-SAPPORO, HOKKAIDO-
-4:58 PM, DECEMBER 23, 2016-
Winter break began tomorrow.
The school halls emptied earlier than usual. Laughter echoed, plans were made, goodbyes exchanged.
But Rikuu stood by the shoe lockers longer than necessary.
Waiting.
He told himself he wasn't.
He was.
Ichika appeared at the end of the corridor, coat draped neatly over her arm, pink hair catching the pale afternoon light.
She slowed when she saw him.
"…You're still here," she said softly.
"So are you."
A pause.
Neither had a real reason to stay.
Which meant they both had the same one.
Rikuu looked toward the exit doors, then back at her.
"…Are you busy?"
Ichika blinked once.
"No."
He nodded, like he had just confirmed something important.
"…Okay."
That was all he said.
She tilted her head slightly. "Okay?"
"Let's walk."
-ODORI PARK, DOWNTOWN SAPPORO-
-5:36 PM-
The sky was fading into soft violet.
Christmas lights had begun glowing around the park, reflecting gently off the snow-covered ground. Couples walked past them. Families laughed. Vendors sold warm drinks.
Rikuu and Ichika walked side by side.
Not touching.
But closer than before.
"This wasn't planned, was it?" Ichika asked lightly.
"No."
"You don't usually invite people out impulsively."
"…I don't."
She smiled faintly.
They stopped near a small stall selling roasted sweet potatoes. Steam curled into the air.
Rikuu bought one without asking her preference.
When he handed it to her, she looked surprised.
"For you," he said.
"You're not having one?"
"I don't like them."
"That's not true," she replied gently.
He froze for half a second.
"…You don't know that."
"I do."
She broke the potato in half and held the other piece toward him.
His eyes flicked to it.
"…Komori."
"Share."
He hesitated.
Then took it.
Their fingers brushed again.
Neither commented this time.
They sat on a quiet bench under glowing lights.
Snowflakes drifted lazily down, catching in her hair again.
Rikuu noticed before she did.
"…You're collecting snow."
She looked up slightly.
He reached out automatically —
Then paused.
Ichika watched him.
"…It's okay," she said softly.
His hand resumed its movement.
Gentle.
Careful.
He brushed the snow from her hair.
But this time, his fingers didn't immediately retreat.
They lingered near her temple.
Close enough to feel warmth.
Close enough to feel real.
"Why me?" he asked quietly.
The question wasn't playful.
It wasn't fishing for reassurance.
It was sincere.
Ichika didn't answer immediately.
She looked ahead at the glowing city.
"Because you're kind," she said.
He almost scoffed.
"I fight people for money."
"You protect people without asking for credit."
His jaw tightened slightly.
"You don't smile much," she continued. "But when you do, it's honest."
He looked at her.
She met his gaze without hesitation.
"And you try so hard to carry everything alone," she finished. "I don't like that."
The world around them felt distant.
"…You see too much," he murmured.
"I pay attention."
A long silence followed.
Then—
Rikuu shifted slightly closer.
Not dramatic.
Not sudden.
Just enough that their shoulders brushed.
Ichika felt it.
She didn't move away.
"Komori."
"Yes?"
"…If we do this."
Her breath stilled.
"I don't want it to be temporary."
Her heart skipped.
"It won't be," she answered quietly.
He studied her face carefully.
"…You're sure?"
"I don't say things unless I'm sure."
Something in his expression softened.
More than before.
He turned his gaze back toward the lights.
"…Then," he said slowly, "I'll try."
It wasn't poetic.
It wasn't grand.
But it was everything.
Ichika smiled — not wide, not dramatic.
Just warm.
Snow continued to fall.
Their shoulders remained touching.
The distance between them —
almost gone.
Not official yet.
But no longer uncertain.
Fire wasn't rushing.
It wasn't wild.
It was steady.
And for the first time,
Rikuu let himself want something that didn't disappear overnight.