‘Yes, I had a panic attack. Shoji took me outside to get some fresh air. I’m all right now. I will rest at home for a couple of days, and everything will be fine. Don’t worry about me.’

‘Are you sure he’s not overstepping the boundaries?’ It was Madam’s voice. ‘We have a strict code of conduct here, and any employees who fail to comply are disciplined.’

‘No, no. Please don’t blame him. He always does an excellent job. I would be upset if I caused him any trouble.’ A pause. ‘Also, do you mind keeping this between us? I don’t want my husband to worry. You know how protective he can be.’

Madam sighed. ‘Fine.’

‘Thank you. I know I can always rely on you.’

‘Do send my regards to Mr Katou.’

‘I will.’

The conversation ended. Shoji quickly walked into the waiting room, not wanting anyone to catch him listening.

He waited there for the rest of the day, despite knowing his name wasn’t going to be called. He needed to be with Yoko, to be physically close to her, even if she acted as if they were strangers.

After everyone was dismissed, Shoji crossed the street and waited for Yoko on a park bench. A client had requested her near closing time, so he had to wait awhile.

‘What’s wrong with you?’ she asked, sitting next to him. ‘You look upset.’

‘Nothing’s wrong.’ Shoji buried his face in his hands before looking up.

Yoko gave him a concerned look.

‘I’m fine,’ he said. ‘Just tired.’

‘Let’s go back and rest. I’ll cook something simple tonight.’

She reached for his hand as they walked side by side to the bus stop.

Shoji thought of a teacher he’d had in primary school. She was new to the job, bright-eyed and eager to do her work well. One day, soon after the incident, the teacher told him to follow her. She took Shoji to the quiet corner before asking about his bruises.

‘What happened to you, Arai?’ she asked, lowering herself to the same height as him. ‘What are these marks?’ She gave him a gentle smile. ‘It’s all right. You can tell me.’

‘I fell,’ he said, repeating what his mother had instructed him to say.

The first time he lied, his throat felt dry. His heart beat faster. He clenched his fists and looked down. He hated covering for that man, but he was terrified of him. And he loved his mother. He didn’t want her to get into trouble.

The second time he said those words, this time to a classmate, they had become more natural. ‘I fell.’ He repeated the lie to different people. I was careless. I fell, he would say with a grin.

A stupid grin he grew to hate, and which haunted him for years.

CHAPTER 10

ONE OF THOSE DAYS

Shoji couldn’t sleep that night, even though he felt exhausted. Morning came, and he was still wide awake. Yoko rolled out of the bed, washed, and got dressed. After she had bundled herself into some warm clothing, he told her to head out without him.