Chapter 3
Kisaragi left the satellite clinic at six o’clock sharp and headed for the hotel lobby. He was scheduled to meet a colleague, a doctor of the same cohort. Satoshi Hasunuma. He was a psychiatrist. Three years ago, the man had returned to Chiba to take after his family’s hospital. Today he was back in Tokyo to receive training to renew his license as a designated psychiatrist.
Although he lived in Chiba, it was in the Sotobo area on the coastline of the Pacific Ocean, and wasn’t too far from Tokyo. In his first year back home, Hasunuma had visited Tokyo whenever he had the chance, but in his second year he had expanded his business and had not had the chance to visit as often. For Kisaragi, it had been about a year since they had last seen each other.
Hasunuma arrived spectacularly late. His fearless-looking face was tanned, and his outfit of a contrast-collar button-down shirt and double-breasted suit made him look more like the president of some company rather than a doctor.
They got a seat in the hotel lounge and ordered coffee.
“You’ve certainly developed the air of a chairman.”
“Hey, no teasing.”
“Is that a golfing tan?”
“No, it’s from surfing,” replied Hasunuma. “My hair’s gotten redder too, see?” he said somewhat proudly, pinching his short hair for Kisaragi to see.
“So you’re a surfer now?”
“Yeah. I surf with my patients. Occupational therapy.”
Hasunuma’s hospital was a psychiatric hospital which accepted patients not only with mental illnesses such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, but also those with drug and alcohol addictions. Kisaragi had heard that they had built a new wing for Morita therapy.
Kisaragi nodded in understanding. “By the way, you haven’t eaten yet, right?”
Hasunuma’s face suddenly clouded. “Sorry. I actually don’t have time. I didn’t think the training would go on for so long. I actually have to be at the New National Theatre by seven.”
“What?” Kisaragi tilted his head, unable to see where Hasunuma was going with the conversation.
“It’s, um… ballet. I made a promise to go watch….” Hasunuma sighed and shrugged in an exaggerated way. “Ballet, can you believe? Only women and children watch that stuff.”
In their high school days, Hasunuma had been the captain of the football team, and a typical athlete. Although his gallant good looks drew the attention of the girls, Hasunuma himself insisted he would master both art and sports, and not so much as strayed off the path to play such games. But Kisaragi mentally agreed that ballet didn’t go with Hasunuma’s image.
“What’s the occasion?”
“It’s, uh… match-making. She’s brought someone over - my aunt, I mean. And after it’s done, we’re supposed to go out to eat.”
Kisaragi felt his body go cold, but replied in a bright voice. “I see. Well, it’s no surprise,” he said. “You’re probably up next. There aren’t many of us left in our cohort who haven’t tied the knot yet.”
“Not for you to say,” Hasunuma said.
Kisaragi answered with an easy smile. He had fooled many people this way.