Work Text:
Jungwon had the train compartment to himself, then a boy got in.The couple who saw him off were probably his parents. They seemed very anxious about his comfort and the woman gave the boy detailed instructions as to where to keep his things, when not to lean out of windows, and how to avoid speaking to strangers.
They called their goodbyes and the train pulled out of the station. As Jungwon was totally blind at the time, his eyes were sensitive only to light and darkness, he was unable to tell what the boy looked like. But he knew he wore slippers from the way they slapped against his heels.
It would take me some time to discover something about his looks and perhaps he never would. But he liked the sound of his voice and even the sound of his slippers.
'Are you going all the way to Kyoto?' Jungwon asked.
He must have been sitting in a dark corner because his voice startled the boy. The boy gave a little exclamation and said, 'I didn't know anyone else was here.'
Well, it often happens that people with good eyesight fail to see what is right in front of them. They have too much to take in, I suppose. Whereas people who cannot see (or see very little) have to take in only the essentials, whatever registers tellingly on their remaining senses.
'I didn't see you either, Jungwon said. 'But I heard you come in.' He wondered if he would be able to prevent the boy from discovering that he was blind. Provided he kept to his seat, he thought, it shouldn't be too difficult.
Jungwon had no idea what was happening to him but he spoke before he could stop himself.
'What's your name?'
There was silence for a few seconds.
'uh- Nishimura Riki, yours?'
' Yang Jungwon ',he replied.
Riki said, 'I'm getting off at Okayama. My aunt is meeting me there.'
'Then I had better not get too familiar,' Jungwon replied. 'Aunts are usually formidable creatures!
'Where are you going?' Riki asked.
'To Kyota and then to Takayama .'
'Oh, how lucky you are. I wish I were going to Takayama. I love the hills in rural places. Especially in April.'
'Yes, this is the best time,' Jungwon said, calling on his memories. "The hills are covered with several types of flowers especially cherry blossom, the sun is delicious, and at night you can sit in front of a log fire and drink a little. Yes, April is the best time."
Riki was silent. Jungwon wondered if his words had touched him or whether he thought Jungwon was a romantic fool. Then he made a mistake.
'What is it like outside?' Jungwon asked.
The boy seemed to find nothing strange in the question. Had he noticed already that Jungwon could not see? But his next question removed his doubts.
'Why don't you look out of the window?' Riki asked.
Jungwon moved easily along the berth and felt for the window ledge. The window was open and he faced it, making a pretence of studying the landscape. He heard the panting of the engine, the rumble of the wheels, and, in my mind's eye he could see telegraph posts flashing by.
'Have you noticed', Jungwon ventured, 'that the trees seem to be moving while we seem to be standing still?'
"That always happens', Riki said. 'Do you see any animals?'
'No', Jungwon answered quite confidently. He knew that there were hardly any animals left in here. He turned from the window and faced Riki and for a while They sat in silence.
'You have an interesting face', Jungwon remarked. He was becoming quite daring but it was a safe remark. Few people can resist flattery. Riki laughed pleasantly-a clear, ringing laugh.
'It's nice to be told I have an interesting face. I'm tired of people telling me I have a pretty face.'
'Oh, so you do have a pretty face', thought Jungwon. And aloud he said: 'Well, an interesting face can also be pretty'.
'You are a very gallant young man,' Riki said. 'But why are you so serious?'
Jungwon thought, then, that he would try to laugh for Riki, but the thought of laughter only made him feel troubled and lonely.
'We'll soon be at your station', Jungwon said.
'Thank goodness it's a short journey. I can't bear to sit in a train for more than two or three hours!.'
Yet Jungwon was prepared to sit there for almost any length of time, just to listen to him talking. His voice had the sparkle of a mountain stream. As soon as Riki would leave the train he would forget their brief encounter. But it would stay with Jungwon for the rest of the journey and for some time after.
The engine's whistle shrieked, the carriage wheels changed their sound and rhythm, Riki got up and began to collect his things. Jungwon wondered if he wore his hair down or up. Perhaps it was hanging loose over his shoulders. Or was it cut very short?
The train drew slowly into the station. Outside, there was the shouting of porters and vendors and a high-pitched female voice near the carriage door. That voice must have belonged to Riki's aunt.
'Goodbye,' Riki said.
He was standing very close to Jungwon .So close that the perfume from his hair was tantalizing. Jungwon wanted to raise his hand and touch the boy's hair but Riki moved away. Only the scent of perfume still lingered where he had stood.
There was some confusion in the doorway. An old woman getting into the compartment, stammered an apology. Then the door banged and the world was shut out again. Jungwon returned to his berth. The guard blew his whistle and they moved off. Once again he had a game to play and a new fellow traveller.
The train gathered speed, the wheels took up their song, the carriage groaned and shook. He found the window and sat in front of it, staring into the daylight that was darkness for him. So many things were happening outside the window. It could be a fascinating game guessing what went on out there. The woman who had entered the compartment broke into his reverie.
'You must be disappointed, she said. 'I'm not nearly as attractive travelling companion as the one who just left.' 'He was an interesting boy,' Jungwon said. 'Can you tell me-did he keep his hair long or short?'
'I don't remember,' she said sounding puzzled. 'It was his eyes I noticed, not his hair. He had beautiful eyes but they were of no use to him. He was completely blind. Didn't you notice?'