Synopsis
- The protagonist, Sosuke Tashiro, is a former elite banker who graduated from the Tokyo University. He falls off the career path and retires while still seconded to a subsidiary.
- Devoted to his work, with no hobbies and no ties to society, Sosuke feels like “retirement is like a funeral before you die,” and he spends his days listlessly.
- His wife, Chigusa, who works energetically as a hairdresser, and his daughter, Michiko, dismiss him, suggesting he “find love,” and he struggles to find his place in the family.
- He attempts to find a new job, but his illustrious career is met with shunning and he is unable to find one. Meanwhile, he meets a receptionist, Hamada Kuri, at a cultural school, and a premonition of love begins to grow.
- He meets Naoto Suzuki, the president of an IT company, at the gym and begins working as an advisor for his company. However, following Suzuki’s sudden death, Sosuke takes over as president, and the company goes bankrupt.
- Despite spending his personal fortune and incurring his wife’s wrath, Sosuke strives to live a “new life,” not a “finished man.”
- Ultimately, he and his wife parted ways, “graduating from marriage,” and Sosuke headed to the countryside.
Review
■Tokyo University, for now
After graduating from Tokyo University, he worked at a major bank before being seconded to a subsidiary. While the protagonist seems to think he could have been more highly regarded and achieved a higher position within the company, he is still considered an elite by the general public.
His catchphrase, “Tokyo University, for now,” suggests a strong desire for recognition, even though he lacks confidence in himself.
A truly outstanding person would never say such a thing and would always remain humble.
■Work is my purpose
Given his age, the protagonist could have retired from work, but because he has only ever worked, he still feels regretful.
I wonder how many elite salarymen feel after reaching retirement age.
For someone who’s lived the life of a hard-working salaryman, everyday life outside of work may seem all too boring. In that sense, the system often adopted by large companies, where employees are relieved of their positions and removed from the front lines of work after turning 60, may be a rational system.
■ Hometown at the End
The protagonist’s life after retiring from Tachibana Bank was quite exciting. After experiencing many things and losing much, the protagonist finally ended up in his hometown of Iwate Prefecture, which felt like a good ending to his farewell to work.
On the other hand, it was somewhat sad and cruel to see his wife, who had supported him as a full-time housewife, leave him after losing all his assets. Of course, her determination to become an independent hairdresser is admirable, but I feel that she could have been more kind to her husband in his difficult situation.
However, given that the protagonist has spent his life working, perhaps it’s his own doing.
