CHAPTER 146: CHAPTER 146 – “ROADS WE ONCE DREAMED OF”

The family van was packed with bento boxes, soft pillows, picture books, and a playlist curated by Hikari herself—titled "Best Songs for Big Adventures."

Ren turned the key in the ignition, the quiet purr of the electric engine humming beneath them. Aoi looked back from the passenger seat, adjusting little Hina’s sunhat, while Hikari held a paper map on her lap, proudly announcing:

"First stop—Kyoto! Then Osaka, Mount Fuji, and if we have time, the secret beach Mama used to go to as a kid!"

Ren glanced at Aoi with a nostalgic smile.

"It feels like we’re retracing our past."

"Only now, we get to see it through their eyes."

Kyoto – Temples and Whispers

They arrived just before sunset. The ancient streets glowed amber beneath paper lanterns. Hikari held her father’s hand tightly as they walked through Fushimi Inari, the iconic red torii gates stretching infinitely ahead.

"Did you and Mama come here when you were younger?"

"We did," Ren whispered, smiling. "She wore her favorite pink yukata, and I couldn’t stop staring."

"Ehhh~ so romantic," Hikari teased, nudging his arm.

Meanwhile, Aoi was carrying Hina, showing her wind chimes that danced in the evening breeze. For a moment, it felt like the past and present merged—like young Aoi and Ren were walking beside their older selves.

Osaka – Laughter and Street Food

The Dōtonbori River was alive with color. They devoured takoyaki and melon soda under the neon lights. Aoi snapped photos of Ren feeding Hina a tiny bit of okonomiyaki, while Hikari laughed with strangers over a cotton candy the size of her head.

Ren whispered to Aoi, his voice gentle as they strolled along the canal.

"You once told me you wanted our kids to laugh freely in big cities and quiet villages."

"And now they are," Aoi said, eyes glistening. "I was just a girl dreaming big dreams. You made them real."

Mount Fuji – A Pause for the Soul

At a quiet ryokan overlooking the mountain, the family stayed a few nights. One morning, they woke before dawn and stood on a wooden deck in warm robes, holding cups of tea.

Hikari was asleep, curled beside Aoi. Hina babbled softly in Ren’s lap.

"I hope they remember this peace," Aoi whispered, head on Ren’s shoulder.

"Even if they forget the details... they’ll feel it," he replied. "Like a quiet blueprint in their hearts."

The Secret Beach – Home Inside the World

They arrived late in the trip. Aoi’s hidden childhood cove—unchanged, untouched, with smooth white sand and quiet blue waves.

Ren built a driftwood shelter while Hikari collected seashells with Hina strapped to her back. Aoi sat in the sand, writing in her sketch journal: "We never needed the whole world—just pieces of it to show our children where we once found hope."

That night, under stars and crackling firewood, they lay beneath a handmade blanket, four hearts beating softly in rhythm.