He hadn’t only interviewed Kaname, and Hirai, who had gone back to see her dead sister. He had also talked to a woman who had gone back to see the boyfriend she had broken up with, and a woman who had gone back to see her husband whose memory was fading. Then there was the man who went back the previous spring to see his close friend who died twenty-two years before, and the man who went back the previous autumn to see his mother who died in hospital. Then in the winter, a man who knew he was dying came from the past to bring happiness to the lover he left behind.

“I found the words that he left behind particularly touching.”

Kiyoshi brought out his small black notebook and read aloud.

“‘If you try to find happiness after this, then this child will have put those seventy days toward making you happy. In that case, its life has meaning. You are the one who is able to create meaning for why that child was granted life. Therefore, you absolutely must try to be happy. The one person who would want that for you the most is that child.’

“In other words, the way I live my life creates happiness for my wife.”

Kiyoshi had read those words over and over so many times, just that one page in his notebook was creased and stained.

These words also seemed to strike a chord with Kazu—a new stream of tears began to flow.

Kiyoshi put the notebook away in his jacket pocket and pulled down his hunting cap to fit more snugly on his head. “I do not think it is at all possible that your mother didn’t return so that you would be miserable. So, have your baby...and...”

He took a deep breath and turned to Kazu, who was looking at Kaname.

“You’re allowed to be happy,” he added.

Without saying anything, Kazu slowly closed her eyes. “Well, thanks for the coffee.” Kiyoshi placed the money on the counter and walked toward the exit. Nagare gave a small nod in reply.

“Oh...” Kiyoshi said, suddenly turning round.

“Forget something?” asked Nagare.

“No,” he replied and turned to Kazu.

“That necklace you helped choose, my wife really loved it,” he said, and with a bow of the head, he went out.

clang-dong

Once again, silence filled the café.

Miki, no doubt relieved that her work was done, started nodding off while holding Nagare’s hand.

“Oh, of course.”

Nagare realized why Miki had suddenly grown so quiet.

He picked her up with an “alley-oop.”

The cherry-blossom petal, released from Miki’s fingers, fluttered to the ground.

“Spring, huh?” he muttered.

“Big brother...”

“Hmm?”

“I guess I’m allowed to be happy, aren’t I?”

“Yeah, of course. She can take over from you now.”

Nagare readjusted Miki in his arms.

“No problem at all,” he said, walking off into the back room.

“Hmm.”