Chapter 5 Section five

The platform was a bit chilly in early winter. Mariko turned up the collar of her coat and stared at the empty platform. The purple coat matched her fair side face very well. The station announcer announces: The Tohoku Line Limited Express from Sendai to Ueno is about to enter the station.Mariko walked slowly towards the ticket gate. If Iseki had left Tokyo because he was desperate for her love, she would probably have confused and distressed him by telling him about her husband's affair. If you think about it calmly, Iseki is not an ideal person to talk about the problems between husband and wife, because it is difficult for him to be a calm third party. Mariko called Iseki here, maybe it is subconsciously wanting to take revenge on her husband.

It may be an act of infidelity to meet the man who loved her deeply before. There was noise around the ticket gates. At 21:09, the "Skylark No. 9" express train entered the station, five minutes later than the scheduled time.The gray roof of the car was wet with rain, and it must have rained on the way to Ueno. It may not be the sightseeing season, so there are not many tourists. Mariko soon saw Iseki Kazuhiko, and Iseki also saw her, and walked over quickly, waving his hands. Jingguan, who hasn't seen each other for three years, seems to have changed, but also doesn't seem to have changed. His face is still the same as three years ago, with a gentle smile on his face, but the overall impression given to her is that he has become very mature and very mature. Steady, probably because Iseki seldom wore a suit three years ago like today?

"Ah!" Iseki said in a somewhat indifferent tone.Maybe it's because he hasn't seen each other for three years, which makes him feel unfamiliar? "When I received your letter, I was surprised... and very happy..." "Sorry." "No, it doesn't matter. What happened?" "That……" Mariko opened his mouth to speak, but stopped immediately, because first, he didn't know what to say, and second, this kind of thing couldn't be finished all at once. "Let's leave the station first!" Mariko said. They walked out of the station side by side, the neon lights were shining brightly, and the night sky was devoid of a single star.

It looks like it might rain in Tokyo too. "I haven't been to Tokyo for three years." Iseki said looking at the world of neon lights. "It hasn't changed at all, not just the street scene, but you—" "No, I've changed." "You're prettier than ever, looking happy—" "..." "What's wrong? Did I say something wrong? If so, I apologize-" "No." Mariko shook his head. "If not, I'm relieved." Iseki said very politely. "How about a cup of coffee?" "it is good." "Where is better?"

"Anywhere is fine, as long as it's quiet—" "I understand." Iseki stopped and looked around at the night view of Ueno. "There is a cafe near Ueno Suzumoto, and I often go there when I am studying." "Okay, let's go to that cafe." "Tajima-kun went with me. That's right! How is Tajima-kun?" "Very good." Mariko replied in a blunt tone. Iseki didn't seem to notice that something was wrong with Mariko, and said with a smile, "Really?" The two of them turned into an alley and entered a small cafe called "Boat House", with a Spanish sailing ship cut out of gold leaf pasted on the glass door.

It seemed to be a resting place for artists, for when they sat down inside, they were surrounded by men with long hair and gold-rimmed glasses and young women in colorful dresses. Perhaps three years ago, her husband Tajima and Iseki came to this cafe to talk about the future just like these young men and women. After Mariko and Iseki each ordered a cup of hot coffee, Iseki asked Mariko, "Can I smoke?" After Mariko agreed, Iseki took out the cigarette.The reason why Iseki was so polite was because he didn't see each other for three years, which made him feel unfamiliar, or because he cared about Mariko who was already a wife.

"It's not very quiet here." Jingguan said in fear. "The only upside, though, is that our conversations won't be overheard." "yes." Mariko nodded while looking around, and saw a painting hanging on the pillar. It was a small painting, and Mariko couldn't help but change her face when she saw that painting, because the colorful picture of a naked woman was the work of her husband. And that smiling woman with bare bottom was none other than Kuwahara Yumiko. "Let's go!" Mariko couldn't help but yelled out.