Let's Go Back to the Beginning

Jinki looked at the trace his shoes had left behind. Then he turned to look at the beautiful girl walking besides him. He swallowed the nervous lump in his throat and went over what he had practiced.

'Roxanne, we've known each other for a while now...

I think we would be an astounding couple

I love you! No.. bad Jinki. You're going to scare her away!'

He mentally chastised himself. This moment was supposed to be perfect and above everything, easier than it actually was. He had played this exact moment over and over in his head and to himself in front of a mirror. It would be easy. He would stop her and grab her by the shoulders. He would confess to her. She would immediately light up and her adorable cheek bones would rise as her left dimple would be visible to him. She would take his hands into hers and nod, saying she felt the same way. They would then share a light kiss under the starless, snowy night. 

But as he looked at her, he just couldn't bring himself to say anything.

"Did you.. enjoy the dinner?" Roxanne asked

Jinki snapped out of his trance. "O-Oh. Yeah. I did" He was surprised she didn't catch him staring. "It was delicious, like you said!"

"Well.. Best place in town, that's what I say!" Roxanne smiled.

"Very peculiar as well" Jinki mumbled.

Roxanne looked down then up at Jinki. 

"Jinki.. I have to tell you something.." Roxanne scratched the back of her neck as she stopped walking.

"What a coincidence! I also have something to tell you!" Jinki stopped walking as well and turned to look at her.

"That's lovely, but would you mind if I went first?"

"I'm sure what you have to say is important, but please let me go first!" Jinki interrupted

"No, Jinki. This is of extreme importance. I must tell you--"

"With all due respect, I believe what I have to say is more--"

"Jinki, really, I--"

"Roxanne, please, if you'd just let me--" t

Their stumbled words fell out of their lips at the same time, as they looked at each other desperately.

"I'm in love with you!" "I'm blind!" 

Roxanne cheeks turned red as she looked at Jinki. "W-What?"

Jinki's eyes widened, staring at the girl in front of him. "You're what?"

Roxanne instantly looked down. "I-I.. I was born blind, you see. I inherited from my mom's side of the family. Jinki, you should've.. you should've heard her concern, the worry in her voice when she blamed herself for what happened to me. I don't know where that side of her is anymore" she