They realize that one does not have to forfeit one culture over another to fit in – rather this is counterproductive. Initially, the three women do not believe the above, but there are attempts to bridge this gap between the two cultures by Naoe and Murasaki. For example, Murasaki is a representation of what Naoe detests within their household, yet this does not hinder both women from forming a connection with each other. In the novel, Murasaki and Naoe often communicate with each other through squid and sake. This is illustrated in the scene in which they both hide in Naoe’s room and savor sake:
I [Murasaki] could still taste the sake lingering in my mouth…Obachan [Naoe] smacked her lips…but it’s really appropriate to smack lips. It’s like a symbolic gesture of respect to what you’ve consumed…Smack, smack! (Obachan) Smack, smack, (Me) (Goto