Too Short For Words

A Final Sigh

"Hey."

The air was chilly, droplets of snow raining down around the two of them.

Koru had a look of disappointment around him - but Aiko could see that deep inside a longing was still deep in him. His eyes - pretty, but cold - stared at her with contempt.

"So...how is he?" Koru asked, softly mumbling.

"He's fine. I haven't done anything...really. You?"

"It's okay I guess." He shuffled awkwardly, as if he would suddenly burst out and talk animatedly about everything that had happened - but he kept still, kept calm.

Instead of their usual banter, there was only a cruel silence that cut into their tongues, keeping them from talking even the slightest word. Their eyes were cast downward, down into the blank whiteness of the snow piling on them. There was nothing to say anymore: the silence itself had said enough.

Aiko pulled her eyes away from the snow and back into his face. His curly hair was still unbearably long - even for her standards - and his face still the same guy she once met. What did he do nowadays? Did he think about her? Questions piled upon questions in her mind.

Koru, on the other hand, asked his questions to the white void, losing himself in its grasp. Why did you do it? Has it gotten you anywhere? Was it worth it?

Questions upon questions.

"Look I..." Koru started. Aiko flinched, ready for a sudden burst of anger. "I just want to know if you're okay." Aikos eyes became a bit teary. "It's been a while since we talked and...sometimes I wish you were still around." She looked up at Koru, his eyes still cast downward. "I've been doing the best with what I can and...it doesn't seem enough you know? I..."

Koru froze up, stammering, unsure what to say. Aiko was the same, unable to speak out. The tears came again.

"I...I've spent too long in the rain Aiko. It pours and pours without any sign of it stopping. It pours until it drowns me...until there's nothing left."

His mind shattered.

"Goodbye."

Koru turned suddenly, an arm covering his mouth as he ran, ran far away. Aiko didn't move at all.

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

"I'm sorry," she repeated.

"I'm sorry," she persisted.

But the answer came too late - the boy was already out of sight.

As all stories must have a beginning, all stories must also have an end.

Even a story as beautiful as we once saw it...

Written, read, and forgotten.