"OTOUSAN" (Daddy)

　　　 “ OTOUSAN ”(Daddy)


Apart from people who were waiting bus, I sat down on a stone and opened my sketch book. The crater was about one kilometer across. Wide grassland was surrounded in the rock wall which changed height gradually. I hesitated where I should draw. In a moment I decided to draw around the top of rock-wall which I had just climbed.
　When I finished drawing the rough contour with pencil, I feel a sign of person in my back. I hardened my body. I disliked that someone peeped my work when I was drawing it. Immediately I heard“Hello!”It was cheerful voice. I looked back. An old plump gentleman was standing with a rattan hat in his hand. He wore cool-looking white pants and light blue shirts. His sweat stained trim shirts partially.
“Hello, Mr.”So replying, I turned my face from him and continued to draw the picture. I thought the old person departed soon. But, he got near to me and watched the sketch over my shoulder.
“Excellent! ”He shouted. It was delightful to be praised, but my concentration was broken off. I started drawing wrinkles of the rock wall, but lines became suddenly clumsy. I abandoned to continue drawing .
“Have you climbed to the top of Diamond Head? " I asked.
　The old gentleman nodded and picked out a notebook of black cover from a small bag.
“I sketched from the top.”
　So saying in fluent Japanese, the old gentleman sat down next to me. He opened the notebook and showed it to me. Many hotels seen from the top of moutain were drawn roughly with a pen.　Buildings were drawn as if mere boxes. Several lines which displayed windows of buildings had protruded from the building. I cannnot comment his picture. I said only“Nice”and I changed the subject.
“Can you speak Japanese?”
“ Yes, A little. ”
“Your Japanese is very fluent.”
“Thank you.”
　The old gentleman turned over pages. He showed pictures one after another and explained where he had drawn them. Because every picture was not good, I rather had favor to him. The old person showed his pictures not to be proud of them but to speak to me more intemately by them.
Suddenly soud of engine roared. I found a bus had started from bus stop. Oh,my god. Next bus will start about an hour later. “Wait!”I shouted. But the bus increased speed and vanished into the tunnel drilled on the rock wall.
　I stared the tunnel where the bus went out in utter amazement.The sun of winter season was going down and the shadow of the rock wall had extended in the crater. After one hour it would become much dark.
“I am very sorry.”
　His voice had tone of apology but he was settled.
“At the other end of that tunnel there is a stop of trolley bus. From there many bus start to Waikiki .”
“How long to go the stop?”
“About 15minites”
“ Oh,it’s good”
“Let’s go”
The old gentleman began to walk. I put away the sketch book in my shoulder bag and chased him. The the old man was as tall as me,but his back and waist are much more stout than mine. In the rear part of his thick neck,there was pleat of greace.
　As the old gentleman said, there was a bus stop near the end of tunnel.An open trolley bus circled with pipes of brass in place of hard body was waiting. We got on the bus quickly and sat downn to seats together. There wewe no passenjers without us. I feeled releaved and relaxed. I wanted to speak to the old man and I introduced myself.
The old gentleman told his name as Charles Brook. He started speaking with very open mind. He was Canadian and his parents were British. He was a retired professor.
He had researched the resource inquiry at a university of Vancouver, but seven years ago he had retired at the mandatory. Now he took care of academic society of resource inquiry and wrote books and enjoyed traveling. He has no family. He said so lonesomely.
　Mr.Brook said he would like to invite me to a restaurant as a token of apology.
Hearing it I became suspicious. I had read a caution in a guidebook that a good dressed gentleman spoke to travellers to induce a dangerous bar and drink together for the sake of swindle money.
But, because the name of restaurant he mentioned was attached with a very famous hotel, my angxiety was much reduced.
I had deposited nmy passport, credit cards and the large denomination bills to a safe of my hotel.Ｉdecided to go with him. I wanted to speak a little more with Mr.Brook. My father had died in my childfood. And so I am interested in some men as old as my father. My experiences over forty years told me that Mr.brook was not a liar.
　The restaurant was in a corner of grand courtyard of fine hotel. Half of the seats were inside, half were outside which were close to sea.
Mr.Brook asked me which seat I wanted. I answered “outside one”. A waiter approached us. He seemed to know Mr.Brook as a hotel guest. He led us pleasently to a table near the sea.
“Ask anything you like, please,” said Mr. Brook.
“Thank you, I want to eat same menu as you.”
I answered passing menu to Mr. Brook.
“Japanese often says as you”
He laughed and called the waiter and asked beaf steaks. “Well done please,”I said to him.
There was a beautiful pool in the middle of big courtyard. Inside the pool there was a mosaic of flowers. As It had been dark, nobody was in the pool.
　Two litle bottles of beer were carried. Mr.Brook took a bottle in his hand, filled up my glass. Mr.Brook stoped me to take another bottle of beer and he filled up his own glass.
“Cheers!”We cried.
Mr.Brook was so delightful. His face was filled with affection and familiarity .　Taking meal, we talked about the impression of this island and other countries which we have visited.
Mr.Brook asked me why I was travelling alone. The reason was alittle complexed.
My wife had won a Hawaii trip ticket at a lot of year-end sale. The travelling ticket was just single, furthermore travelling day was appointed to week days of February. My wife could not travel for her job in this season. Any her relatives did not want travel to Hawaii. After all I could not refuse this cheap ticket. Because I was a researcher in laboratory and it was reatively easy to take a holiday. I spoke this mixing English word ocasionally.
　As for Mr.Brook he came here for cherishing the memory of his son. This was the last city that they travelled together. Mr.Brook narrowed his eyes.
“My son was named Kenichirou. He was a Japanese.”
　I wonder if Mrs.Brook was a Japanese and she gave her son Japanese name.
“ Kenichirou was a good-skilled chef. He worked at a grand French restautant. We were not related by blood. But he was my son and my family and my partner. Nine years we lived together. He was a splendid man. As Japanese expression - Ki wa yasasikute tikara moti-In English he wsa very gentle and powerful. We were happy, I think. At least I was very happy.”
The tale of Mr.Brook should be strange for me Japanese, but his words sounded not queer but natural and beautiful. I remembered that Canada was a free country where marriage of any sex was accepted.
“I am sorry,”Isaid.
I heard buzz from near the pool side. I looked toward there to know what happened.
Elegant dance of this island was being showed.
I turned away from pool side and watched Mr.Brook. He looked unusual. His face turned pale and he clenched his fists.
“Are you all right ?”
I asked. Mr.Brook did not answer to me. He probably wanted to take out something from pocket of the shirt. His hand trembling and fingers just hanged around the entrance of the pocket. I stood up hurrily and tured the table. I crouched just beside him and thrust my hand to the pocket. As some plain sheet touched to my fingers, I pulled out it quickly. It was thin case of tablet. Mr.Brook nodded and raised the thumb and the index finger. It probably ment two pills. I pushed out two round tablets and showed them to Mr.Brook. He carried them to mouse in a harry and drank them with beer which was at hand.
“Shall I call the waiter ? ”
When I asked , Mr.Brook shook his head strongly.
Mr.Brook gazed one point on the table and was enduring motionlessly.
Two or three minutes later his pale face became a littele reddish. Also his expression became calm.
“Pardon me. I frightened you. I am free from danger now.”
Mr.Brook said directing his face to me.
“ Do you have a chronic disease ? ”
“ Yes,I have. Blood vessels around my heart occasionally choke”
“ You should go to hospital.You should.”
“ Oh,yes. Two weeks later, surgery is scheduled in a hospital in Vancouver. I don’t know surgery will succeed or not because I am so old “
The voice of Mr.Brook became merry again. I returned to my own seat. From my fingertip smell of sweat of Mr.Brook was drifting. It had been attached when I had taked out the tablet. In my fingerchips soft touch of his chest remained also.
“Thank you for your invitation to meal. Now you must go your room in this hotel and lie down quietly”
I started to stand up.
“Please wait!” Mr.Brook gazed at me.
“ Please hear me a little more” Mr.Brook begged. Feeling not ordinary sign in him, I sat down again.
“Kenichirou died three years ago. He was 43 years old. It was an accident. A little before the accident, I proposed to him that we should become family formally.It was the time when the government of Canada accepted free marriage which had been accepted in several states of Canada. I strongly hoped that he could inherit my legacy smoothly and that we spent as formal family in near the end of my life.
Kenichirou’s reply was ambiguous unusually. Kenichirou said he wanted to return to Japan in several days. I thought he was talking to leratives about our deep affectionate relationship. Kenichirou who had returned from Japan seemed to be depressed. After a month, Kenichirou slipped down from the rock wall in a moutain of Canadian Rocky. Kenichirou was familiar with that mountain. I am sure he had not lost his way. I believ he did not kill himself. Even though I can not think that my proposal was unrelated to his death at all. He should worry about it. Perhaps he could not concentrate. I heard after his death many Japanese had unbeleable prejudice for same sex affection. That torchered Kenichirou severely, I think. It’s so regrettable that I could not share his pain.” Mr.Brook sighed.
I didn’t know what words I must say.
“ Oh,　I told you so sad story , perdon me,”said Mr.Brook.
He didn’t miss my expression of embarassment.
“ Today I climbed Diamond Head because I wanted to trace the road which Kenichiriu and me had walked along together. I knew it was bad for my sick heart. But I hoped strongly to feel breath of kenichirou. Fortunately no attack occurred in my climbing. I felt Kenichirou here and there in mountain road ,in stairs,in tonnels, in obervatory. When I came down from he moutain, you were sketching. You were similar to Kenichirou. Very similar.somewhere had been similar to [kenichirou]. I did not reflect upon my impoliteness and spoke to you with absorption. Perdon me ,please.”
“ Oh, you are welcome.I enjoy talking with you very much.”
“　Your words put me at ease.”
Mr.Brook smiled comfortably.
“If you don’t mind , would you call me OTOUSAN ? “
“What?”
I asked and Mr.Brook blushed.
“Would you call me OTOUSAN ? ”
“Yes, of course. But･･･”
“Oh, I surprized you, Did I ? I do not tell that you should think me as dad. I only want to hear the beautihul Japanese word OTOUSAN once again. Kenichirou had called me OTOUSAN.”
I am not good at such action as this. But I decided to say“OTOUSAN”for his sake.
The word “OTOUSAN”slipped out from my tong much easily than I expected. It was the word which had not been mentioned for a long time. My father died 30 years ago. And I could not call father of my wife “OTOUSAN” by any means .
Sweet sound which had been forgotten sank into my body. My heart became calm. Suddenly, I thought I should say something which would cheer this old gentleman.
“OTOUSAN! OTOUSAN! I don’t know whether his death was accident or not. But Kenichirou should be very happy in the life with you. Perhaps it was a most brilliant term in his life.”
It was quiet. Dance show beside the pool had finished. In the restaurant only several people remained at tables. My voice was low but it sounded around. Pupils of Mr.Brook were moist.
“Thank you. I wonder if your words were spoken by Kenichirou. Thank you !”
So speaking Mr.Brook closed his eyes. Darkness spread just beyond the light circle made by lanterns of the restaurant.
Sounds of waves reached us.　 (END)

New Family

I leaned to the guard rail of the terrace to look at the grand
rock wall from the peak of Mt.Ioudake to Mt.Akadake.It began to get dark, but the rock wall was shininig redly by horizontal light beam of the sun.
I heard French in my back and I looked back. Two men sat down in the bench looking up at the rock wall. They seemed very familiar. The older looked over 70 years old and younger near 50. They were just gentlemen. If they wear formal suits, we wll regard them as the young president and the old chairman.
The older man's head was bald and lower half of the round face was covered with white mustache. The mustache was cared well. The younger had blue eyes and chestnut hair.His face was small compared with his sturdy body. I cannnot speak French,so I dared to speak them in English. The older's English has provincial accent,but the youger's one was excellent. The older said he had worked as a technician of a clock company.He mentioned the name of the company proudly which was known by producting the highest-class clocks.
The younger said he managed a trade company in Paris.
"Are you father and son?"I asked.
"Oh, yes " The older ansered.
"But no blood reration" The youger added.
"Your dauther married with him"I asked again to the older.
He laughed merriry and said "No! Our relation is more free and more friendly" I could't understand his word.
"We are father and son in new family.Usually son cannot choose father and father cannnot choose son.We choose each other in many person." The younger explained.
They had seen in Alps trekking,and waiting for retirement of the older, they started to live in the suburb of Paris. They lived together in six years.
Beer and wine were carried to the table. We cheered loudly.
After a sip of wine ,the younger and the older exchenged cups.They stared each other with ultimate respect and familiarity and they drunk up ther cups.

end　

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
　　

Rock Face

The sound of water reached me. Soon, Kitazawa filled amount of water appeared. Although water is clear, stones in the bottom of the river were reddish brown. Was there iron ingredient in water? As I walked,the river reduced water gradually. I crossed log bridges which tied by wires. Whenever the road closed to moutains, it turned from this side to the opposite of the river through log bridges. The woods of larches had mixed by firs. When the loose uphill way became a little abrupt and I went over the big log bridge, a big rock face of Mt.Yatugatake began to be seen between mountains of either side. Ridge of a particularly big rock towered in the center of a rock face. It must be a famous stone called Daidoshin. How it would be nice to show this brilliant scene to Mr.U. I continued to walk thinking about him. Mr.U had been my coworker of a research institute and we had a good relationship in a dormitory for singles. After graduate from the technical junior college in Fukushima, he had included in Y university in the inland of Kanto region. He graduated from it, and went into our research institute. He had said “I had not been satisfied to be employed just after graduate junior technical college. So,I had an examination for admission into he third year class of Y university” He had graduated first from Y University. After going into the research institute, Mr.U was driven into study and research.Whenever I called at his room of the dormitory,he was reading dissertations taking notes.Mr.U seemed to be too eager.Perhaps,he had never known those who were superior to him . On the wall of his room , photographs of mountains cut out from magazines were pinned up. He said they were Mt. Komagatake and Mt. Yatsugatake. Mr.U had not climbed either, and just looked at them from Chuo Line. At autumn Mr.U sometimes had been choked with a cough. Voice had also got husky. Even if I recommended to go to a hospital, U said, "I cannnot rest from work.I can not waste precious holidaies”Mr. U wanted to takes few paid holidays for homecoming. In the spring of of the next year,he appealed his poor health and went to the attached hospital of the company The fiscal year changed and 20 paid holiday were newly given . He was taken to hospital immediately as a result of inspection. After being sent to hospital, the state of Mr.U became severe suddenly. When I visited, he smiled in shame.His face became thin and the eye became large. While I had gone by on-site training to Osaka in the summer of the year, Mr.U passed away suddenly. He died of lung cancer. The funeral was performed by the customs of the country which I had not seen. His mother of white clothing grasped the rope attached to a carrier which carried the coffin. He was buried in the ground unberned. He was only 23 years old. Since then , whenever I had delightful events or interesting things as marriage, a child's birth and so on,I recollected that U had finished his life with not knowing such things. Coming to the place where I could have an overlook of rock wall from Mt.Iou to Mt.Akadake, I stopped.The large rock face was shining red by the setting sun of autumn.

Embarrassment of Mr.Yaguti

When I reached the ticket gate of Sannomiya Kobe station,first grader Inagaki and a dark boy were standing near the gate. Inagaki found me and said,"This is Yaguti in my classroom.He hopes to join our school journal club."
Yaguti said,"How do you do.I am Yaguti."
He took off his school cap and lowered the close clipping head abiding by school reguration.
"How do you do.Did you have been in other club?"
I asked him because many boys who want to join club in second term have left clubs in first term.
"In mathematics club"
Yaguti said.He seemed much ashamed.
"This guy is a son of Mr.Yaguti.".
When Inagaki said so, Yaguti's cheeks blushued. Words of Inagaki reminded me that his sound jaw and almond eyes were just like Mr.Yaguti's.
Mr.Yaguti tought us very strictly and was feared from students not to be good at mathematics. If they cannot solve probrems in the practice,they must stand in front of the blackboard allthrough the mathematics class. I was relatively good at mathematics and I was familiar with Mr.Yaguti.
"Why did you leave mathematics club,"I said.
"I don't like the atomosphere of the club".
"All menbers of our club will welcome you.Our hands are very short to make newspapers"
I said so and pat the shoulder of Yaguti.
Inagaki asked,"Can he go together to the newspaper company ?"
"Certainly.If he cannot proofreading work ,he may just see our work todat."
When I said it,Yaguti took his cap once again.
"Pardon me.I am too late."
So saying Minami,chief of the journal club,appeared. Inagaki introduced Yaguti to Minami as a son of Mr.yaguti,but Minami only nodded to them silently with his face firm.
Minami completely give up to learn mathematics ,so Mr.yaguti scolded him over again. Otuka,2 grader jocular boy,apeared and apolojized to be late exagerratedly.So,the air of the place became peaceful.
When we arrived at the newspaper company, Yaguti completely excited and his eyes shone brightly. He seemed to have been charmed by the newspaperman and the cameraman with armband scamperring busily in the corridor.
Working space given to us was a corner of printing type field separated by boards with frosted glass.We could see the printing type workers through slits of boards. Yaguti frequently stood up and were seeing them.Workers with apron were arranging very quickly printing types from the shelf to their small wood boxes.Yaguti seemed to be much interrested in their work.
When the proofreading of a school newspaper finished,Minami had just gone to negotiate the payment and Otuka went home immediately.So,Yaguti,Inagaki and I were left surroundinng the table.
"How Mr.Yaguti spend in your house".
I was interested in the behavior of strict Mr.Yaguti in home.
"My father is very nagging and my mother and sisters are nerves".
"Is he studying mathematics at home?"
"Yes,he study it very hard".
" You, too, will be very good at mathematics,I suppose".
Inagaki suppressed laughter with his hand.
Yaguti said,"I am not good at mathematics ".
"Oh,it's a surprize.You are son of mathematics teacher,aren't you?"
When I said so, the face of Yaguti changed very sad and he turned down.
"But,you like Mathematics don't you, because you join mathematics club."
"I hates mathematics.".
Yaguti said decidedly.
"Well, why did you join mathmatics club".
"I want to be a little good at mathematics.My father is so pityful.If I am so poor at mathematics,my father will lose his trust as a teacher. But I could't tolerate in the club." :
"Did your father teach you mathematics?"
"Yes,At the time of junior high school, he taught extensively ,but recently he has give up completely ".
I became somewhat pleasant remenberring Mr.yaguti teaching his son in embarrasment.
Then,Yaguti spoke to Inagki in low voice.He seemed to want to leave the topic .He watch the galley remainnig on the table and tried to learn the symbol of the proofreading.

It was about 2 weeks later. When our mathematics class ended, Mr.Yaguti called me.What happened? In suspection I approached the platform.
"I hear there is no activity in school journal club today.Is it true?;Mr.Yaguti whipered.
It was Friday.And our club was off. Mr.Yaguti seemed to hear it from his son.
"Yes sir. it's off today".
I answered.
"Do you like to go part of the way to home with me?".
"Certainly ",I said .
" Well,we will meet at 4 o'clock near the back gate".
The teacher said.
The teacher who had a cane in his hand and wear fine business suit appeared accurately 4 o'clock.
"My son have entered a newspaper club,I hear.Is it true?"
Going out of the gate, Mr.Yaguti said so immediately.
"Yes. He joined us about two weeks before"
"He seems delightful " so saying,Mr.Yaguti brandished a cane.
"I have thought all students not to be good at mathematics were idlers".
"It will be so from the situation of teachers".
"However, there was a student truely difficult to master mathematics , even if he made much effort.I found it lately".
"From your son?"
"Yes.Oh,yes".
The teacher seized out a big sigh.
"By the way,is it you ? The captain of school newspaper club."
"No"
"Oh,I am wrong.I think so because my son said your name frequently. Who is the chief ?"
"Minami,in D class "
The body of the teacher was jolt severely for a moment. Teacher stopoed walking and gazed at train which passed on the bank for a while.
Mr.Yaguti suddenly turned to me and took his hat off."Please kindly look after my son".
He lowered his head deeply. The wind blew and his hair which had turned half silver was disarranged.
Then a slight change was made in mathematics class of Mr.Yaguti.

unemoloyment

Kazuhiko was merry on that day. The beer which I prepared was drunk up, and he began to drink whiskey which he brought. Kazuhiko did not have regular employment about two years. He had worked on part-time job or intermittent job in convenience stores or bars. Now he has been formally employed in the company of network business at last. His new company createing the advertising homepage for cellular phones has achieved success. He said that the company had been entablished by his junior in university.Looking him who were talking of work happily,I thought this was the true face of this young man.
It was a tiny moutain hut that I met Kazuhiko for the first time.It was about one year ago. I was beguiling then lonesomeness losing my wife with being in the mountain. Kazuhiko who appeared in the hut was making the un-well-matched dress the mountain in twinter season. Shoes were ordinary ones, and he did not have rucksack or even a bag. An abrasion was in his face and blood was flowing. Although het said he had lost his way, I thought that Kazuhiko tried to bring his life to the end. Since his appearance worried me, I spoke to him at the time of supper and took a seat next him in the public sleeping room. From the countenance he had,old cloths and the lazy mustache, I thought that Kazuhiko would have lost his job. I was not good at speaking an insrtractive story,but I spoke my experience of channging jobs or losing jobs. When coming out of a hut in the next morning, I taught the place of my house and asked him to come.
After a week Kazuhiko came to my apartment. Since then Kazuhiko used to came about once a month.He said he had been restructured from heading trading company, although he was an elite employee. He had been divorced and living alone.
Television told the time signal at 10:00. Kazuhiko dranks up the remaining whiskey in his glass and stood up.He said “Thank you, I had a good time, thank you”
After wearing shoes in the entrance, he take out a small package from his pocket . “Whai is it?” “A little present for you.I am very much oblidged to you” “Not at all” “Please accept this” Kazuhiko handed me a small package decorated with a ribbon.
After Kazuhiko went away with tottering, I returned to sitting room.I removed wrapping paper, and opened the package.There were Twety 5000 yen goods ticket inside. I thought suddenly Kazuhiko would not come to this house any more. Large amount of goods tiket noticed me that.
As expected Kazuhiko stopped coming with a snap. Although I felt lonely, I thought that it might be good for him. He was independent now.　One year after our last meeting, a postcard came from Kazuhiko.He wrote that network business has an intense competition, the engineer was lured, and the company had collapsed and he lost job again. Although I telephoned Kazuhiko's cellular phone soon, the announcement of being impossible to use just flowed.
I gazed at the postcard again.Handwriting in it was wild and confused. I culd not stop worryng him. (END)

Bivouac

The footstep of Seiichirou suddenly stopped who was walking behind Takashi. Takashi looked back. The dusk was gathering. Seiichirou sat down on the ground where the sands and weeds were mixed.He was gazing at his right hand, smoking a cigarette.Takashi felt irritation and said.
"Professor,if you waste time here, we can not returm home today" "Look! look my hand.A viper bit me" Saying so, Seiichirou held out his hand to Takashi. Takashi was surprised, and grasped Seiichirou's hand. There were two small cracks between thumb and index finger at intervals of about 1cm.
"A while ago, when my hand attached on the slope, I felt piercing pain. I could not understannd what happened.Now blood has come out." The voice of Seiichirou was feeble.He was fat and his shirts got blackish by sweat. Takashi found the stabs had not been marked by a vyper at a glance. Takashi had helped a friend bitten by viper as a boy.
"These stubs were not marked by byper.Some glass with prickles stung your hand,I think"
"No, I am sure, viper bit me. Immediately after feeling an ache something escaped into the bush"
"O.K. If you were bitten by a vyper, it is seriously bad situation.You should have a serum injection.Before it you should have an emergency measure, binding your arm or sucking out poison"
"You are right, you are right. We should do it in a hurry"
Seiichirou rubbed the cigarette against a stone beside him. He opened his rucksack, and took out a white towel from inside. Takashi knew Seiitiro was not bitten by a viper. So,Takashi was calm in mind. However, since Seiichirou was 65 years old, preparation would be carried out for the worst.
"I will bind your hand". Saying so, Takashi twisted the towel around Seiichirou's fat arm. When Takashi bound the towel, Seiichirou frowned.
"It is too tight. It stops blood. My hand will rot"
"I understand" Takashi said so and loosened the knot.
"But sir, If binding is too loose,poison will head to heart" Takashi fastened the towel tightly little by little. "Does it work?"
Since Seiichirou bowed his head in assent, Takashi crossed the end of the towel and piled up the knot.
"Next, poison should be sucked out"
Saying so, Seiichirou looked at scars. "I have a cut in my mouse.I cannot suck "
Yesterday at the time of supper, Seiichirou had bitten his inner side of cheek by his teeth, and had uttered big voice. Probably, the crack has not healed up yet.
"I will do it, I will do it. But you may feel a pain" Takashi picked out the canteen from the rucksack and drank some water. He gargleed and breathed out. When he brough Seiichirou's hand to his mouth, there was delicate scent of a cinnamon.Takashi sucked hard. Bloody smell spread in his mouth. Takashi washed out his mouse by water. While repeating it 3 times, Seiichirou hardened his stout body and did not move.
"If a viper bit your hand,it will become swollen immediately. You should go to hospital soon.You had not better move now,so I will climb down alone this mountain and call for help" Takashi said so nevertheless he did not want to climb down alone.
Seiichirou groaned. "It will be dark soon.I wonder if you can get down from this mountain safely"
"But, we shoud call for help"
"It's true. But I don't like to die alone. Even if I will die,I hope your attendance" Seiichirou said patheticaly and raised his eyes in the air.
"Professor,I swear that you were not bitten by a viper.I swear. I have seen many persons bitten by vipers"
" You may be right. Anyhow,walking aroud is dangerous now. We will bivouac tonight"
"What?"
"Oh,you don't know bivouac,don't you,ha-ha. It is an old word. It means camping"
"Camping? Oh,I understand. Yes,yes,we should camp tonigt" There must be a dangerous cliff ner here.Tkashi could not but agree.
"I will collect firewood before becoming dark completely"
"Yes, you are asked" Seiichirou said so and began to take out a paper parcel from his rucksack.
Although it was gloomy inside woods, Takashi could found some withered branch. When he came back holing withered branch to the limit of arms, Seiichirou had fastened a cloth like a tent to the branch. Biside the rucksack sheets and messkit were arranged.
"I am surprised.Your preparation is complete.Is it tent?"
"Oh,It's handy tent,called Zelt. It happened to be in the bottom of my rucksack. It is better rather than it is not"
After putting on the tent, Seiichirou collects stones and began to make a kitchen range. He seemed to have regained energy as usual. "Professor,you had not better move around. If it is a viper, poison will takes effect drastically"
"Oh, that's right" Though Seiichirou said so,he didn't stop stacking stones. Seiichirou put a newspaper into the bottom of stone-made kitchen range and piled up the sprig on it. After the newspaper was fired with the writer, fire spreads gradually and began to burn a sprig. Discerning it, Seiichirou piled up the big branch. Seiichirou took out the canteen and filled messkit with water. He opened the paper parcel and drop somesing into the messkit. Takashi couldn't see what were dropped, because it was too dark aroud Seiichirou's hands. Seiichirou took out one strong and long out of the withered branches which Takashi has collected. It was passed through the misskit and streched over the kitchen range.
"Sir, You can do well these things, can't you?"
"I have climbed many mountains.I leaned field cooking in mountains"
Seiichirou said so, narrowing his eyes and gazed at fire.
"Doesn't your hand become swollen? Are you right?"
Takashi asked.Seiichirou held out the hand.
"There is no swelling. It must be other creature" Seiichirou laughed and turned his hand behind the head.
When he finished to have meal, Takashi became sleepy suddenly. It was dark completely.
"Takashi,you may sleep now " Seiichirou said wrapping misskit in paper.
"Just you should sleep"
"I will be in tent a little after you fall asleep. I am afraid my snore disterbs your sleep" Seiichirou took a blanket out of a rucksack and pass to Takashi.Takashi thought that Seiichirou had intension to stay in this mountain tonight from the first. Takashi remembered Seiichirou was walking awfully slowly today. Takashi entered into the tent by groping. Unexpectedly, inside was large . Although the floor was uneven, it was not hard due to grass on the ground. Takashi felt sleepy.He think about one-year-life with Seiichirou. Part-time weeding of Takashi caused to lodge at a detached hut of Seiichirou's residence. Seiichirou had ever been an professor of national university in which Takashi was learning, and after retirement he became a professor of a private college. He had lost his wife and he had been living alone. Seiichirou liked Takashi very much and he wanted to spend together with him. Takashi did not have a father. Takashi also felt particular familiarity to Seiichirou which Takashi had never felt. Takashi had a plan to go to Tokyo for employment soon and Seiichirou was severely disappointed at that.
Takashi woke suddely in the dead of night. Although it was dark and not visible, he felt Seiichirou's body immediately near him. It seemed that Seiichirou had turned the back to him. The scent of whiskey was filled in the tent. Probably, Seiichirou got drunk. Seiichirou's decent body odor smelt in the scent of whiskey.
"Are you awake?" Seiichirou asked in low voice.
"Yes"
"Parden me for staying at such a place"
"Not at all,it will be a good recollection"
"Thank you,Takashi,thank you" Seiichirou had the sign of turning round to Takashi. It seemed that Seiichirou had not been covered by a blanket.
" I can not stand to think that you will go away in several days.I miss you,I miss you" Probably, Seiichirou wanted to stay at a tent together, regretting separation. Probably, he said bitten by a viper to desire to spent a night together in a tent.
"Tokyo is not far"
"May be.But,Iam afraid you have forgotten me"
"I will visit your residence frequently hereafter"
"Is it true?"
"Sure"
"It's a promise"
"Yes,oh yes" Takashi approached Seiichirou and streched the blanket to cover him also.Calmly warmth of Seiichirou transmitted to Takashi across his clothes..

I started to write short novels

I am a Japanese and live in Tokyo. I have written many novels.In this blog I will write very short story in English.Please read my novels.