There was something strange about her becoming 20. I felt as if the only thing that made sense, whether for Naoko or for me, was to keep going back and forth between 18 and 19. After 18 would come 19, and after 19, 18, of course.

“One of these days they'll be making a film where the whole human race gets wipe…”

“To be able to talk to your heart’s content about a book you like with someone w…”

“Even though I might go out on a date with a boy, emotionally I just wouldn’t be…”

“I'm in no position to hand down any advice," he said, "but there's a rule I fol…”