South of the border, west of the sun

After the intricate narrative of Haruki Murakami's renowned novel, The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, comes a seemingly straightforward love story. This contemporary tale revolves around a boy who falls in love, loses that love, and eventually encounters it again many years later. The protagonist, Hajime—meaning "Beginning" in Japanese—grew up as an only child in a typical middle-class neighborhood. Shimamoto, also an only child, was known for her composed and mature demeanor even from a young age. In their school years, Hajime and Shimamoto, deeply connected childhood friends, spent hours listening to music, holding hands, and sharing dreams about their futures. However, as often happens in youth, their paths drifted apart and they lost touch.Fast forward to middle age, Hajime has found a sense of satisfaction after many years of wandering. He is now a prosperous nightclub owner, settled into his roles as both husband and father. Yet, his past resurfaces when he unexpectedly reunites with Shimamoto. This reencounter draws him into the enigmatic shadows of her life, where she harbors secrets she is reluctant to disclose. Caught up in a whirlwind of desire and fascination, Hajime considers risking his stable existence to pursue the long-lost love that has lingered in his imagination, yearning for the life he has dreamt of but never achieved.