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Air Chrysalis
would have a good influence on your own writing. Was I right?”
Tengo nodded. “You were. Doing that rewrite helped me learn a lot about fiction
writing. I started noticing things I had never noticed before.”
“Not to brag or anything, but I know exactly what you mean. You just needed the
right
opportunity.
”
“But I also had a lot of hard experiences because of it. As you are aware.”
Komatsu’s mouth curled up neatly in a smile, like a crescent moon in winter. It
was the kind of smile that was hard to read.
“To get something important, people have to pay a price. That’s the rule the world
operates by.”
“You may be right. But I can’t tell the difference between what’s important and the
price you have to pay. It has all gotten too complicated.”
“Complicated it definitely is. It’s like trying to carry on a phone conversation when
the wires are crossed. Absolutely,” Komatsu said, frowning. “By the way, do you
know where Fuka-Eri is now?”
“I don’t know where she is at present, no,” Tengo said, choosing his words
carefully.
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“At present,”
Komatsu repeated meaningfully.
Tengo said nothing.
“But until a short while ago she was living in your apartment,” Komatsu said. “At
least, that’s what I hear.”
Tengo nodded. “That’s right. She was at my place for about three months.”
“Three months is a long time,” said Komatsu. “And you never told anybody.”
“She told me not to tell anyone, so I didn’t. Including you.”
“But now she isn’t there anymore.”
“Right. She took off when I was in Chikura, and left behind a letter. I don’t know
where she is now.”
Komatsu took out a cigarette, stuck it in his mouth, and lit a match. He narrowed
his eyes and looked at Tengo.
“After she left your place Fuka-Eri went back to Professor Ebisuno’s house, on top
of the mountain in Futamatao,” he said. “Professor Ebisuno contacted the police and
withdrew the missing person’s report, since she had just gone off on her own and
hadn’t been kidnapped. The police must have interviewed her about what happened.
She is a minor, after all. I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s an article in the paper about
it before long, though I doubt it will say much. Since nothing criminal was involved,
apparently.”
“Will it come out that she stayed with me?”
Komatsu shook his head. “I don’t think Fuka-Eri will mention your name. You
know how she is. It can be the cops she’s talking to, the military police, a
revolutionary council, or Mother Teresa—once she has decided not to say something,
then mum’s the word. So I wouldn’t let that worry you.”
“I’m not worried. I would just like to know how things are going to work out.”
“Whatever happens, your name won’t be made public. Rest assured,” Komatsu
said. His expression turned serious. “But there is something I need to ask you. I
hesitate to bring it up.”
“How come?”
“Well, it’s very—personal.”
Tengo took a sip of beer and put the glass back on the table. “No problem. If it’s
something I can answer, I will.”
“Did you and Fuka-Eri have a sexual relationship? While she was staying at your
place, I mean. Just a simple yes or no is fine.”
Tengo paused for a moment and slowly shook his head. “The answer is no. I didn’t
have that kind of relationship with her.”
Tengo made an instinctive decision that he shouldn’t reveal what had taken place
between them on that stormy night. Besides, it wasn’t really what you would call a
sex act. There was no sexual desire involved, not in the normal sense. On either side.
“So you didn’t have a sexual relationship.”
“We didn’t,” Tengo said, his voice dry.
Komatsu scrunched up his nose. “Tengo, I’m not doubting you. But you did
hesitate before you replied. Maybe something close to sex happened? I’m not blaming
you. I’m just trying to ascertain certain facts.”
Tengo looked straight into Komatsu’s eyes. “I wasn’t hesitating. I just felt weird,
wondering why in the world you were so concerned about whether Fuka-Eri and I had
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a sexual relationship. You’re usually not the type to stick your head into other
people’s private lives. You avoid that.”
“I suppose,” Komatsu said.
“Then why are you bringing something like that up now?”
“Who you sleep with or what Fuka-Eri does is basically none of my business.”
Komatsu scratched the side of his nose. “As you have pointed out. But as you are well
aware, Fuka-Eri isn’t just some ordinary girl. How should I put it? Every action she
takes is significant.”
“Significant,” Tengo repeated.
“Logically speaking, all the actions that everybody takes have a certain
significance,” Komatsu said. “But in Fuka-Eri’s case they have a
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