-Bitter-sweet-

The water in the rice paddies reflected the image of the man primly riding his white bicycle along the narrow path. Some houses reminded me of the advertisements for ready-built housing but others looked as if they have stood in their wooden columns for many generations. The green mountains look as if they would harbour a couple of spirits or two. We were being served pale white pickles and grilled prawns in a tiny restaurant in Ginza - H. and I were the only customers, and they had been in the middle of closing shop when we entered at ten o'clock.
"There are three groups of people who are important in your life," H. said, "your parents, your mentor and your friends. All of them form the network of support and love for you. What you become is mostly thanks to them and lots of good luck."
The red chunks of tuna sashimi came on a blue porcelain plate with a metallic stain artfully draped around its border.
"You cannot control events that happen to you. But you can control your reactions to them."
H. said. The rice of the sushi had just the right seasoning. The orange salmon roe quivered as I picked it up in its seaweed shell. We finished the meal with a sweet, transparent green ume-boshi. I bit into the soft flesh, expecting the familiar sharp tartness, but instead tasted soft sweetness with a mere hint of bitterness.