The following version of this story was used to create this study guide: Murakami, Haruki. After the Quake. Vintage International, 2003, p. 3 - 23.

The story begins with the wife of Komura, an electronics salesman, watching the news about the after effects of the earthquake in Kobe. Komura’s wife was entranced by the images on the television, and Komura failed to communicate with her. Eventually, Komura’s wife left him, citing his emptiness and lack of care for her as reasons for starting the divorce process.

Plagued with depression, Komura decided to take some time off from work. His co-worker, Sasaki, asked Komura if he would be willing to travel to Hokkaido in order to deliver a package for him. Komura accepted Sasaki’s request and booked a flight to Kushiro, in Hokkaido. He was supposed to deliver the package to Sasaki’s sister.

When Komura arrived in Kushiro, he met Keiko, who was Sasaki’s sister, and Shimao, Keiko’s friend. The group went to a restaurant and discussed Komura’s divorce, his reasons for being in Hokkaido, and some stories about themselves. Everntually, the group went to Komura’s hotel room. Komura took a bath, and when he returned to the room, only Shimao remained. She told Komura that Keiko had left. After some flirting, they tried and failed to have a romantic encounter. The story ends with Komura and Shimao discussing Komura’s divorce, and Shimao’s final dialogue is an attempt to reassure Komura that everything will work out for the best.