Summary

Hot Days

On a summer day at noon, detective Sato was staying at an old hotel on the outskirts of town. He was exhausted after spending a long night pursuing an unresolved case and was fed up with the midday heat. With the air conditioning broken, the room felt like a steam bath. He resolved to clear his mind and "forget this heat."

However, his resolve was put to the test in an unexpected way. A loud commotion from outside caught his attention, and looking out the window, he saw a nearby warehouse on fire. As people in the street began to panic, watching the flames spread, Sato couldn't help but laugh. "If you clear your mind, the fire feels cool. And... smoke tastes sweet," he whispered to himself.

As people rushed around in a state of panic, Sato had the luxury of opening a cold beer in the smoky room. Encouraging himself with the thought that "you can endure anything with the right mindset," he transformed the sight of the fire into a joke. Others saw him as a crazy man, but to him, it was an amusing pastime.

However, as the fire gradually approached the hotel, the other guests fled in terror, while Sato alone remained cool and enjoyed his beer. Suddenly, the door burst open, and a firefighter glared at him in disapproval. "What are you doing at a time like this!" he exclaimed. But Sato smiled and replied, "If you clear your mind, the fire feels cool. This heat will soon become an enjoyable entertainment anyway"—laughing as he plunged into the flames and the destiny that would consume him.