Synopsis
- Niika is a professional photographer working in Tokyo.
- Niika is overjoyed when her boyfriend of five years, Hiraku, surprises her with a proposal at Tokyo Station.
- However, the next day, a shocking incident occurs: Hiraku is arrested for secretly taking photos of a high school girl.
- While Hiraku promises to never do it again, Niika finds herself deeply conflicted.
- The trust they’d built over five years crumbles in an instant, and because she loves him, she continues to grapple with whether to forgive or break up.
Review
■Losing Trust
When I first read this novel, I felt the theme of the story was “trust.”
However, when I finished, I felt the story had a deeper theme than just “trust.”
Still, I once again felt the profound impact of losing trust through this novel.
Perhaps the price is even greater because Hiraku’s crime was sexual.
The weight of the words, “It only takes a moment to lose trust, but it takes a lifetime to regain it,” is brought home to me.
■A Fine Line Between Evil and Crime
Reading only the chapters from Niika’s perspective, one begins to feel that Hiraku has flaws as a person.
However, when he accepts Niika’s instructions to cross-dress, one begins to appreciate his sincerity.
And when reading Hiraku’s chapter, one doesn’t think Hiraku is the kind of person who would commit a crime.
But if someone like this can commit a crime, it makes one feel that anyone could.
But at the same time, it also makes one feel that there is a huge gap between crossing that line and not.
■Detailed and Delicate Psychological Description
I think what’s great about this novel is how carefully it describes the inner lives of both Niika and Hiraku.
Niika’s conflict as her lover commits a crime is carefully written, and her emotional changes as time passes since she found out about the crime are also meticulously written, making it captivating.
The differing opinions expressed in the interactions with family and friends are particularly fascinating. And each of them is convincing.
Niika’s story alone was well worth the read, but the detailed description of Hiraku’s situation after he committed the crime adds depth to the work.
I was drawn in more and more and finished the book in no time.
