Tengo

Early Wednesday morning, Tengo receives a strange phone call from a man who refuses to identify himself. This mysterious caller, whom the reader knows as Tamaru, tells Tengo that Aomame wants to meet him. After giving instructions about where to meet and what to bring, Tamaru adds that time is short because of a “tense situation.” He insists that Tengo must not be be followed; otherwise he may not see Aomame ever again.

After promising to go to the slide at seven o’clock, Tengo hangs up and begins making preparations. He cleans his apartment and packs a small shoulder bag. He brings the novel he is writing, several notebooks, some floppy disks, and some cash and bank cards. After some reflection, he takes some personal financial and ID papers as well as the family photo his father left behind. He decides against bringing replaceable items like clothes.

Tengo’s preparations are finished by mid-morning. He is too keyed up to do any work, so he sits idly for a while and wonders how the meeting will go. He worries that he and Aomame will be disappointed in each other, and that meeting may ruin their imaginary ideas of each other. However, his desire to see Aomame outweighs his worries.

By evening, Tengo’s fears have shifted focus to Aomame’s “tense situation.” He wonders if someone is using him to get to Aomame, or vice versa. However, he cannot fathom why anyone would need her to find him, nor can he fathom how he could play a role in any plot against her.

On his way to the playground, Tengo is very careful. He frequently checks the street behind him in case someone is following him. He zigzags through a number of turns to throw off unseen pursuers. No suspicious people appear behind him. He arrives safely at the playground a few minutes before the appointed time.

Upon arrival, Tengo climbs the slide and sits facing the moon. For several minutes, he is near panic, wondering what will happen or where Aomame will come from. Eventually he closes his eyes and forces himself to be calm. The next thing he knows, Aomame is sitting beside him holding his hand. After twenty years, he still recognizes her grip. He keeps his eyes closed, thinking that he needs to “adjust and rethink every single element of life.” Aomame gives his hand a squeeze and tells him to open his eyes.