kaleidoscope

144 23 10
                                        

⌠ 1 ⌡ 

The station's clock

moves too slowly.

I keep checking,

like its hands are frozen.


I'm fifteen minutes early.

Of course.


My body had just moved

in a haze.


Heart, pounding.

Sweat on my forehead.

Buzzing on my fingertips.

Was I so nervous?


A small crowd drifts around me.

Uniforms, weekend bags,

even some salarymen.


The usual hum.


Hands, stuck in my pockets.

Leaning against a pillar.

Try to look normal.


I scan the station.

A familiar bobcut.


Already?

"...Eri?"


Two bags of snacks swaying in her hands.

Some loose strands sticking out of her hair.

She waves.

Jumping,

as if I couldn't already see her.

Runs over with

a bright face.

"You're early again," she says.

"So are you."

We laugh together.

Quiet,

but something real.


We stand side by side.

I move over a bit,

so she can lean too.

She does.


Trains clack around us.

The air smells of sunscreen

and conbini bentos.


A light sea breeze.


My throat tightens.

"Hey... Eri?"





⌠ 2 ⌡ 

She looks up. 

A soft gaze.

Waiting.


"About that night..."

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