My wife, Mari, has just left for overseas with a friend who's getting married. Since I'd been relying on her for nearly all the housework, I sent her off with a slight sense of guilt, never fully realizing just how much effort household chores actually took. Then, unexpectedly, my mother-in-law showed up and offered to help with the housekeeping. Seeing her again after so long, she greeted me with the same timeless beauty and a warm, gentle smile. Gradually, I found myself reliving the comforting warmth of family life just as it used to be.