murakami, haruki - Norwegian wood

you don't know the answer to something as simple as that? Why do
you even have to ask? Why do you have to make a girl say something
like this? I like you more than I like him, that's all. I wish I had fallen
in love with somebody a little more handsome, of course. But I didn't.
I fell in love with you!"
I tried to speak, but I felt the words catching in my throat.
Midori threw her cigarette into a puddle. "Will you please get that
look off your face? You're gonna make me cry. Don't worry, I know
you're in love with somebody else. I'm not expecting anything from
you. But the least you can do is give me a hug. These have been two
tough months for me."
I put up my umbrella, and we went behind the game area and held
each other close. Our bodies strained against each other, and our lips
met. The smell of the rain clung to her hair and her jeans jacket. Girls'
bodies were so soft and warm! I could feel her breasts pressing against
my chest through our clothing. How long had it been since my last
physical contact with another human being?
"The day I last saw you, that night I talked to him, and we broke up,"
Midori said.
"I love you," I said to her. "From the bottom of my heart. I don't ever
want to let you go again. But there's nothing I can do. I can't make a
move."
"Because of her?"
I nodded.
"Tell me, have you slept with her?"
"Once. A year ago."
"And you haven't seen her since then?"
"I have seen her: twice. But we didn't do anything." "Why not?
Doesn't she love you?"
"That's hard to say," I said. "It's really complicated. And
mixed up. And it's been going on for such a long time, I don't know
what's what any more. And neither does she. All I know is, I have a
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