From Five to Nine [Chapter 79 - Hanging Up]

Arriving at the temple, Junko calls out her apology for coming back late. “Is grandmother alright!? –eh? *sees a stranger with a monk* We have...a visitor?” A flustered monk welcomes Junko back. “This is the doctor... I’m very sorry!! It is because I was so confused...that I contacted and troubled someone [doctor]...”

Junko exclaims acute lower back [/waist] pain!? “You are saying that grandmother, she had strained her lower back?” There is a scene of Hibari gloomily lying down on a futon. The monk says yes, and he apologizes again since the abbot even called her at work...

Junko says that it is fortunate because she thought that it is something that needs hospitalization... Tokiko tells her that even if it is like that but ever since Hibari came over from Kyoto, it has been a long time since she had joined a trip. “And, she has somewhat gone over the top...”

There is a flashback of irked Hibari exclaiming to give the bag to her if s/he cannot keep up with her! “The prepared gifts, give it [to me] too...!!” There’s sound coming from her back and she feels a sharp pain. She collapses as the monk calls out to her. End flashback.

Tokiko says that it is the first time Hibari became like this. “She had fainted because of the pain...” Junko says ah, indeed, after all, it is very painful... “And, it ought to be at its most painful today and tomorrow, these two days...

...My grandmother had this chronic illness. It is really painful when she has her attacks... Since I was young, I’m always the one who is in charge of taking care of her so I’m more or less familiar with this.”

Tokiko says that is really heartening to hear that. “Can she teach me, Junko-san...” Junko says that when she sees Hibari’s condition, she’ll teach Tokiko some effective massages. “Then, I’ll go ahead since the abbot wants to talk with me.” Tokiko looks thoughtful-amused over what Junko told her.

Later on, the abbot bows to Junko and asks a favor from Junko. “I know that saying this is very willful... but please can you extend some assistance to my temple. Can you substitute for my wife in joining the trip? Tokiko will stay behind to take care of my wife.”

Junko apologizes and says, on that day, she has a business trip... The abbot says that he heard about that from Amane. Yet, I’ll still ask you to accommodate [us] for a while. You are obviously not yet the official successor’s wife but I’m really sorry for being like this. If the temple doesn’t have a woman joining, the female parishioners wouldn’t want to come.”

Looking at Amane’s frowning expression, Junko thinks that he looks very dissatisfied so does that mean if she goes, this can help Takane...? “But, the problem isn’t only the business trip...” They were interrupted by someone calling out to Hibari.

Outside the room, Hibari is telling someone to quickly open the door and she absolutely won’t allow...this kind of thing. “How can I let an amateur replace me... *as she holds on to Tokiko to support herself* Joining the temple’s... important activity.”

The abbot tells her that she cannot be like this when she is still... To their surprise, Junko reprimands Hibari for casually moving as she pleases. “Someone who had fainted a while ago would unexpectedly force oneself to walk. Please, do not do this kind of idiotic thing.”

Hibari is shocked by that. Scowling Junko continues, “First of all, you must fully recuperate! *pointing gesture* You can also worry about the temple while lying down. By the way, do not lie on your back, you have to lie on your side.”

A monk tells Junko okay, he understands, let’s go madam. Aghast Hibari mutters that Junko is really rude to say... Tokiko tells Hibari to please listen to Junko regarding this. Junko tells the abbot that she’ll go and see Hibari. “Let’s continue to talk about this topic later on.”

The abbot agrees and says that he’ll leave Hibari to her. After she left, Amane comments that is really scary since it is the first time he saw grandmother got shouted at by someone. The abbot agrees.

In the room, Hibari tells Junko to remember this...she had unexpectedly taken advantage of things when she’s in a difficult situation... Junko says okay, okay, please lie down! Hibari tells the others to make Junko leave her room immediately.

The monk tells Hibari that being like that isn’t good for her lower back. Going out of the room, Junko says she knows already, she’ll leave. “It would be at its most painful in this 24 hours. If she can sleep then it is better that she would sleep.”

Standing near the door, Tokiko thanks Juno and says that it is good that she is here. “Obviously, you are also very tired. Sorry about that.” Junko says, no, it’s okay. “Compared to that, putting a pillow-type of thing underneath her feet can be quite comfortable so please try it out.”

Afterwards, Junko is breathing hard. She falls to her knees at the corner of the hallway. Feeling ill, she thinks that this is really bad. “I start to feel nauseous again... Luckily, it wasn’t when everyone is around... Don’t even talk about going to the group trip, the important New York one will also... ...by the way, can I ride on a plane like this?

Maternity [/birth] clinic... I have to go tomorrow... *stands up as she steadies herself on the wall* I have to confirm it and this isn’t the time to be scared...” Rrriing. Riingg. Junko thinks that it is the phone in the temple’s office. “Everyone is out...”

She answers the phone. To her surprise, she hears a familiar voice. “Sorry for calling so late at night. This is Takane. It is during the evening when I heard that someone called to tell me about my grandmother fainting. It is quite sudden. Even if I’m in training, I got permission from above to call. How is grandmother’s situation? It should be an emergency, right--”

Junko thinks, “Do you know how I longed to hear this voice right now?” She tells him that his grandmother is okay. “It is an acute lower back pain so it was excessively painfully... and it caused her to faint afterwards...” Perking up, Takane asks if this is Junko.

Junko says yes, grandmother is okay and also, thanks for the many letters that he sent to her... Takane thinks that this is the voice he really likes but it shouldn’t be like this because yes, he is currently in training and he should hang up the phone soon but...

He tells her that her voice is so lively. One of the monks reminds Takane that he can make a personal emergency call to Hitotsubashi temple for only 5 minutes so pay attention. Takane says yes, he knows.

After a pause, Takane says that he’ll ask her to help out regarding his grandmother and the temple because she is the woman who’ll support the future abbot. “When I come back, you can relax as I’ll give my all-out effort to support you.” Junko says that she understands, and she’ll do her best. 

Takane says when he comes back... He hesitates then tells her, “When I come back, I’ll spend the night with you and I’ll absolutely won’t let you go. Please be prepared for that. Every day and every night, I won’t let you part away from me.”

Junko bluntly replies, “Ah, sorry, but it is probably no good.  Compared to that, you should hang up the phone or you’ll be punished again.” Shocked Takane exclaims, ha!? “Junko-san, why is that...” A monk takes the phone away from him and says, okay, time’s up so is your family member okay?

Aghast Takane exclaims no! “[It] really isn’t like that!! ...she shouldn’t be planning on minding her own business and has decided to proceed to go New York, right. So, it’s possible...” The monk angrily says okay, okay, give back the phone and this is a rule. “By the way, what has going to New York have to do with your fainted grandmother?”

After hanging up the phone, Junko chuckles and thinks that she didn’t think that there’ll be a day when her unfounded and puzzling confidence will give her courage.

The next day, Junko greets Tokiko a good morning and asks how Hibari is doing. Tokiko greets her back and says that Hibari is still resting. “It was quite painful last night so it seems that she totally wasn’t able to sleep.” Junko says that she’ll try to ask her grandmother if there’s something that can be of help.

Tokiko thanks her. “By the way, Junko-san, regarding what the abbot said yesterday, from your work’s point of view, I know that you definitely cannot do what the abbot asked... And based on yesterday’s situation, I had also discussed it with the abbot. Isn’t it better that I go to the trip? Can you stay here and take care with mother?”

Surprised Junko exclaims, no, compared to me, grandmother she... Tokiko tells her that compared to meeting the parishioners for the first time, she thinks physically and psychologically, this is a somewhat lighter burden. After thinking about it, Junko says that she needs to go to her part time work so can she give her an answer later on.

At a maternity clinic, the doctor says that Junko is 6 weeks pregnant. “If you’re quite anxious today, it’s best that you come back again next week.” Junko asks if during this phase, she can ride on a long distance journey on a plane to go abroad...

The doctor says that she doesn’t suggest it. “If it is the stable phase, then it’s okay. But, even if it is like that, honestly speaking, it is quite a big risk.” Junko thinks that is right. “...probably, because of this decision, I’ll lose my most important thing that has been my goal until now. ...but at the same time, I’ll attain something, right.”

Comment: So, her dream to go to the US is gone again. This is the second time. Maybe the third time is the charm. I’m not sure though how busy an abbot’s wife can be in terms of temple duties and stuff. Hm...these days, it isn’t really a deterrent to bring a baby for a long haul trip.

Tokiko’s suggestion is indeed practical. Tokiko knows more about how to go about things in a trip like that. And, Junko knows how to take care of someone who had a lower back pain. Still, I think it is still stressful to take care of someone who hates you.

I wonder if Junko would agree to what they want if she isn’t pregnant. Will she stay to impress the future in-laws or leave for the US to fulfill her dream? And, after that call with Junko, Takane won’t be at ‘peace’ during his training. ^^; Scans by 月球坑组

Word of the day:

Trust God and make the decision. Use the knowledge and wisdom you’ve gained, and commit your decision to Him. ~ Our Daily Bread