It's the second month of first grade.
The cherry blossoms are starting to fall.
The breeze carries soft pink petals across the schoolyard — like tiny wishes drifting gently through the air.
I'm sitting alone during free time.
Drawing.
(I'm always drawing.)
Today, it's a house again. Two windows. A tiny cat in the doorway.
It looks like Tama-chan.
Then… someone stands beside me.
Quietly.
Not loud.
Not pushy.
Just standing there, waiting.
I look up.
It's Shin.
He's holding a folded paper airplane in both hands.
His cheeks are a little red — like the wind kissed them too hard.
He peeks at my drawing.
"That cat looks like yours," he says.
I blink.
"You know Tama-chan?"
He nods.
"You always talk about her when we do Show & Tell. I remember."
I smile — just a little.
"She's my friend."
Shin looks down at his plane for a second, then holds it out to me.
"You want it? I made it too sharp. I think it can fly far… if we do it together."
I glance at my drawing.
Then at him.
Then at the plane.
"…Okay. But only if you show me how to fold one like that."
His face lights up.
"Deal."
I fold my paper carefully.
Stand up from my desk.
And together — two six-year-olds walk outside into the spring wind…
to throw something into the sky.
We find an open spot in the schoolyard.
The ground is soft with petals.
The wind is just right.
I take my paper airplane.
Grip it the way Shin showed me.
Then I swing my arm and let it go.
It flies.
But not that high.
And not very far.
The plane dips and lands softly near the sandbox.
Then it's Shin's turn.
He steps back.
Takes a stance.
His feet firm. His eyes focused.
He starts running —
fast, like he's chasing the wind itself —
then throws the plane with all his strength.
It soars.
Higher.
Higher.
The wings tilt, then catch the breeze just right.
It glides far — way beyond mine — and lands gently near the trees.
Shin smirks at me, proud.
I'm just standing there, wide-eyed.
"Woooow…" I breathe out.
"Your plane flew so high, Shin. And way farther than mine."
He walks over, brushing a blossom off his shoulder.
I look up at him like he's a magician.
"How did you do that?"
Shin stands in front of me —
shoulders tall, chin up — like he's on a stage.
Then, slowly, he explains.
Step by step.
Where to hold the wings.
How to fold the tail.
How to stand, how to run, how to feel the wind.
I just nod along, listening quietly.
Trying to memorize everything.
In my head, I think:
Wow… I didn't know throwing a paper plane had this many steps.
Shin looks so cool right now.
Like he really knows what he's doing.
So confident.
Not like me.
I'm still quiet.
Still shy.
Even though it's already been a whole month since our first day of school.
But…
Right now, under the falling petals…
It doesn't feel lonely.
It feels like spring.
And Shin's smile —
just like his paper plane —
makes me want to try again.
After school, I see Mama waiting outside the gate.
She's standing under the cherry tree, her bag hanging from her shoulder, waving the moment our eyes meet.
I wave back.
Then I run.
Straight into her arms.
She lets out a small "Oof!" as I hug her tightly, burying my face into her shoulder.
"Woah~ Sweetheart," she says with a little laugh, brushing my hair softly. "What happened? Did something good happen today?"
I nod into her shoulder.
My voice is small — like a secret.
"Mmm…"
She strokes my back, patient and warm.
Then she asks gently, "Would you like to tell Mama what it is?"
I nod again.
And we start walking home together — hand in hand.
The breeze still carries fallen petals across the road, and I feel safe holding Mama's hand.
"My new friend's name is Shin," I begin.
Mama smiles at me, listening carefully.
"He's taller than me," I say, looking at our shadows on the sidewalk. "His hair's kinda messy. But it looks good on him."
She nods, her gentle smile never fading.
"He talks different too," I continue. "The way he stands… the way he moves… it's like he's really sure about everything. Like he's filled with energy that never runs out."
Mama giggles a little, still nodding. "He sounds interesting."
I nod back quickly. "Today, Shin showed me how to fold a paper plane!"
Mama's eyes widen with joy. "Really??"
"Yeah!" I grin. "He threw it so high, Mama. Higher than mine. And way farther too!"
She presses her palm softly against her chest and nods again, amazed.
Then she asks, "Was Hideki happy playing with Shin?"
I pause for a moment.
Then I smile, and nod.
"Yeah… Hideki was happy."
Mama stops walking for a second.
She bends down, wraps her arms around me, and hugs me close.
Her hand rubs my back gently — up and down, just like she always does when she wants me to feel her love through my skin.
"Oooh, Sweetheart…" she whispers, "Mama's happy if Hideki is happy too."
Then…
she leans her face against mine — our cheeks pressed together.
She starts to rub her face slowly against my cheek, making silly little swaying motions.
I giggle.
It's warm.
It's funny.
It tickles a little.
But it's also full of love.
And as we start walking again…
I feel different.
Like something inside me grew today.
Glad… for a new friend.
Happy… for the moment we shared.
And wrapped… in the warmest kind of love a boy could ask for.