May your weekend be wrapped in gentle light. 『Sadness is like snow』 『Love intersects like accumulating snow.』
『The Weekend Ring』
Prologue: Beyond the Tear-Stained Face
Last night‚ Saya couldn’t sleep.
She kept turning on her smartphone screen again and again‚ waiting for a notification from him. Messages that were never marked as read. No incoming calls ringing.
On the other side of the table‚ her face reflected in the mirror looked like it was smiling‚ yet deep in her eyes lingered the shadow of sadness.
“It might already be over.”
Even as she thought that‚ her fingertips traced his name. A love only for the weekends. She had lived clinging to those fleeting moments.
But she had finally reached her limit.
That night‚ the sound of footsteps climbing the apartment stairs echoed. It was Yuto‚ the neighbor from next door. He always passed by quietly. But today‚ he stopped right in front of her door.
“Saya-san‚ would you like to step outside for just a little while?”
His voice was so gentle‚ as if he could see straight through her tears.
Chapter One: 【The Old Car and the Night Sea】
“I borrowed this car from a friend. It’s a bit old‚ but it should get us to the sea.”
Yuto said with a smile.
Inside the car‚ a faint scent of coffee and old records lingered. Saya sat in the passenger seat‚ gazing absently at the city lights flowing past the window.
“It’s been so long since I’ve been to the sea.”
“Same for me. I just suddenly felt like going.”
“…Did you notice I’d been crying?”
“Yeah‚ I noticed. It hurt to watch you forcing yourself to smile.”
Silence settled between them. But it wasn’t uncomfortable.
As they reached the coastal road‚ an old ballad began playing on the radio. The lyrics pierced Saya’s heart.
“Won’t you give me the weekend night?”
When Yuto hummed those words‚ Saya’s eyes widened.
“…That’s a song I used to love a long time ago.”
“Me too. Somehow‚ it feels perfect for right now.”
The car pulled into the seaside parking lot‚ and the two sat side by side‚ listening to the sound of the waves.
Yuto took a small box from his pocket.
“This is cheap‚ but… it’s how I feel.”
Inside the box was a slender silver ring.
“Even if it’s the first and last time‚ that’s fine. Even if it’s only tonight‚ I want to stay by your side.”
As Saya stared at the ring‚ she felt something deep inside her heart begin to unravel.
Chapter Two: 【Things Unraveling in the Sound of Waves】
The sea breeze was colder than she had expected.
Saya gripped the sleeves of her cardigan while gazing toward the water’s edge. A short distance away‚ Yuto was pulling a blanket out of the car’s trunk.
“Please use this. The sea wind is surprisingly strong‚ huh?”
“Thank you… You really are kind.”
“It’s not that I’m trying to be kind. You just looked cold.”
At those words‚ Saya let out a soft laugh. It felt like the first natural smile she had managed in a long time.
The two draped the blanket over their shoulders and sat side by side. The sound of the waves seemed to wash away the memories of the past.
“Hey‚ Yuto-kun.”
“Yes?”
“Why… are you being this kind to me?”
“Because… I couldn’t just leave you alone after seeing you cry.”
“Is that all?”
“It’s not just that. I’ve been watching you for a long time—when you were smiling‚ and when you were forcing it. I… have always wanted to be by your side.”
Saya gently opened the ring box. The silver band shone quietly in the moonlight.
“Is it really okay for me to accept this?”
“Of course. But you don’t have to force yourself. If even just for tonight it helps you feel even a little lighter‚ that’s enough.”
Saya picked up the ring and gently slipped it onto the ring finger of her left hand.
It fit perfectly.
“…It’s strange. I feel so calm inside.”
“That might be because you’re slowly letting go of the past.”
The sound of the waves gently wrapped around the silence between them.
Saya leaned against Yuto’s shoulder and closed her eyes. The tears had already stopped.
Chapter Three: 【The Choice Before Dawn】
The night sea was quiet.
The sound of the waves gently echoed in Saya’s ears‚ as if calling up distant memories. Wrapped in the blanket‚ leaning against Yuto’s shoulder‚ she kept her eyes closed.
“…Think you can sleep?”
Yuto’s voice was soft‚ melting into the wind.
“Yeah. Just a little. Somehow my heart feels lighter.”
“I’m glad.”
Saya gazed at the ring. The silver band had already settled comfortably on her finger.
It didn’t feel like something to cut off the past‚ but rather something to choose the future.
“Hey‚ Yuto-kun.”
“Yes?”
“I’ve always wanted someone to wait for me. Someone who would simply stay by my side without saying a word.”
“I’d be happy if that person was me.”
“…Not just tonight—will you stay by my side from now on‚ too?”
Yuto looked at her with slight surprise‚ then smiled gently.
“Of course. For as long as you want.”
The sky was slowly growing brighter.
A faint light began to spread across the eastern horizon.
The night was ending‚ and morning was coming.
Saya stood up and took a deep breath facing the sea.
“Goodbye‚ my weekend-only love.”
Those words weren’t directed at anyone else—they were her farewell to herself.
Then she turned around and took Yuto’s hand.
“Let’s go. To welcome a new weekend.”
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