Arson in the Tsuwabuki-Minami District - Dreaming Without a Key (2) - Reading Record - Naoki Prize Winning Work (5)

This is a reading record for the second short story in the collection, "Arson in the Tsuwabuki-Minami District."

*Please note that the following contains spoilers.

Protagonist: Shoko (36). It seems she was played by Tae Kimura in the drama adaptation.

There was a suspicious fire near Shoko's parents' home, and it was caused by arson... shockingly, it was set by a member of the local volunteer fire department.

Shoko was an acquaintance of that man (Obayashi) and had even gone on a date with him once. However, she had an embarrassing experience on that date...

Shoko's job involves insurance business related to properties owned by towns and villages, and she is also responsible for paying out mutual aid money for disasters. Obayashi, who knew this, has a chance reunion (?) with Shoko at a "fire scene," even though she had changed her email address and mobile phone number to avoid him...

"Could it be that Obayashi was the one who set the fire?" A suspicion arises in Shoko's heart.

Before long, Obayashi is arrested.

"I wanted to be a hero."

Regarding Kimura, who played the role of Shoko,

When asked what she would do if there were a woman like Shoko around her, she reportedly said with a meaningful smile, "There are times when you become afraid of romance and end up rejecting the other person, but you have to try to see the good in them. I think marriage is where a new kind of training begins... (laughs)."

Also, "Yaoya Oshichi" was introduced in the novel. It seems she was a real person.

It is a story about Oshichi, who fell in love with a temple page and set fire to her own house out of a single-minded desire that "if there is another fire, I can evacuate to the temple and see my beloved Shonosuke."

Shoko wondered if Obayashi might be a modern male version of "Yaoya Oshichi."

I have often experienced that things I do thinking they are "good intentions" or "kindness" might actually be a nuisance... "Doing things that make others happy" is important and also a source of joy.

I want to live with the stance of finding satisfaction in the act itself.

Shoko's junior colleague, who is "someone who only listens vaguely even though I'm sure I spoke clearly," also appears. The way stories are conveyed and interpreted varies from person to person... It made me want to cherish the weight of words once again.