The wind continued to be strong and the two remain trapped on the island. Thankfully, there has been rain every few days since they came to the island, so they didn't have to worry about drinking water or bathing water.  Michael continues to build the hut in the rain. However, Miyoko should immediately clean up the books and paper on the table and cover it with a plastic sheet when the first drop of rain falls.  Then, she wears a large plastic bag with a hole cut out on one side.  She sticks out her head out of the cut-out hole, and sits under a tree to wait for the rain to pass. The rain is surprisingly cold, and Miyoko doesn't feel like getting soaked withthe rain.

    Near noon of that day, there was a speedboat coming into view kicking white waves through the emerald-blue ocean. Miyoko squinted her eyes and stared at the boat. Every day many speedboats pass near the island. It is because this is an importantroute from Koror to Peleliu island which is further south. However, this boat cut through the reef and is heading towards Leo’s island. It seems that a lot of people are on board. Eventually the boat entered the lagoon through an opening of the nearest reef. Miyoko stood up and went out to the beach, holding her hand over her forehead and squinting.

   Even from a distance, it became apparent that the boat was Daniel's red-painted wooden boat which was the little boat that Miyoko and Michael used when they came to this island. The boat slowly came to the shore and turned off the engine.  Five large Americans came down one after another from the boat. Thesmall wooden boat came here again overloaded with cargo today. All Americans were Michael's friends and the US Government volunteers in Palau. 

    "Hi, Miyoko. How are you?" 

    The first one was Ryan who was pulling the rope of the boat. Ryan is a tall blonde with beautiful gray eyes.  Ryan specializes in agriculture and livestock.  He is a teacher at an agricultural high school in the hinterland of Babeldaob which is Palau's largest island. He is a very close friend of Michael.

    Immediately behind Ryan, Bill, with black hair, was smiling showing his white teeth. He grew a nice Mexican-style mustache under hisnose, which looks great on his round face. He has expressive eyes, and there are laugh-wrinkles around the eyes. He helps localbusinesses like Michael, but lives in Peleliu Island to the south. He has some fish in a rope in his hand. They might have caught themon the way here.

    There are also two ladies coming with Ryan and Bill.  Miyoko is familiar with them. Both are teachers of Palau High School, the same as Miyoko.  Both teach English. One is Linda, who has gentle eyes and a warm smile.  The other is Nancy who looks no-nonsense, down-to-earth person with a tight ponytail.

    Next to Nancy is Mack. He teaches business on Koror like Michael. He is quiet and Miyoko has never talked to him. He is Nancy's boyfriend, the two live together in Koror.

    They pulled the boat to the beach and carried three large cooler boxes.  Linda showed Miyoko the inside of the cooler boxes.  They were packed with meat, bread, cheese, beer, and wine. Miyoko claped her hands and cheered.

    "We are going to have a big party tonight. We will stay here tonight. We brought a tent. We'll go back to Koror tomorrow."  Linda said.

    "Wow, I'm glad you guys came. The wind was so strong every day that we couldn't go out to the sea at all. We haven't eaten fish for ages." Miyoko responded.

    "No way! I can't believe it. It's a nice and quiet day in Koror. There was no problem catching fish on the way here."

    Michael must have seen a boat came in, and came to join the group.

Michael's friends have kept in touch with each other, and came to see how Miyoko and Michael lived on Leo’s island.

    "Say, Miyoko. Look at this," Nancy with the ponytail said opening out a net hammock.

    "Let's hang this somewhere in a nice place with a view of the sea. What do you think?"

    Linda, Nancy, and Miyoko cooperated to firmly connect the hammock between two palmtrees near the beach. There are a lot of trees around the area creating pleasant shade.

    After organizing their belongings and exchanging information, the men went out to see Michael's hut. Linda and Nancy lie in their hammocks to take a nap. Miyoko, secretly worrying the hammock might tear with the weight of two ladies, went to see what the men were doing.

    The three visiting men were lying down on the beach and chatting in front of the hut. Michael was working alone on the top of the beam. Miyoko sat down next to Ryan.

    "Say, Ryan. Do you know that I had lost my kitty?"

    "Yeah, I heard it. Daniel told me. What happened after that?"

    Ryan raised his upper body and shook his sandy hands. 

    Miyoko explained in English as good as she could what had happened to Banana.  Michael is accustomed to Miyoko's English. It is still difficult for Miyoko to carry a longconversation in English. However, the Americans here all work with locals who are not good at English. Ryan patiently listened to the end of Miyoko’s story. Both Bill and Mack were listening as well.

    "I would like to go back to the island again to look for my kitten. You just came in, but I'd be very happy if you drive the boat to the island. I don't know when I can go back to the island with the canoe in this weather."

    Ryan saw Bill and Mack beside him and asked "What do we do?" 

    Bill moved his mustache under his nose and smiled.  Then said, "Let's go" and got up lightly. Mack also stood up.

    Ryan asked Michael on the beam,

    "Do you like to come?" 

    Michael probably didn't hear the conversation. He asked, 

    "Where are you going?" 

    When Miyoko said she was going to see Banana, Michael shook his head and made a gesture with his hand like shooing a fly away.

    On their way back to the boat, they passed by the hammock where Linda and Nancy were lying. 

    Ryan asked, 

    "We’re going to the next island. Will you come?" 

    But the ladies just waved a hand vaguely and didn't even bother to reply.

    Miyoko was very grateful that the three of them were willing to help her with her request. The truth is, it's not the best to go there with three strangers, but she did not have any other choice. The men returned to the boat they had just pulled out of the sea and set out for the island where Banana is. It takes more than an hour to paddle the canoe to the island. However, no matter how small the boat is, the red boat has a motor.  It took only about 15 minutes to reach the island.

    Banana did not come out after all. After searching around about an hour, Miyoko realized that she was very disappointed.  She decided to return to Leo’s island.  She was hoping for the slightest possibility that shemight meet Banana again. Banana might have come out to meet Miyoko if Banana is still alive and still remembers Miyoko, and if only Miyoko stays on the beach alone waitingquietly.  However, Miyoko couldn’t ask the friends more, could she?  They used limited gasoline to make a round trip to this island, and they searched for Banana together. Everyone was extremely kind to Miyoko. At the end, Miyoko thanked everyone and returned to Leo's island together.