A Mark That Lasts Forever

Epilogue｜跋

"Ladies and gentlemen, we will be landing at Wakkanai Airport shortly. Please ensure your seat belts are securely fastened."

"We're almost there," I say over the flight attendant's announcement, turning toward my boyfriend. He looks like he's on high alert, anxiously peering out the window.

"You're still nervous?" I laugh.

"How can I not be?" he whines.

To be honest, I'm probably just as nervous as he is. A year ago I thought I'd never be able to tell anyone about Shun. Now I'm bringing him home for New Year's.

Both of us were reluctant—and still are if I'm being honest—but Mom wouldn't let me live it down if I left him behind. She's been insistent ever since I told her about his family situation. After tempting him with a chance to see stars, Shun finally agreed to it last week. He's been a nervous wreck ever since. In the end, I'm glad he decided to come. I'm sure he'd burn himself out working on designs for his brand if I hadn't dragged him along.

I watch Shun's cute, curious face gazing out the window while the plane lands. When the people around us begin pulling out their phones, I do the same. As soon as Airplane Mode is off, my phone begins vibrating out of control with LIME messages.

"Holy crap." Shun laughs.

"Ah, it's the group," I say when I find the perpetrators. There are so many messages that I just scroll to the bottom and begin reading when I see my name.

Yuma
Makotos not replying

Akari
Isnt he in Hokkaido with his bf?

Shuhei
Oh thats right. I forgot
How bout next saturday then?

Koharu
Works for me

Akari
Lemme check my sched

I don't know what my friends are planning for next Saturday, but I open my calendar app to check anyway. I quickly realize it's the same day I have a dance performance with Koki and a few other friends from the academy. I begin typing a reply.

"It's snowing!" Shun's exclamation makes me jump.

I follow his gaze out the window and see tiny flakes coming down as we roll into the gate.

"Think it'll stick?" he asks.

"Don't worry," I assure him. "There'll be meter-deep snow at my house."

"Meter-deep?" He gapes.

I smile at his adorable reaction. "Probably."

"Can we make a snowman? I've never made one before."

"You've never made a snowman? Not even as a kid?" Now I'm gaping at him.

"Nope. I guess you've already made a few?"

"Tons." I laugh.

"Hm." He wiggles his eyebrows. "But have you ever made one with someone special?"

"Uh, well..." I stammer and laugh awkwardly. He pouts.

"Never mind," he huffs, turning back to the window.

"What's wrong?" I ask, laughing.

"Nothing."

"Why are you acting jealous, Sir?" I tease as I poke where his tattoo is under his jeans.

He turns back around and flicks the anchor dangling from my earlobe.

"Why should I be jealous, Sir?" he says mockingly.

"I did this to myself, remember?" I smirk, reaching for his head to mess up his hair. He laughs and grabs my wrist. I slip my fingers between his and lower our hands into my lap.

Shun isn't wrong about leaving a mark on me, but it's not the piercing in my ear.

We exit the plane and make our way to the terminal concourse. It doesn't take me long to spot my parents in the crowd, grinning and waving at us. I return the gesture and turn to Shun. He still looks nervous. I take his hand, squeezing it gently. When he looks up at me with his dark, innocent eyes, I give him a reassuring smile. He answers with an anxious pout, but as we walk forward hand-in-hand, I can tell he's starting to smile now too.