I am grateful to all the people who have supported me while writing. Their incalculable friendship has flowed into the story in a living contribution.

Special thanks to my husband Thomas (I thank you for your encouragement, your patience, your solicitude), Ojiichan and Obaachan (I thank you for many summers filled with happiness), Michio, Niken, Ayana and Ryuta (I thank you for the red thread that bound us to one another across the miles), Satoshi (I thank you for the beautiful memory of you), Tobias (I thank you for your support), Angela (I thank you for your Epile Spitmek), Barbara and Verena (I thank you for your loyalty and glasses of wine), Kathrin (I thank you for our singing and reading together), Lelo (I thank you for cupcakes and stardust).

The greatest thanks goes especially to those I have not mentioned.