'Guess what? I've got a boyfriend now.'

 

'Oh yes?'

 

'Except I'm wondering what to do. I haven't made up my mind yet.'

 

'Quite understandable.'

 

'You see, he's making plans to go to America. He wants me to go with him as soon

as

 

I finish studying.'

 

‘I see. And you want to go to America?'

 

'If we go, we're going to hitch-hike.' Kikuko waved a thumb in front of my face.

'People say it's dangerous, but I've done it in Osaka and it's fine.'

 

'I see. So what is it you're unsure about?'

 

We were following a narrow path that wound through the shrubs and finished by

the old well. As we walked, Kikuko persisted in taking unnecessarily theatrical

puffs on her cigarette.