After her husband died, Mizuki Harada returned to her parents’ house in Akakawa. She spent most of her time at home, avoiding social functions, which was expected of a grieving widow. But when a year had passed and Mizuki was still confining herself at home, her parents started to question her.

‘What are you planning to do?’ her mother asked.

Mizuki averted her eyes. She didn’t know how to answer.

‘What about remarrying? I’ll ask your father to arrange an introduction.’

She forced a smile. ‘I appreciate that but, at my age, it will be hard to find a good match.’

The older woman sighed.

Mizuki reached for her mother’s hands. ‘I’ve been thinking of going back to study, perhaps in Tokyo. I’d like to take some secretarial courses.’

Her mother looked at her. ‘Is that what you really want?’

Mizuki nodded. She wasn’t sure if that was what she wanted, but she didn’t want her parents to be worried, and she couldn’t stay in the family home indefinitely. Leaving Akakawa would be a good decision.

•

‘And that was how you found your Giant?’ Shoji asked.

‘That’s right, but not until I’d been in Tokyo for a couple of years,’ Mizuki said. ‘After I completed my course, I worked as an administrative officer for a small printing firm, which happened to print scientific and mathematical journals.’

He glanced at the magazines on top of the table. ‘And you saw an article by Professor Goda?’

‘Close.’ She indicated a small gap between her thumb and forefinger. ‘It was an advertisement for a conference. He was listed as one of the speakers. Just one line, and there was no photograph of him either. I only glimpsed it by pure luck.’

‘Even if there had been a photograph, you wouldn’t have been able to tell whether it was him.’

She nodded. ‘Good point.’

‘But I doubt anyone else would have the same name.’

‘Which was why I was sure it was him.’

•

Mizuki had gone to the conference, hoping she would finally find the man she’d spoken with so many times in New York. The seminar was held in a packed auditorium at the University of Tokyo. Most of the audience looked like they were undergraduates. Among the sea of people, Mizuki waited nervously while the moderator introduced the speakers one by one.

Professor Goda looked like an ordinary middle-aged man. He wore a tailored dark suit over a crisp, white shirt. When the moderator called his name, the professor bowed. The man seemed kind, and Mizuki felt a sense of familiarity. Her optimism increased. She was almost sure he was the one she’d been looking for.

Her heart raced as the speakers took turns presenting their papers. She held her breath when Professor Goda took the central podium. He inched closer to the microphone. He opened his mouth to speak, and then, everything became clear.

•