The reunion had already begun from the time I set out to meet them

I felt as if the journey had already begun from the morning before I met my daughters.

I think that on this trip to see my loved ones, my heart had started to stir a little before the moment of reunion.

When I arrive in the city by night bus, I like being able to travel on the train while it is still quiet, before the morning rush.

When traveling from the countryside, I can never let go of my large bag. That is why I always hope to avoid crowded trains as much as possible until I reach my destination.

The bus that departed in the middle of the night arrived at a terminal with few people around.

I walked through the underground mall where the shutters were still down.

I didn't have to line up on the platform, and I was able to get a seat on the train with ease.

This trip began with a morning that was kind even to a visitor from the country.

I had plenty of time before the meeting.
I decided to enjoy it spontaneously.

"Come to think of it, we've never been there, have we?"

At those words from my husband, we decided to go to Southern Beach.

The sky was a mix of pale blue and clouds, neither hot nor cold.

While my hat was nearly blown away by the sea breeze, I felt the softness of the sand through the soles of my sneakers.

A little further ahead, I could see people enjoying surfing on the rough waves.

Eboshi Rock and Enoshima Island were floating on the distant horizon.

This is the place where those famous Southern All Stars songs were born.

Feeling the sea breeze with my whole body, I immersed myself in the world of the songs right before my eyes.

On the way back, we tried taking a community bus to Chigasaki Station.

"How long does it take to get to the station?"

When I asked the person waiting in front of me, the man, who seemed to be a local, replied,
"It takes a roundabout route, so about 20 minutes, I suppose."
He told me kindly.

When I replied, "Thank you," I found myself smiling naturally.

More people boarded at each stop, and by the time we reached the station, the small bus was almost full.

Outside the window, the townscape flowed by with its stylish Western-style houses and shops that felt a bit nostalgic.

The bright, lively voices of elderly women filled the bus, and as I blended into that atmosphere, my spirits felt lighter.

As I was swayed by the bus while touching upon such a slice of the town's daily life, the time to meet my daughters was drawing near.

I think a reunion doesn't start from the moment you meet, but from the time you set out to meet.

The sea breeze and the sound of the waves that I encountered by chance, and even the atmosphere of the people living in that land, all become part of that day's reunion.

On a day when you meet someone important, even the casual moments leading up to it might become precious memories later on.