Ougai openly admits to his aunt, who has brought him photos of possible marriageable young women, that Mei is his fiancée; and, he also states his intent to formally present her as such at a party being held at the Rokumeikan the following month. Sensing Mei distress at this, Ougai invites her out on a date to Asakusa. After being escorted around Meiji era Asakusa, Mei seems to brighten in spirit. However, while out on their date Mei is faced with a beautiful girl who clearly is one of the hopefuls for Ougai's hand.
And on this night next year,
 the year after that,
Y esta noche el próximo año
y el siguiente,
Y en una noche como hoy
del próximo año o del siguiente,
E in questo stesso giorno, 
l'anno prossimo e quello dopo ancora
E nessa noite do outro ano, e do ano após,
В эту ночь через год,
и ещё через год,