Katsuro’s tongue flicked out of his mouth and he licked his lips. He opened the email and saw that Sakura had paid for a room at the Gracery Hotel in Shinjuku for the next five nights, reserving it in advance and then paying for it upon check-in. He printed the receipt, collecting the paper from the printer that chugged away inside the cupboard beneath the bookshelf and folding it so that he could slide it into his pocket.

Katsuro knew the Gracery. It was large, and there was no indication on the receipt of the room that had been booked. That didn’t matter. Katsuro knew where she was now, and he knew of several ways that he could get the more particular information that he would need so that he could pay her a visit.

90

Milton and Sakura ordered room service from the hotel restaurant. The place was Italian themed and they both chose pizza. Their food arrived and they ate it sitting cross-legged on the floor. Sakura found that she had no appetite. Milton was not similarly afflicted and demolished his.

Sakura pointed at the empty box. “Let me guess. Eat when you can, sleep when you can?”

Milton laughed. He nodded down at her almost untouched meal. “Are you going to eat that?”

Sakura pushed the box toward him.

Milton switched on the TV and found a music channel. An old Fleetwood Mac video was playing. He put the remote down and turned to her.

“What is it? You’ve barely said two words.”

“I’m thinking about what you said.”

“About Yamato?”

“You really think he’ll be here tomorrow?”

Milton took a slice of her pizza and took a bite. “That’s the plan.”

“I don’t have anything for him. His clothes. His toys. Everything’s in my house. I could go back—”

“No,” he said, cutting over her. He swivelled so that he could look directly at her and set down the pizza slice. His eyes, frosty blue, were full of conviction. “You can’t go home until I say so.”

“Five minutes? In and out, that’s all. I—”

He took her hands in his and squeezed. “No.”

“John,” she said, “you’re hurting me.”

A flicker passed across his face. “I’m sorry.” He released her hands. “Please. Please, Sakura. They will be watching the house. I promise you—it’s the most obvious place they’ll look. We can’t take the risk.”

“But you said he agreed with you. Me and Yamato for the sword.”

“I know he did, but I don’t trust him. You have to promise me—you have to swear—you’ll stay here, in the room, until I come back tomorrow.”

“I know.”

“Say it.”

“I will,” she said. “I’ll stay here until you get back. I promise.”

Milton eyed her for a moment, as if deciding whether she was speaking truthfully, before picking up the slice again and taking another bite.