-AURORA ACADEMY OF EXCELLENCE, SAPPORO, HOKKAIDO, JAPAN-
-8:06 AM, NOVEMBER 8, 2017-
The snow had stopped overnight, leaving the academy grounds quiet and white, as if the world had taken a careful breath.
Ichika Komori stepped through the gates, her pace unhurried. The cold no longer startled her the way it used to. Maybe she was getting used to it.
Or maybe… something else was warming her.
She spotted Rikuu Arakawa standing near the bike racks, hands tucked into his pockets, head slightly lowered against the wind.
She hesitated.
Then gathered her courage.
"G-good morning, Arakawa."
Rikuu glanced up, red eyes catching the pale morning light.
"…Morning."
That was all.
But it was enough.
They walked toward the building together, not side by side, not far apart—just close enough to share the same silence.
And strangely, it didn't feel uncomfortable.
-AURORA ACADEMY OF EXCELLENCE — FIRST FLOOR HALLWAY-
-9:32 AM, NOVEMBER 8, 2017-
Between second and third period, the hallway buzzed with noise.
Ichika exited her classroom and nearly bumped into Rikuu, who had just stepped out of Class 1-A.
"Oh—sorry!"
He steadied himself easily. "You okay?"
"Yes."
He paused, then added, "…You're not clumsy. Just unlucky."
Ichika smiled faintly. "Is that supposed to be comforting?"
"Kind of."
She laughed softly.
Masayoshi Fujikawa leaned against the wall behind Rikuu, arms crossed and grinning.
"So this is Komori-san, huh?"
Ichika blinked. "Y-yes?"
Masayoshi tilted his head. "Wow. You're way… calmer than I expected."
Rikuu clicked his tongue. "Don't be weird."
"I'm not being weird," Masayoshi protested. "I'm being curious."
Ichika bowed politely. "I'm Ichika Komori."
Masayoshi's eyebrows shot up. "Oh. That Komori."
Rikuu shot him a warning look.
Masayoshi laughed. "Relax, relax. I mean it in a good way."
Ichika glanced at Rikuu.
"…Is he your friend?"
Rikuu hesitated.
"…Yeah."
Masayoshi grinned wider. "Unfortunately."
The bell rang.
Ichika adjusted her grip on her books. "I should go."
Rikuu nodded. "Yeah."
As she turned, he added—
"…See you later."
Her steps felt lighter all the way back to class.
-AURORA ACADEMY OF EXCELLENCE — BACK COURTYARD-
-12:11 PM, NOVEMBER 8, 2017-
Lunch break arrived wrapped in pale winter sunlight.
Ichika sat on a bench beneath the bare trees, unwrapping her lunch slowly. Misuzu read beside her while Kiyomi hummed happily.
Then—
A shadow fell across the snow.
Ichika looked up.
Rikuu stood there, holding his bento awkwardly.
"…Mind if I sit?"
Her eyes widened slightly.
"Not at all."
He sat beside her, leaving a respectful space.
Kiyomi froze.
Misuzu calmly closed her book.
"HELLO???" Kiyomi whispered far too loudly.
Ichika gently nudged her.
Rikuu glanced sideways. "…They're staring."
"S-sorry…"
He opened his lunch. "You eat… neatly."
Ichika blinked. "Is that unusual?"
"For me, yeah."
They ate quietly.
Then Ichika spoke, careful but curious.
"…Do you like being alone, Arakawa?"
Rikuu paused.
"I don't dislike it," he said finally. "It's easier."
"Easier?"
"People don't expect things from you when you're alone."
Ichika thought about that.
"…I think," she said softly, "sometimes people don't expect anything because they don't know how to."
Rikuu looked at her, surprised.
"…You're strange."
She smiled. "I hear that a lot."
He huffed a quiet laugh.
-AURORA ACADEMY OF EXCELLENCE — FRONT GATE-
-2:05 PM, NOVEMBER 8, 2017-
Classes ended, and the school slowly emptied.
Ichika waited near the gate, adjusting her scarf.
Rikuu stepped outside moments later.
They stood there, uncertain.
Then Ichika spoke.
"…Do you walk home?"
"Usually."
"…Would you like company?"
Rikuu hesitated.
Snow fell lightly again.
"…Sure."
They walked side by side, steps matching without trying.
Ichika glanced at him.
"Arakawa?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm glad… we're friends."
He looked away, ears turning faintly red.
"…Don't say it like that."
"Like what?"
"Like it means something."
Ichika smiled gently.
"But it does."
Rikuu didn't reply.
But he didn't deny it either.
And as they disappeared into the snowy street together—
the silence between them felt lighter than it ever had before.