Yama no oto Page #4

showed me any love.

I had to choke back the tears

when he said that to me.

Just calm yourself down.

Nothing definite has been decided yet.

I can't calm down!

The moon looks so beautiful tonight,

Mother.

- Kikuko, here's father's hot-water bottle.

- Right.

Careful!

Are you in pain?

Good morning. Forgive me, I overslept.

That's alright, take your time.

You drive everyone mad

getting up so early, my dear.

I had to listen to Shuichi

groaning all night. It was awful.

So sorry.

Why are you dressed like that?

I guess my husband's slovenliness

has rubbed off on me.

You should've checked him out more

closely before you made me marry him!

Good morning.

Morning.

Do you fancy going

to see a movie today?

No?

I'd love to go, but...

We have to discuss the new maid, dear.

Who knows what your father

intends to do, sweetheart?

It's been a fortnight

since Fusako walked out on him.

You call Fusako slovenly, yet you can't

be bothered to do anything to help her!

You're all talk and no action when

it comes down to solving her problems.

She's had to move back here

to escape her husband.

She's not even divorced yet,

no wonder she's upset.

Don't just stand around like that!

Get yourself dressed!

Sorry to keep you waiting.

Father, I have to go ahead and

drop by the Iwasaki Corporation.

- No breakfast?

- No, thanks.

Thank you for waiting.

What's ailing your friend?

She's feeling weak after childbirth.

Oh, I see.

It's so beautiful!

All the leaves have turned red.

You've always got so much on your mind

that you never notice things.

Oh... I should try to take more notice.

Why did you have no breakfast

this morning?

I had to rush because I wanted to leave

with you.

You go out so rarely,

of course I'd have waited.

I've been thinking...

...maybe the two of you

should get your own place.

The wife and I talked it over last night.

Why?

Is it because Fusako has come back?

No, it has nothing to do with Fusako.

I'm just thinking of you two.

Do you not think

it'd be better for you two?

If it was up to me to choose...

I'd prefer to stay.

You're always so kind to me.

I've been a pretty useless

father-in-law to you.

I never discuss important matters

with you...

Not at all.

You don't have to say anything to me,

Father...

...because I always know

that you appreciate me.

If I had to live away from you, Father...

...I'd feel utterly helpless.

Maybe that's because

you were spoiled by your parents.

Anyway, I believe it's the best

solution to your marital problems.

Just thinking about it fills me with dread.

All alone at home,

waiting for him to return.

Bye for now, Father.

Just arrived?

I've just dropped Kikuko off

at the hospital.

The hospital?

Is Kikuko ill or something?

No, not that I know of.

I wonder if old people's lives

really are so meaningless.

It gives me the creeps, that.

The face is so lifelike.

It's beautiful.

Is it supposed to be the face of a child?

Oh, you're up?

Has your headache gone?

- You're not feeling nauseous, are you?

- No.

I see.

Maybe it's just exhaustion, then.

- We'll have a new maid soon, won't we?

- Hm...

- Sorry you have to do the maid's work.

- Not at all. It's fine.

Father's still playing with that thing

he got from his friend that died.

His family asked me to buy it.

I'm thinking about it.

Kikuko, there's a story in here about

an old couple who killed themselves.

They wrote a final letter

to their daughter and grandchildren.

"We think it's better to end our lives

while we are still loved by our family.

"If we were to linger on for years

and become a burden to our family...

..."it would spoil all that we've lived for

"We feel that

we are far too old and weak now...

..."to advance and lead anyone

along life's righteous path.

"So, while we are still surrounded

by a loving family...

..."and many affectionate friends

and colleagues...

..."we choose to depart this life

not knowing where destiny will take us.

"We merely seek an endless sleep."

Your father and I have discussed

what we'd write in our final letter...

...if we were to commit suicide.

She's so lazy,

she'd leave it to me to write!

Well, I'd have nothing more to add

if you wrote it.

What about you, Kikuko?

If you were to commit suicide

with Shuichi, what would you write?

I have no idea.

But...

...I would like to write something to you,

Father.

What strange behaviour!

What's she crying about now?

Maybe it's hysteria?

Yes, it must be an attack of hysteria.

Kikuko?

Yes?

The machine keeps snapping the thread.

Would you take a look at it for me?

Maybe it's showing its age.

I've had it since I was a girl

Don't crowd us.

Sorry to trouble you, but I was afraid

it might put a stitch in my hand.

It might respond to your subtle touch.

You must be tired.

You must be, too.

The only ones in this house who never

seem to tire are the grandparents!

Then there is one

we can't fathom out at all.

I'm seeing the people from the bank.

Any messages?

- I'll see them at tomorrow's meeting.

- I see.

- What was wrong with Kikuko?

- It was nothing.

- What was it?

- It was just a headache, that's all.

That's it?

Your mother said she went straight

to bed after coming back from Tokyo.

She'll be fine in two or three days.

It's nothing.

Really? It's seems more

than just a headache.

She was crying all last night.

Why is everybody so interested

in what happens to Kikuko?

She gets ill sometimes, okay?

So what's the illness?

Shuichi!

Going for a walk?

You're hiding something!

She had an abortion.

What? She saw a doctor?

That's right.

- Yesterday?

- Yes.

- You made her do it?

- It was her decision.

Liar!

It's the truth.

Why? What made her do such a thing?

You could have stopped her if you'd tried.

There's nothing I can do for now.

She's so determined.

What do you mean, "for now"?

She said she refuses to have my child

if I carry on the way I have been.

- With that other woman?

- I guess so.

You guess so?

Can you not see that this whole affair

is killing Kikuko!

It's more than just a protest against you.

It's like a semi-suicide!

Kikuko's just being stubborn.

She's a woman! She's your wife!

If you'd shown her more consideration,

she'd have willingly had your child.

Your affair is irrelevant.

I'm not so sure.

Kikuko knows we're all expecting her

to give us a grandchild.

Just think how ashamed

she must be feeling.

You're breaking her heart and destroying

her hopes of ever having a baby.

That's not true.

Kikuko lives by her own rules.

That's why she refused to have the child.

I don't believe

that's her real motive at all.

Surely you're not fool enough to judge

a woman's moods at face value?

What will your mother say

when she hears she's lost a grandchild?

Well, at least we know

Kikuko can have children now.

Mother will be relieved.

How can you guarantee

she'll be able to have another?

I guarantee it.

This just proves how heartless you are!

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