It was Saturday morning, the start of Golden Week.
The sunlight spilled through the curtains, catching in the steam rising from the teacups. Hikari moved gracefully around the kitchen, clearing the table with practiced ease.
Kotoha sat on the edge of the dining table in her rumpled pajamas, hair messy, legs swinging lazily as she scrolled through her phone.
"Kotoha. Do you want to go shopping with me?"
She blinked up. "Shopping? Sure!"
Kotoha hopped down from the table and padded off toward her room. A few minutes later she returned in a simple blouse and skirt, her hair brushed neatly.
Hikari picked up her keys.
"Shall we?"
The car ride was calm, the hum of the engine mixing with faint music from the radio. Outside the window, the streets were busy, families and couples walking together, shops already dressed up for the holidays.
Kotoha leaned against the passenger seat, chin resting on her hand.
"Where are we going?"
"The mall."
The mall was crowded, the air filled with chatter and the smell of food from the upper floors.
They stopped first at a boutique lined with pastel skirts and soft cardigans. Kotoha trailed behind, eyes drifting over the racks.
"This looks nice," Hikari said, lifting a white blouse with lace trim.
"It's cute… but maybe too mature for me."
"Are you judging your mother's taste?"
Kotoha took it and brought it up to her body to check in the mirror.
"That's not what I said! …It doesn't look too bad."
"Right?"
Kotoha moved toward another rack, pulling out a flowy white dress. "What about this one?"
Hikari's eyes softened. "Looks cute."
Kotoha hugged it against her chest, cheeks warming. "Then… I'll try it."
She disappeared into the booth. Minutes later she stepped out, the dress flowing neatly around her figure.
Hikari clasped her hands.
"Adorable. You can wear it during the summer."
"I want to wear a yukata for the summer festival."
"I have a couple at home. It should fit you now."
"Really!? Mom, let's wear a yukata together for the summer festival!"
"Fufu, okay." Hikari laughed with a gentle expression.
Kotoha spun once, the skirt fluttering, then stopped with a pout. "Mom, don't look at me like that."
"I'm only admiring you."
Kotoha's eyes lingered on a rack near the corner. She reached out and lifted a light blue sundress, sleeveless with a soft ribbon at the waist. She held it up against herself, tilting her head.
"Mom, what about this? If you got one too… we could match."
Hikari's lips curved. "A matching pair? That sounds nice."
They brought two sundresses into the fitting area. Kotoha tried hers first, stepping out. The pale fabric draped softly along her slim figure, brushing against her knees, the ribbon tied neatly.
Hikari smiled. "It suits you perfectly."
"I think it would look great on you too!"
"Let me go try it on then."
Then it was Hikari's turn. The curtain slid open, and she stepped out in the same dress. The fabric hugged her waist, but across her chest it strained, pulled tight by the weight pressing against it. The neckline dipped lower than it had on Kotoha, her curves filling the sundress in a way that drew every glance.
Kotoha's cheeks went hot.
Hikari studied herself in the mirror, adjusting the ribbon. A quiet sigh escaped. "…It emphasizes too much."
Kotoha nodded quickly. "…Maybe we shouldn't."
As they hung the sundresses back, Kotoha glanced up.
"Mom… is it always that hard to find clothes?"
"With a fuller figure, yes. Pretty things don't always sit the way they should."
"Maybe I'll have the same problem later…" Kotoha looked at her chest.
Hikari chuckled. "That's not something for you to worry about right now."
"It is!"
"Just enjoy it while you can."
"I guess I will!" Kotoha pouted.
Their bags swung lightly as they left the boutique, the sound of footsteps and laughter filling the wide mall corridor.
"Hungry?" Hikari asked.
Kotoha shook her head. "Not yet."
"Then one more stop."
Kotoha tilted her head. "Where?"
"You'll see."
They walked a little farther until Hikari stopped in front of a bright storefront lined with mannequins in bikinis and one-pieces. Posters above showed beaches and pools.
"Are we going in?" Kotoha asked.
"Swimsuits. We're swimming tomorrow, right?"
"I already have one…"
"Too plain. You should show off your figure more."
"You dress more modestly than me!"
"So help me choose a new one today tool."
"Fine…"
Hikari chuckled and nudged her toward the entrance.
Inside, the air smelled faintly of perfume and fabric softener. Racks of colorful swimsuits filled the walls. Girls her age chatted in groups, holding up daring pieces.
"This one," Hikari said, pulling a pale blue bikini with frilled straps. She held it against her daughter's shoulders. "Perfect."
"M-Mom, it's too much!"
"Try it."
Reluctantly, Kotoha slipped into the booth.
The curtain swayed as she stepped out, arms folded across her chest.
The pale blue bikini clung to her, the frills brushing her skin. Her waist looked slimmer than she expected, her legs longer under the lights. The top pressed tightly against her chest, making her want to turn and run.
Hikari's lips curved. "It suits you. Your waist is slim, but your chest has grown fuller."
"M-Mom!"
Kotoha half-turned back to the curtain, but Hikari caught her wrist gently. "Don't hide. Look."
Kotoha's eyes flicked toward the mirror. A stranger stared back. Her cheeks red, lips pressed together, figure changing in ways she struggled to accept. She hugged her chest with both arms, pouting.
Hikari chuckled, slipping into the neighboring booth with a hanger in hand.
"Wait here."
The curtain opened.
Hikari stepped out in a glossy black bikini. Thin straps tied at her neck and hips, the fabric sleek against her skin. Her chest filled the top completely, round and heavy, while her waist narrowed into soft, full hips.
Kotoha's eyes went wide. "M-Mom… you can't wear that!"
"Why not?" Hikari turned toward the mirror. "Do you think I can still pull it off?"
Hikari's body was mature and commanding, her curves impossible to ignore. Kotoha's was slimmer, but her chest had filled out more than she expected, enough to make her blush.
"…Of course you can."
"Does it look weird?"
"No. You look… um… sexy..?"
"Fufu. Looks like I still got it?"
Hikari tugged her closer by the arm until they stood side by side. "Kotoha, I think you look pretty sexy too. But my hips are wider. You'll look different from me."
Kotoha squeaked, hiding her face in her hands. "Stop comparing!"