After Kaori pulled herself together, they picked her luggage up and went to a nearby restaurant for dinner. When compared with a restaurant from their hometown, that place was full of all kinds of people: office workers who just finished their day, young people wearing all sorts of strange clothing and old people that looked a bit… untidy. What took Kaori by surprise is that nothing felt strange, as if the atmosphere felt completely normal. Was living in Tokyo like that?

Shimoto ordered some dishes and drinks. She ordered soda for both of them: Shimoto usually drank a bit of alcohol, but since it was Kaori’s first time there, she wanted to have her full senses working.

-First things first, let’s celebrate our reunion! Cheers!- exclaimed Shimoto.

The two women rose their glasses and toasted. Kaori drank slowly, but Shimoto took a long sip out of habit.

-Aaaah, that feels good! I needed a drink so bad- said Shimoto. -I may not look it, but I was way nervous before you arrived.

-Me… me too- said Kaori. -Hey, about before, in the station…

-Don’t worry, girl- interrupted Shimoto. -I would have done it if you didn’t first. It’s exciting to see each other again, ha!

However, Kaori knew it wasn’t just that. She was nervous and happy along Shimoto. After so many years, she was finally with her again, listening her voice without a phone, touching her… She didn’t want to forget those sensations. Then, their meals appeared in front of them and began eating.

They talked about their plans for the following day: Shimoto had prepared a chilling day in which they would visit some parks and temples in the outer areas like Sensoji, then some shopping in downtown and stroll through Shibuya to see all the night lights. After that, they talked about some trips Shimoto did over the years.

-I didn’t go that far at first- explained Shimoto. -I remember one of the first times I traveled with my college pals, we went to Nagoya.

-Oh, Nagoya!- exclaimed Kaori. -I’m sure Natsume has already arrived there.

-Who’s Natsume?- asked Shimoto.

Kaori froze. She was so relaxed talking to her friend that she forgot she didn’t explained anything about her life. She felt panicked, but knew she didn’t have much choice but saying the truth.

-Natsume is… my daughter- answered Kaori nervously.

A sudden uncomfortable silence filled the space between both of them. Their eyes crossed and Kaori could swear she saw a glimpse of sadness in Shimoto’s look.

-Oh, so you are married...- murmured Shimoto.

-I’m… I’m sorry- apologized Kaori. -I was scared of telling you.

-Why scared?- asked Shimoto.

-Because I don’t want you to think something that is not true- answered Kaori instantly.

-And what’s not true?- kept asking Shimoto.

-That I live in a happy marriage- said Kaori firmly.

Those words made Shimoto changed her looks again as she now looked at Kaori surprised.

-Things are going wrong?- asked Shimoto. -You can tell me if you want.

-Somehow, I think I haven’t told you anything because… I wanted to tell you everything in person- replied Kaori.

Kaori then began explaining what happened almost one-and-a-half year ago: Natsume’s problems, her disappearing and the estrangement with her husband. Shimoto looked all the time surprised at her friend.

-Oh my gosh, you and your daughter have gone through so much- commented Shimoto. -What kind of father is that guy? Who did you marry?

-Kumojima- answered Kaori.

-To “Katsu-don”?- asked Shimoto shocked, remembering the nickname they used to talk about Katsuhiro. -That guy was a jerk. He was always going after you and the only ones who put up with him were those nasty boys. I think you couldn’t make one full brain if you put them all together. How did you end up marrying someone like that?

-I… I don’t know- lied Kaori as she remembered why with every tiny detail, but she didn’t have the courage to say it to Shimoto. -But I know now that I feel so stupid for wasting my time with that kind of person.

-What about your daughter? Is she OK now?- asked Shimoto worried.

Remembering Natsume, Kaori’s face lighted up.

-She’s doing so great- answered Kaori full of happiness. -Look, I have a picture here, we did it a while ago.

Kaori took out a small picture from her purse and handed it to Shimoto. Kaori appeared in it along with Natsume and Sacchan, all of them smiling at a restaurant.

-Oh, is the other girl your daughter too?- asked Shimoto.

-In some way she is- answered Kaori smilling playfully. She looked around her, approached Shimoto and whispered into her ear: -She’s her girlfriend.

Shimoto looked surprised again, but this time, the conversation made her look happy. She looked again at the picture and then to Kaori.

-Seriously? Your daughter and her…?- asked Shimoto.

-Yep, that’s right- answered Kaori smiling. -Everything began because she didn’t want to lose her and worked so hard to stay by her side. When they grew apart, she was heartbroken and all those problems happened. And when they began dating… it was day and night. You should see them together, they love each other so much.

-Yeah, I can see that from the picture- said Shimoto happily. -And I can see that you are so happy for them as well. It’s fantastic that they have such a wonderful mom supporting them.

Kaori couldn’t help but blushing. She didn’t think that much of herself, she just loved both girls and wanted them to be happy together.

They kept talking for a while, but it was already late. Even after the initial surprise, Kaori felt more connected to Shimoto and somehow relieved from a burden. After a somehow long subway journey to Itabashi, they arrived to Shimoto’s flat: there was a big main space that combined kitchen, dining and living in one open area. A corridor lead to one room and the bathroom, while there was other room in the living.

-This will be your bedroom- explained Shimoto to Kaori. -I hope it doesn’t look too untidy.

Far from reality, that room was in perfect conditions, with all things organized and a big bed. Kaori was shocked.

-This is too much- exclaimed Kaori. -I’m probably causing you a lot of trouble because of this.

-There you go again: you are no trouble at all- insisted Shimoto. -Relax and take out your things while I take a bath. I’ll tell you when I’m finished.

Shimoto closed the door after leaving and left Kaori alone in the room. She put her few clothing and vanity case quickly inside the wardrobe, but left her nightgown on the bed. She then put her suitcase in one corner of the room and sat on the bed.

One part of her couldn’t believe yet that she was there. After seeing the crowded station, the lively restaurant, all those streets she walked through and the buildings and signs she saw through the subway’s windows, she felt herself in a completely different place afar from her daily live, as if the house she lived for so many years didn’t exist anymore. Was that how Natsume feel in every school trip?

However, her excitement came mostly from meeting with Shimoto again. Even after so many years, it felt like they never got apart. Talking to her friend felt as natural as when they were in highschool. She felt inside her the confidence to talk about things that she had to hide to others. And what happened in the station… there was no doubt in her heart: she liked Shimoto. Actually, she always did. Maybe that trip was a childish try of staying by her side. She wished to confess her feelings but… felt she couldn’t. What were the chances Shimoto was lesbian as well? If so, what chances about her friend feeling something for her? After that special reunion, she didn’t want to ruin everything with a futile confession, so she decided to hide all that. She wasn’t happy about it, but thought it was better to enjoy her friend’s company as much as possible before leaving in a few days.

Kaori was still absorbed in her thoughts when Shimoto knocked the door to tell her the bath was free. After a relaxing bath, they reviewed again their plans for the next day and then went to sleep. It was already late and they had so much to do in a few hours. Kaori wished good night to her friend and went inside the queen-sized bed. It had been so long since she had such a big bed for herself. She stretched her arms to the sides and looked at the ceiling. At that moment, she was really happy: she reunited with the person she cared the most aside from her daughter and, somehow, that flat in the outer area of Tokio’s hustle and bustle felt more at home that the house she shared with “Katsu-don” for all those years. In her mind, Shimoto’s face at the station was the only thing in her mind and she fell asleep with that thought.