"My father," Natsumi said, surprised. She wasn't quite sure what to do with the little flicker of pride that bloomed beneath her breastbone at the mention of his name. Burying it and moving on would be best, perhaps, but she couldn't quite help the urge to dig for more...

"Do you know him, then?" she asked, discreetly nudging one of the plump blue-and-white cushions to lie perfectly parallel to the low table.