Their exchange was cut short by a clanking noise. Shoji turned around to see Liyun opening the door, carrying two red plastic bags. She didn’t look any different from the last time he’d seen her a year ago. Perhaps a little more tanned, but that was it.

Liyun’s mother rushed to the door. ‘Where’s James?’

‘He needed to leave after dropping me here. He has a few appointments today,’ she said. ‘Have you had breakfast? I bought bee hoon.’

‘I ate, but we can have that for lunch. I’ll make chicken curry to go with it.’ The older woman took the plastic bags from Liyun. She glanced at Shoji. ‘We have a guest. I didn’t know you had a handsome friend in Japan. James would be jealous if he found out.’

Liyun’s eyes widened as she saw him. ‘Shoji, what are you doing here?’

He hadn’t had a chance to answer when Liyun’s mother said, ‘Why don’t you bring your friend to your room? Turn on the air-con. It’s a hot day.’

The suggestion embarrassed Shoji. ‘I’m all right here.’

‘Come with me,’ Liyun said, making her way into one of the rooms.

‘You’ll join us for lunch, won’t you?’ Liyun’s mother asked him. ‘I insist.’

Would that be a good idea? ‘Ah, I—’

‘That settles it then,’ the old woman said, disappearing into the kitchen.

Shoji followed Liyun into the room. It wasn’t that different from his room in Tokyo in terms of size and layout — a single bed on one side, a desk and chair on another, and a wardrobe on the wall in between.

‘Mum is always like that,’ Liyun said, closing the door behind him and turning on the air-conditioning. ‘Don’t worry about her. She loves cooking for others. Trust me, you’re doing her a favour.’

‘Now I see where your talent comes from. Your mother taught you well.’

‘But she always told me cooking is learned, not taught.’

‘What does that mean?’

Liyun shrugged. ‘Beats me.’

There was an awkward pause.

‘I’m sorry for troubling you, coming unannounced,’ Shoji eventually said.

Liyun stared at him, and their eyes met. For a long time, neither said a word. Shoji cracked his knuckles, trying to suppress his unease. Finally, he waved at her, and she burst out laughing.

‘What’s so funny?’ He rubbed the nape of his neck. ‘Stop that.’

‘What are you doing in Singapore?’ she asked after catching her breath. ‘You’ve appeared out of nowhere.’

He didn’t answer. Instead, he looked around the room. The wall was decorated with colourful Japanese animation posters. ‘I didn’t know you liked anime.’

Liyun sat on the bed. ‘You don’t know a lot of things about me.’

Shoji pulled out a chair for himself and gave the shopping bag from the airport to Liyun.

‘What’s this?’ she asked.

He leaned closer. ‘A small present.’