The day after the funeral, her old boyfriend, Tomao, called Michiko.

"Michiko, I'm so sorry about your uncle."

"Domo arigato gozaimasu. Thank you, Tomao."

"Is there anything I can do?"

"Domo sumimasen, I'm sorry. The Matsumotos are being very kind. But thank you. Arigato."

There was a pause, while Michiko wondered why talking to Tomao again wasn't making her feel better.