After I handed the lady the copies she asked me to make that very day, I couldn’t help but think that I could have simply done them later and submitted them during my second interview. But again, I reminded myself that they had their procedures, and I just needed to get it done.

After that, my dear sister, whom I was supposed to meet after my appointment, messaged me and told me to meet her at the nearby Daimyo Church. I checked Google Maps again, and it showed that it was only about a 10-minute walk from where I was.

Before leaving the Legal Affairs Bureau, I should mention that I changed my clothes.

I removed my jacket and white button-down shirt and changed into a simple white-and-navy striped T-shirt with a soft, flowing navy-blue blazer.

Originally, I had planned to wear this outfit with flat shoes because I was overly conscious about how I looked. I even used AI to evaluate my outfit, and it suggested that I should wear a black formal suit instead. That was why I ended up wearing the more formal outfit.

I was already about to leave the house when I saw the AI’s suggestion about changing my shoes. I immediately went back and changed into black shoes with about two-inch heels—the only black shoes I had available. I knew they probably wouldn’t be comfortable because I hadn’t worn them for a very long time, but I didn’t have time to think. The bus was coming soon, and I had to hurry.

Little did I know how much walking I would do that day.

From Tenjin 3-chome to the Fukuoka Legal Affairs Bureau, then to the convenience store, back to the office, and now toward my sister’s meeting place—the heels slowly started to surrender.

The padding underneath the heel that prevented the shoes from making a loud clacking sound had already worn out. Every step sounded like I was walking with a hammer. It was painful and embarrassing, but I had no choice. I just had to endure it.

After a few more minutes, I finally met my sister at a place we had visited before—Bio Square, a beautiful area filled with luxurious cafés and restaurants.

She took me into one of the restaurants there. She asked the male waiter for a table for two, and he guided us through a door on the left side.

When my sister opened the door, I was surprised.

Behind it was a beautiful display of precious wine bottles lined almost all the way to the ceiling, left and right of a small curved alley which carried us up to the main floor of the restaurant.

The interior was beautiful. The ceiling was made of wood, the architecture was elegant, and the atmosphere was warm and sophisticated. The waiter guided us to our table.

After the long walk, all I wanted was a drink. I looked at the menu, and as usual, the first thing I checked was the price.

“It’s expensive,” I said.

My sister laughed and helped me choose a drink. At first, I thought I had ordered something good because I saw lemon in the name, but she told me it was actually a cocktail alcoholic drink. We decided to change it with something lemon.

We continued chatting, and suddenly my sister said, “Oh, we should order first so they can prepare our food.”

She ordered some of her favorites.

I honestly wasn’t very hungry. I couldn’t even feel my appetite after such a long and emotional day. I just wanted something light.

We ordered onion rings, her favorite bread topped with tomatoes and cheese, a salad, and a few other dishes with tomatoes.

The food was delicious.

It was so good that it actually made me eat more.

As always, my sister and I talked about everything. She is such a pleasant person—kind, elegant, and always beautifully dressed. That day, she wore a long red dress with a beautiful necklace, pearl accessories, rings, and an expensive-looking watch.

While we were talking, she suddenly handed me a small turquoise paper bag.

“This is for you,” she said.

It was a gift to celebrate my hard work.

She handed it to me while recording with her phone, and inside was a beautiful luxury lipstick with my name engraved on it.

I felt so special.

After that, we continued talking about my appointment, the test, and everything that happened that day. I was still in storytelling mode, and she happily listened while sharing her own stories too.

That is what we always do whenever we meet. We talk about everything—little things, big things, random things—and somehow we never know where the conversation begins or where it ends.

My phone kept ringing. I was sure it was my daughter trying to reach me, but I didn’t answer because my battery was almost dead. Also, I wanted to enjoy that moment. If I answered and said I was going home right away, we wouldn’t even have started our time together.

After our long conversation and finishing our food, we walked through the beautiful park inside the square, enjoying the buildings and the scenery before saying goodbye.

I thought that was the end of my journey for the day.

I was wrong.

It was only the beginning of another adventure.

I really don’t like big cities.

My sister only needed to go up the stairs to reach the train station. Simple.

But for me, I had to go underground to find the subway. I had to go down stairs, figure out which direction to take, and navigate through what felt like a maze.

I asked a station guard which way I should go. It wasn’t far, but I still had to walk through crowded shopping areas with people moving in every direction.

Finally, I reached the ticket gate.

Then came more stairs.

Then more waiting.

I had to figure out whether I needed Platform 1 or Platform 2. The lines were long, and everyone seemed to know exactly where they were going except me.

Eventually, I got on the train.

Then I had to get off again, climb more stairs, and find my way to the next train that would take me home.

My feet were already sore, and unfortunately, there was no escalator at Platform 1. I had to climb the stairs myself.

There were more lines waiting for the local train and another line for the rapid train.

At that point, I had no energy left to figure out which one would get me home faster. I was already thinking about my daughter, who was probably waiting for me, and my husband, who was surely tired too.

Finally, I got on the rapid train.

The sad part?

I had to stand almost the entire way.

It wasn’t until I was only four stops away from my destination that I finally got a seat.

I was exhausted.

I really don’t like traveling in crowded cities, especially when I have to stand inside the train.

But finally…

I arrived home.

And waiting for me was another story:

My daughter, who had her own complaints about why I was gone the whole day.