"Even Waiting Was a Joy..."

　Ryoko Sakuma's "My Personal History" (serialized in The Nikkei) is drawing attention.

　The Showa-era star actress has moved from her affair with Koji Tsuruta to meeting Hirata Kan'ichiro and falling in love (February 17 installment, Part 16).

　It reads: "...Whenever I found time, I enjoyed brief dates. Lovers always make time. I once waited five hours for Hirata-san. The place was the restaurant 'Alaska' in Hitotsubashi, Tokyo."

　To keep such a legendary beauty waiting five hours—but imagining Ms. Sakuma on the ninth floor of Palaceside Building, simply waiting for her lover, feels like a scene from a film.

　"We could not meet often, so I simply waited. Even waiting felt joyful. The power of love made me patient," she writes, expressing a brave woman's heart.

　Valentine's Day has passed; next comes White Day for return gifts. On dates, let us not keep women waiting.