The Milkwoman (いつか読書する日)

Everyone.

One of us is among the winners in the City Essay Competition.

Ohba Minako has won First Level.

"A letter from me in the future...

"...to Ohba Minako, Grade 9D.

"Do you remember the things you were thinking at 15?

"It's a long time ago now, but this is what you thought:

"I love this place.

"All the older kids say they're going to leave...

”...but I won't.

"I'll spend my whole life here.

"I'll know everyone better, and be closer to all of them.

"Won't that be wonderful?"

"Do you know what you'll be doing in the future?

”What kind of work? Will you be married?

Don't worry.

You'll be living here. You decided that when you were 15.

Stick to your studies, and keep hold of your dreams.

“There's no hurry.

"I'll be waiting for you."

Good morning.

'Morning.

Just one for the Miyashitas?

Yeah. It looks like their son got a job.

Good morning.

It's not that I particularly like gossip...

...but I always thought I knew everything that went on in this town.

Most of that was the personal affairs of it's people...

but that, I suppose...

...is no longer of much use, because the town has changed so much.

There is a girl here who has always intrigued me.

I've known her ever since she was a child.

Her mother and I were friends from our school days.

I call her a “girl", but she's 50.

Unmarried, untalked about, she lives a life of perfect regularity...

with no enjoyment discernable to an outside observer.

Every day. she comes to the garden outside my house.

'Morning.

Good morning. Were you up all night again?

He won't sleep. I sat up with him.

Oh, Minako...

When you get time, could you come to the hospital with us again?

Sure. On my next day off?

Thank you.

See you, then.

Here goes!

Kaita...

'Morning.

It's 6:00

Know what?

What?

The milk lady...

She always comes at 6:05.

It's almost time.

How's the pain?

Not bad today.

Yeah? That's good.

It's been 26 years and 8 months since I married Takanashi Kaita...

...but still I don't know exactly what kind of a person he is.

It's as if he wants nothing more than the days to pass without incident.

So something I heard the other day made me a little happier.

I felt I'd touched his secret self for the first time.

You have milk delivered?

We always have.

I can't drink it now. but it tastes better from the bottle.

That's Ms Ohba.

Who?

The milk lady. She was in school with your husband.

Is "Ohba" the name of the woman who brings the milk?

Why?

Were you two in school?

Yep.

The same "Ohba"?

We should stop taking the milk. It's a waste.

No!

I might get well enough to drink it.

Yeah, I guess so.

Can you make curry today?

Sure.

It might bring out "the curry kid“.

It might. huh?

It's true. He really exists!

Thinking about “the curry kid" is the only pleasure left to me.

He's a boy people in the town started talking about a while ago.

"Around nightfall he walks the streets clutching a spoon...

”...looking for a house where they're making good curry.

You have to eat right!

Kaita...

Yeah?

...a forecast high of 13 degrees.

And that's the weather.

Turning to traffic conditions.

As of 6 am. the bypass is moving smoothly with no tie-ups.

In the city of Saito itself, construction in front of the museum...

...will have traffic reduced to one lane each way.

Condition: not bad. Pain: little.

A morning on which I understood everything.

Ohba

“The Scar on her Back" by Minatoya Kazuhiko

"A snow-willow tree, Its head bowed down with flowers...

"Saying, "I'm sorry".

No, that's no good.

"A magnolia.

"There is a kind of...

"There's a kind of refinement In those tiny buds."

Nope.

5 Mart

'Morning!

'Morning.

Mari and the Manager are starting early.

Hey!

Stop looking like that!

I wasn't "looking". That's just how it looks.

You make it sound wrong.

It is wrong.

What is?

Isn't it allowed?

What?

We might be getting married.

That's not the point. Do it at home.

¥1,148, please.

¥1.231, please.

Thank you.

¥1,854...

From ¥2,000...

Mari's got a kid already. She's desperate. you know.

They were at it right there! Like dogs or cats.

Look who's here.

Hi.

Yes?

Did Mari say anything?

No.

Yes.

“We might be getting married."

Uh-oh!

Excuse me...

Kimi, can you help here?

Sure.

I'm sorry...

you had to wait.

Future Adults

What the hell is that?!

The new name for "Children's Affairs“.

Who decided that?

The city.

Why did they change it?!

Who did you vote for for mayor last time?

Shirane.

Well. it was his decision.

Let me see... the section you want now is.

"Former Children"?

No. "Leisurely Living".

Poppycock!

How's Yoko?

Fine.

You don't look too happy, Kaita.

The Haiku Club meets Saturday...

I haven't written any.

Hey...

What?

Um...

...how old would you be?

85.

Um...

...is it a long time from 50 to 85?

Why?

I'm 50 now.

It's a real hang time.

Yes... shall I put her on?

No, I'll be right home. How is she?

She's good today.

AH right. Goodbye.

He's just going shopping.

Thank you.

Hello.

"The kid"?

Is he real?

A lot of people are making curry today.

You. too?

It's easy.

And the kids like it.

From ¥2,200...

You like curry. son?

Mr Kato? It's Takanashi from Children's Affairs.

I'm calling about the Ogita Yoshie case.

That's right.

Has Social Services followed up on that?

I see...

Well, the older boy is out on the streets all alone...

Yes...

That's fine.

Yes...

That's right.

Hello.

Hi.

A word...

How do you find it?

"Rhinoceros"...

Hello!

Oh, good!