The sun was slowly setting, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink, when Sakura called out:
"Haru-chan, Izumi-chan! Ready? I promised I'd show you the town."
Harumi, still dusted from head to toe, raised her hand in a totally unnecessary heroic gesture and shouted:
"Mission: Small Town—Commence!"
Izumi huffed, tugging her sister by the collar.
"Easy there, Harumi. We're just taking a walk, not conquering territory."
"Let me have my moment!" Harumi replied, wriggling free with some effort.
Sakura giggled softly, holding a simple lantern, and led them toward the gate.
The street in front of their house had old asphalt, a little worn, but very clean. The houses were all different—some modern, others so old they seemed to have their own stories. It was the kind of place where each window seemed to watch you, but in a kind, grandmotherly way.
At the corner, there was a tiny community garden. Perfect little vegetable plots, neatly fenced, with hand-written signs:
"Tomatoes — treat with care.""Green onions — don't sing near her, she grows crooked."
Harumi stopped, enchanted.
"They leave gardens in the middle of the street? GENIUS!!"
Sakura smiled.
"Oh yes. Everyone plants a little. And no one takes what they didn't plant."
Izumi's eyes went wide.
"Like… people are actually honest?"
"Uh-huh," Sakura nodded. "Here, it's hard even to steal a neighbor's mango. They'll insist you take the whole basket."
Harumi clutched her chest, making a silly face.
"Izumi… I think we died and woke up in a slice-of-life anime."
They walked a bit further. The streets were calm, lined with little trees planted by the families themselves. Some houses had decorative flags, others had floral curtains, and some had fat cats lying on the window ledge, judging the visitors like official cuteness inspectors.
One of those cats meowed so loudly that Harumi yelped and tripped over her own feet.
"HAA! How does this cat have better lungs than me?!"
Izumi tried not to laugh.
"Impossible."
Harumi wanted to argue, but Sakura was already calling them forward to see the next spot.
Soon, they arrived at a tiny neighborhood market—"everyone shops, everyone chats" style. The door had little bells that jingled every time someone entered—which was basically all the time.
The shop owner, an older man with round glasses, waved cheerfully.
"Haru-chan! Settled in yet? If you want fresh veggies tomorrow, let me know! And… welcome, new girl!"
Harumi waved back, smiling, but whispered to Izumi:
"How does he know my name? I haven't even bought anything yet."
"Harumi… you were famous once for that dance performance in high school. You just forgot."
"I didn't forget!" Harumi shot back. "I just… have a complicated relationship with… faces."
"That's called 'not remembering anyone,'" Izumi said, pinching her cheek.
They continued until they reached a small lake at the edge of town. The sun reflected off the water like someone had sprinkled glitter across it. An old man fished calmly, while a little girl fed huge carp with pieces of bread.
Sakura pointed:
"This is Hanamori Lake. In summer, there's even a festival with floating lanterns."
Harumi sighed as if she'd found paradise.
"I want to live here."
"You… already do," Izumi reminded her.
"Then let me rephrase: I want my memories to live here with me."
Izumi patted her head like she was praising a clever puppy.
"Now that makes sense."
They walked back along the main street, passing the two schools—the small one for little kids, the bigger one for teens. Both had colorful murals at the entrance, drawn by students.
Some doors were open, and you could hear teachers talking while preparing materials for the upcoming week.
"This is where most of the kids spend their day," Sakura explained. "The small school is famous for the little gardens the kids grow themselves. The bigger one… always needs volunteers."
Harumi nodded thoughtfully.
"Izumi, don't stop me from volunteering."
"Stop you? Me?! Harumi, you're a polite little threat. You just smile and stumble your way forward."
Harumi made an exaggerated face.
"That was rude. And true… but rude."
Sakura laughed, guiding them toward the stairs leading up to the town's lookout. From there, you could see everything—the trees, the little houses, colorful roofs, narrow streets, the market, the sparkling lake, children chasing dry leaves blown by the wind.
Harumi stood silently.
A silence full of emotion, not sadness.
"It's so beautiful…" she whispered.
Sakura smiled proudly.
"It's simple, but it's our home. And now it's yours too."
Harumi blinked fast, trying not to cry.
Izumi crossed her arms.
"If you start crying, I'll toss you in the lake."
"I'm not crying!" Harumi wiped her eyes. "It's allergies. Pollen. Dust. Or feelings. But mostly allergies."
Sakura patted her shoulder.
"Tomorrow, if you want, I can show you the bigger markets in the next town. Ten minutes by train. More hustle, more stores."
Harumi grinned from ear to ear.
"Yes! But… I also want to explore everything here first. I think… I want to be part of this."
Izumi smiled proudly.
"Look at you. Growing up like an adult."
"I am growing, Izumi! Just tripping while I do it."
The three of them laughed as the gentle wind carried the scent of trees, houses, and the peaceful life that awaited them.
A tiny town.A new home.And the start of a chapter Harumi never imagined needing—but somehow, exactly what she had always wanted.