Shoko stood up and the girl smiled and waved at her. She sat up even taller and looked straight in front of her. So as not to see her enemies.
When she got to the staircase, Shoko paused. She regarded the girls coldly. They were still children, and yet already women. They did not merit any indulgence. The girls could sense scorn in the way that Shoko looked at them. But instead of returning her gaze, all they could do was avert their eyes awkwardly.
Even at their age, girls will assess their rivals’ rank and treat them accordingly, and Shoko knew enough not to allow herself to be taken in by children. She was capable of intimidating almost anyone, be they young or old, man or woman. She was good at hiding her fangs but then, once her fangs had been bared, she knew how to go in for the kill.
That elderly woman she’d never met before had expressed her concern, or rather her reservations:
Shoko forced a smile as she thought about B-san and her pride.
They had made a pact together, to each find happiness. Like what that young couple who had got off at Nigawa seemed to have with each other. Happiness that meant not being triggered by the sight of new love.
Shoko was halfway up the stairs when the train slid into the platform. As the doors opened and passengers poured out—
‘Hey! You there!’
Among the commotion of disembarking passengers, a voice rang out and then the clack of heels bounding up the stairs. Shoko realized that the voice and the footsteps were directed towards her, so she turned around.
‘It
It was the female college student she had encountered on the train earlier, when the designer bag had been thrown onto the seat.
‘What are you doing here? Weren’t you on the previous train?’
‘I could say the same to you – what brings you here now, on the next train? I certainly hope there wasn’t a row with those ladies …?’
‘Oh no, nothing like that.’ The student waved her hand in front of her face to ease Shoko’s concern. ‘Just experiencing life’s rich pageant.’
Shoko chuckled at her odd choice of words.
‘As a matter of fact, I myself had a taste of life’s rich pageant right after I got off the train.’
As they walked side by side along the passage heading towards the west ticket gate, the student was the one to chuckle.
‘But who’da thought it – quite an amazing coincidence!’
‘Truly!’
Shoko felt almost cheerful. Maybe a seed of happiness had been tossed her way.
‘Say, if you have time, would you like to get a coffee? My taste of life’s rich pageant is worth sharing.’
‘I’d love to! I can tell you about my pageant too.’
‘Does it have anything to do with me?’
‘It does! I mean, you were there, so …’
‘I only just recently moved here so I don’t know the area very well. Do you know a place?’
‘Do you mind going over to Koma Road? There’s an Italian restaurant where you can order a cake special that comes with coffee – and the refills are free.’
‘Koma Road, you say?’
‘It goes towards Nakatsuhama.’
‘Ah, I think I’ve heard of it – if you turn right at the intersection where the wholesale supermarket is – is that where you mean?’
‘Yes, that’s right. It’s inexpensive and it’s pretty good too.’
The student’s suggestion was probably made with her own limited budget in mind. Shoko could have easily treated her, no matter how fancy the place, but that wasn’t what this was about. She had a feeling that, despite the difference in their age, the two of them could be friends. But if Shoko were to pay the first time, it would set them up on an unequal footing, and then their connection might not have the chance to develop. That’s why it was better to go along with the reasonably priced option.
‘It might not be ritzy enough for you, though …’
‘Not at all. I may have a job but I live on my own and have to economize. Sometimes it’s worth indulging yourself, but I love a good bargain – like the discounts at the supermarket right before the store’s about to close, or a conveyor-belt sushi restaurant!’
‘In that case, let’s go!’
To an outsider, they might have looked like sisters. The thought made Shoko smile.
There it was, her first step towards happiness.
And after this cake-and-coffee date, she will have made a new friend. Which, at her age, was not such an easy thing to do.
Sakasegawa Station
Tokié gazed casually at the young couple that stood waiting at the next boarding spot on the platform for the train bound for Takarazuka.
As one aged, the days seemed to fly by. A year passed without her even realizing it, and what happened six months ago felt like it was just yesterday.
Tokié immediately recalled having seen that enormous canvas tote bag, brightly printed with a certain internationally recognizable mouse.