I'm Not Playing With You Anymore!

Everyone was startled by my loud voice and looked at us.

Just a moment ago, we were fighting over the building blocks.

I had shouted, "I'm not playing with you anymore!" at Masaki-kun.
Masaki-kun said, "Stupid!" and I shouted back, "Stupid!"

It was such a serious fight that the teacher had to step in.

And yet, five minutes later, we were peering into the same picture book.

The feeling of anger had melted away like snow in the palm of my hand, turning into water and slipping through my fingers before I knew it.

As if I had never said "I'm not playing with you anymore" in the first place.

Adults say that "the more you fight, the closer you become," but
to us, there is no difference between being friends and fighting.

It wasn't that either of us apologized.

I just heard the sound of a picture book page turning, and before I knew it, he was right next to me.

Masaki-kun has a face that looks like he doesn't remember the fight from earlier.
I'm sure I have the same look on my face, too.

Maybe when we grow up, we won't be able to make up this quickly anymore.

The depth of our anger is the same as a hole dug in a sandbox; it doesn't change.

Even so, perhaps the speed at which we make up will gradually become slower.

For now, five minutes was still enough.

*This is the story from Masaki-kun's perspective. Please enjoy it as well.