The Heart Page #3

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- Lt's good to see you.

- Ls it all right to sit him up?

Of course it is.

I'm very pleased...

that you've graduated.

Yes, indeed.

Graduating from university

is no big thing.

Hundreds of students graduate

every year.

Yes, but... it means a lot to me.

Otherwise, I could have died

and never have known

that my son had graduated

from university.

It's wonderful.

Last year when Jiro came home,

the doctor told us that you'd only have

three or four months left to live

But you've survived thus far.

Yes, I'm lucky...

Jiro...

You probably don't think

it's very important

that you've graduated

from university,

but to me, it's wonderful news.

Let me see your graduation certificate.

You should roll it more carefully!

You must look after it!

Display it in the alcove.

Have you written to your sensei

to ask for his help in finding you work?

Yes, I sent him a letter.

What does your sensei do?

He doesn't do anything.

Surely, he must do something.

I guess he does something.

If he's as fine a man as you say he is,

then he's bound to find you some work.

The Emperor has at last passed away.

AS AHI NEWSPAPER:

"Emperor Meiji Passes Away"

Dear, I'm going to pay my respects

to the Emperor.

You do that.

I'll stay here and pray quietly.

Afterwards, may I call in

to see my aunt in Kanda?

I heard she's not well.

Give her my regards.

Oh, the buds have blossomed.

It's grown so quickly.

Oh, yes, you must answer Hioki's letter.

It's been quite a while.

"Thank you for your letter.

"I have been meaning

to reply to your request

"for help in finding you

some form of employment."

Kaji...

- Kaji, it's fine.

- What is?

The lodgings! The landlady is friendly,

and she says it's fine.

- At your place?

- Yes, the room next to mine is vacant.

- Hey, that's good, isn't it?

- Watch it!

What good is chopping wood

for the temple going to do you?

I'd rather stay here.

Give it up. It's not good for you,

all this hard labour.

- I can look after myself.

- I know that.

But you have to think about your future.

If you get sick,

that'll be the end for you.

One's future stems from one's present.

I'm not denying your philosophy

or religious leanings.

All I'm saying is, your health is important

to your studies and your future.

But beyond my studies,

I want to strengthen my will.

But working yourself into an early grave

in vain isn't going to help you.

"In vain"?

It's not in vain, it'll make me

strong and independent.

For a person to grow, they must show

perseverance in adversity.

Right?

I've been disowned.

I've no money for tuition fees.

But that has made me stronger.

Even chopping wood

for this poor temple,

at least I'm following

my own independent path.

I understand.

I am lacking in your strength

of character.

- I'm sorry for what I said.

- You've no need to apologise.

- What I'm doing is my own choice.

- Lt's not that...

Despite your family's opposition,

you were determined to leave home

to study philosophy.

I supported your decision then,

and I'm in no position

to criticise your choices now.

Let me learn from you,

from your way of life.

- I'm not asking you to live like me.

- I know. I want to.

Please. Let's share lodgings.

Let me learn from you.

There it is.

Hello?

Welcome back.

My dear?

- You weren't long.

- Evening.

I just heard that crowds of people are

mourning outside the lmperial Palace.

Really?

Well, it's to be expected.

The Meiji Era has ended.

There'll be a new lmperial Era,

and we'll have to change with the times.

It won't be that easy.

People like us were born and bred

in the Meiji Era.

I think we'll always feel behind the times

and not understand the future.

If you're so stuck in the past, then

why not follow the Emperor in death?

Follow the Emperor in death?

That's right, some people have

followed the Emperor in death...

If I were to commit suicide,

it wouldn't be to honour another person

but for the spirit of the Meiji Era!

Koichi's here, my dear!

Sorry I'm so late.

I'd have brought my wife,

but she's just given birth.

We're just glad that you could come.

It would've been too much of a worry

bringing her here after having a baby.

When I recover,

I'll come to Kyushu

to see your new baby

I'd be so delighted

if you'd take me with you, my dear.

I'm glad you're in better spirits

than I thought you'd be.

- A telegram. From Tokyo.

- For me?

"Must talk. Come see me.

Nobuchi"

He's followed the Emperor in death...

in death... in death.

General Nogi has committed suicide.

Ever since the Satsuma Rebellion,

when he lost his regimental colours

to the enemy,

he has wanted to commit suicide

in atonement.

For over 35 years, he had waited

for the opportunity to die.

And on the day of the Emperor's funeral

his chance finally arrived...

- My dear...

...just as the guns were fired in salute.

They delayed the announcement.

A telegram arrived from Hioki.

"Cannot come. Father critical.

Hioki"

When did you telegraph him?

You must have contacted him, otherwise

he'd never have sent you this telegram.

When did you telegraph Hioki?

Why did you summon him?

What do you want Hioki for?

- Shizu...

- What are you hiding from me?

- I'm not hiding anything.

- You're lying!

Why can't I know?

About you and Hioki?

About you and Kaji?

About Kaji?

Yes... he was once your best friend.

After his death, I wasn't even allowed

to mention his name.

- Why did you forbid it?

- Shizu, please!

Until now, I have never

once mentioned it.

And now Hioki...

He's the only friend we have.

I was so happy for you,

but now it's happening all over again.

Between me and Hioki?

Shizu, I don't know

what you're talking about.

Don't lie to me, please.

Something's going on between you

and Hioki that I don't know about.

I am your wife.

I've been by your side for 13 years.

Do you love your friends more

than you love me?

I want to know

what you feel in your heart.

You're mistakenly confusing

Kaji and Hioki.

You know who means more to me.

Listen...

Please! Leave me alone!

Madam, what would you like me

to buy... for supper?

Let me see... as we've not had any

for a while, let's have tofu this evening.

My husband likes it very much.

"I have just received your telegram

"saying that you will be unable

to come to Tokyo

"due to the fact that

your father is gravely ill."

"General Nogi and his wife

follow Emperor Meiji in death"

"The reason I wanted to see you

"is that I feel the time has come

to talk with you about my past."

So you're saying that

Kaji's a bit cold-hearted?

What I meant is that

I, too, was like that once.

And now, Nobuchi-san?

Has your icy heart melted at last?

I'm talking seriously.

I mean, although our personalities differ,

our circumstances are similar.

But he's rather standoffish.

I've become more sociable

since coming to stay here with you both.

You're just flattering us!

No, it's true.

To be perfectly honest,

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