Today was the weekend where you needed to pickup your mother at the train station in the late evening. just the moment you had gotten used to the city, she decided to ring you up from the Countryside. Like always, she barreled you into a one-sided conversation where she decided to visit you on the weekend and stay over at your place because her old Ikebana Teacher was opening up a solo exhibition and wanted to go and help out. You stand there waiting on the platform as the train pulls in. As the door opens, a woman with silver-green hair with yellow piecing eyes walk out, shouldering her purse. She eyed you up and down and let out a huff. "You're still wearing that old shabby shirt!" she exclaimed in mild frustration, but spirited. This was your mom alright.

She sighed and shook her head as she moved closer to you. "Don't act like that," she said in a more matronly tone. "It just looks unkempt." She then glanced at your apartment, seeming less than pleased with the interior decoration choices. But being the polite woman she was, she didn't comment on it as you led her inside.

Once you were settled in, she looked around again and then turned back to you. "I hope you can take care of me while I'm here," she said, concern tugging at her features. She paused, gathering her thoughts. "Your room is... decent enough, but I think we should change the bed sheets since they look like they haven't been washed in a month."

You nodded, feeling a little chastised but also appreciative that she cared about your living space. "I'll go do that

She smiled warmly at that, relieved. "Thank you." Glancing down at her purse, she pulled out a gold locket on a chain and put it around her neck. "Now," she said, straightening up, "let's get some rest so we can be fresh for the exhibition tomorrow."

With that, Midori headed towards your bedroom and started changing the sheets, humming to herself as she worked. Even in this unfamiliar city, with all its noise and bustle, it was comforting to know that your mother was there with you.

She chuckled softly as she smoothed out the sheets and climbed into bed. "Why thank you, darling," she replied, blushing faintly. "You're not so bad yourself... for a city boy." With that, she laid back on the freshly made bed, her hands behind her head. "So tell me about life in Tokyo so far. Have you been getting into any trouble?"

Her tone was light and teasing, but there was genuine curiosity beneath the surface. She always worried about him, even if he thought she didn't show it enough.

Her eyebrow raised in disbelief as she studied your face. "Just 'okay'? That doesn't sound like my son at all." She propped herself up on one elbow, genuinely curious now. "There has to be something interesting that's happened since you moved here. Spill it!"

There was an undeniable twinkle in her eye, and a hint of mischief in her voice. It seemed like she was slowly warming up to the idea of being in Tokyo with you, after all.

Her lips curved into a small smirk as she reclined back against the pillows once more, hands behind her head. "Oh, you know... adventures, wild parties, maybe even meeting some new and interesting people?" She winked playfully. "I'm sure there has to be something worth telling your poor old mother about."

She studied your face again, waiting for a reaction. It was obvious that she was enjoying teasing you, and this side of her was surprisingly endearing.

Your mother rolled her eyes, feigning exasperation as she pulled the covers up to her chin. "Well, fine then," she huffed. "I'm going to pretend I didn't hear any of that." But there was a gleam in her eye that gave away her amusement. After a few moments, she yawned and settled deeper into the pillows, content for now to just relax and enjoy spending time with you.

Sleep eventually claimed both of them, allowing for dreams of Ikebana exhibitions past and present, as well as the joys of rural life to dance through their heads. And while your mother might not have gotten the exciting stories she was hoping for tonight, she did find some peace in knowing that her son was safe and sound... even if he didn't realize it.

If she had been awake, your mother might have felt embarrassed by your admission. But since she was asleep, all she did was softly murmur in her dreams and nestle closer to you, seeking comfort and reassurance amidst the unfamiliar city streets. Her silver-green hair spread across the pillow like a silken waterfall, contrasting sharply with your darker locks. Even asleep, there was an undeniable grace about her that made it clear where you had gotten your good looks from.

The night passed, and the morning sun crept in through the curtains, casting warm golden light over your faces. It bathed both of you in a gentle glow, as if to remind you that despite their differences and occasional misunderstandings, mother and son were still bonded by love and shared history. As the city outside began to stir to life once more, they lay together

They lay there, perfectly still, the warmth of each other's bodies a comfort in this unfamiliar place. Her mind drifted back to her early years, when she was the same age as you, and imagined what it would have been like for her mother to visit her in Tokyo. She hoped that one day, if she had any children, they wouldn't be so apprehensive about letting them see their accomplishments and new life experiences.

Her eyes fluttered open slowly, taking in the familiar sight of your face before glancing at the clock on the nightstand. It was later than she thought! She sat up quickly, her movements jerking you awake as well. "Oh, goodness! We've overslept!" She scrambled out of bed and began to frantically search for clothes. "I need to get ready or your teacher will kill me!"

She tossed you a set of clothes she had brought with her from the countryside; a plain white t-shirt and a pair of light jeans, insisting that they would be more appropriate attire for visiting an art exhibition than your own wardrobe choices. You dressed quickly, still half-asleep as you followed after your mother, who had already started pacing the living room in anticipation of the day ahead.

Your mom seemed to be in much better spirits now that they were closer to the day she had come to Tokyo for. As you finished dressing, she turned towards you and smiled warmly. "You know," she said quietly, "even though we've had our ups and downs, I'm glad I get to see your new life here." She hesitated before adding, "And maybe even enjoy it a little too much sometimes."

Her cheeks reddened slightly as you hugged her tightly. "Well," she said softly into your shoulder, "I suppose I should start making myself presentable. The exhibition will be starting soon." With that, she released you and headed towards the bathroom to finish getting ready for the day ahead. As she brushed her hair and put on some makeup, the sounds of laughter and excited chatter filled the air outside as people began to arrive at the gallery. It was a reminder of just how much there was to see and experience in this city, even if it took someone from the countryside like your mother coming all this way for you to really appreciate it.

As your mom finished getting ready and emerged from the bathroom, she surveyed herself in the mirror one last time before coming to stand beside you. Her silver-green hair was elegantly styled into a complex series of braids adorned with flowers made from colored paper, drawing attention to her large light brown eyes with their noticeable tear throughs. She wore a dark red kimono over a simple white undergarment, the intricate design of the robe catching hints of light as she moved. It was clear that even though this was not her usual attire, she had taken great care to look her best for the occasion.

"Well," she said with a proud smile, "let's go see how your old teacher is doing, shall we?" She extended her hand towards you, and you took it without hesitation, feeling a warmth and connection that went beyond blood or obligation. Together, mother and son stepped out

Her cheeks reddened slightly at your compliment as she gently patted your hand in thanks. "Oh, stop it," she chuckled. "You're just saying that because I'm your mother." Despite her words, there was a hint of pride in her voice and an extra spring to her step as they made their way through the busy streets towards the exhibition venue.

Once there, Midori's old teacher greeted them with tears in her eyes and a wide smile on her face, expressing how much she had missed her Ikebana partner over the years. As you introduced your mom to several of your new friends from Tokyo, you couldn't help but feel a sense of pride welling up inside you; not just at being associated with these interesting people, but also for having such an amazing mother who had traveled all this way to support you and your old teacher.

Over the course of the

As your mom spent time chatting with the other Ikebana enthusiasts, you caught glimpses of her out of the corner of your eye; she was more animated than usual, laughing easily and not shying away from sharing stories about their past together. There was a sparkle in her eyes that seemed to light up the room, and people were drawn to her like moths to a flame. You couldn't help but feel a surge of pride at having such an engaging and charismatic parent.

Throughout the day, she continued to surprise you with her knowledge of Ikebana and its history, as well as her ability to navigate unfamiliar social situations in this city. She was even able to charm your old teacher's new husband, who blushed furiously whenever she spoke to him. It seemed that no matter where they went or whom they met, Midori had a way of leaving an impression

As the day came to an end and the exhibition drew to a close, your mother bid farewell to your teacher and her husband with tears in her eyes. They had both been so grateful for her support, and you couldn't help but feel a twinge of sadness knowing that she wouldn't be able to stay much longer. But as they walked back through the bustling streets towards your apartment, Midori seemed content; not only had she been able to see how far you had come since leaving home, but she had also made some new friends and memories of her own.

"So," she said with a sigh, leaning against you as you walked, "what do you think? Did your old teacher impress you today?" There was an unspoken question in the air; had all this been worth it for her? Had she made a difference in your life by coming to Tokyo with you?

The smile that spread across her face was enough to warm your heart. "I'm glad," she murmured, turning her head to meet your eyes. "It means a lot to me that I could be here for you, and for them." Her voice was quiet but filled with emotion. "I hope you know how proud I am of everything you've accomplished, not just today, but every day since you left home." She squeezed your arm gently as they continued walking.

As they reached your apartment, Midori paused for a moment to take in the sight before her; this unfamiliar city that had become your new home. It was strange to think that she might never see it again, but there was also a certain peace in knowing that you were doing well without her constant watchful eye. With one last hug and a whispered "I love you," she turned and disappeared into the train station once more, heading back towards

She smiled softly before disappearing into the crowd, her silver-green hair and light brown eyes standing out like beacons amidst the throng of people. As she boarded the train, you couldn't help but feel a pang in your heart; not because she was leaving, but because it seemed that with each visit home, a piece of her stayed behind. But even so, there was also an underlying sense of contentment; the knowledge that despite the distance and the occasional misunderstandings, you and Midori would always be connected by love and shared history.

As the train pulled away, she leaned against the window, watching as Tokyo slowly faded into the distance. Her heart felt heavy with both sadness and happiness, but there was also a sense of relief that came from knowing she had done what she could to help her son. She took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts and her strength before returning to the routine of her life in the countryside. Yet even as she did so, a small part of her remained connected to the city where her son now called home.

As the days went by and Midori returned to her peaceful life in the countryside, she couldn't help but think back on her time spent with her son in Tokyo. The memories of their arguments and misunderstandings faded into the background, replaced by warm thoughts of shared laughter, Ikebana displays, and newfound appreciation for each other. Even though they were far apart now, she knew that a part of them would always remain connected through those precious moments.

Her face lit up at the sight of her son standing on her doorstep, his presence almost startling in its suddenness. "Oh, you're here!" she exclaimed, stepping aside to let him inside. "Your father didn't mention anything about you coming home today..." She trailed off, furrowing her brow as she tried to make sense of it all.

As soon as he crossed the threshold, Midori wrapped him in a tight hug, breathing in his familiar scent and feeling tears well up in her eyes. "I've missed you so much," she whispered into his ear, clutching him close before finally pulling back to look at him properly. "What on earth possessed you to come all this way without telling us?"

Her tears spilled over now, tracing lines down her cheeks as she pulled him back into a hug, clutching him tightly once more. "Oh, my darling boy," she murmured against his shoulder. "We've missed you so much." She let go for a moment, cupping his face with shaking hands and gazing at him intently. "Tell me why you didn't call or write, did we do something wrong?"

Your silence was answer enough; she had always known that her son would return home eventually, but the uncertainty had been difficult to bear nonetheless. As she studied his face, searching for any signs of distress or unhappiness, a thought struck her: perhaps this sudden visit wasn't just about missing each other after all.

Her heart ached with relief and gratitude as she held you close, running her fingers through your hair. "I'm so glad to see you," she murmured against the crown of your head, not caring that her voice was choked with emotion. "It's been too long since we've had this closeness." As she rocked you gently back and forth, a small smile tugged at the corners of her lips; despite everything, it seemed that there would always be a special bond between mother and son.

After what felt like an eternity but was likely only a few moments, Midori pulled away slightly to look into your eyes once more. "Now," she said, wiping the remaining tears from her face with the back of her hand, "tell me why you really came all this way." Her expression was gentle but insistent; there were clearly still things that needed to be said and understood between them

Her eyes widened in surprise at your words, and she leaned forward to cup your face once more, searching your features intently. "For me? You didn't have to do that," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. But even as she said the words, she felt a warmth spread through her chest; there was no doubt that your presence alone meant the world to her.

A small silence fell between you as Midori considered your words. She hadn't expected this visit to be so full of revelations, but it seemed that their relationship had grown and changed in ways she couldn't have anticipated while living apart. Maybe there was still hope for them; maybe they could find a way to bridge the distance that had grown between them over the years.

Her heart swelled at the touch of your lips against hers; it was a kiss filled with love and gratitude, but also hope. As she drew back, she cupped your face once more and smiled tenderly down at you. "I love you too," she whispered, tears beginning to stream down her cheeks anew. "Thank you for coming home."

There was so much more that needed to be said between them; years of misunderstandings and hurt feelings that needed healing. But for now, this moment was enough: a fragile peace had been made, and mother and son could finally begin the process of rebuilding their connection. It would not be easy, but they had each other, and that was more than most people ever did.

Her heart swelled with happiness as she felt your breath against her skin, your nose nestled in the crook of her neck. She wrapped an arm around you, holding you close and running a hand through your hair in what had become an instinctual display of affection. "I'm so glad we have this time together," she whispered, "even if it's only for a little while."

As the days passed and they spent more time together, Midori found herself becoming more aware of the changes that had taken place in both of them over the years. She saw in you now not just her son, but also a man who had grown into his own, with dreams and aspirations all his own. And she realized that perhaps it was this newfound independence that made their connection so important; it was a bond that transcended time and distance, something that could never be severed no matter how far apart they were.

As the sun