As I watched the plane slowly pull away from the gate, memories from the past seven years came flooding back all at once.

Had I really made the right choice?

What would I do if I saw him again...?

No... would I even see him at all?

Was he still alone?
Was he seeing someone?
Or... was he already married?

Where was he living now...?

Lost in thought, I barely noticed as the plane slowly made its way toward the runway.

Before long, the roar of the engines grew louder, and the aircraft began to accelerate.

I felt myself being pressed back into my seat as the plane left the runway and climbed into the sky.

“Kanachan, look, look! The buildings and cars are getting so tiny! And look over there! There’s a huuuge field! The whole city’s getting smaller and smaller!”

Beside me, Yoichi had his face practically pressed against the window, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

I smiled as I watched him.

With Yoichi happily chattering beside me, my thoughts once again drifted toward the life waiting for us in Japan.

After a while, the city below disappeared from view as the plane entered the clouds.

Then we broke through them, and an endless sea of white stretched out beyond the window.

“Kanachan, we’re above the clouds! Wow! They look like cotton candy. Do you think we can eat them? The window won’t open!”

I couldn’t help but chuckle as Yoichi actually tried to figure out how to open the window.

“Yo-chan, airplane windows don’t open. And the clouds might look like cotton candy, but they’re not really cotton candy, so you can’t eat them.”

“Aww... But they look soooo yummy!”

Yoichi looked genuinely disappointed.

As we talked, the plane gradually leveled off above the clouds and settled into its cruising altitude.

I gazed absently past Yoichi at the distant sun and the vast blanket of clouds stretching endlessly below us. Before long, the flight attendants began bustling through the cabin, preparing for dinner service.

“Mmm! Something smells really good! I’m starving!”

Yoichi said excitedly.

Drinks were served before dinner, followed by warm towels.

In the seat pocket, there was a schedule for the flight, along with the menu for our meals.

I had ordered a children’s meal for Yoichi in advance, but as I looked through the regular menu, something caught my eye.

Sanshoku gohan.

“Oh, wow... I haven’t had this in forever.

Hey, Yo-chan, they have sanshoku gohan. Do you know what that is? You’ve probably never seen it before. It has meat, egg, and vegetables on top of rice, and it’s reeeally good.

I think I’m going to have that. Do you want to try some?”

“Hmm... I want curry!”

“Curry...?

Well, I guess that makes sense. It is your favorite.

Okay, I’ll have the sanshoku gohan. If you want to taste some of mine, just tell me.”

So I had the sanshoku gohan, while Yoichi happily ate his curry.

After our dinner trays were cleared away, the flight attendants came around once more with drinks.

I ordered coffee, and Yoichi asked for apple juice.

“Kanachan, I’m so full now. I think I’m getting sleepy...”

He let out a huge yawn.

“Yeah. It’s already seven in the evening back in Paris.

Here, get under this blanket and relax. You can lean against me if you want. We’ve got a pillow here, and your teddy bear too.”

Before I had even finished speaking, Yoichi leaned against me and soon began breathing softly in his sleep.

I watched his peaceful sleeping face for a while before gently closing my own eyes.

The low hum of the airplane engines seemed to grow more and more distant.

And then, I too—

slowly drifted into a deep sleep.