By The Window (窓辺にて)

Welcome.

【By the window】

6 Keep it up.

8 Just two more.

Hello.

The last one, 10.

How are you feeling?

Not bad.

Really?

I need to practice again. Can you wait for me?

Of course.

While Mr. Ichikawa is waiting for him,

Do you want to go for a run?

No, no, no. I didn't bring my workout clothes and stuff.

I have spare workout clothes. Do you want to borrow them?

Spare me. Really not necessary. Please don't worry about me.

Some say that sweating and focusing on something in a moment,

will make troubles disappear.

But it's not like that at all.

Instead, while running non-stop,

constant troubles keep coming to mind.

The fact that I'm troubled by this

just becomes more vivid.

I want to endure for another year.

Endure for another year, until the next season.

I haven't told anyone about this decision.

You didn't tell your wife either?

That's right.

Someone commented that I'm a burden,

a salary thief, on social media.

You don't need to pay attention to those words.

Even if they're anonymous,

Even if they're anonymous, those voices have owners.

But still, I heard them.

Even so...

I choose to hear the cheers when I perform well

rather than the criticism at times like this.

Isn't that a bit cunning?

For athletes, the most important thing is still outstanding performance.

But visible numbers and results

are not the only important things. You understand that, right?

The influence on juniors is also important.

You've seen people like Mr. Aji and Mr. Kawasumi.

That's true, but those things can be done after retirement.

Really? Is that so?

After all,

I, foolish and simple,

just want to show off my strong physique.

Deep down in me,

there's a self who looks down on myself.

After getting injured, I realized that

an injured soldier unable to compete

can't escape the phrase "influence through experience."

I even thought about giving the home ground to young athletes

because there are only so many spots.

You're truly honest.

Earlier,

When I was first injured,

Do you remember when I said I didn't want to have any regrets?

I don't want any regrets when I retire.

Hmm, I remember.

Since then, I've been thinking

no matter what I do, in the end, there will be regrets.

For example,

even if I don't set out to endure for another year

but just hang on until I'm dismissed,

I think I would still regret it when I leave.

As long as you take something seriously, you'll inevitably have regrets,

whether it's giving up or continuing.

Claiming not to have regrets is deceiving oneself.

So now, I don't dwell on the question of regrets.

- I'm back. - Welcome back.

There's food at home. Do you want it reheated?

I've already eaten. Thanks.

I want to go to sleep.

Thank you. Good night.

Good night.

Is he okay?

Author Arakawa.

He's making an effort to appear indifferent.

Really?

He doesn't want to cause such a fuss.

Yeah, he hopes he wins an award.

He jokingly says he's better at handling commotion than Haruki Murakami.

What do you think?

Have you finished reading the selected works?

Who do you think will win?

I'm not sure, but I like Kubo Ryo.

I guess so too.

- Sorry for stopping you. - It's okay.

Good night.

Whether to give up or continue,

in the end, you can only decide for yourself.

So what's the point of spending time worrying and being troubled?

For self-satisfaction, I think it's like a luxury.

That's why I quickly throw away what I get my hands on,

faster than a Western pear it can rot.

Finally, let me ask one more question.

I noticed in the novel,

Very few instances depict the protagonist's inner conflicts.

Is this deliberately arranged?

I just answered; it's not deliberately arranged.

So, the protagonist still desires something, right?

It's not a matter of having or not having;

it's just difficult to express.

I can't write them all down.

No, that's not what I want to ask.

I just want to ask about the inner struggles point.

I'm Takeda from Nichiha News. Congratulations on your award.

Earlier, it seemed you weren't very happy a bout winning.

Is that true?

If I have to say it, I'm not good at competing with others.

Winning is still joyful; it's just that...

I feel I must genuinely desire this award from the bottom of my heart.

You don't mean you don't genuinely desire this award?

Well... It's hard to answer.

Answering briefly might seem superficial.

It's not just about this award;

I've hardly had the experience of genuinely desiring something.

Because you're only 17?

It has nothing to do with age.

Does one lose all desires as they get older?

I agree, my apologies.

Are you done with your questions? Next question, please.

I'm Ichikawa, a freelance writer. Congratulations on your award.

In your novel, there's a man who quickly breaks up even when dating someone he likes.

He got into his first-choice university but rarely attends classes.

He lies to his parents

while working at a convenience store and a hotel food section.

The warmth he feels making rice balls

and the excitement of displaying cakes are the hopes of his life.

You depicted real moments of experiencing life.

Let go of everything and be touched by small things

Are these your own experiences?

Well, you can say that.

Is obtaining and letting go

Is it something important in your eyes?

important? Indeed.

Living is

a constant cycle of gaining and letting go,

It's just like

a process of choices.

Choosing might not be the right word.

it's hard to express.

I'm sorry; it's difficult for me to express it clearly.

Thank you for your response.

Honestly what do you think?

Did Mr. Ichikawa find my novel interesting?

If so, what specifically caught your interest?

Honestly, I'm well aware of the pain.

The agony of desiring something and not obtaining it

Putting in immense effort without any reward.

Meanwhile, the protagonist in the novel

Consistently obtains what they desire and then lets it go willingly

I'm curious about why he would does that

Frankly, it's infuriating to watch

And then

You describe the confusing times as "luxurious"

I couldn't help but wonder, is it truly a luxury?

When I wrote that part, I had my doubts.

Was I being too dismissive?

Describing others' pain as a luxury

Maybe I went a bit too far.

Also, I noticed that there might be aspects of the novel,

That you're not entirely satisfied with.

Do you prefer the previous work,

"Around Tabata Station"?

No,

that's not it at all.

I apologize for jumping to conclusions.

No problem.

Um...

Yes?

Can we speak candidly?

Sure.

Please go ahead.

He's here.

I apologize for earlier.

No, I should be the one apologizing. Congratulations again on your award.

Thank you.

I'm Kubo Ryoa

I am Shigemi Ichikawa, a freelance writer.

I'm glad you took the time to seriously read my novel.

I suppose there aren't many people in the audience who have genuinely read it.

Being a writer is a peculiar profession.

Then again, all professions are peculiar in their own way.

It's hard to say.

Mr. Ichikawa, how long have you been in your current profession?

A long time. I've been doing this job for as long as I can remember.

Consistently?

That's impressive.

Can I ask you a question?

Is the protagonist of the novel based on someone?

Based on someone?

Well, yes, in a way.

Really?

Yes.

Are you interested?

Yes, I am.

- Would you like to meet the person? - Sure, why not.