The winter afternoon sun hung low, pale and cold, throwing long shadows across the quiet street. My boots crunched on the thin layer of frost that still clung to the sidewalk. I turned the final corner toward our small house, hands shoved deep in my pockets, breath puffing out in white clouds.
And then my legs—and my heart—both stopped at the exact same second.
Aeri was standing in front of our gate.
She wore her usual long coat, the one with the soft fur collar. Her dark hair caught the weak sunlight, and she was smiling—really smiling—as she talked to the man beside her. They were both stepping out of a sleek car parked half on the curb. Plastic grocery bags hung from her hand, swinging gently.
The man was tall, maybe in his early thirties, wearing a neat coat and dark jeans. He had dark long hair, a friendly smile, and he was standing close—too close—his shoulder almost brushing hers as they laughed about something.
"Huhh!?" The sound slipped out of me before I could stop it.
