羹

A summer train rattles through the rugged foothills beyond Numazu, its windows drenched in the scorching August sun. Inside the sparsely populated second‑class carriage, a young student in his school uniform sits beside a lively troupe of geisha and a mature woman who seems to be a hostess. The carriage sways with the rhythm of the tracks, the air thick with the scent of tea and the occasional laugh of a young girl, while the landscape outside unfurls—emerald fields, distant mountains, and the looming silhouette of Mount Fuji.

The student, still feeling the after‑effects of a recent illness, watches the passing scenery with a mix of wonder and restless anticipation. He is on his first real train journey, hoping to meet his beloved 美代子 at the next stop. As the train climbs toward Kōfu, his thoughts bounce between memories of past trips, the thrill of newfound health, and the nervous excitement of finally seeing her face again. The journey becomes a delicate balance of longing, hope, and the vivid pulse of summer Japan.