The breeze forced Bernadette to end the session wrestling with her thoughts. The middle-aged woman in a golf uniform straightened up, then the grip of her two hands on the stick began to loosen.

　　The focus of her attention was on Mia who faithfully cracked a smile. Before re-airing the sound, Bernadette took a long, characteristic breath accompanied by a glance.

　　"How are you?" Mia asked. The woman with a playful face had no intention of bringing a smile to her ...