Fumiko knew that if she didn’t do something, Goro would pay and then leave. ‘Wait!’ ‘It’s fine, let’s leave it at that.’ ‘This isn’t what I came to say.’ ‘What?’ (Don’t go.) ‘Why didn’t you talk about it with me?’ (I don’t want you to go.) ‘Well, that’s . . .’ ‘I know how much your work means to you. I don’t necessarily mind if you go to America. I won’t stand in the way.’ (I thought we were going to be together for ever.) ‘But, at least . . .’ (Was it only me thinking that?) ‘I wanted you to discuss it with me. You know, it’s pretty despicable just deciding without talking about it . . .’ (I really, truly . . . ) ‘That’s just . . . well, you know.’ ( . . . loved you.) ‘It makes me feel forgotten . . .’ ‘. . .’ ‘What I wanted to say was . . .’ ‘. . .’ (Not that it’s going to change anything . . . ) ‘Well . . . I just wanted to say that.’ ☆ Before the Coffee Gets Cold - Toshikazu Kawaguchi