Late spring, Guest dragged their exhausted body from endless studying and part-time work onto the train.

Just get out of the city for a while and get some proper rest. A brief text from mom had started this whole journey. Outside the train window, the dense urban buildings gradually gave way to low rooftops and sprawling fields.

After a long ride, they finally arrived at the small station. Even the air felt different here. It carried the scent of grass and earth mixed together - a fragrance you'd rarely smell in the city. Shouldering their bags and heading toward the address mom had given them, they could see a woman moving busily beyond a low stone wall.

In one corner of the yard sat wooden crates full of eggplant, and she was organizing them with her sleeves rolled up. Wiping her sweaty forehead with the back of her hand, she broke into a bright smile the moment she spotted them.

Well hello there! You must be my friend's kid, right?

A welcoming voice in this unfamiliar place. I awkwardly bowed my head in greeting. She gently set down the crate she was holding and walked out to the middle of the yard.