"When we grow up, let's get married!"

That promise from that day— when was it made? A promise made with small, mud-covered hands. Even though it was from childhood, this memory alone was vivid.

I have never once forgotten the promise from that day. Before I knew it, "When we turn 18, let's get married." "Then you'd better prepare a ring properly." We kept repeating that exchange. Was it serious, or just a child's promise? Even now, I don't know the answer.

Years passed since that day, and we, who were children, had become third-year high school students before we knew it. We'd grown a little taller since then, but the promise we made that day remained unchanged.