The emotion of "Summer Stays There for a Long Time" continues!
The pride of 21st-century Japanese literature! Masashi Matsuie unfolds the true beauty of novel aesthetics.

Masashi Matsui, a pioneer of modern Japanese literature, debuted to rave reviews, including "a novel resembling an eternally flowing river" and "a work of awe, brimming with rich colors and fragrance." He returns with a new novel, "I Don't Know Whether It's Elegant," which continues the momentum of his debut and bestseller, "Summer Lingered There for a Long Time."
It tells the story of a forty-eight-year-old man who becomes single again after a divorce and begins the second act of his life in a new neighborhood and new house.
The elegant life in the detached house I had always longed for, and the long-awaited reunion with my old lover… … My extensive knowledge of architecture and my colorful language were further refined, and my love for life and humanity deepened.
Unlike works that beckon readers to hurry up and read quickly, 『I Don't Know If It's Elegant』 offers the pleasure of leisurely reading, page by page, while maintaining a balance of lyricism, narrative, and poetry.

This is my fourth move in life.

In the spring of my second year at work, I moved out of my parents' house in Nerima Ward.
I lived in a one-room, two-story steel-framed townhouse in Yotsuya, a twenty-minute walk from my company in Koji-cho, with a dining room and kitchen.
I lived alone and had bought new furniture and appliances, so I didn't even need to call a moving company.
The move was completed by taking out about half of the books and records in the room, putting them in boxes, and loading them into the Civic, which was then moved back and forth three times.
The first house we rented after getting married was a two-room apartment in Ogikubo with a living room and dining room.
No one may have said that newlyweds start from scratch and live a small life, but if there is anyone who has that image, I would strongly advise against it.
Marriage doubles the relatives, doubles the burdens, and quadruples the quarrels.
Even though I was used to seeing my wife's clothes all the time, when I unpacked and saw a large quantity of women's clothes, bags, and shoes, I felt like a country mouse.
No matter how many times I open the box with my name on it, there are only books, LPs, and CDs.
A deep wrinkle formed between my wife's eyebrows.
As a result of the discussion, my wife took the dressing room and I got a one-pyeong north-facing room next to the entrance as a special autonomous district.
The approval was conditional, stating that books, records, and CDs would be brought into the living room only when in use and would be put away as soon as they were finished, and that if the room became full and they were brought into the living room, they would be disposed of promptly.
Even though I said that books are tools related to my job as an editor, my wife countered by saying, "There's a library, right? A library."
Before I could even point out how my clothes were, my wife launched a preemptive strike, saying, "The dress, the coat, the shoes, the bag—they're all different from the book. If you don't buy them this year, you won't have them next year. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"
What can I say when my wife, who is a high-income earner, lives off her own money?
The wardrobe behind the wife stood neatly lined up like soldiers who had sworn loyalty, waiting for its turn.
Pin heels that look like they'll stab you if you step on them.
There is no choice but to retreat.
--- p.25~27

'Can I take a look at Mr. Dadashi's old house?'
Ghana's mail was very simple.
It is nothing more or less than what is written there.
It was as indifferent as a freshly laundered white sheet, just fluttering in the wind.
I followed suit and sent a reply that seemed to be a completely nonchalant agreement.
After exchanging emails, we made plans to come over this Saturday.
It's convenient to decide something without even hearing the voice, but it makes you increasingly anxious because you can't know the nuances.
The fact that I lived within walking distance also made it difficult to tell if this visit was special or not.
It would be strange if the motive for visiting was light, since it is not a long distance trip by changing trains.
There is no crab.
Still, I spun my head around at a frantic pace, carefully considering whether there was any possibility that I should be happy about Ghana's visit.
I still don't know.
I recalled that scene and felt embarrassed.
Gana and I were dating until exactly a year ago.
Now that we're not dating, what kind of expressions should we make and how should we spend time together in the same house?
buy
Why do men and women, who are not related by ear, have to worry so much about it?

--- p.79~80