The Heart Page #4

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I distrusted you when I first arrived.

Well, now!

Like I said, I was betrayed

by my own relatives,

so I naturally distrusted everyone.

So you thought

I was after your money, too?

That's not what I meant!

You've nothing to worry about.

I'd never marry for money!

- Here's your shirt, freshly laundered.

- Thank you.

Please, don't misunderstand me.

For me, now...

You don't have to explain.

It's all water under the bridge now.

Of course it is.

I've come to understand

what a good-hearted person you are.

And me?

You, too, Miss.

Oh, is that all I am?

I want your help with Kaji.

Unlike me, he puts all his strength

into following his spiritual path.

Which path?

His path is...

...a religious and philosophical one,

the way of all human beings, I guess.

- Well, a man of noble aims.

- Absolutely so.

But he's been overdoing

the physical labour,

and it's affecting both his physical

and spiritual health.

I think he may be close

to a nervous breakdown.

So, as his friend...

No, as a fellow human being,

I want to help him.

Please, I want to ask you

to watch over him.

Your heart is in the right place.

However...

I'm home.

Welcome home!

May I come in?

- Here you are.

- Thanks.

- Are you not feeling hungry?

- Lndeed I am.

- Shall I prepare some food for you?

- There's no need.

But you must be famished.

Yes, but I want nothing.

This is for board and lodging

for both Kaji and myself.

- Please don't tell Kaji.

- Are you sure, Nobuchi-san?

Yes, of course.

But Kaji's such a proud fellow...

- Something's not quite right with him.

- You mean with Kaji?

Yes, I do.

Of course, renting two rooms

is more profitable than one,

but I can survive

on my late husband's war pension.

I don't really need the business,

and I wanted to refuse you at first.

I know he seems sullen,

but he's a good man.

No, I don't mean that.

I'm talking about his influence over you.

Over me? What do you mean?

How does Kaji have

a bad influence on me?

Kaji-san's a strange one.

He's hungry but refuses to eat anything.

What?

- Kaji...

- You're back?

I finished early today.

- You're always chatting to her.

- She lives here. So what?

You're wasting your time with her.

You think so?

Hey, you can use my room if you like.

I prefer my own. And I'm closing these.

I'm back!

Come on, let me darn it for you.

I'm the best in the sewing class.

- Welcome home.

- Are you just back?

Where's your mother?

Isn't she in?

Did she have to rush out?

No, she just went out to get something.

- Mother, something's wrong.

- What is it?

- Nobuchi-san's angry with me.

- Why?

I've no idea. I was just talking

to Kaji-san in his room...

I don't want to catch you

in Kaji's room again!

Oh... deep in study? You work so hard.

Please help yourself to some snacks.

Thank you very much.

Nobuchi-san,

apologies for being out before.

The fishmonger didn't come as expected,

so I had to go and fetch the fish myself.

I do apologise.

No, not at all... it's fine.

Well... l'm back now.

Sorry for disturbing you.

Miss?

Oh, when did you get back?

- Please give me back my hakama.

- They're still torn in several places.

Stop, please! I told you yesterday!

They're my things!

Why are you bothering me like this?

- Do you like looking so scruffy?

- Yes!

Please don't raise your voice to me.

I can hear you well enough!

As long as you understand!

Don't you agree, Kaji, that women

aren't to be underestimated?

The landlady's a good person.

And her daughter's very kind to us, too.

Think so?

Let's rest a while.

I'm glad you're feeling better.

You've been getting back

from college early.

The lectures are boring.

You study better at home?

- The daughter's graduating next year.

- Ls she?

Women can graduate

having learned nothing at all.

Studying isn't everything.

Women have to learn to sew,

play the koto, flower arranging...

Both of you will be graduating next year,

won't you?

And you, too, Miss.

- What if I should fail?

- Well, you don't study hard enough.

But you won't tutor me.

Shizu!

Kaji, let's go somewhere

for the summer holidays.

- Lf there's a reason you can't go...

- There's no reason.

I'd just prefer to stay here and study.

We should escape the summer heat,

it would be better for your health.

Then go by yourself. I won't.

I won't go if you don't.

Why not? You should go.

You can afford it.

It's not about money.

You're not showing perseverance,

you're just being stubborn!

According to Buddhist tenets,

worldly pleasures and desires are bad,

but it's dangerous to be obsessed

with only spiritual matters!

- You know nothing about Buddhism.

- Maybe so, but I know how to live life!

What's going on, Nobuchi-san?

He's been acting so strange recently.

I don't think so.

He's finishing his meal, he seems fine.

You're both just indulging him.

But did you not ask us

to take care of him?

I did try to warn you.

Aren't you glad you came?

What are you thinking about?

Nothing.

What if I pushed you into the sea?

Go on... do it.

I'm heading back.

Hey... your hand towel.

- A priest from the Nichiren Sect.

- Leave him be!

- Where are you heading, master?

- I'm going to Tanjo Temple.

Is it far?

It's in a village called Kominato,

a few miles from here.

It's Nichiren's birthplace.

What do you think

of Nichiren's teachings, master?

In Kominato, there's a beach

called "Sea-Bream Beach",

where two sacred sea-bream

were landed the day Nichiren was born...

I mean his teachings today.

Well...

Nichiren was famous

for his beautiful calligraphy...

Kaji, we've still got some way to go.

If you're in a rush, then go on ahead.

Who cares whether his calligraphy

was beautiful or not?

He knows nothing

about Nichiren's teachings!

That's why I told you to leave him alone.

Priests are ignorant.

Shut up! Only a fool ignores

his spiritual development!

Maybe so, but one should never

ignore one's humanity.

Am I not human?

Yes, but your talk of asceticism

and spirituality is just an act!

I'm not disciplined enough.

Stop being so obstinate.

Nobuchi, it's a shame you have no idea

how much I suffer for my soul.

I do know!

Nobuchi! If you hate me that much,

I'll go back to Tokyo.

Keep walking. Walk!

Kaji... where've you been?

Just out. And you?

The bookshop.

Why don't you put the lamp on?

Matches?

Nobuchi-san's late, isn't he?

Will you wait to eat with him?

- Welcome back.

- Evening.

Right, shall we start supper?

I've already eaten.

Whatever for?

Kaji-san's been waiting for you.

Kaji-san, please help yourself to food.

Kaji?

Did you go out with her?

No, we ran into each other in town.

I escorted her home.

You finished classes early today.

Guess where I've been.

I have no idea.

Go on, guess.

- Kaji-san's so strange.

- Why?

When he saw me in town, he ran off,

so I followed him.

What is it?

I'm going for supper.

Aunty must be so happy that

cousin Zenji's become a lieutenant.

Will tonight's celebration be a big affair?

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