Ride To Remember

The sun broke through the thinning clouds, casting long beams of gold that danced across the damp streets of the town. The air still carried the scent of last night's rain — fresh, earthy, mingled with the sweetness of blooming hydrangeas along the roadside. Ren dashed toward the bus station, his breath quick and shallow, his school bag bouncing against his side. His sneakers splashed through small puddles, sending ripples across the quiet street.

When he rounded the corner, his hurried steps slowed. There, beneath the weathered wooden awning of the bus stop, stood Aoi. Her figure was slim, delicate, her school blazer buttoned neatly despite the soft breeze that toyed with the ends of her hair. The morning sun painted a faint halo around her, and Ren felt, for just a second, like he'd stumbled into a scene from a dream.

He swallowed hard, pushing back the strange warmth spreading in his chest. "Aoi-san… g-good morning," he said, voice still uneven from the run.

She turned, surprised, and then smiled — that gentle, shy smile that always made his heart stutter. "Oh… Ren-kun. Good morning. You're heading to Haruto-kun's too?"

Ren nodded, trying to look casual though his heart beat faster than it should. "Y-yeah… seems like we'll be riding together."

The bus arrived with a low hiss of brakes, the doors creaking open. They stepped aboard, the soft hum of the engine wrapping around them like a blanket of sound. They chose a seat by the window, side by side, and as the bus rumbled to life, Ren's gaze wandered outside.

The town slid past in a blur of green and gray — tiled rooftops dark with rain, small vegetable gardens glistening with dew, old shrines hidden beneath towering camphor trees. The light shifted as the bus wound its way through narrow streets, casting fleeting shadows across Aoi's face, making her eyes seem to shimmer like polished stone.

"It's nice today," she said quietly, her voice almost lost in the murmur of the bus, "after the rain."

Ren glanced at her, the way she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, the way she kept her gaze soft on the passing scenery. "Yeah," he said, his voice quieter too, as if afraid to break the fragile peace between them. "It feels… calm. Like everything's clean again."

The bus rocked gently as it picked up speed, carrying them through stretches of open field where water-filled rice paddies mirrored the sky. Wildflowers — blue and white — swayed at the edges of the road. The clouds were thinning, the morning sun breaking through in golden shafts that lit the fields in patches, like a patchwork quilt of light and shadow.

Ren's eyelids grew heavy. The warmth of the bus, the softness of the seat, the nearness of Aoi — it all blurred into a quiet lullaby. He fought it at first, blinking, but soon his head tilted ever so slightly until it came to rest on her shoulder.

Aoi froze. Her breath caught, and for a heartbeat she didn't dare move. His hair brushed her cheek lightly, and she could feel the soft rhythm of his breathing. A warmth spread through her, radiating from the spot where he touched her, curling through her chest and making her heart beat so loud she thought it would give her away.

R-Ren-kun… what do I do? Should I… wake him? But the peaceful look on his face made her hesitate. He must be tired… he looks so— Her thoughts tangled. She bit her lip, trying to will her heart to slow down, but the thudding only grew louder.

The bus swayed gently along the winding country road, the engine's low hum mingling with the soft rustle of the wind through half-open windows. Outside, the world glistened — the rain-washed town giving way to fields that stretched like emerald carpets under the morning sun. Narrow streams traced silver ribbons through the rice paddies, and the air smelled of wet earth and new grass. From time to time, the breeze carried the faint scent of wildflowers and distant pine.

Inside the bus, Ren's head rested against Aoi's slender shoulder, his soft breath warming the fabric of her blazer. The closeness made her heart beat loud in her ears. She dared not move, barely dared to breathe, afraid she'd wake him or, worse, that he'd realize what was happening and see how red her face had become.

What… what should I do? Aoi's thoughts tumbled over one another. I can't believe he's asleep on me… Is this normal? Should I wake him? But… he looks so peaceful. She chanced a glance at him — the way his dark lashes rested against his cheeks, the way his lips parted slightly as he breathed. A strange tenderness bloomed in her chest, mingled with the panic that made her fingers fidget in her lap. Why… why is my heart beating so fast?

Outside, the scenery blurred past: old shrines nestled under ancient trees, moss-covered stone lanterns, and the faint glint of temple bells. The bus passed a small hill where cherry trees clung stubbornly to their last blossoms, petals caught in the breeze like fragile confessions scattered to the wind.

Aoi bit her lip. If someone sees… what would they think? No — it's not like that. He didn't mean to. He was just tired. That's all. But the warmth where his head touched her made it impossible to convince herself.

The bus slowed, the driver's voice crackling over the speaker. "Next stop: Hikarizaka. Please prepare to disembark." The hiss of the brakes jolted Aoi from her whirl of thoughts. Oh no — we're almost there! I have to wake him… but how?

Her eyes darted to his face, then down to his hand resting so close to hers. Her cheeks burned. I can't just… shake him, can I? But there was no choice — the stop was near. Gathering her courage, she reached out, hesitating for a breathless second before her fingers brushed his hand. The contact sent a shiver through her, as if lightning had run up her arm.

"Ren-kun…" she whispered, her voice barely above the rumble of the bus. He didn't stir. Oh no… She tried again, fingers closing gently over his, giving the faintest shake. "R-Ren-kun… we're here…"

Ren blinked awake, the world snapping back into focus as he lifted his head. For a heartbeat he stared, confusion in his eyes, then sudden realization — and horror. His face flushed scarlet. "A-Aoi-san! I— I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to— I must've—"

But as he started to pull away, his gaze dropped — to where their hands still touched. His heart thudded against his ribs. When did…? The warmth of her skin lingered, soft and real, sending a rush of heat through him.

Aoi gasped softly, as if just realizing too. She yanked her hand back, her fingers trembling, her face burning. "I-I was just— I didn't know how else to wake you! I'm sorry!" Her words tumbled over each other, as flustered as her pounding heart.

Ren shook his head quickly, stumbling to his feet as the bus doors creaked open. "No — I should be the one apologizing! I— I didn't mean to trouble you. I—"

Their eyes met for the briefest second — a glance heavy with everything they couldn't say. Then, looking anywhere but at each other, they stepped off the bus together.

The warm air outside wrapped around them, the scent of fresh rain and wildflowers sharp in their senses. As they walked side by side, both secretly risked a glance at their own hands, as if the memory of that accidental touch still lingered, still sparked faint tremors in their hearts. The quiet between them wasn't awkward — it was fragile, filled with the weight of unspoken feelings neither quite understood yet.

The narrow path to Haruto's house stretched ahead, lined with swaying grass and scattered petals. And with each step, Ren's mind replayed that moment — the warmth of her hand, the softness of her voic

e — as his heart beat faster with no sign of slowing.