Mono no aware, yūgen, and wabi-sabi are considered Japan's three core aesthetic concepts, with mono no aware leading the pack.
Mono no aware, in essence, is an aesthetic rooted in melancholic beauty.
For nearly four centuries, this concept has shaped the Japanese psyche. Where others might see hope in a vibrant sunrise, the Japanese find deeper resonance in the sorrowful hues of a fading sunset. While people from other cultures might see blooming flowers and think "beautiful" or "vivid," the Japanese are more likely to reflect on their inevitable wilting.
This is sadness, but it's also a kind of thrill etched into the Japanese soul.
The Japanese find beauty in sorrow, believing that "death is not the opposite of life but an eternal part of it." Taken to its extreme, especially when fused with militaristic ideologies, this mindset gave rise to the concept of "one hundred million shattered jewels"—a romanticized view of meaningful death as a sublime spiritual state.
But the world is ultimately material. The lofty ideal of "one hundred million shattered jewels" crumbled before "Little Boy" and "Fat Man."
Yet, just as natural environments shape the creatures within them, forcing them to evolve into forms dictated by their surroundings, cultural history isn't so easily shaken off. After four centuries of mono no aware, Japan's spiritual landscape has been molded by it, passed down and reinforced through generations. Even the influx of upbeat, action-packed cultural products in the '90s and early 2000s couldn't uproot this aesthetic from the hearts of most Japanese people.
When it comes to sadness—especially the gut-punching, soul-crushing chainsaw blades of narrative crafted by the likes of Nasu Kinoko in Fate—Kawauchi Sayoko, a woman weathered by life's storms, was utterly defenseless.
"You must be some kind of pervert to write a script like this!"
Tears streamed down her face as she blurted out the accusation, but amusingly, green numbers kept frantically popping up above her head.
"…"
As expected, the "strong and safe embrace" she craved wasn't just about financial security.
Caught off guard by her intense reaction, Fuyukawa Tetsu glanced at the system panel: [Friendship evolved: Friendly → Admiration]. He patted his chest, momentarily choked up, and took a sip of barley tea. "You don't like it?"
"I love it! I love it so much! I'm so sorry! I was so rude just now! Please forgive me, Tetsu-kun!"
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Kawauchi Sayoko wiped her tears with a tissue, but halfway through, as she snapped out of the script's emotional grip, she realized just how impolite she'd been.
She bowed repeatedly in apology.
Kneeling on the tatami mat, Kawauchi Sayoko kept bowing, but Fuyukawa Tetsu stayed silent, simply watching her.
She thinks I won't accept it?
She must think she's upset me.
Worry and fear flickered in her eyes. As she met Fuyukawa Tetsu's striking features and deep, piercing gaze, her autumn-water eyes trembled—part panic, like a startled deer, part something softer, almost misty.
Clearly, a simple apology wasn't cutting it.
+200!
Green numbers floated above her head. Under Fuyukawa Tetsu's steady gaze, Kawauchi Sayoko shifted back slightly, knees pressed together on the floor. Her nervous eyes flicked to him before darting away, and then she lowered herself respectfully into a full bow.
"I'm so sorry, Tetsu-kun! Please forgive your subordinate, Sayoko."
A dogeza.
Her head touched the floor, her posture exaggeratedly arched.
Watching the curve of her figure and her slightly raised feet, Fuyukawa Tetsu continued grilling beef. As her body began to tremble faintly and the green and red numbers above her head grew larger and faster, almost spiraling out of control, he finally chuckled. "Get up. I get how you feel. A truly great work can pull you in so deep you can't escape. That's the whole point of making games, isn't it?"
He wasn't lying. He genuinely loved cultural products like games and films that could strike straight at the heart.
"Thank you so much! Sayoko will work hard to improve herself from now on!"
+500 +300 +200 +30 +30
Kawauchi Sayoko lifted her head. The prolonged contact with the tatami left faint marks on her pale forehead. Her upper body's forward tilt had flushed her alluring cheeks a deep red.
The captivating woman brushed a strand of dark hair behind her ear, revealing a small, seductive beauty mark near her lips. She bowed respectfully to Fuyukawa Tetsu once more before carefully shifting to sit back at the table.
She opened her mouth to speak, but Fuyukawa Tetsu beat her to it, placing a piece of grilled beef on her plate. "You've been glued to the script. Eat something first, then we'll talk. We've got plenty of time."
"Thank you, Tetsu-kun."
Another bow.
+100.
Just for putting a piece of meat on her plate, her emotional value shot up by 100.
Is it because her friendliness has turned into admiration?
When a girl faces a guy she doesn't like, even if he gives her everything, she might just say, "You're a nice guy, but I'm not looking to date right now." But with a guy she does like, a single glance can keep her daydreaming all day.
Feelings are irrational like that.
Lost in his rambling thoughts, Fuyukawa Tetsu propped his chin up, quietly watching Kawauchi Sayoko nibble at her grilled beef.
It was clear she was hungry. Despite her efforts to maintain some polished image in front of him, eating in small, delicate bites, her chopsticks moved at an astonishing speed.
In her haste, a drop of oil splashed onto the "snowy peaks" of her strappy dress.
Flustered, she reached for a tissue. Fuyukawa Tetsu handed her one, and under his slightly raised eyebrow, she turned partially, her face flushed as she dabbed at the stain.
+50 +50 +50 +50
Time flew by in these happy moments. A while later, as Kawauchi Sayoko's stomach visibly rounded under her dress and a server brought a fruit platter, Fuyukawa Tetsu picked up a piece of watermelon. "Full yet?"
"Very full. Thank you for treating me, Tetsu-kun. My stomach's even feeling a bit warm," Kawauchi Sayoko said shyly, wiping her mouth with a tissue, a satisfied smile on her face.
Fuyukawa Tetsu grinned. "So, what did you think of the script?"
"It's incredible! I haven't read a script this amazing in forever. Even though it feels like you haven't fully fleshed out the text yet, the story is already so powerful!"
Kawauchi Sayoko's eyes lit up with enthusiasm, a hint of admiration gleaming as she looked at Fuyukawa Tetsu.
+200.
Talking about Fate's story sent her emotional value soaring again.
A Pisces woman with an art background—definitely a romantic and idealistic soul.
Fuyukawa Tetsu smiled, shaking his head inwardly. "Good to hear. You can quit your part-time job tonight. We start work tomorrow."
"Got it, I—"
She started to nod but froze, her expression shifting as if remembering something. After a moment's hesitation, she said, "Um, Tetsu-kun, could I have one extra day?"
"What's up?" Fuyukawa Tetsu raised an eyebrow.
Still kneeling on the tatami, Kawauchi Sayoko's fingers clutched her knees. "The thing is, I've been a bit tight on money these past few months. I know some cooking, so I've been working part-time at a restaurant near my place after hours. Tomorrow's Friday, and it's their busiest night. If I suddenly don't show up, it might cause them trouble. They're good people, so I was wondering if…"