Chapter 3: Snowfall and Silence

Next day, Kenji practiced in the garden, shirtless, his movements precise and fluid. Airi watched from her room, peeking shyly through her window. When Kenji glanced her way, she ducked quickly, her face red with embarrassment.

"Oh no, he saw me!" she whispered, clutching her blanket.

Moments later, a knock echoed at her door. Airi scrambled to her bed, pulling the blanket over her head as Kenji slid the door open.

"You know," he said, "I saw you through the window."

Airi popped her head out, her face flushed. "I-I didn’t mean to peek while you were training!" she stammered.

Kenji chuckled. "It’s fine. You don’t need to be embarrassed." His tone softened. "How are your injuries?"

Airi smiled timidly. "I feel much better, thanks to your kindness!"

Kenji gave a faint smile, as though pleased. "That’s good to hear."

Airi hesitated, her cheeks pink. "S-Satoshi-San... if I may ask, why did you help me?"

Kenji met her gaze calmly. "Do I need a reason to help you?"

The sunlight streaming through the window made Kenji’s face glow, and Airi’s heart fluttered. She realized, in that moment, she had fallen for him.

Later that day, Kenji returned with an array of food, accompanied by Hana. Airi’s eyes widened as she saw the feast laid before her, and tears welled up.

"Why are you crying?" Kenji asked, puzzled.

Airi wiped her eyes, smiling through her tears. "I’ve never had so much to eat before... Thank you, Satoshi-San. I can never repay your kindness."

Kenji, slightly flustered, handed her a spoon. "Eat," he said shyly, avoiding her gaze.

"Yes!" she replied, smiling brightly as she began to eat. It was the happiest she had felt in years.

Hana watched from the door, a smile on her lips. She quietly closed the door, leaving them to their moment.

Later, as they enjoyed tea, Kenji’s trainer appeared. "Young master, it’s time for your training."

Kenji sighed. "I’ll be there shortly." Turning to Airi, he said, "Rest properly while I’m gone."

Before he left, Airi blurted out, "S-Satoshi-San... do you want to marry me?"

Kenji’s face turned bright red. He laughed nervously. "Haha! Look at the time! I should get to training!" Without waiting for her reaction, he bolted from the room.

That evening, Airi decided it was time to leave. She handed a small bundle wrapped in a purple napkin to Hana.

"Are you sure you want to go?" Hana asked. "You can stay as long as you like. That’s the young master’s order."

Airi shook her head. "I’ve already disturbed you all too much. Please give this to Satoshi-San and tell him I’ll always be in his debt."

As she walked away, carrying a small bag of food Hana had given her, she looked back at the house one last time and bowed deeply. "Thank you, Satoshi-San. I will always remember you."

Kenji returned home, his body worn and aching from the long day. Despite his exhaustion, a faint smile graced his lips as he carried a carefully wrapped box of sweets. Airi’s voice echoed in his mind—her laughter, her excitement when she spoke of her favorite treat. He had gone out of his way to find it, imagining the joy on her face when she saw it.

He walked to her room, anticipation building. Sliding the door open, he froze.

The room was empty.

The air stilled around him as his eyes darted across the room. The bed was neatly made, her belongings gone. A pang of worry struck his chest. He turned on his heel and rushed down the hall.

"Hana!" he called, his voice tight with urgency. "Hana, where is Airi?! Where did she go?!"

Hana looked up from her work, startled by his sudden appearance. "Young master," she began gently, "Airi left a while ago. She… she wanted me to give you this." She handed him a neatly folded bundle wrapped in a purple napkin.

Kenji took it hesitantly, his heart sinking. He stared at it for a moment before dashing outside.

Snowflakes had begun to fall, covering the ground in a thin, frosty layer. The cold bit at his skin, but he barely noticed as he searched the streets, his voice echoing into the night.

"Airi!" he shouted. "Airi!"

He sprinted through the empty town, his breath visible in the icy air. His voice grew more frantic with each calling. "Airi, where are you?!"

A distant scream pierced the silence, sharp and panicked. Kenji’s heart raced. He didn’t need to think.

"Airi!" he roared, breaking into a full sprint toward the sound.

When he reached the source of the commotion, to his shock, A cloaked figure loomed ahead, his grey cape whipping in the wind as they carried a struggling Airi over his shoulder.

Kenji’s voice thundered across the street. "Airi!"

Airi turned her head, her eyes wide with fear. "Satoshi-San!"

The stranger didn’t stop, instead breaking into a run. Kenji chased after them, his legs pumping furiously against the snow-covered ground. He picked up a rock and hurled it with precision, but the figure dodged it effortlessly. Kenji gritted his teeth, his breath ragged. He pushed himself harder, determined not to lose him.

The cloaked figure reached the edge of a building and leapt effortlessly. Airi’s voice rang out, filled with desperation. "Satoshi!"

Kenji skidded to a halt, his eyes following their descent. "Airi!" he shouted again, helpless as they disappeared into the darkness.

He scrambled down to street level, darting through alleys and scanning every shadowed corner. The snow began to fall more heavily, coating his hair and lashes in frost. The cold gnawed at his skin, but he didn’t care. His lips trembled as he muttered her name like a prayer. "Airi…"

Eventually, his steps slowed. The streets were silent now, and the snowfall was relentless. Kenji stopped, his shoulders slumping in defeat. The ache in his chest was unbearable. Slowly, he made his way back home, his head bowed.

When he reached his room, he sat heavily on the floor. The purple napkin caught his eye. With trembling hands, he unwrapped it to reveal a smooth black stone and a folded note.

He unfolded the paper carefully, his eyes scanning Airi’s neat handwriting.

"Satoshi-San, thank you for everything you’ve done for me. I can’t express how happy I am to have stayed in such a beautiful place and to have met someone as kind as you. I leave you this stone—it’s said to have the power to grant wishes. My wish has already been granted… because I met you. I thought you might need it more, since you’re on the path to becoming the next emperor. Please take care of yourself. My best regards always."

Kenji stared at the note, his heart heavy with emotions he couldn’t name. His fingers tightened around the stone as her words replayed in his mind. “My wish has already been granted… because I met you.”

He let out a shaky breath, his gaze drifting to the snow falling outside the window. Slowly, he clenched his fist around the stone, lifting it to his chest.

"A stone which grants wishes? Sounds too good to be true," he thought with a bitter smile. But then his expression hardened, his resolve firming.

He looked out into the storm. "Airi," he murmured, his voice low but steady. "Once this tournament is over, I swear I’ll find you."

The snow continued to fall, blanketing the town in silence. But within Kenji’s heart, a fire burned brighter than ever.