Too Short For Words

It's Spring

The clock stood in the middle of the town square, striking ten o'clock, half an hour later than what they had planned. Where was she? A small girl came into view, running towards him and waving.

"Koru! Sorry I'm late!" Aiko looked like she was ready to collapse.

"Where have you been?" said Koru.

"The train...missed it...ran here after next one," huffed Aiko.

"Well, at least you're out of your bedroom for once."

"Do you want to fight me?" she replied. "Wait no, that's not a really good idea, I'm still tired."

Koru chuckled to himself, and caught himself staring into her black hair. It was glistening, like she had rushed out of the shower that morning and hadn't bothered to clean it up. The ends of her hair flourished into a darker brown. Her skin was smooth, unlike his own. He thought if he was really worth it - he would always look at himself and always think he was underwhelming.

"Well, are we going to do anything or are you going to keep staring at my jawline?"

"S-sorry Ai-chan, I was just.."

"You're cute," Aiko said, smiling widely at him.

Koru felt his cheeks burn a little and looked away, as Aiko laughed away.

"You always do look better dressed up," Aiko said.

"R-really?" Koru looked down at himself: a red jumper, black jeans, sneakers. It was nothing special. "I'm not so sure about that."

"Be a little bit more confident in yourself would you? Of course you look good Koru-kun - better than when you wake up with messy hair."

"Hey!" Koru frowned. "Oh yeah, before I forget."

"Hmm?" Aiko watched him pull out a small little box from his pocket, and offer it to her. "What is it?"

"Open it and see." Aiko slowly pulled back the lid to reveal a small keychain. It was a tiny pair of red glasses.

"Red glasses...Kuriyam-" she gasped, and Koru felt her soul escape her. The arms just seemed to leap out from her and hug him tightly. He smiled, slowly doing the same. "Thank you," she whispered. Pulling back slightly, Aiko slowly kissed him, grabbing his hand as she did so. This wasn't like those moments where she was teasing him, or those moments when she was sad and decided to make it up to her, but a moment when they both felt grateful just because...because they were there for one another.

And Koru loved it. Every second of every day that she had been by him, all for this one moment.

"Aiko, we're going to be late for the movie." She leaned in even more.

Koru caught his breath slowly. "Oh my goodness, at least warn me when you come in so suddenly alright?" Tears of joy were welling up in her eyes.

"I'm just really...happy alright?"

Koru couldn't stop himself from smiling. "Let's go."

The flowers were blooming.