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I first met her when we were in the first grade of elementary school.
At that time, playing on the swings was popular among all the students, and as soon as recess began, everyone would rush towards the swings on the school grounds.
Children have a strange way of creating unwritten rules, and soon there was one: “The group that reaches the swings first can have them for the entire recess.”
The one who broke this bad custom was her—Shizuko.
One day, after my friends and I narrowly lost the race to the swings, it was Shizuko, one of the winners, who surprisingly called out to us.
“Let’s play together.”
I responded in shock, “Why?”
“It’s more efficient that way.”
Even as a first grader, Shizuko understood that it made more sense for everyone to play together, rather than letting one group monopolize the swings. She broke the heavy, unjust tradition with her rationality.
For a young boy like me, just beginning to discover the hilarity of words like “poop,” meeting Shizuko and being introduced to the concept of efficiency was nothing short of shocking.
Since then, I started spending a lot of time with Shizuko. Looking back, it feels like I was the one sticking to her. I admired her like a hero from a superhero show, and by being close to her, I tried to absorb her noble philosophy.
As we grew older, I started getting teased for spending time with a girl.
“You’re always with a girl! Gross! That’s so uncool!”
These immature taunts, driven by an overdeveloped sense of gender differences typical of puberty, were enough to shake my young heart.
“I’m going to stop playing with Shizuko.”
I told her that one day in a classroom bathed in the glow of the setting sun.
“Why?”
In her calm, yet somehow kind voice, devoid of any sign of being upset, Shizuko asked me.
“Because... I get made fun of for being with a girl…”
“That’s not very efficient, is it?”
“Huh? Why?”
“I know games that you don’t, and you know games that I don’t, right? So it’s more efficient for us to learn more games together, and we’ll end up having more fun. Way more fun than the boredom of being teased by the class.”
“That... That makes sense…!”
For Shizuko, such teasing was clearly insignificant.
Impressed by her words, I spent the next day explaining to my classmates and others in the grade how playing together without regard for gender was more efficient. Eventually, I managed to break down the strange divide between boys and girls in our elementary school.
One of the most notable achievements of Shizuko’s philosophy was the creation of the game “Doll Sword Fighting,” which became a massive movement that swept through the entire school.
As we became middle and high school students, Shizuko and I found ourselves in a different kind of spotlight.
It’s natural for people to think something might be going on between two young people who are always together. Especially when someone as attractive as Shizuko was bound to draw attention.
Whenever someone asked about my relationship with Shizuko, I would carefully explain that our bond was built on respect and trust, and that it was entirely innocent.
But while I was going through all that effort, Shizuko remained, as always, efficient. She never denied any suspicions about our relationship.
When I asked her why, Shizuko responded:
“It doesn’t matter what others think. It’s inefficient to go out of our way to respond.”
In retrospect, her reasoning was perfectly logical. Our relationship was our business, and no one else’s.
“So, you should stop going out of your way to painstakingly and thoroughly deny our relationship whenever someone asks. Got it? Understand?”
I still don’t quite understand why Shizuko seemed a little irritated when she told me this, but that only deepened my admiration for her.
With her natural efficiency, Shizuko improved her academic abilities and passed her university entrance exams with ease, coincidentally ending up at the same university as me.
Then, we encountered a new problem—where to live during our time at university. Since our school was located in the city, the most convenient option would be to live downtown. However, the rent in the city was too much for us, just a couple of students, to bear.
Naturally, Shizuko solved this issue with her typical efficient approach.
“We’re going to the same university, so it’s more efficient for us to live together and split the rent.”
“That... that makes sense...!”
As I marveled at her quick thinking, Shizuko handed me a paper with the layout of the apartment she had already researched. She had already found the best option. What incredible efficiency!
“But this place... Won’t it be a bit cramped if we try to fit two beds?”
Reasonably priced apartments in the city tend to be on the smaller side.
“We’ll just have one bed and make more room for living space.”
I was floored by this idea.
It was a stroke of genius that surpassed simple ideas like using futons or foldable beds. By overturning the conventional thought of “one person, one bed,” she managed to secure both the comfort of a bed and enough living space.
Shizuko’s face was bright red as she explained this, probably because even she couldn’t hide her excitement at her own genius.
Once university life actually began, each day was filled with excitement. Shizuko might not have thought much of it, but living so close to my wonderful childhood friend made it impossible for me to remain calm!
I could feel something growing inside me, and it was blossoming faster than I could control.
And now, as we approach our graduation, both of us having already decided our futures, I’ve come to a realization. The feelings I have for her can’t be explained with words like “admiration” or “respect.”
"Well, what did you want to talk about?"
On a quiet night, where it seemed like the snow had swallowed the noise of the city, we sat side by side on a small sofa in our small room.
“I’ve finally realized something…”
Shizuko narrowed her eyes, listening intently to my words.
“I think that chasing efficiency is, in the end, about wanting to be happy.”
“That’s true.”
“And looking back, the times I’ve been happiest have always been when I was with you, Shizuko.”
“Mm-hmm.”
“So, this might be presumptuous, but I think you feel the same way.”
“Of course.”
Why can’t I look directly at Shizuko’s mischievous smile? Still, I forced myself to face her and continued speaking.
“That’s why I think… if we stay together, it would be so efficient that we’d be able to generate a hundred times the happiness with just one effort.”
Is this really what I wanted to say?
Guiding my awkward self was Shizuko’s gentle voice and the warmth of her hand.
“Would you like to express that in a more concise and efficient way?”
“…I… I love you. Please marry me.”
“…Yes.”
Nodding, Shizuko smiled.
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