Before the ash falls

A Spark from One Lighter

{AIKO}

I stood outside the bar, the cool Tokyo evening wrapping itself around me like a thin, uncomfortable blanket. My breath fogged in front of me as I hugged my denim jacket tighter against my chest, trying to squeeze out what little warmth there was. The street was quiet except for the occasional hum of distant traffic and the faint murmur of voices from inside.

My white sneakers shifted restlessly on the pavement. The brown skirt with a slit fluttered slightly in the breeze, patterned subtly with faint, swirling designs. Underneath, a plain white cropped T-shirt clung to me, the simple outfit somehow feeling wrong for a night like this — a night I wasn't even supposed to have.

I wasn't sure why I'd agreed to this date in the first place. My friend pushed me to go, said it'd be fun, that I should get out more. But now, I was alone, waiting for someone who would never come.

Just as I was about to give up and leave, a man stepped out from the bar and stood beside me.
He patted his pants pockets for a moment, then turned to me.

"Hey kid, you got a light?"

I fumbled through my handbag, my fingers brushing over the small metal lighter until I found it. I looked up and held it out to him.

"Thanks."

He flicked it on, bringing the flame to the tip of his cigarette, inhaling deeply before releasing a thin cloud of smoke into the night air.

"Looks like you were waiting for someone. But I guess they stood you up."

"I'm sorry?" I said, a little offended. How could he know that? And why was he so blunt?

He smiled slightly, unfazed by my reaction.

"Come on. You're standing here alone in front of a bar, checking your phone now and then. It's obvious you were supposed to meet someone."

"Are you a detective or something?" I scoffed, crossing my arms. "Why are you examining me?"

He chuckled softly, taking another drag.

"I used to be one."

He shrugged, blowing smoke into the air.

"And I'm not 'examining' you. I just happen to be observant. And it's easy to see you're not having a good evening."

"Well, some middle-aged man pointing out that someone stood me up isn't exactly improving my night," I muttered, questioning why I was even talking to him.

"Middle-aged? I'm in my thirties."

He said it with a mock offense, smiling as he took another drag.

I couldn't help but laugh.

"There we go. A little smile is better than being all bummed out and annoyed. A bit of positivity is good every now and then."

He flicked his cigarette butt onto the ashtray and shoved his hands in his pockets.

I gave up pretending to be annoyed.

"Got any left?"

He raised an eyebrow and opened his pack.

"You smoke?"

"No, but now i just feel like it."

I placed the cigarette between my lips.

"Fair enough. Nothing like a smoke to calm your nerves."

He flicked the lighter on, holding the flame steady so I could light my cigarette.
I stepped closer, the warmth of the flame illuminating my face. Our eyes met for a moment — his gaze steady, intense. I stepped back quickly, suddenly aware of how close we were. He watched me quietly as I took my first drag.