The next day was also a sunny day with strong winds. After eating breakfast, Michael quickly went out to build his hut. Miyoko came to think that Banana was probably dead. It's been over a week. A pitiful corpse of black fur, lying on the sand with its ribs raised, comes to her mind. Banana starved to death and fed other organisms. 

    “Even though I gave him all the love I had, I could only give him a short life” Miyoko thought. 

    Miyoko sighed and decided to devote herself to making high school textbooks.

    There was an unexpected pleasant eventthat afternoon. Leo, who is the owner of the island and runs a supermarket in Koror, came to the island. There were many speedboats going offshore from the morning on that day, and Miyoko thought that the day must be a Sunday. Leo came out to this area for bonito fishing with friends. Leo has a very nice white speedboat. Leo's beautiful white boat entered the lagoon through a cut in the reefand stopped near the shore. Miyoko, who was stretching her neck and wondered who that might be, was happy to recognize Leo and the familiar Koror people’s faces.  She ran out to the shore. 

  Leo came with two businessmen who, like Leo, run a shop in Koror, and two young helpers. In Palau, most government officials, school teachers, and shop owners usually wear rubber sandals and T-shirts. When it comes to going out to the sea, everyone wears worn-out shorts and T-shirts. It is hard to imagine from their appearance that they are the pillars of the society which influence the Palauan economy and policies.

    "Hi, Miyoko. Are you having a fun time?" Leo said and shook hands with Miyoko who cameto receive Leo with her welcome smile.  Two other businessmen also extended their hands to Miyoko with a smile.  Both of them are familiar to Miyoko, but this is the first time she talked to them.

    "Yes. Thank you Leo for letting us stay the island. We are having a wonderful time."

    Miyoko teaches many students. And because Koror is a small town, most of the people shemeets on the street are parents or relatives of Miyoko's students. Since Miyoko teaches only Japanese language classes, she does not need to attend the PTA meetings. She does not know the faces of the students' parents, but parents know who Miyoko is. Miyoko's high school is the only public high school in Palau, thus many children come from islands outside of Koror. These students usually live in relatives' homes in Koror, go to school, and return to their islands on holidays.  Therefore, Miyoko herself doesn't know manypeople’s faces other than her own students and the teachers of Palau High School. However,people throughout Palau know “Miyoko of Palau High.”  Besides, Miyoko is the only single Japanese woman living in Palau at that time. Palauans love rumors, so it should be big news that Japanese Miyoko and American Michael live on a Leo’s island. No wonder Leo came to investigate.

    "Say, Leo. Wasn't the wind strong? Wereyou able to catch some bonito?"

    "Well, it was quiet and nice weather when I left Koror in the morning. When I came around here, the wind became a much stronger. How was it here?  Was the wind strong from this morning?"

    "Not only this morning, strong winds never stopped since the first day. We can't go out to the sea by canoe."

    "The weather in Koror is perfect these days. Today, a lot of people from Koror are out around these areas."

    "Is that so? Nobody comes here, though."

    Leo smiled silently with a face saying, "Of course."  Miyoko and Michael's deserted island life seems to be better known than sheexpected.

    The island barbecue picnic is Palauan's favorite entertainment. Whether it's her high school excursion or the teachers' annual special gathering, a barbecue picnic on one of the islands is a staple. People soak chicken in the sauce the night before and cook taropotatoes. Fish are procured from the sea on the spot. The Palauan-style barbecue sauce made from soy sauce and native lemons is an exquisite that you will never forget once you try it.

    "Where is Michael?"

    Leo asked while staring at Miyoko's papers scattered all over the table.

    "He is building a hut. Over there."

    Everyone went out to see Michael. Miyoko remained without going out with them, continued to work at the table. Leo and his friends drank beer with Michael for a while before returning to their boat.

    At the last moment, Leo looked back at Miyoko and asked, "Do you want some bonito?"

    "Yes." Miyoko answered as elegantly as possible. In fact, Miyoko had been thinking of getting bonito since she saw Leo. Leo signaled. One of the young men took out a beautiful, plump, bonito which had just been caught from the cooler box. It seems to be nearly three feet. The whole fish might be too much for only two. Miyoko asked modestly only a half. The young man dexterously cut the bonito into two parts and gave Miyoko the half where was not bone. He even placed some lemons onto the shell-plate Miyoko offered.

    Miyoko will never forget how delicious the bonito was. It was tongue-melting, out of the world.  After dinner, Miyoko marinated the remaining bonito in soy sauce, wrapped it in plastic, and saved it for the next morning.