Let's do it again, Yukino.

"I've always been handsome, okay? Otherwise, even in my past life, no one would have said I was ugly. After all, Junko's genes are there, so I couldn't be that ugly."

"Actually, when I confessed to you in Kyoto that day in front of that group of people, I also had my own selfish reasons."

"Self-interest?"

Chunri closed the book, looked down at the warmth emanating from her breath, felt a slight itch, and couldn't help but ask curiously.

Perhaps wanting to tell the boy the truth, the girl nodded without hesitation.

"Well, this is a small punishment for the child you caused me to lose the chance to be born."

"Hiss—Xiaoxue, why are you still thinking about that? It's been so long."

That's why it's called a small punishment.

"That's not a punishment at all. It's more like a reward to me. Letting Ye Shan and his group know that Xiao Xue likes me is a reward from your great mercy, Xiao Xue."

The boy didn't mind any of that. He kissed the girl who had the same languid expression as him and chuckled.

"It's a punishment for me. Once I confess to you, all the girls who originally had feelings for you will gradually distance themselves from you."

Spring shrugs its shoulders, but doesn't relinquish the warmth that the light snow has given it.

In the cold, only the light snow can make me feel the gentleness of the world.

"and then?"

"In that case, I, Yukino Yukinoshita, can continue to use this as an excuse to take more things from you, even the happiness you originally possessed."

"Until the very end, you realize that I was the only one by your side all along."

"How about that? Isn't it selfish of me to take things away from others while I'm the one who gets to hold onto happiness? The girl you like actually has such a dark side. So, if I say all this, Ah Qing, would you still like someone as dark as me?"

The girl chuckled as she spoke, her face devoid of the gloom that lay beneath her words.

"Think what you want. No matter how dark or evil Xiaoxue is, I still want to stay by your side, because a real man cannot resist any darkness."

After thinking for a moment, Chunri laughed jokingly.

Even if it's a love story between a wicked witch and a prince, it's still a good ending.

"Well, thinking about it, it's just you, so it's not too bad. Xiaoxue, because of my appearance, you only have me left by your side now."

“How could I be the same as you? I have an older sister to rely on, Yui to confide in, and even an aunt who I can complain to.”

Kasuga: "..."

As expected, when it comes to arguing, I'm no match for Xiaoxue.

After thinking about it, he got out of bed, put on his slippers, and headed towards the kitchen.

"Since I can't sleep anyway, I'll make some late-night snacks for two. Xiaoxue, do you want glutinous rice balls or fruit soup?"

"Eat you?"

Spring Day shivered and turned to look at the girl.

"Don't say such cute things that make me tremble. Fine, I'll make the decision. Let's go with the glutinous rice balls we made before."

"Then I'll help too."

The girl, who wasn't used to lying in bed alone, also got out of bed.

"Sure, although it's been a long time since Xiaoxue has cooked, she can still lend a hand with simple tasks."

"What an idiot."

I could vaguely hear the girl's complaints.

"It's not just that you look like her, it's that you're an idiot, Xiaoxue."

The boy, however, was used to it. He gently stepped forward and patted the girl's back, responding calmly.

……

We made a promise to be together forever.

Even when faced with the most dreaded reality,

Time flies, like a fleeting moment.

This feeling, however, is as enduring as a high mountain and a clear river.

In summary, it boils down to just five simple words.

Yukino, I love you.

……

…………

Soubu High School is located near the sea, and there are no tall buildings around it, allowing the already chilly winds to blow straight in.

Springtime sat by the classroom window, listening to the wind rattling the windows.

However, at this moment, Chunri looked up and stared blankly at the empty seat in front of her.

The quiet, short-haired girl we used to see hasn't come to school for many days.

The already quiet classroom suddenly seemed even more deserted in springtime eyes.

"Did Nagato ask for leave?"

Looking at the empty seat in spring, a rare touch of melancholy appeared on her face as she murmured softly.

According to Ms. Hiratsuka, Nagato apparently took a very long leave of absence from the school.

The reason for taking leave was a family emergency.

Even Professor Hiratsuka wasn't sure when this academically gifted girl would be able to return to school.

Asakura, the class monitor, looked visibly disappointed. In the past few days, he had been frequently criticized by his teachers for daydreaming in class.

Winter quietly descended upon this campus at the end of November.

The trees swayed back and forth, scattering branches and leaves all over the ground. The dry wind stirred up dust, and there were few pedestrians on the road. Everyone had turned up their coat collars, hunched their shoulders, and walked forward with their heads down.

This is also the first winter after spring's rebirth. Perhaps it's the psychological effect of the events that have happened one after another, but the howling north wind is unusually cold.

Even after changing into the winter school uniform issued by the school, the weather still felt too cold.

"It's their business if they need to take leave from school. Why are you being so sentimental?"

Hiratsuka Shizuka kicked Haruhi hard in the buttocks as he sighed for the fifteenth time, and said mockingly.

"I just feel cold. What does that have to do with Nagato asking for leave? Also, Master, please speak properly. It hurts my butt from your high heels kicking me."

Haruhi, who had fallen flat on his face, stood up, his buttocks burning with pain, leaving him speechless as he pointed at his mentor.

"I can't stand seeing you so listless. You're still a high school student, don't look down like an old man. You're not Hachiman."

Hiratsuka Shizuka was still wearing the white coat that seemed to have many spares, and she said disdainfully to the boy from Haruhi.

I hate those two scoundrels who stick together for warmth.

Chapter Two: The Words of Rain

"The temperature has been dropping rapidly lately, so remember to keep warm and don't let Junko worry."

"Okay, I understand. You don't need to come out. I'll close the door."

Today, after a long absence, Chunri set off from his apartment, dressed completely covered up, and rode his bicycle, with Junko, dressed in pajamas and seemingly still half asleep, behind him.

Junko waved to Haruhi, still holding the Mr. Pan doll that Yuki had given her last time.

Junko plans to open a simple coffee shop, and the shop location seems to have been finalized after negotiations these past few days.

As for the opening time, Junko told him that it seemed to be around Christmas, which is considered an auspicious time.

In short, despite his complaints about Junko's wasteful spending, Kasuga ultimately did not object to her decision.

The north wind howled

Riding the Snow Mountain bike through the streets and alleys this spring morning.

Along the way, we also passed by Furyu-an, a Japanese-style restaurant where I had worked for a while.

As for him, he had already taken Junko's advice and voluntarily resigned not long ago.

I've heard that Sashi Sashi seems to have a status there that's almost as important as Lisa's.

Congratulations.

In just one year, tremendous changes have taken place in him and in the people around him.

……

brake!!

Looking at that figure that appeared hurriedly at the corner intersection,

Springtime, who had just been lost in memories, quickly turned the handlebars around.

Springtime stopped the car just centimeters away from the wall.

Turning her head, Chunri couldn't help but yell at the figure she had almost knocked to the ground.

"Isshiki, how many times have I told you to pay close attention to your left and right at dangerous intersections like this? It was the same last time, wasn't it? Did you even listen to me? If you had actually been hit just now, it would have been a really bad situation."

Yes, it was as if the scene of their first meeting was being replayed. The flaxen-haired girl stuck out her tongue, looking as if she had been startled, patted her chest, and greeted Haruhi, who was sitting in the car.

"Haha, good morning, senior. It's been a long time!"

"You need to seriously reflect on your actions, really."

It was so close! This mischievous junior wasn't the first time Kasuga had given him such a headache.

"Well, well, I was thinking about something and didn't notice you coming this way, senior. It's my fault, okay? Please don't be angry."

While apologizing, Isshiki easily sat on the back seat of Kasuga's bicycle.

"But it's really lucky to meet a senior like me. I was worried that I would be late today."

"Did I tell you to come up here? Why are you being so self-willed?"