Shoji woke up with the sun shining into his eyes. He sat up, squinting. Slowly, he adjusted to the brightness. He was in his bedroom in Tokyo. And next to him was Liyun. Her long locks were down, and she was wearing Shoji’s old T-shirt.

‘Good morning,’ she whispered.

‘Good morning,’ he repeated after her. What was happening? He wasn’t sure, but somehow the scene felt familiar.

She tilted her head. ‘I’m hungry. What about you? Shall I make breakfast?’

‘Ah, I’m …’

‘You drank a lot last night.’ She inched closer. ‘You reek of alcohol.’ She pursed her lips and folded her legs in front of her chest. ‘Don’t tell me you forgot what happened.’

Shoji’s stomach churned and, finally, he realised what was going on. ‘I’m sorry.’ He lowered his head. ‘I shouldn’t have got drunk. I know my apologies can’t change anything, but … I’m sorry.’

Liyun bit her lip. Her expression hardened. Had he offended her?

‘Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?’ he asked.

He hadn’t fully grasped the situation when her manner changed again. She smiled cheerfully. ‘I can ask you for anything? That’s helpful. I’m broke, and I’ve got no job. Can I stay here for a while?’

‘I don’t think it’s appropriate. You’re a woman, and I’m a man.’

‘We’ve slept together, haven’t we? What are you worried about?’

Her words made him feel guiltier. He had to make it up to her. ‘If that’s what you want, but only for a short while. I’ll help you look for a new place.’ He paused. ‘I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.’

She leaned closer. ‘Is that so?’

He looked away, feeling flushed.

Liyun got down from the bed. ‘I’m all sweaty, I’m going to shower,’ she said. She pulled her hair up into a messy bun. The morning sun shone on her tanned skin. She turned to face him and asked, ‘Can I borrow a towel?’

‘There’s one in the cabinet,’ he said. ‘In the first drawer.’

Not wanting to continue looking at Liyun, Shoji lay on the bed and turned his back to her. He could hear her humming and closing the bathroom door. Soon her voice was masked by the sound of the gushing water.

Had he made a mistake? Yes, no doubt about it, he shouldn’t have let her stay at his place. This situation would end up becoming problematic.

‘Then why didn’t you tell her to leave?’

Without him noticing, Yoko had slipped into his room and sat next to him — at the exact spot where Liyun had just been.

Shoji got up in a hurry. ‘When did you arrive?’

‘Just now,’ she said, gesturing to the door. ‘I did knock, but you didn’t answer.’

‘I didn’t hear anything.’

‘You were too busy thinking.’