๋࣭ ࣪ ˖❇ ๋࣭ ࣪ ˖⊹ ࣪ ˖
Winter came and took away any hope she had left.
Sugawara's movements were as slow as the snow, falling from the sky as if seeking refuge on earth.
It's just as bad here, she thought, eyes to the white world that was seen from her kitchen window as she waited for water to boil.
Winter came and took away any hope they had left.
Sugawara's voice had become as quiet as the outside, the ground covered in a thick white blanket, as if the snow were actively trying desperately to silence the world for a bit.
Maybe winter thought humans were too loud and too chaotic.
The kettle turned off with a flick. She grabbed it, pouring the burning liquid into two mugs, watching the steam float up from the cups.
He had become as fragile as the ice on the sidewalks, as cold as the temperature.
Sugawara wasn't like summer anymore.
He was more like winter. The dying season.
The girl picked up the mugs, the warmth instantly seeping into her palms, spreading throughout her body. She walked into the living room, setting them on the coffee table.
"Thank... you." The boy spoke weakly. He didn't talk that much anymore. She nodded, smiling genuinely, happy to hear his voice.
He didn't make it halfway through the movie, before his eyes started drooping in sleepiness. She paused the TV.
"Let's go lay down." He took her hand, letting her walk him upstairs.
She didn't bother turning off the lights. She didn't bother putting on pajamas or turning off the TV or putting their mugs away. She climbed onto her mattress.
He crawled in next to her. The bed barely dipped.
It was the middle of the afternoon, and the two went to bed.
She took his hand in hers, squeezing it once.
Please, she thought, just make it to summer.
She said it as if the warm weather would heal him. As if the green leaves and green grass, as if nature would heal him.
She said it as if he would look out at the things he adored, eyes filled with life, and as if his body would follow after.
Or maybe she didn't expect it to heal him. Maybe she just hoped he could see everything he loved one last time.
She sighed. Please, just make it to summer.
