Cotton candy, anyone? It tastes so sweet and it looks just like a soft, white cloud in the sky. Hey, midori. Are you coming home from work? We are having a karaoke singing contest from eight p.m. you should come and join us.
No, thank you.
Oh, don't be so cold. Every year, there are fewer people in the contest… Can't you help me out?
I’m tired from work. Maybe next time.
Okay, sorry to trouble you.
At this time of year, the men in the neighborhood come together for the summer festival. They set up food stands and enjoy having parties. If I keep walking down this street, someone might talk to me again. I don't feel like talking, so I take a different route home.
What's wrong?
Mommy is gone.
The boy is lost. I really want to go home, but I can't leave a little boy alone in the street.
I'll help you find your mother. When did you last see her?
I don't remember.
What's your name? How old are you? Oh, please don't cry. Here, let me buy you some cotton candy.
I take the boy’s hand and go back to the cotton candy stand.
Hi again Midori. Did you change your mind? Are you coming to the karaoke contest?
Sorry, no. Actually, I’m looking for this boy’s mother. He's lost.
I think I've seen him before.
You know him?
I think he moved here last year, and he goes to the same kindergarten as the boy from the grocery store.
Wow. You know a lot of people in this neighborhood.
Wait a minute. I’m going to call my friend. He can probably help.
This man is going to find your mother.
Thanks. Do you live near here?
Yes, I've lived here all my life. I know a lot of people here.
But you didn’t know me.
What?
Do you know Kosuke from the bakery?
The bakery?
How about Yuko from the flower shop and Shigeru from the dry-cleaning shop?
No. I don't know anyone.
Do you really live here?
The boy’s words made me think. It's true that I've lived here all on my life. But I haven’t talked to the people here for a long time. Maybe it's time to change that.
Hey, Midori. I found the boy’s mother. She was looking for him on that busy street over there. She is coming here now.
That’s great. You said the karaoke contest was from eight o’clock, right?
That’s right. Why?
I'll be there.
Really? Wow. Thank you. Hey everyone, did you hear? Midori is coming to the Karaoke contest.
Oh, look. It's mommy. Thank you Midori-san.
No, thank you.
What for?
For helping me remember how great this neighborhood is.