[voltron]

So I was reading "The Nakano Thrift Shop" by Hiromi Kawakami and came across this passage, and had to smile a little. It comes after the thirft shop owner comes across a Seiko Matsuda life-size standee and they're having some conversation about it (I'll add a little below to give some context).

'Seiko Matsuda is pretty, isn't she?' I said, and Mr. Nakano nodded. I've got a few of her records, he said.

Is that so? I nodded matter-of-factly. Mr Nakano must have taken a little offense, because he said, 'It has a slightly different meaning for someone my age to buy her records.'

'Meaning?'

'Seiko has a certain kitsch about her.'

As Mr. Nakano was talking, Takeo went out the back door. Is that so? Once again I nodded matter-of-factly at Mr. Nakano.

'For example, Hitomi, when you hear the word ayu, it calls to mind the delicately sweet fish and the pleasure of an otherwordly nature, does it not?' Mr. Nakano went on.

Ayu, I murmured. By Ayu, you mean the singer Ayumi Hamasaki? I asked, purposely imitating the way that Takeo talked. Mr. Nakano let both hands hang down loosely.

I was about to follow up by asking what he meant by otherworldly nature, but it wasn't the moment to tease Mr. Nakano, so I thought better of it.

Well, that's enough, Mr. Nakano said under his breath, and followed Takeo out. The life-size Seiko Matsuda was lying face up on the tatami. In one hand she held a sewing machine, while the other hand lightly pointed at her chest, and she wore a sweet smile.

Ayu, my lips formed the word one more time as I shook my head.