Rain had apparently blown into the mailbox. She dried the paper over the gas as she was cooking breakfast. Sometimes, when he was awake early, Shingo went for the newspaper and took it back to bed with him; but now going for it seemed to have become Kikuko’s work. Usually he saw the newspaper only after Shuichi had left for the office. ‘Father, Father,’ Kikuko called softly through the door. ‘What is it?’ ‘If you’re awake, would you come out for a minute?’ ‘Is something wrong?’ Alarmed by the tone of her voice, he got up immediately. She was standing on the veranda with the newspaper in her hand. ‘What’s happened?’ ‘Mr Aihara is in the paper.’ ‘Has Aihara been taken in by the police?’ ‘No.’ Retreating a step, she handed him the paper. ‘It’s still wet.’ He reached for it, reluctantly. It sagged limply from his hand. Kikuko held it up for him. ‘I can’t see. What happened to Aihara?’ ‘It was suicide with a woman.’ ‘Is he dead?’ ‘He will probably be saved, it says.’ ‘Wait a minute.’ He started off, leaving the newspaper with Kikuko.
What do You think about The Sound Of The Mountain?
