Within the city of Kyoto, minutes away from the old Imperial Palace, exists a quiet marketplace. It has everything one could ever need: a restaurant, a bathouse, and of course, not one, but two mochi shops.
The Usagiyama Shopping District isn't just a place for customers to visit though, it's a neighborhood that many call their home. For years, Hinako Kitashirakawa was able to say the same, but it seemed the kami had other plans for her in the afterlife.
The concept of death wasn't going to stop her from visiting however, not when she still had many people she cared about to check up on. If anything, being a ghost mom who was "haunting" the shopping district was an idea she found playfully amusing.
The sun had already set a while ago, with the market closing up for the day. Many familiar faces caught Hinako's eyes as the ghostly apparition trotted along the linear tiled walkway.
"Mitsumura-san, she's looking content as ever! I wonder if she still gives out free croquettes."
"Oh, and Tokiwa-san is still extremely active for someone his age. I hope Midori-chan is helping out when she can though."
"Beautiful arrangement of flowers as always, Hanase-san. Ooh, Marigolds! Perfect for the season."
She couldn't help but peek inside the window of Hoshi to Pierro when she passed by the cafe. She spotted the ever-esoteric Yaobi-san setting a vinyl on his record player… as well as another familiar face sipping a cup of coffee that brought a smile of gratitude across hers.
"Thanks for being there for my Tamako, Mochizō-kun."
Finally passing by Yumoto-san and Shizmuyu-san who were walking together, all these brief glimpses in the lives of her former neighbors filled Hinako with a feeling of nostalgia and warmth. Before she knew it, she had nearly reached the end of the shopping district, meaning her time was almost up.
She was right where she wanted to be though. To her left, the home and workplace of her family, the traditional Tama-ya. And to her right, their rivals and friends, the trendy Oji…-ya?
"Huh? Gohei and Michiko renamed the shop?" Hinako giggled to herself. "Of course they would..."
All the memories were flooding back to her. From the friendly competition between the two mochi shops, to raising her two daughters, to when Mamedai confessed his love for her all those years ago. She couldn't help but tear up thinking back to it all.
"How does pumpkin mochi sound to you?"
A familiar voice in the distance broke ghost mom out of her reminiscing, looking out to spot the two greatest joys she helped bring into this world.
"Dad's gonna reject it." A much shorter girl identical to the one next to her replied, Hinako softly giggling at how blunt her adorable Anko was being.
"Aww." The taller girl pouted before cheerfully smiling again. "Well, I'll sneak a few in tomorrow's batch. Just imagine how popular they'd be with customers!"
"Whatever you say, onee-chan…" Anko didn't hesitate a second longer to hop inside the interior of Tama-ya, just leaving Tamako by herself. Sorta.
The mom stood silently as she watched her eldest daughter look up at the night sky, admiring how much she's changed, how much she's stayed the same, and most importantly to her, how content she looked.
…
A minute passed, and Hinako knew it was time to take her leave. Knowing it would be a while before she could do this again, she got one last look at her Tamako before walking past with a smile.
"I miss you."
"Huh, is someone there?" Hinako stopped and glanced back as the teenager looked frantically around her, briefly making eye contact with her daughter.
…
"Ahh, guess I'm just tired… " Tamako let out a long yawn, her mom watching her every movement until she disappeared into Tama-ya.
Hinako couldn't help but giggle for a moment, continuing her walk to both nowhere and everywhere. She couldn't wait to visit again, but she could leave knowing everything would be alright.
"I love you. Goodnight, my Tamako."
