So when do you think the world will freeze?

October 14th – Kimura Kiyomi

“I hope I didn't interrupt anything.” Of course Kento had to get right to it. Both Suzuki and I couldn't help but be embarrassed beyond belief, but as we didn't say anything on the matter he put mercy before justice and left it at knowing smile.

“So, what did you want to talk to us about?” I really needed to steer this conversation into a different direction.

“Mainly about what our plan for the future is.” I looked at Suzuki, but he seemed to have no idea about what to do either.

“I really have no idea. Do you know anything that might help us?” Kento smiled again after I asked him and it was obvious that he knew quite a lot.

“The most important thing should be to determine when the Kälte will be revealing itself in our world. I know it's not going to be very far into the future. We have seen two attacks by lower monsters already, so the Kälte is gaining hold in our world right now.”

“So when you think the world will freeze?” Asked Suzuki.

“It will most likely happen on December 21, the winter solstice. It's the shortest day of the year, so the Kälte is at the hight of its power. So in about two months time.” Something came to my mind regarding that date. I looked at Suzuki.

“That's when our school will have a Christmas festival” I asked him. Suzuki tilted his head like a puppy again and then he agreed with me.

“Do you think that matters Kento?” I asked. Kento seemed to think about it for a moment.

“Probably not to be honest. The Kälte will probably be drawn to you two anyway, so you would be fighting it no matter where you are and at school you are at least on familiar ground.”

“Can you tell us in more detail how that final battle might look like?” asked Suzuki.

“Well, to be honest, no one knows for sure. All the knowledge I have is oral tradition I heard from Sun and Moons in the past and the last time a battle like this was attempted was hundreds of years ago, so the details are very murky at this point.” Hundreds of years ago. This battle was going on for a very long time. I imagined quite a number of people dying during all those years. If we could stop this madness for good we could prevent harm at least for future generations.

“And how do the pendants work?” This was really the all important question.

“Again, no one knows the exact details, but the idea is that pendants that are infused with a soul grant the wearer protection from the effects of the Kälte and allow you to still act when everything around you is frozen and standing still so you can still attack the Kälte directly.”

“We are basing a lot of hope on mere assumptions, aren't we.” I couldn't help but point that out, since it seemed we basically had the destiny of mankind riding on the assumption that the pendants were that powerful. Apparently I had found Kentos weak spot as he made quite the face before answering.

“You are right Kimura. It's a huge risk. At this point we also still have the option to do what we always did in the past and try to hold back the Kälte before it becomes more powerful and then we will be back in 20 years time and your children might have to fight all over again.” The idea of having to send my children into the same battles I had thought was quite terrifying. I wondered how my mother thought about it back then. Kento even lost his son and wife because of this fight.

I could understand why he would be willing to risk a lot on the opportunity to end it once and for all. The question was, should we follow his lead?

“I think we should take the risk.” I did make that announcement on a whim and now both Suzuki and Kento looked at me somewhat surprised.

“Did I say something strange?” I felt my face getting red again, but this time not because of something nice happening. But Kento just smiled and laughed it off.

“No, not really. I think we were just surprised to see you so resolute. But we don't have to make the decision right now anyway.”

“Is there anything else that could help us? Besides the pendants I mean?” Apparently Suzuki was also eager to move on from the topic of me making bold statements. Kento was scratching the back of his head and seemed to think about the question. That gesture was something I had never seen Suzuki do, so I couldn't help but wonder how he would look doing it. But it would probably replace his puppy head tilt and that would constitute a big downgrade, so I was happy with how things were. Kento then rudely interrupted my musings by continuing to talk.

“Well, there is one thing. Apparently Yukiu-Oonas aren't affected by the freezing, so if you happen to have one on hand...” Suzuki and I inadvertently looked at each other, Kento seemed immediately interested.

“So you do know one?” he asked.

“Maybe. You know the girl that was with us today, Reiko? I think she might be a Yuki-Oona. I sense something in her,” Suzuki answered. Kento went through the same head scratch routine and seemed to think back to earlier today.

“You might be right. I did sense something there, but in the commotion I couldn really focus on it. But there is definitely a possibility that she is one. But she doesn't know it herself yet?”

“That's what I think,” said Suzuki. In that very moment my phone started to ring and I took it out of my pocket. Speak of the devil. Reiko was calling me. I showed the two of them who was calling me and Kento told me to take the call. It wasn't Reiko, but her mother on the phone.

“Hello Reiko? Are Suzuki and Kento there as well?” I said yes and she asked me to put the phone on speaker and I did so. She seemed quite distressed and now I was worried about Reiko.

“Hello, can you hear me?” We all affirmed it.

“Something is happening to Reiko. Her room is all covered in snow. Our family had Yuki-Oonas in them but I'm not one myself and my mother who was is no longer with us. I don't know how to help Reiko. Can you come over right now? Maybe her friends can help her?” She seemed indeed very distressed and so was I now, especially since that earlier conversation I had with Suzuki who basically had warned me that something like this might happen and I basically forced him to ignore his better judgment. Kento looked at the both of us and it was obvious that he wanted us all to go and so we told Reikos mother that we were on our way and once again we took Sophias car and were on our way to hopefully save Reiko.