Chapter 11 Chapter Nine Conditions of Being a Wife

"Ah, we finally met again. I believe we will meet again." Kasumi said while staring at Akita intently. As soon as Akita stepped into the bar, Kasumi saw him.Somewhere the banquet ended, Akita was surrounded by a group of men who had drunk a lot, and pushed open the door of the bar.At this moment, Kasumi was delighted to see the brilliance on his body, and her eyes were drawn to him.At first, Akita didn't recognize Kasumi who walked briskly and stood in front of him without saying a word.However, he couldn't help shouting again: "Ah, it's you!" Akita broke into that smile that once warmed her heart.

"Hi, this is Mr. Akita, and this is the No. 1 waitress in the shop. Since she is an old friend of Ms. Kasumi, she can't be neglected." The men who came together joked in unison. "Really? Your surname is Akita!" Kasumi's voice was a little excited, and she didn't know the surname of the savior until then. "Why didn't you tell me your name and address at that time!" Kasumi said hastily before sitting down on the train seat, as if complaining about the other party's indifference. Seeing that the two of them had something to do, the people who came with them and the other waitresses walked away knowingly.

"No, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. It's not about putting on airs, and it's not a big deal. I'm really sorry." Akita scratched his head and explained. "It's no big deal, but to me, you are my savior!" "No, that's not what it means. It...that is, in that case, the men in the mountains would do the same thing as me. So, it's nothing special." "Then, just tell me your name. You don't know how hard it has been for me to find you in the past two months." "I'm so sorry. Let me introduce myself. My name is Shuhei Akita, and I am a special doctor of the Japan Association for the Prevention of Occupational Accidents."

"I'm Takemoto Kasumi. I serve in this shop. Thank you for taking care of me that day." The person Kasumi had been looking for crazily for the past two months was right in front of her, and she felt a burst of relief as if a major event had finally been completed.This kind of pleasure slowly filled the whole body.She fondly recalls the past two months. The man I met by chance in the mountains left without even saying his name and identity.On the manly and clear face, deep in the heart-warming eyes, there is an unbearable loneliness hidden. This is not a cynicism pretending to be reserved in order to win the heart that originally belonged to Ohara, but a shadow that covers life from birth to death.Although Kasumi doesn't have such a deep and sharp vision that can penetrate Akita's heart, but a woman who has been abandoned by a man before can distinguish a man who is fundamentally different from a romantic man.Women have such discernment.

"How to find him?" "I found him, just to thank him." "that's it?" "that's it." Kasumi kept looking for him hopelessly every day, asking and answering himself over and over again.However, she didn't want to admit that she had a growing love for Akita. This deepening feeling had reached the point where she couldn't deny it, but she still refused to see it. "For the sake of a man, I have suffered enough, and I will never fall in love with and trust a man again. For me, a man is just an object for earning income, and it has only this value. He... ...Ah, only he is not my earning income. He is my savior, a man who cannot be confused with sex. It is true." Kasumi couldn't deny her admiration for Akita, but so Justify yourself to deceive yourself.

However, at this very moment, sitting here facing Akita, one knows how fragile one's will is.Once a man and a woman fall in love, it is absolutely impossible not to be associated with sex.If not, it is also an immature "pure love" supported by the childish romantic sentiment of childhood. "Please come again." When Akita stood up and Kasumi saw off the guests, her gaze was not only on a lifesaver, but the kind of flame that dedicates a young girl's mature love to a lover, ignited and glowed in her heart. The two quickly communicated frequently.Leaving aside Kasumi's love for Akita, even when Akita and Kasumi are together, he feels comforted in his heart.But with Akita's meager income, it is impossible to frequent this first-class bar.Kasumi worried that it would increase Akita's extra expenses and proposed to meet elsewhere, however, Akita didn't like to do this.

Unlike the prostitutes of the past, the personal freedom of the hostess is not restricted.Meeting Kasumi elsewhere after get off work was not a big problem.But Akita felt that doing so was a little bit insincere.Going once or twice a month, Akita already feels very strenuous.But once the bar closed, she was no longer invited out.Usually, he would slowly sip the light wine mixed with water, chat quietly with Kasumi, and then bid farewell to go home in a gentle manner.It's like this every time, it's exactly the same as the relationship between a newcomer and a waitress.And Akita didn't want to go one step further.Kasumi finally couldn't stand it anymore.

"Hey, can you see me off tonight?" One day at the end of October, Akita rarely sat until close to closing time (this is of course the result of Kasumi's efforts to keep him), Kasumi begged. "Really?" Akita neither agreed nor refused, and stood up expressionlessly. During these days, he has obviously lost weight, much thinner than the first time he met in Yatsugatake, and the impression of being shrewd and capable at that time has completely disappeared.His face was so haggard that it was unbearable, because they met late at night, and he couldn't see clearly under the dim light in the store, and his complexion seemed to be very bad.

"The work of an occupational disease doctor must be hard enough." Thinking of this, Kasumi wanted to keep him by her side even more strongly. "Is your home in Harajuku?" Akita suddenly said to her. "Then, why don't you give me a gift?" Xiang Cheng said overjoyed to see that his attitude had become clearer. "Okay, see you off. My nest is in Koji-machi, so let's walk a little longer." "That's great." After finally getting a taxi, Kasumi chattered happily in the car. Kasumi's apartment is located in Maisando's Oriental Market, near Shibuya.There are many foreigners living there, the environment is quiet, and the rent is of course more expensive.However, for a bar girl like Kasumi who is used to nightlife, whether it is the journey to the center of the city, or if she wants to live a city life without being disturbed, the location is pretty good.Besides, living alone in Harajuku so late at night, and being the closest to the center of the city, I really have nothing to complain about.After eleven o'clock in the evening, the number of vehicles decreased a lot. After sitting for a long time, the car had already turned into Maisandao.

"Hey, can you come and sit at my house?" In front of the apartment, Kasumi said the words she had prepared a long time ago. "It's too late today, don't bother me." However, Kasumi's answer was also expected by Akita. "Just for a while, drink some tea before leaving." Xiangcheng was about to pull hard.Not only persuaded, but also pushed Akita out of the car.This is also her professional skill, and she didn't use much strength, and Akita's body moved away unconsciously. "Thank you, driver. We're here. I'll give you the change of the fare." While pushing Akita out of the car, Kasumi immediately handed over a thousand-yen bill to the driver, thus sending the car away.She knew that it was very difficult to hail a taxi in this area at this time.

"My house is very dirty." Xiangcheng led him to a room the size of six squares.There is a small three-way mirror in the room, a western-style cabinet and a portable TV set, just like a young woman's boudoir, well-organized and clean.I didn't expect someone like Mikasumi's line of work to have such simple furnishings in the room, it's really surprising. In addition to one of the six houses, her house has only one three-story kitchen with a floor. "It makes you laugh at such a dirty place." Kasumi said apologetically. "No, where, isn't it comfortable to live here?" "Yeah, the living environment is not bad. In such an environment, the rent is pretty cheap." Kasumi quickly prepared a chair for Akita. "I'm going to make tea now, please sit down for a while." "No, it's too late, I'll take my leave now." Akita said hesitantly while standing. "What did you say, it's already here, please wait for a while, it will be ready soon." Kasumi lit the gasoline stove, and glanced at Akita, his expression was a little funny, but his eyes were serious. Akita thought to himself, now that he has come, he can't leave now. It seems that the kindness is hard to give up, so he had to bite the bullet and sit down. "I kept you waiting for a long time." Kasumi didn't know when she changed into a daily kimono. Akita was used to seeing her in a suit, but now Kasumi was wearing a tight-fitting navy blue kimono with white spots, as if she was a different person. "Oh, why do you look at people like that." Kasumi put the coffee cup in front of Akita, twisted her body and said.That kind of mature girl's charm makes people's hearts flutter. "You surprised me." "how?" "Women can really change." "why?" "A little change of clothes is like a different person." "Hmm—" Kasumi stepped back lightly and said. "This costume? I'm sorry. I don't like wearing kimono very much. But my mother sent me to wear it at home from the country, so..." "It fits so well." "I'm so happy to be appreciated by Akita-kun." Kasumi smiled happily and asked, "Would you like coffee? Black tea? Or Japanese tea?" Each of the three sets of coffee cups prepared three kinds of beverages. Kasumi should have I asked, but never had time to ask. Asked by Kasumi, Akita suddenly had a premonition that this unnecessary choice seemed to be related to some important matter. "It's delicious." Akita took a sip from the cup of black tea, then stood up hastily.In such a late night, staying alone with the young woman in a room with the doors and windows closed, I felt very uncomfortable. "Ah, I've already finished drinking!" Xiangcheng looked up, clearly resentful.But Akita is not a completely unconscious papaya, he is very afraid of Kasumi's burst of love. "It's very late." Akita repeated this sentence like a stubborn fool. "Okay, I'll see you off." Unexpectedly, Kasumi replied straightforwardly. "No, that's fine. You sent me off, and I have to send you back again." "Then please send it back again." Xiangcheng said a little frivolously, but for this unreasonable Akita, he had to make some awkward fights with him, making it hard for him to refuse. Kasumi insisted on following Akita out. "Be careful not to catch a cold!" "It doesn't matter." "Just send it here." "Send you to the main road." "okay." "I want to go for a walk. Will you? Let me go." Akita felt that if she refused Kasumi's kindness again, she would almost cry, so she didn't stop her anymore.But he had to go to Maisando to get a car, and Akita made up his mind to take Kasumi home as soon as the car was called.Although he was a bit reluctant, he was still happy for her sincerity, so he walked side by side. The night was getting deeper, and in a corner of the high-end residential area, except for the sound of the two of them walking around, there was silence on all sides.The night air is exceptionally fresh.In the high and deep night sky, there are sparkling and bright stars inlaid. The fragrance of sweet-scented osmanthus wafts from the courtyard of a family. . "Isn't it cold?" "not cold." On October nights, autumn is as cool as water.Akita didn't care to appreciate the starlight and the fragrance of flowers, but was afraid that she would catch a cold.When we arrived at Maisando, there was not an empty car. "There won't be any cars at this time." Xiangcheng almost said "I'd better go back to my home". "If you don't have a car, let's go. It's not a big deal to get to Koji-machi." Akita said nonchalantly.It's really nothing.The short distance from Harajuku to Kojimachi was nothing to him.However, it was a sudden blow to Kasumi. Kasumi let out a low moan, then knelt down on the sidewalk.At first, Akita didn't understand what was going on.It wasn't until she saw her constantly twitching her shoulders, covering her face with her knees, making a low twitching sound, that she realized she was crying. "What...what's the matter?" Akita couldn't help but stammered.You have always walked side by side with great interest, why did you start crying all of a sudden?Akita Zimon didn't have any words to offend her, and it was hard to understand her ever-changing feelings. "What is it for?" Akita was at a loss.He had never encountered such a thing before, and he didn't know what to do. "It's too cruel, Akita, you're too cruel." Kasumi whimpered. "I'm too cold?" Monk Joji Akita was puzzled, his mouth slightly opened in a daze. "You, you just walk back?" "Well?" "Walking back to Kojicho... how far is that! Is that why you want to go back?" Akita let out a low oh, and finally understood why Kasumi was crying.Akita, who was used to walking on mountain roads, thought it was not uncommon to go to Koji-cho on foot; however, in Kasumi's view, such a long distance was impossible to walk.Akita's insistence on leaving on foot makes people feel that Akita's attitude is to reject people thousands of miles away. "That's not the case, please don't misunderstand." Akita tried his best to clear up the misunderstanding in Kasumi's mind.Her true feelings penetrated to Akita's heart, but he had hidden feelings and couldn't accept this kind of affection, and he couldn't tell her. "That's right, that must be the case." Xiangcheng raised her head and questioned with tears in her eyes. "you do not like me?" "No, that's not the case." "I know all about it. If it wasn't so, why did you say you were going back so late?" "Isn't it very close to Koji-machi?" "Why are you in such a hurry to go back? Is anyone at home waiting for you?" "This……" "Akita-kun, you don't even want to drink the tea, you just touched the cup with your lips...it really makes me sad." Kasumi sobbed again, and Akita couldn't do anything about it. At this time, a beam of light shone on the two of them. "What's the matter with you two?" A police officer in uniform stood at the lighted place, and he seemed suspicious when he saw the two of them in the inspection area under his jurisdiction. "No, it's nothing, please don't worry, no, really..." A police officer in uniform suddenly appeared in front of them, and Akita was incoherent in panic.On the contrary, this seemed to arouse the other party's suspicion even more. "I'm sorry, please tell me your name, address, and occupation." Although he was polite, his tone was firm, and no resistance was allowed.This is police interrogation. Akita's evasive answer aroused his suspicion: whether there was any criminal act or motive. "I...I..." Akita tried his best to calm down, but his tongue became more disobedient. "I'm sorry, please follow me to the police station." The police officer said after him. Originally, people who were interrogated by the police could not be detained or forcibly taken away by the police as long as they had not gone through the criminal procedure.However, when the police officers conducted interrogations, even though they were aware of these relevant provisions, in order to get to the bottom of it, they could not allow the other party to dodge.Just as Akita was about to be taken away by the police, "Wait a minute!" Kasumi, who was squatting on the ground, stood up abruptly and said, "He is my fiancé!" "Fiancé?" The police officer said the words as if something had come out of his throat. "I suddenly felt a pain in my stomach, so..." "Is that so? Well then... But, it's really too late." The police officer relaxed a little, but his doubts had not been completely dispelled. "For the sake of responsibility, please leave your name and address." Xiangcheng thought that the police officer was also out of good intentions, and he was afraid that something might happen to me, so he replied straightforwardly: "It's just behind here, in front of the Jingu, at Harukazeso Apartment. My name is Takemoto Kasumi; this is Akita Shuhei-kun." "Understood. It's very presumptuous. It's too late now, so you'd better go back early." "I'm sorry for making you worry." The officer saluted and watched them go.In this case, the two had to go back to the apartment again. "Stay with me tonight." Seeing that the police officer was several meters away from them, Kasumi whispered to Akita.Akita couldn't say no to this either. "I'm really sorry, I was talking nonsense just now." After asking about the room again, Kasumi said to Akita with a little embarrassment. "No, it's good. If you didn't say that at the time, you might have arrived at the police station now! I'm really afraid of dealing with officials." Akita felt a little ashamed.I just asked the police officer to ask a few words, but I was so scared that I couldn't speak coherently. It's really useless.Let Xiangcheng look at his shabby appearance, it's not a good feeling. "But——" Kasumi seemed to have made a major decision, interrupting Akita's words. "If what I said was true, how wonderful it would be!" After finishing speaking, her cheeks were flushed, making her look more vivid and beautiful, and she lowered her head shyly. "Kasumi!" Akita only felt a surge of excitement in his heart, and couldn't help calling her name without pronounciation for the first time. He didn't realize that the passion in his heart overwhelmed his reason at this time.Calling a woman by her first name will inevitably bring all kinds of troubles, but he can't fulfill his responsibilities as a husband.However, it was a new beginning for Kasumi. "Ah!" Kasumi responded in a low voice, and then threw herself into Akita's arms.The warm and elastic young woman's body was tightly nestled in Akita's chest, and Akita almost fell down.I just wanted to say: "Please wait a moment." Before I opened my mouth, I saw a beautiful, slightly raised, panting little mouth like a flower petal blooming in front of my eyes.At this time, Akita could no longer restrain himself, and leaned forward to kiss intensely and greedily, like sipping delicious fruit. In the middle of the room, the switch cord of the ceiling light was hanging down, and Akita stretched out his right hand to turn off the light.Even with my eyes closed, I could feel the room falling into darkness... "I'm so ashamed." After the aftermath receded, Xiangcheng still covered his face with his hands.Akita separated her fingers one by one, staring at Kasumi with the faint light from the window. "I went?" Akita asked.Seeing Kasumi's body tremble slightly, Akita's heart was filled with consolation. "You're so bad!" Kasumi covered her face again with the hands that Akita had just opened.That kind of trembling just expressed shyness, feeling slightly aggrieved by agreeing with her body.Akita understood her mood and said nothing. "However, I'm very happy." Kasumi said, looking at Akita between her fingers. Akita's face was turned away from the window, and the delicate expression on his face could not be seen clearly.But in this weak light, it is clear that he is a little depressed.Kasumi thought, "Maybe this is an illusion of my eyes." At this time, I heard Akita say: "I'm really sorry." The voice was extremely low, and Kasumi thought that this time, his ears probably had an illusion. "I'm so sorry." It's not an illusion, it's Akita apologizing again.The voice seemed to be forced out from inside the chest cavity. "Why?" Kasumi complained.This was originally my wish, and I was always looking forward to this day, so why should I ask him to apologize! "I cannot do my duty." "Responsibility?" Xiangcheng was stunned for a moment, and suddenly laughed heartily. "Responsibility? No one said you were required to fulfill any responsibility!" As he spoke, he moved her body close to her and snuggled up to Akita in the coolness of an October night. "I'm sorry, I was emotional." Akita lowered his head in shame. "I want you. Let's not talk about marriage. But please come often in the future." "This……" "Please, don't be shy. I, I'm ashamed to death. But, I...I like, like you." Xiangcheng preemptively said before him. "Thank you. I'm glad of your kindness. I can't take it, though. Tonight; I lost control at last, and it happened." "No, please don't say that!" "I'm sorry." Akita was about to stand up, but Kasumi's arm was wrapped around his thigh like a mollusc's tentacles. "Akita-kun, you hate me, that's why you say that?" "that's not what it means." "No, yes. That's why you're talking impulsively and irresponsibly." "I like you. If I didn't love you, I wouldn't be here today." "Then promise me to meet again later!" "It won't work." "Why? And why?" "..." "What the hell is it for?" "Please don't ask." "Can't you tell?" "Sorry!" "I want to hear it." "Please forgive me." "Well, don't say it if you don't want to. But, I will never let you go." Kasumi said, wrapping around Akita's body even harder.She is a weak woman, and it is easy for Akita to break free.But he knew that this would hurt Kasumi's sincere heart, so he couldn't do it.Akita remembered the same thing as today, one night at Daimaru Onsen.He accidentally listened to Shoko Banano's voice, and rejected the love of the woman he loved against his will. The scar left in his heart at that time has not yet healed.Although they love each other in their hearts, they cannot accept her infatuation.So, what to do with Takemoto Kasumi? She fell in love with herself, and she was really happy in her heart.I also know that this is not just to repay Mai Caoling's life-saving grace.The time I spent with Kasumi brought me joy.For this reason, only by scraping together a meager income can I go to the bar to meet her.Now, she is her own.But is this love?If this is also called love, then why did I reject Shoko Hagano in Daimaru?Isn't this just replacing Xiangzi with Xiangcheng?If he can really replace her, is it just a good impression?Can a sincerely loving woman tolerate such a substitution for a reasonable man?Because of this, in Daimaru's hot spring water, even though he hugged Shoko tightly, he was able to restrain his passion, and today, who is easier to restrain than before, he hugged Kasumi in his arms without hesitation.The reason why Akita feels deeply sorry for Kasumi is because he has guilt and self-blame in his heart. "Akita-kun, tell me!" Kasumi urged. At this time, Akita thought to himself: Well, we can still be together in the future, anyway, this woman who is acting as a substitute will not think so much and deeply. "Kasumi!" Akita felt a little uncomfortable.She wouldn't know that she had taken the place of a woman, would she?Thinking of this, Akita felt more pity for her. "Don't break up again, huh?" Kasumi's eyes sparkled in response to Akita's sudden change of tone. "Yeah." Akita nodded. "Great." "but……" "Well?" "No, it's nothing." Akitahara wanted to say some additional conditions, but then swallowed the words.If we don't talk about it now, we will know it in two years.No, maybe sooner.Instead of telling her right away that it will only increase her sorrow, it is better to just ignore it and be content with each other if they continue to depend on each other.Kasumi needs me, and I fulfill my desires from it.Whether there is love between two people or not, desire is always needed. Akita thought: I know that even if I tell her this condition, she will accept it.I said, "However, it can only be kept for two years." At first, she must have looked at me with a surprised expression and said, "Two years?" I will tell her ruthlessly: "Only two years, after two years we will break up happily, on this premise, let's continue dating." "Why?" Kasumi of course wanted to ask me. "No matter how long it takes, it will bring you misfortune." "I don't understand at all." "You'll know in two years. No, maybe in two years." "Could you speak more clearly, please?" "Even if you don't tell me, you will know. Don't ask me." I answered her so simply, with such an unquestionable tone, Kasumi would understand me. "Okay, it doesn't matter if it's one year or two years, as long as I can be with you, I'll be happy." Kasumi would think so.Anyway, two years is a choice, two years is not enough, one year is fine, no, even half a year, a few months is fine, the joy of being able to have a tryst with the man I love makes me breathless with joy, a woman's mind will be read by someone. understand.As for the future, let's talk about it at that time... Right now, let everything be handed over to the happiness that fell from the sky. ——Kasumi is such a woman. Akita couldn't help feeling more and more sympathetic to Kasumi. This was not a "deep love" for Xiangzi, the "only confidant in his life", but a more specific, vivid, naked desire between a man and a woman.It is precisely because of this kind of sympathy and desire that Akita proposed to her, even if it was only for two years, in order to thank and sympathize with her, he must fulfill his legal responsibility during this period. "Marriage?!" Kasumi couldn't help screaming as if she had been hit on the head.She never expected to hear the word.For bar girls, the word "marriage" is the slimmest hope in life.Although in a corner of her heart she longed for the dizzying seat of her wife one day, she knew that she was just a fireworks girl who sold her appearance, and she had no chance to get married in a serious way.With the idea of ​​"no one likes me anyway", she is self-defeating and self-defeating, but secretly schemes against men, using them as targets for making a living and seeking profit.Butterfly at night, try to earn as much money as possible while your beauty is still alive.Because of this, thousands of waitresses are particularly afraid of the word marriage.Moreover, they are aware of this weakness of their own, so whenever a guest who is not good at speaking throws the bait of marriage, they are often on guard. Akita no longer needs to use it as bait, because the fish has already taken the bait.That's why his words were sincere, and Kasumi was shocked by these words. "Okay, just don't say these things, as long as we can be together, I'm already very, very happy." Kasumi seemed to be talking to a child.Some unsophisticated guests will say such things unprepared out of a childish sense of responsibility and impulse, but I often think it is the most sincere confession. "No, I have to take responsibility for my actions. I don't want to use getting together with you as a means of venting my sensual desires. But yes, if you don't like to be restrained by marriage, that's another matter." "Constrained?" "Needless to say, getting married is not a casual thing. The ceremony is held with relatives and friends, and the household registration is registered (but there is also a condition, that is, divorce after two years)." The latter condition is just secretly said in the heart.A marriage contract with such additional conditions would not be legal, not to mention that divorce would bring disadvantages to the woman, and Akita did not consider the benefit of the man.But Akita firmly believes that, as Shoko's stand-in for the past two years, his love and affection for his wife Kasumi will be compensated. "I'm so happy." What Kasumi is happy about is that she only feels that being able to live as his wife with the husband she loves is happiness, and she doesn't know the crisis hidden behind the additional conditions, she just feels ecstatic. The "contract" was finally negotiated.In place of the signing procedure, the two hugged tightly again.