‘What brings you to Akakawa?’ they always asked, and when he told them he wanted to be with his girlfriend, they gave a dismissive nod. A woman following a man is fine, but a man tagging along after a woman is not. He could tell from their body language that they were judging his decision. Shoji hadn’t been waiting for anyone to reaffirm his choice, but when someone finally did, it felt good.

The client with the sweet voice looked into his eyes. ‘Why don’t you tell me how you met your girlfriend?’

He stammered. ‘It was nothing special. We’re just a normal couple. We studied at the same university. I was twenty-two, and …’ He trailed off. What was he thinking? Blabbing about his personal life. ‘Sorry, I …’

‘Please continue,’ the woman said. ‘I want to know.’

•

The summer Shoji met Yoko had been scented with coffee.

He was technically still a student, though it was his last semester at Waseda and he’d completed all his assignments. The only thing left now was graduation. He should’ve started applying for jobs, but he’d been putting it off.

In Tokyo, he shared an apartment with another student, Jin. Both of them had majored in economics, though neither was particularly fond of the subject. While Shoji had just wanted to graduate, Jin’s goal had been to sleep with as many women as possible. He had made that clear on the day Shoji had moved into the apartment, as they smoked together on the balcony.

‘This is the best time of your life.’ Leaning against the metal railing, Jin blew out a long stream of cigarette smoke. ‘University, an unending supply of girls.’

‘There will be women at your future workplace too,’ Shoji said, flicking some ash.

‘Maybe for you, but not for me. Once I graduate, I have to work for my father’s company. He will want me to be in a serious relationship with one of his business associates’ daughters.’ He stubbed out his cigarette. ‘That will be the end of my freedom.’

‘At least you’ve got your whole life planned out.’

‘That’s what’s depressing.’

Shoji shrugged, but said nothing. He would’ve preferred an arrangement like that. Unlike Jin, he now had to figure out what to do after Waseda.

Despite their differences, Jin and Shoji got along fine. Their apartment had two bedrooms, and neither entered the other’s room. They also had a clear agreement on keeping the common areas clean and tidy. Jin did the odd weeks. On even weeks, it was Shoji’s turn.

Jin was an ideal flatmate, except that he always brought home women. Yes, women. Two or three at a time. Often different faces, and none of them seemed to matter much to Jin. Not that Shoji minded, really. The women only came at night, and he was a heavy sleeper.

Shoji normally didn’t talk to Jin’s women. He didn’t want to intrude into his housemate’s personal life. But on one occasion, he made an exception.