Kokoro

How can I escape, except through faith, madness, or death?

I was saddened by the thought that she, whom I loved and trusted more than anyone else in the world, could not understand me.

Sometimes, I almost believed that night had fallen for ever

Apart from myself, only heaven knew me for what I was.

I think that had K and I been alone in some wilderness, I would have listened to the cry of my conscience

I can’t decide whether to take a step forward or to turn back.” Once more, I prodded him: “Tell me, can you really turn back if you want to?” Suddenly, he seemed lost for an answer. All he said was: “I cannot bear this pain.”

I want you to understand that I was not walking in order to forget K. Indeed, one might say that I was wandering about the streets in pursuit of K’s image.

The cold of early winter and my own loneliness seemed to grip my whole body

our relationship shifted temporarily to a different plane. We were like two far-traveling peddlers who had met by chance on the road. We talked to each other, but we said nothing that was of serious concern to us

but always, I was checked by the insurmountable wall that stood between us