grip, get a grip… This concerns our alma mater’s honor!”

Mizugaki: “The alma mater’s honor? You’re spouting such pimply live-in student nonsense. What the hell do you think you are? Is some perpetual cram school really that prestigious?”

“Give me tobacco—tobacco…”
“You’re a live-in student for a Diet member and can’t even get your hands on some damn tobacco?”
“Take me to the parlor.”

“Don’t raise your voice.”
“The evening paper seller’s being a damn nuisance.”

Takenaka: “Hey, live-in student! Watch yourself!”
Mizugaki: “Shut up, shut up!”
(Stands up and exits.)

Takenaka (opening desk drawers, flipping through notebook pages, and such)

Taki (appeared.
Startled to find an unexpected person there): “Oh, pardon me.”
“Where has Mr. Mizugaki gone?”

Takenaka: “Well, he just went out there… Probably went to look for tobacco. Do you need something?”

Taki: “Well, um… Madam has…”

Takenaka: “How about me instead?”

Taki (laughing): “Are you Mr. Mizugaki’s friend?”

Takenaka: “I wouldn’t exactly call us friends, but well, you could say that. Is it you? The one they call Miss Gin…?”

Taki: “I don’t know. That’s not…” (exits as if fleeing) “When he comes back, please tell him to come to Madam’s room.”

Takenaka: "The hell?"
That woman?

(He stood up with these words, paced around the area while pulling out a trunk from the closet, quickly rolled up two or three garments, returned the trunk to its place, and hurriedly exited the room)

The stage remains empty for a while.

Mizugaki appeared clutching five or six hand-rolled cigarettes. Finding Takenaka gone, he made a slightly puzzled face before plopping down at the desk and beginning to search the area as if looking for some sort of farewell note. He tilted his head. Hearing footsteps, he turned toward the sound.

Taki appeared. "Has your friend left already?"

"He must've slipped away unnoticed," said Mizugaki. "Didn't say a word."

"What a creepy man..." Taki shuddered. "He kept smirking while staring at me."

Mizugaki: “You came here while I was away?”

Taki: “Yes, yes. That’s what I came to say. Madam is calling for you.”

Mizugaki: “Me...”

Taki: “Hurry up and go.”

Mizugaki: “Me...”
“That’s strange...”

Taki: “There’s nothing strange about it at all.”
“Madam has been waiting for you since earlier.”

Mizugaki (half-rising): “Maybe a scolding…”

Taki: “Well, maybe you’re about to get scolded or something.”

Mizugaki: “There’s nothing like that…”

Taki: “Then you don’t need to worry anymore.”

Mizugaki (formally): “Miss Taki... You’re the only one who’ll trust me, right? Didn’t someone talk about me?”

Taki (laughing): “I didn’t hear anything like that.”
Mizugaki: “You’re lying, aren’t you?”

“Just go quickly already.”
“If you keep dawdling, I’ll be the one who gets scolded.”

Mizugaki (urging himself on): “No, my mind’s already made up.”
Taki: “Congratulations.”

“Please don’t say such strange things,” said Mizugaki. “What’s there to congratulate? You’re misunderstanding again…” He exited.

“Treat me, okay?”
(Taki too vanished from sight moments later.)

The stage remained empty for a while.

Gin entered stealthily, muffling her footsteps.
She sat down at the desk, searched for a scrap of paper, and wrote something down.
Then, once again muffling her footsteps, she exited.

―Curtain―

Five

Kurako’s parlor――

Kurako: “There’s no need to be so reserved.”
“What sort of person is this friend who came to see you earlier…?”

Mizugaki: “He’s a middle school classmate.”

Kurako (feigning disinterest): “Oh.”
“Has he already left?”
“Please don’t bring too many different people into the house.”
“It’s fine to meet them outside, but…”
“The Master is always saying that, isn’t he?”
“If they were trustworthy people, it would be one thing, but…”
“Just the other day, a woman claiming to be a relative of one of the maids came to visit, and while I let my guard down for a moment, she slipped into my room.”

“No—with him specifically, such things would never...”

“Still... Having people like that around—even just being suspected in a worst-case scenario would prove tiresome.”
“That’s—well, that’s settled now...”
“Do take care going forward.”

“Yes.”

“Now then—how did matters progress with Gin?”

(fidgeting) “Might I ask... have you heard something regarding that?”

Kurako: "No—Gin hasn't breathed a word about such matters. I merely drew my own conclusions."
"If this were to reach the Master's ears, it would only mean fresh troubles. Keep that in mind when handling everything."
"I'll raise the matter again when the time is right."

Mizugaki (perplexed): "Then... does this mean Miss Gin still intends to...?"

Kurako (laughing): “Why ask me that?”
“Haven’t you two already settled matters between yourselves?”

Mizugaki: “No—we haven’t... had that sort of conversation yet...”

Kurako: “Oh? Is that so.”
“Then what occurred last night?”

Mizugaki: “Well—Miss Gin blew out the candles, so in the darkness—I don’t know how it happened—our faces... bumped together in this strange manner...”

“Oh? So what happened then?”

Mizugaki: “So, well—Miss Gin got angry and slapped my cheek, so I didn’t say anything.”

Kurako: “What a waste to get your cheek slapped for nothing, hm? Now now—wait right there…”
“No, you mustn’t move from there.”
(Facing the back) “Gin…”

Gin (appears awkwardly)

Mizugaki (bows his head, also bringing his hand to his head)

Kurako: “Now, come over here...”
“I hear you were in quite a temper last night.”

Gin: …
(covered her face with both hands)

"You needn't be so embarrassed."
"I've grasped everything already—"
"Well then? Since you laid hands on the man's face, you must have thought of some way to make amends."

Gin (in an extremely low voice): "I'm sorry."

Kurako: "Oh my—you're not saying that to me, are you?"

“Mr. Mizugaki... I beg your pardon.”

Mizugaki (apologetically): “Oh no, please don’t mention it…”

Kurako: “What troublesome people you are.
Why don’t you just quickly make up with a handshake or something?”

Mizugaki (startled by Madam’s tone, hesitantly extends his right hand toward Gin).

Gin (also takes the man’s hand with an unpracticed gesture)

Kurako (with a self-satisfied smile): “Well then, I’ll overlook this particular incident for now.”

Gin ┐

├(Simultaneously bowing toward Kurako)

Mizugaki ┘

Kurako: “And regarding future matters—if the Master finds out, that will be the end of it.”
“You mustn’t lower your guard around Taki either.”
“She may appear provincial, but she’s adept at winning the Master’s favor.”
“When I’m absent, you should refrain from speaking whenever possible.”

Gin ┐

├(They exchanged glances, their expressions tinged with faint disappointment)

Mizugaki ┘

Kurako: "Ah, and Gin—you—go tell that florist over there to bring five yen's worth of lilies of the valley."

Mizugaki: "Shall I go instead?"

Gin: "No, I shall go."

Kurako: "Well then, whichever of you finds it convenient may go..."

Gin ┐

├(They rise simultaneously, bow, and exit)

Mizugaki ┘

Kurako: Marvelous, marvelous. That went perfectly.
(As she said this, she began undoing her obi.)
(She appeared to be changing her kimono.)

A long time passed.

At that moment, a sudden knocking sound was heard at the door.

Kurako: “Who is it?”

Voice: “It’s me.”

Kurako (flustered): “You can’t! You were coming in right now…”

But it was already too late.
Kozo stood rigidly gripping the door handle.

Kurako (hurriedly adjusting her clothes): “I’m changing my kimono right now.”
“Would you mind going over there for a while?”

Kozo: “What’s the harm? Even if I watch…”
“Change already.”

“You’re drunk, aren’t you?”

“So what if I am? Rather than that, I’ve just seen an outrageous scene.”

“…?”

“Gin and Mizugaki—they’re truly genuine now, aren’t they.”
“When I came through the gate, they were embracing in the corner of the inner entrance.”
“What the hell was that?”
“Did you order them to do such things?”
“Or did those two come up with it themselves? That’s what I can’t figure out…”
“Call Gin and Mizugaki here.”

Kurako: …

Arita: “Call them here.”
“You’ll conduct the interrogation—I’ll have you show me how it’s done.”
“Fine! I’ll go call them myself!”
(He exits.)

Kurako finishes tying her obi and collapses limply against the chair.
(Bites her lip)

Kozo’s voice called out: “Mizugaki…”
“Mizugaki…”
“Here! Come here.”
“And Gin—isn’t she around? Gin…”
“Good! Don’t move from there.”
“Both of you—come here.”

The three appeared simultaneously before Kurako.

A long silence.

Kozo: "Kurako, you interrogate them."

Kurako: …

Kozo: “You mean there’s no need for an investigation.”
“Exactly—no need whatsoever.”
“Both of you are dismissed effective today.”
“Get out this instant.”

Gin (bursts into tears)

Kurako: “Since Gin is my personal maid, I’ll handle her disposition.”

Kozo: “Fine—have it your way.”
“Mizugaki—you’re my live-in student.”
“Get out.”
(Raising his voice) “When I say get out—get out!”

A long silence.

Arita: "You insolent bastard."
"Whose house do you think this is?"
"If you don't leave, I'll throw you out myself."
(Grabbed Mizugaki by the collar and tried to shove him out of the room)

Mizugaki (offered no resistance, yet neither yielded to being expelled; maintaining a highly ambiguous attitude, he attempted to inch away step by step)

Gin (having watched the scene until now, finally unable to bear it, clings to the man) “Mr. Mizugaki…”

Mizugaki (with a pitiful face, glanced back at Gin.
But, pushed by Kozo’s force, he unwittingly disappeared from view.

In the hallway, a commotion continued for a spell.

Kurako (blankly stupefied)

—Curtain—