'明暗 (Meian)' Summary

Tsuda, a man recently married to Onobu, finds himself hospitalized due to a serious digestive ailment. As he lies in the hospital bed, his thoughts drift back to Kiyoko, a woman he once loved deeply but whose affections he could never fully capture. Tsuda's illness serves as a catalyst for reflection, forcing him to confront his mortality and the lingering emotions tied to his past. The novel explores the delicate balance between his present reality with Onobu and the enduring presence of Kiyoko in his memories. The story culminates in a poignant exploration of love, regret, and the bittersweet realization that the past can never truly be forgotten.