The morning air was crisp, the sky a pale blue stretched over the snow-blanketed park. Hana arrived early, her breath visible in soft puffs, scarf wrapped tightly around her. She sat on the same bench where so many quiet memories had been shared.
Her phone buzzed.
Naoki: "Almost there. Don't steal my usual bench."
She smiled faintly.
A few minutes later, Naoki appeared, bundled up in his gray coat, cheeks pink from the cold. He offered a small wave and sat beside her.
They didn't say much at first. Just watched the birds hop around the snow-covered paths.
Naoki: "You ever wonder where all the squirrels go in winter?"
Hana: "Maybe they hide in trees with little heaters and hot chocolate."
He chuckled. "That's what I like about you, Hana. You always make something gloomy feel… warmer."
A short silence followed, soft and comfortable.
Then Naoki's smile faded a little.
Naoki: "Hey. I didn't just come here to talk about squirrels."
Hana turned, sensing the shift in his tone.
He stared at his hands, gloved fingers flexing slightly. "Ren's never been good at saying things. He jokes, he hides behind small actions. But he's been through more than people realize."
She stayed quiet, letting him speak.
Naoki: "His parents died when he was little. He doesn't talk about it much — not because he doesn't trust people, but because... it hurts. It always will."
Hana's breath caught.
Naoki: "He grew up learning to survive quietly. To rely on himself. And when someone like that starts to care about someone... really care... it's terrifying. Loving someone makes you feel weak, vulnerable. But he still chose to tell you how he feels. That means a lot more than it might seem."
Naoki turned to look at her now, eyes steady.
Naoki: "If you want to be with Ren — and I think you do — you need to know something: he's not perfect. He can be distant, stubborn, sometimes too quiet for his own good. But he's also loyal, kind, and he's got this huge heart that he tries to hide."
Hana's eyes began to sting, the weight of his words sinking in.
Naoki (softly): "He really loves you, Hana. And he's not expecting you to fix him or save him. Just… be there. Trust him. Take care of him when the world gets too heavy. He doesn't need grand gestures. He just needs someone who stays."
Silence again — but this time full of something heavy and beautiful.
Naoki stood up, brushing snow off his coat. "I should go. The hospital called earlier. My mom had a rough night."
Hana stood with him. "Naoki…"
He smiled gently. "I just wanted you to know the real him. Before things get serious — or before either of you pull away out of fear."
He gave a small wave and walked off down the snowy path, leaving Hana standing beneath the frost-kissed trees.
As she slowly made her way home, Naoki's words echoed in her mind.
That night, Hana sat on her bed with her phone in her hand, heart pounding.
She opened Ren's contact.
Her fingers hovered over the keyboard.
Hana: I think I…
She stopped. Erased the text.
Typed again.
Hana: I want to talk. When you're free.
She hovered for a moment…
Then hit send.