Chapter 20 Section IX

Ke Shouzi's complexion suddenly changed.She immediately understood who Shimamura was referring to. "I received a postcard from Bai Chuan-kun today. I don't have a close relationship with him. How to put it, the main thing is that I keep him at a distance. Even so, since I received the postcard, considering the friendship between reporters, I don't want to go to the general manager. I feel unreasonable. However, you should feel something deeper than reason from Bai Chuan... I thought you might have forgotten the time of driving, so I was just about to tell you." "Please rest assured," she smiled slightly, and continued, "I still don't understand these things."

"There is still an hour or so, which may be embarrassing for you. When the car arrives later, shall we go together?" "I'm not going." "what?" "I'm not going to see Bai Chuan-kun off. I'm determined not to go!" "Takimura-kun..." Shimamura looked straight into her face. "...You want to say that I am heartless and righteous!" Her eyes met Shimamura's, and then she lifted the beer glass to her lips, raised her beautiful chin, and her white throat wriggled. "So you're not going to see off Bai Chuan-kun?"

Her face with obvious bumps is more dignified and beautiful under the lights at night than during the day.The darkness under the eyebrows, the three-dimensional shadows on the cheeks, and the characteristic chiaroscuro are all more clear and moving. "If I go to send him off, it will cause trouble for Bai Chuan-kun." She replied, "The people who sent him off may want me to go. This is out of curiosity, and I want to see how Bai Chuan-kun and I bid farewell. I don't want to make a special trip. Go to that kind of occasion. Expressing my sincerity to Bai Chuan-kun is not necessarily limited to the way of seeing him off at the station. You can also write to him in the future, or call him."

"That's right. As you said, the people who sent Bai Chuan-kun are probably expecting you to go. However, this also shows that you have an obligation to go. I think Bai Chuan-kun is also waiting for you to go. If your figure I have never appeared on the platform, I really don’t know how much loneliness Shirakawa-kun will go to Osaka with!” "Hearing what you said, it seems that I have some special relationship with Bai Chuan-kun." "To be fair," Shimamura said, "Bai Chuan was demoted to work in Osaka this time. I think it can be said that it is because of you."

"Do you even say that?" "Because I heard a lot of rumors. I think you have laid the foundation for today's fame through Shirakawa-kun. You should also admit this." "I know his benefits. But, after that..." "We don't know the situation after that, so we can't say anything. But one thing is that Mr. Bai Chuan quarreled with the minister because he admired you too much, which led to this transfer. This is a fact. Misunderstandings are misunderstandings, you have It is my duty to see you off at Tokyo Station." "I will not go!"

Ke Shouzi answered firmly. "Are you determined not to go?" "Yes, definitely not!" But Shouko stared fiercely at Shimamura's face, her indifferent character made her long and indifferent face tense, like a bowstring drawn tautly. After a while, her face suddenly stretched out, and she burst out laughing. "Are you angry!" "oh oh." "You must call me ruthless and unrighteous, with a human face and a beast's heart!" "I can't say no yet!" "People only criticize what's on the outside!" "What are you referring to?"

"Tell me, Bai Chuan is very despicable. I hate that kind of person!" "..." "He recognized my art, and I am sincerely grateful. In addition, it is also true that my paintings are recognized by people because of his relationship. But, do you know his intentions?" "..." "He is too much of a benefactor. The expression on his face seems to be covered with words like: 'Well, without me, a person like you is still a nobody, struggling to get by!' Hey, this I There is no way, who calls it a fact to some extent. However, what is intolerable is that he uses favor as a shackle and wants to bind me. Isn't this despicable?"

"There are rumors in the society that you seduced Bai Chuan-kun." "It's too bad that I've been viewed that way by people!... But, how can I fight against such rumors? If I'm a man, I can defend myself in a magazine, but I'm a woman. If I insult Bai Chuan-kun, I can't speak to others. Talk. Rumors are rumors, so I have to let them go. I will only explain this situation to you alone. I have never talked to others about how Bai Chuan-kun treated me in the past. Because he has been kind to me!" "However, in order to promote you in the newspaper, Bai Chuan even had a big quarrel with the minister. I don't think his enthusiasm is just a compliment to your art. Based on common sense, don't you think so?"

"That's probably his stubbornness! He took advantage of the situation where I couldn't say no clearly, and he went on advocating in the newspapers one after another. I did everything he ordered. He asked me to draw a small illustration, and I drew a close-up He asked me to write an article, and I worked hard to write it. Regarding these things, Bai Chuan-kun always said, "This kind of thing is not good, such a thing is not an article, etc., it is like treating a disciple." He reprimanded me in the same way until he was satisfied. What's even more strange is that I never got a penny of the manuscript fee. It all went into his own pocket. Being exploited in the middle, I didn't say anything... These It is finally bearable. What is unbearable is that he actually asked me to repay the favor with my body! No one knows these details. The reason why I left him was because I couldn’t bear his intolerable demands. He, I have done everything I can. Is this ungrateful?"

"..." "That said, it seems to be saying bad things about Shirakawa-kun. I'm really sorry for him. But if I don't say it, all the misunderstandings will be concentrated on me, so I have to tell you, Shimamura-kun... He sees that I don't give in, so he just Attack me materially." "Material?" "Just give me all kinds of things, emerald rings, pearl necklaces, etc. It's annoying! His salary is not very high, so I am worried. If he does something out of line, he will be condemned first It's not him but me! Wouldn't that be a woman like a whore?"

"Maybe Shimamura-kun is still in the dark! The real reason for Shirakawa-kun's transfer to the Osaka branch this time is economic problems!" "Economic issues?" "Yes. He is an editor, so he is responsible for the night shift subsidies for all the staff in the Ministry of Culture. About half a year ago, he began to deduct... It is said that one of them became suspicious and thought: The night shift subsidy is not right, I am sure I did it More. So I registered in detail about the night shift for a month." "..." "It is said that the night shift subsidy he received is only half of the actual amount. So, Bai Chuan-kun's tricks have been exposed!" Shimamura was quite shocked. Although Bai Chuan was a little stubborn but kind, he would do such a thing! Kotoshiko smiled and looked at Shimamura's dazed face. "I only tell this kind of secret to Shimamura-kun. So, how can I get in touch with Shirakawa-kun again? I left him early, and it is a blessing among misfortunes. I am afraid that the problem cannot be solved by mobilization alone!" "..." The society does not know these inside stories.Women always suffer, and men always blame women for their failures! .To be honest, Shimamura once estimated that Bai Chuan had bad intentions in advocating Kojuko.In fact, some people said bad things about him behind his back. However, this is the first time I have heard of the night shift subsidy mentioned earlier, which is really surprising. Eisuke Shirakawa had to do that kind of thing in order to win the favor of Kotoko, his intentions can be described as good.However, the act of breaking up with Kotoko must first be affirmed.From her standpoint, this is a matter of course, she will not be so stupid as to sympathize with Bai Chuan and become obsessed with Bai Chuan, so that she cannot extricate herself. Although Shimamura does not affirm the avant-garde ink paintings of Takimura Kasukiko in terms of art, he acknowledges her unique creations to a certain extent.From this, Shimamura thought that it was not unreasonable for Kejuzi to receive the attention of the press.In this regard, various rumors circulated in the society, some said that she took advantage of the support of reporters and cooperated with the avant-garde ikebana authorities to profit from it, some said that her beauty was more attractive than her strength, and so on.Although these claims cannot be fully confirmed, they cannot be completely denied.But that's not all.Shimamura believes that for an artist to become famous and have a family, he must have outstanding talent. However, no matter how great a genius is, it is impossible to become famous and become a family if the opportunity is lost.It was Eisuke Shirakawa who gave Kejuko the chance to become famous. Does Kazuko Takisuke need a second Eisuke Shirakawa?Now she is no longer Takimura Ketosuko who was just discovered by Shirakawa, but a celebrity who firmly sits on the top spot of avant-garde ink painting female painter. However, Shimamura also knows that when a person is at the peak, he wants to keep his advantage forever, and the good times are always there.But Shouzi didn't want to fall from his current position.She's in a more difficult place now than when she first started out as a rookie. Kotoshiko hopes to get Shimamura's support.Although she didn't say so, her whole expression reflected this feeling. "Hey, Shimamura-kun!" Ke Shouzi's eye sockets were stained red by the wine. "Can't you stay here a little longer?" After speaking, she stared straight at Shimamura. "I can't! I can't see you off Bai Chuan-kun. I'm going to say goodbye." "Can't you change your plans?" "That's not okay. I'm in a different situation than you!" "How harsh to say..." As she spoke, she poured wine into the empty glass in front of Shimamura. "At least three cups, please finish drinking before going!" "No more than one drink. There's no time!" "No!" She ordered with her drunken eyes open, "Anyway, please drink three glasses before going!" "So, what are you doing after I'm gone?" "Oh, I'm thinking about it. Maybe stay here, but it's too deserted to be alone..." Shimatoshi almost blurted out: How about calling the avant-garde Ikebana?But finally swallowed it back. "Okay, I'll drink!" "Hello, please wait! What time is it?" "Six fifty. In another fifty minutes, Shirakawa-kun's 'Light' will leave Tokyo Station." "Your watch is fast, mine is six-thirty." Saying that, Ke Shouko raised his hand, deliberately placed the watch where Shimamura could not see clearly.A red light flashed from her cuff. "Your watch is slow." "Excuse me, can you use the phone over there to ask the information desk for the time?" 'There is no need to ask, my watch is very accurate. " "Sorry, please ask on the phone!" Ke Shouzi clasped his hands together.The woman was so strange that Shimamura had no choice but to pick up the telephone in front of the alcove.He turned his back to Ke Shouzi. Shimamura put the earphones on his ears, but the service desk didn't answer immediately. He clicked the machine two or three times, and finally a half-dead woman's voice came.After explaining his intentions, he waited for some time.The whole phone call took more than two minutes. "Sure enough, it's the same as my watch." Ke Shouzi lowered his head hard and smiled.The body is still slanted, motionless "I apologize to you...but please drink the beer!" The wine in the wine glass has been filled to the brim. When Shimamura finished his third glass of wine and was about to leave, he fell into a trance.He felt that the name was strange, he could not be so drunk, but his mind was full of white mist, and the world was spinning.The last scene of his self-awareness is when Kotoshiko leaves the table.Her vibrant colors remained in his final vision of reality. Shimamura felt the tatami on the ground stand upright before his eyes.In the hazy consciousness, it seems that I am admiring the painting of the irrelevant Yuriko Morisawa.