[DeepL Translation - needs review] I realized once again how important and irreplaceable Sumire was to me," he said, "She held me together in a way that only she could. Like a lonely satellite with the ironic name of "traveling companion," everyone continues to chart his or her own course. In this vast world, without words or promises, the descendants of Sputnik pass each other, part, and meet again.
(Translator: DeepL)
Sputnik Sweetheart
This was my first full novel that I read from start to finish in Japanese. For context, I'm at an N2-ish level and had just taken (and passed) the Kanji Kentei Level 4 before reading this.
The story revolves around a love triangle. Compared to some of Murakami's other works (eg. Kafka on the Shore), it was much lighter in surreal elements (although they were there). Whether you enjoy this story probably depends on whether or not you find romance and (mostly) realistic fiction interesting.
Lang