Shiori Novella One-shots

A Forgotten Name

The sun feels warm and soft today as a small breeze blows across your skin. With the last bits of snow melting away, you head out for a meeting with someone you haven't seen in a while. The brutal winter is now over, and luckily for you, you make it out with all your fingers and toes intact. It probably wouldn't be a good idea to keep her waiting on a day like this.

"Hey! You finally made it!" says the girl with long black hair and zebra striped jacket.

She gives you a smile that might even be warmer than the sun above. Her golden eyes reflect the light and catch your attention. You could lose yourself in her gaze if not for her frantically waving at you. This feels really familiar. Maybe that's a good thing.

"Yeah, took me a bit to get ready. Didn't want to look bad," you remark.

She giggles, most likely because she has the same worries as you do. You look at her again. Yeah, this is a girl you've known for a long time and happy to see... wait huh? That's a bit embarrassing. What's her name again? You can't just ask her, or else you would look either dumb or uncaring. The last thing you want is for her to feel upset, or even worse, cry.

~~~~~

As you stand there, mentally fumbling through your memory for her name, you decide to play it cool. After all, you can't let a momentary lapse in memory ruin the warmth of her smile.

"So, what have you been up to lately?" you ask, hoping she'll say something that might jog your memory.

Her eyes light up with excitement as she starts telling stories, some more... fantastic than others. As she talks about her recent trip, the places she visited, the people she met, you can't help but be captivated by her animated storytelling. You nod and smile, trying to piece together any clues that might reveal her name.

As the conversation continues while you walk through the park with her, you find yourself noticing the small things she does while she smiles and giggles, barely stopping to take a breath. The way she twirls a few strands of her long black hair when she's lost in thought, the infectious energy in her laughter, and the "hwa-hwa-hwa" of her slight yawn. Yet, her name remains stubbornly elusive.

Thinking to yourself for a moment, you realize that the lack of a name doesn't diminish the joy of the moment. You've shared so many experiences with this person, like a hotpot the two of you worked together to make during a blizzard, and the familiarity is comforting. The time you've spent together precludes the need for a more formal introduction.

Embracing the easy camaraderie, you laugh along with her stories. The sun above continues to cast a warm glow, making you feel warm outside, by the sun, and the inside, by the joy in her eyes and her laughter.

Eventually, you reach a quaint cafe with outdoor seating. The aromas of freshly brewed coffee and tea and the gentle hum of conversation surround you. You find a cozy spot in the corner and continue chatting, content to enjoy the simplicity of the moment.

You smile and watch her and remember that a name? It's just a label. What really matters is the time spent with someone, the shared laughter, the comfort in the familiar, and understanding between the two of you. So, even if her name is still on the tip of your tongue, and will probably drive you nuts, the connection built with this woman is far more meaningful than any name could convey.