Summary

In Chapter II, “Mother and Son,” at the café, Kyoko clapped for Miki after “she finished singing” (80). The bell rang and Kyoshi, a “homicide detective,” entered (90). He talked with Kyoko, Nagare, and Kazu. Like the others, he was surprised to hear that Kazu had a boyfriend (91). Unsure what to get his wife for her birthday, he asked the others for advice. They suggested he buy her a necklace like Kazu’s.

Kyoko was pleased about Kazu’s relationship, because her late mother Kinuyo had wanted Kazu to be “happily married” (94). Kinuyo had been “a regular customer” and Kazu’s art teacher (94).

After Kyoshi left, Kyoko and Kazu chatted. Kazu asked after Kyoko’s brother Yukio, who had moved to Kyoto “to become a potter” (101). Kyoko said she and Yukio had not talked. He was angry because he “didn’t know” Kinuyo had...