It made me remember what had happened a long time ago. It had happened a good 13 years before.
Before I moved to Tokyo when I was 6, I lived with both my parents, who were working, and older brother in Kyoto. We were not the most well-to-do, but we had a lovely house by the beach and we led a comfortable life. We both attended a school nearby and we both had many friends in school. Life was good in general. It was especially wonderful during summer as the sun, the sea and the sand were all warm. I would go out and play by myself while my brother would either be busy exercising or studying. I would never go out during winter because it was cold and scary.
In the first weekend of summer when I was 4, it was my first time out at the beach on my own. My parents had instructed me to stay further away from the shore and I did. Following the long trails of snacks and beverages stores, I arrived at a beverage store. This store had just joined the chain of stalls recently and it was known for its pineapple juice.
Upon reaching, I climbed onto the high wooden chair with much difficulty. The store was relatively empty considering the fact that everyone had started jumping into the sea.
"Can I have a pineapple juice, please. I told the tanned man behind the counter with black hair and a little moustache.
He looked intimidating at first, but on seeing me, he merely flashed a blinding smile and handed me the drink.
"360 Yen, please!" he grinned.
"Thank you, little girl! But what are you doing here all by yourself? Where are your parents?" he gave me a look of concern.
"My parents are out buying the groceries and my brother is studying at home. So I'm out here by myself." I replied.
"It must be lonely for you. I have a son who is about the same age as you, though. He tends to go around my himself as well because we're busy at the shop. Would you like to meet him? I'm sure he would like to meet you!" the man told me.
"Really?" I asked, I was pretty excited.
"Yeah! I'll go get him, okay?" the man ran off happily.
"They'll be back in a moment." A lady with teal-coloured hair spoke up.
"What's your name, little girl?" the lady asked me.
I introduced myself.
"This neighbourhood is a lovely place, don't you think so? You live around here, am I right?" she asked.
I nodded twice in response.
She laughed, "Yes, no wonder my mother likes to live here, even though she's all by herself. The beach is beautiful as well. I'm glad we decided to join this chain of stalls, even if it's just for the summer vacation." she told me.
"You're leaving after this? But, why?" I queried.
"We live in Tokyo! Our Dai-kun attends school there as well. It's a nice place too! Have you ever been to Tokyo?" she asked.
I was about to reply when we were interrupted.
"HEY! I'VE BROUGHT OVER THE BRAT!!!!" the man came back, waving his hand up with a boy slung over his shoulders.
A relatively tall boy, with slightly tanned skin, was plopped by his father onto the chair.
"Dai-kun!" his mother called out and waved.
