Tokyo - 1997

 

"Everyone, we have a new student in the class. Let's all make her feel welcomed," the teacher announced loudly. Then in a softer, gentler tone, "Go ahead, dear. Introduce yourself."

 

"… My name is Myoui Mina. It's a pleasure to meet you all."

 

The quiet voice that left the girl sounded polite yet robotic.

 

Momo watched at the timid girl's eyes lowered to the floor before they were covered by her bangs, with her head bowed and hands clasped politely together. She had long, black hair that went far beyond her shoulders, and although Momo sat in the third row from the back by the window, she was able to see all the numerous moles that were on the transfer student's face.

 

"What kind of name is 'Myoui'?"

 

"What a weird name…"

 

"She's so quiet, I could barely hear her."

 

“She also talks funny…”

 

Loud whispers erupted all around the classroom that Momo wasn't even sure they were to be classified as whispers at such volume. Even the teacher could hear and used her commanding authority to settle down the classroom.

 

Momo could see the way the transfer student shrank back, lowering her head even more. She could see the way the girl was trying to push her shoulders inward, doing her best to curl herself into a ball as best as she could while standing. A futile attempt to make herself seem smaller, possibly hoping to be small enough her classmates wouldn't see her or care about her.

 

Momo knew the feeling all too well.

 

Not that long ago, she was also in the same position as the girl with the moles.

 

Maybe that's why, Momo felt herself being drawn to Mina.

 

~~~

 

They didn't speak right away. Momo technically didn't have a reason to speak to the new transfer student nor found any opportunity to.

 

Momo was used to moving from school to school due to her father's job. She was skilled at quietly observing people's mannerisms, the groups of classmates that clicked together, and what was expected of everyone in whatever classroom she found herself in, seamlessly able to adapt to her environment. Momo had to if she wanted to enjoy her time with the people she would meet, even knowing that it won't be permanent. Momo wouldn't call herself a social butterfly, but she tried to make the most of what was given to her.

 

However, Mina was different from her in that regard.

 

Mina kept to herself. She made no effort in reaching out to her classmates, even the ones by her desk. Her posture was perfectly straight but she gave off an air about her that didn't want to make other of their classmates approach her either. Mina hardly spoke unless she was called on by the teacher to read excerpts from their textbooks, and even then it wasn't enough for Momo to determine how to strike up a conversation with her.

 

They were so similar yet so different at the same time.

 

After mulling over it for about a week, Momo gave up on trying to understand Myoui Mina. There wasn’t any point anyway. Momo never knew when her father would be relocated again, which would lead to transferring schools again. It was easier to be friendly to people than to be friends with them. It made the inevitable less painful when it did happen.

 

But just when Momo was getting over the thought she’d never talk to Mina, it happened.

 

Momo spoke to Mina for the very first time three weeks into their 4th year of primary.

 

~~~

 

It happened not too far from the library door.

 

Momo went back the school during recess to use the bathroom. On her way, she spotted the familiar haircut that belonged to Mina. She sat on the floor of the empty hallway all by herself, back slightly hunched forward, gaze glued to the screen of her green Game Boy Pocket. She was completely engaged in her game that she failed to notice Momo approaching her.

 

"Myoui… Mina?" Momo muttered softly.

 

Mina stiffened for a moment, then lifted her eyes from the screen to Momo. "You're…"

 

"Hirai Momo. We're in the same class, but I sit across the room from you."

 

"Ah. I see…"

 

Pure shyness and embarrassment radiated from Mina, but Momo smiled and joined Mina on the floor, scooting closer to sneak a peak at the screen. "What are you playing? Can I watch?"

 

Mina blinked at her. "You don't think it's weird that I'm playing video games…?"

 

Momo shook her head. "Nope. Why would I think that?"

 

Mina's expression fell and paused her game, looking sad. "Other girls have found me playing my Game Boy inside and thought it was weird that a girl plays video games…"

 

"I don't think it's weird at all. You find it fun, right?" Mina nodded and Momo smiled encouragingly. "Then that's all that matters,” she ended simply.

 

Her comforting words of seemed to have touched Mina because that was the first time Mina ever smiled at her.

 

Momo found it to be one of the most beautiful things she ever saw.

 

~~~

 

Momo found out that Mina transferred schools almost as much as she did. Mina was originally from Kobe, while Momo was originally from Kyoto, explaining why Mina had a dialect like she did. Both have lived in Shizuoka at one point in their life. Mina lived in Tochigi before moving to Tokyo, while Momo came from Nagano. It was the first time both of them ever experienced the bustling, city life of Tokyo.

 

Momo also discovered more about Mina as a person. Besides playing video games, Mina also knew random bits of trivia. Like how the freezing point of water lowers the more salt is dissolved into it or how sharks don’t have any bones in their body. Apparently her father had a subscription to a kids science magazine for Mina, and whenever there were no more batteries for her Game Boy, Mina would spend time reading those magazines instead. Mina didn't look like it, but she was very smart and mature for her age.

 

The more Momo spent time with Mina, it further cemented her initial impression that they were very alike but also very different. Yet somehow, they were getting along as if they were best friends for a very long time.

 

 Momo didn't realize right away, but she slowly drifted away from her other female classmates that she used to play with during recess. They were all shallow interactions to begin with. They played with Momo because she was cute but athletic and needed another girl for their game of capture the flag with the boys. Momo's friendship with them never grew. She found it more fun to stay inside with Mina and watch her play and talk about anything that came to mind.

 

Mina was really into Pokemon, and Momo liked the way Mina's smile seemed to lit up the dimly lit hallway whenever she spoke about Pokemon.

 

"So there are two different versions?" Momo asked one recess.

 

"Yep. I have the red version while my brother has the blue version," Mina explained. "Each version has exclusive Pokemon to that version, so it's fun to be able to trade with him. Thanks to him, I managed to complete the Pokedex in my game."

 

"That's pretty neat. Makes collecting all of the Pokemon easier.” Momo puffed her cheeks then burst out excitedly. “Hey, hey. Tell me which Pokemon I am!"

 

"You? Hm… that's a good question.” Momo watched as Mina opened the Pokedex in her game. Mina’s brows knitted together while browsing all the Pokemon entries, pausing every so often to look at Momo, then back at the screen, before shaking her head. Then, as if a light bulb flickered on above her head, Mina found the one. “Momo-chan, you’re this one!”

 

Momo leaned in closer to look at the screen more clearly and read the name aloud. “Growlithe? It looks like a puppy!”

 

“That’s because it is!” Mina answered, smiling at Momo’s reaction. “It’s a fire Pokemon that resembles a dog. I know how much you love dogs.”

 

“Is that the only reason? You love dogs too, Mina-chan.”

 

"Yeah, but… I don't know how to explain it. You have this fiery spark to you that I admire."

 

"Do I really?"

 

Mina nodded her head, then added more shyly. "And you're loyal like one… I mean, you could be playing with other girls but you're always with me."

 

Momo could feel her cheeks beginning to warm. "Because I have more fun with you." She made Mina smile, revealing pink gums as she did, and it only made Momo feel warmer.

 

"Thank you… That makes me really happy, Momo-chan," Mina giggled quietly. She handed her Game Boy to Momo and pointed to the screen. "Now it's your turn. Look through the Pokedex and tell me what Pokemon you think I am."

 

"Okay!" Momo used the handheld device's directional pads to navigate the list of Pokemon. It didn't take long for Momo to find Mina's likeness and eagerly turned the screen towards Mina. "This is the one. You're Vulpix.”

 

"Ah! I love Vulpix. It's a cute Pokemon and it's also a fire type just like Growlithe," Mina said, flattered by Momo's choice. "How are me and Vulpix alike?"

 

"I'm not a Pokemon expert like you, but Vulpix is cute like you. Cute and warm, hidden behind your quiet exterior. That's the feeling I get when I look at Vulpix."

 

For a moment, Mina fell silent and stared at Momo with big eyes and an expression she couldn't understand. Momo was afraid she offended Mina somehow and hesitantly spoke up when Mina didn't make a sound. "S-Sorry… Was that a bad explanation? You got all quiet…"

 

Mina blinked slowly and shook her head. Momo could have sworn she saw Mina's cheeks turn pink but before she could question, Mina finally spoke.

 

"Nothing is wrong. I'm happy."

 

~~~

 

They were inseparable.

 

Momo liked  being around Mina, and Mina liked being around her. They had more differences than things in common yet Momo couldn't deny how well she clicked with Mina. Momo felt that her natural bond with Mina was fate, that the universe was telling her they were meant to be friends. What other reason could there be when they were close despite their differences?

 

But Momo felt that there was something else. She didn't know what it was or pinpoint the reason other than the fact it was related to Mina.

 

That feeling really exploded in her chest towards the end of her fourth year of primary.

 

They had a free period to study while their homeroom teacher had a faculty meeting, but it was really a time for the class to do whatever they wanted so long as they remained in the classroom.

 

Momo was coming back from the bathroom when she heard some shouting coming from inside the classroom. What alarmed her more was that she recognized the sound of Mina's voice, and that worried her. She never heard Mina raise her voice before.

 

She stormed inside and found three of their male classmates picking on Mina. One of them had her Game Boy in his hand, keeping her away at an arm's length, while the other two laughed at her. There was no denying that Mina was on the verge of crying.

 

It made Momo's blood boil.

 

"HEY! GIVE BACK HER GAME BOY!" Momo shouted and stomped over.

 

"Eh? Why should I? It's her fault for not sharing. I asked nicely and she still said no," the boy holding Mina's Game Boy scoffed, raising the handheld device above his head.

 

"She doesn't have to share if she doesn't want to. It's her game. Now give it back."

 

"Or what, Hirai? What are you going to do about it?"

 

Her body moved on its own. Without a second thought, Momo jumped and managed to snatch the Game Boy from his hand then shoved him to the ground.

 

"OW! THAT HURT! I'M TELLING THE TEACHER!" he cried.

 

Momo, out of panic, grabbed Mina by the hand with her free hand, and the both of them dashed out of the classroom.

 

Momo had no specific place where she was taking Mina, only as far away from the classroom as possible. She knew it was evitable to avoid her punishment but she didn't care.

 

The sound of their footsteps left an echoing trail as they ran down the empty hallway, the sounds of their breathing accompanying the flurrying of their clothes. Momo was naturally athletic, so although she took the lead, she was surprised to feel Mina keeping up with her, acutely aware of the way Mina held her hand so tightly. It made Momo's heart thump hard.

 

It was when they ran through a pair of metal doors and into the outdoor hallway that connected main building to the lobby of the gymnasium was when Mina finally spoke.

 

"M-Momo! Wait! I can't run anymore!" Mina managed to say in between breathes.

 

That stopped Momo completely in her tracks. She noticed how the both of them were breathing heavily, though she still had some energy left in her from the adrenaline rush.

 

"Sorry… I didn't know where to run to," Momo admittedly apologetically. She realized Mina was still holding onto her hand, but also noticed she was holding onto Mina's just as tight. The sudden realization made her skin tingle and let go. She held out the Game Boy to Mina and placed it in her hands with a smile. "Here. This is yours. I know how important it is to you."

 

Mina took back her Game Boy and held it close to her chest, head hung low. Momo noticed the way Mina's lip was trembling and the sight made her heart ache.

 

"If you want to cry, it's okay," Momo murmured softly.

 

Mina slowly lifted her head and revealed the tears in her eyes. She ran into Momo's arms and cried into her shoulder. Momo held Mina's hand tightly when they ran, but she held Mina even tighter.

 

They stood alone in the middle of the hallway, the sounds of cheerful chirps from the birds flying around them along with the sound of Mina's sniffles.

 

When Mina finally calmed down, the two of them climbed over the wooden railing to lay on the grass. They talked about whatever came to mind and gradually a smile returned to Mina's face. Momo rolled onto her side and rested her head on her palm, silently counting the moles on Mina's face. Mina copied her and flashed a blindingly bright gummy smile that made Momo's stomach do flips. They stayed like that until their teacher eventually found them and gave them a scolding, especially Momo for pushing her classmate.

 

When she got home, Momo received another scolding from her parents for resorting to violence even when the boy was in the wrong, but all Momo could think of was how happy she was and how happy Mina was when they were lying on the grass.

 

~~~

 

In their fifth year, Momo and Mina weren't in the same homeroom but it didn't stop their friendship from blossoming. On the way to school, during recess, and after school, they would meet up and spend time together. Mina would continue to talk about random bits of science trivia and the newest game she was playing while Momo would talk about the latest manga she was reading and try to throw in her own piece of knowledge when she could (spoiler: it didn't happen that often but Mina loved listening to Momo regardless).

 

Both of their parents allowed them to hang out at dessert cafes or their local McDonald's, occasionally giving them some allowance to buy some ice cream as they talked till the sun was about to set.  Momo would even try to call Mina from her house phone to talk to her more, though they never lasted long because her parents wanted her to do her homework.

 

They made friends in their respective classes but no one could match the bond they shared.

 

And if Momo had to choose, she would always choose Mina.

 

~~~

 

Winter turned into spring.

 

The cherry blossoms began to bloom.

 

Momo found herself starting her final year of primary, and their first week of 6th year ended in the blink of an eye. Although she wasn't in the same homeroom as Mina again, they still spent time together.

 

They were walking to school, side by side, along a narrow road that was just big enough for a single car to fit through, rows of cherry blossom trees on both sides of the road. It was a windy day and each gust of wind would pull a handful of fragile cherry blossom petals from their stems and fall down onto the path they were walking on. It was one of Momo's favorite sights since she started to live in Tokyo. With the cherry blossoms raining down on them, it made Momo believe in magic.

 

"Momo? Momo!"

 

"Eh?!" Momo blinked rapidly and noticed Mina was looking at her, giggling quietly.

 

"You weren't listening again, were you?"

 

"That's not true!"

 

"Then what did I ask you?"

 

Momo flinched. "Um…"

 

"You're so silly, Momo. I can tell when you're spacing out." Mina grinned at her and stopped in the middle of the road to hold out her hand. As if it was on command, a single petal floated down onto her palm. "Have you ever wondered what the speed at which cherry blossom petals fall?"

 

"I haven't," Momo admitted, albeit somewhat distractedly.

 

"Five centimeters per second. That's the speed at which cherry blossom petals fall."

 

"You sure know a lot, Mina."

 

"I read it in a compendium I borrowed from the school library." Mina let go of the petal she caught and tried to catch another. "Don't you think the way the petals are falling remind you of snow?"

 

Momo let out a thoughtful hum while she tilted her head to the side. "Sort of."

 

Mina let out a sigh but gave Momo a silly grin before bursting into a sprint.

 

"H-Hey wait for me, Mina!" Momo cried out and began chasing after Mina.

 

Momo followed Mina further down the narrow road. The concrete path slowly descended downhill, stone walls surrounding them at both sides. Cherry blossom trees extended over the walls and almost eclipsed the sun, the bright rays peaking through the branches, creating a natural tunnel that snowed petals. Momo was the faster one between the two of them but Mina had the longer legs. Momo was forced to stop when Mina ended up on the other side of a railroad crossing. The Odakyu Line ran through the residential area they always walked through on their way to school. The signal rang and the crossing gate fell down in front of Momo.

 

"Mina!" Momo called out her name as the roaring sound of the train approached.

 

"Momo!" Mina happily called back, voice almost drowned by the train's whistle. She opened the small umbrella she carried with her, one she used to shield herself from the unforgiving sun, and held it above her, dancing under the flurry of cherry blossom petals.

 

Momo found herself staring in awe at the magical sight across the railroads.

 

"I hope we get to see the cherry blossoms bloom together next year," Mina said as she smiled at Momo.

 

That made Momo's heart thump hard against her ribcage.

 

"I-"

 

Before Momo could finish her sentence, the speeding train hurtled between them, the rickety sound of the tracks deafening her ears. Her hair flew in her face, and when she pushed it away, the train completely blocked her view of Mina. As she looked up at the giant blur that was the train, Momo felt her stomach churned with anxiety. Realization dawned on her just how small she was, nothing but a tiny being compared to the monstrous size of the train. It felt like the train was going on forever, and just when she though it was over, the outbound train came through, seamlessly switching with the inbound train in blocking her view. Momo could only helplessly stand and allow the bubbling anxiety to rise till the train finished passing.

 

When the last car finally left, Momo hesitantly lifted her gaze. The moment she did, she saw Mina smiling at her.

 

All it took for Momo to feel safe again was to look at Mina.

 

"Momo, let's go! We'll be late for school!" Mina shouted once the crossing gates were back up.

 

Momo broke into a grin and nodded, dashing over the tracks and back to Mina's side.

 

 

 

 

 

On their way home, Momo met a couple of stray cats Mina has talked about before for the first time. The cats were curled up against each other peacefully under a tree.

 

Momo smiled watching Mina bend down to pet the friendly strays. "You're really kind, Mina. It sounds like you see these cats often."

 

"Mhm. On sunny days, I sometimes see them on my way to school. I named this pure white cat Cream and the white with black spots Oreo.  They're always together like this. They're like you and me, don't you think?"

 

"Because we're always together?"

 

"Mhm."

 

Being with Mina made Momo believe the two of them were in their own bubble, segregated away from the rest of the world, divided from reality. When they were together, Momo felt that they could overcome anything together. As long as they were together, they could face the harsh world that they lived in.

 

So Momo boldly spoke up.

 

"Hey, Mina. This will be our last year of primary and then we'll be in middle school."

 

Mina stood up and tilted her head to the side. "Yes. That's right."

 

"I was thinking we both should apply for the same junior high school." Momo did her best to keep her voice steady, to hide her nerves and appear confident. "I'm planning to go to Nishinaka Junior High. Will you come with me?"

 

In an instant, Momo was gifted with the sight of seeing Mina's gummy smile that she grew to like seeing so much and made the butterflies in her tummy flutter around happily.

 

"Yes," Mina answered without hesitation.

 

Momo felt as if her heart was about to burst.

 

Mina wanted to be with her, just as much as Momo wanted to be with Mina.

 

That was more than enough for Momo.

 

But she should have known that life doesn't always go the way you plan and what she wanted was all wishful thinking.

 

~~~

 

Momo knew something was wrong when her mother knocked on her door to give her the phone, saying Mina was on the line.

 

It was past ten in the evening. They haven't spoken on the phone for awhile due to their agreement to focus on studying for Nishinaka's entrance exams, which they both passed with flying colors. Knowing that Mina called her this late made Momo worry, her stomach twisting and turning.

 

Momo grabbed the phone from her mother and waited till she left before speaking into the phone. "Mina?" She could hear the sound of a car driving by and guessed Mina was calling from a public telephone box. Why was she not at home?

 

"Momo… I’m moving back to Tochigi…”

 

Momo froze.  Every part of her body went numb but she heard Mina clearly.

 

"My parents said my dad received a job offer with higher pay to permanently stay in Tochigi. Somewhere called Iwafune," Mina sniffled in between words.

 

Momo felt her knees become week. She turned her back to face the wall and slid down to the floor. "But what about Nishinaka?" she protested softly. "You studied so hard to get in…"

 

"They arranged my transfer already without telling me… I'm sorry…"

 

Momo could hear the shakiness in Mina's voice and the quiet, heaving sobs. She gripped the phone so tightly, her knuckles went white. "You don't have to apologize… It's not your fault…"

 

"I told them I could live with my aunt in Katsushika but they said I'm too young… I'm so sorry, Momo…"

 

"I said I get it!" Momo yelled into the phone. It was the first time she ever raised her voice at Mina. She pulled her knees to her chest and buried her face in her arm, curling into a ball. In a quieter voice, she repeated. "I get it, Mina…"

 

Momo was trying so hard to stop the tears that were threatening to fall.

 

"I'm so sorry, Momo. I'm sorry…" Mina kept apologizing over and over.

 

For the next few minutes, no words were spoken. All Momo could hear was the sound of Mina crying. It was one of the most painful sounds she ever heard yet she couldn't pull the phone away from her ear nor find it in herself to hang up. Momo could feel Mina's pain through the phone but there wasn't anything she could do about it.

 

At some point, the line went dead, and the sound of Mina's sobs were replaced by the dull buzzing dial tone.

 

No tears fell from her eyes but Momo felt like she was falling apart.

 

The days leading up to their graduation ceremony were hard yet went by too fast like a blur. Momo didn't know how to act around Mina knowing she will be gone once they graduate from primary. They still spent time together at school but it was all stiff and awkward as if suddenly they were strangers again. They no longer hung out after school. Each day was like a ticking time bomb counting down to an inevitable explosion that Momo could not stop. She desperately wished she had the power to stop time, to stop Mina from leaving, but she was once again reminded how powerless she was.

 

At the end of their graduation ceremony, Mina approached Momo with a tiny smile. Momo couldn't look into her eyes.

 

"I guess this is goodbye," Mina finally said in her soft voice, a voice Momo had grown used to during their time together. Mina was naturally quiet, soft-spoken but her words were painfully loud to Momo's ears.

 

There was so much Momo wanted to say, many of which were regrets. However, the words would not come out and all Momo could do was hang her head in shame and give Mina small nod of acknowledgement. She thought she had grown up but she was still a child, a child who wished for things to go her way, a child who wished for the impossible, a child that wished with all her heart to be together with Mina forever.

 

Despite how hard Momo wished, Mina walked out of the school entrance with her parents and moved away.

 

 

 

 

 

Tokyo - 2000

 

 

Spring turned to summer during Momo's 7th year.

 

Things began smoothly for her. She was more focused on her studies compared to when she was in primary and joined the track and field team as a sprinter. Sometimes, she'd volunteer to do tasks by the teachers. She made a couple friends here and there. For the most part, Momo was content.

 

But she wasn't expecting to receive a letter in the mail from Mina after all this time.

 

Momo recognized the handwriting, appearing to be cleaner and elegant than before. Tiny doodles were scribbled on the envelope and scattered on the edges of the letter itself. The stationary used was cherry blossom themed. When Momo read the first line of the letter, a familiar ache in her heart returned.

 

 

 

 

Dear Hirai Momo,

 

 

I'm sorry it's taken me this long to write to you.

How are you doing?

 

The summer heat in Tochigi is difficult to handle at times

but it's not as bad as Tokyo.

Funny enough, I prefer Tokyo's scorching temperatures.

Is that weird of me to admit? I miss the feeling of walking under

the sun and hiding under the shadows of the tall buildings.

Or the feeling of relief when you'd feel the cool air conditioning blasting

onto your skin when you walk into department stores and subway stations.

 

The last time we saw each other was during our graduation ceremony.

About six months has passed since then.

 

Hey, Momo.

 

Do you remember me?

I hope you still do.

 

-- Myoui Mina.

 

 

 

Momo read the letter over and over. She would read the letter on the trains going to and from school. She would read the letter during class, hidden beneath whatever textbook she was supposed to be reading. The letter would distract her even more at home when she was doing homework, the image of Mina during their graduation ceremony completely etched in her mind.

 

It took almost two weeks before Momo wrote a response to Mina's letter.

 

 

 

Dear Myoui Mina,

 

 

Thank you for your letter.

I'm also sorry for taking so long to reply.

I read your letter over and over, thinking how I should respond.

I've been well. How are you?

 

I joined the track and field club at my school.

I'm the best at doing the 100m dash in my year.

It's really tiring, but I am doing my best.

How else is Tochigi different from Tokyo?

What kind of town is Iwafune?

 

 

 

Momo glanced over at Mina's letter. She struggled within herself to answer Mina's question, knowing fully well how she felt. Truthfully, Momo wanted to forget about Mina, hoping that forgetting the girl with the all the moles that reminded her of stars, would ease the pain of their distance. Yet with a single letter, Mina managed to dig up Momo's buried feelings, and all the emotions rushed back like a violent tidal wave.

 

 

 

I still remember you.

I never forgot.

 

-- Hirai Momo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dear Hirai Momo,

 

 

Can you believe it's already been a week into autumn?

The color of the leaves here in Iwafune are so pretty.

 

Not too long ago, we switched to wearing our winter uniforms.

I get to wear this cute cream-colored sweater over my sailor uniform!

I wonder how different our uniforms look?

 

These days, I have to get to school early for my extracurricular activities.

I tend to write these letters to you on the train during my commute.

Because I've been more active, I've cut my hair.

It ends just above my shoulders.

You might not even recognize me if we passed each other.

 

I bet you've changed as well.

Little by little.

I wonder if you're still the Momo I remember?

 

-- Myoui Mina

 

 

 

They've exchanged letters several times now. On average, it takes them a week and a half to two weeks to finish writing a letter and sending it to the other. On days when she didn't have any practice after school, Momo would rush home to check the mailbox to see if a letter from Mina arrived. She always brought the most recent letter with her to school, pressed between one of her notebooks, and the other letters neatly placed in a box tucked away under her bed.

 

In her last letter to Mina, Momo wrote that she ran into Cream and Oreo resting under the shade of a tree located near the shrine they used to pass by. She didn't write it down but she felt a tiny pang of jealousy at the two cats who were still together after all this time, able to live out there lives without a care and how they want. Momo did write that she wished she was a cat because of how carefree they always are even though she was a dog person.

 

In February, Momo received news from her parents that they will be moving to Kagoshima on the island of Kyushu and that her transfer was already in progress. Momo knew that meant it will inevitably be finalized and wrote in her next reply to Mina about the news.

 

Momo has transferred schools many times and has grown accustomed to adjusting to new environments and new people. But there's a painful yet numbing finality to being transferred the most southern part of Japan.

 

The opposite distance away from Mina who resided in a prefecture north from Tokyo.

 

 

 

Dear Hirai Momo,

 

 

The news of your transfer surprised me.

 

The both of us are so used to moving and transferring school.

It's like that ever since we were little

 

Still… Kagoshima.

To think that we'll be so far apart that I wouldn't be able to get

onto a train to see you.

 

The thought makes me feel a little sad.

Still, I wish the best for you and your new home.

 

 

 

Momo grabbed maps of all the train lines, their respective transfers, and time tables to figure out and plan her route.

 

 

 

Dear Myoui Mina,

 

 

I discovered you can take a train from Shinjuku Station to Iwafune Station.

It takes two transfers and roughly about 2 and a half hours.

 

Would you like to meet one more time before we end up so far apart?

I'll head for the station right after school.

According to the train pamphlets I got from the station,

I should arrive in Iwafune between 7-7:30pm.

 

Let me know what date works for you best as soon as possible.

 

 

~~~

 

They both agreed to meet on March 4th.

 

The night before the fourth, Momo talked to her older sister in private to relay a message to their parents that she won't be home tomorrow evening. She explained where she'll be going and who she was going to see, well aware her parents wouldn't allow Momo to travel on the trains by herself at such late hours.

 

Hana let out a resigned sigh and scratched the back of her head as she looked at her little sister. "Alright. I'll tell Mom and Dad you'll be sleeping over at a friend's. I just don't understand why you're going through such lengths to see a girl you were friends with in primary."

 

She's not just a girl. That's what Momo wanted to say but bit her tongue then thanked her sister instead.

 

Back in her own room, Momo was in the middle of writing a farewell letter to Mina. It pained Momo to think about it but thinking about the distance that would grow between them, she had to be realistic this time. Each of the pencil, each letter that was conceived, Momo hoped that her feelings would be felt through this letter.

 

When Momo reread the letter to check for any mistakes, she realized how much her letter sounded like a love letter.

 

 

 

 

"This is the Yamamoto Line. We will be arriving at Shinjuku Station shortly."

 

Momo hurried off the train and back down to the terminal waiting area. It was her first time in Shinjuku Station, more used to the stations outside the heart of Tokyo. Many people were rushing to catch their trains as they head home from work or school. Momo had never seen so many people in one spot before. She had to ask several station attendants where her desired train line was.

 

It was snowing on the day Momo is going to meet Mina. Luckily, she was already prepared the sudden change in weather by wearing a thicker coat than usual and her warmest stockings. As she was on the train platform waiting for it to arrive, Momo wished she brought a scarf. The cold air pricked the skin on her face. Each breath she released let out a white puff of air that would quickly disappear. It was early March but there were no signs of spring arriving.

 

"Attention all passengers traveling to Omiya Station. There will be a five minute delay while we allow the express train to pass. We apologize for any inconvenience."

 

Momo pulled out a piece of paper she wrote with all the lines and stations she had to take to reach Iwafune Station and looked down at her watch. There was enough time for her to catch her next train.

 

She'll be okay.

 

 

 

"Attention, all passengers. The Utsunomiya Line bound for Oyama Station will be delayed approximately by ten minutes due to the snow. We apologize for any inconvenience and ask for your patience and understanding during this time."

 

At Omiya station, Momo looked down at her handwritten guide with worry. Hearing another train delay announcement caused anxiety to grow within her. Not once did it cross her mind when planning her journey that the trains would be delayed.

 

Once the train arrived, Momo found a seat by the window. She gazed outside and watched as the snow fell heavily onto the city. The further the train moved away from Omiya, Momo began to see less buildings and skyscrapers as they head into more rural land covered by a blanket of snow.

 

Not wanting her mind to be troubled, Momo pulled out two pieces of paper from her school bag. One was the letter she wrote and the other was Mina's last letter to her. She picked up Mina's letter and began reading it again to ease her mind.

 

 

 

Dear Hirai Momo,

 

I'm glad we promised to meet on March 4th.

It will be a year since we last each other.

I'm kind of nervous yet excited.

I'll be at the station at 7pm.

 

There's this giant cherry blossom tree near where I live.

When spring comes, the buds will start to bloom, and then

when it's time, the petals will begin to fall.

I'm certain the cherry blossom petals will fall

5 centimeters per second.

 

I hope…

That spring comes the same time you do.

 

-- Myoui Mina.

 

 

 

There was always a warm feeling Momo felt whenever she read Mina's letters but she also felt a tinge of loneliness. She did not know why but she imagined Mina sitting by herself in an empty compartment. She imagined Mina quietly writing her letters on top of her leather school bag, and when she was finished, Mina would stare outside the window and watch her surrounding pass by with a straight posture and folded hands.

 

Momo closed her eyes and held Mina's letter close to her heart before putting it away to take out her own letter.

She neatly folded it and placed it into an empty envelope she brought with her then wrote "To Myoui Mina" on the front.

 

Just as Momo finished sealing the envelope, the conductor once again announced that there will be another delay. The comforting warmth Mina's letter gave vanished instantly as Momo's chilling anxiety took hold of her.

 

 

 

By the time Momo arrived at Oyama, it was already seven.

 

She was still so far from her destination.

 

There was no need to rush to her last train because Momo already heard that the train will be late. Momo isn't quite sure how many times she's heard the announcement and the apologies that came with it. She was tired and weary of it.

 

Even so, Momo despondently stood on the platform where the train would eventually be, hiding behind a huge pillar to shield herself from the icy winds. She placed her hood over her head and hugged her school bag close to her chest. Besides her, the only other people around were two salarymen eating instant noodles in the corner. Momo saw the heat rising from their cups and felt the need to warm herself because the snow was never-ending and the winds were getting stronger.

 

Momo walked up to one of the vending machines on the platform. There were an assortment of hot drinks ranging from coffee, hot chocolate, and tea. There were even soups in cans available. Momo decided on choosing the cheapest hot coffee. She snapped open her school bag to dig for her coin pouch, but as she was pulling it out, Momo accidentally pushed out the envelope with her letter inside as well. Almost as if a higher being of bad luck was waiting for an opportunity to strike, a strong gush of wind blew from behind Momo, swooping the letter away from Momo's grasp to soar into the snowy, dark skies. Momo helplessly watched the letter she took so long to write in order to convey her feelings fly away.

 

In the end, Momo didn't buy the coffee.

 

Instead, she sat down on one of the platform benches with her head hanging down, trying not to cry.

 

 

 

 

When the train finally arrived, Momo looked for an empty car and sat down. She didn't even bother taking off her hood in the heated space. Ten minutes barely passed and another announcement was made, this time saying the train has come to a temporary halt due to heavy snowfall and for safety precautions. They were stranded in the middle of nowhere until the snow eased.

 

If Momo could have looked at her reflection in that very moment, she would have seen utter defeat and void of any hope in her eyes. She looked at her watch: it was already 9pm. Frustrated, Momo took off her watch and shoved it into the pocket of her coat and slumped into her chair while hanging her head, gritting her teeth and holding back the tears welling up in . Each minute that passed felt incredibly painful to Momo. She hated that there was nothing she could to do except pray and hope over and over that Mina gave up and went home, because she hated the thought of Mina sitting alone at the station for so many hours during such a cruel snowstorm. Momo didn't want Mina to suffer waiting for her. The thought made Momo's heart ache.

 

It took two hours before the train was able to move again.

 

 

 

It was pass eleven by the time Momo arrived at Iwafune.

 

From the platform, Momo was able to see how Iwafune looked, snow fields covering most of her vision with a few buildings here and there. There weren't very many street lamps, giving off a very rural feel compared to Tokyo. The winds stopped and very little snow continued to rain down from the sky.

 

Momo descended down a flight of stairs from the train platform. She handed her ticket to a station attendant before she was allowed into the building. Past the ticket barrier was a small, old waiting room. Momo already felt the warmth radiating from an oil stove.

 

But what she wasn't expecting was to see a beautiful girl sitting by the stove, fast asleep in her chair, face nuzzled into her scarf.

 

A wave of emotions washed over Momo and she walked over to the girl, standing before her.

 

"Mina."

 

Momo whispered the name so softly that she wasn't sure her voice was heard.

 

But it was enough.

 

Mina slowly roused from her sleep, blinking slowly. When she lifted her head and focused her vision on Momo, Mina stared at her with an incredulous expression before tears welled up in her eyes. Mina reached out to grab Momo by the ends of her coat, pulling her closer, and began crying softly. The sight of Mina crying was the last straw that made Momo finally break down crying, but instead of tears of despair, they were tears of joy because she was able to see Mina despite all odds.

 

 

 

When they both calmed down, Mina brought out a bento box she prepared and made herself. The food was cold at this point but Momo didn't care. She wholeheartedly accepted Mina's generosity and kindness, and started to eat one of the onigiris.

 

"This is really good," Momo complimented after taking two big bites.

 

Mina smiled proudly at Momo. "Is it really? It was my first time cooking. My mom helped me a lot."

 

"The smoked salmon inside tastes amazing. It's the best onigiri I've ever had."

 

"You're over-reacting, Momo. You're saying that because you're hungry!"

 

"No, honest!"

 

"Pfft… Trying the karaage and this roasted green tea next. The tea is still hot thanks to the thermos."

 

"Thank you, Mina."

 

By the time they finished their food, it was midnight. The station attendant told them they were going to close for the night, wishing them good night and to take care.

 

They held hands and trudged through the thick blanket of snow as they walked through the quiet town of Iwafune.

 

"Will your parents be worried?" Momo asked.

 

Mina shook her head. "No. I asked my brother to cover for me and tell my parents I'll be sleeping over at a friend's."

 

"I asked my sister to do the same!"

 

After crossing a stone bridge, Mina pointed to a silhouette of a giant, empty tree. "That's a cherry blossom tree."

 

"The one you mentioned in your letter?"

 

"Mhm. Come on."

 

Mina held Momo's hand tighter and lead her over to the tree. When they both stood in front of it, Momo couldn't believe how tall it was and how thick the trunk was.

 

"This tree must look so beautiful when fully bloomed," Momo mused quietly. She felt Mina stare at her from her peripheral then turned to look directly at her.

 

Mina smiled at her and extended out her hand. A single snowflake slowly descended on top of her palm before melting from the warmth of Mina's skin.

 

"Don't you think the way the petals are falling remind you of snow?"

 

The familiar line instantly sent Momo back in time. Back when they used to go to the same school and lived in the same town.

 

And the image of Mina dancing under a flurry of cherry blossom petals bursting into color in Momo's mind.

 

Then, the image was gone and replaced with Mina, who was standing in front of her closer than before.

 

Momo's heart was hammering violently in her chest as she stared at Mina's beautiful face adorned with moles like stars lit up by moonlight.

 

She leaned forward.

 

Mina did too.

 

And then their lips met.

 

It was Momo's first kiss. She somehow knew that this was Mina's too.

 

It didn't matter that it was with a girl.

 

It mattered because her first kiss was with Mina, and Momo didn't want it any other way.

 

In that moment, Momo could feel Mina's heart and soul. The same warmth she felt whenever she read one of Mina's letters but tenfold. It was a pleasant feeling Momo had never felt before.

 

But the next moment, Momo felt unbearably sad.

 

What was she supposed to do with this warmth Mina was giving her? In less than two weeks, Momo would be moving far, far away.

 

Far away from Tokyo.

 

Far away from Tochigi.

 

Far away from Mina.

 

Clenching a tight fist, Momo faced the harsh possibility that she and Mina wouldn't always be together. They were only thirteen and still had their whole lives ahead of them.

 

But then those worries melted away as those thoughts were replaced by the sensation of Mina's soft lips on hers.

 

They spent the rest of the night huddled under an old blanket in a shed on the edge of a farm, their only source of light from the moon illuminating its glow through the single, rickety window, talking the night away until they passed out from exhaustion.

 

The last things Momo thought off before succumbing to sleep was the smell of hay, the smell of watermelon coming from Mina's hair, and feeling of Mina tucked into the crook of her neck.

 

 

 

 

When they awoke the following morning, Mina lead Momo back to the station. She didn't have to but Mina bought a ticket so she could see Momo off from the platform.

 

Mina gave Momo one final hug. Momo held her as tightly as she could, inhaling Mina's scent.

 

The blaring sound of the train's whistle signaled to Momo that it was time and reluctantly let go of Mina, stepping into the train.

 

"Momo." Mina said as she hung her head, choking back a sob.

 

Momo gave Mina a pained look, swallowing back her own tears. Just when she thought Mina was going to cry, Mina lifted her head and smiled.

 

"Momo… You'll be okay. I know you will."

 

Momo bit down on her lip and answered back with a shaky voice. "Thank you…" she murmured.

 

The train doors closed on her.

 

Momo pressed her face to the window and spoke louder.

 

"Take care of yourself, Mina! I'll keep writing to you! I promise!"

 

Mina smiled wider and nodded.

 

Momo kept her face pressed against the window until she no longer could see Mina, and even then, she kept her hand pressed against the window.

 

Unlike last night, the train was moving at full speed back to Tokyo. Everything was happening so fast.

 

As Momo stood by the door, watching the sun rising above the horizon, she realized she never got the chance to tell Mina about the letter she wanted to give her. Thinking about it, Momo felt that it wasn't necessary in the end. She was certain Mina felt her feelings through the kiss they shared.

 

Momo closed her eyes and touched her lips. She thought of Mina and wondered:

 

 

At what speed must I live to be able to see you again?