Chapter 3 Chapter 1 Dream City
This is an incredible city, the streets are like a labyrinth.
If the whole body melts into the noise of the city, even one's personality and individuality will disappear, almost buried in the city.
Kathmandu——
The capital of Nepal.
Makoto Fukamachi likes to wander aimlessly in this chaotic city.
This is his fourth visit to Kathmandu.
The first time was just out of college, when I was twenty-two years old.The second time was when I was thirty, the third time when I was thirty-five, and this time when I was forty.
The first time, I came alone with a hiking backpack.
From Pokhara via Jiangsen Village, hike to Dadupani.At that time, the term trekking was not as common as it is today. Holding an English travel book, he wandered alone in the foothills of the Himalayas.
Only that time I was alone, and I came to this land as a member of the mountaineering team several times later.
The same is true this time.
It was Fukamachi's duty this time to photograph the mountaineering team from Japan who came to conquer Mount Everest.
Painful thoughts flashed through my mind when I thought about the mountaineering team.
Descending... Descending.
This is the sound of Ship Island heard in the 5th Battalion.
"Cheap, carpet, friend—"
A man's voice sounded in Fukamachi's ear.
A young man stood in front of him, pointing at the store behind him.He is a typical, proud Kshatriya man.Kshatriyas belong to the Indian race and have a high status in Nepal.
The narrow wooden shop is filled with Tibetan rugs and sweaters, and the walls are barely visible.Those products even occupy the back alleys outside the store, making the narrow road even narrower.
The young man in the carpet shop said:
"It doesn't matter if you don't buy it."
What he meant was that it's okay not to buy it, at least take a look at the carpet before leaving.
Every time Fukamachi comes here, he finds that there are more and more stores where Japanese people sell goods in Japanese like this.
Indra Square - a street surrounded by old buildings.
〈Map Attached—Street Map of Kathmandu City〉
Shops selling hatchet knives called Gurkha scimitars, Tibetan Buddhist instruments, and Nepalese accessories are lined up one after the other.From pots, underwear, bamboo baskets and other daily necessities to famous products, this street has everything.
However, if you enter the store every time you are invited by the clerk, you will not be able to advance 100 meters in a whole day.
"Hoina."
Fukamachi refused in Nepali and stepped forward.
It doesn't matter if you don't buy it, it doesn't matter if you don't buy it, the young man entangled behind him for a while, and his voice was immediately mixed with other noises, making it impossible to distinguish.
Fukamachi didn't have a purpose.
He wanted to temporarily stop thinking, reminiscing, regretting and other thoughts and feelings before stepping into this sea of people.Because if you stay alone in a small room quietly, your brain will work on its own without listening.
afternoon——
The rain that continued to fall on this basin finally stopped temporarily.
June--
Nepal has entered the rainy season.The southern foothills of the Himalayas will then enter the period with the most rainfall of the year.
At least when the rain stops, it's nice to get a little outside air.
But then again, why are there so many people rubbing their shoulders on this narrow path?Within ten steps, there will be physical contact with others.The smell of sweat and body odor from those people came directly to their nostrils.
This is an incredible city.
It's not just human body odor that dissolves into the city air.
There is also the fishy smell of animals such as dogs, cows, chickens and goats, the pungent smell of fruits, vegetables and spices-even the smell of snow in the Himalayas, the smell of Hindu gods and Tibetan gods and Buddhas, all melt into it. into the air of the city.
Cows are lying on various corners of the street, walking more swaggeringly than people and carts.
In Kathmandu, no matter how small the alleys are, there are squares surrounded by buildings, where there are statues of Hindu gods.There are stone statues of Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva, and Lord Ganesha with elephant heads and human bodies, their faces and bodies painted with crimson paint.The gods and gods are alive in this city and will bring people wealth, misfortune or disaster.
The stone statue called Linga, which symbolizes the male genitals of Lord Shiva, is also covered with blood-like bright red paint and countless petals of primary colors.
On the pillars of the temple, there are carved men and women who are having sex, and in the Lamaism temple, the Huanxi Buddha is having sex with an angry face.
Gods of primary color.
The original color of the gods and Buddhas.
There are no Japanese aesthetics and sensibilities such as elegance or silence.Living, flesh-and-blood gods, gods and Buddhas live on the same land as humans and animals.
Seeing the old goat sleeping in the corner of the temple all day, suddenly stand up slowly one afternoon, and disappear behind the temple, one wonders whether some kind of mysterious wisdom descended on it, and it was about to To tell someone what the gods entrusted to them in a dream.
Stunningly beautiful women with Aryan facial features, as well as Tibetan women who look very Japanese, all blow their noses with their hands and stalk in front of the crowd.
Children start smoking at the age of four, and can exchange coins and give alms at the age of six.
There is a palace where a young living Buddha known as a living goddess lives, and there are also prostitute households.Going forward from Indra Square and entering the alleyway behind the old palace, you will see many suspicious men coming forward to sell cannabis resin, hallucinogens, marijuana and other drugs.
The city is erotic in its purity, flashy in its simplicity, and chaotic.
Fukamachi came to the front of the old imperial palace.He looked sideways at the man who often dressed as an Indian Satu (ascetic monk) in this area, asking tourists to take pictures for money, and walked in the direction of the new road.
There is a square in front of the new road, and the surrounding area is crowded with vendors selling famous products.
From there go down a smaller alley.
"It's in stock."
A man in ripped jeans leaned over and offered Fukamachi a sales pitch in Japanese.
"Cannabis resin, marijuana, whatever you want."
Pretty easy to understand Japanese.
But Fukamachi doesn't want to take drugs.
His purpose is to get lost in the city.
Turned a few corners in the alley, mixed into the depths of the city.Gradually, Fukamachi felt his body being swallowed up by the internal organs of the city and slowly being digested.
He walked in the alley where he walked for the first time.
Unknowingly, the number of people decreased, only children were seen playing in front of the house from time to time.
Not only specialty shops, but also general grocery stores have decreased.
Just one family here, one family there, scattered along the road.
Fukamachi walked into the fork again.
At the end of the alley is an old red brick wall, which is a dead end.Fukamachi wanted to turn back, but when he stopped, he found the shop.
Mountaineering shop - three sleeping bags are hanging from the eaves.
Fukamachi suddenly wondered if he came to Tami District while getting lost.
In Kathmandu, Thamel District is famous for its many cheap hotels and mountaineering supplies stores.
There are several hotels in that area, and you can stay overnight for only 300 yen, and provide shared shower facilities.Hippies from all over the world used to gather there.
Mountaineering supply stores are all second-hand stores.
Buy the mountaineering supplies left by foreign Himalayan expeditions at low prices, and then sell them at prices equivalent to foreign prices.
The owners of such stores are mostly Sherpas who can get those supplies from foreign mountaineering teams.
Fukamachi stopped and stepped into the shop.
The shop is dark and cramped.
Opposite the glass display case that replaced the counter, stood a man with a stinky face.
He is not a Sherpa.
Like the owner of the carpet shop just now, he is a Kshatriya.
He has a mustache and is about fifty years old.
"Namaste."
Fukamachi greeted him in Nepali, and the Kshatriya man still did not change his expression that others owed him millions.
The goods hanging on the wall range from small parts such as hooks and rings to hiking backpacks and ice sticks. There are about 30 meters of eight-centimeter climbing ropes in the display cabinets.
In addition, there are tantric instruments whose authenticity is difficult to distinguish.
Fukamachi glanced casually at the merchandise, and suddenly stopped on the item next to the climbing rope.
It was an old camera.
It is a bellows camera, the kind where the bellows and the lens part can be retracted into the fuselage.
Based on the photographer's professional instinct, Fukamachi knew what kind of camera it was just by looking at its appearance.
The camera in the display cabinet, the bellows is pulled out from the fuselage, and the lens is facing the guests.
Fukamachi took a closer look and found a slanted crack on the lens.The crack is not in the center, but near the bottom. However, if the other functions are normal, it should be barely able to take pictures.
However, since the camera was hit hard enough to crack the lens to that extent, it's very likely that something other than the lens is at fault.
However, Fukamachi was very interested in the model of that camera.
Why is this kind of thing here?
It is impossible for any mountaineering team member of any country to take pictures with such an old camera.No, some of the camera geeks would deliberately want to take pictures with an old camera like this, so it's not entirely out of the question.
At least two or three cameras will come, including the regular camera and this one.The photographer dropped the camera while taking pictures, cracking the lens.With such a long-standing antique camera, it is impossible for the manufacturer to have replacement parts or lenses on hand.
This camera was probably sold by the photographer in Kathmandu.
Fukamachi tried to look away, but he was inexplicably interested in it, and his eyes subconsciously couldn't stay there.
He always felt that he had seen it somewhere.
However, Fukamachi has never used that camera until now.
Where the hell is—?
Fukamachi's gaze suddenly looked at the part that folded the bellows and became the cover when the lens was retracted into the fuselage.
The manufacturer's name is written there.
KODAK.
It's a Kodak camera.
Upon learning of this, an unimaginable shudder ran down Fukamachi's spine.
Could it be—?
This thought crossed my mind.
Maybe it's psychological troubles, I always feel that even my heartbeat has accelerated.
"Tyo kamera dekaunos?"
Fukachi said: Can you let me see that camera?
He picked up the camera that the boss had brought out.
black camera -
Lighter than it looks.
The model of the camera is marked in English above the lens.
"BEST POCKET AUTOGRAPHIC KODAK SPECIAL".
His hands trembled slightly.
That's right.
If I remember correctly, it should be like this name.
Fukamachi didn't want the boss to notice his inner wavering.Because once the boss knows that the customers are interested in the products in the store, he will nonchalantly shout the price.
The boss will definitely say a price that is three times higher.
"Kati paisa?"
Fukamachi asked how much it cost.
The boss suddenly became smiling and said:
"Two hundred doller."
Fukachi said: There is a crack in the lens.Two hundred dollars is too much.Can it be cheaper?
"Alikati sasto ma dinos."
"No."
The boss shrugged exaggeratedly and said: It is because of the crack that you are only charged two hundred dollars. Originally, this item was worth five hundred dollars.
The conversation between the two was brief.
When the boss said one hundred and fifty dollars, Fukamachi nodded cheerfully.
"Okay."
One hundred and fifty U.S. dollars—enough to feed a Nepali family for a month.
The boss carefully wrapped it in newspaper, put it in a plastic bag and handed it to Fukamachi.
When he walked out of the shop, the afterglow of the setting sun hit Fukamachi's cheek.
Fukamachi drinks in a cramped hotel room, Nepali liquor.
raksi – called shochu in Japan.
Distilled liquor made from rice.
Fukamachi was waiting for a call from Japan, and started drinking this liquor to suppress his excitement.
He sat on the edge of the bed, holding the wine glass in his right hand, looking at the window.Outside the window, it was the darkness of the night.
Raindrops beat against the windowpanes.
Fukamachi was alone.
Why did I decide to stay in Nepal alone during this rainy season?
My partner returned to Japan five days ago.
Anyway, even if you go back, no one is waiting for you.
There were originally seven members when they arrived in Kathmandu from Japan in April, but when they returned to Kathmandu from Mount Everest, there were five.
The expedition failed.
The challenge to Mount Everest was delayed until the rainy season, and the team members fought to the last moment, but two team members died on the 8,500-meter rock edge of the southwest face.If you put aside the height, there is no technical difficulty.
Frozen snow covered the forty-five-degree slope.
Jing Gang was walking on that slope, the soles of his feet slipped and he slipped.The boat island behind him was tied with the same climbing rope as his body, and they were implicated and fell together.
The accident happened when I gave up on the summit and was halfway down the mountain.
When climbing the mountain, both Jinggang and Chuandao easily overcome the snow-frozen slope.
Probably the timing of the start was slightly messed up, and the front claws of the crampons did not firmly grasp the frozen snow.
Fukamachi saw that scene through the camera.
Ironically, the sky cleared after the pair gave up on the summit and began their descent.
Through the 500mm telescopic lens, Fukamachi captured the figures of the two descending the mountain.
Two black dots came down the snow-covered slope.
At that time, the leading black dot suddenly began to slide rapidly and without warning.The climbing rope was stretched in a straight line, and Chuan Dao, whose body was tied by the other end of the climbing rope, followed Jing Gang a second later and slid out of the snow slope.The two fell faster and faster, Jing Gang's body jumped into the air from the steep rock field, and then Funaoshima's body was also thrown into the air.
Fukamachi couldn't hear the screams of the two, nor could he see their expressions.
An image unfolding in a silent shot.
When thrown into the air, Funashima's red backpack was imprinted on Fukamachi's retina.
The bodies of the two fell one or two meters at a time, hit the rock plate on the way with force, rolled down from that rock plate, fell into the snow further below, and disappeared without a trace.
Fukamachi pressed the shutter button selflessly.
Ten consecutive shots of that scene.
Bright scene.
Fukamachi gritted her teeth.
I remembered again.
The more I want to forget, the more I think of that scene.
As if trying to drive it out of his mind, Fukamachi brought the wine glass to his lips.
"If you want to go that much, why don't you just go? Go! Do whatever you like, don't worry about my feelings."
Kayoko's words echoed in his mind.
"You live your life as you like, and I'm happy to relax. Because I can live my life as I like—"
Why do you think of Kayoko's words at this time?
Fukamachi knew why he didn't return to Japan.
It is a lie that nothing waits for oneself in that country.Because there are indeed things waiting for me in that country.
Fukamachi has been escaping until now, waiting for him in that country.If you go back, even if you don't want to face it, Fukamachi will have to face it directly.
if--
If the expedition succeeds—
There may be various developments in my future life.However, two victims emerged and the expedition failed.
Funding provided by sponsors is half of the scheduled amount.
Insufficient expedition expenses will be apportioned by the team members on a head-to-head basis.Although it was an agreement at the beginning, but the survivors of the two people who are about to die will pay the amount shared by the head, and the other team members really can't say that.
Therefore, the amount that was originally scheduled to be shared by seven people became shared by five people.One person has to pay about three million.
It's not just about the money.
If we go back, the matter with Kayoko will have to be concluded.No, I'm afraid there has already been a conclusion between myself and Kayoko.
If so, what are you afraid of?
Fukamachi moved his eyes from the window to the room, and saw his own figure reflected in the mirror on the wall.A haggard man's face with horror eyes.The skin is scorched by the sun, damaged by ultraviolet rays, and becomes dry and rough.
The beard that was left to grow, although it was shaved after arriving in Kathmandu after descending the mountain, it began to appear unshaven again.
You listen to me-
Fukamachi stared at himself in the mirror, as if he wanted to tell himself.
Human beings are living beings with various burdens on their backs.
If you don't solve those things thoroughly one by one, you can't start the next one, and you won't be able to unfold everything.But ordinary people are always forced to carry all kinds of past, and when the past is not over, they will fall headlong into the next one.By doing so, things that should be weathered become weathered.And some things will not be completely weathered, like fossils will always exist in my heart.There is no one in this world who is not burdened with such things.
However--
Fukamachi thought, the current self doesn't know what to do next.
"I'm going to stay here for about half a month, and I'll go back when I have accumulated enough photos to make a photobook."
He said so to captain Eiji Kudo.
"When you come back and settle down, let's have a drink in Tokyo."
The four said so and went back to Japan.
Everyone has a job in Japan.
For this expedition, each overcame their own problems and came here from Japan.
They had to run around, visit vendors that provided instant food, and mountaineering supply stores that lent out mountaineering equipment for free, etc., and explained the incident to the bereaved families in Funashima and Jinggang again.
People in the mountaineering world will probably also issue various criticisms.Those who return to China first must face these trivial matters directly and deal with them one by one.
On a certain level, Fukamachi pushed these annoying things to the four people who returned home first.
I still haven't taken photos for the photobook - that's his excuse.
The editor who worked with him in the past suggested to him: gather the photos related to the Himalayas you have accumulated before, and publish a photo book.
Basically, there is a consensus between the two that the premise of publishing a photobook is the success of this expedition.
Photos of the Himalayas themselves are no longer rare in Japan.The conquest of Mount Everest itself does not spark any topics.Fukamachi himself is not a well-known photographer, and it is not enough to make readers buy books with the brand of Makoto Fukamachi.After more than fifteen years in the business, Fukamachi remains a relatively unknown pawn.
He doesn't just take pictures of mountains.There are very few jobs photographing mountain landscapes.He usually takes photos of cooking for magazine cooking specials, photos of conversations, or merchandise for catalog magazines.No job will come to you because of Makoto Fukamachi's talents and characteristics.He made a living off of skills common to photographers.In other words, there are as many photographers in this line of work that can replace Makoto Fukamachi.
The reason why this mountaineering is special is that, except Fukamachi, all the participating team members are over forty-five years old.
Some are doctors, some are office workers, and some are the presidents of housing agency companies. Such a group of people want to challenge the highest peak in the world-this has aroused the interest of the media.
When did you first mention climbing Mount Everest?
It happened about a year and a half ago in Shinjuku.
Since Kenzo Tamura had not come to Tokyo from Shinshu for a long time, those who could attend the party decided to have a drink.
It was a cold winter.
That night, Tamura, Kudo Eiji, Takizawa Shuhei, Masuda Akira, Ioka Koichi and Fukamachi gathered together in Shinjuku.The location is a small izakaya near Shinjuku Park.The crowd sat around the fire and began to drink.
All of them are people Fukamachi met through mountain climbing.
Shenmachi did not belong to any mountaineering club of a university or the mountaineering club in the town.
Because I like mountains, and in the process of taking pictures of mountains, I became familiar with people from various mountaineering associations.
The reason why I chose the profession of photographer is because I want to take pictures of mountains, and the reason why I also accept the job of taking pictures of other scenery is purely because taking pictures of mountains alone cannot make a living.
Fukamachi is good at capturing the expressions of people entering the mountains.
Vividly photographed the aura of people facing the rock wall and the anxiety mixed in it; the expression when resting around the bonfire, the back view of the captain when he was worried about who to choose as a member of the summit team; fingers looking for a grab point on the rock wall ; Looking up through the soles of the predecessors' shoes, the expression of the predecessors clinging to the rock.
Fukamachi would take photos of fingers, feet, arms, lips, backs, etc.—body expressions that I didn’t even realize except facial expressions—without my knowledge.
Although Fukamachi's photos are unpretentious, she is well-received for her ability as a photographer.
Even as a climber, Fukamachi managed to follow behind them with camera equipment on their shoulders without being a burden to the members of the party if they were on the traditional route at the ori rock site.
Fukamachi met Eiji Kudo ten years ago, when he was thirty years old.
At that time, there was going to be an expedition, and a certain ski equipment manufacturer became a sponsor.
Manaslu Peak is 8,163 meters above sea level and is the eighth highest peak in the world.The purpose of the expedition was to reach her summit and ski down from there.
Kudo and Fukamachi participated in that expedition as doctors and accompanying photographers respectively.
Tamura, Takizawa, Masuda, and Jingoka were also members of the team at that time.
The people launched an expedition in the autumn, which ended in failure.
Because of the blizzard that surpassed the record in recent years, the team members were trapped in the snow for more than half a month. At that time, an avalanche hit the third battalion, and a Sherpa was killed.
Nevertheless, the plan was carried out until the part where the summit team set off from the final camp, but the summit team turned back at a point approaching 8,000 meters.Just shoveling took twice as long as planned due to the amount of new snow that had accumulated.
At this time, the captain entered the tent alone to meditate in the base camp in order to determine the members of the attacking team.Every team member wants to be selected as the summit team to conquer the peak.The captain must choose two of them.
At this time, it was Fukamachi who took a picture of the back of the captain meditating alone in the tent from behind.This photo made him a little known in the field.
The team members consisted of various mountaineering clubs and free climbers, led by the captain Horiguchi at the time. After the expedition failed and returned to China, several team members at that time would meet in Tokyo several times a year.These also include Kudo and Fukamachi.That party lasted for about two years, and then unknowingly, using busyness as an excuse, the team members stopped gathering.
At this time, Captain Horiguchi died of cancer.That was three years ago.At that farewell ceremony, those team members reunited after a long absence, and unknowingly began to gather again.
However, although it is a party, the date of meeting is not determined regularly.Instead, when a certain team member comes to Tokyo, those who can be present gather together.
Only when Tamura came to Tokyo from Shinshu and everyone got together, would the topic of Mount Everest be brought up.
Everyone gathered around the stove to drink, and naturally they would talk about mountain climbing.
Everyone is in their twenties to early thirties, and they are all top people who have climbed mountains of all sizes. During the establishment of RCC (Rock Climbing Club, Rock Climbing Club) II, no one The first wedge nail is driven into the Japanese rock wall that has been climbed or the mountain wall of the European Alps that the Japanese have not yet climbed.
"Is anyone else climbing?"
Take advantage of the trend to develop this kind of topic.
"I rarely go."
Masuda said.
"me too--"
Tamura said.
Tamura is engaged in real estate brokerage in Shinshu.
Among the team members, he is second only to Kudo in age: he turned fifty last year.
"The only ones who are still climbing are Chuandao and you at most?"
Tamura glanced at Takizawa.
"I'm no match for Ship Island. The guy's still in the mountains for half the month—"
Takizawa scratched his head.
"And you?"
"On average, about a week or so a month at most."
"It's also very powerful."
That night, among the usual team members, the only one who didn't show up was Takashi Funashima.
"Where is Ship Island climbing now?"
Masuda asked.
"Tanigawa."
Takizawa replied.
"Tanigawa's?"
"One warehouse."
"Still on the front line."
Ichinokura Valley is located in the northern part of Gunma Prefecture, from the top of Tanigawadake to the east side of the ridge line of Ichinokuradake, facing the valley sunken by the Yuhiso River.Surrounded by the Higashi Ridge and the Ichinokura Ridge from the north to the south, there are rock walls with an altitude difference of more than 800 meters and many large rock ditches.
"The big rock ditch there is especially difficult in winter."
Masuda said.
Big rock ditch - refers to a rock ditch on a steep rock face.During the snow accumulation period, it often becomes a channel for avalanches.
"What he wants to climb is Pingfeng Rock. He also made an appointment with me, but I can't go because I have a job."
"Takizawa, are you working?"
Masuda said half-jokingly.
"Well. But it's not a full-time job—"
"what are you doing now?"
"I served and ordered at an izakaya in Shibuya—"
"How long have you been there?"
"Five months."
"It took a long time this time."
"Because in addition to the cost of climbing the mountain, I have to pay the rent and food expenses. I also want to have a good wife like Chuandao."
"Wife? Is Chuanjima married?"
"His wife's name is Xiaomei. It seems that she has not been naturalized, but it is no different from getting married."
After chatting, I found out that only Funashima and Takizawa are standing on the front line of climbing.
Takizawa is single and has no job.
Every time I don’t know where to find a job, I work for two or three months and save money, then quit my job and go mountaineering.
Funashima lives with a woman she has been dating for five years. Her name is Kawamura Mizuyo and she is thirty-seven years old.She works as an administrator at a construction company in Machida City.
While living a life similar to Takizawa's, Funashima earns climbing fees. In addition, she pays for food and rent.As a diner, Funashima lived in the apartment where she used to live alone—the relationship between the two was maintained.
I don’t know which time, Chuanshima was wearing a brightly colored new sweater, and was ridiculed by everyone, so he said shyly:
"Hey, that guy bought it for me—"
The relationship between the two is silent, in other words, the two seem to get along pretty well.
Everyone drank around the fire and kept chatting about mountain climbing.
Before you know it, you haven't climbed a mountain for nearly ten years.
"I've become a loner who can go climbing anytime."
Jing Gang drank until his face was flushed and said.
Jing Gang divorced.
The reason is that Jing Gang had an affair.Although Jinggang broke up with the woman he had an affair with, he didn't get along well with his wife and divorced half a year ago.
The children aged seven and five belonged to his wife.
That night happened to be Saturday, so Jing Gang came all the way from Nagoya.Rather than being alone, drinking with acquaintances seems to be a better solution to sorrow.
Three cups of yellow soup.
People talk more.
It was the oldest Kudo who listened quietly to everyone talking.
"I, at the age of fifty, I finally figured it out."
Kenzo Tamura said.
"Think about what?"
Takizawa asked.
"To put it bluntly, it's a mountain."
"Mountain?"
"That's right."
Tamura nodded and drank the wine in his glass in one gulp.
That night, Tamura was staying at Kudo's house.It seems safe to get drunk.
"I, unknowingly, became a bad guy."
After speaking, Tamura shook his head.
"I don't mean to say I was a good guy—"
"When I was a rookie, Mr. Tamura once forced me to use a bento box to scoop up water from a pond to cook rice, and even forced me to eat it together with the tadpoles."
Takizawa said.
I don't know if Tamura heard Takizawa's words, but he silently filled his glass with wine.
"Large sums of money will pass by my eyes."
After speaking, Tamura drank the wine in his glass.
"Sometimes 200 million, sometimes 300 million. Sometimes, 500 million or 1 billion will flow in front of my eyes. Before I know it, I start embezzling that kind of money. It's unbelievable, right? ?”
Tamura's words seemed to be speaking to himself.
"At the beginning it was several million, up to 10 million, 20 million. In short, I was willing to go all out. I was addicted to the money game and couldn't extricate myself. I wanted to make the money bigger. Then, I wanted to Do transactions of 30 million or 50 million. Later, the amount exceeded 100 million, and before I knew it, it became an astronomical amount of one billion. The large sum of money did not flow into my pocket, but from here Just moved it there. Even so, I still have some on hand. But ah, I always feel that this is weird, and I feel that there is something wrong. From one million to ten million, from ten million to one hundred million, From 100 million to 1 billion, from 1 billion to 2 billion, money will feed people's appetite, want more, more money. I thought to myself, what is that for? Money can never be earned End. What am I making money for...?"
"—"
"I have done things that are on the edge of the law, and I have done things that are ulterior. By the way, I have done more than one or two things that I can't even tell my wife. I have lived to this age. Learned all the dirty things—”
Tamura confided about the past with a mixed sigh.
"Well, the year before last was probably the best time in the 1990s. The real estate brokerage company I opened in a small town like me was also very busy. However, from last year to this year, it has been bleak. Among the peers, some A lot of people went out of business or declared bankruptcy. The more real estate you have on hand, the more dangerous it is. Well, it's not just this industry that's at risk these days. The reason I'm in Tokyo this time is also to borrow money. Oops, I don't know how to say it , in short, I have been thinking about whether I want to do this kind of thing, whether this kind of thing is what I want. When the company is at the critical point of survival—"
Tamura hunched over and said to the empty cup in front of him.
"Then, what do you mean by 'it's a mountain'?"
Takizawa asked.
"That is, what do I work for? In other words, what do I make money for? At this age, I am really embarrassed to say such childish things, but it seems that I am really thinking about this kind of thing. To put it bluntly, I It is to work and earn money for living. However, if it is only for living, a certain amount of money is enough. Blindly earning more money than living expenses does not make people clear. So, Takizawa, just In terms of lifestyle and method of earning money, you are much more noble than me. Funashima entrusts women with living expenses, and uses all the money she earns to climb mountains. From this point of view, Funashima has reached the realm of gods— —”
"—"
"So, at the end of the day, I was just climbing mountains."
Tamura said.
"It would be too shameful to say that I became a half-bad guy, and my whole body was filthy, just to make money. So, I wanted to use the money I earned to climb mountains. But I suddenly realized that the borrowed money Already more money than earned—"
"This may be a bit different from the mountain climbing that Tamura-san refers to, but in various situations, it is often natural to convert money into mountain climbing and think about it."
Jing Gang said.
"In addition to receiving salaries, the company will also give bonuses, right? At this time, you will think: ah, this amount can be delayed to Hodaka five times late, or to go on an expedition to the Himalayas—"
"That's right."
Takizawa nodded.
"When I was forty-five years old, I calculated the salary I had earned in my whole life. Before I retired, how many times I could still receive salary, how much bonus, how much salary increase-but, after counting, I always felt sad for myself .It feels like I understand how much my life is worth."
Masuda said so.
How much money will I make in the future, assuming I can get ahead, how high a position I can climb to, and what things I can and cannot do in my later life-it seems that people who live to more than 40 years old are That's it.
"I thought to myself, if I'm lucky, can I climb the Himalayas again?"
Masuda stroked his stomach and said with emotion:
"However, that's just a mouth. My stomach protrudes more than usual when I climbed the mountain. I feel that I really can't climb from the upper plateau to the dry lake in one breath without resting like before, carrying 50 kilograms on my back."
After a brief silence, Tamura said:
"Hey, let's go."
"Where are you going?"
Takizawa asked.
"Needless to say, of course it's the Himalayas."
Tamura looked at everyone.
"Is everyone still brooding about what happened on Manaslu Peak ten years ago?"
"—"
"I can't let it go. It stuck with me until this age. After all, it was my first trip abroad, and my first time climbing the Himalayas—"
Everyone's eyes focused on Tamura.
"Nowadays, I often dream. I keep talking about climbing mountains and the Himalayas. I think I have tried my best, but in the end, let alone the peak, I have never climbed more than 8,000 meters—— "
"It's not just Tamura-san. I don't think anyone in our group has ever been to a place higher than 8,000 meters."
Masuda said in a low voice.
"Seriously, do you want to climb the Himalayas?"
Takizawa turned up the volume.
Tamura glanced at Kudo, he had been listening to everyone quietly since just now.
"Kudou-san, how are you—?"
Kudo pondered in a low voice and touched his chin.
"This..."
He nodded without looking at anyone in particular.
"That might be a good idea."
While drinking raksi in a restaurant in Kathmandu, Fukamachi remembered what happened at that time.
With the help of alcohol, he spoke out the wish in his heart—if he wanted to end this, he could also bring this matter to an end.Anyone can understand the difference between desire and reality.
What is the difference between "want to go" and "go"?
A group of people who once aimed to climb the 8,000-meter peak of the Himalayas.Everyone understands what it is like to let one's body climb up to an 8,000-meter peak, and also knows how harsh conditions are in the Himalayas' peaks exceeding 8,000 meters, and their bodies have degenerated How many.
All are over forty years of age.
After the age of forty, office workers, freelancers, and presidents each have their own social status.
No matter how underestimated the time required to challenge the 8,000-meter peak in the Himalayas, it will take two months—ordinarily estimated, it will take three months.In other words, during that period, leave your position in society.
For office workers, that means quitting their jobs.
Before departure, various preparations will also take up your own time.Even if a sponsor is found to provide funding, the individual has to pay from one million to three million.
In addition, there is danger to life.Even after going through all kinds of hardships, it may not be possible to climb to the top of the mountain.
Despite reaching the top, no money will be pocketed.
通往喜玛拉雅山八千公尺高峰的各种路线，几乎都已经被人爬烂了。除非以相当新颖的创意登山，否则也得不到社会荣誉。能够获得的，顶多只关乎个人心灵成长。
从远征回来，又要回归日常生活中。若是回来之后，职场上没了自己的位子，这个风险就未免太大了。
However--
那个愿望实现了。
而且，当时聚集的人全部无一阙漏地参与了这项计划。
事后听说的船岛，也加入了这个计划。
众人意见一致：既然要爬，就从尼泊尔这一边向喜玛拉雅山的最高峰——圣母峰迈进。负责协助角色且爬过圣母峰的，有工藤、船岛、田村这三人。
在初期阶段讨论的是队员的年龄。几乎所有人都超过四十岁，工藤和田村则超过五十岁。
要不要加入二十多岁或三十五、六岁的队员呢？
如果想加入新血，倒是有适当的人选。
能够带干劲十足、体力充沛的人上山，担任协助的角色，这些队员好歹具有这样的人脉。
然而，泷泽却说：
“那样是作弊。”
四十多岁的人站上圣母峰顶并不稀奇。当然也有五十多岁的人登上峰顶的记录。
but--
“凭我们的力量去爬吧。如果我们爬不上去的话，我也能接受这个结果。”
所有人都赞成泷泽的意见。
决定由工藤担任队长，正式决定队员是在一年前。
队员一共七名，分别为：
工藤英二（五十六岁），医师。
田村谦三（五十一岁），房仲业者。
增田明（四十七岁），公司职员。
船岛隆（四十七岁），待业中。
泷泽修平（四十六岁），待业中。
井冈弘一（四十六岁），公司职员。
深町隆（三十九岁），摄影师。
这就是这支队伍的成员。
工藤决定趁这个好机会，让刚成为医生、进入研究所就读的儿子在自己不在的期间，到自己经营的医院帮忙。
工藤是镇上的开业医师，看诊的几乎都是感冒或腹痛的病患，至于需要动手术或住院的病患，则转介给认识的医院。
他和儿子一起替病患看诊半年左右后，在攀登喜玛拉雅山这三个月内，把医院交给儿子。
田村则说：
“倒了也无所谓。”
他把自己的公司交给了担任专任董事的弟弟。
增田明向公司递出辞呈。
部长问及理由，他只说：
“因为我想去爬喜玛拉雅山。”
十年前，去爬马纳斯卢峰时，他也向当时任职的公司递出辞呈。所以，这次他也如法炮制。
“别意气用事！”
部长当着增田的面，撕掉辞呈。
前两年没用的年假，积了二十多天。那一年的年假有整整二十天，如果再加上国定假日，并妥善利用星期六、日等假日，就能获得将近三个月的长假。
“这次破例。”
基于部长的裁量，增田获得三个月的长假。
船岛没有问题。
他在一年内赚了由个人负担的两百万。
泷泽也是一样。
井冈辞掉了工作。
他说想请三个月的长假，却被公司拒绝。如果他和增田一样，妥善利用年假，要放三个月的长假倒也不是不可能。不过，问题是很难一口气放那么长的假。
“如果允许你一个人，就得允许其他人这么做。”
上司说，不能打乱企业的规律。
“既然这样，我只好辞职。”
井冈爽快地辞掉了工作。
“反正我单身，一人饱全家饱。”
井冈那么向上司说。他将部分离职金充当个人负担金额，剩下的寄给前妻和孩子后，参加远征。
每个人以各自的方式，克服各自的问题，投身于这趟远征。
However--
却没有登顶。
井冈弘一和船岛隆死了。
他们的死法，连收尸都没办法。
独自饮酒，各种念头在脑海中忽隐忽现。
漫无边际的思绪。
念头。
险些淹没在其中。
心情好比独自一人漂流在一片黑暗中。
正当此时——
The phone rang.
深町拿起话筒。
是从日本打来的。
“喂，深町先生？”
是宫川的声音。
深町点点头，问道：
“你替我调查了吗？”
“查到了。肯定没错。BEST POCKET AUTOGRAPHIC KODAK SPECIAL，马洛里在一九二四年攻顶圣母峰时带去的，就是这款机种。”
“谢谢你，你帮了我一个大忙。”
“可是，深町先生，你为什么想知道那种事呢？是不是有什么有趣的新闻呢？”
“哎呀，会不会变成有趣的新闻，要等接下来才知道。”
“是什么呢？请你告诉我嘛。”
宫川以充满好奇心的雀跃语气说。
“目前的状况什么都还不能说。等弄清楚之后，我再告诉你——”
宫川不满地想听下文。深町再次向他道谢，放下了话筒。
原来如此啊。
Fukamachi stood up.
全身笼罩着轻微的兴奋。
假如这台相机是——
深町拿起在登山用品店买到的相机。
假如这真的是马洛里的相机——
将会是一件震惊世人的事。
视情况而定，说不定能彻底大幅改写喜玛拉雅山的登山史。
tomorrow.
明天必须再去那家店一趟。
从下腹部窜上来的兴奋之情，让深町在饭店狭窄的客房里，犹如野兽般在同一个地方反复走来走去。
Notes:
Notes: