Episode Six

1
Tetsuya rode a bicycle, carrying Yasuko out, while Michiko watched them leave.
Michiko entered the room: “Master, recently in our neighborhood, several households’ boys of conscription age have been drafted one by one. I am worried it will soon be Tetsuya’s turn…”
Nishikawa Shō put down the newspaper and said, “To fulfill one’s duty to the country, that is unavoidable.”
Michiko said, “I am worried that Tetsuya will be sent to the front line, and then…”
Shō said, “Wife, I know what you want to say. Even if Tetsuya is drafted to the front line in the future, with his medical expertise, it is impossible for him to be assigned to a combat unit. There should be little danger.”
Michiko said, “But shells have no eyes. If any accident happens… Tetsuya is the only bloodline of the Nishikawa family! Master.”
Shō said, “Then what do you plan to do?”
Michiko said, “Why don’t we talk with the couple Kōnin, and just send Tetsuya and Yasuko together?”
Shō said, “The Kōnin couple is easy to communicate with, but we must first understand whether Tetsuya has such a wish.”
“Then I will go get Reiko to come talk first.” After saying this, Michiko got up and left. Soon, Michiko led Reiko inside.
“I have already talked roughly with Reiko.” After saying this, the two mothers-in-law sat down in order.
Shō asked, “Reiko, what is your opinion?”
Reiko said, “Tetsuya is an ambitious child. If he likes Yasuko, I of course am happy to see it happen.”
Shō said, “Good! When the two of them return, I will call them to ask.”

2
Tetsuya rode the bicycle, carrying Yasuko into the bustling city, arriving at the entrance of the cinema.
Looking at the poster, Tetsuya said, “Why is it a war movie again? Really.”
Yasuko said, “Recently, it seems these kinds of films are often shown. I know you don’t like war movies. How about we buy some snacks and go for a walk in Ueno Park?”
“Alright! Get on, we’ll go to Ueno Park.” Tetsuya carried Yasuko in the direction of Ueno Park.
After about 20 minutes, they arrived at the park entrance.
Tetsuya parked the bicycle and said, “After the cherry blossom season, there are fewer tourists.”
Yasuko said, “That’s good! A park should be a quiet place.”
The two walked into the park and arrived at a Shimizu Kannon Hall inside, which is much closer than the main hall of Seiryūzan Asakusa Temple.
Tetsuya said, “Every time I come here, I think of the Shiun Rock in my old home in Shimizu.”
“I know you miss home,” Yasuko continued, “and you miss Miss Meixiu even more.”
Tetsuya said, “Receiving letters from Meixiu every week is the happiest thing for me.”
Yasuko said, “It’s obvious that Meixiu is very devoted to you, so after work every day, she goes to help at your father’s hospital.”
Tetsuya said, “Although Meixiu is now teaching at the public school, she got her nursing license several years ago.”
Yasuko said, “Oh? That shows Meixiu really cares for you, willing to sacrifice her own leisure time for your family. Cousin, you must cherish her and not let her down!”
Tetsuya said, “Yes!”

3
Nishikawa Kōnin had just returned from work, entering the entrance hall. Reiko helped him hang up his coat.
Reiko said, “Husband, the elders just asked me to come talk.”
Kōnin asked, “What did the elders talk with you about?”
Reiko said, “Mother said she saw Yasuko and Tetsuya very close, and the thought arose to send the two together.”
Kōnin said, “That’s very good! It’s precisely what I want, that Mother brings it up herself.”
Reiko asked in confusion, “I don’t understand what you mean by that.”
Kōnin said, “According to marital custom, such a matter should not be proposed by the woman’s family.”
Reiko said, “Oh! But I feel Tetsuya only regards Yasuko as a cousin, and may not truly like her.”
Kōnin said, “Affection can be cultivated slowly after marriage. That is not a problem!”

At this time, Keiko also just returned from school.
Kōnin asked, “Keiko, would you like Cousin Tetsuya to become your brother-in-law?”
Keiko did not understand at first: “Brother-in-law?”
Reiko said, “Grandmother wants to send Tetsuya and Yasuko together.”
Keiko said, “But would Cousin Tetsuya agree?”
Kōnin said, “Your grandparents decide. How could Tetsuya disagree?”
Keiko said, “As far as I know, Cousin has a girlfriend in Taiwan, with whom he has been in a long, close relationship. So I think he may not accept this arrangement.”
Reiko could not help complaining: “Husband, I told you, this matter is not so simple.”
Kōnin said, “In that case, the matter will become very tricky. When Yasuko returns, I will ask her in person.”

4
Yasuko had just returned to her room when Keiko grabbed her and asked, “Sister, do you know that Grandpa and Grandma intend to make Cousin your brother-in-law?”
Yasuko, with a surprised expression, asked, “When did this happen?”
Keiko said, “Just this afternoon. Grandpa and Grandma first talked with Mother. As soon as I got home, Father told me about this matter.”
Yasuko, with a darkened expression, said, “Cousin already has a good girlfriend. Grandpa and Grandma’s effort is in vain.”
Keiko said, “I don’t think so!”
Yasuko, puzzled, asked, “Little sister, why do you say that?”
Keiko said, “Although Cousin has a good girlfriend, since neither side is married yet, for your marriage with Cousin, Grandpa and Grandma still have room to intervene.”
Yasuko said, “But… Cousin would never agree.”
Keiko asked, “Sister, I know you like Cousin, isn’t that right?”
Yasuko said, “Even if I like him, what of it? I cannot just wish for it alone!”
Keiko said, “Since you like him, then find a way to take Cousin away!”
Yasuko said, “Is that right? Cousin likes Miss Meixiu.”
Keiko said, “Alright! Cousin likes Miss Meixiu, but Cousin does not dislike you, right? Sister, have some ambition!”
Stimulated by her younger sister’s words, Yasuko’s mind became in utter confusion…

5
Yasuko was called by the Kōnin couple into their room.
Mother Reiko asked, “Yasuko, do you like Cousin Tetsuya?”
Yasuko blushed and shyly said, “My little sister already told me. Cousin has had a long-time, close girlfriend in Taiwan.”
Father Kōnin said, “You don’t need to worry about this. Grandpa and Grandma will make the decision for you. We want to ask your opinion.”
Yasuko lowered her head and said, “Then let the elders decide.”
Kōnin said, “That’s good. We will let Grandpa and Grandma handle it. The reason Grandpa and Grandma have this idea is actually because they want to keep Tetsuya close to us.”
Reiko said worriedly, “I always feel that Tetsuya would never agree. Sooner or later, he will return to his parents.”
Kōnin said, “We have to at least try…”

6
The elderly Nishikawa couple entered Tetsuya’s bedroom. Tetsuya was just about to take a rest.
Nishikawa Shō said, “Tetsuya, Grandpa and Grandma have a matter to discuss with you.”
Tetsuya said, “What matter, Grandpa?”
Shō asked, “Do you like Yasuko?”
Tetsuya noticed that the couple’s expressions were serious, and suddenly asking this topic was clearly unusual: “Grandpa, why are you suddenly asking this question?”
Michiko said, “If you like Yasuko, we will decide for you, letting Yasuko marry you.”
Tetsuya said in surprise, “Yasuko is a good girl, but I already have a good girlfriend in Taiwan.”
Michiko said, “Grandma hopes you marry Yasuko and remain close to us.”
Tetsuya said, “But I must return to Taiwan. Father needs me, and Meixiu has been waiting for me…”
Shō said, “Japan’s external war is still ongoing. Grandma worries that in the future you will be drafted to the front line. You are the only bloodline of the Nishikawa family!”
Michiko said, “Yes! If you marry Yasuko, you will remain by our side, continuing the Nishikawa family line.”
Tetsuya said, “In that case, I would be betraying my girlfriend Meixiu who is waiting for me in Taiwan. Grandpa, Grandma, please forgive me for not being able to agree.”
Shō and Michiko exchanged disappointed looks. Shō said, “Tetsuya, your answer does not surprise us, but we will discuss it with your father and mother.”
The elderly couple got up and left, but Tetsuya could not calm his emotions. He took out writing paper and told Meixiu about this matter in a letter.

7
When the class bell rang, Liao Meixiu was tidying up the stationery and notebooks on her desk when the head teacher, Liu Qingke, came up to her.
“Teacher Meixiu, I have two tickets to a music appreciation concert. I wonder if I have the honor…”
Before Qingke could finish speaking, Meixiu said, “Sorry, I’m busy every day.” She then turned and left, and Qingke chased after her.
Meixiu arrived at the school gate and saw Officer Murano patrolling across the street. To get rid of Chen Qingke, Meixiu walked toward Murano.
“Teacher Meixiu!” Murano, upon seeing Meixiu, actively waved to her.
“Officer Murano, you are patrolling the street!” Meixiu gestured to Murano with her eyes.
Murano saw a man on the opposite side following Meixiu and asked, “Who is that guy?”
Meixiu smiled bitterly and said, “A green-headed fly that won’t leave, very annoying!”
“I’ll chase him away!” Murano pulled Meixiu behind him.
Murano pointed at the man with one hand and asked, “Why are you following Miss Meixiu? Do you have any ill intentions?”
Chen Qingke said, “Of… Officer, you misunderstand! I am Teacher Meixiu’s school colleague. I wanted to invite her to a music concert, a music concert.”
“Is that so?” Murano said with angry eyes: “But Teacher Meixiu does not want you following her.”
“I’ll leave, I won’t disturb you anymore.” Qingke wisely walked away.
Meixiu said, “Thank you for helping me, Officer.”
Murano asked, “Teacher Meixiu, where are you going? I can escort you there.”
Meixiu said, “Can you accompany me to Yang General Hospital?”
Murano said, “It would be my honor.”
Murano escorted Meixiu to the hospital. As they walked, they talked and laughed, their expressions relaxed and happy, attracting curious glances from passersby.

8
In the evening, Meixiu returned home and saw a letter from Xintai placed in the wooden box at the doorway.
Meixiu opened and read the letter, then immediately returned to her desk, picked up a pen, and wrote a reply.
Just after finishing the reply, Meixiu received a call from Nishikawa Riko: “Aunt, okay, I’ll come over right away.”
After hanging up, Meixiu instinctively felt that Riko had called to discuss Xintai and Yasuko.
Just as Meixiu was about to leave, Wuxiong called out: “Meixiu, it’s so late, are you still going out?”
“I’m going to Xintai’s house. Aunt called me. I’ll come back as soon as I go.”
Wuxiong said, “Alright! I’ll have Hongtongzi accompany you.”
Meixiu said, “No need, Father, I’m not a little girl.”
Wuxiong said, “With Hongtongzi accompanying you, I feel more at ease.”

9
Riko received a letter from the elders. In the letter, they said that they intend for Tetsuya to marry Yasuko and remain in the Nishikawa household in Tokyo. But considering that Xintai does not have this intention and already has a girlfriend in Taiwan, they take a second-best option: they hope Tetsuya first accepts Yasuko as a secondary wife, so that any children from the two will remain in the Nishikawa family and continue the family line. Riko understood her parents’ thoughts, but thinking that this might hurt Meixiu, she felt quite troubled.
Zhaohua returned from work, and Riko showed him the elders’ letter.
“This isn’t good, right? It’s unfair to Meixiu.” Zhaohua felt uneasy: “Moreover, according to marriage customs, Meixiu hasn’t even been formally married into the household. How can Yasuko be taken as a secondary wife first?”
Riko said, “Of course I know doing this will hurt Meixiu, but it’s the elders’ wish…”
Zhaohua thought for a moment and said, “How about this: you ask Meixiu what she thinks. If she agrees, when Xintai finishes his studies and returns, let them marry first, and only then let Xintai take a secondary wife.”
Riko said, “Sigh! Well, it has to be this way.”

10
Hongtongzi accompanied Liao Meixiu to the Yang household entrance. Meixiu went inside, while Hongtongzi waited outside.
Riko brought Meixiu to Xintai’s study, and the two sat on the tatami mat.
Riko said, “Meixiu, over the past few years, your relationship with Xintai has been very good. Originally, before Xintai went to Tokyo, I intended for him to be engaged or married to you first, but his father did not want Xintai distracted from his studies.”
Meixiu said, “Thank you, Aunt, for telling me this.”
Riko handed Meixiu the letter from the elders: “Look at this letter.”
After reading it, Meixiu said, “Aunt, I agree to let Xintai take Yasuko as a secondary wife.”
Riko was surprised and said, “Meixiu! I really appreciate your understanding.”
Meixiu said, “When Yasuko came to our hometown of Qingshui last time, I spent a short period of about ten days with her. She is a kind and thoughtful girl.”
Riko said, “Originally, I was worried this would hurt you.”
Meixiu said, “Aunt, I do this to let things be resolved harmoniously.”
Riko said, “You are so reasonable, it touches me. The children’s father said that when Xintai finishes his studies and returns, you two will be allowed to marry first.”
Meixiu said, “Thank you, Uncle and Aunt, for making this possible.”
Meixiu thought, when she returned home, she should rewrite a letter to inform Xintai of the agreement she made with Aunt Riko.