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Chocolate mousse Quote by Haruki Murakami

“I made up my mind I was going to find someone who would love me unconditionally three hundred and sixty five days a year, I was still in elementary school at the time - fifth or sixth grade - but I made up my mind once and for all.” “Wow,” I said. “Did the search pay off?” “That’s the hard part,”…” quote by Haruki Murakami
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““I made up my mind I was going to find someone who would love me unconditionally three hundred and sixty five days a year, I was still in elementary school at the time - fifth or sixth grade - but I made up my mind once and for all.” “Wow,” I said. “Did the search pay off?” “That’s the hard part,” said Midori. She watched the rising smoke for a while, thinking. “I guess I’ve been waiting so long I’m looking for perfection. That makes it tough.” “Waiting for the perfect love?” “No, even I know better than that. I’m looking for selfishness. Perfect selfishness. Like, say I tell you I want to eat strawberry shortcake. And you stop everything you’re doing and run out and buy it for me. And you come back out of breath and get down on your knees and hold this strawberry shortcake out to me. And I say I don’t want it anymore and throw it out the window. That’s what I’m looking for.” “I’m not sure that has anything to do with love,” I said with some amazement. “It does,” she said. “You just don’t know it. There are time in a girl’s life when things like that are incredibly important.” “Things like throwing strawberry shortcake out the window?” “Exactly. And when I do it, I want the man to apologize to me. “Now I see, Midori. What a fool I have been! I should have known that you would lose your desire for strawberry shortcake. I have all the intelligence and sensitivity of a piece of donkey shit. To make it up to you, I’ll go out and buy you something else. What would you like? Chocolate Mousse? Cheesecake?” “So then what?” “So then I’d give him all the love he deserves for what he’s done.” “Sounds crazy to me.” “Well, to me, that’s what love is…””

Haruki Murakami

About This Quote

The narrator’s quest for flawless love reveals a deeper desire for unconditional devotion, expressed through exaggerated, almost theatrical gestures.

In simple terms: Love idealized as perfect, selfish devotion.

Key Takeaway

Romantic expectations can become performative.

Themes

love expectations selfishness relationships

Mood

playful reflective

Type

narrative philosophical

When to use this quote

  • dating
  • friendship expectations

Key Concepts

idealization power dynamics

Practical Applications

  • reflect on realistic partnership needs

Questions to Reflect On

  • Why do we equate grand gestures with love?
  • How does selfishness intersect with affection?
A Different Perspective

The hyper‑dramatic scenario may obscure genuine emotional intimacy.

3.1 out of 5 (9 ratings)

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