After the quake blind willow, sleeping woman dance dance dance

They were 
surely beyond help from orthodontia, but someone should at least teach him how to 
brush his teeth properly
, Tengo thought. 
“That’s what makes our foundation unique,” Ushikawa said proudly. “The 
researchers we contract with take note of things that other people have yet to notice. 
That is one of our goals. As you say, none of your work has been properly published, 
and we are quite aware of that. But we also know that, under a penname, you have 
entered various literary magazines’ new writer’s competitions almost every year. You 
have not won yet, unfortunately, but a few times your work made it through to the last 
stage of the screening process, so that, quite naturally, a not inconsiderable number of 
people got to read them, and several of those people took note of your talent. Our 
researcher has concluded that you are certain to win a new writer’s award in the near 
future and make your debut as a writer. ‘Investing in futures’ would be a rather crude 
way to put it, but as I said before, our aim is to ‘nourish the budding youth who will 
carry the next generation on their shoulders.’ ” 
Tengo picked up his cup and took a drink of his tea, which, by now, was somewhat 
cool. “So, what you’re saying is that I’m a candidate for a grant as a fledgling 
novelist, is that it?” 
“That is it exactly. Except that you’re not so much a candidate as a finalist. If you 
say that you are willing to accept the grant, then I am authorized to finalize the 
arrangements. If you will be so good as to sign the necessary documents, the three 
million yen will be transferred electronically into your bank account immediately. 
You will be able to take six months or a year’s leave from this cram school and 

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295
devote all your energies to writing. We have heard that you are presently writing a 
long novel. This would be a perfect opportunity, don’t you think?” 
“How do you know I’m writing a long novel?” Tengo asked with a frown. 
Ushikawa gave him another toothy grin, but upon closer inspection, Tengo realized 
that his eyes were not smiling at all. The glow from them was icy cold. 
“Our researchers are eager and capable. They choose a number of candidates and 
examine them from every angle. Probably a few people around you know that you are 
writing a novel. Word gets out …” 
Komatsu knew he was writing a novel, and so did his older girlfriend. Was there 
anyone else? Probably not. 
“I’d like to ask a few things about your foundation,” Tengo said. 
“Please do. Ask anything at all.” 
“Where does it get the money it needs to operate?” 
“From a certain individual. Or, you might say, from an organization of his. 
Realistically speaking—just between us—it also serves as one of his many tax write-
offs. Of course, quite aside from that, this individual has a deep interest in scholarship 
and the arts, and he wants to support members of the younger generation. I can’t go 
into any more detail here. The person wishes to remain anonymous—and that 
includes his organization as well. All day-to-day operations are entrusted to the 
foundation’s committee, of which yours truly is, for now, a member.” 
Tengo thought about this for a moment, but there really wasn’t that much to think 
about. All he did was put the things that Ushikawa had told him in order. 
“Would you mind very much if I smoked?” Ushikawa asked. 
“Not at all,” Tengo said, pushing a heavy glass ashtray in his direction. 
Ushikawa took a box of Seven Stars cigarettes from his breast pocket, put a 
cigarette in his mouth, and lit it with a gold lighter. The lighter was slim and 
expensive-looking. 
“So, what do you say, Mr. Kawana?” Ushikawa asked. “Will you do us the honor 
of accepting our grant? Speaking for myself, quite honestly, after having heard your 
delightful lecture, I am very much looking forward to seeing what kind of world you 
go on to create in your literature.” 
“I am very grateful to you for bringing me this offer,” Tengo said. “It’s far more 
than I deserve. But I’m afraid I can’t accept it.” 
Smoke rose from the cigarette between Ushikawa’s fingers. He looked at Tengo 
with his eyes narrowed. “By which you mean …?” 
“First of all, I don’t like the idea of taking money from people I hardly know. 
Secondly, as things stand now, I don’t really need the money. I have managed well 
enough so far by teaching three days a week at the cram school and using the other 
days to concentrate on my writing. I’m not ready to change that lifestyle.”