Chapter 41 : Farewell Beneath the Falling Snow

Morning had not yet fully arrived.

The city lay buried under a soft, pristine blanket of white, as if the world itself had been frozen in a breathless pause. Snowflakes drifted slowly from the heavens, gliding through the pale gray sky like feathers released from invisible wings. Rooftops, wires, and silent alleyways were all smothered beneath the snowfall’s gentle silence, the air thick with cold and memory.

In the shattered upper floor of a long-abandoned high-rise—their secret refuge—Mi Kuya Mizuki stood alone.

She faced the broken wall where the concrete had crumbled away, revealing the endless city below. That jagged opening had become her window to the world—a place she returned to when the chaos of her life grew too loud. From there, she could see everything, yet feel nothing.

Her breath came in quiet clouds, fading into the winter air. Her long black hair fluttered lightly in the chill, strands catching the faint light like whispers of night.

She hadn’t moved in hours.

Behind her, the only sound came from Sora’s slow, steady breathing. Curled beneath a worn blanket, he clung to what little warmth the makeshift heater could offer. Oblivious to the cold, to the time, and to the snowfall beyond the cracked glass. The room was dark, save for the dim, pale blue glow that seeped through the window.

Sora dreamed.

But Mi Kuya did not. She hadn’t slept at all.

Far across the city, morning began to unfold.

In a quiet residential district, Emiko stirred in her bed. A pale shaft of morning light slipped through her curtain, landing across her face like a cold touch. She groaned softly, shielding her eyes, and sat up slowly.

Her breath left her in a sigh. “Another snowy morning…”

Not far away, in the room opposite hers, Hana rubbed the sleep from her eyes. She moved with sluggish familiarity, stretching her arms as she walked over to the window. The world outside was a blur of white, and in it, she saw the shadows of the past—footprints that no longer existed. Laughter that no longer echoed.

She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes.

Across the street, Nene blinked into the dim light, her alarm clock gently chiming. She turned it off without a word. Her room was filled with old photos, books, and warmth—but her heart felt colder than the snow outside. She drew her curtain back and stared out at the sleeping city, her lips parted in thought.

One by one, the girls dressed, wrapped in scarves and coats, brushing away the weight of memories. But something was different today. Something unspoken hovered above them all.

An ache in the air.

Elsewhere in that same city, in a modest, tidy house…

Yuka Fujiguro stood by her bedroom window, motionless.

The morning light was faint, hardly illuminating her face. Her hair fell loosely around her shoulders, hiding her eyes from view. Her arms were crossed tightly, as if holding herself together. Her breath was slow. Heavy.

On her desk sat a small black box. Its surface glinted faintly. Untouched. Sealed.

Yet its presence dominated the room.

Inside that box lay a choice—a truth. And once opened, nothing would ever be the same.

But for now, Yuka said nothing.

She merely stared at the snowfall, as if trying to make sense of it. As if looking for something lost in the white.

Outside, the snow continued to fall.

Nene, Hana, and Emiko stepped outside, each bundled in scarves and coats, their breath forming clouds in the cold air. As they walked through the snowy streets, they ran into each other one by one. They smiled, waved, and fell into step together.

But something was off.

“Where’s Yuka?” Hana asked after a few moments. “She’s not here?”

Emiko shook her head. “Didn’t see her on the way. I thought maybe she was with one of you.”

“She didn’t even text last night,” Hana muttered. “And she was acting strange yesterday.”

Nene’s brows furrowed, then softened. “Let’s not worry too much. Maybe she just went ahead early. You know how she gets when she wants to be alone.”

The three nodded, and though unease lingered in their hearts, they kept walking.

But when they arrived at school…

They searched the halls. Her desk was untouched. No sign of her at all.

“She didn’t come,” Emiko whispered.

“Something’s wrong,” Hana said softly.

Nene stared out the classroom window, her hand clenching slightly. The snowfall outside continued, quiet and unfeeling.

Back at the hideout, Sora finally stirred. He blinked his eyes open and groaned.

“I overslept…” he muttered, sitting up. He looked around and saw Mi Kuya still by the broken wall.

“You should rest more,” she said quietly, still not looking at him.

He lowered his gaze. Today… was the day. The journey ahead weighed heavily on his shoulders.

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoed from the stairwell. The door burst open.

Kaito appeared, his breath visible from rushing in the cold. His expression was frantic.

“Sora!” he exclaimed.

Sora stood quickly. “What happened?”

Kaito looked around wildly, not seeing Mi Kuya. “You’re the one who’s supposed to tell me that! What happened with her? What did she say? Was she angry? Did she cry? Did she agree?”

“Whoa—Kaito, breathe!” Sora said, holding his arms up. “She’s fine! Calm down!”

Kaito slowed his breath, clutching his side. “Where… where is she?”

Sora blinked. “Uh… behind you.”

Kaito turned—and froze.

Mi Kuya stood near the broken wall, her face half in shadow, expression unreadable.

“You were there the whole time?” he asked.

“…Yeah,” she replied softly.

Silence filled the room. The snowfall outside was the only movement.

“I came as soon as I got your message,” Kaito said, turning toward her. “Are you really okay with this? He’s leaving for a long time… You realize how long this journey might be, right?”

Mi Kuya only nodded. “Don’t worry about me.”

Kaito glanced at Sora. He was looking down, trying to hide his emotions.

Time passed quickly.

Noon came.

Kaito stood up. “It’s time.”

Sora nodded.

Mi Kuya rose, grabbing her katana. The three of them dressed in long, black cloaks to blend into the crowds.

Snow still fell.

The streets were bustling, but beneath the cloaks, they moved like shadows. Quiet. Focused. Determined.

They walked for what felt like hours, slipping past people, stepping over snowy stones, until finally—they reached the edge of the city.

Mountains loomed ahead. Beyond them, forests, rivers, danger… and the unknown.

Sora turned, unable to meet their eyes.

“Don’t be sad,” Kaito said, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Take care.”

Sora nodded, but still his heart was heavy.

Then—

“Come back quickly,” Mi Kuya said.

Both Kaito and Sora looked up in surprise.

“If you don’t,” she continued, eyes narrowed, “I’ll finish the Agency on my own. You’ll miss the show.”

Sora laughed softly. Kaito chuckled too.

Then her voice softened.

“You said you were like my big brother…” she said, her words almost lost in the wind. “And I don’t want my brother to be sad. So… take care.”

Sora dropped to his knees and hugged her.

Her eyes widened. This warmth—

It was the same warmth she once felt.

Saito’s.

She stood frozen. A single tear slipped down her cheek.

Kaito stepped beside them, placing a hand on her head. “Hey… I’m your brother too, you know. Don’t forget that.”

Mi Kuya looked up at him.

And then—

She smiled.

Kaito and Sora froze.

It was the first time they had seen that smile since Saito died.

Sora stood up slowly, wiping his eyes.

“Goodbye,” he said, voice thick with emotion.

And with that, he turned, walking into the snowy wilderness.

Mi Kuya and Kaito watched until his figure disappeared.

School ended.

Nene, Hana, and Emiko didn’t wait.

They made their way to Yuka’s house, snow crunching beneath their boots. The sky had darkened slightly, the sun a pale disk above the roofs.

Yuka’s mother welcomed them. “Oh, girls! Yuka’s still in her room. She hasn’t come out since last night. Maybe she’s feeling unwell.”

“Can we talk to her?” Nene asked.

“Of course.”

They went upstairs, reached her door, and knocked.

No answer.

“Yuka?” Nene called. “We’re here.”

Still silence.

Then, from inside—

“…Please leave.”

The voice was quiet. Hollow.

The girls looked at each other. They were unsure, helpless...

Then slowly… they walked away.

Evening arrived.

The sky was a deep violet. The snow had thickened again.

Mi Kuya arrived back at the hideout.

She stepped inside. It was quiet now.

The place where Sora sat earlier was empty.

She walked over to the broken wall and sat down, staring at the snow-covered city.

The wind whispered.

The cold touched her face.

She was alone again.

But… had she ever stopped being alone?

She closed her eyes.

And for the first time, she allowed herself to feel it:

The weight of silence.

The ghost of warmth.

And somewhere deep inside…

The smallest flicker of hope.

Not for vengeance.

But for something she had long abandoned.

A future.

The snow continued to fall, soft and endless.

And beneath that snowfall—

A quiet wish remained.