Sunset at a Park

A chilly air gripped Tokyo as the winter began. Walking on the sidewalk was a girl, with an oversized coat over a plaid dress, with thick winter leggings and boots to complete the look. She hid the top of her head in a knitted cap and, shivering, made her way uphill. That girl was Mika.

Aoi was sitting on a bench in a large park at the top of the hill, reading while patiently waiting for a delayed Mika. He used very similar clothes to what he used in the fall, unbothered by the winter weather. This park was nothing like the tiny park where they first met, and they were both eagerly looking forward to it. He tried to contain his laughter when he finally saw Mika, but she noticed he was somewhat amused.

“What?” Mika slowly made her way towards him.

“You don’t do well in weather like this, I take it,” said Aoi with a subtle smile.

“Not really…”

“Also, why do you look so tired?” asked Aoi, confused.

“That walk uphill is tough!” said Mika while catching her breath.

“You walked uphill? You’re supposed to take the train.”

“For one station?!” Mika seemed surprised, but she didn’t realize that walking up the hill would be that tiring. Aoi smiled, containing his laughter once again.

“I’m just glad I can see you under at least some sunlight.”

“You’re right,” thought Mika, “it’s usually dark, isn’t it?”

“And I’m glad I can appreciate your winter clothes,” said Aoi with a smirk. Mika didn’t find Aoi’s comment funny, so he had to make sure to mend the conversation.

“So, how’s work?” he asked, going back to his neutral self.

“Ugh, it’s exhausting. Practice this and that, stream this, record there. It’s a lot.”

“But do you like it?”

“Well,” said Mika as she thought about it, “I’m still not sure if I love it, and I also have the fans to worry about, even if we don’t have too many. But I’m getting all sorts of training now and I can sometimes share my music which I think makes others happy. So that should make me happy too, right?”

Aoi didn’t like that she answered with a question, so he needed to know more.

“Are you happy working on your music? Do you think you’re achieving your dream?” he asked.

“I’m not sure yet.” Mika paused, realizing a lot of her recent experiences didn’t really involve music. “But it feels like we’re working in that direction, at least.” She didn’t seem too bothered by her current situation, even if it wasn’t exactly what she was hoping for. Aoi realized she might need a little more time on the job to figure out the answer.

“I saw you were working with Winter now too, how’s that going?”

“It’s fun,” said Mika, “but she treats me like an airhead.”

“And you aren’t?” Aoi asked.

Mika immediately glared at him, and he quickly offered an apology. After a while he brought up a more difficult question.

“What about Summer?”

“Well, Summer is the Final Boss.”

“Final Boss?” asked Aoi.

“Yeah sorry, I guess I’ve been hanging out with Winter too much. It’s the boss you need to defeat to finish a game.”

Aoi simply smiled, as Mika’s job enjoyment seemed to have improved since last time, and he thought any sort of progress was good. He felt she was finally in a good place to talk about some of the important things he had to say.

“Mika I-” Aoi paused. Mika focused on him, instead of looking around the park. Seeing her look at him attentively with a beautiful sunset behind her made it difficult for Aoi to focus. “I used to be in a relationship, when I met you. It’s over now, and it has been since I came back from that trip, but I thought you should know.” Aoi had carefully picked his words long before he ever said them, ready for that moment. Mika didn’t change expression, but did resume some of her sightseeing.

“I could guess that,” she said, with a neutral tone. Aoi didn’t know if she was disappointed or not. “You know too much about people. So I assumed you were at least close to someone, you know?” Mika seemed a little shaken by the conversation, but very quickly went back to her usual self. “I don’t mind, but this is going to cost you!” Mika smiled at Aoi mischievously.

“Name your price.”

“Chocolate, banana, strawberry crepe. With everything of course, and I’m waiting here while you get it.”

“Very well. I’ll be right back.” Aoi headed off to a food stand to fulfill the request.

Mika sat down on a bench, looking at the beautiful sunset while waiting for Aoi. The magnificent winter clouds layered over the horizon, as they took different shapes and colors while the sun tried to hide for the day. Mika was somewhat inspired, and she started quietly singing a sweet song, made even more beautiful by the park and the sunset.

Aoi didn’t take long to return with the crepe and sat down next to her, waiting for Mika to finish singing, just like they used to during their first few weeks together.

“You sure you want to sing in public? What if someone recognizes you?” Aoi teased Mika just as she finished her song. She immediately became embarrassed.

“Ah… you’re right! Well, I’m not really famous or anything so I doubt it…”

Aoi was simply preparing Mika for what would happen if she ever became as big as someone like Eiko.

“What happens if people do start recognizing my voice?” asked Mika, now deeply worried about her new realization.

“Then I’ll do all the talking for you, so you don’t have to be nervous,” said Aoi, smiling. Mika seemed comforted by his words.

“Promise?” asked Mika. Aoi simply nodded.

“That was a nice song. Is that new?” he asked.

“Yeah!” said Mika proudly. “It’s my latest one. I’m a little stuck on it though.”

“It’s nice. It’s somewhat happier than your others.”

“It is. I’m finding it hard to write sad songs nowadays,” said Mika as she took in the last moments of the sunset.

“Maybe because you’re feeling happier at work?” Aoi asked.

“You’re right.” Mika seemed deep in thought. “That might be why.” They were both willing to agree that it was due to her job, instead of saying out loud that their relationship had made them happier as well. 

After a while of watching Mika diligently work on her food, Aoi had to make sure he hadn’t overdone it by ordering the oversized crepe for her.

“Are you sure you can eat all this?”

“Of course! I exercise a lot at the studio, it’s a lot of work. I see Summer training a lot, so I can’t just sit around…”

“I see, it’s great that you’re staying healthy.” Aoi smiled.

Mika then finished eating her crepe with little difficulty, and Aoi made sure to take her trash for her. Once he came back, Mika leaned her head on Aoi’s shoulder, and they both looked at the last bit of sunset together. Mika did seem somewhat lost in thought.

The both of them chatted until the sun set fully, and the chilly air became far too cold to be pleasant for Mika. With the unavoidable cold weather pressuring them, they both said their goodbyes, and quickly headed back home.