Takumi was just finishing the last bites of his omelette when Yuko emerged from her room, tying her hair neatly and fastening the sash of her light robe. She slipped on a simple blouse and skirt, her movements graceful and practiced. As she reached for her bag, Takumi's eyes caught something unusual.
"Mom… you did your nails?" he asked, brow furrowing.
Yuko lifted her hand and showed them off casually, the light catching on her freshly manicured fingers. The nails were long, sharp at the tips, and painted a dark glossy brown—the kind of bold style Takumi had only seen on the gyaru girls at his school.
"Yes," she said with a small smile, turning her hand from side to side. "Do you like it?"
Takumi's eyes lingered a moment longer than he intended. He wasn't used to seeing his mother like this. Long nails… stylish. It doesn't even feel like her anymore. He quickly looked away, muttering, "Yeah."
Yuko chuckled softly, seemingly satisfied with his answer. "Good. Now, let's go. Our train is coming."
The morning sun was already warm as they reached the station. The platform was quiet, with only the cicadas crying in the distance. Together, they boarded the train, the sleek cars gliding across the rails with their usual hush.
Inside, Takumi sat by the window while Yuko settled beside him, adjusting the hem of her skirt. She leaned back, closing her eyes, while Takumi gazed out at the blur of rice fields and rooftops whipping past.
An hour slipped by in the steady rhythm of the train. The landscape shifted from the endless sprawl of the city into greener, wider spaces. When the train finally slowed, they stepped out into a remote countryside station.
The air was different—cleaner, sharper, carrying the scent of grass and damp wood. The platform was completely empty save for the two of them. The silence felt heavy after the rush of Tokyo-bound passengers.
As they walked toward the exit, a voice called out.
"Takumi! Yuko!"
They looked up to see a woman standing beyond the ticket gate. She was waving brightly, her figure graceful against the backdrop of quiet hills. It was Yuna, Yuko's younger sister and Takumi's aunt.
Takumi exhaled, shifting his bag on his shoulder.
"How are you, champ?" Yuna leaned slightly forward, her smile warm as she ruffled Takumi's hair with a playful hand.
Takumi gave a small grin despite himself. "Yeah, I'm good, Aunt. How are you?"
"Good, good," she replied, her voice light but her eyes sharp. She exchanged a quick glance with Yuko—her elder sister—an unspoken observation passing between them. "His mood seems a little off," her look said. Yuko gave the faintest shrug, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear.
The three of them walked across the quiet parking lot until they reached Yuna's car, a modest white kei car that gleamed faintly in the morning light. As Yuna unlocked it, Yuko spoke up.
"Let me drive. I haven't driven in so many days… My hands are itching for the wheel."
Yuna arched a brow but smiled, tossing her the keys. "Alright, but don't scratch my car."
They climbed in—Takumi in the back, the two sisters in the front. Yuko adjusted the seat, her long nails tapping lightly on the steering wheel, while Yuna buckled in beside her.
"So," Yuna began once they were on the road, the countryside rolling by in shades of green and gold. "Have you already found a home and job in Tokyo?"
Yuko's lips curved faintly, eyes still fixed on the road. "Yes. A travel agency in Ueno. It's a small office, but steady enough. I already rented an apartment nearby."
Yuna nodded thoughtfully, then glanced back at Takumi through the rearview mirror. "And what about Takumi's school?"
"I'll find one as soon as we get to Tokyo," Yuko replied smoothly. "There are more options there. He can choose what he likes."
A silence lingered for a moment, broken only by the hum of the tires on the road. Then Yuna asked quietly, "Is it really necessary… to move to Tokyo?"
Yuko's eyes softened, though her tone remained firm. "Yeah. I want a fresh start at life. There, Takumi has multiple options open. More than he ever would here."
Yuna studied her sister's face, the sunlight catching on Yuko's glossy nails and the faint shimmer of her lipstick. Something had changed in her—more than just a new job, more than just moving.
From the back seat, Takumi watched them quietly, his eyes drifting to the blur of rice fields outside the window. "Fresh start, huh…" he thought, but said nothing.
The white kei car rolled to a stop before a traditional wooden house, its tiled roof gleaming faintly under the summer sun. In the small front yard, Takumi's grandmother knelt among rows of chrysanthemums, her wide straw hat shading her face as she pulled out weeds with practiced hands.
When she noticed the car, her face lit up. She stood slowly, brushing the soil from her apron, and hurried forward with surprising energy.
"Takumi!" she called warmly. She cupped his cheeks with her hands and planted a kiss on one. "How are you, honey?"
Takumi gave a small, polite smile. "I'm good, Grandma. How are you?"
"Kicking as always," she laughed, patting his shoulder. But when her gaze shifted to Yuko, her expression changed. She tilted her head, her sharp grandmotherly eyes scanning her eldest daughter up and down.
"Are you sick or something? You've lost a lot of weight…"
Yuko chuckled softly, brushing past with her bag slung over her shoulder. "Mom, it's called getting fitter. Don't worry so much."
With that, she slipped her shoes off at the genkan and disappeared inside. Takumi followed quietly, carrying one of the small bags.
Inside, the faint smell of tatami and old cedar wood greeted them. In the living room, his grandfather sat cross-legged before the television, his glasses perched low on his nose as the morning news droned on about politics.
The old man looked up and broke into a rare smile. "Ah, Takumi. You've grown taller again."
Takumi bowed lightly. "Hello, Grandpa."
"Sit, sit."
As everyone settled around the low table, Yuna brought in tea from the kitchen. Yuko accepted hers with a polite nod, her long nails clinking lightly against the porcelain cup.
"So," Grandpa began, turning his sharp eyes to his daughter. "I hear you're moving to Tokyo. Found yourself a job?"
"Yes," Yuko replied smoothly. "I'll be working at a travel agency in Ueno. A small firm, but steady enough. I've already rented an apartment nearby."
Grandma frowned slightly. "That far away? And what about Takumi's school?"
Yuko took a sip of tea before answering, "I'll enroll him once we arrive. Tokyo has many options, far more than here."
Grandpa adjusted his glasses, watching her carefully. "And why the rush? Is there some reason you can't stay here until everything is certain?"
Yuko's lips pressed into a thin smile, her eyes flickering for a moment before she replied, "Sometimes, you just need a fresh start."
The room grew quiet, filled only by the chatter of the TV. Grandma's eyes lingered on her daughter—her new hairstyle, the polished nails, and the faint shimmer of perfume she never used to wear. Something about her seemed… different.
Meanwhile, Takumi sat silently, staring at his teacup. His fingers fidgeted at the rim, but he said nothing.