Fujino Chiya

The novel centers on two old friends, Natsuko Sakurai and Noe Oota. Both women are single and in their mid-50s, and have remained steadfast friends since childhood, supporting each other while still living in the apartment complex where they both grew up. Natsuko makes a living as an illustrator while buying and selling items online. Noe works a stressful job as a part-time college lecturer.

14-year-old Eriko finds herself left in charge of her younger brother Daigo when their parents suddenly disappear one warm summer evening. Trapped in a world that is very much like their own save for the lack of their parents, Eriko and Daigo find themselves desperate to return to the worrywart mother and apathetic father they never thought they'd miss so badly… (From MU)