Stars rise like mist over the pond shrouded in darkness.
On this night where the chirping of grass insects quietly resonates in my eardrums, I visited the ‘Pond of Oblivion’ as always. For meditation, or to seek out lingering old ties that torment me.
As I walked along the grass blades just beginning to stretch, a familiar face came into view.
Gray hair standing on the mysterious boundary between black and white, skin as white as snow that docilely accepts the moonlight. Even the faint fatigue that isn’t prominently visible on her complexion.
There was no need to ask for permission.
I simply continued walking and plopped down beside the girl. Leaning against a tree trunk, the ambiance of the pond was splendid.
It was a romantic place. The kind where, if a man and woman stayed alone together, their hearts would naturally tingle.
However, my reason for coming here was something else.
“Why this place of all places?”
It was a question thrown out to break the ice. I wasn’t particularly expecting an answer, and the woman was also maintaining silence.
It wasn’t her intention to ignore me. It was just that she…