The next appointment he asked about first.
‘Thursday afternoon, is that okay?’
There was no specific reason for wanting to meet, but I didn't bother asking.
Thursday afternoon, a bench in a small park on campus.
He was wearing a black jumper. He was holding a vanilla latte in his hand.
As I approached, he raised his head and gave me a slight nod.
I sat quietly next to him.
“The weather is nice.”
He spoke first.
I nodded.
“It feels less cold than yesterday.”
It was a short conversation, but it wasn't awkward.
Even though I was sitting there without saying anything, it was like that.
He put the cup in his hand down on the floor for a moment.
And said.
“After the presentation was over, I felt more empty than I thought.”
I turned my head.
He was looking at me.
“How was it over there?”
I hesitated for a moment and then said.
“Me too. It felt like the time we spent preparing together was incredibly short.”
“It was short, but I remember it well.”
Even though those words weren't that special, they struck something in my heart.
I smiled lightly and turned my head.
Sunlight entered my eyes.
He lifted the cup again.
"if…"
He spoke slowly.
“Can I see you like this sometimes from now on?”
I wasn't surprised, nor did I laugh.
He spoke more calmly than I expected.
“Well, the group project is over.”
He nodded.
“Yes, I know.”
"great."
Only then did he smile a little.
That was the extent of the conversation that day.