Rain was falling.
At a major city intersection, people passed under umbrellas, stepping forward as they watched the traffic lights. In the moment that the signal turned from red to green, four lives intersected.
A young dreamer
Half a year since moving to the city from the countryside, Takumi still didn’t feel at home. He aspired to be a film director but struggled with reality, getting by on part‑time jobs and helping on small shoots.
Today was an interview day at a video production company. He held his resume safely against his chest, guarding it from the rain as he waited for the light to change.
At that moment, the elderly woman next to him dropped her umbrella. Instinctively, he bent down and picked it up, offering it back.
“Thank you so much,”
her deeply lined hand took it.
“Good luck.”
The words came unexpectedly. Takumi straightened unconsciously, surprised by the kindness.
A couple drifting apart
Saki and Naoto were together, yet distant. Their busy schedules led to broken promises and strained conversations. They had finally met today after a long time—but their conversation was awkward.
“How have you been lately?”
“Hmm, well…”
Silence followed, filled only by the sound of rain.
Just before the light changed, Saki spoke softly, almost whispering:
“Do we even have a reason to stay together anymore?”
Naoto turned, surprised.
He had no words. As footsteps echoed all around them, the two began crossing on the green light.
A middle-aged man at a crossroads
After thirty years in salaryman life, Mr. Shintani faced early retirement. Stability or a fresh challenge—he hesitated, standing heavily at the crosswalk.
Suddenly, he noticed the young man (Takumi) handing back the umbrella to the elderly woman. His posture was certain, his action clear.
(Did I ever have that kind of pure passion?)
When the light turned green, he pulled out his phone and typed a message to his boss:
“Submitting my resignation.”
And in his heart, something lightened.
An elderly woman bearing a secret
Mrs. Natsue carried a secret for many years. In her youth, she came to the city chasing dreams, only to return home after failure. She married and built a family, but a lingering regret remained deep in her heart.
Today, she had come to settle that past, meeting an old friend and learning to accept her own life. When the young man returned her umbrella—it was as if he mirrored her younger self.
(“Good luck,” she heard herself say.)
Unconsciously, she gave the words she had once hoped to hear.
As they crossed the intersection, Natsue smiled. She felt as though the weight she’d carried had finally lifted.
The green light began to blink, urging pedestrians forward. In a single second at that crosswalk, the four continued on their own ways.
The rain continued to fall, but each of them felt their steps grow a little lighter than before.
