Dear Mr. Murakami,
About a year ago, a girl I was and still am in love with gave me your book, “Kafka on the Shore”. While I was reading it we fell in love. A beautiful, very true and deep love. As in all things in life though, nothing is permanent (except perhaps plastic, and what an ugly thing plastic can be）, and we are no longer together. I am still very much in love with her. I know she still has a great deal of love for me as well. Perhaps you could say we are trying to figure out how our love fits in our own individual lives. I am writing to you to ask if you have any advice for a young person（I am 21 years old）who is in love, or trying to get over being in love, and if you could offer any wisdom as to how one could perhaps love someone without losing themselves entirely to that person? I look forward to hearing back from you Mr. Murakami.

All the best,
Kenneth
（Kenneth、男性、21歳）

Dear Kenneth,

I got married with a girl when I was 22 years old, and she is still my wife. Life is simple, sometimes. If you love her truly, just take her. Why don’t you?　

Have you ever read my “100% Girl” story? If not, read it. I believe the story is included in ELEPHANT VANISHES.

hm