Snow

The entire day meandered by as the train finally returned to their suburban sector. Students disembarked one by one at their respective stops, yawning and reluctantly rousing from their comforting slumber.

Time and the train sped along, leaving only Yujiro, Haruki, and Ayumi on board. Mr. Doni had ensured they were awake before he alighted. The thoughtful club teacher didn't want them to miss their stations and be stranded on the train all night.

As the clock struck midnight, the train approached Haruki and Ayumi’s station. Were it not for the train's announcement and Haruki's groggy awareness, they might have missed their stop and only realized it when Yujiro woke them. But then again, Yujiro wasn't known for getting little sleep, so he might have been dozing anyway.

Haruki gently nudged Ayumi, stirring her from her drowsiness. As the doors screeched open, they exchanged a swift wave with Yujiro. He smiled back silently before they stepped out onto the frosty concrete platform.

As the train departed the station, silence enveloped the void it left behind. In the dark night, with the train gone, it felt as though the world had paused. Taking a deep breath, Haruki glanced at Ayumi, who was cupping her hands and breathing warmth into them. Wrapped in her gray coat with a long, velvety scarf wound around her multiple times, she reminded him of his siblings on chilly days when he'd bundle them up so much they resembled cute little balls.

"Shall we start heading?" Haruki inquired. Ayumi nodded, offering him a childlike smile. While doing so, her fingers lightly brushed against his, and two of her fingers lightly interlaced with his own. Both averted their gaze with blushing cheeks but allowed their hands to remain intertwined.

The stars that had been visible earlier in the night sky had vanished in the suburbs, concealed by thick clouds that had drifted into the neighborhood. The chilly winter air had driven away the usual small creatures, rendering the road a quiet tableau. With no crickets or cicadas singing their songs, the only sound was the soft rhythm of their synchronized footsteps.

Haruki and Ayumi remained quiet, as the thought of having a caring "friend" beside them with their hands entwined was enough to make them blush at even the briefest glance. The street lamps cast a dim glow on the street, lending an angelic aura to each other's faces.

In an attempt to break the awkward silence, Haruki tried to initiate light conversations. However, each opening question received a brief answer and nothing more. Soon, he exhausted his conversational topics, apart from recounting their camping experience. Perhaps it was better to stay silent than to bring up the warmth of the night spent in the tent.

Winter's grasp grew stronger as a gust of wind hinted at an impending storm. If rain were to fall soon, they'd return home drenched and frostbitten. Yet, the icy roads played a slippery game, preventing anyone from hurrying without risking a fall.

Furthermore, exhaustion had taken hold of both of them. With only about two hours of rest on the subway, it was barely enough to keep them awake at this hour. Time seemed to crawl for them both, but they managed to stay awake. Their linked hands felt like the sole lifeline anchoring them to reality and preventing them from drifting into dreams.

Haruki's eyes closed for a prolonged moment before reopening to complete his blink. The memory of gazing at the stars from earlier that night flashed across his mind, briefly banishing the darkness behind his closed eyelids. One thing he had noticed, which others might have missed, was the edge of the Milky Way. The long band of faint light dust stretched across the sky, cleaving space into two. It was one of the most breathtaking sights he'd ever witnessed.

"Hey, Ayumi," Haruki whispered with curiosity. "What's the most incredible thing you've ever seen?" Their footsteps naturally slowed as Ayumi paused to ponder.

"I'm not sure," she replied quietly. "There's too much to choose from."

"What about you, Haruki?" Ayumi countered. Haruki tilted his head, contemplating, as they resumed their walking rhythm.

"I suppose it's difficult to pick," he admitted. "The stars of the night, the sunrise and sunset, my siblings, you."

A bashful giggle pierced the night. "At least you've narrowed it down," she complimented but then sighed.

"What's troubling you?" Haruki inquired. Ayumi shook her head.

"It's nothing," she responded. "I'm just a bit sad about all the things I haven't seen."

"I know that sentiment," Haruki added. "But I'm grateful for the many things I have witnessed that I never thought I would."

"Yes, that's true, but..." Ayumi's voice trailed off. "This is something I can potentially see, but it hasn't happened yet," she whispered under her thick scarf, muffling her words.

"Let's head home quickly," Haruki decided with a grin. Ayumi halted her train of thought and nodded, weariness evident in her expression. Unbeknownst to Haruki, a trace of concern flickered across her delicate features as they continued their journey home.

"I want to see it," Ayumi thought to herself. "I want it to become reality."

"Everything okay?" Haruki inquired when he noticed Ayumi's absentmindedness.

"I'm just tired," she forced a laugh. Haruki regarded her with concern as they turned a corner.

Once again, a hush fell upon the night. Fortunately, they were only a few blocks from their homes, so they would soon part ways to return to their own residences. As they reached an intersection, their linked hands separated, and they gazed at each other as if time had frozen.

"I guess it's time for me to go," Haruki mumbled. Ayumi nodded, her arms crossed in front of her jacket, standing in quiet contemplation. "Goodnight."

Haruki waved and turned to leave. Soon, he would be back in the embrace of his warm bed. The notion of sleeping in sounded appealing, at least until his siblings woke him up.

Unexpectedly, Ayumi tugged at Haruki's sleeve. "H-Haruki," she stammered. Curious, he turned back, his gaze fixed on his close friend. "T-thank you for—"

A snowflake.

A lone snowflake landed delicately on Ayumi's nose, interrupting her sentence. Slowly, her gaze lifted to the night sky.

From above, a flurry of white specks descended gracefully, drifting down in myriad forms. The crystalline snowflakes settled onto the icy ground one by one. It had arrived. Winter had truly announced its presence, bringing along its enchanting companions.

With her arms outstretched behind her, Ayumi's scarf slipped down, revealing a wide, innocent smile as she marveled at the intricate snowflakes.

"It's snowing," she whispered joyfully. "Finally, it's snowing!" Arms outstretched, Ayumi began to run, her laughter filling the air.

"It's as though she's a child," Haruki thought, a smile playing on his lips as he watched her jubilant display. Ayumi gradually slowed her pace, eventually coming to a stop as she reached Haruki and collapsed against him, causing them both to bend slightly.

"Ayumi?" Haruki wrapped his arms around her to steady her. She looked up at him, a tired yet contented smile gracing her lips. "Thank you for—"

"No, thank you," Haruki interrupted, his voice warm.

As they stood embraced, the snow continued to fall around them. Bathed in the moonlight reflected off the newly blanketed landscape, the brightness marked the start of a new chapter.

Suddenly, a lithe figure dashed toward Haruki, and a soft impact resonated.

"Meow."

"Snow?" Haruki exclaimed, surprised, as he released Ayumi. The white cat, Snow, had appeared, snuggling against him in an attempt to seek refuge from the cold.

"What are you doing here?" Haruki asked, bemused.

"Snow! Where are you?" a child's voice called out. Haruki and Ayumi turned to see two silhouettes approaching. The street lamp soon illuminated their youthful faces as they drew nearer.

"Kaito? Sakura? Why are you two out so late?" Haruki inquired.

"Haruki!" Kaito ran up to his brother and hugged him. Sakura scooped up Snow, cuddling the cat as one would a baby.

"Sorry, we just woke up," Sakura explained.

"I wanted some milk and saw that it was snowing outside," Kaito added. "I wanted to see it, so I opened the door, and that's when Snow darted out!" He mimicked the scene with animated gestures. Haruki chuckled softly as he and Ayumi stood up.

"It's getting really cold. Let's head home," Haruki suggested. Sakura glanced at Ayumi.

"Do you want to spend the night at our place?" She offered. Both Ayumi and Haruki blushed and looked away from each other.

"I'm sorry, but I should probably go back home. I told my parents I'd return straight after the trip," Ayumi explained.

Sakura's shoulders slumped in disappointment. "I see..."

"Maybe next time," Ayumi reassured her with a smile, managing to lift Sakura's spirits a bit.

"I'll walk you home," Haruki insisted, but Ayumi shook her head.

"My house isn't far. I'll be back in no time."

"Don't worry about big-sis Ayumi!" Kaito declared. "She knows so much about stars that even if she got lost, she could find her way home just by looking at the sky!" Everyone chuckled at Kaito's comment.

"Well then, goodnight," Ayumi waved energetically.

"Goodnight!" The young siblings waved back. Haruki walked over to Ayumi and lightly brushed her hand.

"I'm still going to walk you home," he asserted. Ayumi smiled and grasped his hand.

"I'm glad you are."