After Darkness: Chapter 9: Tokyo, 1935 Summary & Analysis

On the holiday of setsubun in 1935, Dr. Ibaraki and Kayoko have their first official date. Dr. Ibaraki worries that he has dressed too formally but is relieved when Kayoko arrives also dressed formally. They meet at a temple and walk around, enjoying the festivities. Kayoko expresses that she feels that her parents treat her like a child, even though she is almost ready for marriage.

At the festival, Dr. Ibaraki and Kayoko pass two young girls dressed in a modern, Western style, wearing wide-brimmed hats and wide-legged trousers. Ibaraki criticizes their modern dress, but Kayoko defends them, saying that she has worn those clothes in the past. Suddenly, they hear a commotion. They turn to see officers harassing the girls, saying that they’re dressed like “foreign whores.” Kayoko runs ahead and defends the girls to the officers.

After their first date, Dr. Ibaraki becomes more and more interested in Kayoko, especially after her bravery in the incident with the officers. The couple begins to spend more time together, getting to know one another and talking about their dreams in life. Ibaraki’s mother advises him to save some of the conversation for marriage, and Ibaraki proposes three weeks after that conversation. The wedding is a joyous occasion and Mr. Sasaki, Kayoko’s father, makes a kind speech about Dr. Ibaraki. During the wedding party, Dr. Ibaraki glances at Kayoko and sees a deep fragility in her face. He vows to himself to always protect her.

After almost a year working at the laboratory, Dr. Ibaraki receives a promotion and a raise. With that extra money and help from Kayoko’s parents, he and Kayoko are able to buy a run-down house. Kayoko insists on the couple doing the repairs themselves because it is their first home. Kayoko surprises him by being extremely capable at these repairs. Their remodeling preoccupies Ibaraki to the point where, when he realizes his lab is researching Typhoid even though there is already a vaccine, he doesn’t think much of it.

In early spring, Professor Shimada is rarely present in the lab to supervise Dr. Ibaraki and his colleagues. When he is around, he is agitated. One day, Major Kimura calls a meeting. In the meeting, he tells the staff that the purpose of the lab will change from bacteriological development to specimen analysis. Ibaraki and his colleagues are relieved that they will keep their jobs. Major Kimura tells them that the new research will require an even more extreme agreement of confidentiality and commitment to serving their country. Ibaraki thinks of his brother, who desires to serve the Emperor in the army, and feels proud to be discreet for his sake. Despite his relief and Major Kimura’s confidence, Ibaraki notices that Shimada seems uncomfortable.