The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle: Book 2, Chapter 14 Summary & Analysis

After Noboru sexually assaulted Creta, Creta isolated herself for several days and attempted to come to terms with what she had experienced. Eventually, as her intense emotions subsided, she realized she had transitioned into a new phase of her identity. In her first phase, she only experienced pain; in the second phase, she felt nothing. Meanwhile, the third phase is a mix of both, and she considers it her most authentic self. In this phase, she can experience both pain and pleasure.

Creta promptly abandoned her involvement in sex work and devoted her time to constructing her newfound identity from scratch. Around the same time, Malta returned to Japan, and Creta confided in her about everything that happened since Malta’s departure, including her experience with Noboru.

Malta analyzed the situation and concluded that Noboru violated Creta, but remarkably, this violation somehow contributed to her self-reconstruction. Malta renamed her “Creta” to symbolize her transformation. Then, Malta guided her sister in learning to control her new self. Like Malta, Creta has mysterious powers, which need to be nurtured. Five years later, Noboru visited Malta for spiritual guidance. Creta was startled when she saw him again. She told Malta that Noboru was man from her stories.

At this point, Toru interjects, questioning whether Creta intentionally entered his mind when they had sexual encounters in his dreams. She confirms that entering someone’s mind is indeed one of her abilities, which Malta helped her understand and control. Additionally, she reveals that she entered Toru’s mind because Malta told her to. However, Creta remains uncertain about Malta's motives for infiltrating Toru's mind. Still, she promises Toru that she and Malta are on his side, and not Noboru’s.

Creta tells Toru she wants to take a break from working with Malta because she is weary of constantly entering and exiting people’s bodies and minds. Instead, she says she wants to go to Crete to take some time for herself. She invites Toru to accompany her, but he explains that he needs to confront Kumiko in person before moving forward with his life. Creta urges Toru to contemplate her proposal before the time comes for her to leave. Creta believes that she and Toru can help each other given that they both need to take a break from the craziness of their lives.

Later, Creta asks Toru to have sex with her, believing it would help liberate her from the defilement she experienced at the hands of Noboru. She wants to physically engage with the last man she mentally connected with. In exchange for sex, Toru agrees to give Creta Kumiko’s clothing as a form of payment instead of money. Money, he says, is too personal, and he does not want to treat Creta like a sex worker. Before proceeding with the sexual encounter, he asks about Noboru's motivations.

Creta says that she does not understand Noboru much more than Toru does. However, she does say that he and Noboru despise each other because they belong to different worlds. Creta felt Noboru's dark hatred when he had touched her years ago. She cautions Toru against succumbing to this destructive and unproductive emotion. She knows Noboru is dangerous and that he has the power to fundamentally alter someone’s life. Toru proceeds to have sex with Creta, although it is a confusing experience, as he cannot help but associate her with Kumiko. Afterward, Creta warns Toru that something profoundly negative will likely befall him if he remains in Japan.