2020/153: Strange Weather in Tokyo -- Hiromi Kawakami (translated by Allison Markin Powell)

2020/153: Strange Weather in Tokyo -- Hiromi Kawakami (translated by Allison Markin Powell)

‘Tsukiko, do you know what that means, a “karmic connection”?’ Sensei asked in return. Something to do with chance? I ventured, after thinking for a moment. Sensei shook his head with a furrowed brow. ‘Not chance, but rather, destiny. Transmigration of the soul.’ [loc. 895]

Tsukiko is in her late thirties: she has a career, though we're never given any details about it, and lives alone. She likes to drink alone, too: one night, in her local bar, she encounters one of her teachers from high school. Forgetting his name, she refers to him as 'Sensei',

( minor spoilers )