Chapter 19 Chapter 17 The Deserted Wedding
"Could it be that he went to the mountains?"
For the past few days, Kasumi has been a little restless, worrying all the time.Due to the severe weather across the country, news of the victims continued to come one after another in the mountainous areas of Japan.Akita has disappeared so far.She searched for news about Akita in newspapers and TV news, and her heart was agitated, unable to calm down.
Kasumi went to Akita's work unit, the Japan Labor Disaster Association, and then went to places where Akita might go, inquiring about his whereabouts one by one.People only know that Akita has three days off, but they don't know where he went.At first, Kasumi was very dissatisfied with Akita's three-day holiday without saying a word.This long three-day holiday, such a precious time, but not with her, who do you plan to be with?She felt very wronged, and thought: "When you see him, you really have to ask him!"
The next day, Kasumi went to inquire about where Akita might go, thinking that he should give him a good reprimand when he found Akita.On the third day with anxiety, a thought suddenly sprouted in my heart: "Could it be that he entered the mountain?" The more I thought about it, the more I felt that this possibility was very high.
"If he could stay in another place for so many days, he would have been saved in the mountains." Yes, that's right.Thinking of this, the heavy wind and rain outside the house whistled.
Fortunately, Akita's name was not included in the list of victims in the evening paper on the third day.That night, Kasumi went to Kojimachi's dormitory to inquire again, but he still didn't come back.
"I must take the express train, come back tomorrow morning." Thinking of this, Xiangcheng couldn't help but get angry.People are heartbroken for him, he is so nice, it's really hateful to spend all the holidays in the mountains alone.Tomorrow, Akita will definitely apologize again and again: 'Please forgive me, please forgive me! 'A look of indifference appeared in front of him.At that time, what should we do?Kasumi wanted to see Akita as soon as possible, and made him feel ashamed.
However, on the fourth day, Kasumi went to the clinic to ask about Ruantian's holiday, but there was still no one there, and I heard that he had not returned to the dormitory.At this time, her earlier worry came back to her heart.In the middle of the night, Kasumi received a telegram from an unknown source.
"Mr. Akita Shuhei has entered the Chino City Hospital, please come quickly."
On this day, Kasumi came back from the bar, thinking about Akita all the time, unable to fall asleep, and just wanted to lie on the bed to rest, and was about to make the bed when this telegram came.Akita went to the hospital, but the content of the telegram was too simple and did not say what disease Akita had.Moreover, the calling place was called "Chino", which Kasumi found very strange.I don't know if it is in Nagano Prefecture or which train to take there, and I am at a loss.She suddenly remembered that there seemed to be a map of Japan in the cabinet, and she hurriedly dug it out. After a lot of time, she found the place name near the turn of the central railway line.She finally remembered that she had seen the station name "Chino" on the Shin-Etsu Railway on the way to Mai Caoling.I quickly checked the train timetable. The last train has left today. If you want to take the earliest train, you must arrive in Shinjuku before 7:00 tomorrow morning.Kasumi didn't close his eyes that night until dawn came.
Kage Kasumi arrived in Chino at around 10:30 in the morning, and immediately inquired about the way to the hospital.In front of the station, in the bitter cold wind, I called a taxi for hospitality and drove straight to the hospital.After driving for two or three minutes, the car entered a street with many low houses.These row upon row of small houses seem to be shivering in the cold wind blowing from Mt. Yatsugatake.After a while, we arrived in the sparsely populated suburbs.There is a three-story stucco building standing alone in the desolate field, which is already very old.But it is the only decent building in this area.After asking the reception room, I walked into a large ward with six beds.Akita was lying on a bed near the door.Kasumi approached Akita lightly, seeing him thin and weak, feeling bitter in her heart, she forgot all the words she should say when she was ready to meet.
"It's you?" Akita opened his eyes at some point, but he didn't fall asleep.
"What happened to you?"
"Hands and feet a little bit frostbite."
"what happened?"
"The frostbite heals when the hair grows back. Well, how do you know I'm here?"
"I got a telegram. It's from the hospital?"
"It must have been done by Onishi," Akita thought.Onishi sent the frostbitten Akita to the hospital, and asked him if he had any relatives to inform.At that time, Akita couldn't help thinking of Shoko, but he was really sorry for Kasumi and Onishi.Of course it was inconvenient to tell the ambulance Onishi his wife's name, so Tsukuru Onishi asked him repeatedly and told him Kasumi's name and address.
"Your hands and feet are frostbitten, it's nothing serious. However, your body is quite weak, and you have to lie here for two or three days. I'm sorry, I have to go." After finishing speaking, Daxi hurried back.Sure enough, he sent a telegram to Kasumi again.
"However, I'm so glad that you were the first to think of me." Before Kasumi had time to blame Akita for leaving without saying goodbye, she felt relieved that he extended a helping hand to her.
"Sorry."
"It's nothing." Kasumi regarded Akita's apology as her greatest comfort.
"I went to the mountains."
"Ah, this is great, it looks like this!" Akita smiled embarrassingly.
"But it worries me, I don't know where I went without making a sound."
"I'm sorry, I just wanted to climb the mountain once, so I didn't care about anything, and left without saying anything."
"Then at least say something to me!" At this moment, there was complaint in Kasumi's eyes.
"I told you, you will never let me go."
"Oh, I'm not the kind of woman who can be entangled." Kasumi said.But then I thought again: If Akita had told me in advance, I would not have let him go. "However, it's okay after all, doesn't it seem to be a problem?" Xiangsumi finally figured out the resentment in his heart at this moment, and said calmly.
Seeing Akita weak and thin like this, I really feel bad.Going on, it would be enough for him to be tired, and Xiangcheng couldn't bear to blame him anymore.
On the third day, Akita was able to get out of bed and walk. Kasumi took care of him and boarded the last train from Chino together.Because it is not the tourist season, there are few passengers in the carriage and it is empty.
It was a rare clear day with clouds swirling around Yatsugatake's peak.The train passes through Kobuchizawa Station and enters Hinoharu Plateau.Facing the charming foothills of Yatsugatake, on the right is the beginning of the pyramid-like Kaiju Peak. The majestic peaks with bright lines start here, winding and undulating, with continuous peaks, until Chaoyu and Fenghuang.The snow and ice on the top of the mountain, in the afternoon sun, raised a faint smog, and shone brightly as the train passed by.
The foot of the mountain and the clouds melted into one, and the glittering crystals in the distance did not know whether it was a swamp in the mountains or a paddy field.There was no farmer in the field, only sparse trees swaying in the cold wind.The nature is full of Weiwei's power, looking from the car window, it is like a peaceful field landscape painting.The two were intoxicated by the picturesque scenery.
"Ah, that's Kaikomaine." Near Haru Hino, the majestic figure of Kaikomaine gradually disappeared from sight.Akita was about to tell Kasumi the name of the mountain, but he paused thinking that only mountaineering enthusiasts would be interested in it.
Things can only feel very beautiful when viewed from a distance.Mountains are like this, so are women.Akita stared at the silhouette of Kasumi who was looking at the mountain scenery, and suddenly the face of Shoko appeared in front of him.Xiangzi, Xiangzi again.What's wrong with me.She was already someone else's wife, and Onishi's wife at that.Akita felt slightly guilty towards Onishi.Xiangcheng was completely sincere to himself, but he still couldn't break his love for another woman, so he blamed himself even more deeply.
Kasumi shifted her gaze from the window to Akita.
"What's the matter, looking at people like this...it's disgusting." Kasumi smiled gently at Akita.This is a charming smile that fully enjoys the love of a man.Akita thought that Kasumi had seen his thoughts, so he hurriedly avoided her gaze.
Kasumi is also beautiful.It can be said that the beauty honed in Ginza is more attractive than the original Shoko.But this beauty has already been tasted.And the beauty tasted is much less than the untasted.This is also the psychology of a satisfied man.Akita can never get rid of the shadow of Shoko in his heart, which makes the precious and pure emotions he got from Kasumi lower the value, which is a pity.
"However, I'm so happy." With a gentle smile, Kasumi repeated the words that Ruo Akita had heard several times.
"I've heard it several times." Akita smiled wryly.I was surprised and a little guilty that my own existence could give such a woman so much joy.
"No matter how many times I say it, I can't say it enough! But..."
"But what?"
Xiangcheng had never hesitated in speaking, but today she seemed to have some unspeakable secret, showing a mischievous smile, speaking vaguely, deliberately making Akita anxious.
"Stop pretending, just say it."
"But I'm not alone anymore."
"what?"
"If anything happens to you, I won't be the only one who feels sad."
"what happened?"
Kasumi's smile turned into a shy expression, and he pressed his stomach with both hands.
"Ah, that's right!"
"Yes." Xiangcheng nodded in agreement, as if she was a mother.
In an instant, Akita felt a pinprick of remorse in his heart.Yes, such things should have been known a long time ago. The union of men and women will naturally bear such fruits.He felt the pain of his own negligence—in fact, it was the pain where he was injured while climbing the mountain.I am a passer-by in this world, and I am not qualified to leave a family and descendants.I only cared about my desires for a while, but who will bear the responsibility of raising the young life left behind?
"What's the matter with you? Are you unhappy that I gave birth to a baby?" Seeing Akita's dejected look, Kasumi couldn't help but gloomy.
"abortion!"
"Ah!" She was stunned when such cruel words came out of Akita's mouth suddenly.
"Now, it is the child's misfortune to be born, and it is better to have an abortion."
"What are you talking about? This is our first child."
"No matter how many times it is, it is impossible to have children now, promise me, go and scrape it off."
"Why? Why can't you have children? You have a very good career, and I have some savings. Besides, the children will be able to work when they grow up...Is it true that a woman like me is not worthy of being yours?" Wife? Even if I don't deserve it, I don't have to be your wife, I never thought about it that way in the beginning. But, I just want a child of yours." Kasumi entangled her hard.
"That was not what I meant."
"Then why? Tell me!"
"I beg you, don't ask anything, just do as I tell you."
"You are so cruel! How precious a woman is to a first child! You don't understand, you don't..." At the end, Kasumi broke down in tears.
Pregnant for her favorite man, this is the happiest moment for a woman.But being rejected by his lover, he suddenly fell into the most miserable situation, so he sobbed.Seeing this, Akita was heartbroken.As hard as it is, you have to harden your heart and stick to your point of view.Right now, if you are indecisive in order to temporarily comfort the other party, it will bring the greatest misfortune to the mother and child in the future.Fortunately, there were no other passengers in the car.Akita turned his head and casually looked at the scenery outside the window, waiting for Kasumi's emotional waves to subside.The train made an S-shaped detour along the valley of the Kamame River, and drove down from the Kofu Basin.
It took a long time for Xiangcheng to raise her head. It seemed that she had calmed down, but her eyes were a little red and swollen, and the tears had disappeared.
"I still want to have a baby." From the words that burst out between her teeth, her determination was clearly made, and there was no room for negotiation.
"you……!"
"No, I want to give birth to a child. No matter what you say, I won't listen. If you want a child in the future, other women can bear it for you, but for me, giving birth to your child is a The first, and maybe the last."
"Why is that?"
"It's very difficult for a woman to guarantee that she can have a second child. The first child will be aborted, and maybe she will never have another child again. Also," Kasumi paused, and judging from her expression, it seemed that she was desperately trying to Suppressing her emotions, she distorted her face in excessive sadness.
"Also," she didn't allow Akita a chance to intervene, and said immediately, "I don't know if I'll ever get your love."
"This……"
"No, I believe so. I know all about it. I've heard that you had a lover. I had this idea from the beginning. I am your second lover. I am very satisfied to be close to you. However, this does not deprive me of my right to have children. This is a commemoration of your love. After you leave me, as long as I have this child, my life will have sustenance."
Akita never talked about Shoko with Kasumi, and there was no trace of Shoko's existence around him.However, due to the influence of the woman, he still learned of the existence of Xiangzi.However, from Kasumi's later words, it shows that this is entirely Akita's fault.
"It's not just you. All men who focus on their careers have their wives number two. That is to say, men's real love objects are their careers. I'm not your official wife, so I can only be number three. No... Men put everything into their careers, and they can spare a little enthusiasm for work, and finally give it to women. I think this is enough. It is because of men who work selflessly that society has Progress. Even if I could share this little enthusiasm, I would never complain. To a woman, this little enthusiasm is everything. My son is enthusiastic, and I feel that my whole body and mind have been comforted. Therefore, although what the man gave me is only a small part, it cannot be taken back! No matter what, I must never..." When she said this, she seemed to be afraid that others would take it away. As if, he covered his stomach with both hands and straightened up.This is the awe-inspiring and inviolable demeanor of a mother.
If it is another "father", in this case, he can only give up his original claim.But just because Akita understands the morality and responsibility of being a father, no matter how strong her defenses are, she must break through.He planned to tell her the "secret" of his body frankly, and he did so only because she was stubborn, but he never wanted to put any pressure on Kasumi's determination.
Akita made up his mind, at this time the speed of the car slowed down, and the rows of houses in Kofu could be seen from the window.
"You're lying! I don't believe it, you live a long life!" Xiangcheng let out a desperate cry, dazed and frightened.Akita couldn't close his eyes that night, and this strong impression kept lingering in his mind.He finally revealed his illness to Kasumi.At that time, Kasumi's astonishment and sorrow made him heartbroken and in agony.
Akita stared at Kasumi, as if he was narrating other people's affairs, and told her the reasons for himself as a "passer-by who stayed in the world for a short time".However, what he said was somewhat exaggerated, but the blow to Kasumi was cruel and merciless enough.In order to shake or even dispel her stubborn mind, she had to do the same.
"The descendants of the victims of the atomic bombing are in danger of deformity." These words pierced through Kasumi like a sharp sword, and this heartbreaking blow almost made Kasumi collapse.
This is not what others said, but from the mouth of a doctor and father.
It is true that, according to the data, the children born to pregnant women who were exposed to the atomic bombs at that time would suffer various effects and sequelae.However, it is not yet possible to confirm the inevitable connection between deformed children and radioactive energy.In particular, the data obtained after more than 20 years of research after the war basically denied the conclusion that "radiation energy has an influence on heredity".But Akita said these words in a decisive tone, in order to scare Kasumi.Otherwise, it would be impossible to persuade Zhu Kasumi to withdraw her obsession.Kasumi's face was ashen, which meant that her impregnable fortress had begun to shake.Akita watched all this expressionlessly, almost coldly.But other than that, any wavering in Akita's heart cannot be shown.
To put it bluntly, the sweetheart who "gives everything to him" suddenly explained to her one day that her life was dying, and said that the piece of meat in her stomach might be deformed. freak.For a woman who promised her body, it was really like a bolt from the blue, and the heavy blow was unimaginable to others.As if he had done something wrong, Akita left the distraught Kasumi and went straight back to the dormitory.It was really too cold, but in this case, he firmly believed that what he did was right.Thinking about it left and right, my heart was ups and downs, and it was difficult to calm down.Akita can still trust Kasumi, who is determined and determined in everything.He couldn't help thinking that time was the best medicine for any pain, no matter how great it was.Thinking of this, Kasumi's shining figure clearly appeared in front of Akita's eyes, while Shoko's image gradually became blurred and thin.
Another day passed.In the morning, as soon as Akita arrived at the clinic, he received a call from Kasumi.Akita picked up the phone, thinking about the conversation with Kasumi the day before yesterday, he couldn't help but feel a little nervous, but Kasumi's cheerful voice came from his ears unexpectedly.She happily said to Akita that she wanted to meet Akita immediately, and asked him to come out once during the lunch break.The grief-stricken look on Kasumi's face the day before yesterday was still deeply imprinted in his mind, and he couldn't believe it all at once, that voice seemed to be a different person.After hearing clearly that it was Kasumi, I really felt the subtlety of a woman's emotional changes, and at the same time, a stone in my heart finally fell to the ground.
"However, I don't know why you are looking for me. Maybe Kasumi can restrain himself." Akita thought about it, and became uneasy again, eagerly looking forward to the early arrival of lunch break.
The agreed place was not far from the clinic, the Grand Tokyo Hotel within walking distance.Akita went straight to the restaurant on the second floor.Fortunately, there were not many patients today, so I arrived a little earlier than the agreed time, but Kasumi came early.
"Hello! It's so early." Kasumi stood up from the seat by the window lightly, and greeted Akita without any sadness.
"Hi, you came early." Akita heaved a sigh of relief, and asked Kasumi if he ordered anything?She shook her head and said:
"I haven't ordered anything yet, and I just arrived."
Although Akita has no appetite, in order to accompany her, he ordered two servings of braised shrimp in butter.The food was served, but Kasumi couldn't eat any of it.The two tasted the food and looked at each other.From the perspective of others, the lovers are enjoying a delicious meal leisurely and comfortably, immersed in peace and happiness; but they don't know that if they cannot escape the palm of the disease, the two will be separated alive, which is something that no one around them can imagine.This sorrow is only hidden in the hearts of the two of them, and only the two of them share this misfortune with each other.Although it was difficult for them to swallow the delicacies in front of them, the sadness in their hearts was more or less diluted in that atmosphere.During the meal, each other carefully avoided bringing up each other's concerns, and they all pretended to be nonchalant.
"I, rested yesterday." Kasumi managed to swallow a small piece of braised shrimp, and said cheerfully on purpose. "Do you know why?" She raised her small mouth slightly and smiled mischievously.This is her usual action when she has something to say.
"Shall I tell you why?"
"Ok."
"You lied to me, that's bad!"
"I lie to you?"
"Yes, you told a big lie. I went to the National Hospital in Shinjuku yesterday and had the doctor have a thorough examination." Kasumi's expression was clearly: "How is it? You can't lie to me." Then he said: " The doctor said that the victims of the atomic bomb more than 20 years ago had no effect on their chromosomes, especially the man, and there was no problem."
Akita failed completely.Kasumi was not intimidated, originally thought that as a father and a doctor, Kasumi would believe it.But she actually went to consult other authorities, which is probably due to a mother's instinct.
"In this case, this child should be born..." Akita thought.He suddenly felt affection for the child and said, "Xiangsumi, let's get married."
"Married? Aren't we already married?"
"No, I mean officially married. Now, we are married, but not yet recognized by society."
"That's just a formality, it's okay if you don't do it."
"Don't underestimate this form. Since we live in this society, we must abide by the regulations that people in the society follow. This is beneficial to the children who will be born."
Xiangcheng's face suddenly brightened: "So, you agree with me to have a baby?"
"For better or worse, you want a baby."
"That……"
"Since you are determined to give birth, I won't say anything more. Anyway, the baby is in your belly."
"It's disgusting, I always look at people with this look. Stop it." Kasumi was a little embarrassed by Akita's unscrupulous eyes.
"When you decide to have a child, you have to seriously think about how to make our children happier. Once you have a child, you won't be able to work, and I, by then, I'm afraid..." Akita was talking, but Kasumi But she shook her head, not letting him continue.It would be so tragic if the child was born and the father died, and the new life and the father who passed away alternated in this way.
Right now, what can be done for the future child is to formally marry the child's mother before the time limit of stay in the world is over, and recognize the child as his own.
"Anyway, let's have a wedding." Akita proposed without any explanation.
That night, a wedding ceremony was held in a small church on the outskirts of Setagaya.But there was no matchmaker, no guests, and only the priest who presided over the ceremony and the couple. It was a deserted wedding.
In the silent church, facing the altar covered with flowers, they walked slowly on the white carpet specially laid for them.At this time, like all newlyweds, they are immersed in joy and happiness.
"Akita Shuhei, in accordance with the will of God, you formed a holy couple with Takemoto Kasumi, obeyed God's teachings, did your best, loved her forever, respected her, and protected her until life Termination, can you swear to uphold integrity?"
"I swear."
"Kasumi Takemoto, you follow the will of God..... to be a woman...until the end of your life. Can you swear to keep chastity?"
"I swear."
After the oath ceremony was over, the marriage vows were signed in front of the officiant, and the altar sang songs of praise.
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