Hiro Tanaka sits on the bench in the park, sketchbook in hand, staring into the distance. Leaves flutter down, painting the ground in shades of orange and gold. He absentmindedly sketches the swing set where he and Sakura Ito used to play as children.
A gentle rustle of footsteps pulls him from his thoughts. He looks up, surprised to see Sakura standing nearby. She offers him a small, hesitant smile, her hands tucked into the pockets of her coat.
Hiro: (startled) "Sakura."
Sakura takes a deep breath, as if steadying herself, and walks over to the bench. She sits beside him, leaving a small space between them.
Sakura: "I didn't expect to find you here." (She glances down at his sketchbook, her gaze softening.) "Still drawing, I see."
Hiro: (smiling faintly) "Yeah. Some things never change."
Silence settles between them, heavy with unsaid words. They both gaze at the swing set in front of them, lost in memories.
Hiro: "Remember when we used to spend hours here? Just talking about... everything?"
Sakura: (nodding, her voice almost a whisper) "And nothing. It was so easy back then."
She looks away, gathering her thoughts. Hiro watches her, noticing the faint tremor in her hands as she clenches them in her lap. He senses something deeper is weighing on her mind.
Sakura: "Hiro, there's... something I have to tell you."
Hiro's heartbeat quickens. He tightens his grip on the sketchbook, his gaze never leaving her face.
Hiro: "I'm listening."
Sakura: (with a sad smile) "I'm moving away. My family needs me back home, and... I have to go."
Hiro's face falls, the weight of her words settling on him. He struggles to hide his disappointment, his jaw clenching as he looks away.
Hiro: "When?"
Sakura: (after a pause) "Next week. I'm sorry. I wanted to tell you sooner, but... I didn't know how."
They fall silent, each lost in their own emotions. Sakura reaches into her bag and pulls out a small, folded letter, holding it out to him.
Sakura: "I... I wrote you this. I thought it might be easier to say everything in a letter."
Hiro stares at the letter in her hand, hesitant to take it. Slowly, he reaches out and grasps it, his fingers brushing hers for a fleeting moment. He feels a pang of longing, wishing he could hold onto that touch forever.
Hiro: (softly) "Thank you."
Sakura: (giving him a sad smile) "Read it when you're alone."
Hiro nods, his voice catching in his throat as he tries to respond. He wants to tell her so much, but the words feel trapped, tangled in his chest.
Sakura: (standing up, her eyes bright with unshed tears) "Promise me you'll keep painting, Hiro. Don't let go of your dreams."
Hiro's eyes meet hers, and for a brief moment, he feels a surge of courage. He wants to tell her how much she means to him, how much he'll miss her. But the fear of losing her friendship holds him back.
Hiro: (nodding, his voice thick) "I promise."
Sakura takes one last look at him, her lips pressed together as if holding back words of her own. She turns to leave, her footsteps crunching softly on the leaves. Hiro watches her go, the letter clutched tightly in his hand, his heart aching with unspoken feelings.