Four (3/3)

by Natsume Sōseki

“You shouldn't underestimate me. I'm almost resentful.”

The master finished eating his yokan and interrupted the conversation between the two again. “Meitei was a blowhard even back then,” he said.

“He has never fulfilled any promises. Even when questioned, he has never apologized, that man who goes by the name of Mosquito or something. When the crepe myrtles were blooming in the temple grounds, he said, ‘I will finish my work titled Aesthetics Theory before these crepe myrtles fall.’ So I replied, ‘No way, I can't believe you can do it,’ and Meitei said, ‘I am a man of strong will, contrary to appearances. If you doubt me that much, let's make a bet.’ I took him seriously and decided to treat him to Western cuisine in Kanda. I bet because I didn't believe he really intended to write a book, but I was a bit scared inside. After all, I didn't have the money to treat him to Western cuisine. However, Meitei showed no signs of writing the manuscript at all. Days passed, seven days, then twenty days, and not a single page was written. The crepe myrtles fell, and even a single flower was gone, yet he remained unfazed. When I thought it was finally time to treat him to Western cuisine and pressed him to fulfill the contract, Meitei acted as if it was nothing.”

“Did he come up with some excuse again?” Suzuki-kun interjected.

“Yeah, he's truly a shameless man. I may not have any other talents, but I stubbornly insist that my will is not inferior to yours.”

“Not even a single page?” This time, Meitei himself asked the question.

“Of course, at that time you said this: ‘In terms of will, I will not yield an inch to anyone. However, unfortunately, my memory is exceptionally poor. I had enough will to write Aesthetics Theory, but I forgot it the day after I announced my intention to you. Therefore, the reason I couldn't finish the book before the crepe myrtles fell is a sin of memory, not a sin of will. Since it is not a sin of will, there is no reason for me to treat you to Western cuisine,’ he boasts.”

"I see, it's interesting how Meitei-kun showcases his unique style," Suzuki-kun said, seemingly enjoying himself for some reason. His tone is quite different from when Meitei is not around. This might be a characteristic of an intelligent person.

"What could possibly be interesting?" the master still seems angry even now.

"That's unfortunate. That's why I'm searching for something like a peacock's tongue with gold and drums to make up for it. Well, I hope you can wait without getting too angry. Speaking of books, I have a major piece of news today."

"You're the kind of guy who brings strange news every time you come, so I can't let my guard down."

"However, today's strange news is the real deal. It's a piece of news with a proper price tag and not a single rin off. Do you know that Kanketsu has drafted his doctoral thesis? I thought a man with such insight as Kanketsu wouldn't engage in the dull labor of writing a doctoral thesis, but it's strange because he has a certain charm. You should definitely let that nose know. He might even be dreaming of Doctor Donguri these days."

Upon hearing Kanketsu's name, Suzuki-kun signals to the master with his chin and eyes that they shouldn't talk about it. However, the master doesn't understand at all. When he met Suzuki-kun earlier and received a sermon, he felt sorry only for Kaneda's daughter, but now, when referred to as "that nose" by Meitei, he recalls their recent quarrel. Remembering it is both comical and a bit regrettable. However, Kanketsu's drafting of a doctoral thesis is a wonderful gift, and this alone, like Meitei-sensei's self-praise, is quite a decent piece of recent news. It's not just any strange news, but a delightful and pleasant piece of news. Whether he marries Kaneda's daughter or not is irrelevant. In any case, it's great that Kanketsu is becoming a doctor. I wouldn't mind if a failed wooden statue like myself rotted away in a corner of a sculptor's shop, but for a sculpture that I believe has been well-crafted, I want to apply gold leaf to it as soon as possible.

“Did you really start writing a paper?” Ignoring Suzuki-kun's signal, I asked earnestly.

“He’s a man who often doubts what others say. — Although the problem is whether it’s the mechanics of acorns or hanging, I can’t say for sure, but in any case, since it’s about Kangu, it must be something that makes one feel embarrassed.”

Every time I heard Meitei speak indiscreetly, Suzuki-kun showed signs of anxiety. Meitei, completely oblivious, remained unfazed.

“After that, I researched noses again, and recently discovered a discussion about noses in ‘Tristram Shandy.’ If I had shown Kaneda's nose to Stern, it would have made for good material, but it's unfortunate. Although it has enough qualifications to be immortalized in history, it's a pity that it will rot away as it is. Next time I come here, I’ll sketch it for aesthetic reference,” he continued to ramble as usual.

“However, I heard just now that that girl wants to go to Kangu,” the master stated, echoing what he had just heard from Suzuki-kun. Suzuki-kun made a face that suggested this was troublesome and kept giving the master sidelong glances, but the master was completely unaffected, like an insulator that doesn’t conduct electricity.

“It’s a bit odd, isn’t it? Even someone like that can fall in love, but it probably isn’t a serious love; it’s likely just a nose love.”

“Even if it’s nose love, it would be fine if Kangu accepted it.”

“It would be fine if he accepted it, but you were strongly opposed to it the other day. You seem unusually soft today.”

“I’m not soft; I will never be soft, but…”

“But something must have happened. Hey, Suzuki, since you’re also one of those who tarnish the ranks of businessmen, let me tell you for reference. That Kaneda fellow. To revere the daughter of that fellow as the wife of the great scholar Mizushima Kangu is a bit like mixing a lantern with a bell, and I think we, as friends, cannot just let that pass in silence. Even you, as a businessman, must not disagree with this.”

“You’re as lively as ever. That’s great. You haven’t changed at all in ten years, so that’s impressive.” Suzuki-kun responded to Yanagi, trying to deflect.

“If you’re going to praise me for being impressive, I could show you a bit more of my knowledge. The ancient Greeks valued physical education highly and offered valuable prizes for all competitions, implementing various strategies to encourage participation. However, strangely, there are no records of any rewards given for scholarly knowledge, which has left me quite suspicious until today.”

“I see, that’s a bit odd,” Suzuki-kun replied, trying to keep up with the conversation.

It was a few days ago when Meitei began to speak. While studying aesthetics, he suddenly discovered the reason behind it. The doubts he had carried for years were instantly resolved, and he exclaimed with joy as if he had gained a thrilling insight, like pulling a lacquer bucket out.

At those words, Suzuki-kun showed a slightly perplexed expression. Meitei’s words were always grandiose, and even Suzuki-kun seemed at a loss for how to respond. The master continued to tap the edge of the sweet plate with his ivory chopsticks, wearing a face that said, “Here we go again.” Only Meitei was engrossed in his own story, continuing to speak enthusiastically.

“Now, think about who clarified this contradictory phenomenon and solved our doubts. It is none other than the scholar who has carved his name in the history of academia, the philosopher of Greece, the founder of the Peripatetic school, Aristotle himself. He says, ‘Hey, stop tapping the sweet plate and listen properly.’”

He continued, "The prizes that those Greeks earn in competitions are worth more than the skills themselves. That is why they serve both as rewards and as tools of encouragement. But what about knowledge itself? If we were to give a reward for knowledge, it must hold more value than knowledge itself. But is there any treasure in this world that surpasses knowledge? Of course, there is none. To offer something inferior would only diminish the dignity of knowledge. They discerned that even if they piled up a treasure chest for knowledge like Mount Olympus and tilted the wealth of Croesus, it would never be a fair reward. And from then on, they decided to give nothing at all. It should be clear enough that yellow-white-blue coins do not match knowledge."

Meitei encouraged looking at current issues based on these principles. "Mr. Kaneda is nothing more than a piece of paper. To use a strange expression, he is merely an active banknote. If he is the daughter of an active banknote, then she would be something like an active stamp. On the other hand, what about Mr. Kangugetsu? He graduated first from the highest institution of learning and, during the time of the Choshu Expedition, hung the strings of his haori while studying the stability of acorns day and night. He shows no signs of satisfaction and is about to publish a major paper that will surely overwhelm Lord Kelvin."

Meitei momentarily faltered but quickly continued. "There was a time when I happened to pass by Azumabashi and failed at the art of jumping into the river, but that was just an impulsive action typical of an enthusiastic youth, not something that would cause him to create problems as a wholesaler of knowledge. To use a metaphor in the Meitei style, Mr. Kangugetsu is an active library and a bullet made from twenty-eight coral pieces kneaded with knowledge. Once this bullet finds the right moment to explode in the academic world, -- if it were to explode -- it surely would."

Meitei showed a bit of confusion as he struggled to come up with the self-proclaimed adjectives he wanted to use, but quickly concluded, "No matter how many millions of activity stamps there are, they will all be crushed to pieces. Therefore, a woman like that, who is so mismatched for Kangu, is unacceptable. It's like marrying the wisest elephant among all beasts and the most greedy little pig. Isn't that right, Kusami-kun?"

The master silently struck the candy plate again. Suzuki-kun, feeling a bit deflated, modestly replied, "That may not be the case." After having said so many bad things about Meitei just a moment ago, he thought it wise to navigate Meitei's sharp words positively and safely, as he didn't know what kind of things a lawless person like the master might say if he spoke recklessly here. He understood that he was a clever person and should avoid unnecessary resistance. The purpose of life lies not in words but in action. If things proceed as one wishes, then the purpose of life is achieved. If things progress without hardship, worry, or argument, then the purpose of life can reach paradise. After graduation, Suzuki-kun succeeded through this paradise philosophy, hanging a gold watch, receiving requests from the Kaneda couple, and persuading Kusami-kun with the same paradise philosophy, and just when the incident was about to be accomplished, a wanderer who transcended common sense, Meitei, unexpectedly jumped in, leaving him a bit surprised.

"You don't know anything, so you put on a composed face and say that may not be the case, speaking less than usual, but if you saw the state of that nose owner when he came the other day, even a businessman-loving nobleman would surely be fed up. Hey, Kusami-kun, you fought hard, didn't you?"

"Even so, I hear that my reputation is better than yours."

"Ahahaha, you're quite a confident man. Otherwise, you wouldn't be able to show your face at school without being teased by students and teachers as 'Savage Chi.' I intend to have a will that is never inferior to others, but I can't be that bold. I admire you."

"Even if the students and teachers grumble a bit, what is there to be afraid of? Sainte-Beuve is a unique critic throughout history, but when he lectured at the University of Paris, he was very unpopular. He once hid a dagger under his sleeve for defense when going out in response to student attacks. When Brunetchel also attacked Zola's novels at the University of Paris..."

"But you're not a university teacher or anything. Just being a teacher at a little school and citing such a great figure is like a small fish comparing itself to a whale. If you say that, you'll just be mocked even more."

"Shut up. Sainte-Beuve and I are scholars of the same caliber."

"That's quite a perspective. However, carrying a dagger is dangerous, so it's better not to imitate that. If a university teacher has a dagger, then a teacher at a little school might as well have a small knife. Still, knives are dangerous, so it's better to go to Nakamise and buy a toy air gun to carry around. It's charming and nice. Hey, Suzuki."

Suzuki finally moved away from the story of the Kaneda incident and let out a sigh of relief.

"You're still as innocent and fun as ever." Suzuki felt as if he had stepped from a narrow path into a wide field upon seeing friends he hadn't met in ten years. "But our conversations always require so much care that I can never relax. I worry and feel constrained because I have to be careful about everything we talk about, and it's really painful."

He continued, "But it's nice to talk about innocent things. And talking with friends from my student days is the easiest. I was really happy to run into Meitei today. Now, I have a little errand to run, so I'll take my leave."

When Suzuki stood up, Meitei followed and said, "I'm going too. I have to go to the Japanese Bridge's Performing Arts Reform Association, so let's go together as far as there."

"That's just perfect. Let's take a walk together for the first time in a while." Saying this, the two took each other's hands and headed home.