Snowed In

Shinobu stood alone at the classroom window, watching the snow fall. Just as the weather report predicted, there was now a big blanket of snow on the ground and it was predicted to continue through the night. He figured that most of the orchestra children would get his message or hear the report and stay away from rehearsal, but in case somebody did show, Shinobu decided that he had to be here. It would be awful if any of the students were stranded all alone at the school.

The scene laid out before him was breathtaking. Thick snow had softened the landscape into soft curves. In the evening's waning light everything had a slightly pink cast to it; the snow, the trees, the air. Into that magical setting appeared a figure in the distance, trudging through the frozen blanket. Shinobu's heart leapt with anticipation. If it was who he thought it was he was delighted to see her, even if he was sorry that she made the trip for nothing.

Sure enough, it was Hino-san. Her cherry hair framed her face within a furry parka hood. Her turquoise mittens and scarf glowed against the pale monochromatic surroundings. As she neared he could see her pink cheeks and hear the soft crunching of her boots. He rushed out into the hall to open the main door for her.

"Hino-san!" He swung the door wide to let her pass. "Didn't you get my message?"

She was stomping her boots on the large rubber mat in the hall. "Message? Did you call me?....My phone battery is low." She pulled the phone out of her pocket. "Oh no, the battery is dead." She looked up at him. "So do you mean to say that you've cancelled the rehearsal?"

He nodded. "I have to be here in case any of the students didn't get the message…Listen, I should stay here for another 45 minutes just to make sure, but then I'll drive you home. Fortunately my car has snow tires."

"Okay." He took her parka and scarf and hung them up. She pulled on a pair of slippers and the two violinists walked to the classroom. They sat looking out the window. "The snow makes everything seem quieter." she said.

"Yes, it does." It was just like her to make such an observation. "The absence of boisterous kids might also have something to do with it" he joked.

She loved those boisterous kids, though. How much she had enjoyed her role as orchestra assistant these past two years! Working with young people was just as much fun for her as playing violin. The experience fulfilled her at a deep level, so much so that she had enrolled in university to become a music teacher. It was still her first year in the pedagogy program, but it already felt right. It was Ousaki-san who was her biggest inspiration. She admired what he was doing; giving back to the community as well as practicing on his own and performing. It was what she wanted to do too, preferably by his side. She had grown to love him.

He had always been there for her. At the most crucial times he had stepped up to support her by giving her violin lessons, providing her with much-needed perspective about being a musician, encouraging her to volunteer with the orchestra because he saw her potential as a teacher. It was her weekly interaction with him that most endeared him to her, though. She learned so much from watching him teach and seeing his ongoing dedication. He was a quiet man with a big heart.

On a personal level he was easy to be with, always ready to listen and encourage, without being preachy. He treated her as an equal. When he looked at her, he really saw her. She liked herself most when she was with him. Sometimes she felt as if he cared about her more than anyone else did. She felt completely accepted and supported. That's the kind of person he was; friendly, genuine, wise. She knew that he didn't have any special feelings for her. He was that way with everyone. Maybe one day she would tell him how she felt, but as long as she was able to spend time with him, she wasn't in any hurry. There was no need to put a strain on their relationship, since it was already working so well.

"You didn't bring your violin; that's good." His voice interrupted her thoughts.

"I figured there would be enough no-shows that I could use one of the school violins if necessary."

"Good thinking."

They lapsed into silence again. He watched her out of the corner of his eye. He loved that he was finally alone with her. He wanted to say or do something to bring her closer, but couldn't think what. He contented himself with looking at her, as he thought about how much she meant to him. Over the past year she had been the perfect companion. With the orchestra kids she was enthusiastic and engaging. The children loved her. Not only did she have great instincts when it came to teaching, but her style was the perfect complement to his. They had the same philosophy about music being available to everyone regardless of talent. But unlike his reserved friendliness, she wore her heart on her sleeve, to which the kids really responded.

His friendship with her was relaxed and fulfilling, even though he only saw her at the Friday rehearsals. Though he fell in love with her the first time he saw her, there were always obstacles to him confessing his feelings. At first it was her youth; although he was only 4 years older than her, he couldn't in all conscience date her when she was still in high school. When she graduated he was elated when she told him she would still help him with the orchestra, but still he shared nothing about how he felt.

She had many friends at University and several of them were male. She seemed especially close with Tsuchiura, who was very affectionate with her and often teased her. Ousaki in comparison would seem too serious. She should be with somebody fun; not a boring teacher who was overly mature for his age.

But how he yearned to build a life with her. He would sometimes daydream about evening walks with her, keeping her delicate hand warm in his. He was a very capable man; he was a good cook, he was handy at woodworking and gardening and had even created stained glass windows for his house. What a waste not to be able to share those things with the girl that he loved.

He shrugged himself out of his reverie. "The odds of anyone else coming tonight are slim now. You can stay here while I warm up the car." She nodded and he pulled on his coat and boots.

She watched him tromp out to the car. Seeing how windy it had gotten, she wondered how safe his little car would be on the road. Minutes later he was still sitting in it, apparently unable to get it started. Finally he went to the trunk and pulled something out, making his way back to the school.

She went to meet him at the door, with a question in her eyes. "The car won't start." he said. "It's probably the distributor cap. I meant to buy some WD40 oil but didn't get around to it in time."

He hung up his coat and took off his boots. With a serious expression, he addressed her; "Hino-san, we're going to have to stay here overnight. Given the weather conditions, it would be safest if we wait until morning to get out of here."

She nodded. Ousaki-san was a practical man. If this was the conclusion he came to, it must be because he had thought things through and chosen the best option. He was a caring person who would want the best for her.

"I brought the wool blanket in from the car. I also have some food with me." He grinned. "It won't be too bad. It'll be an adventure."

She smiled back. There wasn't anyone she would rather be stranded with.

Her mother was out of town for the weekend, so Kahoko called her sister on Ousaki-san's cell phone. Knowing that she would be teased about staying overnight with a man, she made the call in another room where he wouldn't hear. Sure enough Keiko painted a sexy scenario in which the two violinists let their passion get the better of them.

"P-lease, Keiko. It's not like that between us."

"But you'd like it to be, wouldn't you? I've heard the way you talk about him…Well, I hope you're as safe with him as you say. Call me anytime."

"I will. I'll call you in the morning once I know how we're getting out of here."

Kahoko made her way back to Ousaki-san.

As he extended his hand to take his phone back from her, he fervently hoped she hadn't called a boyfriend. "Did you reach everyone you wanted to?"

"Yes. I just called my sister. I'm to call her again in the morning."

He was relieved. A part of him wanted to indulge in the fantasy that something might happen between them tonight. Of course he wouldn't act on it, but at least his dream didn't have to be immediately dashed by concrete knowledge of her having a beau.

"Okay. Why don't we go around the school and see if there are any supplies that could make us more comfortable." The two musicians went from room to room, checking on shelves, in drawers and closets. By the time their reconnaissance was done, they had a bottle of water, miscellaneous food and drink items from the teachers' lounge, two coats, a beach towel, a sweater and a table cloth. As they made their way through the halls, he let himself admire her. She had a spring in her step, which made her derriere swing attractively and her red hair catch the light as it bounced. It made him want to pin her against a wall while running his fingers through her hair and kissing her soundly. He released the vision with a muffled hiss.

Although she was curious about sleeping arrangements for the night, she was careful not to ask about because she was too embarrassed to bring it up. She trusted him though, and was sure that whatever he came up with would be best. Over the past several months she came to realize that she would trust him with anything.

They made their way to the teachers' lounge, where Shinobu plugged in the kettle and made tea. They sat at a table and enjoyed a feast of the various snacks they had gathered. It didn't occur to either of them to miss having real food. They were so aware of each other and happy to have this special time alone.

When they had finished eating they played cards, which for some reason caused a lot of laughter. Kahoko didn't have much of a head for games, in spite of Shinobu's patient teaching. Nevertheless they had fun.

The highlight of the evening was playing music. It was the first time they had played their violins together for enjoyment. Every time they played in the past, it was in the context of a lesson or in the presence of the students. The experience was powerfully intimate, the two of them were afraid to speak for fear that they would betray their feelings. Hearing her violin respond to his so beautifully, he was deeply moved. As they finished drawing their bows on the last note, he could have grabbed her right there and crushed her against him. But he didn't. Instead he stared mutely at her, wishing he were bolder.

The look on his face riveted her. She had never seen it before. It had something to do with intensity and desire. Just as her heart began beating faster, his expression changed.

He managed to breathe normally. "It's getting late. Are you ready to sleep?"

She glanced at the clock. "Yes. This is usually when I go to bed."

"Hmm. Hino-san, I've been thinking about this and the best thing for us to do is to sleep together."