Book excerpt: Hoping to marry despite their families’ wishes, Maria sneaks out in the middle of the night to run away with Rintarou. But unbeknownst to her, Rintarou’s father has suddenly fallen ill, and it’s the playboy Chiaki who arrives to take her back home. Although heartbroken by Rintarou’s unexplained abandonment, Maria-with some teasing encouragement from Chiaki-resolves to continue her English practice. She’ll show her former fiancée that under her “catskin coat,” she’s the girl he let get away!