Chapter 9 Chapter nine

At lunchtime there was a plate of ferns on the table, freshly picked and cooked.After chewing, it seems that there is an earthy taste in the mouth. "Yes, they were picked by the river there, and the children nearby were asked to pick them. There are plenty of them." The hotel hostess said to Imura Shigehisa and Miyako. The sash is open, the mountain scenery occupies half of the window, and the blue sky is bright.It's not yet the time for colorful clouds.The forest is just slightly green. Arima Onsen is surrounded by mountains.Hotel Street is located on the slopes on both sides of the canyon.

"Are you cold?" Miyako looked at Imura's shoulder and said. "No, it's okay." Imura covered up his jacket tightly. "The wind is still quite cold. Close the windows, will you?" "Close it if you're cold. But I'd like some cold air to come in." "I hope so too. If it's cold, you can take a bath... If you catch a cold, you won't be able to attend the lady's wedding." Miyako said. Imura smoked silently, looked at the hotel on the opposite hill, and saw the figure of the waitress cleaning the room in the distance.

The previous Saturday, Shigehisa Imura, the general manager of the bank, had to go to the Osaka branch for business.Before leaving, he hurriedly called Miyako in Tokyo and told her to meet at Arima Onsen.It is rare for Imura to force and order her like this. Imura told Mei YeZi that he had already booked a hotel room in the name of "Sugiyama" and asked Mei YeZi to go there first. "Why are you in such a hurry, what's the matter?" Miyako asked Imura, but he just replied that he would tell her after arriving at the destination.There was a smile on his face, but his expression was serious.Now how can I hide in the country hot springs to talk about love.Miyako saw a certain kind of determination from Imura's expression.

Flying from Haneda Airport to Itami, Miyako guessed what Imura might say along the way.The relationship between her and Imura has lasted for five years. They don't meet often, at most once a month or two.But the relationship lasted five years after all.It started two years before Miyako and Takuichi got married. Miyako arrived at the hotel designated by Imura and waited for three hours. Imura did not come until after eight o'clock at night.He smiled and said that he wanted to come earlier, but it was not easy to get rid of his partners in the bank.He gave the secretary who came from the head office a "holiday" and told him to come to the hotel in Osaka next Monday to meet up.No one knew about Miyako.

Since Imura declined the banquet, he had dinner after taking a bath.Although it was getting late, it seemed that it was difficult to talk about the important matter for a long time. Miyako elicited his words in a relaxed tone.He spoke in a heavy tone. As expected, he said that he would sever ties with Miyako. "Three years ago, I should have brought it up," Imura continued. "At that time, you also expressed such a hope. However, I couldn't make up my mind, and as a result, I forced you to continue the relationship until now. Now, I should not Presumptuously claiming..."

Three years ago, Miyako decided to marry Takuichi.Imura avoided saying "when Miyako got married" and used the phrase "three years ago".Although he has never met Zhuo Yi, Imura feels guilty. "No, it's not your responsibility. It's all my fault." Miyako didn't want to say, "Women are fragile." After getting married, Miyako found that she had a good impression of Imura. "I am a woman who is guilty," Miyako once confessed to Imura, "I married Zhuoyi because I wanted to break up with you. Anyway, I don't expect to marry you. Zhuoyi is kind-hearted, I like him, I like you very much. But, at the same time, I like you even more than before."

When Takuichi courted Miyako, Miyako had discussed it with Imura.Through Miyako's mouth, Imura also knew Takuichi's character.The reason why Imura agreed with their marriage was because he knew Zhuoyi's character, but at the same time, because he was middle-aged, he was a little reluctant to give up Miyako, and he became jealous of young people. Regarding Miyako's confession, Imura said: "You like Mr. Zhuo Yi, I can understand. It sounds like he is like a Bodhisattva. If it is a woman with a weak personality, she may be dissatisfied with such a husband. You like him very much, which shows your personality Stubbornness. If you simply explain it, your relationship can be said to be maternal love, right? You are used to the inside story of men, so you cherish people like Zhuo Yijun as gems."

Miyako thought to herself, cherishing it as a gem, isn't this love!However, Imura's words at that time sank into the depths of her consciousness, and only later did they emerge clearly. "As for you falling in love with me at the same time, it may be because I can accommodate your stubborn character. Maybe I am too conceited..." Miyako thinks that Imura's analysis is correct.He can be his own pillar.Without this person, my spirit and life may be even worse.The publishing business was started for Zhuo Yi's poetry collection, but without Imura's help, I dare not even think about it.

After careful consideration, her husband's poetry collection was not the real motivation for Miyako to start her publishing business.Self-publishing would suffice if it was for this purpose alone.In order to publish her husband's poetry collection by a regular publishing house and increase the value of the poetry collection, a publishing house was established.Behind this grandiose reason lies an ambitious desire for career.Without this kind of mood, there will be no motivation to start a business at all. "Because I have been watching you by your side, I have this feeling." Miyako replied.

"Really? But how did you start such a trivial business as a publishing house? If you've been watching my work, you shouldn't have thought of it." Imura doesn't care about publishing at all. "I know my own weight. You always deal with big companies in Japan's major industries such as steel and electrical machinery. Of course, you treat publishing houses like a child's play, but this is just right for me... Besides, you are right about publishing. I don’t know anything about my career, so I feel more relaxed.” Imura promised to give her the necessary funds.

"Thank you very much. However, I don't want you to pay for it yourself. No matter how small, this is my business after all. I am too poor to take your pocket money. I will borrow from your bank." "To borrow money from a bank, you must have a guarantee or credit, and you don't have both. For a loan, the bank needs to go through various cumbersome procedures such as application and investigation. Small publishing houses are blindly operated enterprises, and the bank has no credit at all." "In the end, I had no choice but to submit to you." According to Imura's instructions, Miyako deposited money in his bank and opened an account to borrow money.Applications are made directly to the General Manager. "Will your subordinates find it strange?" Miyako asked. "Of course. I probably think it has something to do with me." Imura said with a smile. "Won't that embarrass you?" "I'm the general manager. They know that I'm protecting some people, so that's okay... Besides, it's a small amount of money, so it can't be called financing. Anyway, I will handle it properly in the end." What Imura said before has become reality today. Shigehisa Imura and his wife have been separated for seven or eight years.This wife is not compatible with Imura in terms of personality, and often yells at her.So, they separated by mutual consent.Miyako didn't dare to inquire further, and Imura didn't want to talk about it. Imura has a daughter and a son.The daughter is twenty-two years old, and the son has just started college. Imura once revealed to Miyako that this daughter was recently approached for a kiss.After that, Miyako felt that Imura had gradually become dull. Imura was reluctant to talk about his daughter's marriage with Miyako.It's more annoying than happy about it.The wrinkles on his face had deepened, and his gray hair had grown more. Miyako had already estimated that sooner or later, Imura would request to end the relationship.As expected, last night, Imura made it clear to her.He talked in detail about his daughter's partner, the process of the kiss, and so on.For the daughter of a first-rate bank executive, the match was right. "Because I have been separated from my wife for a long time, they feel embarrassed. The other party is from a very old family, and the family rules are very strict. I wanted to simply refuse, but my daughter is very active in this marriage. Therefore..." "I understand," Miyako nodded with a smile, "Let me tell you the following... Since you and your wife are separated, if the other party finds out about me, the lady's marriage will be affected. Moreover, I am not ordinary It's hard to justify it. Therefore, it's just a clean break, isn't that what you mean?" "Ok." Imura Kui blinked awkwardly.His white hair was somewhat shiny. "I've been prepared for this... It's a matter of course. I'm such a bad woman. Please forgive me." Miyako put her hands on the tatami and bowed deeply. "It's my fault, and I'm really sorry for your one. I regret it too much. I will try my best to do something for you." Imura sat upright. "Do you mean money?" "I guarantee that I will pay off all the money you borrowed from the bank... Besides, although the amount is not much, I want to give you five million yuan, which can be used as part of your 'business'." "Is this money for severing relations?" "Don't use such ugly words." "I don't need this money. You guarantee that I have no way to repay the money I borrowed from the bank at present, so I have to accept the kindness. The interest is not counted, and the total is exactly five million yuan." "That's not enough. There's still working capital for the future." "I'll figure it out. So, don't worry." The accumulation of feelings that lasted for five years deepened the pain of parting. This feeling is wonderful.Miyako believes that she loves her husband Takuichi.However, once he decided to break up with Imura, his fascination with Imura couldn't help churning in his chest.Zhuo Yi's figure was hidden behind. Normally, Miyako feels that she doesn't have deep feelings for Imura, and she loves Takuichi more.Even though she met Imura only once in two months, Miyako didn't feel alienated from him.Seeing Imura's face in the general manager's office of the bank, or going out to eat together is enough.If there is any love relationship with Imura, it is just such a faint love that seems to put himself at the same age as Imura. Last night, when she decided to say goodbye to Imura, Miyako realized that this idea was wrong.Miyako suddenly felt as if half of her body had been amputated.It turned out that I had always relied on him so much.As Imura said, Miyako was embraced by Imura's hands. "Come to me if you have any difficulties. I wanted to say this..." Imura said to Miyako on the bed this morning, "But, in this way, we, no, I will be reluctant to part with each other, and that's not okay. So , this also needs to be written off. Only in this way can I make up my mind to forget you. " "Well, okay." Miyako put her face on Imura's arm. "Then, if you have difficulties... When you start a business, you are often short of funds. If you encounter such a situation, please come to Yamada from our bank. He is my confidant, and you can make any request to him. I will take care of Yamada ..." "No, don't do it, that bank, I don't want to go back at all." Miyako didn't want to think about Imura again. "yes……" At this time, Imura made a strange sound.Miyako saw Imura cry for the first time. After lunch, Imura sat on the sunny corridor, snuggled up to the wicker chair and looked at the mountains.From the bottom of the mountain, the sound of motors and whistles of cars can be heard from time to time. Under the early spring sky, Imura's figure is dark and sharp due to the backlight.However, Miyako could hardly believe her eyes, Imura was so listless.Seeing him so weak, this was the first time, Miyako ran to the wicker chair in surprise. "What's the matter with you?" Imura felt Miyako running to his side, so he lifted his head from the back of the chair and looked up at her in surprise. "No, nothing." Miyako stood there, overlooking the rolling mountains of Rokko.The light cast on the hills has diminished much. "Which side is Kobe?" Miyako suddenly asked an irrelevant question. "To the left. Oh, the direction is wrong, I can't see it from here." Imura said, and suddenly said on a whim: "It's too boring to wait here until night. How about going to Kobe by car now?" Imura looked up at Miyako. "Is there something wrong with going to Zhanghu?" "Nothing." Imura's eyes said: "I want to take a ride with you for the last time." "Great!" Miyako said with a smile, "I'm going out too." The car drove from Arima Onsen to Kobe along the gorge.The flat white road coils around the foot of the mountain, winding and winding, a bit like the scenery of Hakone.Next to it is a cliff with a stream flowing through it. The driver cranked up the horsepower.This is a taxi, the driver is young and not driving cautiously. "I'm talking about the driver," Imura reminded him from behind, "Don't worry. Don't cause an accident. Please drive slowly." "yes." The driver was a little unconvinced.His tone was, I am very familiar with this road, just look at mine. Imura looked at the scenery outside the window.He took Miyako's hand and put it in his coat pocket.This is also a rare thing, and he has always been embarrassed to do such a move.It must be the feeling of farewell in his heart. Miyako also doesn't talk much.Something heavy was clogging his chest, and his pulse was beating extremely fast. The road is winding and winding, and the scenery is ever-changing.After finally reaching the top of the hill, we started to go downhill again, and there was a very steep turn there. After driving into the canyon, the interior of the car was suddenly dark.As night began to fall against the bright sky, the driver turned on his headlights. However, after passing through the canyon, the glory of the setting sun was seen again.The car drove into the city.There is Ashiya. The streets of Kobe unfold before your eyes.At sea, ships flock together. The first light of the Chinese lanterns.The afterglow of the setting sun still remains on the roof and at sea. "How many times have you been to Kobe?" Imura looked at the scenery and asked. "Two or three times." "Really? So, where are we going?" Imura said in a conferring tone. "Anywhere, as you please." Imura thought for a while, then said: "Let's go to Maikohama." Imura designated Maikohama, who he would not be interested in, perhaps out of consideration for Miyako who was about to say goodbye, or because he wanted to commemorate his parting. The car went down the residential area in the Gaogang area and drove to the street where the trams came and went. The two of them remained silent, as if they were afraid that if they spoke, they would dilute the atmosphere. Miyako wanted to keep the feelings at this moment in her heart.From tomorrow onwards, Imura will never appear by her side.Miyako couldn't help but feel a little sad. This is not Tokyo, but a place to travel.Cut off from all environments in Tokyo.Even Zhuoyi's figure became indifferent. Standing on Maikohama, I saw Awaji Island appearing in black, and the sea surface of the strait shone with the light of sunset.The water looked heavy.Behind the island, the lights of the lighthouse shine. The two of them walked in the pine forest like a young couple.Not far behind, there was a cable car station, and the lights began to increase in brightness. Several fishing boats sailed past the island with red lights on. Soon, the last glimmer of light on the sea also disappeared.The darkness spread rapidly. The two of them returned to the car.The darkness of the sea permeated Miyako's heart. "Let's drive to Kobe." Imura asked the young driver.Without taking off his hat, the driver opened the car door.The car drove towards the place where the lights of Kobe were concentrated. "Where are we going to Xunhu?" the driver asked without looking back. "Ah, let's go to Toya Road." The driver said nothing, just nodded slightly. It took a full forty minutes from Akashi to the place designated by Imura.During all this, the two of them have remained silent.However, Imura's hand still held on to Miyako. Toya Road is located on the slope from Sannomiya Station to the Gaogang area. There are foreign businesses and Chinese restaurants on both sides of the road. It has long been famous all over the world. "It's been a long time since I've been here," Imura said, looking at the street. "Hey," Imura called to stop the driver, "just stop here." The car was parked next to the antique building of the foreign business house. "Go down and walk." Miyako and Imura walked side by side, and there was a shop on the street that specialized in imported antiques, old Chinese plates, etc.The exotic atmosphere is still preserved on this street. "When I was young, I worked in the Osaka branch. At that time, I often walked here." Imura said. Imura was in love with the scene, and he looked at every shop, he was intoxicated by the memories of the past.Miyako, who is walking with him now, will also belong to his memory of the past in the future, and it will make him nostalgic endlessly. A fat foreign lady walked by with a dog. Under the hillside, the neon lights of Sannomiya's bustling city exude a disappointing light. The two of them decided not to take the car and walked down the hillside on foot.It was windy and chilly. A corner of the poster stuck on the telephone pole was lifted by the wind, trembling, and Imura glanced at it unconsciously.Take a walk on the road and be interested in anything. "Ho!" On the poster, it was written in big letters: "The second phase will be performed", and the repertoire of the translated drama was also written. "It's from Tokyo. Which troupe's young man is it?" Imura did not stop, and continued to walk forward.After he left, the cigarette butt he threw away was left on the ground, still burning. A woman in high-heeled shoes approached the place where he had discarded his cigarette butt.Her sharp eyes cast on a man and a woman who had just gone downhill.The woman was young, in her twenties, with an innocent expression.Her two big eyes stared intently at the target for a long time. "house." A girl of similar age came from behind and patted her on the shoulder, saying, "What are you looking at?" Nomiyama House still stood with a serious expression on his face.Suddenly, she spit on the ground and turned around. "House, what's the matter with you?" asked the young theater actor, a friend of the house, in bewilderment. Imura and Miyako returned to the car after drinking tea at a café run by a Belarusian on Toya Road. They both felt a little more cheerful.Tomorrow morning, only Miyako will fly back to Tokyo alone, and Imura will go to the branch.That is to say, only one night is the last moment left for the two of them. "Go back to the hotel." Imura ordered the young driver. The car drove back, up the slope, and onto the road in the high hills.The streets of Kobe that I saw when I came here are now clearly outlined with brilliant lights. "This is nostalgic," Imura said contentedly. "I never expected to revisit the old place with you. I will never forget this place." "I remembered, once, you took me from Kyoto to Nara, right?" At that time, Miyako didn't know Takuichi yet.It wasn't long before I formed this relationship with Imura.The two of them traveled around the Kinki region for about a week.Imura is quite familiar with ancient temples and Buddha statues, and explained them to Miyako triumphantly. I can still vividly see the shadows of persimmon leaves swaying on the white walls of Yamato.Grass grows from the cracks in the wall, and straw mats are spread out on the road without pedestrians to dry rice. "From now on, you will be independent. You must be very energetic." Imura said in a relaxed tone.He tries to avoid dull language. "Well, I'm going to work hard." This was Miyako's sincere words, and she suddenly felt elated. "Work, are you used to it?" "Well, finally..." "Yes, yes, last time you said, you were convincing a writer, what happened?" Once, when Miyako met Imura, she revealed to him about Aonuma Zhenjiro. "He's actively writing for us." At such a time, Miyako thought it was amazing to talk about Aonuma Tejiro.Since the emergence of his competitor Shigeo Tani, Aonuma was greatly stimulated and started to work proactively.Of course, it's not free.The thing that Miyako promised became the driving force for his active work. Tanio Shigeo is also a weirdo. The first time he met Miyako at the hotel, he immediately asked for a tryst.This kind of cheeky statement frightened Miyako.I don't know if this is a serious talk or a joke.However, unlike Aonuma, he was a bit confused. Miyako immediately agreed to his invitation.She still invited Ke Nizi from last time to help. "I don't want to be your substitute all the time." But Neko gave Miyako a reproachful look, but finally agreed. "It won't be like that 'Mr. Green Gourd' this time?" Strange to say, Aonuma ignored her, but Neko felt wronged.But a person like Neko can be said to be a typical person who meets the requirements of the customer service industry.Once upon a time, she hooked up with a man who had been the mayor.However, she lost the mayor's support when it was discovered that she had a relationship with the chef in the restaurant.After that, no matter who she followed, she couldn't grow up. Still, she was a first-class kind person.She treats men sincerely, even if she is abandoned, she has no complaints. Miyako wants to get the manuscripts of Aonuma and Tanio no matter what.If the works of these two people are published, there will be a profit of at least 3 million yen.Their work will undoubtedly become a bestseller.Moreover, the new publishing house has established itself by publishing books by such first-rate writers as soon as it was established.Then it will be easier to work. After passing Ashiya Street, the car climbed up the ramp.Leaving the residential area, he drove into the mountains again. In the dark mountains, the sound of water murmuring. Miyako was held back by Imura again.In an instant, work, Aonuma, and Tanio were all forgotten. The car continued to drive back. The headlights of the car swept across the white guardrail on the edge of the cliff.Although night has fallen, taxis still come and go frequently.Arima Onsen, like Takarazuka, has become a playground for the citizens of Osaka and Kobe. Take a few turns. After passing the mountains, the descent began again.Maybe because it was driving at night, the driver drove faster than when he came. "I'm a little scared," Miyako said. Imura also cast his uneasy eyes on the meter, with a speed of up to 80 kilometers per hour. "Hey," Imura reminded the driver, "you're driving too fast. Slow down a little." The driver was muffled and refused to slow down.The car in which Imura and Miyako were riding passed the two cars in front.It seems that the driver got a little angry because of the repeated reminders from the passengers. At this time, two cars came oncoming with their headlights crossed.One is a taxi.The other one is a one-person motorcycle. It rushed ahead of the taxi and came straight over.The strong light dazzled Miyako. In an instant, the motorcycle swayed and ran towards the headlights of Miyako and the others. At the moment of braking, the driver's arm shook violently, and the lights of the headlights swayed like a flashlight.The darkness swirled, and a violent impact hit Miyako.