Food & Drink
This simple dish that Mikage enjoys on the Izu Peninsula is made up of pork and rice.
What is katsudon?
Eriko’s death is a result of…
What is trans violence?
This surprisingly good meal led to Mikage searching for Yuichi so they could redefine their relationship near the end of the novel.
What is katsudon?
These two bubbly girls are Mikage’s coworkers in her workplace.
Who are Nori and Kuri?
Who says: “I wish this night would go on forever. Mikage, please move back in” (65).
Who is Yuichi?
This fruit demonstrates the complexity of the characters’ personalities and emotions.
What is pineapple?
Yuichi and Eriko invite Mikage to be a part of their…
What is family?
These bright objects symbolize isolation and appear multiple times throughout Mikage’s journey.
What are the stars?
Whose death sent Eriko into a state of shock and isolation?
Who is Mikage’s grandma?
Who says: “At that moment I had a thrillingly sharp intuition. I knew it as if I held it in my hands: In the gloom that surrounded the two of us, we were just at the point of approaching and negotiating a gentle curve. If we bypassed it, we would split off into different directions. In that case we would forever remain just friends” (91).
Who is Mikage?
This drink is what Mikage drinks to soothe herself, especially during late nights.
What is green tea?
Yuichi retreats into isolation during Mikage’s business trip because he is experiencing issues with defining his…
What is identity?
This symbol represents the steps of Mikage and Yuichi's journey that come closer together over time.
What is a ladder?
This woman approached Mikage at her workplace to express her anger at her relationship with Yuichi.
Who is Okuno?
Who says: “I love your honest heart, Mikage. The grandmother who raised you must have been a wonderful person” (42).
Who is Eriko?
This drink is used to escape the grief of Eriko's murder.
What is alcohol?
Mikage has an innate connection to the kitchen and searches for it first in Yuichi’s house because it lessens her ___ over her grandmother’s death.
What is grief?
This important symbol represents each character's initial impression contrasting with their true characteristics.
What is the pineapple plant?
This plant-loving man used to be Mikage’s lover before the death of her grandmother.
Who is Sotaro?
Who says: “Mikage dear, I’m so miserable. Why do things like this have to happen? I can’t believe in the gods. We’ll never see dear Eriko again, and I can’t bear it” (86).
Who is Chika?
This dish demonstrates Yuichi’s feelings and shared memories with Mikage as they eat it after the funeral.
What is ramen?
Eriko lets go of this completely through her transition, while Yuichi still seems to be searching for this as a significant part of his identity.
What is masculinity?
This symbol represents hope and appears in the song Mikage and Yuichi sing together.
What is a lighthouse?
This character cries easily. She was also harassed for her appearance in a bus.
Who is Chika?
Who says: “But love is not a joke, it also means sharing someone else’s pain. To slip that burden, with that cool face of yours, saying you understand everything…I’m asking you, please, don’t see Yuichi anymore…” (72).
Who is Okuno?