Under the Cherry Blossoms: A Literary Dialogue
Chapter 48
Teito Gakushukan Academy, attended by the sons of nobles and tycoons, naturally boasts an impressive campus within the city.
Cherry trees line the school gate, welcoming students with their blossoms every spring.
As the cherry trees were in full bloom, I decided to leave home a little early for a brief hanami*.
[T/N- Hanami is the traditional Japanese custom of enjoying the transient beauty of flowers, especially cherry blossoms (sakura). It typically involves picnicking under blooming cherry trees with friends and family.]
There was already someone standing under the cherry trees.
"Good morning, Keika-in. Were you admiring the cherry blossoms too?"
"Yes. I was just thinking how beautiful they are."
Standing in the middle of the cherry tree path, Mitsuya-kun looked as if he might be carried away by the blossoms, so beautiful and ephemeral he seemed. I stood next to him, also gazing at the cherry trees.
Under the clear sky, a gentle breeze swayed Mitsuya-kun's and my hair, and the petals fell fluttering around us.
It felt like a dance, making it understandable why many Japanese people love cherry blossoms.
"Did you know? They say there's something buried under the cherry trees."
"Kajii Motojirō's 'Under the Cherry Trees,' right? You've read it too, Keika-in?"
The conversation trailed off, but the silence wasn't uncomfortable.
I picked a cherry blossom petal from his blond hair and let it go.
"I quite like the literary giants of modern Japanese literature. Their way of life, for instance."
"...Are you serious?"
Mitsuya-kun looked at me quizzically.
Many of the literary figures of this era led rather flawed lives.
Yet they were validated by the words they penned.
Overwhelming art can blow away notions of right and wrong, morality and immorality.
I realized this when I read Dazai Osamu's "Run, Melos."
Although it's not explicitly stated, I am sure Dazai was influenced by the original story of "Run, Melos." Dazai Osamu, the man who left his friend behind at an inn as collateral for an unpaid bill. He seriously deserve a punch in the face.
I got off topic.
"If I were to recommend a single work by a modern Japanese literary giant, it would be Akutagawa Ryūnosuke's 'Toshishun.'"
It's the story of Toshishun, who, after acquiring great wealth and squandering it, grows weary of human coldness during his downfall and decides to become a hermit. However, in his training, he cannot abandon his feelings for his mother.
There's a part of me that still considers this life borrowed.
Akutagawa Ryūnosuke's 'Toshishun' confronted me with what it means to live a human life.
After all, I am destined to acquire immense wealth.
"For me, it's Niimi Nankichi's 'Gongitsune.'"
It's an utterly hopeless story where Gongitsune, who repents and tries to help people after causing heartaches, gets shot and killed, and his good deeds are only revealed after his death.
The harsh reality is that such things are all too common in this world, which makes it even more depressing.
Chapter 48
Mitsuya-kun, being a self-centered loner, seemed a bit out of character choosing that story.
"Why's that?"
"Because it's an unparalleled moral lesson that reality is hopeless."
This isn't a conversation elementary school students typically have. The sight of us both with our school backpacks on our backs seemed rather comical.
"Could it be that Mitsuya-kun wants to grow up quickly?"
"That's rather sudden."
"You seem mature—or rather, you seem to be trying to be an adult. That's what I thought."
Mitsuya-kun seemed to like what I said, smiling a bit and nodding.
His words carried a sense of resolve.
"Yes, I do want to grow up quickly."
"That's a waste. The time we have as children is precious."
"Coming from you, the face of Teisei Department Store Group, that's hardly convincing."
Right, of course.
As I closed my mouth, Mitsuya-kun voiced his thoughts.
"Recently, my father has been coming home late. Because of that incident, he's been very busy, working from early morning until late at night. I often don't even see his face. It's frustrating not being able to do anything. I wish I could help my parents somehow, but all I can do is study."
It's precisely because he understands the frustration of not being able to do anything that he wants to grow up quickly.
But children don't understand that for parents, just having their child grow up healthy is enough happiness .
When I realized this in my previous life , I finally considered myself as an adult.
"That's fine, isn't it? My parents already are under the cherry trees."
Mitsuya-kun apologized with a guilty expression to my offhand remark.
"I'm sorry, Keika-in. That was thoughtless of me."
"It's fine. Because of that, I feel like my life is floating. If I were to stand in Toshishun's place, would I be able to raise my voice? Honestly, I don't know."
The wind swirled, scattering petals in a flurry, obscuring our view.
Mitsuya-kun looked into my eyes and spoke.
"Keika-in is Keika-in. The Keika-in I know would definitely raise her voice and say, 'Being a hermit is boring.'"
"Pfft. What's that?"
The bell rang.
It was almost time for the morning assembly.
"Let's go. We don't want to be late."
"Yeah."
Sorry, Mitsuya-kun.
Maybe I'm already like a hermit.
So, I'll keep that secret from you and everyone else.
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Authors Note
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【Under the cherry trees, bodies are buried.】
I actually learned this phrase from CLAMP's 'Tokyo BABYLON.'
I loved Subaru and Seishirou. I can't believe what happened...
【Run, Melos】
Incidentally, Melos (actually Dazai) never returned, and when his friend, having lost patience, went to find him, he was playing shogi. Definitely deserving of a punch.
【Toshishun】
Incidentally, the original story is quite brutal, involving Taoist elements.
~~~End~~~