Mariko lives in the city of Kanazawa, a historic and charming place in west Japan. Every day, on her daily commute, Mariko passes in front of an old book store that she closed a few years ago. Once a lively meeting place for book lovers, the shop was known for its large selection of books and welcoming atmosphere.
Mariko is an avid reader, and even though the shop is now abandoned, she can't help but stop in front of her window and let the memories flood. She nostalgically remembers visits to the shop, when she got lost among the shelves full of books, breathing in the smell of the pages and letting herself be captivated by the stories hidden between those covers.
The book store was also a meeting place for Mariko, who had made friends with other book enthusiasts who frequented the store regularly. They shared advice and opinions on books, discussed authors and characters, creating a unique bond based on a shared passion for reading.
Today, as Mariko walks past the empty store, she feels a sense of loss and sadness. The closure of the shop has left a void in the community and in Mariko's own life.