"友情" (Yūjō) by Saneatsu Mushanokoji is a novel likely written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around the protagonist, Nojima, who is a screenwriter and first encounters the beautiful and pure young woman, Sugiko, at a theater. The book explores themes of love, friendship, and the complexities surrounding human emotions and aspirations, particularly as Nojima becomes captivated by Sugiko. The opening of the novel introduces Nojima's initial meeting with Sugiko,
instigated by a friend's invitation to a play he was reluctant to attend. Despite his dissatisfaction with the production, the prospect of seeing Sugiko piques his interest. As he observes her beauty and natural charm, he grapples with his feelings and insecurities while navigating social interactions with friends, especially his friend Nakada, who is the brother of Sugiko. The narrative lays a foundation for Nojima's conflicted emotions and the budding feelings he develops for Sugiko, setting the stage for deeper exploration of their relationship and the societal expectations that influence their lives. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
