The wind was colder today.
Itsuki pulled her coat tighter as she walked down the street.
"…Why is it so cold all of a sudden…"
Her breath turned visible in the air.
Tokyo ka weather bhi uski tarah unpredictable lag raha tha.
College ka din normal tha.
Lectures.
Notes.
Hina ke saath thodi hasi-mazaak.
But something felt… off.
"Aoi—uh, I mean Itsuki, are you okay?"
Hina leaned closer, slightly concerned.
"You've been quiet today."
"I'm fine…"
Itsuki forced a smile.
"Just a little tired."
But she wasn't fine.
Her head felt heavy.
Her body slow.
"…Maybe I didn't sleep properly."
Classes khatam hote hote—
Uska condition aur kharab ho gaya.
"Want me to walk with you?" Hina asked.
"I'll be okay…"
Itsuki shook her head gently.
"You go ahead."
Hina hesitated.
"…Text me when you reach home."
"I will."
But she didn't.
Because halfway home—
Her legs stopped cooperating.
"…I need to sit…"
Itsuki slowly sat down on a bench near her apartment building.
Her breathing uneven.
Her vision slightly blurred.
"…This is bad…"
Cold wind brushed past her.
Her fingers trembled.
"…I just need a minute…"
But minutes passed.
And she didn't move.
Then—
Footsteps.
"…You again?"
Itsuki slowly looked up.
Souta Amagiri.
Standing in front of her.
A paper bag in one hand.
"…Souta…"
Her voice came out weak.
He frowned slightly.
"…You look terrible."
"…Thanks…"
She tried to joke.
Failed.
Souta stepped closer.
Without asking—
He placed his hand lightly on her forehead.
Itsuki froze.
"…You're burning."
"…Eh?"
"You have a fever."
"Oh…"
That explained it.
"…You shouldn't be outside."
"I didn't plan to collapse here…"
"…Idiot."
"…HEY—"
She tried to protest.
But her voice lacked strength.
Souta sighed quietly.
Then—
He sat beside her.
"…Drink this."
He handed her a warm coffee.
"…Again?"
"…You clearly need it."
Itsuki accepted it slowly.
Her hands shaking slightly.
Warmth spread through her fingers.
"…Thank you…"
For a moment—
They sat in silence.
Wind.
Cold.
And quiet breathing.
"…Why are you helping me?"
Itsuki asked softly.
Souta didn't answer immediately.
"…Because you helped me."
"…That was just returning a paper…"
"…Still counts."
Itsuki smiled faintly.
"…You're not very honest, are you?"
"…What does that mean?"
"…You act cold…"
She looked at him.
"…but you're kind."
Souta looked away.
"…You talk too much."
"…And you don't talk enough."
A small pause.
Then—
Very slightly—
He smiled.
Itsuki noticed.
"…You smiled."
"…No, I didn't."
"…You did."
"…You're imagining things."
"…I'm not."
For a moment—
The cold didn't feel so bad.
"…Can you walk?" Souta asked.
"…Maybe…"
"…Try."
Itsuki stood up slowly.
Her legs wobbled.
"…Okay, maybe not…"
Before she could fall—
Souta caught her.
Silence.
Too close.
Itsuki's heart skipped.
"…Careful."
"…S-sorry…"
"…Come on."
Without another word—
He supported her.
Helping her walk.
Step by step.
Slowly.
To her apartment.
"…This is embarrassing…"
Itsuki muttered.
"…You should be more careful next time."
"…Yes, mom."
"…Don't start."
She laughed weakly.
At her door—
She stopped.
"…Thank you…"
Souta nodded.
"…Take medicine."
"…I will."
A pause.
"…And rest."
"…Yes, sir."
He turned to leave.
"…Souta."
He stopped.
"…Good luck for your audition."
A small silence.
Then—
"…Thanks."
And he left.
Itsuki entered her room.
Collapsed on her bed.
Her body still weak.
But her heart—
Strangely warm.
"…He's weird…"
She whispered.
"…But kind…"
Her eyes slowly closed.
And for the first time since coming to Tokyo—
She didn't feel alone.
✨ Sometimes… warmth doesn't come from the sun.
💭 It comes from people.