We met about once a week.
Even though I didn't make any specific plans, I got a call after class.
‘I’m near the library now. Do you have time?’
‘Go somewhere other than the library.’
One time we ran into each other at a small bookstore on campus, and another time we happened to sit next to each other in front of a convenience store.
Neither of them had a clear plan, but neither of them avoided it.
About three weeks later, I was sitting in a small restaurant eating ramen.
“It’s quiet even when eating ramen.”
I laughed.
“If you eat while talking, your mom will scold you.”
He nodded, holding up his chopsticks.
“Yes, I did too.”
Even a small joke resonated with me.
After eating, we walked along the nearby trail.
It was night, and the shadows of the trees stretched long beneath the streetlights.
We didn't really talk much the whole time we were walking.
But the walking speed was the same, and the timing of stopping was similar.
That was convenient.
Sometimes the purpose isn't to walk, but to walk together.
I got a call late that night.
"Thank you again today. We didn't have much to say, though."
I thought about it for a moment and then sent a reply.
‘There aren’t many people who are okay without talking.’
There was no reply, but that was enough.