The following weekend, Kozakura found himself standing beneath the towering maple trees at Hanamura Park. The crisp autumn air carried the scent of fallen leaves, and the lake reflected the golden hues of the season. He adjusted the strap of his bag, glancing around for a familiar figure.
"Kozakura!"
He turned to see Hiyori approaching, bundled up in a cozy sweater, her hands wrapped around a steaming thermos. "I hope you didn't wait too long," she said, smiling warmly.
"Not at all," he assured her. "It's a nice day to be outside."
She nodded. "I thought this would be a good spot to sit and read. You mentioned it before, remember? The hill overlooking the river."
Kozakura smiled. "You remembered."
Together, they made their way up the hill, settling onto a wooden bench. Hiyori poured them both tea from her thermos, the fragrant steam rising between them. They sat in comfortable silence, flipping through their books, occasionally sharing passages that stood out.
Time seemed to slow in the quiet peace of the park, and for the first time in a long while, Kozakura felt truly at ease.
The wind rustled the trees, scattering golden leaves around them. Hiyori sipped her tea, letting out a content sigh. "I never really took the time to enjoy moments like this before. Back in the city, everything felt rushed."
Kozakura glanced at her. "Do you miss it?"
She paused, thinking. "Sometimes. But I think I prefer this kind of pace. Being able to just sit, read, and enjoy the world around me."
He nodded. "Hanamura has a way of slowing things down."
They read for a while longer, the sounds of nature filling the comfortable silence between them. Birds chirped overhead, and the gentle lapping of the lake's water added to the serene atmosphere.
After a while, Hiyori set her book down and stretched. "Okay, I have an idea. Since you've been showing me around town, why don't I return the favor?"
Kozakura raised an eyebrow. "How?"
"A picnic!" she declared. "I'll pack food, and we can come back here next weekend. It'll be fun."
He hesitated, but seeing the excitement in her eyes, he found himself nodding. "Alright. That sounds nice."
Hiyori grinned. "Great! I promise I'll make the best sandwiches you've ever had."
Kozakura chuckled. "I'll hold you to that."
As the sun began to dip lower in the sky, they packed up their things and started heading back down the hill. The air had taken on a slight chill, but neither of them seemed to mind. The promise of another peaceful afternoon together lingered between them, unspoken but understood.
For the first time in a long while, Kozakura found himself looking forward to next weekend.