Yuki No Furu Machi (The City Where Snow Falls)

Arriving home quickly, Naomi went up to her room to avoid running into her aunt, though she heard him and returned a greeting. Once in her room, she pulled out her notebook and Kotaro's notebook to transcribe what she was unable to write down in class.

Tired from the day and from passing the notes, she decides to treat herself to a relaxing bath. She turns on the bathtub faucet until the warm water reaches almost to the brim, and the bathroom filled with steam and a subtle floral scent, creates an atmosphere of calm. She undresses slowly, noticing how the stress of the day seems to release with each garment she removes. Immersing her naked body in the water, she felt how this warm envelope covered her inch by inch, massaging her skin and relaxing her tense muscles. Her shoulders dropped gently as the water caressed her neck and back, making her breathing become increasingly calm.

She closes her eyes, immersing herself completely in the moment. The stillness of the water, barely disturbed by her breathing, leads her to remember the words of her companions, although Kotaro's advice and that moment of complicity in the living room immediately come to her mind. She blushed at the thought of him and her heart beat a little faster as the memory of his kind look comes back to invade her.

After a good while of relaxation, Naomi wrapped herself in a soft towel, enjoying its warm texture, and chooses comfortable pajamas. Just at that instant, her cell phone vibrates with a message from Saori, letting her know that she will be stopping by her house shortly. Naomi answered quickly as she listened to her aunt calling her for dinner. She went downstairs in her pajamas and sat down at the table. Her aunt, a woman in her 30s with a serene gaze and features very similar to Naomi's, wears a rumpled apron that barely dulls her natural beauty. Her eyes, identical to Naomi's, emanate a quiet tenderness that balances her calm nature.

Watching Naomi, her aunt notices the absence of a detail and asks: - Naomi, what about your glasses?

- I... I'm sorry, I lost them at school. - Naomi answers, surprised, trying not to draw attention to herself.

- What do you mean, you lost them? Daughter, they were new, and you know we had a hard time getting them. - replied her aunt seriously, but without anger in her tone.

- I'm sorry, it was a moment of carelessness. Sorry. - Naomi replies, lowering her gaze as she subtly plays with her thumbs, a gesture she has learned to do when she feels embarrassed.

The sound of the doorbell interrupts the conversation.

- That must be Saori. I'll be right back. - Naomi stood up quickly, thankful for the respite from the situation and opened the door smiling, but when she saw who was there, her smile faded.

In front of her was Kotaro. Without thinking, and in a moment of utter embarrassment, she hurriedly closed the door. Flushed and overwhelmed, she whispered to herself, "Oh no, it can't be...it's Kotaro, and he saw me like this."

- Daughter, is everything okay? Why did you close the door like that? Wasn't it Saori?" her aunt asks, peeking out with a glint of curiosity as she hears the door bang.

- Hey! No, it's not Saori.

- Then who is it, and why did you throw the door in her face? Is it some kind of stalker?" her aunt arches an eyebrow, feigning concern as she tries to intimidate her, though deep down, she's amused to see Naomi blushing.

- Stalker? No, aunt! He's just a classmate... - Naomi struggles to explain, but her words sound confused.

- A classmate? Then why did you almost run him over with the door?" her aunt insists, increasingly amused at the sight of her niece's growing embarrassment.

- Hey! The door..." mutters Naomi, realizing how bad it must have looked. "Oh no, it can't be.... I closed the door on Kotaro!"

Cheeks flaming, she hurried to open the door again to apologize, but when she peeked out, Kotaro was already gone. A feeling of embarrassment washed over her, and she rushed out of the house, not thinking about how she looks, just wanting to apologize to him. She calls out to Kotaro as she walked off into the distance, and finally, he stopped and turns to see her running towards him, still in her pajamas.

- I'm sorry, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to slam the door in your face, it was a mistake, sorry. - Naomi hurriedly apologizes, her face completely flushed.

- Don't worry, it's okay. I apologize for coming unannounced at this hour. - Kotaro replied kindly, trying to calm her down.

- No, really, it was just a surprise to see you here, Kotaro. - Naomi replies, relieved and finally taking a deep breath.

Kotaro barely smiles and holds out his hand, holding something Naomi didn't expect.

- I was just coming to bring you this. - Kotaro says, handing her his glasses.

Naomi, eyes sparkling, receives the glasses with a mixture of astonishment and gratitude.

- My glasses? How did you find them?! she asks, incredulous.

- There's a lost and found office at the school...I guess you didn't know. I got them back there - explains Kotaro with a calmness that only makes Naomi feel even more grateful.

- I didn't know... Thank you, really. You don't know how much you saved me. - Naomi smiles, excited.

Kotaro looks ready to leave, but Naomi can't help but stop him.

- Wait... I'd like to return the favor, or give you something in gratitude. - Naomi says, almost in a whisper.

At that instant, Naomi's aunt appears in the doorway, watching the scene with questioning eyes. Kotaro takes a step back, feeling out of place, as the aunt appraises him with a seriousness that she quickly transforms into a sly look.

- Everything all right, Naomi? - she asks, looking at Kotaro with apparent distrust and raising her voice a little. - Is it that you are now attending visitors on the street?

- Yes, Auntie, everything's fine. I was just thanking Kotaro.

With a gesture that seems halfway between surprise and amusement, her aunt changes her expression, revealing a mischievous smile.

- But, daughter, invite the boy in! I didn't know you had such a handsome friend. - says her aunt, looking at Naomi mischievously. - I can see why you closed the door on him...even I would have done the same so no one else would see him.

- Auntie, now, please!" Naomi mutters, her face bright red as her aunt continues to tease.

Kotaro smiles uncomfortably, but respectfully turns to Naomi's aunt.

- Thank you, Mrs. Hanazawa, but I don't want to intrude. I just came to bring you something I had lost. - she says, lowering her head a little.

But Naomi's aunt doesn't seem willing to let him go so easily.

- Disturb? Not at all! Come on in, let's go. We don't always see Naomi's friends around. - she insists, opening the door and gesturing for him to come in. - I'd love to know how my niece behaves at school.

Kotaro looks at Naomi, looking for a way out, but she just smiles shyly back and shrugs.

- Well... that's fine. Thank you. - Kotaro finally agrees, entering under the attentive and satisfied gaze of Naomi's aunt.

Naomi, speechless, waited for Kotaro's answer, who finally agreed saying that it would only be a short visit.

- Perfect, come in! And no "ma'am"; call me Eiko, please.

- As you say, excuse me... I mean, Eiko.

- Look, so formal and polite!" Eiko smiles, delighted, as Kotaro enters.

Naomi watched everything with a mixture of embarrassment and joy as they enter the house. From a nearby spot, Saori watches them with a mischievous smile. "Good thing I didn't get here earlier... this will be fun" she thinks, deciding to discreetly retreat so as not to interrupt.

Once inside, Naomi and Kotaro sit at the table while Eiko pours them a hot drink, creating a cozy atmosphere, but Naomi can barely keep herself composed as she sits so close to Kotaro. She was trying to start a conversation to prevent the moment from becoming more awkward, but Eiko, always direct, throws her questions with her peculiar style.

- Tell me, Kotaro, is there anything you are passionate about or any special activity besides school? You know, knowing Naomi, I imagine she hasn't asked you such direct questions yet. - Eiko smiles, winking at Naomi.

Kotaro responds politely, trying to deal with the questioning. However, Eiko presses on, eyes sparkling with curiosity.

- By the way, you're quite an attractive guy. I wonder if you have a girlfriend. - Eiko's gaze becomes even more inquisitive. - And... why are you visiting at this hour, Kotaro? Is it because of someone special? - she emphasizes with a mischievous smile.

Naomi, who was taking a sip of tea, almost chokes. She clears her throat, coughs and blushes intensely at the question, while Kotaro, somewhat surprised by Eiko's frankness, tries to remain calm.

- Well, as for having a girlfriend, no, I don't have a partner at the moment. And about my visit, I simply wanted to stop by to see Naomi to give her something important that I had lost.

Eiko lets out a small laugh and nods, amused.

- Well, well! So you came just to see my niece, and nothing but her. Are you sure there's no special history between you? - Eiko looks at Naomi, who looked ready to sink into her chair, and raised an eyebrow, waiting to see more reactions.

Naomi, her face completely red, was trying to intervene to divert the conversation, but she could barely speak without her voice cracking. Kotaro, trying to ease her discomfort, was again responding calmly.

- We are still getting to know each other, Eiko. We're just classmates and so far there's no special story to tell.

Eiko smiles, clearly enjoying the atmosphere and Naomi's embarrassment, but it doesn't end there.

- And tell me, any talents or hobbies you enjoy in your spare time, Kotaro? We're interested in getting to know you better. - he comments, winking at Naomi.

Kotaro responded politely, though surprised by the intensity of the conversation.

- Well, when I have time, I like to play the piano. I'm not a professional, but it helps me relax.

Eiko's eyes light up with curiosity.

- The piano? How interesting! Do you play well? Have you ever introduced yourself?

Before Kotaro can answer, Naomi, prompted by her own memory, answers without thinking.

- Yes, Kotaro plays the piano beautifully... - She immediately realizes her mistake and freezes, her face reddening again, while Kotaro looks at her in surprise.

Eiko doesn't miss a beat and continues her questioning with renewed interest. Then her expression softens slightly, changing the subject without losing her curious attitude.

- Kotaro, tell me, do you live with your family - she asks with a mixture of sincere interest and mischief.

Kotaro, a little uncomfortable, answers briefly.

- I live with my mother and my younger sister.

But Eiko doesn't seem satisfied and continues her curiosity.

- What about your dad? Doesn't he live with you? - she asks, in a tone that tries to be casual but is clearly looking for more information.

Naomi senses the discomfort in the room and decides to intervene, speaking in a somewhat firm voice.

- Aunt, please... there's no need to go into so many details. - she says, trying to protect Kotaro and sensing that the situation is reaching a limit.

Eiko nods and makes a gesture as one who apologizes, but was throwing a smile at Naomi, clearly enjoying her nerves. Kotaro would realize that the time is right to say goodbye, taking a quick glance at the clock.

- Well, I think it's time for me to go. Thank you for the tea, ma'am... I mean, Eiko. I don't want to worry my mother, so I'd better leave.

Eiko pouts playfully. - So soon? But we were just getting to know each other.

- Don't worry, some other time. - Kotaro smiles respectfully at her, and she nods with a smile.

- Very well, Kotaro. I hope you come back soon. It was nice to see you, and Naomi doesn't seem to disagree. - Eiko would throw one last complicit glance at Naomi, who only responds with a shy smile.

Naomi would walk him to the door, grateful for the visit and a little relieved that Kotaro has endured his aunt's "interrogation". Before he leaves, she thanks him again.

- Thank you, Kotaro... and I'm sorry for my aunt's questions, she... is a bit direct.

Kotaro smiles - Don't worry, I liked your aunt. - he says, which relieved Naomi.

Once Kotaro left, Naomi was left reflecting on everything that happened during the visit. Her mind would go back to the comment about the piano and Kotaro's reaction. "Maybe he keeps more stuff than he lets on" she thinks, with a smile, as she sits in the dining room, reviewing the evening with a mixture of embarrassment and warmth.