13
The holiday arrived.
It was a little chilly that day, and I was wearing more clothes than usual as I headed to the meeting place.
“Whew…”
Even my breath was a little white.
At this rate, the first snow might not be far off.
As I walked, lost in such pointless thoughts, my destination came into view: a nearby park not far from my house.
Miori had suggested this place as the meeting point. She had proposed that we meet at the park and go on a date somewhere quiet, and I had agreed.
Normally, a place like the station would be more appropriate for a date, but neither of us liked crowded places.
Quiet places felt much more comfortable to us. It was probably just our personalities.
I hadn’t even been able to walk home with her after school recently, so I had agreed to this. But it would be a lie to say I wasn’t looking forward to it.
It had been a long time since we had met up just the two of us, and I was especially happy that she had chosen this place.
It made me think that even though she was being praised as an idol and all that, deep down she was still the same as before.
(I’ll try to be nicer to her today, to make up for all the times I’ve avoided her.)
It wouldn’t make up for anything, but I secretly resolved to do so.
“Well, then. I wonder if Miori is here already.”
Concealing a secret determination within my heart, I walked until I realized I had reached my destination.
Glancing around the area, I stepped onto the grounds, but it seemed to be rather deserted, likely due to the morning hour.
Well, it is cold. Just standing outside would gradually sap my energy, and I don’t want to stay here too long either.
Although there were a few scattered figures here and there, it shouldn’t be difficult to find her.
“Ah, there she is.”
As I had expected, it seemed this thought was correct, and I quickly found her.
The sight of a girl sitting on a bench, rubbing her hands together as if cold, entered my field of vision.
Seeing that, I felt it would be rude to keep her waiting any longer, so I quickened my pace toward her.
“Good morning, Mio.”
And as I stopped in front of the bench, Mio didn’t seem to notice me and kept her head down.
So I couldn’t see her face. However, I could tell from the atmosphere around her that it had to be Mio, and when I called out to her, she raised her face to look at me.
“Ah, good morning. Kou-kun.”
Mio, who had noticed my voice, smiled gently, and I gasped at the sight.
“Ah, go, good mor…”
Today, Mio looked exactly like the school idol I saw at school.