Chapter 11

Aomame goes into detail about the quickest way to disable a man. Without hesitation, it's a quick kick to his balls. The pain is likened to the end of the world. It reminds her of the movie On the Beach. After graduating from college of p.e., she worked for a sports drink manufacturer and played on the company's women's softball team. After Tamaki's death, she quit both. She became an instructor at a sports club in Tokyo, teaching muscle training and martial arts. She drew flack from teaching her kicking technique in such an upscale establishment. The women enjoyed it, but the men were uncomfortable with it. That is what Aomame wanted.  Aomame sits at a singles bar, finding few suitable men. The Dowager had been the oldest member of her self-defense class. At one point, the Dowager wants Aomame to meet at a French restaurant, where the wine and food are elegant, as is the Dowager's clothing. She wants Aomame to become her personal trainer. Aomame admits to being neither a feminist or a lesbian. She goes to Willow House twice a week for training and massage sessions. Aomame was skilled at deep tissue massage, and became a professional acupuncturist. Her fingertips had a 6th sense that could discern the subtle points of the body that controlled its function. After their sessions, they would chat over tea. Dowager asks if Aomame had ever used her kicking technique for real, and she had, with intended outcome. Dowager wonders if it would work on Tamaru. Aomame says no, because he is trained with a special presence. Dowger wants to know if Aomame ever inflicted wounds, which she had, but declines to talk about. Dowagers tells her she senses something Aomame has deep inside, which she can relate to, and says if she were to ever confide in her, she could help her out.
Aomame is approached by another woman at the bar. after some chit chat, they decide to team up for the night. This woman is interested in youger men. SHe asks Aomame if she's interested in a four-way, and she says no...for now. Aomame feels she needs to find out more about this woman before engaging in such activities. Aomame is briefly stunned to learn she's a policewoman named Ayumi. Because she is a woman, she carries no weapon and does parking enforcement. Ayumi is surprised at Aomame's knowledge of guns. She gives Aomame insight into a woman's place in the world of the male dominated police world and the difficulty in dating being in law enforcement. She prefers not to have a boyfriend, just an occasional one night stand.