tival

    by MURAKAMI haruki

    translated by Kiki

    I am smoking a cigarette after a simple lunco my apartment. I  my front door t really anyt  is just an ordinary sea lion. I mean  . Actually  Chinese.

    ”Good afternoon. Nice to meet you,” says trust t I’m not disturbing you. Is time?”

    “It’s ok, I’m not really t busy,” I say, a bit flustered.

    Sea lions are relatively ening about t doesn’t matter  door, t look any different.

    t realization is almost more disturbing.

    “If you could just give me ten minutes, I’d be really grateful.” Out of  I glance at my c t is unnecessary. I ime.

    “But it mig even take t long,” tically reading my ts. it even t it I lead o my apartment. I even offer ea.

    “You s  need to go to sucrouble.” ea in one gulp. takes a cigarette from  pocket and lig er. “It’s still really , isn’t it?”

    “t’s for sure.”

    “But at least t so bad.

    “Yea it is September after all.”

    “ournament is already finiss  clinc.Noto get , is tically finished.”

    “I guess you’re right.”

    t and looks around my apartment. “Forgive me for prying, but do you live here alone?”

    “No, I live  srip at t.”

    “Really? taking separate vacations sounds like fun.” tly cynical laugh.

    It ely my fault, and I take full responsibility. I don’t care s at some bar in So tting on t stool. I t.  else can I say but since I am a tful person, I offered it to  ’s ook it.

    Misunderstandings cau