Youth is a fleeting thing. Those precious years seem to be endless when you're young. You live life to the fullest, experiencing new things - love, heartbreak, longing - everything is fresh. But that precious time cannot last forever. It is simply a fact of life, an inescapable part of being human.

As I wandered the hallways of the school I had come to love, countless memories flew through my mind, almost as vivid as the day they happened. I saw all the days I spent by her side, smiling and laughing as if tomorrow would never come… and I remembered the sacrifice that had to be made to be with her.

This place… this storehouse of memories… Today would be the last day I ever walked these halls.

Around me, other students wandered around, waiting for the final ceremony that was to come - a celebration of our time here, and a promise to the future - our future.

Sentimental thoughts like those filled my mind as I headed towards that old gymnasium where we would all meet as students for the final time.

I stepped inside. Memories of watching her play basketball inevitably resurfaced, and I smiled fondly to myself.

"Ah, Mukai, glad you're here," my homeroom teacher greeted me.

"Right. Sensei, thanks for everything," I said, shaking his hand firmly.

Countless chairs were laid out on the floor, and a temporary stage stood at one end of the room. I looked around for my seat, and took it. There were still fifteen minutes or so until the ceremony began, so I decided to use that time to reflect. This was that kind of day, after all.

…

When my eyes opened again, the place was nearly full. I scanned around, looking for one face in particular.

Ah, there's Saki. Guess she managed to graduate after all. I waved at her, and she grinned at me triumphantly, giving me a "thumbs up."

In front of me, I finally spotted what my eyes sought. White hair, and a deep purple bow.

I stared at her, hoping she would turn around. After a few seconds, my wish was granted, and our eyes immediately met. She smiled gently at me, waving her hand, then touched the bow on the back of her head.

I nodded, grinning back at her. My heart still stirred at the sight of her smile, even after several years together.

Outside, winter had long gone, and the cherry blossoms were already beginning to fall. Spring was here, without a doubt, and with it, another new beginning for the world.

The principal finally took the stage, addressing us as students for the final time. We went through the regular graduation spiel, but I'll be honest, I wasn't really paying attention to that. My mind was firmly focused on the future.

At last, to the sound of a resounding cheer, our days as students came to an end.

Standing outside, diploma in hand, my parents greeted me with hugs and handshakes. As we talked, I saw a white-haired beauty a ways off, walking towards us. My parents noticed my gaze, and turned towards her, then smiled.

"Well, guess we'll leave you two alone for a while," Mom said with a grin as she pulled Dad away by the ear.

Shino raised an eyebrow as they shuffled off, but quickly corrected her posture, standing before me with grace.

"Naoya-kun, congratulations on graduating!"

"Thanks, same to you, Shino."

I smiled fondly at her, taking a step forward.

"We finally made it, huh?" she said, gazing back at the school fondly.

"Yeah, and yet, it still feels too soon."

Shino chuckled.

"I get what you mean. I wouldn't mind spending a few more years with you here."

Her cheeks were rosy as she flashed a grin at me. In response, I wrapped both arms around her in a full embrace.

"This is only the beginning, though."

I stepped back, reaching into my pocket for something that had been there all day. I pulled it out, and dropped to one knee. I looked up at Shino, whose eyes were wide and misting over already.

"Shino, I know we're still young, and I have a long ways to go before I'm good enough for you… but I don't want to spend my life with anyone but you. Please, marry me."

Tears rolled down Shino's pretty cheeks. She fell to her knees, wrapping her arms around my neck.

"Of course I will!" she sniffed.

"I promise to take care of you, as long as I live," I whispered, slipping the engagement ring onto her slender finger.

"Mm! I'll hold you to that promise," she said, wiping the corners of her eyes.

As the two of us embraced, some of our classmates smiled at us, and a few applauded. I guess they finally got to see something besides a comedy show from me.

About time, huh?

That day would stay fresh in our minds, even as we headed out into the working world. We never understood how good we had it as students until then, but we quickly found out. Despite that, I worked hard to find a job that would support both of us, even though Shino's father offered us a lot of money to start our life together.

Oh yeah, I met Shino's dad. That's a story for another time, though.

As things are, I'm getting short on time, so I'll bring this short tale to a close. Our wedding day is almost here, after all. I should be getting some sleep.

Our happy life together has only just begun. Once upon a time, I would have thought that a love like this was far out of reach - something only found in fairy tales. However, the older I get, the more I realize: love isn't really anything like what you see in the movies, and it certainly isn't just a feeling. It's a promise - a foundation to build upon until the very end.

It's taking on the world together; the highest highs, and the lowest lows… Those moments when it felt like your heart would be destroyed, and the moments when you felt truly glad to be alive… all that and everything in between. And then, when you reach the end, as you breathe your final breaths, you can truly say that the greatest accomplishment of your life was the home you built together… That's what love is.

With a smile, I snapped that well-used composition notebook closed. I held my chin in my hand contemplatively, then started filling in the blank "title" slot on the cover.

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A Portrait of Pure White

――――――――――――――――――――――――――

I nodded fondly, then stood to my feet, stretching my tired arms. Outside my window, beyond the flickering candle on my desk, I noticed a few sparkling white flakes drifting around on the wind.

Ah, winter is finally here again.