Chapter 9 Chapter Seven The Bond Between Husband and Wife

A few days later, Shuhei Akita went to Omiya Street in Suginami District, Tokyo, and visited Onishi's home. There was a time when they were in love, but I'm afraid it wasn't conceited. The woman still fell in love with her, and it seemed that she had chosen a husband to visit her when she was away. Akita didn't hesitate at all.But it happened for a reason, and it was imperative to visit her. He deliberately went without making any appointments in advance.It was really impolite and rude to come to see her for the first time.In case Onishi was at home, I would presume that when I called that day, Nippon Kasei would not allow us to meet, so I was a little skeptical.Akita speculates: What kind of secret thing Onishi is doing in the company, it seems to be related to the intractable disease diagnosed a few days ago.

Even though he is a friend, he may not tell others the company's secrets easily, and it doesn't matter whether he is at home or not, and he is not allowed to make any preparations. A sudden visit may give him some clues.Besides, I also want to see the long-lost Xiangzi. In addition, this is also the reason why Akita felt a little uneasy: he had to go out of professional needs, but behind this visit, there was more of a joyful mood of meeting his "former girlfriend".Therefore, if Onishi was at home, this visit would not be very meaningful, and I still hope that he is not at home.

Onishi's home is behind the woods in Omiya Park, and it seems to have the kind of tranquility that makes people feel that the owner is not at home.The house Xiangzi's father built for the newlyweds was a small one-story house that occupied less than an area of ​​land. There was a fragrance in the woods. Over the ivy-covered wall, you could see a small courtyard with a green lawn. The end of Suginami District, where the natural beauty of Musashino is.It makes people feel that this is a young couple in love living in seclusion in the "gentle country" in the world. Akita was a little jealous with envy, only felt his heart beating and it was difficult to calm down.When the doorbell was pressed, an elegant bell sounded from inside the house, and after a while, someone approached the door.

"Which one?" The familiar Xiangzi's calm voice sounded in the house. "I'm Akita, is Onishi home?" "Ouch!" As soon as it was Akita's voice, there was a low cry of astonishment in the room. "Please wait a moment." I could tell that she ran back to the inner room in a panic, and after a while, she turned back and opened the door. "I kept you waiting for a long time." After pulling the door chain, the door opened, and Xiangzi's charming appearance appeared.Compared with the slightly haggard when we met in Daimaru, I feel that he is more graceful and graceful than Shoko in the past, and a thin layer of lipstick is applied on his lips, making the whole expression more beautiful and moving.

Just a moment ago when she returned to the inner room, she put on lipstick, and spread it thinly and evenly on her gently pursed lips, making her beautiful and lovely. The two stood at the door, staring at each other for a long time.Akita seemed to feel that time had stood still, and Xiangzi suddenly smiled and said vaguely: "Leave the guests here... please come in!" Xiangzi's words "hanging here" probably felt that although it was a short time, he had mixed feelings and thoughts, and couldn't help forgetting the time. "Where's Daxi-kun?" "He's on a business trip and isn't at home. What a coincidence, please come in!" The excited tone urged him to go in.

The size of the house is like a three-unit structure in a residential area, which makes full use of the limited space and has the typical characteristics of modern urban residences.The house has been thoughtfully designed for comfort. Akita was ushered into a western-style room, facing the garden that he had glimpsed through the fence just now.The light in early summer pours in from the open glass lattice windows, making the interior as bright and warm as sunbathing. The two sat opposite each other and chatted. In the conversation, it was wonderful to feel the intimacy of old friends when they reunited after a long absence, but also mixed with the estrangement that had been produced for a long time.

In the conversation, this sense of alienation will gradually disappear like the melting of ice and snow in spring, but there is another possibility: friends who were so close in the past, because they live in different environments, form two completely different People, then, the lost friendship will never be revived, and the two will part with a feeling of emptiness and melancholy. But in their conversation, I feel that the youth of the past has been revived.The bright and warm room made the hearts of the two of them beat extra fast and warmer. "This house is really nice." Akita couldn't help admiring the simple six-room house he lived in.

"It's not that good. Living here is also a lot of inconvenience." "So, isn't the requirement too high? Right now, ordinary employees can't live in this kind of house after exhausting their whole life. I'm afraid that I will always rent a house to live in Luo." "That's not the case. Housing is not a necessary condition for happiness in life." When he said this, Xiangzi's bright expression seemed to be covered with a thin layer of haze. This is probably Akita's illusion.It seems that Xiangzi, who gathers all kinds of happiness in the world, will not have such a haze.In the bright sunlight streaming in through the open window, Akita looked at Shoko carefully again, only to see a radiance shining on her young woman's face.

Akita felt that it was time to tell her why he came here: "Where did Onishi-kun go?" This is the real purpose of the visit.Bringing up this issue can also somewhat ease the guilt of visiting a young wife when her husband is away. "It's unfortunate that you came to see him on purpose. He's on a business trip." Xiangzi replied regretfully. "Business trip? Where are you going? When will you be back?" As expected, he was indeed not at home.Akita tried his best to calmly repeat what he asked the Nippon Kasei Central Research Institute that day. "Over there at Mount Yatsuki, he said it would take longer than usual, and he didn't tell me when he would come back. I'm afraid he himself doesn't know." Xiangzi replied casually.

"Mt. Yatsugatake, it's such a good place for a business trip. However, there won't be a branch or factory of Nippon Chemical Corporation there." Akita said to himself.Suddenly, he seemed to think of something, and his eyes suddenly became serious. In the delirium of that strange patient Tabe Sadaichi, there is a sentence: "I saw someone standing on the top of Yatsugatake." Tabe's words were not all delirium, and this person had stayed "somewhere" in the Yatsugatake area.This place should be the same as Onishi's business trip, and it was some product or by-product that Onishi developed that made Tabe go crazy.Yes, for sure.

Akita's reasoning was established at an astonishing speed. "Xiangzi." "En." Facing Akita's burning gaze, Xiangzi felt a little at a loss. "Where did you go on Mount Yatsugatake?" In a nutshell, Mount Yatsugatake is a group of rolling volcanic mountains that straddle Nagano and Yamanashi counties.Of course, Onishi's trip to Yatsugatake was not for climbing the mountain. His whereabouts should be somewhere in the foothills. "On a business trip, you will never go climbing, right? Where did you go in Yatsugatake?" Akita said again. Under Akita's inducement, Xiangzi almost said the place name "Qingli" by accident, but then remembered her husband Xisan's exhortation before parting: "No matter who asks, you can't tell me where I'm going." "It's probably okay to tell Akita." Xiangzi murmured in his heart, but the words left by her husband before leaving seemed to seal Xiangzi's mouth. Even if I don't feel this kind of relationship between husband and wife, but only measure it by the likes and dislikes of the relationship, there is actually an inseparable and unexpected adhesion.Xiangzi was very excited when he saw Akita who had reunited after a long absence.However, without her husband by her side, she felt that she still could not go against her husband's will. "I don't know the details, and I didn't ask in detail. My husband didn't say anything." Akita could tell at a glance that she was lying. He had already seen Xiangzi's lips twitch, swallowed what he wanted to say, and suddenly fell silent, avoiding his sight in panic. "I'm so sorry for letting you see my appearance." In order to hide his embarrassment, Xiangzi raised his eyes to look at Akita's eyes and smiled, while gently stroking his abdomen with his hands. Her gaze was extraordinarily charming, and every move she made was clearly aimed at breaking up the embarrassing topic just now.But when Shoko said it, Akita realized that Shoko's lower abdomen was slightly bulging, perhaps because he was wearing a kimono and wearing an obi. Akita's attention was attracted to him unconsciously, he let out a low cry as if moaning, scratched his head and said, "I don't know at all, I really should congratulate you... Then, when will you be born?" "December." "Boy or girl?" "I don't know." Xiangzi was amused by Akita's ridiculous question in his panic, and said, "But, I want a girl." "why?" "Why, I can't say." "Where's Daxi?" "He didn't say anything. It seems that he wants a boy." After speaking, Xiangzi suddenly asked seriously: "Akita, are you still married?" "Married?" Akita felt his heart skip a beat, as if someone had punched him. "I'm not married." "Why? Sooner or later you will get married." "No, not married. I'm afraid I will never get married in my life." "This..." Xiangzi forced a smile and said, "Don't keep what Daimaru said that night in your heart. There are always many reasons why people can't agree to other people's requests. I am now Daxi's wife, and I will always be his wife in the future." It would be too stupid for you to be bound by the words you said in Daimaru for not accepting my affection. I don't think about it anymore. We are not destined. So, please establish your own as soon as possible The way of life. It's not normal for a man or a woman to be alone forever." As Xiangzi spoke, his gaze became deep.Of course she could not say frankly that it was for him that she had married.If he is still alone, the flame of love buried in his heart will not be extinguished.This reunion made me feel that I had been separated for more than a year, and it was useless to try to forget him.Only when he becomes a family and a husband can the persistent affection in his heart be gradually extinguished.This is also the last hope.In this way, she did her part as Onishi's wife. "Does he understand my secret?" Xiangzi sat opposite the man she admired in the room full of sunlight, but her gaze was staring into the distance. The snow in the coniferous forest belt has all melted away, and through the juicy treetops that have just sprouted, you can vaguely see the mountains with lush flowers and plants in summer.Rhododendrons are already blooming on the plateau, and the warm wind brings the fragrance of flowers and green leaves.As far as the eye can see, at the end of the woods, the moisture during the thunderstorm is dense, covering the reflecting fresh green, shining brightly.The little birds walking through the green treetops suddenly stopped their chorus, and the surroundings returned to tranquility, but the musical chirping sound still echoed in my ears.It is a stillness full of vitality.The highlands are pregnant with sun-filled summers. In the distance, Xiangzi seemed to see her husband. On the side of the plateau bathed in the bright sunshine of early summer, a man was immersed in the development of that "undisclosed product".Only his wife knows all this.No, it is the wife who can experience this loneliness and loneliness. "If Onishi gives birth while on a business trip, how can I contact him?" Akita's voice sounded in the ear of Shoko, who was immersed in the distant scenery. "Telegram to Kiyosato." Xiangzi almost said it, but he seemed to see Daxi calling to him: "Don't say it!" "Notify the company, let them contact you." These were not the words of the woman who fell in love with Shuhei Akita, but the answer of his wife who was loyal to Onishi. "Xiangzi," Akita pressed again, "you know the whereabouts of Daxi, please tell me." "I really don't know wow." "You're lying to me, you know it. Why hide it?" "Why do you want to ask so much?" When Xiangzi retorted, Akita was at a loss for words.He thought that Xiangzi would definitely say it, so he was unprepared for this question. "Well, why?" Xiangzi asked again. There is no other way than to be open and honest.Akita stared straight at Xiangzi and said, "Then, if I tell you the reason, can you tell me?" "Please tell me." Akita told her everything about a strange patient diagnosed a few days ago.Shoko's cheeks were flushed from the warmth of the room and the joy of reuniting with Akita, but now they turned pale, and his expression became dull. "According to the examination results, the patient's kidney and liver functions have been severely damaged, and malignant edema and ulcers have appeared on the respiratory organs, which may be at the risk of cancer. In addition, although he fell into a violent mental disorder for a while, he may It shows that he has been in contact with a very dangerous harmful substance. What is it? How much did the person absorb? If such a symptom is formed due to a very small amount, what will be the result of a large amount of intrusion? In addition, what sequelae will there be? Appeared? Due to insufficient data, these issues are still unclear.” "According to what you said, what does it have to do with Onishi's research?" "I'm not sure yet. Judging from the history of many occupational diseases in Nippon Kasei in the past, the company's attitude, and Onishi's secret business trip this time, there may be a certain relationship." "..." Xiangzi bit his lip tightly and said nothing. "Xiangzi, you didn't see the terrible insanity of that patient, so you can say that it was a temporary attack, which is also very tragic. Fortunately, the patient's family members reported it early and were able to observe and treat it in time. This kind of violent insanity is likely to cause serious illness. Vicious crimes. And after recovery, all memory is lost. In this state of insanity, even killing people is not considered a crime, and the victim's death is even more unjust. Maybe Onishi is manufacturing this dangerous substance. If If it is not stopped sooner, it will put humanity in danger." "..." "However, Onishi doesn't necessarily make this kind of thing. Nippon Kasei is a big company. Maybe other departments make it. That's the way it is. Don't you want to find out?" "..." "Even if it wasn't caused by Onishi, as an engineer in this company, you should know. As long as we reveal a little bit, we can find a cure. Now, we are helpless, so we have to ask Onishi." "..." "Shoko, please! Don't think of yourself as Onishi's wife. In order to save everyone, please tell me!" Akita stood up, grabbed Shoko's shoulders with both hands and shook them vigorously. Xiangzi seemed to lose control of her whole body, allowing Akita to shake, but her heart was also shaken violently: "Is Daxie really creating such a terrible thing? If it is true, no matter what, tell him to stop." "Hanano, I beg you." Akita called out Shoko's original surname (Japanese custom, when a woman gets married, she takes her husband's surname).To call her this way is not to treat her as Onishi's wife, but to treat her as an independent individual and pour out his demands to her. "Okay, let me tell him all this." Xiangzi was about to tell Daxixin's place of work when he suddenly felt a restlessness in his abdomen.Xiangzi thought it was the peristalsis of the intestines, but after a while he felt it again, and realized that it was the "fetal movement". "Ah!" Xiangzi couldn't help crying out. Onishi is living here, the crystallization of the flesh and blood of two people has given birth to a new life, and now for the first time I feel his existence.A burst of great joy came to Xiangzi, and only women who are about to become mothers can taste this kind of joy! She stared at the slightly swollen abdomen with amazed eyes, where the new life was hidden and kept growing.Now, for the first time, the news of the existence of new life has been passed on to the mother.Onishi sent the seeds of new life, which took root in this belly and grew up vigorously. "Daxi is here!" Xiangzi's face was bewildered, and his eyes suddenly lost their luster and became blurred. "Xiangzi!" Akita was surprised by the sudden change in Xiangzi's expression.Xiangzi seemed to have not heard Akita's call at all, and was still in a dream. "Hanano!" Akita called her by her original surname again, which made her stand up as if waking up from a dream.Akita watched her as if she was in a mirror, empty and unreachable.Suddenly, she leaned over to Akita again, which made him a little panicked. "Akita, I'm sorry." Xiangzi still had a blank expression, but his tone became very firm. "Please forgive me. I have become..." Shoko stopped talking suddenly, glanced deeply at Akita and said, "I have become... Onishi's wife." Although he murmured softly, Akita understood everything: a lot of painstaking efforts were wasted. She is no longer the previous Shoko Banano, but Shoko Onishi, a young mother who gave birth to life for Onishi. In front of a woman who is both a wife and a mother, any talk from other men will not work.Akita knew that he had lost the opportunity to find out the truth.At the same time, I have to admit that even if there is a sweet old relationship in youth, it is powerless and insignificant in front of the real bond of the couple. With a feeling of being defeated, he bid farewell to Xiangzi.

---

Notes: