The ticking of the clock echoed softly against the wall.
Steam curled up from the rim of a teacup. The sound of Grandpa sipping from it filled the room with gentle warmth.
“...Kenji, sorry to ask, but... could you come with me this weekend?”
He set the cup down and gave a sheepish little smile.
“Sure. Got something to do?”
I looked at him through the rising steam.
“There's somewhere I want to go.”
I dropped my gaze.
Last year, Grandpa had surrendered his driver’s license after a stroke.
Now I drove his old car—a massive, heavy sedan. Technically, it was a hand-me-down, but honestly, it felt like too much for a rookie like me.
He told me I could drive it and not to worry if I scraped it up, but… I still didn’t feel confident behind the wheel.
My friends call it a “rich boy car,” but the ride’s not bad. I hate that I kind of like it.
Grandpa and Grandma used to love traveling. Apparently, they’d toured all over the country together.
But now, Grandma’s knees had gotten bad, and long trips were out of the question.
The soft clink of the teacup on the table pulled me back.
If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
“So, where are we going, Grandpa?”
“...Where was it again?”
He looked out the window, eyes distant.
“I remember the view, but… the place itself is gone now.”
“Gone? What do you mean ‘gone’? How are we supposed to go if it’s not there?”
I felt helpless.
That definitely wasn’t something I could plug into the GPS.
Slippers shuffled into the room as Grandma peeked in from the kitchen.
“It’s that time of year again, isn’t it?”
“Grandma, do you know where he wants to go?”
I asked with a hint of hope.
“Hmm… I think it was somewhere in East Izu.
We used to go there every year.
Once you get there, I think it’ll all come back.”
Grandpa chuckled.
“I’ll cover gas and lunch. I’ll tell you about the place while we drive.”
“Oh, and don’t forget to wear clothes and shoes you can hike in.
That’s the kind of place it is. That’s why I’m staying behind today,” Grandma added.
East Izu… how many hours was that from here?
Could I really drive all the way there by myself?
This was turning out to be a much bigger deal than I’d thought.
The morning air was crisp and quiet.
The front door—just the same as yesterday—somehow looked different today.
“Good morning. Let’s have a good trip,” I said.
Grandpa tipped the brim of his hat with a smile.
“Morning, Kenji. Did you eat breakfast?”
“Yeah. Stuffed down some bread and coffee.”
Grandma peeked out from the hallway.
“Give the doctor my regards, would you?”
Her eyes were just a little softer than usual.
I didn’t realize what that meant at the time.
She held a small bouquet of flowers.
The rustle of the wrapping paper whispered in the silence.
When Grandpa took them, his expression turned a little shy…
but at the same time, he seemed to be looking at something far away.
In Grandpa’s knapsack: a water bottle, a lunchbox, and a towel.
New-looking athletic wear. Sneakers.
A hat pulled low.
I’d never seen him dressed like this.
He looked less like my grandfather, and more like “the newest guy in a hiking club.”
Me? I wore a UCLA T-shirt and my usual jeans.
Honestly, it looked more like I was heading to the convenience store than on a road trip.
Still, I made sure to double-knot my laces.
“Take care now. Have a good trip.”
Grandma’s voice as she saw us off was just a little gentler than usual.
The sky beyond the door stretched endlessly blue.
The engine of the sedan rumbled low and smooth.
I glanced between the GPS and the map on my phone and let out a quiet sigh.
“East Izu, huh… Probably past Odawara, beyond Atami, somewhere before Shimoda.
But if the place doesn’t exist anymore… where the hell are we going?”
The roads had names.
But the destination remained a blur.
The GPS refused to recognize it.
At one point, it even recommended a walking route.
Thanks for nothing.
Just as I muttered that, the radio inside the car faded to a softer volume...
