‘It’s easier to find employment once you’ve graduated.’

‘The kind of job I’m looking for doesn’t need a degree.’

The bartender brought them a fresh bottle and this time Liyun took it from him. She poured the bubbling liquid into the centre of the glass from a higher position. About halfway through, she paused so a thicker layer of foam settled on top of the beer. After that, she poured the rest, tilting the glass at a 45-degree angle, causing the foam to rise gently. When she was done, the head was slightly taller than the glass. A perfect 3:7 ratio.

‘I want to work in a record store, or a vintage clothing shop, or a small bakery,’ she said. ‘I’m not planning to climb the corporate ladder. I only want a simple life. A normal job, home-cooked meals, perhaps something fancier for special occasions.’

Shoji drank his beer in one go. Despite Liyun’s careful handling, it still tasted bland. He stared at the residual white foam rings. Was he so drunk he no longer enjoyed his favourite drink? No, it had been a long time since he had got wasted.

They finished the second bottle, then a third. Shoji tried to leave, but Liyun ordered another one.

‘This is the last, okay?’ he said. ‘I’ve drunk too much.’

She laughed. ‘You’re young. You can drink more.’

He grunted and let her fill his glass. She went on to tell him about her family. She and her brother had studied Japanese at a language school near their house since they were little.

‘At first, there were forty of us,’ Liyun said. ‘But, one by one, the students dropped out. After three years, my brother and I were the only ones left. But we had fun. We always looked forward to the class. Our teacher was a nice Japanese lady who used to be an air stewardess. She married a local businessman.’

‘Uh-huh.’

‘My brother and I wanted to study at a university in Japan.’

Their parents had been against it, but the two of them were adamant. In the end, their parents relented.

‘Can you believe it? We had never been to Japan. Thankfully, we managed to adjust to living in Tokyo. My brother even found a Japanese girlfriend, though I haven’t been so lucky.’ She turned to Shoji. ‘Am I boring you?’

‘No,’ he lied. He was sleepy and he wanted to go home. ‘But I have to leave soon. It’s getting late.’

‘Let’s finish this bottle. Don’t waste it.’

Not wanting to be impolite, Shoji drank, but faster.

Liyun told him about Singapore, and how she preferred the weather in Japan. ‘Over there, it’s always hot and humid, and you feel sticky. But there are no earthquakes. No need to stock up on food in case you get trapped in your apartment.’

He mumbled occasionally, giving appropriate responses, but largely it was Liyun who did the talking.

‘Have you ever been to Singapore, Shoji?’

‘Not yet.’

‘You should come. It’s a nice place. Plenty of things to eat.’