A Hometown Blanketed in White
I took a trip back to Moriya City in Ibaraki Prefecture, the town where I grew up. When I woke up the next morning, I was greeted by a breathtaking winter wonderland.
It’s been years since it last snowed and accumulated around 10 centimeters (about 4 inches) here. Seeing my hometown quietly dusted in snow felt like huge news, wrapping the familiar streets in a fresh, unexpected beauty.
Catching Up After a Decade
Later that day, I went to see a friend from high school. He was actually the very first friend I made back then. I remember how both of us, quite introverted and unsure of who to talk to, naturally gravitated toward each other within our newly formed friend group, sensing that we could easily talk to one another.
It had been over ten years since we last saw each other. We went for a drive in his car, catching up on where life had taken us. Hearing his stories, I could see how hard he was working and how genuinely happy he was with his life. Simply knowing that my friend is doing well and living happily brought a huge smile to my face.
The Comforting Taste of Dad's Cooking
Afterward, I headed over to my father's house for a meal. I had told him beforehand that I was craving fish, and he had a beautiful dish waiting for me. My dad is incredibly skilled at preparing and filleting fish.
Taking that first bite, I felt an overwhelming wave of nostalgia that completely eclipsed the simple thought of "this is delicious". It was the ultimate comfort food, perfectly capping off a day filled with heartwarming reunions.
