He walked over to the counter. ‘Do you want coffee?’

‘Sounds good.’

Shoji took out a white porcelain cup from the pull-out drawer. Listening to the soft humming of the coffee maker, they waited for the drink to be ready. A rich aroma escaped when the dark liquid streamed out. Shoji felt his senses awaken.

He brought the cup to the bedside table and sat next to Yoko.

‘Unsweetened,’ he said. The way she liked it.

‘Thanks,’ she murmured, and looked out of the window. ‘The view is amazing.’

‘Uh-huh,’ he mumbled in agreement.

She bit her lip. ‘Now that I’m here, I don’t know where to start.’

‘Then tell me everything. What do you want to say? What’s on your mind? I’ll listen to whatever you want to say.’

Yoko was silent.

‘I want to hear everything,’ Shoji said. ‘I want to learn more about you. There are so many things I want to know. We have so much to catch up on. I think I’ll have to spend my entire life with you. Even then, we may not have enough time, so you’d better start now.’

Still staring off into the distance, she gave a thin smile, ‘You’re so kind, Shoji, but our time has passed.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘We had a great time, but it was in the past. I’ve moved on. You’ve got your new life too. Of course, I have my regrets. We didn’t have the chance to say goodbye. But this time, we can finally have the clean break we deserved. A proper farewell.’

‘What are you talking about?’

She looked at him. ‘I’m happy to see you, and I’m thankful for this chance to end our relationship properly.’

Her words hit him hard. ‘I don’t understand. Why can’t we return to the way we used to be? Are you saying you no longer love me? Then why did we …’

She shook her head. ‘Shoji, you don’t understand.’

‘Then tell me. Make me understand.’

‘Look at me,’ she pleaded. ‘I’ve changed. I’m no longer the same person I was when I was with you. I can’t go back to the way I was before.’

‘But you still love me, don’t you?’

‘I do. I still love you, and you’re still someone precious to me, but I have my own life now, and you do too. Just because we still love each other, doesn’t mean we have to be together. People come and go, but we can treasure the good memories that we have. Isn’t that what life is?’

No, he wasn’t buying it. Why couldn’t they be together?

‘Let’s not hurt each other anymore,’ she continued. ‘I want us to part on good terms.’

Shoji sighed. ‘You don’t honestly think I’m going to accept that, do you?’