The door opened and everyone turned. Mr Sato came in. The atmosphere became tense, but the moment he signalled one of the women to follow him, the unease dissipated.

The woman who had just left, like everyone else in the room, was in no way remarkable. Dressed in a simple beige one-piece, she looked like a typical housewife Shoji might see at the neighbourhood supermarket. Seeing how ordinary everyone was put his mind at ease. If they were all doing it, surely it couldn’t be that bad.

‘Be patient.’ The floating girl glanced at Shoji. ‘Your turn will come.’

•

‘It’s a waiting game,’ Shoji told Yoko as they rode the bus home.

‘Don’t worry, it’s only tough at the beginning,’ she said. ‘It gets easier. Most clients are willing to try someone new, but they tend to hesitate to be the first. Give it a couple more days.’

He reached for her hand and held it. She looked at him and gave a reassuring smile. It was just a small gesture, but he felt much better.

The bus stopped, and they got off, as did an old couple. Cutting through the park, Shoji and Yoko walked towards their apartment building. The old couple headed in a different direction.

‘This is convenient, isn’t it?’ he said. ‘The only bus service that passes our apartment happens to be a direct route to work.’

‘It’s not a coincidence,’ she said. ‘The company owns the apartment.’

‘Really?’ When they had been planning their move to Akakawa, Yoko had organised their accommodation. The rent was affordable, and she had liked the apartment, so why not? ‘I wonder what kind of business they are.’

‘I wouldn’t think too much about it. They don’t like people asking questions.’

It was unlike Yoko to take rules seriously, but this one made sense: after all, secrecy was part of the service.

‘Since you’re earning so much, why don’t you move to a nicer place?’ Shoji asked. It had been bugging him since he had seen the price list. ‘You can afford a luxurious apartment. I get that the location is convenient, but there must be better options out there.’

She chuckled. ‘I spend only a quarter of my salary on rent and bills. Sometimes less.’

‘You’re saving the rest? I didn’t know you were so prudent.’

‘Not really,’ she said, shrugging. ‘I donate it.’

Was that a joke? But Yoko’s expression was serious. ‘To who?’

‘Ocean conservation organisations. Sea turtles, coral reefs, things like that.’

Yoko loved sea creatures. She visited Shinagawa Aquarium at least once a week, even after they had left Tokyo. But still, wasn’t this rather extreme?

‘Why would you do that?’

‘Because it makes me happy,’ she said. ‘Why do men spend money getting drunk with beautiful hostesses in bars? Because it makes them happy. Why do people gamble on racehorses, or buy lottery tickets? It’s not like the odds are in their favour. But it makes them happy. That’s why we spend money, isn’t it? To make ourselves happy.’ She paused, turning to face him. ‘Some women use their salaries to buy pretty shoes or luxurious handbags or beautiful dresses. I choose to spend mine on charities.’