Yuki No Furu Machi (The City Where Snow Falls)

Snow. Like small invisible flakes falling softly from the sky, caressing her skin. This is how Naomi Hanazawa felt the cold spring breeze of the year 2023, as she walked alone through the park. The cherry trees, in full bloom, were shedding petals like tiny snowdrops, creating an unreal and serene atmosphere.

It was the first day of school in the second year of high school, a day that should have been bright and cheerful. However, for Naomi, there was always something nostalgic about every season, as if spring, with all its splendor, hid the shadows of a winter not so far away.

She walked with slow steps, holding her briefcase with both hands in front of her, dressed in her new uniform of royal blue, adorned with a green tie the color of a fresh apple. Her jet black hair, loose and long, danced in the light breeze.

Behind her black glasses, her blue eyes reflected the calmness of the sky, but also the insecurity that always accompanied her. Naomi, shy and reserved, was facing a new beginning.

As she reached the center of the park, where a tower with a clock marked 7:30 a.m., she paused. Her eyes scanned the place, searching through the crowd of students crossing back and forth. He didn't see who he was waiting for. The clock ticked on, the minutes ticked by, and the feeling of being alone became more and more palpable.

Although cherry blossoms danced around her, filling the air with a sweet scent, Naomi felt a slight chill in her chest. A distant echo, as if winter had not yet left her heart. Her shyness always made her feel out of place, like a snowflake that failed to fit into the spring around her."

-What's taking so long? -she murmured with a sigh, looking up at the clock that now read 7:45. She lowered her shoulders and her gaze, accompanied by a sense of unease that seemed to intensify.

With each passing minute, fewer students were crossing the park. Loneliness was beginning to envelop her. Naomi felt time stand still, as her heart pounded with a mixture of anxiety and resignation. It was then that she sensed the presence of three boys approaching in an intimidating manner.

-What do we have here? -said one of them with a mocking smile, getting too close. -You look like you're a freshman. I've never seen you before. Do you want us to walk you to school? -The boy, whom her friends called Makoto, stood just inches away from her.

Naomi, trying to remain calm, replied in a soft voice:

-Sorry, I'm waiting for someone.

-But it's already late, come with us," Makoto insisted, while taking her arm. -No, I can't," said Naomi, trying to free herself.

-Well, well, it looks like you've been rejected by a four-eyed girl, Makoto," mocked one of his friends, provoking the laughter of the other friend.

-Shut up! -Makoto spat, glaring at him, before turning his attention back to Naomi.

One of his friends, observing Naomi's tie, added:

-Wait, Makoto, look closely. She's not a freshman, she's wearing the green tie, she's a sophomore like us.

Naomi felt fear begin to take hold of her, as she struggled to free herself. The boys kept talking to each other, but their words faded from her ears, all she could think of was escape. Desperate, she looked around, searching for someone who could help her, but the few people left in the park ignored what was happening.

-Please let me go," Naomi pleaded, closing her eyes tightly. -I don't like being rejected, especially not by a four-eyed girl like you," said Makoto, tightening her grip.

-Come on, Makoto, kiss her, I bet you don't dare," laughed another of his friends, urging him on. -You know? -I'll bet you've never kissed anyone before," said Makoto, bringing her face close to Naomi's. "Let me be your first kiss. Let me be your first kiss.

Naomi while listening to the three of them talking, saw someone passing in front of them, it was a boy also from the high school, seeing him with the same uniform, his calm walk, dark hair, a little long that managed to cover his forehead and the tip of the bangs hindered his eyes somewhat, Naomi felt some hope for the apparent help of this boy. However, that boy had a cold look on his face, which he then turned away to continue on his way. All that little hope for Naomi disappeared as she felt ignored.

Makoto's grip on her arm felt like an anchor, growing heavier by the second. Her heart was pounding wildly, wanting to escape from her chest, but no words could free her. She couldn't scream. She could not move. The sky seemed to close in on her, even though the sun was shining high on what should have been a perfect spring day.

Naomi closed her eyes, resigned, feeling the boy's closeness. Her body trembled and her hands clenched the briefcase tightly. Everything seemed frozen in time. An icy winter in the middle of spring.

-That's enough," interrupted a calm and firm voice.

Naomi opened her eyes in surprise. In front of her, a figure stood behind Makoto, one hand resting on her shoulder. It was the boy who had passed by earlier, the one who seemed to have ignored her.

- Leave her alone," he repeated in a threatening tone.

Makoto, puzzled, slowly turned her head to face him. Her expression changed as she recognized the newcomer's face.

-It's Kotaro! -exclaimed one of his friends, immediately releasing Naomi's arm. -We were just joking, it's no big deal," said Makoto, abruptly releasing her and stepping back.

Without another word, the three boys grabbed their backpacks and hurried away. Naomi, relieved, fell to her knees on the ground, resting her hands as she let out a deep sigh. The tears she had been holding back began to fall.

-Thank you," she whispered, looking up to thank her savior. But when she looked up, Kotaro had already walked away, resuming his walk as if nothing had happened.

-Wait... Thank you very much... -Naomi tried to say as she ran after him.

-No need to thank me. And don't come near me," Kotaro replied without stopping, "Just be more careful next time.

Naomi stood still, watching Kotaro walk away. The cherry blossoms kept falling around her, like little snowflakes in the middle of spring.

Naomi, perplexed by those words, decided to remain silent. She watched as the boy walked away with quiet but firm steps. As she watched him disappear into the trees, her mind filled with unanswered questions. Relief at being rescued was soon mixed with confusion at the young man's indifference.