Winter

Bright and early the next day and with nary more than his explanation that an impromptu excursion to the forest would be a ‘fun experience,’ Haru ushered Miyuki into their car and the two were on their way.

The majority of the car ride was done in complete silence. Miyuki had begun the trip by making several attempts to find an answer as to why the two were going to the forest in the dead of winter, but with no real answers given each time the question was asked, Miyuki eventually gave up her quest to find what the reason behind the trip was.

Haru was disturbingly focused as he navigated his way out of the city and through the winding forest roads. It wouldn’t take an expert to tell that something was pressing so very persistently upon his mind.

The silence was abruptly broken when Haru made a request of his wife. “Miyuki-chan,” he said. “Reach into the glove box and get me my lighter. I need a cigarette.”

Miyuki opened the glove box and, after rummaging through a stack of brochures and magazines, was presented with a pack of cigarettes and a lighter. “What is this?” she asked. “I thought you quit smoking months ago.”

“I did,” replied Haru, who was now acting very nervous. “But I need one. It’ll help me calm my nerves.”

Miyuki proceeded to stuff the cigarettes and lighter into her pocket.

“What are you doing?” asked Haru.

“I don’t know why you need to calm your nerves,” said Miyuki. “We’re just going on a day trip. Besides, you should thank me. I just saved your life.”

“I’ll just get them later,” said Haru under his breath.

“What was that?” asked Miyuki.

“Nothing.”

“Any more secrets you keeping from me?” asked Miyuki.

“Here’s our turn,” said Haru. Without any further warning, Haru took a sharp right and took the couple’s suv off the paved road and onto a forest trail.

“What are you doing?” asked Miyuki, who was doing her best to keep from hitting her head on the ceiling as the suv bounced violently on the narrow dirt road.

“I’m taking us to the hiking trail,” replied Haru.

“But the resort is still another hour down the road,” said Miyuki.

“This trail is better,” said Haru. “I want it to be just the two of us. The trails out here are more scenic, unspoiled by human hands and hidden away from prying eyes.” Haru had said the ‘prying eyes’ part under his breath, as not to arouse suspicion.

“Okay. I just hope we don’t get attacked by a wild animal or something. Then you won’t be so eager to be away from prying eyes,” said Miyuki, showing that she had most definitely heard the ‘prying eyes’ remark.

After quite the lengthy and bumpy ride, Haru brought the suv to a stop in a clearing and the two continued with their journey on foot.

The snow was deep, making it difficult to move very quickly. Miyuki was doing well considering the circumstances, but Haru was having trouble keeping up.

“You have to wait for me,” panted Haru.

“You’re so slow,” said Miyuki, who had a substantial lead on her husband. “If you were so eager to take a hike out here, shouldn’t you be leading us?”

“It’s nothing. I just have to catch my breath.”

Miyuki seemed to have not heard what Haru had said as she was gazing at the majestic trees around her. They towered above the trees found in the city. “I have to admit it,” said Miyuki, “I’ve never been somewhere this peaceful before. It’s so quiet. I could scream at the top of my lungs and no one would hear me.”

Haru was lurched over attempting to catch his breath.

Miyuki reached into one of her jacket pockets. “Here, take one of these pills,” she said as she unscrewed the cap. “It’ll make you feel better.”

“No,” replied Haru. “I’m just not used to this elevation. My body will adjust.” And with that, Haru continued on his way. Miyuki put the pills away and did the same.

Further into their excursion, Miyuki had to come to another abrupt stop due to Haru once again falling too far behind.

“We should head back to the car now,” said Miyuki. “I don’t think you’re going to last much longer out here.”

“And neither will you,” Haru said under his breath.

“Huh, what was that?” asked Miyuki.

“Nothing, nothing,” replied Haru. “Could you face away from me for a minute?”

“What? Why?”

“I have to take a leak.”

Miyuki was clearly disgusted by what Haru had just told her. “How vulgar,” she said. “I don’t want to see that.”

“That’s why I asked you to turn around,” said Haru, making his way to a nearby tree. He then began struggling with his belt.

“Fine,” replied Miyuki before honoring Haru’s request and turning around. “It’s not like I haven’t seen that before,” she said to herself.

“So, what did you do yesterday?” asked Haru.

“Are you really trying to have a conversation with me while you do that?” asked Miyuki. “I think you should focus on one thing at a time.”

“It helps me go,” said Haru, reaching into his pants to retrieve a large knife.

Miyuki rolled her eyes at such a notion. “Not much,” she said. “I just met a friend in the city and we spent some time together. That’s all.”

“What did you do?”

“We just talked,” replied Miyuki. “Why do you care so much about what I did yesterday? You never ask me about how my day went.” Miyuki then began walking away but tripped and stumbled over something buried in the snow. Miyuki picked up what turned out to be a rock the size of a baseball. “I should throw this at him for asking me so many questions,” she whispered with a smile. “Maybe that would make him stop.”

“What did you talk about?” asked Haru, advancing toward his wife.

“I don’t remember,” replied Miyuki. “Look, it’s getting colder out here. We should head back. Are you done yet?” She then spun around to discover Haru now standing only feet away, brandishing his knife. “What is this?” asked Miyuki, a half-hearted smile on her face. “That’s not funny. Put that thing away before you hurt yourself.”

“Who was this friend you met yesterday?” asked Haru, making his way closer, prompting Miyuki to timidly back away.

“Just someone I went to school with,” replied Miyuki. “Are you going to put the knife away or not? You’re starting to scare me.”

“A friend from school? Are you sure you weren’t with Mr. Tanaka?”

“Our lawyer? Of course not.” The tone of Miyuki’s voice showed how nervous she was. And it was clear that it wasn’t the knife that was making her feel this way.

“I was in the city yesterday,” said Haru, coming to a stop. Miyuki did the same. “I know why you went to see him. I know.”

“You do?” asked a wide-eyed Miyuki.

“You’re planning on leaving me, aren’t you? And taking all of my money.”

“No, that’s not it,” replied Miyuki, feverishly shaking her head.

“Then what were you doing there?”

Miyuki’s mouth opened but no words could escape.

“That’s what I thought,” said Haru, again advancing.

Miyuki began backing away again. “Think about what you’re doing.”

“If only I had gotten to Tanaka first,” said Haru. “Then all this could have been avoided. He would have made sure you got nothing. But it’s too late for that now. You got him on your side and I’m going to lose everything. But I won’t let that happen.”

Having no experience in doing such a thing, Haru kept backing Miyuki away. Had he been better suited for murder, Haru surely would have struck by now.

Miyuki slammed the rock against Haru’s face, sending him falling to the ground. A steady flow of blood began running from his wound and onto the pristine white snow.

“Are you dead?” Miyuki asked timidly.

Haru began to groan and attempted to get up. This was enough to prompt Miyuki to flee further into the forest.

On shaky legs, Haru got back to his feet. When he touched the wound on his head, he grew extremely angry. Though Haru was in no shape to do so with his head in so much pain, he immediately began his pursuit.

After Haru and Miyuki had left the area, the blood that had been spilled was absorbed by the snow, leaving behind no trace that it had ever been there.