Hachiko Waits

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of death and animal death.

Yasuo is now 16 years old, and Mr. Yoshikawa’s hair has become gray. When Yasuo gets off the train after school, he wakes up Hachiko, who has become very weak and tired. It is the 10-year anniversary of the Professor’s death. Yasuo tells the dog, in the exact same words that the Professor used to use, that he is “the best dog in all of Japan” (70). As a train approaches, Hachiko perks up and struggles to his feet. He barks loudly and then collapses to the floor. Yasuo watches as Hachiko takes a few deep breaths and then stops breathing. Horrified, Yasuo yells for Mr. Yoshikawa to come help. Mr. Yoshikawa comes, and he sees that Hachiko has passed away. A group of onlookers gathers around Hachiko’s body, and the yakitori vendor gives Yasuo his coat to cover the dog. Yasuo tries not to cry.

Yasuo follows Mr. Yoshikawa into his office so the two can be alone. They sit together in silent grief for a while. Yasuo cries, and Mr. Yashikawa tells him that they can at least be glad that Hachiko, who had become frail in old age, is not suffering anymore.