They didn’t know for how long they stayed like that, but knew they had to stop any minute then. Kaori’s train was departing that afternoon and they decided to do some last-minute shopping, mostly some gifts for Natsume and Sacchan. A bit sad, both women cleaned everything, prepared Kaori’s luggage and left the flat. They got on the subway to Shibuya once again: they would stroll the streets for shopping, eat something and then go to the station.

However, the ambient felt completely different to the previous day. Every time they looked at each other, they knew they had something. A bond that made every moment together even more special. Simple things like talking about shops or looking at a new street got a new sensation. In one of those streets, Kaori saw the unexpected as two women walked together, talking really closely and holding their hands. Somehow, she knew they were a couple like Shimoto and her and felt excited as she could do something that would never be possible in her hometown. She was nervous, but slowly approached her hand to Shimoto’s and held it. The other woman was surprised, she didn’t expect Kaori would do something like this in their first outing. Their eyes crossed, both of them blushed, but didn’t release their hands.

After shopping, they stopped in a nearby restaurant. Time went by quickly, and soon after, they had to go to the station. In the middle of all the bustling from the passersby, both sat down on a bench and waited. They felt sad as they didn’t want to get apart. After so many years, they were together again and now understood their feeling crystal clear. But none of them expected all would happen so quickly, it was just supposed to be a weekend trip. Still, they remembered their promise: they would be together forever and would find the way to do it.

-Hey, Kaochan...- began saying Shimoto. -I… I don’t want to pressure you… I understand this is new for you and well, you have your life there. You have your daughter and well, still need to bear your husband… What I mean is… I will wait… We can go slowly, you can come whenever you want and… no matter how much time, I…

-I’m divorcing Katsu-don- interrupted Kaori firmly.

Shimoto was shocked by those words, but Kaori, who turned to her partner and smile, said them calmly.

-Wow! I mean… Wow!- Shimoto couldn’t say anything else.

-This is not a rushed decision. Truth is, I had been thinking about that for a while- explained Kaori. -If everything goes well, Natsume and Sacchan will come to Tokyo next year for college and live together. And I thought… I want to take the chance. When that happens, I’m coming here as well. I want to be close to them and help them if needed, but it’s not just that… It’s time I take the reigns of my life. Things may get hard in the capital, but I want to try it. And well, now I have another very good reason for coming here. I want to be with you.

-Would you do that… for me? We just reunited- murmured Shimoto blushed.

-That’s not true, we’re just continuing something that’s been on hold for a long time- answered Kaori smiling.

-You can’t imagine how happy that makes me- said Shimoto hugging Kaori. -Be sure I will help you in everything you need. Did you have any plans?

-Nothing specific, just vague ideas- explained Kaori. -I wanted to search a small, cheap apartment and well, I don’t have job experience, so I will need to find a part-time job… or two probably. It may be hard, but working doesn’t scare me. Deep inside, that would satisfy me more that staying there.

-Well, a lot of people start the same way or in worse conditions- answered Shimoto. -I will help you find a job. Just… there’s just one thing I’d change.

Kaori look confused at her partner, who was smiling.

-When that happens, when you come here… why don’t we live together in my flat?- asked Shimoto.

Kaori didn’t expected that. She was shocked and blushed a lot, but deep inside, she was immensely happy.

-Are you sure? I don’t want to be a nuisance- added Kaori. -You don’t have to do that for me.

-You can reject if you want, but I would be more calmed this way- explained Shimoto. -We can go slowly and I have the other room available so you can have your own space in case you are not prepared for… well, sleeping together…

Both women blushed at those words. Thinking that made Kaori nervous and excited.

-That would be great…- murmured Kaori smiling. -But I don’t want to pressure you either. It would be the first time we’d be together alone.

-Hehe, we’ve already been together alone a lot of times- answered Shimoto. -You just said it: we are continuing something on hold for a long time.

-Of course- said Kaori smiling. Shimoto was right: both of them wanted that. -Anyway, we are still one year away of that. We can… prepare another weekend like this or other trip or something. I’d need some organization, I don’t want to leave Natsume alone with her father. But I want to come here more times and be with you.

-That would be great…- answered Shimoto. -My flat’s door will always be open for you. When you get organized and you want, we can prepare something, but I admit the waiting will feel like an eternity.

-Yeah, I know...- murmured Kaori. Then, something crossed her mind. -I know! It may be silly but… have you seen that heart thing with hands that young couples do?

-Oh, you mean this, right?- asked Shimoto.

Shimoto approached her left hand to Kaori, extended the thumb and curved the other fingers. Kaori did the same with her right hand and put her next to her girlfriend’s. This way, both hands from a heartshape.

-That’s right- said Kaori. -Now look at this.

Then, Kaori separated her hand while keeping the shape. Afterwards, she approached the palm of her left hand extended and put it next to her “half-heart”. In the end, she closed her eyes as if meditating. Shimoto looked at her with curiosity.

-What is that?- asked Shimoto.

-It’s something my daughter told me- answered Kaori. -It’s a gesture that her girlfriend and her share. It means that, even in the distance, they are always together. No matter how afar they are from each other, the other half of their hearts accompanies the other one. It helps them remember they will always have each other. It may look silly to you but… I thought… when we feel lonely, this could help us remember that… we are together… that we have each other.

Shimoto looked at her left hand, still with the half-heart shape, approached her right hand, opened it and placed them together. Doing so made her understand: she just gave part of her heart to the woman she loved and, in the same way, part of Kaori’s heart was inside her. That gesture made her remember their promises and the future awaiting for them. She knew she was no longer alone.

-You’re right- murmured Shimoto. -It’s so beatiful. It’s obvious those two girls are so special.

-Just like we are- said Kaori smiling.

The departure time finally arrived. Shimoto accompanied Kaori to the window that lead to the platform. Both were sad, but knew that was just the beginning of a new chapter in the life the would share together. Shimoto hesitated a bit.

-I’d like to give you a parting gift but… maybe you are not prepared to do this in public- whispered Shimoto.

Kaori understood, her heart beating with excitement.

-Do it- ordered Kaori with a smile.

Shimoto approached her and kissed her on the lips. Kaori didn’t care that people looked at them: every time she felt her girlfriend that way, she was overwhelmed with the purest and most intense happiness. As they stopped, Kaori said goodbye with her hand.

-I’ll text you when I get there… and I will call you tonight, OK?- asked Kaori.

Shimoto nodded with a big smile and bid farewell. As she saw her lover leaving, some tears came out of her shining eyes.

-Thank you, Kaochan...- murmured Shimoto. -Thank you for coming back to my life.

A while later, Kaori was on her seat in the train. As the train left the station and the sights on the window changed, she felt both sadness and happiness: she wanted to spend more time with Shimoto, but understood she found her path and that they would be together again. She then knew the future she longed for was waiting for her. As she reclined on her hand, she noticed her wedding ring. She looked at it, giggled a bit and took it off. There was still a mark on her finger after wearing it for so many years.

-I wonder… how long it will take Katsu-don to notice I don’t wear this anymore- murmured Kaori.

The journey was over quite quickly as Kaori reminisce that perfect weekend. When she got to her hometown, she left the station and looked the time at her phone. Natsume and her friends should arrive soon, until…

-Mom, over here!

Those words, along with the sound of a klaxon, called Kaori’s attention. The club’s bus was already where it departed a couple of days ago and Natsume was next to it, waving her hand. The teen run towards her mother and hugged her.

-Hi, my dear!- exclaimed Kaori. -What are you doing here? I thought you’d arrive around this time.

-We got here earlier- answered Natsume. -It was going to take us to the shopping street, but I told the supervisor to wait here until you arrived. Why don’t you come with us in the bus?

Lots of screams and ruckus came from inside the bus as all the girls made gesture to tell Kaori to ride as well. While laughing, the woman accepted the offer. All the girls greeted her with energy. Kaori moved forward until the last free seat, just behind her daughter and Sacchan.

-Good afternoon, miss Kumojima- greeted Sacchan smiling.

-Hi, sweetheart- greeted Kaori. -How did your weekend go?

-It was great!- answered Sacchan. -We trained and learned a lot from the other highschool.

-Besides, the trainer and the supervisor were in talks with the other highschool’s- continued Natsume. -It seems other highschools want to do this kind of camps, so we may travel again quite soon.

-Wow, that sounds great! I’m so happy for all of you!- exclaimed Kaori. -I may take the chance for another outing as well.

-Way to go, mom!- exclaimed Natsume. -What about your weekend? Did you have fun with your friends?

After hearing that question, Kaori remembered all her experiences once again. At that moment, Natsume, Sacchan and all the girls in the bus witnessed a smile and happiness look that they had never seen from the people they knew.

-It was… incredible- answered Kaori smiling. -I had a great time and I’m looking forward to do it again.

Seeing her mother so happy, Natsume smiled and said:

-I’m so happy for you, mom, really.