Yuki No Furu Machi (The City Where Snow Falls)

Saturday morning, the day of the high school sports festival. Students are excitedly getting ready while parents and family members fill the bleachers to cheer them on. Naomi, in charge of errands and organization, is running around making sure everything is in order. Music and general enthusiasm fill the atmosphere with energy.

On the field, the three grades are divided into four teams: blue, red, yellow and green. Naomi belongs to the blue team, which cheers enthusiastically, while her friend Saori represents the yellow team. After several games, the blue team leads, with the yellow team hot on their heels. Naomi, who has just returned from one of her laps, discreetly searches through the crowd.

- He's not here," Akane tells her from beside her, sensing her search.

- No, I'm not..." replies Naomi, surprised, but Akane continues:

- You're looking for Kotaro, aren't you? I haven't seen him approach at any time. Maybe he didn't even come today.

Naomi looks down, remembering what Kotaro told her days ago, "I've decided I'll do the race." Will he have backed out?

The tug-of-war ends, and the yellow team manages to match the blue team in points. It's the turn of the 200-meter races.

- Good! Here we can take the lead again with Akane," says a teammate, and the rest of the team nods enthusiastically.

- Yes, come on, Akane, you can do it! - They cheer her on as she walks to the starting line, keeping a calm, yet internally motivated expression.

At the race area, Akane notices that Saori is also among the competitors, yellow ribbon tied on her head and a big smile on her face.

- Hi, I'm Naomi's friend! -Saori greets her energetically.

- "No way, it's my turn to compete against the weird girl," Akane thinks as she smiles politely. - Hi, nice to meet you," she replies with a forced smile.

- Great! It's our turn to race together. I hope one of us wins," Saori says sincerely.

- Yes, may the best one win," replies Akane, keeping her tone polite. But inwardly she was motivated: "This race is mine. I know the other two girls well, they should be no problem, and this rare one will be no different."

As the whistle blew for the freshman race, Naomi takes advantage of the break to walk over and cheer on the team. At that moment, a teammate approaches her.

- Naomi, the teacher asked you to come to the infirmary; she needs help urgently.

- Now? -Naomi asks, a little disappointed about missing the race.

- Yes, she doesn't seem to have anyone to assist her.

- Okay, thanks," she replied, resigned, and walked quickly away towards the infirmary.

Meanwhile, Akane and Saori's race was about to begin. The blue team chanted Akane's name, who, after hearing the encouragement, smiled confidently. The yellow team, not lagging behind, started chanting Saori's name, who was jumping up and down and showing gratitude to her team with encouraging gestures.

When the starting signal finally sounded, Akane started strong and in no time took a considerable lead, feeling confident of her victory. "This is mine," she repeated to herself mentally, until, to her surprise, she felt a shadow rush past her. Saori passed her with ease and continued to increase the distance. Akane was left behind, exhausted and unable to catch up. The yellow team's victory cries echoed across the field.

Saori, exultant, celebrated as she ran towards her teammates, and Akane, annoyed and out of breath, watched from afar, clenching her fists in an attempt to contain her frustration. Without a word, she withdraws from the racing area, perturbed by the defeat.

On the other hand, Naomi, on her way to the infirmary, saw that near the court was Kotaro leaning against a tree, watching the races and all alone. Noticing his figure in the distance, her eyes filled with surprise and a flash of joy came over her that he had actually arrived at the school. Without hesitation, she headed towards him.

- Good morning," she greeted shyly, fiddling nervously with her thumbs in front of her.

- Good morning, Hanazawa," Kotaro replied, with his usual serious expression.

- I... I thought you didn't come and that you wouldn't run," his voice sounded soft, but there was a certain relief in it.

- I told you I would, and I'll keep it.

- Good..." she replied with a light smile, her thumbs still twiddling unconsciously in her hands. After a brief silence, she tried to break the ice, "Did your parents come with you?

- No, they won't. My mother can't come.

- What about your dad? -Hearing that question, Kotaro frowned slightly. Naomi noticed his change of expression and felt uncomfortable, her thumbs stopped in a silent squeeze, just as an announcement blared over the loudspeakers calling the male students for the 200-meter race.

- I have to go, they're calling me," he said, avoiding prolonging the conversation.

- Yeah, okay," Naomi replied, releasing her thumbs and unable to help but raise her voice a little as Kotaro walked away. Good luck! I hope you win!

Meanwhile, in the school bathroom, Akane was leaning over the sink, still upset about what had happened in the previous race. "Damn, why did I lose to that bimbo?" she thought, banging the sink. With a frown on his face and his jaw clenched, he vowed to himself that he would find a way to turn the situation around.

Kotaro finally reached the area of the 200-meter race. Murmurs were soon in the air, and every whisper around him seemed to shape the reputation he had always detested. "Is that Kotaro?", 'Will he really compete?' and 'Is that guy the one who is said to be in a gang?' were just a few of the comments.

Trying to ignore the murmurs, Kotaro prepared himself at the starting line. The competitors around him showed their discomfort, throwing him nervous glances. However, none of his classmates or blue teammates were there to support him, and an awkward silence enveloped him until, suddenly, a voice was raised amidst the general murmur.

- Come on, Kotaro! Come on, you can do it! -It was Saori, cheering him on from her team's area, the yellow team.

Those present turned to watch her, some muttering under their breath that she must be crazy for cheering Kotaro on. Kotaro's teammates commented among themselves skeptically. "Yeah, she's definitely crazy."

When the race started, Kotaro quickly took the lead, surprising everyone with his speed. As he ran, Saori's words came back to his mind - "Naomi has suffered more than you can imagine, she... she lost her parents when she was a very little girl" - and in an instant, the memory of the image of a crying girl popped into his mind. That thought threw him completely out of concentration, and without him being able to help it, he stumbled and fell to the ground in a big way.

Kotaro's fall left everyone silent for a few seconds, until Makoto's laughter broke the silence, mocking his misfortune. The race ended and the silence turned to shouts of celebration for the winning team.

Kotaro slowly rejoined, propping himself up on one knee, and looking down at the ground. A teacher approached to help him, but he pulled away, rising with effort and retreating from the field without looking back.

Kotaro's classmates didn't say a word, except for Makoto, who broke the silence with a laugh.

- I told you, he's stupid. He wasn't going to win," he laughed disdainfully, which caused a few more to join in, nodding at his words.

- I don't think it's right to laugh at him like that," said Akane, clearly annoyed by the attitude of her classmates. Some girls behind her showed their support.

- Do you want to defend him? -asked Makoto, approaching her with a defiant look.

- Not to defend him, but he hasn't hurt anyone. All they say are rumors," replied Akane, keeping her composure.

Makoto leaned towards her and, in a whisper in her ear, said something that left her paralyzed.

- But it's not just rumors I know about you and him in the library.

Akane was silent, puzzled. Before anyone could ask what Makoto had told her, the call for equipment rescued her from the awkward moment.

Meanwhile, Kotaro was walking towards the infirmary, noticing some scrapes on his hands and left elbow. Upon arrival, he peeked through the empty door and raised his voice.

- Is anyone here?

- Yes, I'm here, just a moment! -answered a voice from inside. It was Naomi, who appeared carrying a pile of towels.

- Naomi? -asked Kotaro, surprised.

- Ko... Kotaro? -she hesitated, and in her surprise she lost her balance, dropping the towels on the floor. He rushed to help her.

- Are you all right? -he asked, holding her up.

- Yes, yes! I'm fine..." she replied with a nervous laugh as she bent down to pick up the towels, but stopped when she noticed the wounds on Kotaro's hands.

-What happened to you? Your hands are hurt!

-Yes, I just fell during the race," he replied, downplaying the situation. Naomi, with a worried expression, gently took his hands to examine them closely. 

-Are your hands okay? -asked

-My hands? Why are you worried about my hands? - Kotaro by asking made Naomi realize that she spoke too much, as she remembers that he plays the piano, but he doesn't know it, they quickly look straight into each other's eyes and both of them are very close to each other with their hands clasped.

Naomi at once let go of his hands because of what he said and moved away from him.

- I'm... I'm sorry," apologized Naomi.

-I'm sorry I was too close, I think. 

-Hey, no, it's not that," said Naomi while waving her hands and with a blush on her face. -Wait for me, I'll be right back," Naomi quickly looked for a first aid kit and something to clean the wound. -.

- Where is the nurse? -he asked, somewhat confused.

- She and the teacher had to leave, so they asked me to help in the infirmary," answered Naomi, taking bandages and antiseptic from the first aid kit. She looked at the tools uncertainly and confessed, "Although... I don't know much about first aid. Sorry.

Kotaro gave a small smile.

- Don't worry, I'll guide you.

- Yes! Thank you..." Naomi exclaimed enthusiastically, and together they began to clean and bandage the wound under Kotaro's instructions, who patiently explained each step.

- You know a lot about this," commented Naomi.

- It's because I have a little sister who is always hurting herself," he replied.

- I see. You seem to love her very much," said Naomi softly.

- Yes, she's a naughty little one," replied Kotaro with a smile, remembering his sister.

- I think... I think I'm done," said Naomi, finishing the last bandage and looking at her work with satisfaction.

- It was perfect. Thank you, you helped me a lot.

- Yes! It was my pleasure..." she said with a shy smile.

A brief silence fell between them, and Naomi, unsure of what to say so as not to make him uncomfortable, tentatively fiddled with her fingers.

- Well, I guess I'll be going. It's almost time for lunch," said Kotaro at last.

- Yes, of course, who will you have lunch with? -she asked, not quite knowing how to hold him back.

- You know my family couldn't come, so I'll do it alone.

- Oh... I understand, I'm sorry," replied Naomi, looking down at the floor.

- It's okay, see you later.

Kotaro left the infirmary, and Naomi, still with a slight smile from the encounter, took out her phone and made a brief call. She then finished organizing the infirmary and waited until the teacher returned.

Kotaro, meanwhile, was alone, sitting in a secluded corner with his lunch. He watched the families enjoying the day together and felt a pang of loneliness that made him uncomfortable. Just as he was about to leave for a more secluded spot, a familiar voice called out to him.

-Kotaro! - It's Naomi who ran looking for him, -I... I want to have lunch with you- he proposed as she tilted her head down in agitation.

Kotaro looked at her, surprised.

- Naomi? What about your family...?

- I'm alone too, and I wanted to have lunch with someone. I thought of you, since... I don't know anyone else right now with whom I can share," she said, with a small smile, "but if you prefer to be alone, I don't want to bother you.

- Don't worry. I thought you were having lunch with your friend," he commented.

- Yes, but I wanted to keep you company. My aunt couldn't come either, so I thought... maybe we could have lunch together," she explained, with a touch of insecurity.

Kotaro looked at her for a moment, noticing the tenderness in her gesture and the sincerity in her tone. With a slight smile that almost seemed sincere, he replied:

- Sure, okay, let's have lunch together.

Hearing this, Naomi let out a beaming smile and sat down next to him, taking out her lunch and settling in. As they shared that moment, they both felt unusually quiet, enjoying each other's company without the need for many words.

Remembering something her childhood friend once told her, "As long as I'm here, I will never but never let you feel lonely" Naomi was tempted to share it with Kotaro.

- Kotaro, I... as long as I'm here..." she interrupted herself, choosing to change the subject quickly, "Why couldn't your mom come today?

- She's resting; she's not feeling very well.

- Hey, is everything okay? -Naomi asked, concerned.

- Yes, there's nothing to worry about," he replied, trying to reassure her.

- And my aunt is busy too. In fact, she called me to tell me she wouldn't make it on time," said Naomi, trying to play it down.

As she shared lunch with Kotaro, a quiet smile came over Naomi's face. She remembered what she had done just before meeting him in the field.

Flashback

Seeing Kotaro leave the infirmary, Naomi didn't hesitate to pull out her cell phone and call her aunt.

-Hello, aunt. 

- Hello, daughter. I'll be off to school soon," her aunt replied, relieved to hear from her.

- Aunt, I want to tell you not to worry. Everything is fine," Naomi assured her in a warm voice. I know you're busy, and I wouldn't want you to interrupt work just to come to lunch with me. I'll be fine, I'll be with Saori," she said, smiling to reassure her aunt.

- Are you sure, daughter? -asked her aunt, a little hesitant.

- Yes, really. Don't worry about me. - Naomi smiled at her phone, feeling the warmth of her aunt's support.

- It's okay, daughter. Forgive me for not being with you, and eat well, okay?

- Yes, I will. I'll see you later.

After hanging up, Naomi had gone off in search of Saori, who was quick to give her some of her family lunch, and immediately went in search of Kotaro, wanting to keep him company.

End of Flashback

Back in the present, Naomi watched Kotaro's face as they shared a meal in silence. The feeling of fulfilling that promise - the one she silently made to never leave anyone in need alone - filled her with warmth and tranquility.