The morning after the snowfall felt profoundly different. It wasn't just colder; an enveloping stillness had settled over the city, the heavy quiet that lingers after a significant shift, no matter how small.
Inside the classroom, the hours dragged.
Ren's seat was perfectly positioned in the back corner, right beside the window. He sat watching the slow, deliberate process of the world outside returning to normal. Sunlight, pale and thin, hit the glass, warming the surface just enough to coax the melting snow into thick, sliding drops that raced each other down the pane. Time felt viscous, catching up to the speed of the dripping water.
He couldn't focus. Not on the hurried scratch of chalk on the blackboard, not on the complex equations of vectors. His mind kept circling back to two nights ago—the metallic smell of rain, the dark comfort of the umbrella, Akari's soft voice, and the simple, profound act of her presence without judgment or pity.
Why does that matter so much? It was just a stranger being kind.
Daiki, sitting diagonally in front, noticed the familiar, distant look in Ren's eyes. What a waste to let someone like Ren have that corner seat, Daiki would often think, looking at the enviable view of the courtyard. He's always staring, but never really seeing. Fate is cruel, I just have to accept this damn fate. Why does stuff like this always happen to me? He never meant the thought harshly; it was the affectionate, frustrated inner monologue of a best friend.
Daiki leaned back, reaching over to grip Ren's shoulder and give him a rough shake.
"Hey, you idiot! Don't zone out like that," Daiki hissed, keeping his voice low but urgent.
"Sensei might catch you off guard and ask a question. Then I'll have to save your sorry ass by whispering the answer. Hehehe."
Ren blinked, the classroom snapping back into sharp focus. "Stop it, you idiot. You're not even that smart. I know I'm better than you at studies, you dumbass."
"Get lost, dumbass. You should be thanking me for snapping you out of it. Dumbass. Dumbass. Dumbass."
"Why do you keep repeating 'dumbass'?"
"Because you're the biggest dumbass in this class."
"No, you're the biggest dumbass in the whole world."
They slipped easily into their usual, comfortable rhythm, the petty insults a shared language only they understood.
After a moment, Daiki's expression turned serious, the joking wiped away. He leaned closer.
"You're still thinking about Hina, aren't you?" he murmured, the question weighted with concern. "I told you, man. You need to move on. She's got her life now—she's busy with her boyfriend. You can't cling to the past version of her."
A familiar tightness settled in Ren's chest, a dull, aching pressure. He stared out at the melting snow. "It's easy to say in words, Daiki, but in real life, it's different. It's… hard."
"I get it," Daiki said, his voice soft with empathy. "But you've got to stop thinking about her every second. Time changes everything, Ren. And people do, too."
The mention of time shifting unexpectedly brought a different image to Ren's mind: silver hair and a gentle smile.
"Hey, Daiki," Ren started, his tone abruptly shifting to quiet curiosity. "The night before last—after you left—I met a girl."
Daiki's eyes widened with immediate, exaggerated interest. "Hehh? You got another baddie already? You're such a playboy, Ren."
"Stop it, you idiot. Listen first, dumbass."
Daiki chuckled, throwing his hands up in mock surrender. "Okay, okay. My Lord Takahashi Ren-sama, please continue."
Ren then recounted the entire evening: the rain, his breakdown, the quiet comfort, the umbrella, and his visit to her house this morning.
"What?!" Daiki exclaimed, genuinely shocked. "I think she must have really bad taste in guys, then. If I were you, I'd have asked for her number immediately and rizzed her up with my charm."
Ren raised an eyebrow, a slight, awkward smile tugging at his lips. "Huh? What did you just say? Come again, you dumbass?"
(Daiki's inner thoughts: Good. He's actually smiling and teasing again. Thank you, angelic girl.)
Ren sighed, running a hand through his hair.
"I didn't take her number. It felt rude to ask—especially after she did so much for a complete stranger like me. I don't even know what school she goes to."
Daiki suddenly leaned back, tapping his chin thoughtfully. Silver hair… He searched his memory, trying to recall faces from the crowded hallways and courtyards. Did I see someone like that before?
(Daiki's inner thoughts: My buddy needs help. I'll figure this out.)
"Dude," Daiki announced, snapping his fingers. "I think she's from our school."
Ren's eyes snapped up, focused and bright.
"Wait, really?"
Daiki shrugged casually. "Mmm… I guess so."
"Get lost, dumbass."
"Hahaha! I just wanted to see your reaction!"
Daiki burst into laughter, satisfied with the genuine spark of hope he'd seen. "You really do like her."
"Stop with the nonsense, Daiki. Who falls for someone they met one night ago? It hasn't even been a whole day."
"It's written all over your face, dumbass.
You're so easy to read."
"Don't act like you've got a master's in psychology, idiot. Anyway, I forgot to mention something else."
"What? What?" Daiki asked eagerly.
Ren continued, dropping his voice lower.
"Remember I told you I took her umbrella? Well, this morning I went to her house to return it. I thought she'd be there, but she wasn't."
"Of course not. She probably went to school—unlike you, who skips whenever you feel like it."
"Ehhh! Not always! Anyway, let me finish. When I went to her place, her mom opened the door. I told her I got the umbrella from Akari-san and wanted to return it. She invited me inside. We had a little chat. She's really nice… and pretty. She kind of looks like Akari-san."
(Daiki's inner thoughts: Strong and cute genes, I guess.)
"Wait, hold on," Daiki interrupted, feigning astonishment. "You even rizzed up her mom? Don't tell me you're into older women now."
"Like hell I am! No! She just looked like Akari-san's older sister."
"Yo man, you're wild. You're outta my league."
"It's not like that. You'd understand if you met her. Anyway, the real question is—how do I find Akari?"
Daiki smirked, a conspiratorial look in his eyes. "Leave it to me, boss. I've got your back. I insist."
The bell shrieked, signaling the welcome chaos of lunchtime. The classroom doors burst open, and the air filled with the scent of microwaved food and bento boxes. Ren and Daiki started toward their usual spot by the vending machines.
Suddenly, Daiki froze dead in his tracks.
"Dude…" Daiki grabbed Ren's sleeve, his voice hushed and stunned. "I just saw an angel. Look. Is that… is that the girl you were talking about this morning?"
Ren followed his gaze.
The silver hair was unmistakable, catching the fluorescent light of the hallway like spun moonlight.
A sudden, sharp wave of surprise hit Ren. His heart executed a clumsy, painful skip, and a deep, involuntary blush crawled up his neck and flooded his cheeks. He felt dizzy.
"Hey, dumbass," Daiki whispered urgently, shaking his arm. "You were wondering what school she goes to—turns out she's in our school, same year even! Don't just stand there—go talk to her!"
Ren, his voice tight with embarrassment: "What?! No, I can't…"
"Then don't come crying to me when someone else steals her—."
"Shut up, dumbass."
(Daiki thinking: How the hell did I miss a girl this pretty for two whole years? I must be blind. Wait, I better make sure Ren doesn't mess this up.)
Meanwhile, Akari was standing near the classroom door, her soft laughter mingling with her friends' chatter. She turned, her silver hair swinging slightly, and her eyes found Ren across the bustling hall.
Suddenly—her own face flushed a bright, tell-tale pink. Her heart started a frantic, loud drumming against her ribs.
Ehh? What am I thinking? Why is my heart racing? A sudden wave of confusion hit her. I've never felt like this before—not even with other guys. Why now?
She turned away, covering her mouth with her hand, embarrassed by the raw physical reaction.
Still… I've already approached him once. I can do it again. She took a deep breath, gathering her courage like a physical shield, and started walking deliberately toward Ren and Daiki.
They immediately noticed.
Ren, internalizing a full-scale panic: Is she mad at me? Did I overstep by going to her house? Did her mom tell her I was flirting? What do I say? Did I just stand here staring like an idiot?
Daiki, ever practical: "Stop freaking out, idiot. She's just coming to talk. Say thank you or something. I'll stay back."
Ren, wide-eyed: "Ehh! You're not coming?"
"I don't want to be a third wheel. Go, go!"
In a flash of pure panic, Ren grabbed Daiki's sleeve, his grip desperate. "You're coming too! Just in case I mess up!"
"Ugh. Why do I have to babysit you?"
"Please, Daiki…"
"…Fine."
Ren awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck, the gesture feeling stiff and unnatural.
"One hell of a coincidence, Minazuki-san," he managed, the formality feeling odd now that they were face-to-face in school. "I didn't know you go to this school."
Akari smiled gently, the look warm and reassuring, calming the flutter in Ren's stomach. "Yes. Actually, Ren-san, I've been meaning to ask you…"
"Huh? About what?"
"How have you been? Are things okay now?"
she asked, her gaze steady and kind, a subtle reminder of their conversation in the rain.
Ren felt his smile settle into something easy and genuine. "Yeah… I'm fine. Thanks for asking."
He was struck by how effortlessly kind she was. Words seemed to fail him again, leaving him awkwardly silent. Thankfully, Daiki was still glued to his side.
Akari glanced at Daiki, a flicker of curiosity in her expression. "Who's this? A friend of yours?"
Ren quickly responded, grateful for the distraction. "Yeah, he's my best friend. Shiranui Daiki. We were just heading to our usual lunch spot."
"Oh, I see… Am I bothering you two?"
Ren was quick to shake his head. "No! Not at all. Please don't worry. You're not a bother."
He gestured formally between them. "Sorry for the late intro. Daiki, this is Minazuki Akari-san."
Daiki played it cool, offering a polite bow. "Nice to meet you, Minazuki-san. Please, you can call me Daiki."
(Daiki thinking: Is it weird to ask her to use my first name already? Is she going to think I'm weird? Whatever, I'm doing this for Ren.)
Akari laughed softly, the sound like light bells. "You two really are childhood friends. I can tell."
Ren and Daiki exchanged a puzzled glance.
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"Nothing bad! It's just… when I first met Ren-san, he also asked me to call him by his first name. So you both reminded me of each other. Like twins."
Ren immediately scoffed. "Don't lump me in with this guy. He's a brat."
Daiki shot back, "Oh really? Look who's talking."
Both together, they shouted playfully, "What, wanna fight?!"
Akari laughed again, a bright, genuine sound that drew a few curious glances. "You both are really funny."
Ren smiled awkwardly, the tightness in his shoulders easing. "Is that so…"
Akari checked the time on her phone.
"Anyway, it'll be late if you don't eat. Go on, eat your lunch."
"Ah! I forgot," Ren said, feeling suddenly hungry. "Time flew talking to you. Thanks for the reminder. See you after school, Minazuki-san."
After school…? I'll see him again? Akari's heart pounded a second time, a wave of thrilled nervousness replacing the earlier shock. Is that okay…?
Ren and Daiki headed off for their lunch spot. As they walked, they exchanged a knowing glance. They both thought the same thing: She's genuinely kind and unbelievably pretty.
Daiki's resolve solidified. If Ren and Akari get close… he might finally, truly forget about Hina. I'll do everything I can to make that happen.
Lunch break ended, and the bustling energy of the hallway subsided.
SNOWFALL AND NEW BEGINNINGS
AND AS HE TURNED TO LEAVE, A VOICE IN HIS CHEST WHISPERED, "DON'T LET THIS BE THE LAST TIME."