-AURORA ACADEMY OF EXCELLENCE, MAIN HALLWAY-
-8:16 AM, JANUARY 30, 2017-
Monday mornings at Aurora Academy were always quiet.
Students walked through the polished corridors in neat uniforms, the winter sun reflecting faintly through the tall glass windows.
But today—
The quiet carried something else.
Whispers.
"…Did you see them at rehearsal?"
"I'm telling you, they're actually dating."
"No way. Komori-san?"
"With Arakawa?"
"Apparently."
Groups of students murmured between lockers.
Some curious.
Some surprised.
Some clearly entertained.
At the end of the hallway—
Ichika walked calmly toward her classroom.
Her posture graceful as always.
But the glances around her were slightly more frequent today.
Her friend Kiyomi Mizuhara appeared beside her almost instantly.
"Ichika."
Her voice carried dramatic urgency.
Ichika blinked.
"Yes?"
"You're famous again."
"I was already famous."
Kiyomi leaned closer.
"Not like this."
Ichika sighed softly.
"Let me guess."
"The theatre rehearsal."
Kiyomi clutched her chest.
"THE CONFESSION SCENE."
Several nearby students looked over immediately.
"Kiyomi," Ichika whispered.
"You're loud."
"I'm emotional!"
Misuzu Kanzaki approached more calmly.
"I believe the entire second floor heard about it already."
Ichika closed her eyes briefly.
"…Wonderful."
Kiyomi grinned.
"People say the chemistry looked real."
Ichika opened her locker quietly.
"It's called acting."
Misuzu adjusted her glasses.
"Yes."
A small pause.
"But in your case it might also be called reality."
Ichika's cheeks warmed slightly.
Before she could reply—
A voice echoed from further down the hallway.
"Arakawa."
Rikuu turned as someone stepped into his path.
A tall theatre club member.
Takeda Shun.
One of the senior actors.
Known for his strong stage presence.
And recently—
Someone who had auditioned for the same lead role.
"You're popular now," Takeda said casually.
Rikuu shrugged.
"…Apparently."
Takeda crossed his arms.
"You got the lead role pretty easily."
"You auditioned too."
"I did."
Their eyes met.
A quiet tension lingered.
"You're talented," Takeda continued.
"But acting is more than looking intense."
Rikuu didn't react.
"Are you saying something?" he asked calmly.
Takeda smiled slightly.
"Just that the play matters."
"So?"
"So don't treat it like a hobby."
Rikuu slipped his hands into his pockets.
"I don't."
Takeda studied him for another moment.
Then turned away.
"…Good."
Masayoshi appeared immediately afterward.
"Wow," he whispered.
"That guy is jealous."
Rikuu walked past him.
"Not my problem."
Masayoshi grinned.
"You stole his role and his audience."
"I auditioned."
"And your girlfriend is the female lead."
"…Stop talking."
Masayoshi laughed.
-AURORA ACADEMY, ROOFTOP-
-12:11 PM-
Snow lined the edges of the rooftop fence.
The winter sky stretched pale and wide above Sapporo.
Ichika sat beside Rikuu on a bench near the railing.
Lunch break.
Quiet.
Peaceful.
"So," she said softly.
"You're famous now."
"…I noticed."
"Does it bother you?"
"A little."
She smiled faintly.
"You'll survive."
Rikuu leaned back slightly.
"…Probably."
A moment passed.
Then—
His phone vibrated.
He glanced down.
The screen displayed the hospital's number.
His expression shifted immediately.
Ichika noticed.
"What is it?"
He stood quickly.
"…I need to take this."
He walked a few steps away before answering.
"Yes?"
The conversation was quiet.
Short.
But Ichika could see his shoulders stiffen.
"…I understand."
A pause.
"…Thank you."
He ended the call slowly.
For a moment—
He didn't move.
Then he turned back.
Ichika stood.
"…Rikuu?"
His voice was calm.
But heavier than usual.
"They're adjusting her treatment."
Her chest tightened.
"Your grandmother?"
He nodded.
"The doctors say her condition is getting harder to control."
Snow drifted across the rooftop quietly.
"What does that mean?" she asked gently.
"…It means the time we have might not be as long as we hoped."
The words settled between them.
Cold.
Fragile.
Ichika stepped closer.
Her hand slipped into his.
He didn't pull away.
"You won't face that alone," she said softly.
Rikuu looked at her.
The same quiet warmth in her eyes.
The same stubborn loyalty.
"…I know."
But somewhere deep inside him—
A quiet fear had begun to grow.
Winter sometimes lasts longer than people expect.
And not every winter ends with spring.