Shiratomo was once more blanketed in white. The season's snowfall gently drifted, coating rooftops and quiet streets with memories.
At the half-frozen lake, two sets of footprints moved slowly side by side. Kaito and Haruka walked without a word, their hands softly entwined. A fluffy pink coat-wearing little girl ran ahead, laughing as she glanced back at the prints she left behind.
Haruka lifted a miniature camera and snapped a photo of the footprints.
"First steps of the season," she said in a drowsy whisper. "Let's hope this year is nice."
Kaito smiled and yanked out a thermos of scalding hot tea, newly brewed from the bakery that still carried his grandmother's name. They sat on the same old wooden bench as before hollowed by years, but still in place.
Haruka sipped at her tea as Kaito produced from his coat pocket and handed her a small yellow sticky note.
She smiled and raised an eyebrow when she read the words written in his handwriting:
"I still do."
Haruka turned to him, a smile spreading on her lips. "You never forget, do you?"
Kaito shrugged his shoulders. "You made a promise, in the snow. I just wanted to make sure mine never changed."
Their daughter ran up and hugged their legs. "Mama, Papa! Look! Snow's falling again!"
Kaito and Haruka looked at each other, then laughed out loud.
Under the soft dusk sky and snowfall, three figures stood by the lake that once held the promise of peace between two children. And now it was a witness to that promise—kept not with big words, but with the small things never said… and always felt.
Snow still falls. But now, it signals beginnings instead of endings.
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Thank you so much for reading Things He Never Says
This story began with a quiet thought: sometimes, the most powerful connections are made not through loud confessions, but through quiet kindness, everyday gestures, and the words we're too afraid to say out loud.
I'm deeply grateful for your time, your support, and your willingness to walk alongside Haruka and Kaito through their journey. If this story touched you in any way, I'd love to hear your thoughts, whether through a review, a comment, or simply sharing it with someone else who might find comfort in it.
And if enough support comes, I'd be truly excited to continue their story, maybe in a second season, where life after the snow brings its joys and challenges.
Until then, thank you for being here.
With all my heart,
— the author of Things He Never Says