Floating Weeds Disappearing in the Shinjuku Night: Takenobu Yajima and Noboru Ando's Talks from 1965 to 1965

Floating Weeds Disappearing in the Shinjuku Night: Takenobu Yajima and Noboru Ando's Talks from 1965 to 1965

It is Shinjuku after rain, neon lights are blotched and swaying in puddles. Passing through the bustle of the bustling city, one enters the Ando-gumi office to find a bottle and two teacups on the tatami mats. Cigarette smoke was slowly swirling on the ceiling.

Yajima, aren't you a little too nasal these days?"

Noboru Ando shook his whiskey glass and glared at him. Takenobu Yajima shrugged and picked up the teacup.

That's a bit of an exaggeration, boss," he said. Those with a sharp nose are the ones who are involved in the kitchens over there, and we're just trying to get a quick drink.

Hey, hey, hey, that's very modest of you, isn't it? If a worldly man like you were to talk about "the kitchen," you'd get your feet kicked out from behind you.

That's true, but it's usually the light-mouthed rats who roll first, isn't it? I still want to live long in this town.

Ando smiles as he exhales smoke.

You are a smooth talker, but you also know the logic of the hard way, don't you? Well, that's why I'm here drinking with you.

I'm just being carried along by my boss. I may find myself with one foot buried at the bottom of Shinjuku.

"Don't be silly. There is no bottom in Shinjuku. There are only people who flow like floating weeds and shadows that disappear before you know it.

Yajima slowly put down his teacup. The night town is still bustling with noise. Will he continue on the path of the beast, or will he be swept away like a floating weed? Ando's eyes did not speak, but there was a shimmering light behind them that seemed to be enjoying itself.