The Passengers on the Hankyu Line Quotes

“Are you happy?”
The girl’s question prodded a tender spot for Shoko. She forced a smile
and offered the following:
“I thought I was on the way to being happy, but I had a little setback and
I’m in the midst of starting over.”
My new job is going well. I moved to a wonderful new place. And—when
happiness betrayed me, I took my revenge. I have no regrets.
“But I don’t regret it. I’m getting a bit of a later start, but I still believe
I’ll find happiness.”
“Then I believe I can find it too!”
― Hiro Arikawa, The Passengers on the Hankyu Line

“All manner of people from every walk of life - solo passengers, friends, couples, families, work colleagues - transverse the concourse at a brisk pace. But as they cross paths, the contents of each traveler's heart are a mystery known only to themselves.”
― Hiro Arikawa, The Passengers on the Hankyu Line

“For now you can curse them to your heart's content....But once you're satisfied with the curse, you ought to quit.”
― Hiro Arikawa, The Passengers on the Hankyu Line

“One must be prepared to take on and atone for the curse, in and of itself. You did it because you feel deeply wounded, and so, a stranger's rebuke, no matter how accurate, won't shake your resolve. But I'm nothing more than a nosy bystander.”
― Hiro Arikawa, The Passengers on the Hankyu Line

“So long as you have the wherewithal and you're certain you won't regret it, no doubt you'll feel better for striking back.”
― Hiro Arikawa, The Passengers on the Hankyu Line

“Then the train slides away from the platform. As the Imazu Line reverses course from Nishinomiya-Kitaguchi to Takarazuka, what stories will its passengers carry with them? Only they can know for sure.

The train sets off on its finite journey, transporting as many stories as passengers.”
― Hiro Arikawa, The Passengers on the Hankyu Line