‘When your mother was in poor health, she knew she wouldn’t be able to look after you for much longer. She asked Sachiko to take her place, as your father’s second wife. You were a fussy eater, so she decided to write down exactly what you liked.’ ‘And she gave Sachiko . . .’ murmured Hisahiko, his eyes eagerly scanning the pages. ‘Nikujaga is on the fifth page,’ explained Nagare. Hisahiko hurriedly turned to the recipe.
