And with that, Kuma became a new man. He didn't drink another drop, and put his all into working every day. You could set your watch by the schedule he kept. Everyone around him was stunned by the change. In the morning, he woke the earliest, went to the beach and selected the best fish. He became a skilled fishmonger with a discerning eye. Even the customers he'd lost came back one after another. Then, three years later, after he'd finally paid back all his debts, Kuma spoke to his wife over dinner.
Phew.... It's been a long road. I made a lot of trouble for your uncle, too...
Not at all. You managed to pay it all back, with extra.
It was the least I could do, after taking so long.
Listen... About that. There's something I need to apologize for.
What, did you have a secret stash or something?
No, no! It's not like that...
Then what? Out with it! I won't mind, just tell me.
The truth is... [Her voice trembles] It wasn't a dream.
Hm? What wasn't?
You know. Three years ago, you really did pick up that purse. It wasn't a dream. Here. Look.
What's with that dirty purse? [He looks down, freezes, and slowly looks back up] ...What is this?
This is the purse you found on the beach near Shiba. You really did find it! It wasn't a dream!
The purse I found... Then... You...!
I'm sorry! I lied to you! But you were getting so carried away, I thought you might find a way to spend it all, and never work again! So I lied and said it was a dream, and sent the purse to the authorities. Then after a year, no one came to claim it, and the purse became ours. But then I thought you still might stop working... And I was just so happy, seeing you finally working so hard... That's why I didn't tell you the truth until now! [She bursts into heaving sobs.] I'm sorry...!
...It wasn't a dream?
> ...I see. Right. So that's how it was. [He gives a shaky laugh.] Yes, I see. Come on, now. Don't cry. Look at me. I'm not mad.
R-Really...?
Yeah. It's true that ever since I took on that debt, I've been working my fingers to the bone. It's been hard. But that's how things ought to be for a merchant. Feeding my wife with the sweat off my brow, earning proper money and using that to make a life... It's not bad at all. And it was your lie that made me realize that. You made me the man I am today.
I'm so grateful to you. Thank you.
Dear...
Hey, dummy. Don't cry. Come on, eat your dinner before it gets cold.
...You're right. [sniffle] ...Dear... Would you like some sake?
Sake?
I got it ready just for today. [She hands him a cup.] You've repaid all your debts. Come on, just for today. Here.
Are you sure? Thank you. [He slowly raises the cup.] Well, now. Fine color. Been a while, eh, buddy? [laughs] ...Thank you.
[He starts to take a sip... only to suddenly stop.
Then, he carefully sets the cup down, smiling tenderly.]
Actually, though... I'd better not. I wouldn't want this to become just another dream.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
timeasmymeasure
3/3
Date: 2019-02-25 07:59 pm (UTC)And with that, Kuma became a new man. He didn't drink another drop, and put his all into working every day. You could set your watch by the schedule he kept. Everyone around him was stunned by the change. In the morning, he woke the earliest, went to the beach and selected the best fish. He became a skilled fishmonger with a discerning eye. Even the customers he'd lost came back one after another. Then, three years later, after he'd finally paid back all his debts, Kuma spoke to his wife over dinner.
Phew.... It's been a long road. I made a lot of trouble for your uncle, too...
Not at all. You managed to pay it all back, with extra.
It was the least I could do, after taking so long.
Listen... About that. There's something I need to apologize for.
What, did you have a secret stash or something?
No, no! It's not like that...
Then what? Out with it! I won't mind, just tell me.
The truth is... [Her voice trembles] It wasn't a dream.
Hm? What wasn't?
You know. Three years ago, you really did pick up that purse. It wasn't a dream. Here. Look.
What's with that dirty purse? [He looks down, freezes, and slowly looks back up] ...What is this?
This is the purse you found on the beach near Shiba. You really did find it! It wasn't a dream!
The purse I found... Then... You...!
I'm sorry! I lied to you! But you were getting so carried away, I thought you might find a way to spend it all, and never work again! So I lied and said it was a dream, and sent the purse to the authorities. Then after a year, no one came to claim it, and the purse became ours. But then I thought you still might stop working... And I was just so happy, seeing you finally working so hard... That's why I didn't tell you the truth until now! [She bursts into heaving sobs.] I'm sorry...!
...It wasn't a dream?
...I see. Right. So that's how it was. [He gives a shaky laugh.] Yes, I see. Come on, now. Don't cry. Look at me. I'm not mad.
R-Really...?
Yeah. It's true that ever since I took on that debt, I've been working my fingers to the bone. It's been hard. But that's how things ought to be for a merchant. Feeding my wife with the sweat off my brow, earning proper money and using that to make a life... It's not bad at all. And it was your lie that made me realize that. You made me the man I am today.
I'm so grateful to you. Thank you.
Dear...
Hey, dummy. Don't cry. Come on, eat your dinner before it gets cold.
...You're right. [sniffle] ...Dear... Would you like some sake?
Sake?
I got it ready just for today. [She hands him a cup.] You've repaid all your debts. Come on, just for today. Here.
Are you sure? Thank you. [He slowly raises the cup.] Well, now. Fine color. Been a while, eh, buddy? [laughs] ...Thank you.
[He starts to take a sip... only to suddenly stop.
Then, he carefully sets the cup down, smiling tenderly.]
Actually, though... I'd better not. I wouldn't want this to become just another dream.