Fragments of Memory 5

By the window in the library, I gazed at the sunset-painted sky. The mixture of gold and crimson stirred something nostalgic deep within my chest, though I couldn't quite recall what memory it evoked. Even I found it a bit strange that the "Ice Queen" could have such sentimental moments.

"Sora, do you have a moment?" Ms. Sato's voice made me turn around, and there stood Ume beside her, wearing an obviously disgruntled expression. She clutched her math textbook, deliberately showing off her flashy nails.

"I mean, whatever. Seven points is a lucky number anyway," Ume muttered.

"Listen here..." Ms. Sato sighed deeply. "There won't be any luck if you have to repeat the year."

The teacher turned to me, her tone softening. "Sora, would you mind helping Ume with math? I saw your notes, and they're very well-organized."

"Ugh, why do I have to get help from the Ice Queen? I totally don't trust her cold personality," Ume's expression soured further.

I silently observed Ume. In that moment, a familiar sensation of teaching someone washed over me. It felt like a memory I should recognize, yet somehow it didn't feel like my own.

"...Alright."

"For real?" Ume's face showed genuine surprise at my response.

"Thank you, then," Ms. Sato nodded with satisfaction before leaving.

"Seriously... give me a break," Ume adjusted her hair accessory as she reluctantly sat down. "Can't believe I'm asking the Ice Queen for help."

"...Which problems?"

I asked coolly. Ten appeared at the windowsill, quietly observing our peculiar pairing.

"Well..." Ume begrudgingly opened her textbook. "Everything from trigonometry on is basically impossible..."

---

As the sunset cast a gentle glow across our desk, Ume showed unexpected enthusiasm in tackling the problems. Watching her eyes light up with occasional exclamations of "I got it!" stirred strange emotions within me. Teaching someone felt oddly natural, as if I'd done it countless times before.

"It becomes simple when you think about it this way."

I was surprised by my own voice. The usual coldness had melted away, replaced by an unexpectedly warm tone. The setting sun illuminated Ume's profile, triggering a powerful sense of déjà vu.

A memory of studying with someone. The joy of seeing someone's face light up with understanding. These sensations felt real, yet remained frustratingly out of reach, like trying to grasp something through a thick fog.

"You know, Sora," Ume spoke softly. "I was kind of scared of you at first. But today feels different somehow."

I pondered her words. True, I had deliberately maintained distance from others. Being cold was easier. But now, I could feel those walls slowly melting away.

By the window, Ten made his quiet appearance. He sat watching us, his grey fur seemed to shimmer gently in the twilight glow.

"...Is that so?"

"Yeah. How should I put it... you seem kind?" Ume giggled. "Like the Ice Queen melted a little bit?"

To my surprise, I found myself smiling slightly. An expression I never would have shown normally, yet somehow it felt natural.

---

As the sun was setting, Ume exclaimed, "I understand!" Her joy at solving problems independently was contagious, warming my heart in an unexpected way.

"Thank you, Sora!" Ume bowed dramatically. "Can you help me again sometime?"

After a moment's consideration, I nodded. "...Yes."

As we prepared to leave, I made a mental note of today's strange events. A warmth announcing the arrival of spring had definitely spread through the heart of the so-called Ice Queen.

Ten swayed his tail gently, as if seeing us off. He seemed to be quietly observing the changes in my heart. Something about his presence felt nostalgically comforting.

Walking through the school building after leaving the library, Ume chatted cheerfully.

"You're actually really kind, Sora. If you showed that side more often, you'd definitely be popular."

"...That's not my intention."

Even as I replied, I could feel small changes beginning to sprout within my heart.

"See you tomorrow!" I watched Ume wave and run off, then walked alone through the twilight-bathed school building.

---

That time. That moment. Those forgotten emotions. They were slowly beginning to bloom within me.

Since entering school, I had built walls around my heart. Avoiding involvement with others, maintaining a cold attitude to protect myself. "Ice Queen." Perhaps that title was something I had wanted for myself.

The anxiety of getting close to someone. The uncertainty of connecting with others. All of it felt like too heavy a burden for me to bear. So I built walls of ice around myself, trying not to touch the warmth of those around me.

But today with Ume was different. Teaching someone, being present for their moments of understanding. These were joys I hadn't known before. The sensation of my supposedly cold heart gradually melting. It should have been frightening, yet it felt somehow nostalgic and warm.

A warmth announcing spring's arrival had definitely spread through the heart of the Ice Queen. Like a premonition of winter's end.

Looking back, Ten was still watching from the windowsill. His presence seemed to be observing my transformation. In his eyes, illuminated by the twilight, I felt as if unknown memories were reflected.

From that day forward, the atmosphere around me began to change. The expressions of classmates passing in the hallway softened, and the gazes directed at me carried hints of warmth. Surely this was a sign of something new beginning. And for the first time, I found myself willing to accept that change without fear.

Perhaps beyond the ice walls, there lay a warm world I had never known. The courage to open that door was slowly beginning to grow within me.