「あいつは、ふた
「うん、あの
「湯島のかげまた何だ」
「何でも男らしくないもんだろう。――
「そうか、
「角屋って、あの
「宿屋
「見届けるって、
「うん、角屋の
「見ているときに
「来るだろう。どうせひと
「
「
「
「まだ枡屋に
「それじゃ、いつから
「
「よろしい、いつでも加勢する。僕は
"That guy lectures the rest of us about moral character and intellectual pursuits, and then he runs shamefully after geisha when no one is watching. It would be one thing if he tolerated others having some fun too, but didn't he call out your soba and dumpling outings as unacceptable from a disciplinary perspective and use the principal to admonish you?"
"He did. That scoundrel sees cavorting with geisha as an intellectual pursuit, while tempura or dumplings are a material indulgence. If it were truly an intellectual pursuit then he could pursue it openly. Look at him, fleeing the room when his geisha appears. It's disgusting how he thinks he can get away with such behavior. When confronted with censure he tries to bewilder his accuser with denials, with allusions to Russian literature, or by arguing how haiku are the blood brother of new-style poetry. That coward is a poor excuse for a man. He must be the reincarnation of someone's chamber maid. Could even be that his father was a Yushima man-pleaser."
"What's a Yushima man-pleaser?"
"Suffice it to say it's nothing very masculine. ... That part's not cooked. You'll get tapeworms eating it like that."
"Really? I think it's okay. Anyway, they say that Red Shirt makes clandestine visits to Kadoya, in the hot springs town, to rendezvous with his geisha."
"Kadoya? You mean the inn?"
"Inn and restaurant. The best way to put him in his place is to catch him in there with his geisha and confront him on the spot."
"How? Are you planning to stake the place out?"
"Exactly. There's an inn called Masuya opposite Kadoya. I'll rent a second floor room on the street side, open a hole in the shōji, and watch from there."
"You think he'll show while you're watching?"
"He'll show, but one night won't do. It's going to be a two-week operation."
"You'll be exhausted. I had the night shift tending to my father before he passed away. I did it for a week, and it left me light-headed and thoroughly worn down."
"I don't mind a little physical fatigue. Such scoundrels, if left unchecked, are a stain on our national honor. On behalf of heaven I'll give him his due."
"I love it! If you're intent on this then count me in. Does the stakeout begin tonight?"
"I haven't arranged for the room at Masuya yet, so not tonight."
"Then what's the plan?"
"It'll be soon. I'll let you know when the time comes, and then I'd like your help."
"I'll be ready at any time. I'm not much of a planner, but confrontation's my forte."