VOLUME 6 — THE BIGGEST FLAME IN THE WINTER
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-AURORA ACADEMY OF EXCELLENCE, COURTYARD-
-4:21 PM, FEBRUARY 27, 2017-
Snow fell lightly across the campus.
Students walked in groups, their breath visible in the cold air.
But Rikuu stood alone near the edge of the courtyard.
Watching.
Thinking.
The folded document sat in his pocket.
He hadn't shown it to anyone.
Not Ichika.
Not Masayoshi.
Not anyone.
Because the information inside…
Wasn't something easy to explain.
Or safe to share.
-AURORA ACADEMY, THEATRE CLUB ROOM-
-4:36 PM-
Rehearsal had just ended.
Students packed their things.
The atmosphere was lighter than before the exhibition.
But something subtle lingered.
Ichika watched Rikuu from across the room.
He was quieter than usual.
More distant.
"Rikuu," she called gently.
He looked up.
"…Yeah?"
"You've been quiet today."
"…Just thinking."
She stepped closer.
"What about?"
He hesitated.
"…Stuff."
Ichika didn't push immediately.
But her eyes softened.
"Is it something you can't tell me?"
Rikuu looked at her.
For a moment—
He almost said yes.
But instead—
"…Not yet."
The answer wasn't rejection.
But it still created space.
Ichika nodded slowly.
"…Okay."
But her expression showed she noticed.
-EMPTY CLASSROOM-
-5:12 PM-
Rikuu sat alone in an unused classroom.
The document lay open on the desk.
He had read it several times now.
Each time—
More questions appeared.
Not answers.
Only fragments.
Connections.
Patterns.
And something that made him uneasy.
A quiet realization.
He wasn't being watched randomly.
He was being studied.
Rikuu leaned back in his chair.
"…This is bigger than I thought."
He exhaled slowly.
Then stood.
"…I need to find out more."
-SCHOOL HALLWAY-
-5:41 PM-
Ichika walked down the hallway.
Looking for him.
She had noticed it.
The distance.
The silence.
Rikuu didn't act like this without reason.
She stopped near the window.
Then saw him.
Standing alone.
Across the hallway.
Ichika approached slowly.
"…Rikuu."
He looked up.
"…Ichika."
There was a pause.
Then—
"You're avoiding something," she said gently.
He didn't deny it.
"…Yeah."
"Is it dangerous?"
Rikuu hesitated.
"…Possibly."
Her expression tightened slightly.
"…Is it related to the man?"
He didn't answer immediately.
Then—
"…Yes."
Silence.
Ichika studied him carefully.
"Then you shouldn't handle it alone."
"I can't just ignore it."
"I'm not asking you to."
A pause.
"Then what are you asking?"
She stepped closer.
"…To let me help."
Rikuu looked at her.
And for a moment—
He considered it.
Then shook his head slightly.
"…Not this."
Her expression softened.
"…Rikuu."
"I'll figure it out first."
A pause.
"…Then I'll tell you."
Ichika didn't respond right away.
But she understood something.
This wasn't him pushing her away out of habit.
This was him trying to protect her.
Still—
It didn't make the distance feel any smaller.
-AURORA ACADEMY COURTYARD-
-6:05 PM-
The sky had begun to darken.
Snow continued falling.
Rikuu walked toward the gate alone.
Ichika followed at a distance.
Not speaking.
Just watching.
They stopped at the same place they usually did.
But today—
It felt different.
"…You're really not going to tell me?" Ichika asked softly.
Rikuu looked at her.
"…Not yet."
She nodded.
But this time—
There was a small distance between them.
Not physical.
But noticeable.
"…Okay."
A pause.
Then—
"Be careful," she said.
He nodded.
"…You too."
She gave a faint smile.
Then turned.
And walked away into the snow.
Rikuu watched her go.
Until she disappeared.
Then he looked down at the document in his hand.
"…I won't stay in the dark."
Snow fell quietly around him.
And somewhere—
Something was already beginning to move faster.