But I just knew she would still be there waiting for me.
I knew it was true and because of that it lled me with even more sadness and pain. It
seemed like the snow outside was going to fall forever.
Another two hours had passed before the train started moving again and it was pass eleven
o'clock by the time I reached Iwafune, four hours later than I had planned. To me, it was already
late night at the time. As I descended onto the platform, my shoes made a soft sound as they dug
into the newly laid snow. The wind had completely stopped and countless number of snow akes
continued to silently fall from the sky. On the side of the platform where I got o, there were no
walls or fencing, only snow elds stretching as far as the eye could see. The lights from the town
were distant and few. It was completely silent other than the humming of the train's engine.
I crossed an overhead bridge and slowly walked towards the ticket barrier. You could see
the whole town on the bridge. There were few visible lights and the town silently lay there as
the snow fell and covered it. I handed the station attendant my ticket and entered the wooden
station. I entered the waiting room pass the ticket barrier. My body was enveloped in warmth
and the nostalgic smell of an oil stove reached me. Everything warmed me from the inside of my
heart and somehow made me close my eyes to take it all in. . . When I opened my eyes again, I
saw a single young girl sitting in front of the stove with her head down.
The slim girl wrapped up in a white coat looked like a total stranger to me at rst. Slowly
I approached her and called out, "Akari". She reacted to my voice as if I too was a stranger. A
little surprised she slowly raised her head and looked my way. It was Akari. The corners of her
eyes were red and tears had gathered there. Akari looked more mature than she was a year ago
and as the golden light from the stove softly glowed upon her, she appeared as the most beautiful
girl I had ever laid eyes on. I was speechless and my heart throbbed as if it was touched directly
by a nger. It was the rst time I had such a feeling. I couldn't take my eyes o her. I gazed at
her as if the sight of the tears growing bigger in her eyes was a priceless moment. Akari reached
out her hand and held the bottom of my coat, squeezing it. I took a step closer. The moment I
caught sight of tears gather on her smooth pure white hands, a sudden indescribable feeling had
stiened me again and when I recovered, I realised I was crying. The hot water on the oil stove
boiled gently, its sound echoing gently through the station.
Akari had brought a lunchbox she made for me and some tea in a thermal ask. We sat one
seat away from each other so that she could lay them out on the seat between us in the middle.
I drank the tea she poured for me. It had a pleasant aroma, hot but just right and tasted good.
"This is good," I said from the bottom of my heart.
"Really? It's just common Houji Tea."
"Houji Tea? This is the rst time I've drank it.""You can't be serious. I'm sure you've drunk it before!" said Akari but to me, it truly was
the rst time I drank tea that tasted so delicious. "Really. . . " I replied and Akari answered,
"Yes, really" with an amused look.
I thought Akari's voice too had matured just like her body had. Her tone was kind, teasing
yet also a little shy and hearing it made me feel hot, returning warmth to my body.
"Oh, and have some of this too, "Akari said opening up the lunchbox to reveal two Tupperware
trays. One of them had four large rice balls in it while the other was lled with vividly coloured
side dishes. There were mini hamburgers, sausages, omelettes, baby tomatoes and broccoli. They
were all neatly arranged in pairs.
"Since I'm the one that made it, I can't guarantee it tastes good. . . " Akari said as she carefully
laid out some of it on her lap. ". . . But you can try some if you like," she said shyly.
"Thank you," I nally managed to say. I felt very hot again suddenly feeling like I was about
to cry again. I felt embarrassed and desperately held it in. I remembered how hungry I was and
quickly said, "I'm so hungry!" Akari smiled at me happily.
I took one of the heavy rice balls and took a big bite. Even during that single bite, I felt like
I wanted to cry. I put my head down as I chewed, making sure Akari wouldn't notice. It was
more delicious than anything I have ever eaten.
"This is the most delicious thing I've ever had," I told her honestly.
"You're just saying that!"
"I'm serious!"
"I'm sure it's only because you're hungry."
"Really. . . "
"Yeah. I think I'll have some too," said Akari happily taking a rice ball too.
We continued to eat for a while. Even the hamburgers and sausages were surprisingly deli-
cious. When I tried to tell Akari this, she would smile shyly but somehow she also seemed proud
and said, "I went back home after school to make it. Mother helped a little."
"What did you tell your mother?"
"I left her a note to say I will be home no matter how late it is so that she wouldn't worry."
"I did that too. Your mother must be really worried right now."
"Yeah. . . But I'll be alright. When I made the lunchbox she asked who was it for and I
smiled at her. She seemed happy. Maybe she knew what I was up to."