t;

    Junpeisaidhehadbeenfeelingsick.

    "Yeah,"shesaid,"youvelostsomeweight,Ithink."Shestaredathim."Waomakeyousomethi?"

    Junpeishookhishead.Hedidntfeellikeeating,hesaid.

    Sayokoopeherefrigeratorandlookedihagrimace.Itheldonlytwosofbeer,anoldcucumber,andsomebakingsoda.SayokosatdowoJunpei."Idontknowhowtoaskthis,Junpei,butareyoufeelingbadaboutTakatsukiandme?"

    Junpeisaidthathewasnot.Anditwasnolie.Hewasnotfeelingbadry.If,infact,hewasangry,itwasathimself.ForTakatsukiandSayokotobeeloverswasthemostnaturalthingintheworld.Takatsukihadallthequalifications.Junpeihadwasthatsimple.

    "Gohalvesonabeer?"Sayokoasked.

    "Sure."

    Shetookaofbeerfromtherefrigeratoranddividedtheteweentwoglasses,handioJuheydrankinsilence,separately.

    "Itskindofembarrassingtoputthisintowords,"shesaid,"butIwanttostayfriendswithyou,Junpei.Notjustfornow,butevenafterwegetolder.Alotolder.IloveTakatsuki,butIneedyou,too,inawholedifferentway.Doesthatmakemeselfish?"

    Junpeiwasnotsurehowtoahat,butheshookhishead.

    Sayokosaid,"Touandsomethingandtoputthatsomethingintoaformthatyouseewithyourowneyesaretwopletelydifferentthings.Ifyouaodobothequallywell,livingwouldbealotsimpler."

    JunpeilookedatSayokoinprofile.Hehadnoideawhatshewastryingtosay.Whydoesmybrainalwaysworksoslowly?hewondered.Helookedup,andforalongtimehishalf-focussedeyestracedtheshapeofastainontheceiling.Howwouldthesi