She's always polite and kind, but her words lack the kind of curiosity and excitement you'd normally expect. Her true feelings- assuming such things exist- remain hidden away. Except for when a practical sort of decision has to be made, she never gives her personal opinion about anything. She seldom talks about herself, instead letting others talk, nodding warmly as she listens. But most people start to feel vaguely uneasy when talking with her, as if they suspect they're wasting her time, trampling on her private, graceful, dignified world. And that impression is, for the most part, correct.
Haruki MurakamiI want to write stories that are different from the ones I've written so far, Junpei thought: I want to write about people who dream and wait for the night to end, who long for the light so they can hold the ones they love. But right now I have to stay here and keep watch over this woman and this girl. I will never let anyone-not anyone-try to put them into that crazy box- not even if the sky should fall or the earth crack open with a roar.
Haruki MurakamiWell, think of what Iโm doing to you right now. For me Iโm the self, and youโre the object. For you, of course, itโs the exact oppositeโyouโre the self to you and Iโm the object. And by exchanging self and object, we can project ourselves onto the other and gain self-consciousness. Volitionally.โ โI still donโt get it, but it sure feels good.โ โThatโs the whole idea,โ the girl said.
Haruki Murakami