Snow had started falling before sunrise—light, soft flakes drifting lazily through the sky, settling on rooftops, roads, and the shoulders of students hurrying toward the exam hall.
Doha walked through the cold with her hands shoved deep inside her jacket pockets. Her long black hair was dusted with white flakes, making it look even darker, almost ink-like against the pale morning. Every exhale made a cloud of white steam float in front of her.
Serin trotted beside her, almost jogging to match Doha's stride. The snow clung to her golden hair, sparkling like frost on spun sunlight.
"Slow down," Serin complained breathlessly, puffing warm air into her hands. "I'm freezing, and your legs are too long."
Doha slowed without protest.
"Sorry. Just nervous."
"About the exam?" Serin scoffed. "You'll pass. Relax. The snow blessed you."
"That's not a thing."
"It is now," Serin declared, her small boots crunching loudly through the snow. "Shut up and accept the blessing."
Doha couldn't help it—she smiled.
---
Entrance Exam Day
The exam hall was cold, their breath visible even indoors. Students rubbed their palms, shivered, whispered anxiously. Doha sat straight-backed, knuckles white around her pen, while Serin sat diagonally behind her, legs too short to reach the floor completely.
"Doha," Serin whispered before the exam started.
Doha glanced back.
Serin gave her a tiny, firm nod.
"You've got this."
Doha held onto those words the entire exam.
---
Results Day — Snow Falling Harder
The snowfall hadn't stopped overnight. By morning, the entire courtyard was blanketed in thick, white powder. Students slipped, threw snowballs, shivered under scarves as they crowded around the result board.
Doha didn't join them.
She stood behind a stone pillar, snow gathering on her shoulders, her breath shaky. She stared at the swirling flakes, unable to move.
Serin finally spotted her. Her small figure trudged through the snow, boots sinking half an inch with every step.
"There you are," she said, cheeks red from the cold. "Stop acting like a tragic movie character hiding in the corner."
Doha stiffened. "I'm not hiding."
"You literally are." Serin stomped closer, brushing snow off Doha's sleeve. "Come on. Let's see the results."
"I… can't." Doha's voice nearly cracked. "If I fail—"
"You didn't fail."
Serin's hand found Doha's, fingers freezing but confident.
"Look with me. Don't run."
The snowflakes fell silently around them as Serin tugged Doha toward the board. Students parted, either out of intimidation from Doha's height or because Serin pushed through with surprising ferocity.
Snow kept melting in their hair, dripping onto their coats.
"Okay…" Serin leaned forward, standing on her tiptoes to see better. "Let's find… where is… ah. Doha."
Doha's heart almost stopped.
Serin touched the board lightly.
DOHA RIN— PASSED. SELECTED.
Doha's breath left her in a white cloud. Her fingers twitched. She stared and stared, unable to blink.
Then she felt small arms wrap tight around her waist.
Cold, shivering arms.
Serin buried her face in Doha's coat.
"I told you," she murmured, voice muffled. "You did it."
Doha swallowed hard. Slowly, she hugged Serin back, her chin resting atop Serin's snowy hair.
"…Thank you," she whispered.
"For what?"
"For making me look."
Serin pulled back with a grin bright enough to melt snow.
"Good. Now let's freeze to death together."
---
College Days in Winter
Snow lined the sidewalks as they walked across the huge campus on the first day. Doha's strides were long, steady. Serin's were clumsy, slipping once every three steps.
"Doha— Doha wait— Doha— I'm going to fall— Doha slow down—!"
Doha grabbed her arm quickly. "Just hold onto me."
Serin grinned and linked their arms without hesitation. "Don't have to tell me twice."
They studied in warm rooms while snow pattered softly on the windows. Serin explained formulas with tiny doodles on paper; On some evenings, when the heaters weren't enough, Serin would sit practically pressed against Doha,
Doha never complained.
---