In "Sputnik Sweetheart" by Haruki Murakami, the protagonist expresses frustration about the lack of meaningful communication in conversation. They note that instead of engaging with deeper responses, the other person only offers indifferent sounds like "oh" and "um," which leaves them feeling disconnected and unheard.

The speaker longs for more substantial interaction, suggesting that even a simple conjunction like "yet" or "but" could facilitate a richer dialogue. This yearning highlights the theme of isolation and the importance of genuine connections in relationships, reflecting Murakami's explorations of human emotions and communication.