Chapter 15 Chapter fifteen

The house is behind the big hotel.There was a path beside the long wall of the hotel.Walking along this path to the end, we came to a small one-story house with lush trees in the yard, and the gate was very simple. Miyako surveyed the house before ringing the bell. Although the house is a bit old, the architectural style is a bit unique.The terrain here is good, and the house has the flavor of a villa.Imura probably took a fancy to these things and lived here. Even so, the house was simpler than Miyako had imagined. This is too shabby for someone who has been the general manager of a bank.

A woman in her fifties greeted her, and she looked at Miyako in surprise at the door.Maybe there are very few guests here, so the ladies don't know how to entertain guests yet.She repeatedly asked Konno's name. There was the sound of desperate footsteps from inside.Suddenly an old man appeared at the door. "Ah, it's you." "Oh." Miyako raised her head and smiled, but at the same time she doubted her eyes.Could it be that the person in front of him is Shigehisa Imura who just broke up a few months ago?I saw that his head was full of white hair, his plump cheeks had become thinner, and the wrinkles on his face had increased.

"I heard a voice that sounded like you inside, so... ah, come in." "yes." Miyako walked in behind Imura, and she noticed that Imura's back was a little bent.The pace of walking is also slow. Is that injury still not healed?He looks so old.Could it be that such a drastic change has occurred in such a short period of time?Miyako couldn't help being surprised. They walked into an eight-tatami-sized room, which looked a bit like a tea room.The room is bright because of the sunlight hitting the sliding paper doors facing the verandah. The two of them sat down across the tea table.Miyako put her hands on the tatami and bowed to Imura.

"Long time no see, hello..." She said the last few words tremblingly, tears welling up uncontrollably. "I will never forget your kindness for saving me last time." She finally choked up and said this sentence. Imura was silent.He was also very excited.Although Miyako lowered her head, she could feel Imura's desolate mood. "No, don't say that..." Imura finally answered, but his voice was a bit strange.He was also in tears. "It's over. Let's both stop talking about it." Miyako raised her head and saw that Imura was smiling through tears.His face looked very old, probably due to thinness and deepening of wrinkles.

Imura wasn't like this just a few months ago.At that time, his rosy and fat face was full of confidence and a moving smile. Is there such a big difference between a man who is engaged in a career and after leaving it? The superficial reason for Imura's retirement is that he was injured in a traffic accident.But I heard that there are also struggles within the bank.So maybe Imura was annoyed by this. Seeing Imura's old-fashioned appearance, Miyako felt very guilty.After being seriously injured, he rescued himself.He tries desperately to convince Miyako to run away so as not to cause her trouble.

Although I have decided not to meet him again.However, emotionally helpless, I couldn't help but want comfort and courage from him again.However, after seeing him, he regretted it.He is no longer who he used to be.Now it's time for Miyako to comfort him. "Is your injury healed?" Miyako asked. "Ah, the injury is healed. But I'm getting older, and it's not the same as before." Only the tone of Imura's speech has returned to its original spirit. "You have to pay attention to your body." After hearing what Miyako said, Imura said: "Well, I plan to live in seclusion and live a leisurely life. Now I am separated from my wife, and there are only me and the deaf old woman just now." He answered Miyako's question first.What an open-minded, sensitive person.

Miyako lowered her gaze.She didn't dare to say, "That's too inconvenient!" "Why didn't you call Madam?" "So." Imura seemed to see what Miyako was thinking, and said with a smile. "The scenery here is pleasant, and the air is fresher than Tokyo. I always take leisurely walks and read books." When Imura said this, he seemed to have noticed what he had just said, and asked again: "Yeah, speaking of books, how is your progress there?" Is it all right?" Imura observed Miyako's expression. "Well, it's okay." Miyako nodded.

"That's good, you are very capable." "No, I can't. There's a lot of trouble." "In times of recession, books are easier to sell." "Although some people say that, it is a big publishing house. A small publishing house like ours is far inferior to..." "Really? I really hope that your publishing house will publish a striking publication advertisement in a first-class newspaper as soon as possible... Oh, how is the manuscript of the popular writer Aonuma-san? You have such high expectations, Did you get his manuscript?" Imura still remembered what Miyako said, so he asked.

To say that Aonuma is really disgusting.When Miyako called him before going out, his aggressive words still echoed in his ears.She sensed something ominous. "Well, I finally got the manuscript." Miyako replied, her brows furrowed. Imura watched Miyako's expression, and asked again: "That's good. But, in this way, a lot of funds will be needed." Imura saw the shadow on Miyako's face, and mistakenly thought that she was worried about funds, so he expressed his concern . "Yes, but this problem may still be resolved." "Really?... Have you asked Yamada to do something?" Imura asked this with a slightly unusual tone.

Before resigning from the position of general manager, Imura once said to Miyako like this: "Even if I resign, I will still tell Yamada, and you can go to him when you need money in the future." If she resigned, maybe the bank would not give her any more loans.Imura said that to her with this in mind.Regarding the question Imura raised just now, Miyako got the impression that Imura was not trying to persuade Miyako to borrow money.For this reason, Miyako couldn't help being surprised. In other words, he was saying with an uneasy mood, have you borrowed it?Don't go to Yamada to borrow money.

Why was he disturbed?Why did you change the wording? Miyako learned from his words that Imura no longer has any real power and influence over the bank. Miyako thought to herself, can a person who loses real power become so cowardly?When Imura was the general manager, he had an unrestrained personality and didn't stick to trivial matters.That's because he can do whatever he wants in terms of work.Now it was very different, weak and powerless.He was also worried about whether he had asked Secretary Yamada for a loan.He knew that Yamada would refuse.Imura seems to be a bit shy about visiting Miyako.He could no longer provide convenience to Miyako, and felt ashamed of his situation. Miyako could see Imura's attitude and couldn't help but feel sad. "The scenery in this area is very beautiful." Miyako said in order to change the atmosphere. "Yes, the view from this room is beautiful. You open the paper sliding door there to have a look." Imura seemed relieved. Miyako stood up and opened the sliding paper door of the corridor.Through the glass doors outside, mountains and streams come into view. "Ah, it's beautiful." Indeed, the scenery is very good. "Yes, sitting here and looking out, the outside scenery seems to be inlaid in the picture frame formed by the eaves and the paper sliding doors on both sides." "It's really nice to be so pleasing to the eye." "It's hard to live such a leisurely life. When I worked in the bank, I was busy all day. I often couldn't help but sigh, when will I be able to live a leisurely life..." Miyako felt that Imura seemed to be fooling herself by saying that.He hasn't reached that age yet, it might be better to say that he is still at the stage where he can do a lot of work as an entrepreneur.Men will undoubtedly feel lonely when they leave their careers.Leisure time is pleasant only in a busy life, but Imura will not be satisfied with such a leisurely life in an environment without work. Probably there was a cold war in the bank about his resignation.However, when she felt that the direct cause was herself, Miyako was also uncomfortable.Still shouldn't be here to visit him.She came here with the image of Imura in the past.When she encountered difficulties or could not make up her mind in the past, as long as she came to Imura, she would feel the warmth of this generous man like the sunshine in spring.However, in Imura now, there is only the dim light of the slightly cold winter. Miyako bid him farewell.Imura showed reluctance, but did not force her to stay. In the past, Imura was generous and talked and laughed happily.But now, Gu Ying is gloomy and gloomy. "How is your husband?" he asked for the first time. "Ok." "Really?... You have to treat him well." Is it because of Imura's determination to distance herself from Miyako that she treats her husband well, or is it a warning to her because of the indifferent relationship between Imura and his wife? "I'll see you off." Imura stood up. "My maid is not only deaf, but also too clever." Imura muttered, walked to another room, and took out his short coat from the closet. Seeing that Imura's life was so inconvenient, Miyako couldn't help but walked to his side and helped him put on the short coat from behind. Imura turned around and said thank you, as if he was very happy with Miyako's slight care.This is also different from the past Imura. Imura didn't move a muscle as Miyako strapped his jacket.However, he suddenly hugged Miyako. Imura kissed her forehead impulsively. "Miyako," he said. "I can't do anything for you anymore." "Where did you go..." "No, I don't have any power anymore...you don't come here anymore." "..." "You come to see me . . . I will feel pain." This is his sincere words. Miyako originally wanted to do something for him to comfort him, as a reward for his kindness.However, she was wrong.Men think of another matter.Imura didn't want her to see her miserable situation again. "I won't come again." She agreed. "Okay, that's it." Imura seemed to want to say something, but kept silent.Then he changed into a cheerful tone and said, "Hey, let's go." "I wish you good health forever." She wanted to say, as long as you are healthy, maybe you will have good luck, do you have such strength.But finally the words could not come out. "Okay, you have to take care too." Imura nodded and said, "You are a capable person. If you can use the opportunity skillfully, you will have a bright future... However, you are a little too impatient, if you can pay attention to this Enough." "Ok." Miyako felt that what Imura said hit her own weakness.In fact, I now seem to be in trouble because of this anxiety.If he was the old Imura, then Miyako could discuss everything with him. Out of the house, they walked along the stream.Next to it is a big hotel.Above the bushes, tall buildings with tall roofs can be seen standing. Imura looked up at the house and said, "I heard that a novelist used to come to this house." He also mentioned the name of a famous female writer who is now deceased. "Probably because it's quiet here, which is good for writing." Before arriving at the hotel, I saw a gurgling stream, along which there was a stone path, and the mountains on the other side of the river were within easy reach. "Are you cold?" Miyako said to Imura who shrugged. "No, it's not cold. Go a little further, and I'll send you to the station and go back." "You'd better not get too tired." "I usually walk here too, it doesn't matter." Miyako thought that she might never see Imura again, so she moved closer to him. On the second floor of the hotel, novelist Shigeo Tanio and two editors are drinking.Tanio was already very drunk.He has been living here and writing since a few days ago. When he just finished writing the first issue of the magazine's serial novel, two responsible editors came, so they drank together. Tanio is a popular writer comparable to Aonuma Tejiro, and the two of them are rivals.Both Yanwei and Aonuma are perverts.Tanio has a greater capacity for alcohol than Aonuma.His life was more debauched than Aonuma's, and he spent almost more days in hotels than at home.Moreover, he often has bizarre behaviors, which amaze people.A sarcastic critic once scathed him, saying that Tanio attracted people with his theatrics. At this banquet, they also talked about Aonuma Tejiro.Tanio laughed as he listened to the two editors criticizing Aonuma.Although he didn't express his opinion, he gloated in his heart. "That guy seems to have accepted an invitation from a publishing house and is writing a new work that will be published immediately. The president of that publishing house is a beauty..." "Oh, is it a female president?" "Because it's still an unknown restaurant, that beauty has bewitched Aonuma and asked him to write for them. That guy seems to have finished writing triumphantly." "Ah, he is so busy, does he still have time to write such a new work?" The two editors were taken aback. "That's the kind of person he is." Gu Wei didn't say that he also accepted the female president's request, and how much he had written so far. "However, it is still enviable to have a new work that can be turned into a book immediately." "That lazy man wrote so desperately, it can be seen that he has been completely fascinated by that female president." "Maybe you have tasted something sweet?" "I don't know about that guy. From my point of view, that female president is also a difficult person, so she won't fall into Aonuma's trap so easily. It is likely that Aonuma took the bait and desperately tried to help She's writing." "That female president is really amazingly talented... Is she single?" "It's not a single person. It seems to have a husband, but the husband is not up to date. A capable wife will be matched with an incompetent husband." "Is it a married woman? Then Aonuma is of course what you want... Has she also asked you to write a manuscript?" "No, I don't have time to spare. First, I won't use Aonuma's devious tactics." "Sir, you have a quick eye." "I don't have a good reputation, but I'm actually an innocent person." Taking advantage of the belly laughs of the two editors, Gu Wei went to the toilet. He passed the corridor on the second floor on his return, intending to look at the stream below, so he looked there for a while. Suddenly, Gu Wei was taken aback, staring at the front and stopped. On the gravel road beside the stream, an elderly man and a slender woman were walking there clinging to each other.Gu Wei's eyes fell on that woman's face, that was the female president of the publishing house they had just talked about. Tani could not be wrong.When he promised to create new works, he once raised a corresponding price to this woman. They were so close, they talked so affectionately, and they walked so slowly, it could be seen that their relationship was extraordinary. A displeased expression appeared on Tanio's face, staring at Miyako Konno. He was too drunk to stand there. "Hello, hello." As soon as he returned to the room, he called the two editors who were drinking. "The female president we talked about just now is taking a walk there." "Ah, what?" The two editors put down their glasses and hurriedly stood up. "It's the woman Aonuma is chasing after desperately writing new works for her. Look!" He pouted his lips downward. The stream is full of white water and flowers are rushing.The man was wearing a plain pongee silk dress, but the woman was wearing a colorful kimono. "Surely a beauty," said an editor.Although the distance is relatively far, her slim figure and white face look very beautiful against the backdrop of the surrounding scenery.From time to time the woman turned her face to the man.Then you can see her beautiful face. "Who is that man?" asked the editor. "Hmm..." Gu Wei was still looking at it carefully, and the more he looked at it, the more unhappy he became. "It's a boss." "Boss? Is it her husband?" The editor also watched the two of them off. "Bastard! Like her husband?! There is such a big age difference between them. Such an old man..." Gu Wei shook his body with a grin. "That guy is a woman's funder. That is to say, that woman is his concubine." "But, Mr. Tanio, didn't you just say that that woman is married?" "That's not a problem. Nowadays, even if you have a husband, as long as you have money, you can do anything. It's a pity." "This is outrageous." "It's outrageous. But that woman can do it. She tricks men into writing for her. In that case, in order to get the money needed for a publishing house, a married woman will Become the old man's little wife." The reason why Tanio accepted her draft was because of the awareness of competing with Aonuma, but another reason was because of his ambition to get her.Moreover, he is also very interested in the adventure of capturing the married woman of the female president. However, seeing her being so intimate with the old man in front of him now, he couldn't help but feel angry. The old man and the woman were already out of their sight and walked towards the main road. "Go get the card case in my coat pocket." The editor brought a card case.Gu Wei looked inside for a while, and said, "Ah, this is this one." He took out a business card and showed them both. "Haha, is it called Beidou Publishing House? This is the first time I've heard of this name. The name Konno Miyako is quite attractive." "You call her home immediately." "However, since she's not at home, it's useless to call." "I'm going to tell her husband about it." "Huh?" The editor was also taken aback. "Anyway, she is hiding it from her husband and letting the rich old man manipulate her. In order to maintain justice, we need to tell her husband. Hurry up." "Sir, forget about it." Even the older editor advised him. "In that case, that woman is too pitiful." "What's so pitiful? If you sympathize with her, the righteousness of the society will not be able to lift its head." Gu Wei said inexplicable words, his eyes were wide open, and his face was livid. The editors knew his temper well, and knew that if he didn't follow his will at this time, he might mess around.I had no choice but to tell the accountant my phone number.The young editor found it rather amusing. "How is it, have you got through?" Gu Wei urged while standing. "Ah, now it's finally connected, but no one has answered the phone." "What's the matter?" "The phone is ringing." "I'll come." Gu Wei became impatient, picked up the phone receiver, and the phone rang intermittently.Gu Wei listened patiently for a while, and muttered: "Is there no one?" "Sir, if there is no one now, how about calling later?" "Well, okay. Then, let's drink for a while." Finally, Gu Wei wobbled back to the messy table. It was past six o'clock in the evening when Miyako returned home. The maid was cooking supper when she entered the house. "Madam, you are back." The maid with a northeast accent greeted her. "What about sir?" "Go out in the afternoon." "yes?" After Miyako changed her clothes, she sat down exhausted.The old figure of Imura who broke up in Yugawara is still vivid in my mind.Still shouldn't be there.As he said, on the way to Arima Onsen, he climbed out of the car that fell off the cliff. From then on, the two of them should never meet again. "Ma'am, the meal is ready," the maid came to inform her. "Thank you." Although she said so, she wondered where her husband Zhuo Yi had gone?She planned to wait for him to come back before eating, so she said, "Wait a little longer." The maid seemed to have sensed what she meant, and then told her: "Well, sir seems to be traveling today." Miyako was taken aback. For travel, Miyako has been persuading him to go.He himself has expressed this meaning.However, if he really wanted to go, he would definitely tell Miyako first, and then go.She couldn't imagine that Zhuo Yi would leave without saying goodbye while she was not at home. "Did he say where he's going?" she asked, feeling something ominous, staring at the maid's face. "I didn't hear him say where to go." "What did he bring?" "He packed his clothes for going out into his traveling suitcase and went out." "Did he say when he'll be back?" "Oh, he didn't say... Miss, don't you know he's going out?" Miyako remained silent.She was uneasy. Mei also hurried to Zhuo Yi's room to check.The area around the table is usually messy, but today it was neatly tidied up.She ran to the desk and opened the drawer. As expected, there was a white envelope inside.On the envelope, the words "Received by Miyako" were neatly written in pen.Her fingers trembled. She was terrified of opening the envelope.She prayed in her heart and opened the envelope. There were seven or eight sheets of letter paper inside.The first few words jumped into her eyes, but she couldn't calm down.She closed her eyes for a while, forced herself to calm down, and then began to read the letter. I thought about it for a long time and finally decided to do it. All I've been thinking about is breaking up with you.I don't know how many times I want to tell you this matter, but I can't make up my mind.Parting from you is painful.However, I finally got a good opportunity to make this decision. Today, about three hours after you left the house, Mr. Aonuma Tejiro called.Mr. Aonuma asked me on the phone, are you the husband of Miyako Konno?After that, he said a lot of words to me, and I almost fainted as I listened. What did he say?I didn't write it in this letter.Because if it is written in words, it will increase my pain, and for you, it may not be able to stand.Anyway, Aonuma said that he was cheated by you, and he reprimanded him loudly.Aonuma gave me a detailed explanation of the reason for being deceived. Ever since I married you, I have considered myself happy with the woman I love most in the world.But, on the other hand, I was often terrified.I'm a totally incapable person.I want to write poetry, I want to write beautiful and good poetry.I know best that it is only a dream. you love me very much.I still believe in this.I think it is also true that you started a publishing house in order to get my poems published.And, you say, people don't care about anonymous publishing houses, so I know they're working hard and working day and night to make them famous.Thinking that it was also for the publication of my poems, I am extremely grateful... Also, what I am most happy about is that you are always worrying about me in order to prevent me, an incompetent person, from feeling inferior.I can't thank you enough for this. But... I really don't want to write this word.However, since I want to leave without saying goodbye, I still have to write.You are working hard at the publishing house for your life and for me.But, in my opinion, your business talent goes too far.I think, if you are a man, then you can indeed become an excellent operator.But, you're a woman, and unfortunately, you're a pretty woman, which is not good for doing it alone.Also, the life you lived before you and I got married has had a profound impact on you.You use it as a weapon at work. Aonuma heard something that I had already noticed from somewhere, and pointed it out mercilessly.That is, you used to have a relationship with the general manager of a bank.How I hope what you said about "selling your natal family's mountains and forests to raise funds for publishing" is true. Therefore, the source of the funds was never asked after that.I realized that I have no ability to live, and I am not qualified to meddle in my own business.But then I was afraid to inquire about that matter.It would be great if I could erase this ominous guess from my mind, but Aonuma just told me this fact. Aonuma said that he would send someone to return the advance payment of royalties he got last time to you.At the same time, you are required to hand over the manuscript he gave you to the person he sent. I told him that you were not at home, and Aonuma said, then I will get the manuscript later, and I will return the money first anyway.In fact, the men he sent had already brought it.That bag of money is now sitting in a drawer of my suit cabinet. I don't want to say anything more.No, I even regret not writing about these things.I want you to know, though, that I don't feel betrayed by you, cheated by you, etc.As a husband who has no ability to live, I thank you for your sincere treatment.I also know that you are working like hell to get my poems out there, and, for that matter and for a living, are trying to develop a publishing career.However, I also know very well that this career is not easy and you are working hard.I also think that, for this reason, you have taken some extreme actions, and you have to do so because you are isolated and helpless in the fiercely competitive publishing world. But, I can't always rely on you to live like this.Because I understand how much trouble my existence has caused you.Not only do I not hate you, but how much I want to live with you for a long, long time.Moreover, I would really like to see that the shady methods you adopted in the establishment of your publishing house will not appear again after the business has a solid foundation, so that your publishing house can really become a healthy publishing house.For it I can pretend not to know anything.In fact, although I have been troubled by ominous speculation, I have persisted until now.This is because I believe that your love for me is sincere. However, the moment I heard Aonuma's words, I couldn't control myself anymore.I don't want to write the same thing over and over again.It's just that I feel how boring it is for me to be so obsessed with my own poems.For you, no, for the whole society, I may be a superfluous person.You can really take care of me, who is no longer young, but is always after dreamy things. I really didn't expect that the trip you advised me to take would start in this way.I wish you early success in your eagerly awaited publishing career.Of course, my love for you remains the same.I want to take care of you first, please don't report my affairs to the police station or anywhere else.Because my wish is to lie quietly in a place where no one knows... Miyako felt dizzy for a while, and her eyes were dark.