Although my memory is a little hazy because it was so long ago and I was only around nine or ten, I still remember the day Tetsuo and I crossed paths.
I was in the backyard of the house my father owned, playing catch with Haruko.
It was so cold that day that we had to wear scarves, mittens, snow jackets, and hats just to stay warm.
Haruko and Sachiko's boots crunched on the hardened snow, each step leaving sharp, defined prints that trailed behind them in a staggered line.
Their breath fogged thick in the air with every exhale, drifting upward in pale clouds that dissolved into the morning chill.
Snowflakes clung to their hair and coats as they moved, brushing against each other with light, playful shoves that sent them briefly off-balance.
A quiet burst of laughter bounced between them, muffled by scarves and the open whiteness around them.
Their footsteps overlapped and circled as they jogged ahead, slowed, then drifted apart again—two sets of prints weaving across the untouched snow as they chased each other through the frost-bitten path.
Winter was approaching, so the temperature had dropped sharply.
Just as Haruko and I were about to go back inside where it was warm, we saw a boy who could barely stand.
He looked malnourished, dressed in rags, and covered in dirt, as if he had not taken a bath in years.
Even though he looked weak and hopeless, wandering in the cold without any direction, he was holding a worn-out basketball and a little girl who was not as dirty as he was.
The look in her eyes carried a quiet certainty, as if she believed everything would be alright.
A faint tremor ran through Usagi's small frame, her fingers stiff and pale from the cold as she reached out.
Snow clung to her sleeves in thin, melting patches.
Her hand curled into the fabric of Tetsuo's shirt, tugging gently, her touch weak but urgent.
Her breath slipped out in uneven puffs of white against the frigid air, barely rising before the wind scattered them.
Her voice came out thin and strained.
"Big brother... I'm really hungry," Usagi whispered, shivering and trembling from the cold as she pulled on Tetsuo's shirt to get his attention.
Tetsuo lowered his head a little, his breath leaving in an uneven puff as he tried to smile.
"There is no need to worry, Usagi. As long as I am still breathing, I will always find a way to make you happy. One day, you will not have to think about being hungry anymore. You can eat all the chocolates you like."
Usagi's fingers tightened around his shirt, her eyes widening as his words reached her.
Her shoulders lifted with a small inhale, and she nodded quickly, almost bouncing on her toes.
Her voice wavered as she looked up at him.
"Really…? You promise?"
Tetsuo's hand moved slowly as he rested it on her head, his palm shaking from the cold while he tried to keep his expression steady.
Before Usagi could lean into his touch again, Tetsuo's legs gave out.
His body dropped straight down, his knees folding, and he fell forward into the snow.
"Big brother…?"
Usagi bent down, her knees sinking into the snow as her small hands gripped his shoulders.
Her fingers trembled while she tried to shake him, her breath breaking apart in short bursts.
"Tetsuo, are you hearing me? Get up."
Her voice tightened, the words stumbling out as she pulled at him again.
"It is not funny. Now is not the time to play dead. It is really cold… I am really hungry. Tetsuo… Tetsuo!"
Her throat strained as her voice rose, tears gathering and spilling down her cheeks while she shook him with both hands.
The sharp sound of her cry carried across the yard, cutting through the cold air and reaching Sachiko, who turned toward it at once.
I froze for a moment when I saw them.
I was only a child like they were back then.
I had never known suffering like that, and I did not understand what they had gone through before we met.
Even so, I could not turn my eyes away.
Leaving them there in the cold was impossible for me.
Something inside pushed me to help them, and I followed it.
"Haruko, go inside and get some blankets and snacks. Now. Hurry."
Sachiko's voice came out fast and unsteady as she stepped forward, her hands tightening at her sides while she looked toward the house.
Haruko did not hesitate.
She spun around and ran toward the house, her boots striking the floorboards as she disappeared inside.
Sachiko moved closer to the little girl, lowering herself slightly to meet her eyes.
"Listen… I am going to help you and this boy now, okay?"
Her hands hovered near the boy's shoulder, her breathing quickening with worry.
"But I need your help. We have to move him inside. Can you do that?"
Usagi did not answer right away.
She looked down at her brother's face, then lifted her eyes toward Sachiko.
Her lips shook, but she gave a small, firm nod.
They bent down together.
Sachiko took hold of Tetsuo's arms, tightening her grip as she pulled.
Usagi wrapped her hands around his legs, her fingers slipping from the cold.
The snow resisted every step.
Sachiko slipped more than once and dropped onto one knee, her breathing catching each time.
The cold pressed through her gloves and made her hands sting, and her scarf kept sliding down as she tried to drag him forward.
Usagi's arms shook from the weight and the freezing air, and her face tightened with effort.
After what felt like a long struggle, they reached the large wooden dollhouse in the corner of the yard.
Sachiko pushed the small door open, and it creaked as it moved.
The tiny room inside showed the space where she used to play.
The air was warmer than outside, though faint cold still rose from the floor.
Just as they lowered Tetsuo inside, Haruko came running back, her arms full and her breathing quick from the rush.
"Here—here, Sachiko," she whispered in a hurry, holding out a thick blanket and a small bag of crackers.
Her hands shook a little as she pushed them forward, her eyes wide with worry.
"Thank you, Haruko… please give me your coat too, okay? Please."
Sachiko's voice came out low and quick as she pulled off her own scarf, mittens, jacket, and hat.
Her hands moved fast, her breath unsteady while she placed each piece on Tetsuo, wrapping them around him and tucking the edges in with small, careful pushes.
Haruko slipped out of her coat and handed it over, her shoulders tightening from the cold.
Sachiko took it and draped it around Usagi, adjusting the front so it stayed shut around the little girl's chest.
Then covered both siblings with the blanket.
"Here… take this."
Sachiko placed the bag of crackers into Usagi's hands, guiding her fingers around it to make sure she held it securely.
"Eat a little so you can get your strength back. When your brother wakes up, share it with him."
She lowered her voice and leaned closer, her knees touching the floor as she looked Usagi in the eyes.
"But you both must stay hidden in here. No matter what happens. Promise?"
Usagi clutched the bag with both hands, pressing it to her chest.
She nodded, her eyes wide and steady even though they looked tired.
"Thank… you."
With that, Sachiko and Haruko stepped out of the dollhouse and pulled the small door closed behind them, keeping their movements as quiet as they could.
That night, Sachiko could not sleep.
She lay in bed staring at the ceiling, her fingers tightening around the edge of her blanket.
Her thoughts kept returning to how Tetsuo had looked in the snow, and how Usagi had tried to help him even though she was so small.
What if they were still cold?
What if someone in the house found them?
She turned onto her side and shut her eyes, trying to push the worry down.
The next morning, Sachiko woke before the room had fully warmed.
She slipped out of bed, dressed in her uniform, and tied her hair with quick, uneven movements.
Haruko stepped out of her room at the same time, still rubbing her eyes, her socks dragging softly on the floor as she followed Sachiko downstairs.
Their mother was already in the kitchen, her apron tied neatly as she packed their lunch boxes.
The scent of miso filled the room, and she turned when she heard the girls enter.
She set two bowls on the table and motioned for them to sit.
Sachiko ate quietly, her gaze drifting toward the back door whenever her mother looked away.
Haruko glanced at her, then took a breath and nudged her foot under the table.
Sachiko straightened and placed her spoon down, her hands curling together for a moment before she lifted her eyes.
"Mama… can we bring a little extra breakfast today?"
Her voice came out soft, the words careful.
"Just… something small."
Haruko sat up straighter beside her, nodding once as if to confirm it.
Their mother paused, her hands stilling over the counter.
After a moment, she reached for more bread and rice, packing them into a small bag.
She tied it shut and placed it onto the table, her expression warm as she slid it toward them.
"Here. Make sure you eat your lunch too."
Sachiko took the bag with both hands, her fingers tightening around the knot.
Haruko closed her lunch box and stood, adjusting her scarf as their mother helped fasten the ends.
At the door, their mother gave their shoulders a gentle squeeze.
"Take your time walking. It's cold this morning."
Sachiko stepped outside with Haruko close behind.
The air pricked at their cheeks, but their steps were quick and quiet.
Haruko held the extra food against her chest to keep it steady.
Sachiko's eyes fixed on the small wooden dollhouse across the yard.
They headed toward it together.
Inside the dollhouse, Tetsuo stirred awake.
His eyes opened little by little, adjusting to the dim light.
The first thing he noticed was the steady rise and fall of Usagi's chest under the blanket.
She was curled up beside him, finally asleep, her small hands tucked close to her face.
I can't remember everything… Ah… I passed out.
Tetsuo's breath tightened as the realization settled.
I left Usagi all by herself…
He lowered his head, the guilt pressing into his expression, and reached over to touch her hair with a slow, careful motion.
His fingers brushed gently across her head as he checked that she was still warm.
Usagi stirred, her eyes fluttering open before widening all at once.
"Big brother… you're awake!"
Her voice shook as she pushed herself upright and wrapped her arms around him.
Tears gathered quickly at the corners of her eyes, her small shoulders trembling as she held on tightly.
"I'm sorry, Usagi… I made you worry."
Tetsuo placed a hand on her back, his thumb moving in small, steady motions as he held her.
"I won't do that again. I'll stay with you. I won't leave you."
Usagi's grip tightened around him, her face pressing into his chest as she breathed out a shaky sound.
The dollhouse door opened with a small creak.
"You're finally awake."
Sachiko stepped inside with Haruko close behind her, both girls lowering their heads slightly as they entered the tiny space.
Haruko held the extra food against her chest, and Sachiko's eyes moved straight to Tetsuo, checking his face for color.
Tetsuo looked up, his body tensing a little as he tried to sit straighter.
"Who… who are you two?"
His eyes moved between the girls, unsure and trying to stay alert.
"My name is Sachiko Takahashi. We found you outside our gate yesterday, passed out in the snow, and your sister was crying. We couldn't just leave you there," Sachiko explained.
"We brought you blankets and let you rest in my dollhouse."
Tetsuo blinked slowly, still a bit dazed.
"Ah… I see. Thank you… really."
Haruko stepped forward, clutching the bag with both hands.
"I… I also brought breakfast. Please take it."
Tetsuo took the bag slowly.
The moment the food touched his tongue, his eyes welled up.
Each bite dragged tears down his cheeks.
His shoulders shook, not from any leftover chill, but from months of pressure finally splitting apart.
Usagi tugged gently at his sleeve, her voice thin and worried.
"Big brother…"
He sniffed hard, wiped his face with the back of his hand.
"I'm okay."
Another breath, shaky but steadying.
"Thank you."
His voice stuttered through the words, cracking on the last syllable.
Sachiko leaned in a little, her breath fogging faintly in the cold dollhouse air.
"I told you my name… so now you gotta tell me yours."
"My name is Tetsuo Kawaguchi… and this is my little sister, Usagi."
Tetsuo's voice came out small, and he rubbed his thumb over the edge of the blanket for warmth.
Sachiko nodded once, her expression firm.
"Tetsuo… you're really dirty, and you probably need a real bath."
Her brows drew together, not in judgment, but in worry.
"I can get you inside, but only when the house is empty. After school, no one's home. That's our chance. Just stay hidden here until then, okay?"
Haruko stepped forward, her mittens brushing lightly against the crinkling plastic as she held out a small pack.
Her voice barely rose above a whisper, shoulders tucked in like she was trying not to get caught again.
"I… also brought some snacks. I snuck them out of the cupboard. Eat these if you get hungry."
Tetsuo's fingers tightened around the small pack.
His voice came out hushed, barely above a breath.
"Thank you… both of you."
After school, Sachiko and Haruko rushed through the gate, their bags bumping against their sides.
The cold bit at their noses, and the wind tugged lightly at their scarves.
Then they both stopped.
Tetsuo was outside, dribbling the same old basketball.
His steps were slow but steady, the thin soles of his bare feet pressing into the icy stone.
The ball hit the ground with a soft, muted thud, over and over, the sound carrying in the quiet yard.
His breath came out in pale clouds that vanished as quickly as they formed.
His fingers were red from the cold, but they moved with a familiar, practiced rhythm—palms guiding the ball, wrists adjusting, arms shifting with each bounce as if the motion was part of him.
Haruko drifted a step closer to the fence.
Her eyes widened a little.
His small frame looked even thinner in the winter air, but his focus didn't waver.
No warm gym.
No cheering crowd.
Not even shoes.
Just a boy, a ball, and the freezing ground—but nothing about him felt small in that moment.
The rhythm of the dribble, the way his shoulders leaned into the motion, the way the ball always found its way back to his hands—it stayed with her.
Something unfamiliar pressed against her ribs.
Not just curiosity.
Not just sympathy.
Something deeper.
And Tetsuo Kawaguchi—the barefoot boy who collapsed in the snow—became unforgettable to both of them from that moment on.