Suzuki-san has already left us alone, and I am waiting at the reception with lady Chiyo. Hoshi is truly taking his time in the dressing room. I really didn't expect this from him, as from a very basic looking guy, although it's true he is always trim and clean, even after a long day.
He comes out in a while, indeed looking all fresh. Dry and clean as if he wasn't all sweaty like a minute ago, his hair now all fluffy and soft as if they were never tied back.
"Chiyo-san, thank you again for letting me be here" Hoshi thanks her, for keeping the ice rink open for him, bowing slightly.
"No, no. I'm glad you can use it when I would've closed late anyways" she replies with a gentle smile. Hoshi also dedicates her a grateful smile, letting his pink lips look even more beautiful. He and I decide to set off on our way, saying goodbye to Chiyo-san, but as we're leaving, I hear a silent "Nikko!". She whispers my name to catch my attention and winks at me, clearly implying good luck with Hoshi. I am still shocked by her unhinged, teaseful personality. A surprised look appears on my face and I quickly begin to blush right afterwards. I would've never said she'd be like that, but I kind of love it.
The immensely cold temperature hits me right when we open the door outside. It makes me shiver a little bit, as I only took my grey, thin, autumn jacket. I really didn't expect to stay so late until it's so freezing.
I take my bike. Hoshi will walk, since we're not far from his apartment. The deep night covers everything around us, except all the places under the street lamps. The vicinity of my school that is right here is usually busy with all kinds of people, but now it's empty, completely quiet. The only things to be heard are our steps and the fallen leaves were stepping on.
"The skies are dark today, aren't they?" I start. "No stars, no moon…"
"You're right. The skies are hidden by clouds" Hoshi replies with a short pause between his next sentence. "I wish it already snowed," he says.
"Me too"
A weird silence fills the air between us today. My head is empty, tired from a long day. I don't know what to say.
"I have so many thoughts right now," Hoshi giggles, and his smile makes me a little warmer. I'm genuinely happy to be with him again.
"I on the other side have nothing to say. I'm a little sleepy after the whole day" I say calmly, observing the path in front of us. "But I'm really glad to see you again," I say, looking at him "and I'd be happy to listen to all the thoughts that go through your mind" I return him a cozy smile, and see his eyes light up with a need to convey me every small detail of what he thinks of. The way he began to talk about how he missed me and all the things that happened when we didn't see each other. He showed me a picture of how Nelson fell asleep on his lap, and of the new recipe he tried to cook.
We are just walking on a cold November night. He talks. I listen. Although I'm shivering, I wish this night would never end.
Passing street lamps, we're getting closer to the brightest place - the school.
The place is older, the big complex covered in an orange hue of the lamps. Having a park around makes it a beautiful place to hang out, even at night. But we continue to walk, until I stop right under a lamp, already past the school. I feel something little and wet land on my nose. Like a raindrop, but colder and gentler, almost elegant. It's a snowflake. A tiny snowflake. Hoshi doesn't quite understand why I stopped, until I look up to the sky with a smile. "It's snowing…It's snowing!" I laugh and look at him.
"Our wishes have been fulfilled," Hoshi smiles.
We remain silently standing under the lamp, watching it slowly begin to snow. I take a look at Hoshi who's looking up to the sky with happiness, the snowflakes decorating his dark hair. And I can't take it any more.
I put my bike down. He looks at me with his soft, slightly confused look, and I come closer and put my arms around him. I tightly hug him as the snow quietly blesses us.