as though love were an examination she had to pass.
That was why, when she finally took a short trip to Okinawa, she made a decision that surprised even her.
She would not spend the vacation trying to meet anyone.
She would not check dating apps while waiting for her coffee. She would not photograph every meal to prove she was enjoying herself. She would not answer messages from people who appeared only when they were bored.
For a few days, she would simply exist.
She imagined walking along the beach, reading a book, eating local food, and returning home with a clearer mind.
She had no idea that the most unexpected conversation of her life was waiting just a few steps away from the water.
Chapter Two: The Stranger With the Lemonade
The afternoon Yuki met Kenji was warm and breezy.
The beach was not crowded. A few families
