21:47
I had already gone to bed, but I couldn't sleep.
The warmth from walking with Miyako was still lingering somewhere inside.
Maybe it was the way she smiled.
Maybe because she said, "I feel good with you."
The phone on the bedside table blinked.
[Miyako]: Are you awake?
I picked it up right away, without even thinking.
And it didn't take long to answer either.
[Kurume]: No. And you?
[Miyako]: I was about to. But... she changed her mind. I wanted to say thank you. For today.
[Kurume]: For what exactly?
[Miyako]: For being there for me.
Pause. It's a long one.
[Miyako]: And for the jacket. I'm still in it. I don't want to take it off.
I suddenly realized that I was smiling.
Just like that. Like an idiot.
[Kurume]: Keep her. Consider that I gave it to you.
[Miyako]: Then I'll have to return the gift. It will be a reason to meet again.
My heart skipped a beat.
[Kurume]: Good reason.
[Miyako]: …You're not as cold as you pretend, are you?
[Kurume]: You're not as strict as you pretend to be.
[Miyako]: So we both figured each other out.
[Kurume]: So that's it.
Another pause.
And again, a moment.
[Miyako]: I feel comfortable with you. Thank you. Good night.
[Kurume]: And you. Till tomorrow.
I put the phone on the bedside table.
And only now I realized:
This short correspondence is the best thing that has happened to me in a long time.