80m ~Viridian Hue/The Color of Sunlight Filtering Through Trees - Single Color Exhibition~

80m.

The distance from the school gate, located exactly halfway between the school building and the playground, to the entrance where the shoe lockers are lined up.
It is a row of cherry trees, and I met him at the entrance ceremony, blessed by a blizzard of cherry blossoms.

It was my first time falling in love at first sight.

Through the gaps between the fluttering petals and the branches heavy with large double-flowered blossoms, the newly sprouted color of spring shining through made him stand out in a youthful green.

It's true. Even though no one would believe me.

As the bell rings to end class, I grab my bag and run to the entrance.
Then, I just wait in front of my shoe locker.
In the warm afternoon breeze, he from the next class appears about 8 meters away and changes his shoes.

When our timing matches like this, my heart starts to dance.

Pretending nothing is happening, I change into my outdoor shoes at the same speed.
And then, I follow about 8 meters behind him.

Pretending to go home as if nothing is going on.
For the 80 meters to the school gate, I only look at his back.
As he disappears into the sports club room at the edge of the playground.

Two weeks later.
I placed my indoor shoes away, inwardly smiling bitterly at myself for acting like a stalker, and when I turned around, I let out a small cry.

"You're always so quick to head home."
He, whose back I had only been watching, was smiling straight at me.
"Oh, uh, I haven't decided on a club yet..."
"Is that so? I'm all about baseball, you see."

I know. I see the sports bag bouncing around your waist every day.

From then on, little by little, we were able to talk during those 80 meters.
When the soft spring sunlight shone through the young leaves, our tone was like an introduction, but by the time the dazzling white light of early summer reflected off the deep green, we were able to laugh together.

It was like a dream.

But why are people, why am I, so greedy?
Wishing to be even closer.

I want to cross that 80m.
Is that too much to ask? Is it impossible?

That day, beyond him, diagonally above, the summer leaves rustled.

"Come cheer for me at the next game."
He said it with a casual look, but while staring at the tree at the edge of the school gate.
Beyond that was the light of midsummer, with nothing to block it.

"I'll go, definitely."

The breeze swayed the sunlight filtering through the trees, and the thin, deep green that was about to spread overlapped our shadows.

+

This short-short story was written for Asami Ishino's single-color illustration exhibition, 'Hitoiro-ten' (Single Color Exhibition). The theme is Viridian Hue, the color of green in the natural world, the color of sunlight filtering through trees.
I would be happy if you could feel the various kinds of sunlight filtering through the trees.
Thank you very much.