The weather was turning colder, and flakes of snow drifted down from the sky like little white spirits.
Ren woke up early. He moved gently to avoid disturbing Chie and Kikyo, who were still lying on either side of him, deep in their sweet dreams.
"It's snowing..."
In the room, where the heating was always on, Ren couldn't feel the cold of the changing season. He pressed his right hand against the glass window and murmured to himself.
He pulled the covers, which the two women had kicked off, back over them. Ren then changed into a black and red robe and walked out of the room.
He didn't know when this sudden light snow had started.
When Ren stepped out of the villa, the world outside was already covered in a thick layer of frost, making everything look incredibly cold and clear.
Ren had woken up too early; the moon had not yet faded away.
Under the bright moonlight, everything was dyed with a faint silver glow. Combined with the snowy scenery, it appeared somewhat lonely.
Reaching out to catch a falling snowflake, Ren watched it slowly melt in his palm, eventually turning into a small pool of cold water.
While Ren was lost in thought, a trail of paw prints appeared on the snow-covered ground.
Koharu arrived silently at Ren's side, affectionately rubbing her large head against his thigh.
Pure white, Koharu seemed to have returned to a fairyland that truly belonged to her.
"Koharu, time flies so fast..."
Stroking her large head, Ren sighed.
The once frail cub had now grown into such a graceful, big girl.
"Awooo~"
Koharu responded to Ren.
Looking at Ren, her eyes were filled with deep dependence.
Tightening the black fur-collared cloak around him, Ren led Koharu toward the viewing pavilion in the garden.
Arriving at the pavilion, Koharu leaped lightly onto the bench and lay down, patting the empty space in front of her with her tail.
"Good girl."
Ren chuckled, accepting Koharu's kindness, and sat down in front of her.
As soon as he sat, Koharu placed her tail in Ren's lap, swaying it playfully.
Gently swatting away her mischievous tail, Ren leaned back completely, resting his entire weight on her.
Koharu cooperated perfectly, placing her head by Ren's right hand to serve as an armrest.
With his crimson eyes slightly narrowed, Ren enjoyed this cozy moment.
...
"Mmm... I slept so well."
Rubbing her sleepy eyes, Honami Ichinose sat up and stretched comfortably.
Noticing Airi Sakura still sleeping beside her, Honami instinctively quieted her movements. "Is it snowing...?"
Honami also noticed the snowflakes falling outside the window.
"Ren... I love you so much..."
Airi's mumbling startled Honami, who thought she had woken her up. Seeing Airi's eyes still tightly closed, Honami let out a sigh of relief.
No longer sleepy, Honami tiptoed out of bed and went to the window, wanting to take a good look at the first snow of the year.
With just one glance...
She saw Ren sitting alone in the pavilion, wrapped in a black cloak, looking somewhat lonely.
...
"Honami?"
Feeling a faint, warm breath on his face, Ren opened his eyes only to see Honami, who had taken advantage of his distraction to bring her face right next to his.
"Ren-kun, Ohayou~"
Seeing Ren open his eyes, Honami revealed a sunny smile. "Also, thanks for the meal~"
Honami immediately made her move.
After seeing Airi yesterday, and Kikyo Kushida being one step ahead some time ago, Honami understood she had to take the initiative.
In this cold scenery, two warm tongues intertwined.
Her hands weren't idle either. Honami took Ren's right hand, which was resting on Koharu's head, and placed it over her heart.
She pressed it down hard...
Unable to hold her breath any longer, Honami was the first to pull back. She looked at Ren with eyes full of love. "Ren-kun, can you feel my heartbeat?"
"It's confessing to you. It's swearing an oath to you."
"I know. I've always known. Why is Honami saying this today?"
Pulling Honami into his arms, Ren gently caressed her beautiful face.
"Ren-kun, you're going to leave, aren't you?"
Leaning into Ren's embrace, Honami placed her hand on his.
"Ren-kun, ever since you stepped down as Student Council President, your eyes have changed."
"When you look at us, everything is normal. But whenever your gaze leaves us, your eyes become empty."
"You're tired. You feel that this school is starting to become boring."
"You're always like this. When you lose interest in something, the light disappears from your eyes."
Ren paused. He teased her, "Honami has improved; she can read people's eyes now."
Honami shook her head, her beautiful eyes fixed on Ren.
"Honami hasn't improved. Honami can only read Ren-kun's eyes."
"Can you... stay with Honami for a little while longer...?"
"I'm begging you, Ren-kun..."
"Really..."
"Please..."
By the end, Honami's voice carried a sob, and tears welled up in her eyes.
She couldn't stop Ren from leaving, nor would she try to stop him, but she wanted him to stay with her a bit more.
"I never said I would leave right now. At the very least, I have to wait until this special exam is over."
"I still have to watch Honami win this special exam."
Brushing away Honami's tears with his finger, Ren spoke softly.
He did intend to leave this school, but before doing so, he would say proper goodbyes and arrange everything.
Even Ren hadn't expected Honami to detect his thoughts so early.
A gentle breeze shifted the falling snow, sending white flakes drifting over them to settle on their hair.
In that short moment, the snow dyed both of their heads white.
"Honami, look at us. It's like we've grown old together."
Taking out his phone, Ren framed them both in the shot.
Click.
Leaning her head on Ren's shoulder, Honami pressed the button.
A photo of the two of them with "white heads" appeared in the gallery.
"Ren-kun, you can't refuse me this time."
"I don't want to let you go just like this."
"At least... you have to wait until you claim me..."
"Only then can you leave!"
The atmosphere was set. Honami wasn't willing to let this opportunity slip away.
She dragged Ren toward the villa.
Let's go, come to my room!
...
...
...
"Ren-kun~"
...
...
...
"Master~"
----
"Ren-kun, I want to sleep for a bit..."
Wrapping her arms around Ren's neck, Honami pressed against him and fell asleep, satisfied.
The childhood friend he had raised for so long finally couldn't escape Ren's clutches.
Honami Ichinose: Better late than never.
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Note: I'm not good at writing first times, but I'll take care of the second time.
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