Summary

In “Karma,” Tsukiko had been busy with work all month. Too tired to properly care for herself, she had lost “a certain vitality” (65). Then one day, after finishing a major project, she treated herself to “a good lie-in” (65). After bathing and reading magazines, she pranced around the apartment naked, drinking Wilkinson soda water. She recalled the first time she started drinking mineral water, and how her tastes had changed. Her mind wandered this way when she “was alone” (67). Sometimes she spoke to herself in the mirror, as if conversing with “an invisible version of [her]self” (67). After reading some more and dozing off in bed, she awoke overcome by “a surge of loneliness” (67). She left the apartment to feel better. While walking, she “ran into Sensei” (67).

Sensei complained that his butt hurt. When Tsukiko repeated the word “butt,” Sensei scolded her...