On the other side of the road, onlookers had gathered under shop awnings. An ambulance was parked nearby, but the paramedics were standing idly by the vehicle. The victim had probably died instantly. One moment riding the motorbike, then suddenly flung off, landing on the asphalt. He could’ve had no idea that morning he would get into a fatal accident. He might have had plans to go somewhere or to meet someone. If he could’ve chosen, he probably wouldn’t have wanted to die that day, or in that way.

Once the taxi had passed the scene of the accident, the traffic flow returned to normal. The stereo played a cheerful tune — a Mozart sonata. The rain, too, had finally subsided. Sun shone through the window on to Shoji’s right hand. There was a tiny scratch on his forefinger. The blood had dried. He had probably cut himself while packing in a hurry. How many other things had he not realised until they were staring him in the face?

•

The Kisejima Ocean Science Museum was housed in a two-storey building with a large parking area. The building’s brick walls gave it a warm and cosy look. The rack in front was filled with bicycles of various colours and models. Judging from the outside, the museum wasn’t huge. A wooden standee was placed at the entrance. On it, was a cartoon illustration of a diver surrounded by fish. There was a hole where the diver’s face should be, offering a photo opportunity.

Shoji walked towards the entrance and pushed open the glass doors. The reception area was wide and spacious, with more wooden standees scattered around the place.

The woman manning the information counter greeted him. ‘Good afternoon. What can I do for you?’

‘I’m looking for a staff member,’ he said. ‘Her name is Yoko Sasaki.’

Her eyes lit up. ‘Ah, Manager Sasaki? My apologies, you are …’

‘Shoji Arai.’

She nodded and reached for her phone.

So Yoko was the manager. She was probably in charge of overseeing the whole place. After all these years, it felt so surreal that he would see her again.

The receptionist put the phone down. ‘Manager Sasaki will be here shortly. Why don’t you take a seat?’

There were a few wooden benches in the reception area but, instead of sitting down, Shoji went over to read the information posters displayed on a board.