The Passengers on the Hankyu Line полностью

But she didn’t dare say that to him – he was so worked up, he might actually slap her in front of everyone.

‘NEXT STOP, NIGAWA. NIGAWA.’

As the announcement came over the speaker, the girl and grandmother pair stood up.

Katsuya also turned to face the door that was about to open and Misa walked quickly after him.

‘Wait, we’re not getting off here! We were gonna go to the real estate broker in Nishi-Kita to look for a place.’

‘I don’t feel like it any more, because of you.’

Because of you. His emphasis on that phrase was spiteful.

‘I’d rather go bet on the horses, even if there isn’t a big race today. If you wanna look for an apartment, go by yourself.’

Nigawa serves the Hanshin Racecourse, and on in-season weekends, the station teems with horseracing spectators. So many throng to the racecourse on major race days that the pedestrian crossing can’t handle the flow of traffic, so they built an underpass that offers direct access from the ticket gate to the racecourse for people who arrive by train. In the opposite direction, there is a traditional shopping district that leads to a peaceful, quiet residential area. The difference from one side of the station to the other could not be starker.

Katsuya had no interest in horseracing. He only ever went along if his friends invited him, and even then only for the big races. For him to get off here, that could only be interpreted as Katsuya being hurtful to Misa.

As the grandmother–granddaughter pair stood waiting to get off, the older woman was trying to soothe the girl, who was still sniffling.

Katsuya made a point of mouthing the word ‘bitch’ at the woman. The implication being that this too was because of Misa.

‘Hey, I’m sorry, it’s my fault. I’ll stop. Will you change your mind and come to the broker with me?’

The train came to a halt and the doors opened. Misa tried to prevent Katsuya from getting off, but instead she got dragged along.

‘Eek!’

Misa came close to tripping over onto the platform but Katsuya didn’t even turn around, he just shook off her hand and hurried over to the ticket gate.

Any impulse to chase after him vanished, and Misa just watched him go.

Ugh, how did we get to this point?

They argued when they were out on a date, when they were at home in Katsuya’s apartment, and if she wasn’t careful, even after they’d just done it.

Just what was wrong? Why was it that the most insignificant comment would always escalate into a full-blown argument? Things would go beyond the point of no return, and if they were at his place he’d hit her, or if they were out he’d lose his temper and walk off. Misa had lost count of the times she’d had to make her own way home in tears.

And yet, when he had been in a good mood, he’d suggested they live together, rather than each living alone, since it would save them both money on rent.

I think you and I will get along just fine, he’d said.

Still, whenever his anger flared up he was relentless. No matter how much Misa pleaded and cried, no matter how much she apologized, it had no effect. Once an argument had begun, it wasn’t over until he decided it was.

She and Katsuya had been the first ones off the train, and the other passengers stepped off after them. By now Misa was used to the pitying stares.

The sound of someone blowing their nose echoed loudly. Misa reflexively turned to look – it was the same pair from before. The elderly lady was helping the little girl to clean herself up after crying.

‘I’m sorry for making your granddaughter cry.’ Misa couldn’t help but offer an apology.

With a practised hand, the old lady briskly disposed of the tissue and uttered flatly, ‘That good-for-nothing.’

It took a moment for Misa to realize that the woman’s offhand comment was in reference to Katsuya.

The shock of it was a rude awakening to Misa – the fact that she was dating a guy whom a total and complete stranger felt compelled to dismiss aloud as a good-for-nothing.

‘Have you thought about getting rid of him? For all he puts you through.’

The old lady spoke in a frank tone as she took the hand of her granddaughter, no longer crying, and descended the staircase towards the opposite exit.

Misa watched their retreating figures until they were no longer visible, then trudged along the platform to a nearby bench, where she took a seat.

Why am I dating such a jerk?

An insignificant comment escalated into a full-blown argument and, in his anger, he saw nothing wrong with yelling at her in public; if no one was around, he became violent, without any concern that he might actually injure her.

Their relationship had begun with him chatting her up. Katsuya was a good-looking guy, and Misa had been flattered when he had struck up a conversation with her. She agreed to go to a café with him.