The Heart Page #2

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about working?

You said he wasn't always like that.

I could rely on him.

- Did he change all of a sudden?

- Not suddenly. It was more gradual.

And you were with him all through this?

Well, we were married.

But, as his wife, you must surely know

the reason for such a change.

Hioki!

Do you think it's all my fault?

Not at all.

I don't know how many times

I've asked him,

"If it's something I've done,

then please tell me frankly."

Had the fault been mine,

I'd have changed it,

but all he'd say was, "You are faultless,

the blame all rests with me."

Hioki, please help me.

Since you've known him,

has he mentioned nothing to you?

If you know anything, you must tell me.

It was while I was staying

at a friend's house.

I thought he must be a local.

He looked as though he'd entered

the water never to return.

My imagination must have

been running wild.

That's how I met Sensei.

Nothing more than that...

Since then,

I've felt a strong bond with Sensei.

However,

I still have no idea

what kind of a man he is.

There is something

that I remember, though...

You mean about why he changed?

Perhaps you can explain it...

I will try my best.

It was when he was still at university,

and he had a very close friend.

The friend died just before graduation.

It was all very sudden.

It was an unnatural death.

What happened?

From that time onwards,

he began to change.

I don't know how his friend died.

My husband probably doesn't either.

Then it must be his grave he visits.

Yes.

Can the loss of someone close

change a person in such a way?

- Welcome home.

- Thanks for keeping the thieves away.

- I think he was disappointed!

- Really? You must've been bored.

- Stay a while and relax.

- Come on through.

Where did you disappear to, sir?

Sensei, I realise I've learnt more

from you than from all my courses.

Don't be so conceited.

Do you not believe me, sir?

Not you in particular.

I just don't believe anyone.

Not even your wife, sir?

I don't even believe myself.

Basically, because I can't believe

myself, I can't believe anyone else.

I'm cursed,

there's nothing I can do about it.

- Lf you think like that, then everyone...

- No.

I don't think that way, I act that way.

Kaji!

What is it, sir?

Sir? What happened?

Sir, let's take a rest.

Very well.

What time is it?

It's still early. Your wife asked us

to be back for 5:00.

She shouldn't go to any trouble

on my behalf.

Well, graduation is a cause

for celebration.

- They look like newly-weds.

- They seem very close.

Have you ever fallen in love?

Never, Sensei.

Love is a sin. Did you know that?

- Why?

- You'll understand.

Please explain in more detail

what you mean by sin?

Forgive me being so direct,

but does your family have wealth?

Not that much.

I know your father's

not going to die yet,

but you should make sure

you get your inheritance.

My family are country people.

They're honest folks.

So all country people are honest?

They may seem good people,

but they can turn dishonest

just like anybody else.

What do you mean by that?

It's the truth... not theory.

I was cheated out of my inheritance

by my very own relatives.

It was after my parents passed away.

Before my mother died, she asked

my uncle to take care of everything.

He was known as an honest man...

At least, that's what I believed

when I went off to university in Tokyo.

I spent each summer holiday

back at home in the country.

We'd all have met you at the station

if you'd given me notice.

Not at all. Oh, Uncle, I'd like to talk

to you about the place at Urayama.

- Why do you bring that up suddenly?

- Someone's interested in buying it.

But I require your permission.

It's not that simple.

Why don't we sell it?

We don't need it anymore.

We can talk later. Your bath's ready.

Chizu? Is the bath run?

By the way, have you thought

any more about Chizu?

I think you'd make a splendid couple.

I did promise your parents to look

after their property and financial assets.

- But Chizu's my cousin.

- Even better! She knows you well.

Well... we may have been friends

as kids,

but marriage is a different thing

altogether

I'm sure Chizu thinks the same.

I won't marry for your sake.

What are you saying? You're...

He wanted to trick me out of my money.

I realised that the marriage

to my cousin was simply a cover-up.

While my father was alive,

my uncle had been a good man,

but now money had changed him

into a dishonest one.

I'll never forget that day

as long as I live.

Since then, I've never trusted anyone.

Sir, you said that you could trust

neither yourself nor your wife?

That's because...

...l'm only human, too.

Sensei, you're hiding something...

No, I'm not.

You're hiding something.

Listen, Hioki...

I think you're confusing my past

experiences with my present thoughts.

No, Sensei, what happened in your past

has shaped your present.

For me, experience and ideas are

worthless if one separates them.

That's why I seek advice from you, sir.

You're brave.

I just want to learn from life.

Even from my own dark past?

My past experience has taught me

to distrust others.

But I would like to believe in you.

You're too innocent to distrust.

I wanted to be able to believe

in someone before I died.

Would you... be that person for me?

- Yes.

- Very well.

Then I shall tell you.

I'll tell you all about my past.

But not now.

I promise I'll talk when the time is right.

Shall we head back?

My wife's probably got the food ready.

Where is your graduation certificate,

Sensei?

I wonder what happened to it.

It'll be around somewhere.

I put it away some place.

What are your plans for the future?

To be honest,

I haven't really thought about it at all.

Your family has money,

so you've no worries.

- I'm a bit like your husband...

- But you ought to have a job.

You mustn't emulate him

in his idleness.

I don't idle my time away.

How's your father coping

with his illness?

I don't think he'll live much longer.

His illness is incurable.

There isn't much hope.

Shizu...

I wonder if you'll die before me.

Why?

I was just wondering, that's all.

Maybe I'll be the first to go.

Usually, it's the husband who dies first.

Not necessarily. But maybe

it's because the husband's usually older.

Exactly, that's why I'll die first.

- You're an exception to the rule.

- Really?

You're in good health,

so it's likely that I'll be the first to die.

Yes, definitely me.

What would you do, if I died first?

What do you mean?

What could I do about it?

- What do you think?

- I really couldn't say.

Of course, it depends on your life span.

When will you get back

from the countryside?

September, probably.

If I die,

I'll leave you this house, my dear.

"If I die, if I die"!

Is that all you can say?

Even if you die, I'll do whatever

you decree. Isn't that enough?

Jiro's back, my dear.

Ah, you're home.

Hello, Father.

And you've graduated, that's good.

Help me sit up.

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