Theme: Slowly

#ShirokumaLiteratureClub
#RomanceShortStory

Slowly, the spring breeze is unraveling the city.
The cherry blossom buds, which had been tightly closed throughout the winter, were beginning to breathe little by little.

Sitting on a bench in front of the station, I look up at those buds.
A bit of cold air still lingered on my fingertips.

"Did I keep you waiting?"

When I heard a voice from behind and turned around, he was standing there.
He was slightly out of breath, smiling as he adjusted the bag on his shoulder.

"No. I just got here."

As I answered, I felt strange even to myself.
The old me used to be bad at waiting for someone.
Because I would feel restless, as if I were being left behind.

But the time spent waiting for him was different.
If anything, I liked that quiet time.

"Aren't you cold?"

He said that and held out a canned coffee.
Even though I can't drink coffee, I accepted it because I was happy for the warmth.

"Thank you."

The warmth transmitted to my fingertips.
In the spring air, it was a very gentle temperature.

"They'll bloom soon."

He looks up at the sky.
The cherry blossom branches were translucent in the twilight.

"Yeah."

That was all we said, yet the depths of my heart were quietly filled.

I had thought that love was something flashier and more intense.
Something that makes your heart ache, something like a storm of crying and laughing.

But with him, it was different.

Like the flow of a river,
Like the light of spring,
It just continues, peacefully.

"Hey."

He said suddenly.

"What if, when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom..."

"Yeah?"

"I'll confess to you properly then."

I couldn't help but laugh.

"Not now?"

"If it were now, it would feel like... a continuation of winter."

It was a reason so like him.

I thought for a moment, then said,

"Then, I'll wait until they bloom."

"Will you wait for me?"

"Yeah. Take your time."

When I said that, he smiled as if relieved.

The wind blows softly again.
At the tip of a branch, a small bud swayed.

Surely, the cherry blossoms will bloom soon.
And by that time, our love will surely—

Slowly,
Slowly,
Open its flowers.

[End]

ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ Dear Director Kosuke Komaki, here is my submission•*¨*•.¸♬︎