As the narrator begins their journey, they encounter a young woman with dark hair who stands out distinctly from Mina Lee. This woman is notably taller and has long, curly black hair, dressed in a faded denim jacket. Her presence is striking, and she is openly observing the narrator without any hesitation.
This observation leads the narrator to consider whether the woman might be Mina Lee's partner. However, the woman's lack of discretion in watching the narrator suggests she might need to learn how to be more subtle, mirroring the perceived shortcomings in Mina's behavior.