She was probably half-drunk, but because of that he felt more comfortable talking. ‘I used to date someone here. She and I met at Waseda, but she was originally from Iwate. Like you, I came to Tokyo to study.’

She nodded slowly. ‘What happened after that?’

‘Many things, and I ended up losing her.’

‘Sometimes things don’t work out the way we want them to.’ Eri topped up Shoji’s sake. ‘Where is she now? Are you still in touch?’

‘I heard she’s in Tokyo. No idea where exactly. I’m not even sure if I will ever see her again.’

She looked at him wistfully. ‘Tokyo is too big for a chance encounter.’

Eri proposed a toast and they finished their first bottle. After that, Shoji ordered another. This time, he chose a Junmai. Their conversation resumed. They spoke about his work, and then hers. Eri seemed to be doing well.

‘Do you feel lonely living in Tokyo by yourself?’ she asked.

He shook his head. ‘I’ve got plenty of work. No time to be lonely.’

She stared at him. ‘People who say they’re not lonely are usually the loneliest.’

‘I’m okay.’ He glanced at the chef behind the counter. ‘It’s not so bad living in Tokyo, even all by yourself.’

The corners of her mouth curled up. ‘That’s true.’

Shoji hadn’t noticed it at first, but he now realised what it was in Mizuki that reminded him of Eri. It wasn’t just their disposition, but also the way they smiled so subtly.

‘You’re staring at me,’ Eri said. ‘What is it?’

He looked down. ‘You remind me of someone.’

She gave him a playful look. ‘The Iwate girl?’

‘That would be a cliché,’ he said, downing a glass of sake. ‘No, a friend I regret not doing enough for, and now I have no idea what happened to her either.’ He contemplated telling Eri about Mizuki, but eventually decided against it. The fewer people who knew about her, the better.

Eri poured more sake for Shoji. ‘And what are you going to do about it?’

He leaned forward. ‘I’m not sure. The last time I wanted to help, I ended up making a bigger mess.’

‘Then do something,’ she said. ‘If you know you took the wrong step, then try something different. Fix it. Don’t let that feeling of regret linger for ever.’

Shoji laughed. He was wrong. Eri wasn’t like Mizuki.

‘You’re right,’ he said. ‘I should try harder.’

They finished their second bottle and left the izakaya. She told him it was already late so she would take a taxi back, and he walked her to the taxi stand. On their way there, their conversation shifted to where they currently lived. Eri had a studio apartment in Minato.

‘What about you?’ she asked. ‘You’re living on your own too, right?’