‘I will,’ he said, ‘and you can be my guide.’

‘It’s a promise then.’

She told him which places to visit. He continued to drink. Would she notice his lack of enthusiasm? Probably. Shoji’s head spun, but he didn’t stop reaching for his glass. But Liyun … She hardly touched hers. Was she not a drinker? Then why had she ordered so many bottles?

Feeling giddy, Shoji slumped on to the bar. He sank into a deep slumber and reunited with Yoko. The two of them were lying on a bed in a room he didn’t recognise. The light was off, but moonlight seeped through the windows.

They made love on top of the white sheets. She was under him, her breath heavy and unsteady. He caressed her hair and kissed her. His desire for her was overwhelming. He needed her. More and more — he couldn’t get enough.

‘Shoji,’ Yoko whispered his name.

Her soft voice only made him want her more. He got off her, turned her around, and saw what looked like an image of a flower on her shoulder.

‘You got a tattoo?’ he asked.

‘Yes.’ She glanced at him. ‘You don’t like it?’

‘I don’t object. It’s just … unexpected. Why?’

She didn’t answer. It was then that Shoji remembered he’d been separated from her. Then, this had to be a dream.

Shoji looked at Yoko. She seemed so real. He could feel the warmth of her skin and hear her breathing. He reached for her and pulled her close. He didn’t want her to leave. He wanted them to stay like this, even if that meant getting trapped in this dream realm eternally.

She pressed herself on him. ‘Want to guess what the tattoo is?’

‘I don’t know,’ he whispered. ‘It’s hard to see.’

‘If you think it’s an image of a flower, then it isn’t. It’s a heart. An open heart.’

‘Why an open heart?’

She whispered into his ear. ‘Well, why not?’

•

Shoji opened his eyes, squinting. Everything was bright and blinding. He felt extremely dizzy. In the distance, the familiar sound of a train came and faded away. Slowly, he began to recognise his bedroom.

He’d got wasted. He couldn’t believe it. He’d been drinking a lot, but not once had he been drunk. Then again, yesterday, he’d had both wine and beer. Should have stuck to one.

Shoji felt nauseous. How had he got home? Had he inconvenienced Yoshioka? Getting up, he glanced at the mirror. He was in his boxers. Even in his drunken stupor, he’d managed to undress.

The door opened with a creak. Liyun came in, wearing an old T-shirt of his and towelling her wet hair.

Shoji’s heart sank. No, this couldn’t be happening.

‘You’re up,’ she said. ‘Hope you don’t mind me borrowing your clothes. I tried to ask, but you were sound asleep, you wouldn’t answer.’

What on earth had he done? He tried to say something, but his throat was dry.

Liyun came closer and leaned towards Shoji. He could smell his mint shampoo on her, which made him even more anxious.