The time was 3:21 PM, and the train had just started to move again. It was eerily quiet—seemingly empty, as most of the passengers had already reached their destinations and departed.
But not John.
He was still aboard, three hours past the time he was supposed to have arrived at Yukimura. His coat was slightly damp from the snow earlier, and his legs ached from sitting so long. His phone sat useless in his hand—no signal. Normally, he'd have texted Kana by now, apologized for being late, maybe even tried to call. But the snowy weather had killed the signal, and the train had been stalled for a while in a region without any reception.
John: (to himself) All this had to happen on the one day I really wanted to see her…
He sighed, rubbing his gloved hands together to warm them. His face betrayed the frustration he felt, but he tried not to dwell on it. He would get there. Maybe not on time, but eventually.
Eventually…
After a few more minutes of crawling forward, the train came to a halt again—another station. It stopped to pick up a few remaining passengers also heading to Yukimura. Thankfully, this was the final stop before the destination. That thought brought a sliver of relief to John. He leaned back into his seat and took a deep breath, choosing to be patient just a while longer.
As he turned his gaze toward the snow-dusted landscape beyond the window, he noticed a girl approaching him from the corner of his eye. She had long, navy-blue hair that reached past her shoulders, and there was a gentle confidence in the way she walked.
Girl: Um… excuse me? Is this seat taken?
John turned his head. She was pointing at the seat next to him.
John: Uh… no, not really. You can sit here.
Girl: Thank you.
She smiled warmly before settling into the seat beside him. John nodded politely and shifted his gaze back out the window, assuming the conversation was over. But he could sense her glancing at him occasionally, her eyes drifting from his face to the worn-out backpack resting near his feet.
Girl: So… Do you have someone you're going to see in Yukimura?
Her question caught him off guard. He blinked and turned to her.
John: Uh… yeah. A friend of mine.
As he said this, a soft smile crept across his face. Misa caught it immediately.
Girl: Oh? Is this person perhaps… a special friend? Maybe… a girlfriend?
John: (flustered) Huh?! Of course not!
Girl: (grinning) Then why are you blushing?
John: That's… that's not important.
She laughed—loudly and without shame. The kind of laugh that filled the space around them with a strange sense of ease. John couldn't help but turn even redder, sinking slightly into his seat.
Once her laughter settled, she glanced at him again with an amused smile.
Girl: Whoever you're going to see… they're really lucky. I almost feel jealous.
John: (confused) Huh? Why?
Girl: Well, back at the last station, they kept announcing that trains were delayed because of the snowstorm. A lot of people decided to cancel their plans and head back. But you? You still came. You're pushing through all this just to see someone. That's kind of beautiful, you know?
She paused, then tilted her head.
Girl: What city are you from, anyway?
John: Aozora.
Her eyes widened.
Girl: For real? That means… you've been on this train practically all day?
John nodded again. She stared at him in stunned silence before breaking into a grin.
Girl: You're seriously amazing. I mean it. I'm so jealous right now.
John: (chuckling) Don't be.
The girl continued to look at him, her curiosity far from satisfied. Then she extended her hand.
Girl: I'm Misa. Misa Rowland.
John: Oh… I'm Johnathan Wellman. But you can just call me John.
Misa: (pulling a cartoonish expression) Johnathan is way too long. I'll call you John.
John: (puzzled) That's… what I just said.
She burst into another laugh, and this time, John joined in.
******
Finally, after yet another round of delays and stops that seemed never-ending, at approximately 5:27 PM, the train at last pulled into Yukimura Station.
As the doors slid open with a soft hiss, John and Misa stepped out of the train together. The moment their feet touched the platform, they both exhaled long, weary sighs — the kind that only comes after a long, exhausting journey. They had finally arrived at their destination.
Misa: WE FINALLY MADE IT!!!
John: (heaves a deep breath) We finally did…
Misa: It's been a rough day for you, huh? But now you get to see your friend… or is it your girlfriend?
John: No.
Misa: (eyes him curiously) That response came rather quick. (pauses with a smirk) So… I guess this is it? We go our separate ways from here?
John: (raises a brow) Did you just quote that from a movie?
Misa: (laughs) You noticed? Been meaning to use that one for the right situation.
John: Just how long were you holding on to that line?
Misa: (grins) That's my secret.
They stood facing each other for a brief moment. The world around them continued to move — people shuffling, luggage rolling, train doors opening and closing — but for that short moment, it felt like time slowed just for the two of them.
Then, with a sudden motion, Misa opened her shoulder bag and pulled out a small notepad. She scribbled something on a piece of paper, tore it off, and handed it to John.
John looked down and saw a phone number neatly written in her handwriting.
Misa: I really enjoyed your company today. You're a nice guy, John. Call me sometime, okay?
John: (slightly caught off guard) Uh… sure. Yeah.
Misa: (smiling warmly) Well then, I'll see you around. And enjoy your Christmas, John.
John: (smiles back gently) Yeah… you too.
And just like that, Misa turned and walked away, gradually disappearing into the sea of people. John stood there for a moment, watching her fade into the crowd. He sighed — not out of frustration, but something closer to reflection — then carefully folded the slip of paper and tucked it into his pocket. With a renewed sense of purpose, he began making his way toward the station's main exit.
*****
The station was still packed, though the crowd was slowly thinning as people found their rides or wandered toward the exits. John was just about to pull out his phone when a familiar voice called out to him from nearby.
Dr. Kennedy: You're John, right?
John: (startled and puzzled) Uh… yeah. How did you—
Dr. Kennedy: I'm Dr. Kennedy — Kana's doctor. We spoke on the phone yesterday.
John: (eyes widening) Oh!! (quickly bows his head) Thank you… THANK YOU so much for making this happen, sir!
Dr. Kennedy: (chuckling lightly) There's really no need for all that. Raise your head.
John straightened up, a mixture of nerves and excitement building in his chest.
Dr. Kennedy: Now, as planned, I'm supposed to take you to see Kana. But there's been a slight change of plans… since you decided to take your sweet time getting here.
John: (half-joking, half-defensive) Why are you saying it like I was late on purpose? What change of plans?
Dr. Kennedy: (smirking) Well… if they get here soon, you'll see what I mean. Come on — follow me.
The two began walking toward the exit of the station. The air outside had grown colder, and as they emerged into the open, the once-bustling crowd had started to thin. Some people climbed into waiting taxis while others continued to loiter around or hurried home to escape the evening chill.
But even in that thinning crowd, John spotted a figure that made everything else blur into the background.
She stood not far from the station's exit, wearing a soft blue sweater and a long black scarf that framed her face perfectly. A simple black skirt and dark stockings completed the look, making her appear as though she had stepped out of a winter painting.
Beside her stood another young woman — Jane — who suddenly noticed John and Dr. Kennedy approaching. She waved excitedly.
And then Kana turned.
Her eyes locked onto John's, and in that instant, her heart skipped a beat.
There was no mistaking him. Even if her vision failed her completely in that very moment, she was confident she would still recognize him by presence alone. It wasn't just the memory of his face — it was the feeling he carried with him. A quiet intensity. A warmth buried beneath awkward smiles and rough edges.
They walked slowly toward one another, neither of them saying a word at first. So much had been said online, over texts, late at night — and yet, in person, the weight of the moment rendered them speechless.
Their eyes said everything.
Finally, they stood face to face, so close now that they could hear each other's breath amidst the background chatter of the station.
Finally… they met.