“No way! That’s too scary. Look, she’s already watching us.”
When I looked over, sure enough, Kanon was staring intently in our direction. Her friend standing in front of her didn’t seem to notice, though, which was a relief.
"Did I do something wrong?"
“It’s probably just because you’re not talking to a boy.”
“Ah, I get it. It’s rare for me to talk to a girl like this, isn’t it? I’m not exactly popular.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
“It’s not?”
“Oh, sorry, just forget it.”
“Alright, no worries. So, does the library work for today after school?”
“Thanks! That really helps.”
Whenever I helped someone study, Kanon would tag along, seemingly because she had nothing else to do. She’s the kind of genius who doesn’t need explanations, though, so she never actually helped explain things to others.
* * *
[Present Day]
Today’s the last day of term, and tomorrow starts our final winter break in high school. My exam prep is going smoothly, so I’m not too worried.
That night, I decided to relax by watching TV, and the channel was showing a Christmas event program.
“Oh, that’s right. Tomorrow is Christmas…and my birthday, too.”
My family doesn’t really celebrate these things, so I’d completely forgotten. In fact, I usually only remember thanks to the presents Kanon gives me each year.
“Last year, she gave me the past exam papers for my chosen university. So practical, so very her.”
She’s not interested in stylish or flashy things. She prefers practical items with real substance.
“I wonder what she’ll get me this year. Though, I doubt it’ll be gloves.”
While lying by the kotatsu (heated table), I dozed off. I woke up to the doorbell ringing continuously.
“What could that be? Dad and Mom aren’t supposed to be home tonight since they’re on night shift.”
It was exactly midnight. A very unusual time for anyone to be visiting. I decided to check the intercom camera.
“Huh? Kanon?”
There she was, standing at the front door, her breath visible in the cold air.
“Hold on, I’ll open the door.”
When I opened the door, I found Kanon standing there in the snow, without an umbrella.
“What’s going on? Come inside for now.”
“Mm.”
It was rare for her to come over so late, so I figured something was up. I brought her inside, sat her in the living room, and gave her some warm cocoa, which she liked.
“So, what brings you here at this hour? You’re usually asleep by now.”
“I wanted to give you this.”
She took out a piece of paper from her bag. Though she hadn’t even brought an umbrella, the paper was carefully enclosed in an envelope and a waterproof case.
“What’s this?”
“A marriage registration form.”
“Wait…what?”
“A marriage registration form.”
Apparently, I hadn’t misheard. Glancing at the form, I saw that Kanon had already filled out her part. It was a bit too elaborate to be a joke.
“Why…a marriage registration form?”
“Because we can get married now.”
It was past midnight, meaning I’d officially turned eighteen.
“Didn’t you say before that you wouldn’t date me?”
“I did.”
“Then why this?”
“I never said I wouldn’t marry you.”
Her logic was so out of the blue that I found myself at a loss for words.
“So dating is out, but marriage is okay?”
“I read about dating, but I couldn’t understand where it starts or ends.”
“Ah, I see. Very you.”
“Mm.”
“But you never gave any hint until now, did you?”
“I told you I liked you.”
“That’s it?”
“I only say that to family.”
I thought I understood her well, but it turns out there was still much I didn’t know. I sighed at the unexpected turn of events.
“Is that…not okay?”
“No, I’m happy. I like you too, Kanon.”
“I’m glad.”
She wasn’t giving her usual distant expression. Her shy smile looked so endearing.
“But we should probably explain this to our parents first.”
“I already did.”
“…That grumpy old man actually approved?”
“I prepared a full plan for the future and explained it to him.”
“That’s…intimidating. I’ve never even seen it myself.”
“At first, he was angry. But after I talked to him every day, he eventually gave in.”
“…By the way, when did you start telling him?”
“Since I learned how marriage works.”
“That was in middle school, wasn’t it? And you’ve been talking to him about it every day since then? I guess I don’t really have a choice now.”
“Mm. You always go along with my whims.”
When I said this, she seemed relieved, rubbing her sleepy eyes. For her, staying awake past ten was practically a miracle.
“Since it’s late, I’ll walk you home. We don’t want to get in trouble for an overnight stay.”
“…”
“I’ll come see you tomorrow.”
“…”
“I’ll visit every day.”
“That’s fine, then.”
When I opened the door, a biting chill filled the air.
As I exhaled, my breath turned white in the cold winter night, and I felt the familiar sensation of Kanon’s hand slipping into mine, then nestling comfortably into my pocket.
“You really like holding hands, don’t you, Kanon?”
“I don’t hate it.”
The sound of our steps echoed along the snow-covered path, filling the empty night.
Our footprints trailed behind us, stretching like a long line of ants.
One day, the snow with our footprints will melt, erasing any sign that we walked this path together.
But I am certain we will never drift apart.
Of course, there’s no logical reason, and it’s a vague feeling at best.
Yet her boundaries for “liking” feel to me like the most reliable truth in the world.
[The End]
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