"Can we speak for a moment?" Shizuka Kamitani, the mother of Hayato Kamitani, asked her son as he was viewing a baseball match on TV. "I need your help."

Hayato's eyeballs remained stuck to the television. "Ok, but can't this wait until after? The match is nearly over."

She picked up the remote control and switched the television off.

"Hey! I was watching that!"

"You can check the outcome online or capture the playback on the news, I honestly don't see what the difference is anyway," she responded sternly.

"Alright, how can I help you, kaa-san?"

Shizuka raised the bottom of her shirt to expose a soft, curvy abdomen. She had given birth a few years ago which had left her with a distinctly womanly figure. At the time, Hayato was eighteen years old and her oldest son. She, being the mother of two, was still as spectacular as ever, even with what she felt about her recently discovered midsection.

Being in shape had always meant a lot to her. Shizuka still had a healthy physique, which was constructed by extensive distance running and lots of yoga in her room. Her arms and legs still appeared toned for a lady her age, or any age actually. However, the additional mass she gained seriously troubled her as she prodded at it.

"That's what you can do for me," she answered, prodding at her stomach a couple of more times. "I've gotten my vitality back since Taka's birth, and I really want to return to shape. It's not easy at my age. Do you think you can help push your mom with a good workout plan and some motivation? We've still got a lot of old gym equipment in the attic that we can use."

"Kaa-san, you're being way too tough on yourself. You look fine the way you are. I mean it."

"Thanks, but I still prefer being fit while I can still do it. It's a healthy obsession, I'd say."

Hayato gave her a dubious glance. "It would be a little embarrassing, don't you think? You know, with me having to look at you do reps with weights and all that. Why don't you go to the gym instead? They've got all the finest machines, not to mention that they have private instructors who are experienced with dealing with ladies your age... no offense kaa-san."

"Gyms these days are too packed," Shizuka sneered. "Also, you're aware of how much of a hygiene freak I am. All of the equipment and lockers are certainly covered with germs and bacteria; I learnt about it on the news."

"Really? I strolled past the gym at the shopping center and it was less than half full. It seemed perfectly clean too. There are many rules these days about cleanliness as well. There's antibacterial gel all over the place."

Shizuka breathed out. "If you want to know the true reason as to why I don't prefer to go to the gym, it's because it's crowded with students of mine, and the last thing I require is for them to see me exercising. And I certainly don't want any of my future or previous female students looking at me nude while I'm in the locker area."

"I suppose that makes sense."

"So what's your answer, Hayato?"

"Well, it appears like I'm not in a position to quarrel with you," he responded.

"No, you're definitely not," Shizuka said with her arms crossed and a serious expression on her face.

"Fine, we'll begin whenever you want. I'll try to come up with a plan which will be just right for you. Not too simple. Not too difficult. Just right."

A large beam became visible on her face and she leaned down to give him an embrace. "Thank you! I knew you'd see it my way. We'll begin tomorrow after I purchase something right to wear."

To be continued...