The first time we met was when I was very young.

She lived in the same neighborhood and was a few years older than me. Someone who started school before me, someone who was learning about the world a little faster than I was. To my childhood self, she seemed like such an incredible person. She knew everything and could do everything before I could.

So I always followed her around.

I tagged along wherever she went and memorized the things she liked one by one. If I saw pretty flowers on the street, I'd pick a few and press them into her hand. If I got a delicious snack, I'd set aside her portion first. It was nothing special. At least, that's what I thought back then.

I just liked her.

I liked it when she smiled, and I liked it when she called my name. A single word of praise would keep me in a good mood all day, and I'd get grumpy for no reason if she talked to someone else for too long. I was just a kid, so I had no way of knowing what those feelings were.

Time didn't just leave me be.

At some point, I was no longer the little kid following her around. I grew taller, my voice changed, and I became quieter. I didn't pick flowers for her anymore. I didn't want to act childish.

But it seems my heart didn't grow up along with the rest of me.

I still knew what she liked. I knew what she hated, what kind of expression she made when she was happy, and which days she wanted to be left alone in silence.

Maybe it's because we've known each other for too long.

Sometimes we'd walk in and out of each other's houses as if they were our own, spending time together without any particular reason. I didn't feel hurt if we weren't in touch, and meeting again after a few days felt as natural as if I'd seen her yesterday.

People used to call us old friends. They weren't wrong. It's just that I didn't quite like that term. There were too many things that couldn't be explained by the word 'friend'.

Do you know? I still find myself cramming everything you like into my head. The flowers you casually mentioned you liked, the types of snacks you enjoy, even the brand of shoes you often buy.

It's childish. Yes, I know. But even so, even if I have to go this far, you're the person I want to know more and get closer to.