when she saw me

she stopped in her tracks.

the ocean calmed for a moment

just drifting quietly

then the storm started and

she ran past me.

"まて! wait-"

i turned and chased after her

it wasn't long before i caught up and we walked silently beside each other.

Midori shoved her hands in her pockets

i said nothing

i walked with her

hoping she would lead the way,

what a selfish thought at a time like this

but we soon reached the park

with its rusted swings and browning grass

and sat down wordlessly.

i breathed in the evening air

"midori-chan, i-"

as soon as i spoke she broke out sobbing

leaving me clueless

with no knowledge of social cues.

i hesitantly reached out an arm around her shoulder

and to my surprise

she hugged me back.

we both said nothing

instead i

held the ocean in my arms

hoping to calm the tsunami within her

that was spilling past the walls she'd built

collapsing the bricks

and swallowing them whole.

i realised in that moment

that

Midori and i were more alike than i had thought.