The Heart Page #5

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What? What?

I was asking you about tonight's party!

What?

Oh, never mind.

Oh, Shizu? Did you ask Nobuchi-san

to take care of the fire after supper?

What? What did you say?

What about Nobuchi-san?

What are you thinking about?

Nothing at all.

The mother and daughter

have gone to Kanda?

To their aunt's.

Who's this aunt?

She's the wife of a military man.

Why have they gone?

For some party or other.

- Why aren't they home yet?

- I don't know.

Why do you ask?

I thought...

I thought I was stronger than this.

But, as you said...

I'm merely human after all.

No wonder I'm so contemptible.

And I've been lying not only to you...

...but to myself as well.

I'm suffering.

But...

...I can't get her out of my mind.

I've been trying to hide

the way I feel about her from you.

- Kaji!

- I...

Whenever she comes into my room...

...my heart misses a beat

with the love I feel for her.

What you just told me...

have you told anybody else but me?

No.

Have you said anything to her

or to her mother?

No.

I see...

I understand how you feel,

but what do you intend to do about it?

What will you do?

Nobuchi?

Studying?

Just researching something.

Want to take a walk?

I will in a while.

I'll wait, then.

Finished already?

It's not important.

- What do you think?

- About what?

About me...

I'm ashamed of my weakness...

I'm confused.

Confused? What about?

Do I go forward... or back?

Could you go back if you had to?

Could you?

And what about following

this "path" of yours?

Was that all lies?

"Only a fool ignores

his spiritual development."

"Only a fool ignores

his spiritual development"!

A fool...

I'm a fool.

Let's talk of it no more... please.

But you brought up the subject

in the first place.

You can choose to rise above it,

but you've got to mean it.

You really have to mean it

in your heart.

In my heart,

my mind's made up.

- What's wrong? Not feeling well?

- I think I've caught a cold.

- Want me to call a doctor?

- No, it's nothing. Just a headache.

Look after yourself. See you later.

Oh... you're ill, you shouldn't be up.

I was just bringing you this.

It's nice and hot.

Thank you.

Are you not hungry? Don't you like it?

Yes, thank you.

You're not busy this morning?

No. Why do you ask?

There's something I want

to talk to you about.

What is it?

- Let's not be so formal...

- I'm not being formal at all.

Where's your daughter?

She's gone to a friend's house.

Some party or other.

She'll be back home later tonight.

- Has Kaji said anything to you lately?

- Like what?

- What's he said to you?

- Not about him.

So, then?

Madam, I'd like to ask

for your daughter's hand... please.

Please... as my wife.

I have no objections,

but it's all a bit sudden.

- I suddenly want her!

- Have you thought about this carefully?

I spoke out suddenly just now, but I've

been considering it for a long time.

- I just didn't have the courage to ask.

- I see...

I'd like to marry her

immediately after I graduate next year.

Very well, I'll give her to you.

Sorry, I should phrase that

with more humility.

Please accept her.

As you are well aware,

the poor girl has no father.

- Thank you so much.

- Not at all, I am overjoyed.

But... we should really ask

your daughter how she feels.

That's all right.

I wouldn't force her into anything

she didn't want to do.

When are you going to tell

your daughter?

Anytime, it doesn't matter, does it?

You have my consent.

But if you'd prefer sooner rather

than later, I'll tell her this evening.

I'd prefer that... if you wouldn't mind.

I'm just going out for a walk.

- I'm home.

- Welcome back.

Kaji-san?

- Where's Nobuchi?

- He's been gone since this morning.

- Where did he go?

- "For a walk," he said.

He's an odd one!

Won't you have some tea?

Come, sit yourself down.

Kaji-san, what are your plans

after graduation?

Well... nothing in particular...

I know we've become good friends,

and I'd like you to stay on here,

but after Shizu gets married,

I imagine they'll want to live here.

- Your daughter's getting married?

- Well, nothing's been formalised yet.

But Nobuchi-san seems

to get on very well with her.

Nobuchi is going to marry

your daughter?

Oh, you didn't know?

Did Nobuchi-san say

nothing to you about it?

Nobuchi-san asked for my daughter's

hand in marriage only today,

so I imagine

he'll want to tell you later.

Or maybe he said nothing to you

in case we refused.

But what determination!

He wants to get married

immediately after graduation!

I see...

In any case, it's cause for celebration.

You should be pleased for them.

Congratulations.

When's the wedding?

We've not got that far yet!

I'd like to give them a present,

but I have no money...

Oh, no...

- Welcome home.

- I just got back.

Why didn't you say anything to Kaji-san?

I didn't have the opportunity.

That's not good, is it?

He's such a close friend

and yet you didn't tell him?

Anyway, he seems very happy for you.

Is that so?

Hey... are you feeling better now?

You shouldn't be going out.

I got you some medicine.

I got you some medicine.

I'll leave it there.

Hey!

Is anything the matter?

"Nobuchi, Brother"

"I have given in to my weaknesses and

I have no hope, so I am ending my life.

"You have been so good to me

for all these years. Thank you.

"Please take care of things for me

after my death,

"and apologise to the landlady

for the trouble I have caused.

"Please send word to my family.

"I should have committed suicide earlier.

I don't know why it took this long."

Who's that? Nobuchi-san?

Today's Sunday.

Madam, if you're awake,

could you come?

What is it?

- Something terrible's happened.

- What is it?

Madam...

Kaji has committed suicide.

I'm so sorry... for you and your daughter

that this has happened.

It was completely unforeseen...

There's nothing that can be done now.

Open the rain shutters, please.

"Please come urgently.

Your son has died."

How much is that?

My son always was a little odd.

He often spoke of his hatred

for this world.

He never came across like that.

With regard to his remains,

I think he should be buried

in Zoshigaya Cemetery.

He really liked the place.

The two of us often went for walks there.

Thank you so much

for all your care and attention.

May we proceed

with the funeral arrangements?

Lift your end more.

Supper's ready, my dear!

The tofu they had today

wasn't that good.

Since General Nogi's death,

stores have been closed in mourning.

I wonder how Hioki's father is?

I feel so sorry for the poor boy.

How's your aunt in Kanda?

Why don't you look after her for a while?

Her illness will last a while yet.

You don't have to worry about me.

Well, maybe I should go, then.

You could go tomorrow.

I'll be on my way, then.

Take your time.

And give your aunt my regards.

Kume? Take some days off

and go visit your home village

"Nobuchi, Tokyo"

If you've anything to ask of him,

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