Two Seconds

   "Don't you think good times pass by so fast?"
  
   I looked at him. "What do you mean?"
  
   "It's funny how we spend the same time doing both pleasant and unpleasant things, yet good times don't make half the bad times."

   "I don't get you." I stood up.

   The night sky looked somewhat lonesome. In the midst of December, there were no stars in the sky; the nights were cold and quiet. Especially today.

   There was no one to disturb us. The seesaw rested its left tire on the ground, balancing the right one in the air; the wind clipped on to the swings and swayed it slowly; the teeter-totters bounced sideways of what a tumbler would do; the park was occupied by a heavy atmosphere.

   He followed and stood up from the bench. "Well, for instance, when you kissed me, you'd wish for it to last longer, right?"

   I stared blankly into the pitch black sky.

   "And," he continued, "if your boyfriend were to breakup with you, it'll only take him a second or two to confront you, while consequently, it'll scar you for life, maybe."

   The chilly breeze brushed through my short hair, sending up a chill along my spine, while giving me a cold stab in the chest.

   "Why are you talking about this?" I chuckled innocently. I knew clearly what he was trying to imply – I knew. But I would like to hear him say it to me with his own mouth.

   "You haven't changed a bit. You're still as lazy as ever to solve my puzzles, right?" He smiled. His smile was filled with sorrow.

   "I do get it, but I want to hear you say it, clearly, without giving me the least bit of hope for turning back."

   I stood still as I let him run his fingers through my hair.

   "Let's breakup." His fingers slipped off the tip of my hair.

   I turned to him, and grinned with pride. "This is going to leave a bad aftertaste."

   "I know you're strong."

   I nodded.

   The times we've kissed, the times we've hugged － they don't last even the two seconds he had confronted me. Now I get it. He had warned me of the consequences I'd get from those two seconds. Pleasant times leave nothing but greediness and lust; yet, unpleasant times may print itself in our memories, our feelings, and stick to us forever.