An Appreciation of Futagami Shimei’s Masterpiece \"Ukigumo\"

Ukigumo 1 – Japanese script. Author: Nihye Tei Shimi. Preface to Ukigumo: Roses bloom on one’s head, and living beings become paintings in this world. Only words remain, like moldy, square-shaped pieces of dough; it’s awkward to add any decorations to them. It’s also foolish to try to speak in a childlike manner and let saliva drip from the mouth. I thought it was better to focus solely on written language. So, without hesitation, I rushed forward with enthusiasm for reforming civilization. In the chaos that ensued, I turned to the gods of spring and prayed for their help. I collected drops of moonlight in an inkstone and used them to make ink. The scent of the sky, along with the sound of rain during thunderstorms, inspired me to write swiftly. But alas, it turned out to be a hopeless situation. Ukigumo unexpectedly trapped the delicate image of the moon, creating a chaotic mess that made it impossible to distinguish between black and white. It seems I’ve created a rather messy novel. With a heavy heart, I write this preface at the beginning of this book. Early summer of Meiji 4, Nihye Tei Shimi. Chapter 1, Episode 1: Ah, the suspicious behavior of those people. The month of Kaminotsuki is coming to an end; there are only two days left. Around 3 p.m. on the 28th, ants started crawling around in the area around Kanda Miatsu, and spiders began to appear everywhere. All of them seemed to be worried about their own fates. However, upon closer inspection, it can be seen that there are various types of beards as well. Starting with the beard itself, there are upper lip beards, cheek beards, and chin beards. There’s Napoleon’s particularly thick beard, Bismarck’s beard that resembles that of a monkey, as well as short beards and other kinds of beards; even imaginary beards exist. Beards can grow in various densities, from thick to thin. Following beards, what shows differences is clothing. For a set of all-black items made in the style of Shirakiya, there is a counterpart in the form of shoes with French leather uppers; it is said that the nose hairs of those who wear such items are long enough to catch dragonflies as well. Below this, there are coats with pleats that give them a special appearance, along with boots made of cowhide that are rough to the touch; pants with patterns resembling turtle shells that keep getting dirty at the heels. All of these people seem to be suffering from the hardships of life, and their owners appear to be quite proud of themselves. With beards and clothes on, they have an air of certainty as if they don’t need anything else. They just take back the wood used to start the fire and leave – how enviable. Those who came after that all had sesame-colored hair; they returned with bent bows, weak waists, and sadly, carrying empty bento boxes, shuffling along. Well, even though it’s old, it’s still good enough to handle the job. Yet it’s unfortunate that one can work in Japanese-style clothing with such ease. When the figures on the road became fewer, two boys came out from the same watchtower, talking to each other. One was a man in his twenty-two or twenty-three years old; his complexion was seven parts pale and three parts sallow, which didn’t look good at all. He had prominent eyebrows and a determined gaze, as well as a straight nose bridge. It’s just a pity that the shape of his mouth was somewhat unusual. However, since it seems to be well-sealed, there’s no need to worry about it opening up when standing in front of the picture scroll shop. In any case, the jaw is sharp and the cheekbones are prominent; due to extreme thinness, the facial features appear harsh, with not a trace of charm at all. It’s not ugly, but it has a certain awkwardness to it. His back is slim, not particularly tall either, and due to his lean build, he seems likely to earn the unflattering nickname of “half bell.” Despite his age, he wears a scuffed, marbled “Scotch” style coat with folding wrinkles, as well as a wide-brimmed black hat whose brim serves as a belt. The other man appears to be two or three years older than the first; he is of medium build and height, with a fair complexion and a round face. His mouth is of average size, and his eyes are bright, making him quite a good-looking man. However, his facial features are somewhat distorted, giving him an air of lacking dignity. Wearing a half \"trench coat\" of black lacquer, along with a \"vest\" of the same color, pants made of some kind of fine striped lacquer material; his attire was rather fancy. He wore a black hat shaped like a pot bottom with the brim turned up, covering his eyebrows closely. His left hand was tucked into a hidden pocket, while he used his right hand to fiddle with a thin cane. Turning to the tall man, he said, \"Well now, if the manager really trusts me, then I had no choice but to come here.\" Why? Well, over forty employees might sound like a large number, but they’re all either bent-over old men or useless idiots. Among them, it might sound strange to say this, but among the young people who can handle the original texts and manage office work efficiently, well, there are only two or three of us. So if you really do trust them, there’s no other choice. 」 「But look at Yamaguchi; when it comes to handling paperwork, there’s probably no one more efficient than that man, yet he still lost his job. 」 「That guy is no good; he’s stupid, so he’s not fit. 」 「Why. 」 「Why? Because he’s an idiot. To see him say things like that to the section chief, it’s clear he’s completely stupid. 」 「It’s the head of the department who’s at fault; he imposes unreasonable demands on others, and there’s no need to be so arbitrary in his decisions. 」 「It might be unreasonable on the part of the section chief, but to even try to resist a superior is simply the height of stupidity. First, think about it: what is Yamaguchi? Isn’t he just a subordinate official? If one is an underling, whether they consider the section chief’s orders to be reasonable or not, as long as they simply say yes and act accordingly, then their duties have been fulfilled, right? But for someone like him, to act in such a commanding manner toward a person who is at least a section chief......” “No, that’s not commanding; it’s just a reminder.” 」 「Hm, protecting Yamaguchi again… Is it really the case that those who suffer from the same illness feel sympathy for each other? Hahahahahaha. 」 The tall man covered the middle-aged man’s mouth with his hand near his cheek, which caused the conversation to be interrupted for a moment. When they turned into Kinmachi and reached the corner of the second side street, the medium-height man suddenly stopped and said, \"Those who took Daga-kun’s license should be both mourned and celebrated.\" 」 「Why. 」 「Why? Because from now on, you won’t be able to stick by your mistress’s side from morning till night. Hahahahahaha. 」 「Hahaha, you really want to say something silly. 」 The tall man wore an uncharacteristic smile on his face; after saying a brief farewell, he left on his own toward Ogawamachi. As the smile on his face gradually faded, his steps also became slower and slower; eventually he walked as if crawling. With his head hung low in disappointment, he walked for about two or three blocks before suddenly stopping to look around. Startled, he turned back a few steps, turned into an alley, and entered a two-story house with latticed doors, the third one on the corner. Let’s go in together. The tall man stepped through the entrance and went onto the veranda; then the shoji screen of the sitting room next to it slid open, and a woman in her eighteenth or nineteenth years appeared. Her protruding nose and her cheeks with the Japanese flag pattern painted on them made it clear what kind of status she held. 「Welcome back. 」 Then, for some reason, he licks his lips. 「My aunt. 」 「Just now, where were you going with the young lady? 」 「Yes. 」 Saying that, the tall man walked along the veranda, climbed the staircase at the end of it, and went up to the second floor. It is a small room of six tatami mats, with a three-foot-wide closet; three sides are enclosed by walls, and only the south side has shoji screens. The scrolls hung on the wall are already infested with insects in every corner, and the two or three Chrysanthemum japonicum plants thrown into the vase on the floor have withered from the back and their leaves are dry. Looking at a corner of the office, there is an old desk placed there; on a pen holder used for holding brushes, pens, and other writing tools, there is also an inkstone of red color that sits side by side with a toothpaste container. Next to the machine stood a two-tiered bookcase, on which a small lamp was placed. Beneath the machine lies a firebox with a broken rim; inside it lies the corpse of a sliding log. In addition, there are the fur pillows spread out all over the seating area, the layered garments hung on the clothespins, and the handkerchiefs tied to the nails on the pillars; all of these appear to be several years old, as evidenced by their worn appearance and aged look. Yet they are all neatly arranged in order. The tall man quietly changed into his kimono, folded up the clothes he had taken off, clicked his tongue in approval, and then pushed them all into the closet. The one who came up there with the tobakusa was the same person with a neck covered in the emblem of the Japanese flag; she had broad, muscular shoulders, and was a sort of ‘physiologically beautiful’ woman. She placed the mail she brought in front of the tall man and said, “Um, this mail just arrived.” 」 「Ah, right, where did you come from? 」 I picked up the letter and took a look, \"Ugh, from the country.\" 」 「Anone, I really felt like showing you today’s lady’s outfit. Well, first of all, her underwear was made of yellow yuzen fabric with a checkered pattern; her jacket was made from fine fabric with attractive striped patterns. Her hair was tied up in its usual ibojiri style. As for the hairpin, it was one that she had purchased from Izumo-ya recently.” She carefully shaped it with her hands to show it, saying, “It’s a hairpin shaped like a rose blossom; it was truly beautiful…… I really wish I could have such a hairpin too……” She then added shyly, “The young lady says she doesn’t wear makeup, but I’m sure she must have put on some light makeup today, just a little bit.” After all, no matter how fair one’s skin is, it still can’t be that extreme…… When I was at home, I would put on some makeup too, but since moving here, I only wear it during New Year’s celebrations; I don’t wear it regularly. I could wear it, but I don’t want to hear anyone criticizing my new husband. After all, once, in front of guests, someone said, “The place where she applied powder looks like frost on charcoal.” Isn’t that too much? Hey, no matter how unattractive I may be, isn’t that excessive? 」 As if an enemy were nearby, it starts to turn completely black. The tall man, more than before, kept picking up the letter, starting to read it only to put it down again; he behaved in a most annoying manner. Once again, he merely snorted in disapproval and paid no further attention to it. The woman, who was at least physiologically beautiful, puffed out her cheeks slightly and walked off upstairs in a huff. Watching her back as she left, the tall man grew anxious; he quickly picked up the letter and began to read it. At those words written in the letter, he made a note of them. The weather is getting colder by the day, but I hope you are able to carry on with your work safely. That’s all I can ask for at the moment. My mother has also grown much older these days; most of her hair has turned white, and it seems her mood has become more gloomy as well. Although I know you will be coming to my place this evening, I am so eager to see you that I count the days by folding my fingers. I truly hope you will come back as soon as possible. On the 24th, it was Father’s…… As he read on, he accidentally dropped the letter; he crossed his arms and sighed deeply.

Ukigumo 2, Chapter 2: The Beginnings of a Strange Love Affair (Part 1) The man who went by the name “Takai” actually had the real name Uchimura Bunzo; he was from Shizuoka Prefecture. His father had served under the old shogunate and received a salary from it. But after the fall of the shogunate and the return to a monarchy, in the Meiji era when even the common people could no longer live freely, he retreated to his hometown in Shizuoka. For some time he relied on others for food, living day by day without any plan. As the saying goes, “If you sit idle, even mountains become meaningless,” and gradually his savings ran out. He then tried to find work, but like a monkey that has fallen from a tree, he had no real skills—although he was skilled in the Shin’in-ryu martial art style, he couldn’t use a plow or hoe. His mouth was also unable to speak properly, so he couldn’t utter even a word quickly. Moreover, carrying a load on his shoulders would tarnish his family’s reputation, so he ended up working hard as a servant in the Shizuoka domain. Though he thought it was fortunate, things didn’t improve much. Still, he used whatever little capital he had to teach his son Bunzo how to study. First, get up early in the morning, put a bento box on them and send them to school; when they return, send them straight to a nearby private tutoring school – there’s no moment of rest at all. A child from such a foreign background wouldn’t be able to persevere, but Fumio, with his introverted nature, seems suited for studying, so he sets out without much hesitation. Though sometimes, upon seeing a friend chasing dragonflies, he might get carried away and spend the time playing, only to return dejectedly through the back door; such things happen occasionally, but most of the time he studies. Gradually, the true taste of learning becomes apparent; things start to become interesting. Books that I hadn’t bothered to open until yesterday, under pressure, are now something I take the initiative to read on my own, and as a result my studies progress. When I am praised, my parents are happy too. As their child grows up, they forget about their own aging, passing through springs and autumns. In the spring when Fumio was fourteen, his long-awaited graduation was successfully completed, and before we could even feel happy about that, his father developed complications from a cold he had caught, and combined with the stress of his age, he ended up falling ill and bedridden. They tried everything that could be done (poisons, spells, prayers for blessings, and all kinds of good deeds), but no results were seen. Gradually, they stopped asking for help, and in the end, they gave up on trying to save Bunzo and decided to let him die. The sorrow of the surviving spouse and children is truly beyond description; it’s as if there are no words to express it. “No matter how much we mourn, it’s of no use.” Tears stream down from their eyes as they place them on their sleeves. Finally, they manage to send the lifeless body to the cremation site, where it turns into a wisp of smoke. Well, after the *earnings*-earner passed away, the family faced tremendous difficulties; the meager savings they had were completely spent on funeral expenses and other related costs, and now very little is left. The demo mother is a strong-willed woman with a manly spirit; despite poverty, she continues to sew shirts worth three sen each, working tirelessly. Even in such hardship, there’s no way to escape poverty, so she manages to get by by eating some soup or porridge, while the faint smoke from the interest on government bonds rises into the air. Since his father was still alive, Bunzo was aware of the financial difficulties in the family, but after all he was still very young, and he felt as though he could continue like that forever. Out of his concern for his parents, he would sometimes mention how he had grown up now and make them worry, but there were also times when things were rather trivial. Time passed carelessly, like floating grass adrift on the waves. After his father’s death, seeing and hearing about his mother’s hardships and struggles, even as a child, he felt lonely and sad; for the first time, he truly understood the hardships of life, feeling as though he had woken from a dream. I told my mother about my intention to find some work, so that at least I could take care of my own needs rather than becoming a burden on her. As the saying goes, where there’s a god who abandons, there’s also a god who helps; and so Fumizo was taken in by his uncle who lived in Tokyo. With tears of sadness, he left Shizuoka and went to Tokyo to live with his uncle in the spring of the 11th year of the Meiji era, when Fumizo was 15 years old. My uncle’s name is Enoda Sunbei; he was the biological brother of Bunzo’s deceased father. He was a kind and compassionate man with a honest and upright character, which made him popular among people. Unfortunately, however, he was too weak-willed. After the Meiji Restoration, he replaced his two swords with a abacus and tried to use it for calculating in the morning and evening. But as it was something unfamiliar to him, he suffered losses at first; day by day the situation worsened, until he found himself on the verge of debt. As he struggled to find a solution, things took a turn for the better, and eventually he managed to accumulate some capital. He bought land, started lending out small amounts of money, and while having a home in Tokyo, he worked as the manager of a tea house by the shore. It’s not exactly wealth and luxury, but at least it’s a stable way of making a living. Omasa, the wife who stays behind to guard the home, was initially a concubine before becoming a secondary wife; though she claims to be the daughter of a proper samurai family... it’s something worth pondering. But in any case, she was a woman who was very skillful, polite, and capable of handling all household chores on her own – from collecting rent to demanding repayment of loans – and she was thorough in everything she did. Calling him a flaw means he’s just an excessive drinker, a cheat, and moreover he has trouble even holding a needle; there’s nothing really serious about him. But it’s the way of the world that people prefer not to speak well of others – people around him say, “That woman must be some kind of demon in disguise.” They also claim that shadow puppets are used in connection with her. The couple has two children. My sister is named Sei; at that time she was still just a twelve-year-old girl. My brother is named Isami; he too was still young, still in that age when one uses one’s sleeve to wipe nasal mucus (he is currently studying at a school and not at home). With only one aunt around, there are no problems, but Fumio isn’t capable of understanding or accommodating other people’s moods. Though I can treat my master and parents with all my heart and work hard for them, I am always scolded when I make mistakes. Time and again, I come to truly appreciate the kindness of my parents; despite having to endure hardships, I still patiently carry out my duties. In my free time from working, I attend local private schools, spending those days in sadness. Once, at a certain school, there was a call for students, and word of it spread quickly among the tutoring centers; upon inquiry, it turned out that tuition would be provided. Thinking it was just a trial, Bunzo took the exam, and fortunately passed it; he was admitted to the residence, and thus he received a stipend. Until yesterday, although it was called my uncle’s house, I had to endure the hardships of being a servant, with no other concerns but those imposed on me. But today, with no other constraints, I am able to study wholeheartedly, and I was overjoyed at that. I even danced in joy. Yet, being a student still comes with its own difficulties; unlike other young masters, I don’t receive any financial support from my parents, so I can’t afford any unnecessary expenses. I don’t even think about such things; instead, I focus solely on soothing my mother’s worries, as well as repaying my uncle for his kindness. With every moment counted, I study hard, and my progress is remarkable – I always come in first in every exam, never settling for second place. For this reason, both teachers and others admire me as a truly outstanding student. Well, then, it gets noisy around. Young masters raised on a life of debauchery and laziness engaged in constant quarrels out of envy and spite, but Bunzo paid no attention to such things; instead, he isolated himself and spent his days studying diligently. Eventually, his hard work paid off, and he received a diploma, allowing him to return to his uncle’s house as its master—a source of relief for him. From there, he tried various methods to find a position in government service, but finding one proved difficult, and as a result, he was forced to wait for about half a year. Throughout that time, I endured the pain and suffering caused by my aunt’s scorching heat. At first, she seemed to be gentle herself, blowing on me softly, so it was not too bad. But gradually she became more intense in her scorching, and eventually she even started using chili peppers along with fresh pine needles – making the scorching even worse than before. Bunzo also kept holding his nose for a while; eventually, he could no longer bear the intense smoke and felt compelled to press down on his chest to relieve the choking sensation. Yet, reminding himself that this was also due to his own lack of strength, he endured it patiently. For that very reason, when I later became an assistant official in a certain ministry under someone else’s supervision, I felt as though I were ascending to the heavens; I could finally breathe a sigh of relief. But on my first day at work, I had a strange feeling. First, I received the documents for examination and sat down in my seat. After settling in, I observed those around me carefully: some were bending their heads over their work to write, others were scrutinizing things with narrowed eyes, and still others were holding pens and frantically flipping through ledgers. Among them, right across from Bunzo, there was an older man in his fifties whose hair was combed back in a style resembling the character for “waves.” He kept blinking rapidly while constantly counting on an abacus. Suddenly, he stopped what he was doing, pointed at the beads with his finger, and said, “Eh, six fifty seven ten two…… no, it’s just six fifty.” It seemed as though the fate of the world depended on this single calculation; he wore a deeply worried expression, yet his mouth was open, and through his glasses he stared intently at Bunzo’s face, then exclaimed in a higher-pitched voice, “Uh, eighty two?” Before continuing to count fervently once more. Unable to bear the sheer absurdity, Bunzo couldn’t help but smile, but upon reflection, he found that there wasn’t much difference between him and the person being laughed at. Ah, to think that I once immersed my perseverance in the oil of my own efforts, and acquired knowledge through hard work despite my sleepy eyes; now I’m using that knowledge for such trivial and foolish things. It makes me feel sad and pitiful, and I let out a deep sigh. For a while I just stood there, feeling like a worthless person, but then I decided that this couldn’t continue, so from that day on I began to get busy with tasks. For four or five days after that, every time he saw the face of that old man, he could only sigh; but as he got used to moving to the other side, it eventually stopped being a source of distress over time. Starting this month, by sending monthly money to my elderly mother back home, she will be happy; and by paying off my uncle’s debts in installments, my aunt’s mood will also improve. At the end of that year, I was promoted to a higher rank and became an official; last summer, I returned to my hometown after a long time, and many other pleasant things happened. With all these good things, the wrinkles on my forehead seem to fade away, and it seems that my lifespan has also increased. There is a rather interesting story here, but before recording it, let’s first hear a brief account of Osei, the eldest daughter of Sonbei.

Chapter 2: The Beginnings of a Unique Love Story (Part 2) – Ose’s background: She had a father named Sonbei, who was naturally fond of children, and a mother named Omasa, who, though heartless toward others, was extremely attentive to her own children. From a young age, she was pampered with decorations on her hair and beads attached to her clothes, and she was taught to obey everything she was told; this habit eventually became part of her character, helping her grow up to be a mischievous girl. Since the time when the rituals of coming of age were completed, at her father’s wish she attended elementary school, and according to her mother’s preference, she practiced the art of Kyogen. Born with natural talent, Ichitoku was quick to learn; it seemed that she excelled in both studies and artistic pursuits. Her mother was overjoyed beyond measure, and out of pride in her daughter, she kept bragging about her, even to those who didn’t ask, with drool flowing down her chin. At that time, the official who had recently moved into the neighboring house supported a family of four; he had a wife as well as a daughter. The casual greetings exchanged between neighbors got off to a good start; as the parents felt at ease, the daughters grew closer to each other, and they would visit one another almost every day. The daughter of the next-door family was a couple of years older than Osei; she was kind and gentle. Since her father had been a Confucian scholar, even as a child she loved learning, and those who love learning are able to excel at what they do. Even in old age, one just can’t stop imitating others; and since Osei was an inherently impulsive person even as a child, she quickly became obsessed with that girl, copying her in every aspect of her behavior and speech. She suddenly gave up playing the shamisen and began to arrange peacock feathers on the desk. Osei disliked all sorts of formal things like studying, but since it was what her dear daughter wanted to do, she allowed her to go ahead with it. By the time Oseki graduated from elementary school, the daughter of the neighbor started attending a private school by the grassy area. Well, in that case, Osei can no longer resist and suddenly wants to enroll in the school. They ask their parents for everything, even bringing it up in their dreams. She was still a child, not even of legal age, and on top of that, she was the wife of a worthless man; it was utterly out of the question for her to attend school. At first, her parents tried to discipline her using their authority, but when she went on a hunger strike and said things like, \"If I can’t go to school, then there’s no point in living,\" with sighs mixed with complaints and a visibly depressed appearance, her parents gave in. Thinking that she felt that way so strongly, they entrusted everything to the daughter of their neighbors and allowed her to attend school, albeit hesitantly. This happened two years ago. The woman who runs the tutoring center where Osei attends is a tough-minded woman who has become overconfident based on what she reads in the newspapers. She is also the kind of person who feels obliged to repay those who have done her a favor, but she will definitely take revenge for any slight she suffers; she has a vengeful nature. Once she decides someone isn’t to her liking, she tends to harass them constantly, like a needle pricking cotton. Because Osei could transform into something exactly like a clam in front of her parents, but shrink down to become like an oyster in front of others, she suffered greatly from the criticism she faced; thus, she tried to ingratiate herself with these strong-willed men by behaving in a submissive manner. Originally having a tea-like temperament, she was prone to being influenced by that atmosphere; her appearance changed dramatically in no time, and eventually she became distant from the daughter next door. After starting to study English, those futile attempts became even more intense: when the juban was replaced by a shirt, the Chinese-style hairdo turned into a tied-back hairstyle; one would tie a handkerchief around the throat to endure the discomfort, put on glasses, and try to amuse others in a self-centered way, ending up as a mere clown. However, at the end of last year, that tough-minded woman left the school because she was hired as a teacher; the girls under her care also left one after another. As fewer and fewer of them remained, Osei began to feel nostalgic for her own lodging, but she couldn’t bring herself to say so. Having mastered most of the kanji characters, she left the school and returned to her lodging at the end of this spring, around the time when the cherry blossoms fell. As already mentioned, when Bunzo went to the capital, Ose was still just a thirteen-year-old girl; she wore narrow belts and relied on her older sister for support. But out of a mischievous heart, she said as a joke, \"That man will become your husband.\" Whether she took those words seriously or not, at first she was only shy. But children adapt quickly, and before long she was willing to share a piece of candy with someone else – they became quite close. Now, that was a long time ago. Since Bunzan moved into that school, it was rare for them to even meet, let alone spend more than half a day together. Only during this winter break, when she returned home, did we spend about ten days seeing each other in the morning and evening. But unlike when we were children, at this age, Bunzo was reserved and polite in his behavior, and he never became more intimate or said anything personal to her. Yet for those first two or three days after Osei returned to the school, it felt as though we had been separated after a hundred years of friendship; I felt rather sad……But that feeling faded over time. Now, suddenly finding myself living under the same roof as her again, and hearing her speak to me in such a familiar manner, it didn’t bring me joy, but it was as if another month had passed, and I felt somewhat lively. With one more person added, this is something that should happen naturally; what’s suspicious, however, is Bunzo’s emotions at the time when Osei and * were together. He would always become strangely solemn, straighten his usually rounded back, hold his head upright, and handle things in a peculiarly formal manner. When the soul leaves the body, there is no single focus of devotion; everything around it is enveloped in thin mist, drifting in a state of emptiness and uncertainty. It seems to be there at times, and at other times it seems not to be there. There is only one thing that can be perceived without actually seeing it, but this feeling is still difficult to give a name to. Since the beginning of summer, when he was asked to teach Osei English, Bunzo began to become a bit more open. As they started discussing topics such as the nature of Japanese women, the advantages and disadvantages of wearing hair in buns, and the pros and cons of relationships between men and women, it was strange to see that Osei, who had previously not considered Bunzo to be masculine and had been very talkative, suddenly became quiet in his presence. She seemed more composed and gentle, acting in a more typical feminine manner. One day, wondering why Ose was unusually wearing no glasses and no neck scarf, Bunzo asked her about it, to which she replied, \"But you yourself said that it can be harmful even for those who are healthy.\" Wen San smiled without realizing it and said, \"That’s an excellent thing,\" then smiled again. While Osei remained calm, Bunzo became increasingly restless; even while at work handling his duties, he kept thinking about Osei and looked forward to the time when he could leave work. It’s good enough to see Osei’s face when I get home; otherwise, I feel disappointed and disheartened. 「“I wonder what you’ve done to her?” At one point, she doubted me and unconsciously paled. From the very moment Osei returned home, even though she herself was unaware of it, a worm took root in Fumio’s heart. But at that time it was still small and did not take up much space; even when it was on the chest, it caused no disturbance. And when it moved around restlessly, it was as if the whole world gathered in one place, or as if one were passing from this world to a paradise. It was like lying on a bed amidst beautiful flowers and fragrant breezes on a spring day, listening to the sounds of flies flying away gradually, in a state that wasn’t quite sleep nor wakefulness, just a drowsy state. It was an indescribably pleasant feeling. But before long, those insects grew thick and strong, and by the time he wondered what had happened, they had already turned into snakes that were writhing around... If only they had been cruel enough to kill him, so that he wouldn’t have to suffer from hunger, but instead of that, he was left in a state of limbo, neither alive nor dead. The snakes, unable to bear the pain, writhed around and tore apart their own intestines... In exchange for that initial pleasure, Bunzo now suffered greatly. He secretly glanced at his aunt’s expression; perhaps it was just his imagination, but it seemed she pretended not to notice anything. 「If that were to happen, it would be the same as having my aunt’s permission already…… I often thought, “Damn it, I might as well just give up…” But then I thought, “No, I can’t say such things and end up getting an evasive reply,” so I changed my mind and tightened the reins of my will, suffering as if I were an insect living among algae…… This is the crucial part; let’s come back and discuss it again another time.

Chapter 3: A Most Unconventional Beginning to a Love Story – Part 1 One mid-summer night this year, when Bunzo returned from his walk, he found that his aunt Osei had gone out for some business since dusk and had not yet returned. The maid Onabe seemed to have gone bathing as well; she was also absent. Only light shone in Osei’s room. At first, Bunzo climbed two or three steps of the stairs leading to the second floor without thinking much about it. But then he stopped suddenly, deep in thought; he stepped down one step, stopped again to think, and stepped down once more... Suddenly regaining his composure, just as he was about to climb back up to the second floor, a voice came from Ose’s room: “Who’s there?” 」 It is said. 「Me. 」 Fumio shrugs his shoulders in response. 「Oh, I thought it was someone else—it’s Wen-san……I’m feeling so lonely, so please come and tell me a story. 」 「Thank you, but let’s wait a little longer. 」 「Do you need something? 」 「No, I don’t need anything...... 」 「Well, that’s fine then, right? Oh, welcome. 」 Fumitsu hesitated for a moment before climbing down the ladder all the way to the entrance of Ose’s child’s quarters, but he did not enter inside; he just stood there. 「Come in. 」「「Eh, eh……」 Saying that, Bunzo remained standing there, fidgeting, looking as if he wanted to go in but also didn’t want to. 「Why are you being so reserved just tonight? 」 「It’s just you alone in this demonstration…… It’s strange……” “Oyama, it doesn’t suit you either…… Who was it that said once that if one is too timid, it’s impossible to carry out such a policy?” 」 Drawn by Osei’s smile – in which she tilted Qin’s head to the side and held one cheek gently between her lips – Bunzo entered the room, sat down, and said, \"If you put it that way, I have nothing to say, but……\" \"Could you do me a small favor.\" 」 Toosei took out a fan and offered it to Bunzo, saying, \"But what shall we do?\" 」 「Eh, that Nansha’s whispering is really annoying. 」 「Well, they’ll surely say something after all. Well, it’s fine to say something anyway, if both of us are innocent. After all, you’re going to break a two-thousand-year-old tradition; some hardships are inevitable. 」 「It’s something like what I thought, but it’s really unpleasant when backtalk gets to your ears. 」 「That’s true, Yonee. Even these days, you keep saying silly things in a cheeky way to tease me. Then, since I became too noisy, I thought they would never understand, but I tried to explain the theory of relationships between men and women. Well, you see, my words are mixed with Chinese characters, so it’s completely impossible to understand what I’m saying…… People who really lack education are just hopeless. 」 「Ahahahaha, that’s really funny…… But it’s not just the pot that finds things funny; surely the auntie does too……” “My mother? Well, she’s a lowly person anyway, so she keeps saying silly things and that’s why I tease her.” Still, every time I humiliated him terribly, it seems he would feel a bit ashamed; these days he doesn’t say such things as much anymore. 」 「\"Ano...? If we’re going to be that close, then it’s better to just marry you instead...\" (stammering slightly, unable to speak properly) \"Marry me, I mean...\" Hearing this, Bunzo was equally shocked and stared at Ose’s face. Yet you, with such a carefree body, \"But you see, we can’t just blame those who lack education, right?” My friends, while not exactly well-educated, have still received some form of basic education. And yet, among those twenty-five people, only four understand Westernism. Even those four, well, it was only while they were in the tutoring school; once they went outside, they were under strict control by their parents, and eventually all of them got married. So thinking that I’m the only one who’s said such things until now makes me feel incredibly lonely and distressed. Well, these days, since I’ve made you my best friend, I’ve become much stronger. 」 Bunzo gave a slight bow and said, \"I’m not really happy to hear that, even as a compliment.\" 」 「I’m not being polite here; it’s true. 」 「I would be even happier if that were possible, but I simply cannot become close friends with you. 」 「Huh, why is that? Why can’t I date my best friend? 」 「Because I don’t understand you, and you don’t understand me either; it’s hard to have a relationship as close friends……” “I see.” Still, I think I understand you quite well. With your knowledge, your proper conduct, and your filial piety toward your parents......” “That’s why you can’t understand me.” You say I am filial to my parents, but I’m not being filial at all. “I have someone... more important than my parents...” said Bunzo, stammering, before turning his face away. Osei looked at Fumizo with a puzzled expression and said, \"There’s someone who’s more important than parents……Someone more important than parents……I also have someone who’s more important than my parents.\" 」 Bunzo raised his head, which had been bowed, and said, \"Eh, you have it too.\" 」 「Hah, there it is. 」 「Wha...... who? 」 「It’s not a human, that truth. 」 「Truth. 」 To Bunzo trembled violently, biting his lips in silence for a while; after a pause, he suddenly let out a deep sigh and said, “Ah, you are pure and innocent…… Nothing is more important than the truth, even more so than one’s parents…… Ah, how innocent you are…… Yet emotions are truly strange things—they make people foolish, make them cry or laugh, and they toy with people by causing them confusion.” I faintly realize that I’m being manipulated, but I can’t stop it. \"Ah, even I……\" After thinking for a moment, he became somewhat agitated. \"I can’t bring myself to do it……I simply can’t……Osei-san, since you believe yourself to be innocent, you might not understand what I’m saying, but for me there is something more important than the truth……something more important than truth itself.\" It’s been almost half a year since the end of last year; I’ve had my emotions controlled by that person. Even when I sleep or wake up, I try to forget them, yet I endure feelings worse than death. Still, no one shows any concern for me at all. If I were treated unfriendly, then at least I would have some way to respond……” Her voice trembled a little. “When people call me their best friend and claim to have great influence over me, I just…… really can’t think of anything to do……” “Ah, the moon…… it seems to be emerging from among the bamboo. Have a look. 」 The coolness of the moon shining through the leaves of the about ten stalks of slender bamboo planted in a corner of the garden. Without any measure of the power of the deity seen on moonlit nights, without even a single cloud to cast shade, the clear light spreads across the entire blue sky; it is simply bright and radiant, with only droplets falling from it. At first, it begins by entering the garden past the bamboo fence that separates it from the neighboring house; halfway in, it climbs up to the veranda and enters the seating area. It flows along the water where barley is sown, taking on a golden luster; it passes through the glass panes of the eaves decorations, emitting a jade-like glow. It casts shadows alongside those sitting there, stealing away the light of the solitary stalks of grass, and eventually climbs up the wall between them. With each gust of cool breeze, the shadows of the morning glories leaning against the trellis flutter into the air; and the dewdrops clinging to the edges of the lily leaves instantly turn into fireflies that fly about. As the rustling sound of grass, flowers, and trees in the wind grows louder, people’s hearts often become agitated as well. But once the wind stops blowing after a short while, the surroundings once again fall silent, with only the sound of insects gathering among the grass under the eaves remaining clearly audible. The view before the eyes is pitifully interesting. Still, it did not catch the attention of those two who had something on their minds; Osei merely talked nonstop, saying, “Ah, what a good thing.” 」

Chapter 3 (Part 2): Without any reason, she smiles faintly and pretends to be gazing up at the moon. On the other hand, when Bunzo gazed at that side of her face as if to steal a glance at it, the beauty of her eyes, nose, and mouth remained unchanged; yet her face, shaped like a melon and taking on a slight bluish tint under the moonlight, along with her loosely tied hair that fluttered in the gentle breeze, creating two or three strands that brushed against her cheeks, had a terrifyingly striking beauty to it. After Munsei stared at it gloomily for a while, its fierce side gradually turned toward him…… Those bright, cool eyes began to move slowly…… and met his staring eyes head-on. A shy smile played on the snail’s mouth, which was covered by a fan held in hands that resembled five white fish arranged in a row on thin radish stems. Wen San’s eyes suddenly shine. 「Osei-san. 」 But in a trembling voice. 「Hi. 」 But in a soft voice. 「\"Ose-san, you’re too much too—too cruel. I… I can’t bear this to such an extent…\" Fumio covered his face with his hands and fell silent. If you pay close attention, you can see that the shadow on the wall is trembling violently. One word now…… If you cross the threshold of these few words, beyond lies Minamiyama. Ever since she first fell in love with the man who lived near Ashigaki, day and night, his image remained constantly before her eyes. Just like the moon reflected on the roof surface in the water, it kept appearing despite attempts to dispel it; it was impossible to fathom what the other person’s feelings were. She didn’t show any signs of distress, nor did she make any noise like that of water flowing over rocks. She simply pondered things alone, trying to dispel the confusion and turmoil in her heart—but whether to do so or not remained uncertain. Just one word… just one sentence… yet that word hadn’t been spoken yet. Suddenly, there was a rattling sound as the outer gate opened. Startled, Bunzo and Ose exchanged glances. He gets up grumpily. I rushed out of the room as if rolling. However, that’s all for that night; there was no further discussion. The next morning, the two of them met for the first time. Bunzo was more embarrassed than Osei and said little. The busy workload at the office this summer; I can’t even take a summer break, so I have to go to work right away. I get home around twelve o’clock. After having lunch in the dining room downstairs, I returned to the living room on the second floor. Just as I was saying, “Ah, it was hot,” Osei came up the stairs with a rush, asking a couple of suspicious questions in English. If I ask the question, it should no longer be necessary, but I’m hesitating and focusing intensely on the pheasants of Katano. Soon, still facing each other, they played with pencils and said, \"Um, what did you do last night?\" 」 No reply. 「It seems they were very angry, saying I was cruel, but what is cruel about it? 」 She smiled and glanced at Bunzo’s face, and Bunzo quickly turned away, saying, \"You usually guess such things already.\" 」 「Well, I still don’t really understand it, you know. 」 「If you don’t know, it’s fine to just say so. 」 「Oh, that’s strange. 」 After that, every time Fumizo sat across from her, Ose would use that old matter as an excuse to start nagging and criticizing him, shouting at him. Eventually, she even threatened, “If you don’t talk, I’ll tickle you!” But Fumizo, being as stubborn as a stone statue, couldn’t be easily dismissed through such attempts to engage in flirtatious talk. So he would first sit there solemnly and formally, ready to express his thoughts at length. Yet Ose would quickly turn away and say, “Oh, look, a swallow is flying!” acting as if she didn’t care. If he tried to pull back then, she would give him another meaningful glance. Fumizo became a bit confused, but since his intentions to retreat were evident in his behavior, he laughed and felt happy, grateful, and humbled—forgetting both sins and rewards, with an expression as if his life meant nothing. When the soul takes up residence beneath the navel and gradually moves to a state of extreme ecstasy, it can no longer sit still; it wanders about restlessly, sticking out its tongue, shrugging its shoulders, laughing in amusement, or making strange gestures. It rejoices to the point of going mad with delight, but in front of others it always remains composed and restrained, avoiding any vulgar behavior. Indeed, once the noise became unbearable and turned into a riot, Fumizo, who had been smiling happily until then, suddenly closed his eyes and fell silent; he wouldn’t say a word no matter what was said to him. Osei laughed and said, \"If you act so seriously, that’s why this happens.\" 」Shoving away those hands that were tickling him, Bunzo became impassioned and said, \"Ah, our emotions are still slaves to habit.\" Ose-san, please come down. 」For this reason, Osei sometimes got angry at him…… But as time passed, perhaps Osei also grew tired; she stopped being so noisy, ceased her loud laughter and became quiet. Lately, she would often fall into deep thought. However, the way she spoke to Bunzo tended to be rude, which indicated that she hadn’t simply given up in silence. Ah, even the buds of love that happened to bloom were withered by unforeseen circumstances; the threads of a relationship that became strangely entangled left people in a state of limbo, neither connected to the sea nor to the rivers. Is it some trick played by the Moon Lord? In any case, it’s a most peculiar beginning to a love affair. It seems like just yesterday that Wen San started working in a certain ministry, but in the blink of an eye almost two years have already passed. As the benefits of thriftiness have begun to show over the years, I’ve been able to save a little money. It would be unfilial to let my elderly mother continue living alone in discomfort for ever. I plan to bring her to Tokyo by the end of this year so that we can live together as a family. When I mentioned this plan to her, she was overjoyed. As for Fumizo, though he doesn’t know that there’s already a girl he could marry named Ose, out of his compassionate nature he said, “I really want to find someone suitable for him so that I can see my first grandchild soon. As a parent, that’s what I desire. But once we move there and start our own household, we need a pillar to support the family – that role must be filled by a wife. If we’re going to get a wife, then the second daughter of one of our relatives, Miss So-and-So, seems like an appropriate choice; she’s quiet, plain-looking, but perfectly suitable for me.” He even attached a photo along with his proposal. Fumizo was completely confused and frowned, saying something like, “It’s just a matter of convenience…” When he discussed this with his aunt Osei, she too was puzzled. At first, when Ose left the school and went home, it was thought that since there was a son named Isamu, Ose would eventually have to be married off anyway; so what if she married Bunzo instead? 」I was also consulted by Sunbee about this, but at that time Omasa only gave a perfunctory reply of “Well, I suppose so,” and the days passed in a state of indecision. As Ose grew increasingly close to Bunzo, Omasa finally decided to take action as well. These days, Sunbee says, “It’s nice to see them get along so well, but since they’re both young, there must be no misunderstandings; you need to keep an eye on things throughout.” 」That said, Omasa said, \"Oh, it’s fine. If it’s just a small matter, then it’s okay. I was planning to be together with you sooner or later anyway.\" 」It’s only natural that, given their tendency to always put on a showy facade, they would be confused upon hearing the story in the third chapter of this text. 「As my mother says, once I have a home of my own, it will be impossible for me to stay without a wife. However, it’s not right to marry someone whose character I don’t know at all, so I think I’d better decline this marriage proposal for now. 」Hearing Bunzo’s always different determination, Yosuke finally relaxed her frown and nodded repeatedly, saying, \"That’s right, that’s right. Just because you’ve taken advantage of your aunt’s situation doesn’t mean you can neglect your own situation – that would be a sign of inexperience.\" But we talked a lot. Actually, your husband and I also have some thoughts regarding your marriage. From now on, no matter what your mother says, please whisper to me first before giving an answer. I’ll talk about it with my husband eventually, but I have something on my mind…… Anyway, could you show me a photo of what kind of child your aunt wants? 」Hearing this, Bunzo looked extremely embarrassed and said, “A photo? Photos... I don’t have any. Just now, that someone... Oh, Ms. Ose... she must have taken them and gone.” In such a situation, his mother and his uncle’s family each had their own thoughts, but everyone was eagerly awaiting the end of the evening. With everyone’s wishes, including his own, combined on his shoulders, Bunzo (returning to the first part of the story) was unexpectedly dismissed from his position today. Well, such things as *circumstances* are inevitable; perhaps that’s what people of an old-fashioned mindset would say.

Chapter Four: Unexpressible Thoughts in the Heart. That day, as evening approached around five o’clock, there was still no sign of either his aunt or Osei returning home. Since waiting seemed endless, Bunzo had dinner by himself, then sat alone on the balcony on the second floor, leaning against the railing as he gazed at the sky as it grew darker. By this time, even though the sun had set behind the rooftops of thousands of houses, its lingering shadow still colored the western sky in soft pink hues of plum blossoms. Looking back at the eastern sky, there is a pale blue hue; upon staring intently, it seems as though one or two evening stars could be discerned in that expanse of sky. Attracted by the faint sound of the evening bells from Denjō-in, the cries of crows hurrying back to their nests can be heard everywhere, creating a noisy atmosphere. The sun sets quite suddenly; the surroundings grow dim. Looking up at the blue sky, any remaining colors have gradually faded away; now it is a vast expanse of clear blue, with stars twinkling here and there as if trying to mimic the act of blinking. Even the shrubs in front of the neighboring house, which were invisible just a moment ago, have been swallowed up by the dark night sky; the darkness is so profound that it’s only with the help of the gentle evening breeze that one can discern where the trees are located. The white walls of the demonstration warehouse are indeed white, which means that anything trying to see through them will be able to do so... There’s a fluttering sound near the eaves; I turn around to look... There’s nothing to block my view at all, just a thin layer of darkness. Even heartless beings learn to feel compassion in the autumn dusk; let alone Bunzo, who is like a kite with a broken string—his fate depends on the wind at any given moment, determining whether he will land on the plum trees by the fence or on the clothesline. This uncertainty is what constitutes life. Ever since his father passed away, ten years have gone by, and he has been tossed about by the rough waves of life, barely managing to stay afloat. He had already prepared himself for the possibility that he might end up as someone with no place to go, but that is still the sadness of an ordinary person. Once one gets used to danger, it ceases to be painful; relying on things that are unreliable… By the end of this year, Bunzo must take his mother back home so that she can enjoy some peace in her old age. Even if he returns to his hometown, he surely can’t go there with empty hands. What gifts should he bring to his relatives? Should it be money or goods? The numbers add up in his mind, but still, human fate is unpredictable. Even the dreams he once had about Lu Sheng have vanished in an instant. “Ah, once again, I’m in such a pitiful situation…” Suddenly, the west side became brighter. As the dream appeared before his eyes, Bunzo turned to look – it was the second floor of the neighboring house; perhaps the door hadn’t been closed properly, as the shoji screens were still in place and a figure could be seen inside…… In the space of a moment, that figure began to swell and grow, turning into some kind of monster…… After disappearing suddenly, everything returned to complete darkness once again. Fumizo let out a sigh of relief. Looking back at the courtyard of his house, he saw the plants and trees planted tightly together; the sounds of insects crying out in desolation surrounded them. From the darkness, half of those plants seemed to emerge, bathed in the light filtering through the glass doors. It seemed as though some suspicious person might be spying on his wife... The night wind rustled through the trees in the courtyard, blowing strongly against his face, causing Fumizo to shiver. He got up, went into the living room, and lit the lamp by feel. With his hands resting on his knees, he stared blankly ahead for a while... Suddenly, he poured some hot water from the kettle that was right beside him into a cup and drank it all in one gulp. Then he lay down, using his elbow as a pillow, and gazed at the circular light pattern on the ceiling. A smile appeared on one side of his face, but as his mouth closed and his front teeth disappeared from sight, sadness once again appeared on his face. 「Well, I’m not sure what to do. There’s something I simply can’t keep to myself, so maybe once I go back tonight, I’ll just say it outright. My aunt must be putting on a displeased face, I suppose…… It’s almost visible…… But worrying about such things won’t solve anything; it’s not as if I’m trying to borrow money, so there’s no need to feel ashamed at all. I’ll say it tonight…… but…… it’s hard to say in front of Ose. If, somehow, I were to say something unpleasant in front of him, that would be troublesome. This is said when there’s nothing going on. Not here………Watch the time………Why. Why is it hard to say? What is the shame in a man feeling ashamed of having declined? So timid. Damn it, I’ll just say it tonight. Of course, she doesn’t say it out loud, but it seems she’s looking forward to next spring. If she were to hear that she’s been dismissed suddenly now, she would surely be very disappointed. But she’s not the kind of frivolous woman who would change her mind just because she’s disappointed. Moreover, unlike ordinary women, she is educated as well, so there’s no need to worry about that. That’s absolutely not the case; even an aunt...... an ambiguous aunt. My aunt is that kind of person; so when she heard that I had been dismissed from my job, she suddenly lost interest in helping me, and she didn’t insist on finding a place for my daughter elsewhere either. Just because that’s the case, it doesn’t mean I’ve made any firm promises; after all, no one will say that it can’t be done... Ah, it’s boring, so boring. No matter how many times I think about it, it remains boring. I really don’t understand why they fired me. I have no idea. It’s not arrogance on my part, but I’m not someone who’s completely useless either; likewise, those who are left behind aren’t particularly useful either. It seems that I was dismissed just because I didn’t flatter the section chief enough... Really, that section chief is a rude guy. The section chief is a section chief, but the ones left behind are also extremely contemptible. To bend over for such a meager salary and act like a slave is truly the most humiliating thing... But... wait... After all, there have been those who were dismissed from their positions only to be reinstated soon after, so maybe I’ll receive a summons tomorrow... No... it won’t happen; there’s no way I’d get any summons. Fine, just because they’ve come, I’ll quit on my own this time. I don’t care what anyone says; I’ll definitely quit. But that’s also impatience, right? I guess I’ll return to work once the summons arrives…… Idiot, that’s why I’m an idiot; to worry over something as imaginary as that. Idiot. First of all, I need to talk to Eto right away...... Oh right, I have to tell my aunt about being fired...... She must make a terrible face when she hears it...... But I have no choice but to tell her; I’ll do it tonight...... Even in front of Ose...... No, it doesn’t matter even if it’s in front of Chotto as well, I’ll just tell my aunt...... If she says something rude in front of that girl...... Well, it doesn’t matter, I’ll tell Ose...... No, not Ose, I’ll tell my aunt...... She must...... make such a terrible face...... Make that disgusting face...... Say...... say something rude...... Ah, my head is in chaos......” He shakes his head back and forth frantically. The loud sound of a car rushing towards us came to a sudden stop in front of the house. The lattice door creaks open, and there is noise of people talking. Soryakoso and Bunzo first sat up straight and bowed with their chests forward. He tried to rise using his hands as crutches, but then sat down again; when he tried to sit down, he tried to get up once more. Although the hinges in the waist are satisfactory, the hinges in the chest are separated – as if thinking \"Should I say it?\" or \"It’s hard to say.\" – so it’s impossible to get up quickly……I suddenly tried to get up and make my way to the bottom of the ladder, but I stopped abruptly, hesitated for a moment, and then thought, \"Well, I’ll just say it.\" 」Muttering to himself, he quickly went down to the second floor and entered the back shop. Next to the long hearth in the main room of Ozu-ten, there was an older woman in her forties; she was a bit thin, with dark skin. Her steps were short and quick, and her complexion was fair. She had a graceful appearance, like a flower that, despite being wilted, still retained its charm. It was Omasa, who had her hair tied up with something called a kaminagi; she wore a layered outfit consisting of Kombenke’s silk jacket and Yōrō’s yukata directly on her skin. She also wore a black ruqso and an obi with eight sections, tied in a casual manner. With a slightly drunken expression, she sat there holding a toothpick in her mouth. When Bunsan greeted her, she said, “Hi, I’m back. You must have been waiting for a long time, right?” 」「 Where are we going in general today? 」 「Today, I set out from home, planning to head from Sugamachi to Mikinmachi. Well, if you go to Sukagawa Town, there’s an entertainer living nearby... I think his name was something like that, an entertainer……” “A get-together.” 」 「Ohama-san keeps urging us, saying that there’s that get-together, so let’s go together. I would be fine with going to Shinbutsuza or Nindōmachi, but those so-called clubs or social gatherings are utterly pointless. But since Ose... uhh... Ose wanted to go, I gave it a try as a casual outing, but it wasn’t as good as I thought. I thought that since it was called a social gathering, it might be something like a performance event, but well, it turned out to be a proper get-together after all. Try saying that too, Konda-san; the gate costs fifty sen. 」 「Haa, I see. Well, see you again sometime. 」 The story gets a little interrupted. Deep in Bunzo’s heart, he thought, “If I’m going to say it, it should be when Osei isn’t around. I’ll say it now.” He was just about to speak when suddenly there were footsteps on the veranda, and the shoji screen behind him swung open. When he turned around... it was Osei, an eighteen-year-old girl at the peak of her beauty, with a face shaped like a melon, a high forehead, and eyebrows that added strength to her eyes, which seemed to convey both life and death. Her smile was delicate yet charming, not so excessive as to seem artificial. She had a slender waist that swayed gently in the wind, like that of a flower. Although her hairline and neck could use a bit more grooming, her snow-white skin hid all imperfections. She wasn’t like her dark-skinned parents at all—she was like an angelic girl. Her shiny black hair was neatly tied up, and she wore a rose-shaped hairpin. She hadn’t applied any rouge or powder, and her clothes were simple—just a silk jacket with a fusen-patterned sash. Yet her appearance was truly remarkable; it was beyond the reach of those cheaply colored artificial flowers made from twisted branches. Munzo’s title for the poem, in which he describes hanging Komachi’s clothes on Princess Sotoori, might well be the result of his biased admiration, but in any case, she is exceptionally beautiful, surpassing everyone else. As soon as she entered the room, she exchanged a smile with Bunzo, gave a slight nod, then tiptoed over to the hearth and sat down gracefully. When he exchanged glances with Ose, Bunzo strangely changed his attitude completely; ignoring the words of dismissal that rose to the back of his throat, he put on an indifferent expression, thinking to himself, \"Let’s wait a little longer.\" 」 「Auntie, my throat is dry; please make me a cup of tea. 」 「Ayio. 」 Sadae glanced into the tea cabinet and said, \"Oh no, all the teacups are dirty…… The pots too.\" 」 Upon seeing the person who came out and was called that, it was the one with a neck covered in the familiar red circle design; he took the dirty thing held out at the tip of his snub nose, then walked away, swaying his prominent buttocks. I’ll wash it and bring it back soon. Make tea. Well, then there are the rumors about the songs I heard today; mother and child don’t even have time to keep each other’s secrets. Since there was no way to bring up the matter of his dismissal, Fumio had no choice but to listen to the unpleasant stories he didn’t want to hear, wasting time in vain; only then did the conversation finally shift to a discussion about the merits of Qingyuan and chōkyū. 「The aunt said such things only because she could play seigen; but nagauta is better. 」 「As for chōryū, it’s not entirely bad if it’s performed by Okan, but Nagamatsu just keeps making sarcastic comments; it’s not interesting at all. Instead, kyogen is really great in terms of spirit. 「When we first met in Yotsuya, I thought she must be single, but what an ironic thread of fate. 」 Singing the signature Kyogen tune in a mid-tone voice, she said nonchalantly, \"It’s good.\" 」 「That’s right; I hate it because it has no class. 」 「It’s starting again; it’s not some kind of acrobatic stunt. Things are noisy forever. 」 「After all, for humans, character is of the utmost importance. 」 「If you really have such a personality, then you needn’t say you want to eat something like stewed odeng. 」 「Hey, when did I say such a thing? 」 「Yes, I said it the night before last. 」 「It’s all lies. 」 Though Tōha said it, he was so disappointed that it caused everyone to laugh heartily. Suddenly, Omasa turned to Bunzo and said, \"Oh, I remember there was mail from your mother’s place when we were leaving today. Did you pick it up?\" 」 「Was that really the case? I had completely forgotten about it…… My mother also said that she wouldn’t be sending a separate letter this time, but asked me to convey her regards. 」 「Haa, I see, that’s so. Still, the auntie never once emptied her bowl. 」 「Yes, thanks to you, it seems to be in good condition. 」 「That’s, well, the best thing of all. You must be looking forward to the end of this year with great anticipation, right? 」 「Yes, they said that the fingers are just bent down......” “That’s right, after all, you’re coming to be with your cute son. It’s like those people who, just like Nedo, mock their parents; they say something at first but then quickly start finding faults. Such behavior doesn’t earn them any praise, but since Mr. Bun is affectionate toward his parents, his longing for his mother is even greater. 」 After ignoring those people, he then makes complaints. Osei turns away with an expression as if it had started all over again, while Bunzo forces himself to laugh Hehe. 「And then, about that other matter, have you managed to say something about it again? 」 「Hi, they’ve asked me to say it again. 」 「What the heck. 」 「Well, if you say you don’t want to because you can’t understand each other that well, she said it would be better to meet up when I go back home at the end of this year and decide after getting to know each other properly, but still......” “What, Auntie? 」「E. Nanisa. Ah, that. Sora, it’s Ané whom I talked to you about the other day. “Mr. Bun’s……” Osei kept nodding to herself. 「Hee, why say such things? Hee, I see…… Anyway, it would be better if you could return home soon…… Yes, as I mentioned before, I do have some thoughts regarding your marriage in mind…… Of course, since I already know about it, I could tell you right now too……” He thought for a moment and then said, “When will you give me an answer?” 」 「I’ve already given a reply. 」 「I sent an Emo today. 」 「Hi. 」 「It’s not even Oyamaa-bun-san; you could at least say something to me first before giving it to me. 」 「Death……” “Well, anyway, what did you say to them? 」 「Well, right now isn’t the right time for marriage......” “Oh, if you say such things, your aunt will worry even more. Rather than that……” “Yes, I still haven’t finished speaking, so what is it……?” “Well, Masah, listen to what I have to say.” Rather than that, that uncle also says he has some ideas of his own, so maybe we should discuss it in detail at some point; otherwise, he claims to have some leads here......” “Auntie, you say that, but does Monsieur Bun really have any leads here?” 」 「Whether Maasa is there or not, I said that so that the aunt could feel relieved... Well, one can only understand such things by putting oneself in the parents’ shoes; but it must be extremely difficult to try to get a child to settle down on their own. So I think that even someone as unfilial as Ose can’t be allowed to stay in Mom’s care forever; it would cause me so much trouble. The other day I said to her, “You really need to get married now. You can’t keep acting like a child forever. It would be fine if you married into a family as relaxed as ours, but if you end up marrying into a household with a mother-in-law, you won’t be able to act so selfish and willful. You need to prepare yourself from now on.” I said those things out of concern for her, thinking it’s sad to make her go through hardships. Please listen to me, it’s like this. 「“Well, I have my own decisions to make. Whether I get married or not is my own choice,” she says. Then when I asked, “Oh, so you don’t intend to get married?” she replied, “Yes, I’ll live my life on my own.” Well, that’s absolutely ridiculous, isn’t it? Miss Wen, in which country do you live? You can’t possibly stay a nun your whole life without having a husband. 」 This is not entirely a formless story. Four or five days ago, as part of some complaint, Omasa shouted in a sharp voice, \"It’s really not a joke! How old do you think you are? You’re eighteen, aren’t you?\" At eighteen already, being at an age when one should consider getting married, it’s really too unreasonable of them. Aaaah, I really want to give her away as a wife soon. If she becomes a wife and ends up with an annoying mother-in-law, then maybe she’ll understand how grateful she should be to her parents. 」It was because of what he said that there was some minor argument, but what Omasa said was completely a rephrasing of that. 「In short, it’s because this is the deeper part. When we were around that age, we would dress up a bit and wear some light-colored clothes as well......” “Again, vulgar.” 」 Toosei frowns. 「Ohohohoho, really, she did quite a few little pranks, but this girl is all big in size yet still utterly helpless, so no matter how long it goes on, one can only keep taking care of her. 」 「That’s why the aunt said no; she gets a little drunk, and then there’s no longer any difference between parent and child, and she starts saying such things. 」 「Hehe, scared beans that burst – the opposite of your opinion, huh? Huh, it’s better to chase away the flies in one’s own head than to slander one’s parents; it’s not even interesting. 」 「Hehehehe. 」 「See, she just mocks her parents like this; she’s by no means the kind of obedient girl who would listen to whatever we say. So please explain things to her in a way that will make sense to her. If it’s what you say, maybe she’ll listen a little bit. 」 To-sei once again neglects O-sei. Just then, through a paper screen, came the sound from the pot: \"That belt clasp…… stop…… it……\" The three of them were surprised and looked at each other, saying, \"Oh, that’s just the pot talking in its sleep.\" 」And in the end, it turns into loud laughter. Omasa lay on her back and stared at the wall clock, saying, \"Oh, it’s already eleven o’clock. It’s no wonder he’s talking in his sleep; let’s go to bed now. If we stay up too late, it will be difficult again the next morning.\" Well then, Mr. A-bun, let’s talk in detail about what happened just now another day, perhaps the next day. 」 「Yes, I too…… I also have something I must definitely tell you, but perhaps another time tomorrow…… Anyway, good night. 」 After saying hello, Bunzo left his seat and went down to the foot of the ladder. From behind, someone said, \"Mr. Bunzo, do you have today’s newspaper here?\" 」 「Yes, there is. 」 「You’ve already read it. 」 「I read it. 」 「Then, I’ll borrow it. 」 Toosei follows Bunzo up to the second floor. When Bunzo took the newspaper that was on the desk and handed it to Ose, he said, “Mr. Bunzo.” 」 「E. 」 Osei simply laughed without responding. 「What is it? 」「Shall I return the photos you gave me just for tonight? 」 「Why. 」 「Still, I think it must be Osami, hehehe. 」 He ran down to the second floor as if fleeing, laughing. Watching that figure’s back go, Bunzo let out a sigh of relief and said, \"It’s even harder to say now.\" 」 After about an hour, Bunzo finally got ready for bed and lay down, but he was unable to fall asleep. The more I tried to think about the past and future while remaining awake, the more alert my mind became and I was unable to close my eyes. Realizing this wasn’t acceptable, I tried to focus myself by firmly closing my eyes and pretending to be asleep, but I couldn’t deceive myself. Forced to turn over in bed and sighing, I stayed awake and dreamed; one chicken crowed, then another, until finally dawn approached. 「\"Maybe we should just leave it as it is tonight,\" I thought. By then my eyes were starting to grow heavy and my vision became blurred; the white hair on my mother’s neck, which had been visible up until then, was now covered with dark beard hairs... It turned into the neck of the department head, and that terrifying bearded neck kept spinning around like a waterwheel for a while, before gradually shrinking in size... Eventually its appearance changed... Before I knew it, she was wearing a rose-shaped hairpin... It was Ose’s neck..………

Chapter 5: Mistakes in Mental Calculations Reveal the Difficulty of Overcoming Chaos. Disturbed by the maid’s voice calling out from beside his bed, awakening him from his unfulfillable dreams, Bunzo raised his head in confusion and looked over; by then, the morning sunlight was already casting diagonal shadows across the shoji screens. 「\"Damn it, I must have slept in...\" Before I could even think that, the words \"dismissed from office\" suddenly popped into my mind, filling my narrow chest with distress... Like a dead toad that’s been doused in acid, I sprang to my feet, adjusted my clothes, put on my nightwear, stuck a toothpick in my mouth, inserted an old handkerchief into my belt, and hurriedly went down to the second floor. Hearing those footsteps, someone from the back room said, \"Mr. Bun, you need to hurry up or you’ll be late.\" 」Though Omasa’s voice lacked sharpness, Bunzo’s heart jolted in response, leaving him at a loss for words. Seizing the opportunity with the toothpick that was in my mouth, I blurted out some nonsense of my own making, managing to get away for a while. I washed my face and went to have breakfast, but my chest felt heavy and it was hard for me to move my chopsticks; I finished two servings of rice when I usually would have eaten three. I even moved the dishes away gently, as if I were being extra careful – it seemed as though my entire body had suddenly shrunk. After finishing his meal, Bunzo went around to the veranda and peeked secretly into the inner room; there was only Omasa there, and no sign of Osei. Ose has recently started going to the area around Shunagatai to practice English since early in the morning, so she enters the office hesitantly, wondering if she must have left already today as well. It’s no wonder that Omasa, who had been polishing the brazier up to that point, suddenly stopped using the cloth to polish it and wore a puzzled expression when she saw Fumizo’s face; at that moment, Fumizo’s complexion was by no means normal – it was pale, he seemed weak, sad, resentful, and ashamed all at once. It’s hard to describe in words just what his expression was like. 「Mr. Wen, I’m really worried; your complexion looks very poor. 」 「Yes, it won’t happen......” “Then hurry up and do it. Look, it’s already eight o’clock. 」 「Ah, I still haven’t told you……I hadn’t mentioned it before……but actually. 「S, sakujiitsu……me……me……」 Breathing becomes difficult, cold sweat flows, the face turns red; it’s impossible to utter those words no matter what. He remained silent for a while, then tried again and said, “I’ve become a menu maker.” 」 Saying it in a sudden impulse, she suddenly looks straight ahead. Upon hearing this, Osei immediately suspended the shiny cloth towel she was holding in mid-air, let out a cry of \"Oh\", and remained frozen in that position without saying a word. For a while she just stared blankly at Fumizo’s face; after a short while, she hastily dropped the cloth towel, moved her knees forward, and said, \"I’m sorry then... Oh, why is this happening?\" 」 「I, I don’t know why……I really don’t understand……Probably……it’s to cut down on the staff……” “There’s nothing we can do about it, sorry about that.” There’s really nothing that can be done, huh. 」 With a disappointed expression, Yuko. After a while, they said, \"Well, anyway, what do you plan to do from now on?\" 」 「There’s nothing I can do, so I’ll ask my mother to stay in the country for a while longer, and I’ll try to find a position as an official again. 」 「It’s frustrating when officials say things like that; if it were fine, that would be great. But if it isn’t, then I have to worry again... That’s why I had to say something – I kept telling the section chief to go and check on his mood, over and over again, but he just persisted in being stubborn, and that’s how things turned out like this. 」 「It can’t be that simple, right……” “Yes, it definitely must be that way. Without a reason, how can they just reduce the number of people? There’s no way they’d pardon innocent people like that without any reason... Or do you perhaps remember having done something so terrible that pardoning you would be inevitable? 」 「Yes, I don’t remember having done anything wrong......” “See that?” 」 Both of them remained silent for a while. 「So, what was with that Honda guy? (This man will be discussed in detail in episode 6.) 」 「His man is very good. 」 「Oh, that’s good then, isn’t it? Those who are lucky can go in either direction, you know. And that’s because that person is very confident and inventive, as well as straightforward in their manner. And from what I heard, they also keep going to the section chief’s office to check in on his mood, so surely that’s why it turned out well this time as well. So you too should have listened to what I said and tried to win over the section chief; maybe then things would have turned out well this time as well. But since you didn’t listen to others, that’s why things ended up like this. 」 「That might be true, but no matter how much I fear being dismissed, I can’t do such a despicable thing......” “Are you saying you can’t do it...... Hmph, I’m not asking you to endure it; it’s because of your short-sightedness that you’ve even gotten scolded by the section chief.” Well, think about it: even someone like Mr. Honda feels that such a person shouldn’t be given a pass, so he goes to the trouble of trying to win over the section chief. As for you, well... I shouldn’t say this about you, but from Mr. Honda’s point of view...... it’s only natural. Well, if this were just about you alone, then it would be like a crow perched high in the air – whether it chooses to eat or not, it’s completely up to it. But you have a mother, don’t you? 」 Hearing that it was his mother, and seeing Bunzo’s withered expression, Omasa looked as though she had found a perfect tool for scolding him. Taking advantage of the fact that Nagarau was using his pipe to strike something, she said, “Ahh, isn’t that poor old lady pitiful?” Well, put your hand on your chest and think about it for a while. Even aunts say goodbye to their uncles soon, and now there are only you left to rely on – so you must feel incredibly lonely. You surely don’t want to go through the hardships of living alone in your home like that, but all of this is because they are patiently enduring it in the hope that you will succeed in life. If one can grasp that even a little, then no matter how difficult things may seem or what one might dislike, one must endure and persevere, determined to succeed at all costs. To act like you, saying things like \"I don’t want to please the Japanese, I can’t do such despicable things\" and being so selfish, and even driving your own mother to the streets – isn’t this a great satisfaction for you today? Well, since you’re going to suffer because of your own choices, it doesn’t really matter to me, but then again, isn’t your auntie pitiful? 」 It’s especially severe when it affects the top layer, but Bunzo remains facing away and gives no reply. 「Aaaah, even that aunt is looking forward to the end of this year so much; I imagine she will be extremely disappointed to hear that she has to take leave now. It’s really sad to see her going through all those hardships as she gets older. 」 「It’s truly a shame for the mother. 」 「Of course. At twenty-three, I still can’t even support a single mother comfortably. Hmph, it’s so embarrassing. 」 With a curt \"Toh, tsun,\" he pretends to be indifferent and blows smoke in a circle. Fumizo stared intently at that other side of Omasa with a fearful expression, as if he wanted to say something…… But then he tried to compose himself and smile; yet what appeared on his face was a wry smile. With a voice that was neither a laugh nor a tremble, he said, “Hehehehe, I’m sorry for this, but…… well…… if it has to be done…… there’s nothing we can do about it.” 」 「What the hell, eh? 」 As she said that, she slowly turned to look at Omasa’s face; by then, veins the size of sweet potatoes were bulging on her forehead, her eyebrows were raised in anger, and her lips were twisted. 「What did you say, Jesus? If it can be done, there’s nothing we can do about it... Who was the one who did this? Who caused this to happen so that someone could be spared? It’s all because of everyone’s own stubbornness, isn’t it? Is it not something one should pay attention to from the start? After causing so much trouble, they still don’t feel ashamed when asking for forgiveness now; saying there’s nothing that can be done is simply nonsense. That’s too much of you; you’re the kind of person who tends to trample on others. What do you think people as a whole are? Well, since it’s you, they might call you a witch or some nasty old woman and treat you as such, but I will always consider you my aunt. Naani, let others look at this. Whether you’re forgiven or not, it doesn’t matter to me at all; so why should I bother taking care of it? Yet even without being related by blood, if one is connected by fate and becomes an aunt or a nephew, it’s not like that at all. Moreover, since you first appeared at the age of fourteen, I have spent all these long years taking care of you – from head to toe, with nothing but a woman’s hands – so I don’t know if I’m causing you any trouble, but I treat you as if you were my own blood-related son. Don’t you see that even if there are children like Ose and Yū, it doesn’t in the slightest diminish the concept of yin and yang? It’s been the same even until now; not a single day goes by without me thinking that I really hope Maan-san will be successful in her endeavors and bring her mother over here as soon as possible. I was thinking just that much, and now that I hear you’re giving up, I’m not happy at all. I’m not happy, so I think this is a troublesome situation. What am I supposed to do from now on? If I were in your shoes, I’d be worried about how it would look for my aunt. Instead of taking any action, you just keep complaining and regretting things, worrying endlessly. Normally, one should say something like, “I’m truly ashamed to have to give up without my aunt’s approval,” or some words of apology, but even that isn’t necessary—I don’t even want to hear it. To just give up without paying any attention to what others say, and then act all calm as if there’s nothing that can be done about it—what kind of attitude is that? Where do I have to press to make that sound...... Aaaah, what a pointless worry. Here, I treat him as my own nephew, taking care of him and showing him utmost sincerity, but over there, he doesn’t even give it a second thought. 」 「No, that’s not what I mean at all. As you know, my mouth isn’t in good condition, so even though I’m aware of it, I just...」 “No, I won’t accept such excuses.” Surely they must consider me as someone else, surely they must think of me as some wretched old woman…… Since I’m unaware of such disloyal feelings on their part, Miss Wen won’t be able to stay alone like that forever either. Next year, when my aunt comes, I’ll discuss this in detail with her. I don’t know who would be a suitable candidate, but if there’s anyone appropriate, I really hope to give birth to a child through them. Still, unlike foreigners, since Ms. Bun had a daughter getting married, I just couldn’t stay silent; I felt I had to do something to celebrate it. These days, I’ve been thinking non-stop about getting that Hakata obi redone, having this silk kimono altered, doing this and that – I’m constantly pondering such things day after day. And then, surprisingly, they say it’s okay if they have to decline, but they don’t feel embarrassed at all; they just say that there’s nothing they can do if it’s within their power…… Ahhh, it’s useless to keep talking about it; no matter what you say, it’s pointless to expect others to change their attitude. 」 No, it’s just a list of complaints about the taste, with an underlying feeling of irritation throughout. After a while, they said, \"That’s true, but generally speaking, in a situation like this, it would have been fine to at least say something like ‘Actually, I’ve already been forgiven for this reason’ last night.\" Since it wasn’t mentioned, I had no idea about such things at all. The dishes in the bento are always the same every day, so it must be boring, right? Since you’re studying hard and working, I thought I should take care of at least that much for you. So I decided to include an omelet in today’s bento, but I couldn’t make it in a pot; with no other choice, I went through the trouble of preparing it myself... Ahhh, sometimes when someone shows consideration, things like this happen... But it was really unnecessary trouble, you know—no one asked me to do it... A pot. 」 「Hi. 」 「Mr. Wen’s bento is opened and that’s it. 」 The pot lady stuck out her wide face from behind the shoji screen, with a dumb expression on her face. 「Anone, the person inside, Mr. Bun, took leave yesterday. 」 「Heh, that’s it. 」 「Those who are truly effective, well, it’s quite different, you know. 」 Before he could finish speaking, Bunzo’s face changed color; he quickly sat up, strode out of the room, returned to his own bedroom, sat down at his desk, and clenched his teeth as tears of regret streamed down his cheeks. After a while, Bunzo used a handkerchief to stop the tears from falling…… But no matter how hard he tried to wipe them away, the frustration in his heart wouldn’t go away. The more he thought about it, the more regretful and angry he became. The pitiful state of a person’s heart, who changes completely even before they hear about their dismissal, is exposed despite attempts to hide it behind seemingly reasonable complaints. Still, while it might be possible to tolerate such things if one chooses to, those explicit complaints that amount to an insult of cowardice, along with those words that belittle others, are simply something that cannot be tolerated no matter what. I don’t have the time to wonder why my aunt mocked and humiliated me by calling me cowardly; I’m simply filled with regret, sorrow, resentment, and anger to the point that it feels like my insides are being torn apart. Fumio said angrily, \"If Yoshisuke is determined to do it, then so am I. After all, just because she’s considered an aunt and I’m considered her nephew, that doesn’t mean I have to let her say whatever she wants.\" “If I cut off all ties, we’ll be complete strangers; there’s no need to be polite toward each other at all……Damn it, at least let me stay here under the pretense of having a place to live......” As he muttered these words to himself, strangely, Osei’s figure appeared before his eyes. 「“Well then, what will happen to that girl……?” Bunzo became a little disheartened…… but then he suddenly remembered his aunt’s vicious expression, and became furious once again. “Damn it! It won’t stop no matter what!” He showed an unusual level of determination in giving up. Once I make up my mind like this, I can’t stand staying any longer. I thought I’d be renting, but I ended up not liking the cottage. When I think it might not belong to me, even a stove with chipped edges irritates me. Looking at the clock, it was already eleven o’clock. I thought I had to gather my belongings right away and settle into my lodging before the end of the day, and with that urge filling my heart, I started cleaning up frantically, muttering \"Damn it, it just won’t stop!\" as I went about it. While searching for something, I opened a drawer on the desk and accidentally came across a photo of an elderly woman in her fifties with white hair; I found myself staring at it without realizing it. This is a photo of my old mother. As you know, Bunzo is inherently filial; when he looks at his mother’s photo, he remembers the hardships he has endured and the difficult times he has gone through while living in this uncertain world. He realizes that he isn’t living just for himself, and this reminds him both to scold himself and to encourage himself. Even now, as he looks at his mother’s photo, Bunzo feels a sense of sadness and depression, but then, remembering the vicious face of his aunt, he becomes filled with anger again. He clenches his fists and grits his teeth, muttering to himself, “Damn it! It can’t be stopped!” Then, just as he prepares to take action once more, a maid calls out from upstairs, “Dinner is ready.” He deliberately called her over two or three times, delaying his response, and only reluctantly went down to the second floor. With a sulky, bitter, and frightening expression, he opened the shoji door of the inner room... Ose was there... Until now, he had been consumed solely by feelings of regret and sorrow; he had barely thought of Ose at all, letting her slip from his mind without even trying to remember her. But now, as their eyes met and she smiled at him with a gentle expression on her lips... It was as if the gloom in his heart melted away under the light of a light snow day; his distress vanished completely. The doubts he had harbored about himself, along with the deep sadness in his heart, gave way to unexpected feelings of joy and gratitude, which began to appear on his face... But he held back those emotions, smiling inwardly while turning his face toward the meal. Well, the meal is over now. Returning to the second floor, Bunzo tried to get started on the cleanup again, but he felt somewhat disappointed and lacked the same enthusiasm as before. I tried to say “It’s okay” in a soft voice, but it didn’t seem to have any effect. So I tried again, pretending to be confident and full of enthusiasm, gritting my teeth as well, thinking, \"How is it possible to change something once one has made up one’s mind... I don’t know; it just won’t stop.\" 」 He said it and left, looking disappointed as if he would have to abandon her. It would be a waste to feel reluctant now and abandon Ose; such an action seemed unacceptable. He apologized to his aunt, but still felt frustrated. With everything being unpleasant, his thoughts became tangled up, and inside he was in turmoil. From that moment on, it seemed that even without anyone forcing him, he would eventually stop on his own. 「“Well, anyway,” I set about dealing with it, but since I was thinking as I worked, it took longer than expected; it wasn’t until around two o’clock that I finally finished. As I took a breath of relief, I heard the sound of footsteps climbing the ladder. Having just heard the footsteps, and without even seeing the person, Bunzo knew who it was; he brought back the smile he had just suppressed and turned to face that person. The one who came up was Osei; upon seeing Bunzo’s face, she also smiled. Then she looked around the seating area and said, \"Wow, it’s really well organized here.\" 」 「It was too messy. 」 Without realizing it, what I said made Bunzo suspect me. I myself don’t know why I told a lie. While sitting down, Osei didn’t seem particularly surprised and said, “Well, just now my aunt was telling a story; it seems that Mon-san has been dismissed from his position.” 」 「I was dismissed yesterday. 」 To Bun-san, unlike this morning, now has a look as if to say that things are not as casual as before. 「It’s truly embarrassing, but no matter how much I regret it, there’s nothing that can be done about what’s already happened. So this morning I went to ask my aunt for her advice... and she scolded me. 」 He said that, gritted his teeth, and stared straight ahead. 「Yes, that’s right, but......” “You said I was a coward for being 23 years old and still not able to live comfortably on my own. 」 「Yes, that’s true… but…” “I see; I’m a coward, without a doubt. But no matter how close the relationship between an aunt and her nephew is, it still hurts when someone calls me a coward right in my face… It’s too much…” “But it’s your mother who’s being unreasonable here. Even now, that aunt was talking proudly about it, so I argued with her. I tried to discuss it with her, but it seems like my aunt doesn’t understand what I’m saying; she just gets angry. There’s nothing you can do with someone who has no education. 」 That’s the usual complaint. Wen San suddenly raised his head, which had been hanging low, and said, \"Eh, I had a argument with my aunt.\" 」 「Haa. 」 「For me. 」 「Haa, I defended you. 」 「Ah. 」 Saying that, Bunzo turned his face away; it seemed as though something had fallen right onto his knees. 「Is something wrong, Wen? 」 When told this, Bunzo finally raised his head, smiled, yet his eyes became moist as he said, \"It’s nothing... but... I’m really... really happy... That you defended me (a worthless person who, at 23 years old, can’t even get by on my own) and argued with my aunt, just as my aunt said...\" \"It’s useless; they don’t understand even when you try to explain things logically, and all they do is get angry.\" 」 His slightly stronger area is the body. 「Ah, I didn’t realize that you thought of me to such an extent; it’s embarrassing now that I spoke to you in such a harsh manner. Ah, how embarrassing. Since it’s come to this, I might as well talk everything out. Actually, I was thinking about renting a place to live. 」 「Boarding. 」 「I was thinking about doing it, but I can’t do it anymore. You defended me, just like anyone else would, and even had a argument with my own aunt; hearing your determination, I can no longer refuse to do as you say…… But then I’d have to apologize to my aunt……” “Just hit her then.” What can someone with so little education possibly say? 」 「No, it’s not like that; that won’t do. I must offer my apologies. But, Ose-san, while I’m happy about your intentions, please stop arguing with your mother anymore; I can’t allow you to become an unfilial child because of me. 」 「Ose. 」 From the lower seating area, I can hear Omasa calling out. 「Auntie Ara is calling you over. 」 「There’s nothing for Naani either, right? 」 「Ose. 」 「Well, give me an answer already. 」 「Ose, Ose. 」 「Haaai…… so noisy. 」 He gets up. 「Everything I just said is this for Auntie. 」 To Bun-san waves his wrist. Osei simply nodded without saying a word, then went down to the back room. Omae, the mother who had been waiting with furrowed brows and crossed arms since a while ago, let out a furious scream as soon as she saw Ose’s face, unleashing all the complaints that had been building up inside her at once. 「Oh...... oh...... Osei, couldn’t you hear me calling you so loudly? I’m not deaf; just respond properly when someone calls you…… Anyway, what’s the reason for coming up to the second floor? Eh, what do you want? 」 Even when overwhelmed by excitement, you remain completely unfazed, saying, \"I really don’t need anything……\" \"Then why have you come if you need nothing?\" Don’t you still understand that I just said clearly that from now on you must not go upstairs in such a careless manner as before? It’s not a dog in full bloom; it keeps coming over to Bunzo’s side constantly, as if it had no other place to go. 」 「Until now it was fine to go upstairs, but now it’s not allowed? That’s so unreasonable. 」 「I don’t know, really. The current Bunzo is different from the previous Bunzo. Don’t you realize you’ve been dismissed? 」 「What happened after Oya was dismissed? Wen started acting as if she’s going to bite people the moment she sees them. Heh, yeah. 」 「W-what, what did you say……? Oh, Oseki, that’s too much of you. It’s unacceptable to treat your parents in such a way, to mock them like that. 」 「I’m not going to make fun of you. Hee, I advocate for what makes sense. 」 As soon as she heard those words with her lips curled in disdain, Omasa’s expression changed instantly; she threw the long pipe she was holding onto the floor and exclaimed, “How frustrating!” 」 He grits his teeth in frustration. Having merely glanced sideways at that face, Osei quickly finished what she was doing and left the room. However, considering this as a parent-child argument goes against the true intention of a strong woman. Why, why would there be a conflict between parents and children......I’m not such an immoral person. This is where a new ideology that should become an element of Japanese civilization, without being either humiliating or undeserved, comes into conflict with outdated old ideologies; please take a close look. That night, Fumio boldly apologized to his aunt once again, but she refused to listen, saying it was pointless… First, Omasa added even more conditions to what she had said that morning, listing countless demands; and then she even tried to blame Fumio for turning Osei’s parents into powder, posing yet more difficult requirements for him. Yet while Bunzo pretended to be dead, allowing everything to go unchecked as he waited patiently, Omasa too became disappointed at this turn of events, and began to act in a frustrated manner. Before anyone could think it was over, the flames reignited from Bunzo’s words, with a intensity even greater than before; black smoke and raging flames covered his face, and it seemed impossible for the fire to be extinguished. It wasn’t until Bunzo poured out all the water he had available to douse it that the fire gradually subsided, turning into a faint smoldering, before finally dying out reluctantly. Fumio let out a sigh of relief. Thinking of the ways of the world, where things often change at the last moment, he said a brief farewell and got up to leave the room. After taking a couple of steps, he heard Omasa speaking loudly behind him, as if to be heard by everyone: \"Ah, I thought this time I’d finally be rid of this trouble, but it seems I have to take it on again.\" 」

This area was originally meant for exchanges in lesser-used languages; if it’s in English, it should be posted in the general English section... But it would be fine to have a version in both Chinese and Japanese...