Shinobu's mother studied in England during her university years. While there, she met Alice Cartelet's mother and formed a friendship. This connection years later led to Shinobu undertaking a homestay with the Cartelet family in England. During the events of the film, she flips through old photos from her time abroad, prompting her to initiate a nostalgic FaceTime call with Alice's mother. Her past actions directly facilitated the ongoing relationship between Shinobu and Alice, serving as the foundational link connecting the two families.