Chapter 111

The final day of the conference ended early, following a lengthy plenary session involving speeches about the merits of the new system and how important it was that everyone cooperate and join in. The audience expressed great enthusiasm, not necessarily because they felt it but because it was what was done.

The attendees split up into small groups, many going home or starting their journeys home, but others repaired to local restaurants and bars to eat, drink and discuss. Yuta passed out cards until he had just a few left. The thin silent man Yuta had noticed slipped through the crowd, but he did join the group at a large, noisy bar, though he sat in a quiet corner.

"Is this seat taken?" Yuta asked, coming up to the man's table.

"Sit down, sit down," the man said in a friendly fashion. "I am Kawabata Yoji."