-DOWNTOWN SAPPORO, BACK ALLEY-
-6:47 PM, DECEMBER 5, 2016-
The academy lights faded behind Rikuu as he walked.
Street lamps flickered on one by one, casting long shadows across the pavement. The cold grew sharper the farther he went from Aurora Academy—less polished, more honest.
Rikuu turned into a narrow alley, boots crunching softly against thin ice.
This place didn't care who you were.
It never had.
A familiar figure leaned against a vending machine ahead, hood pulled up, hands shoved into his pockets.
"Took you long enough."
Rikuu stopped. "You're early."
Masayoshi Fujikawa grinned. "Nah. You're just late."
Rikuu exhaled slowly. "You shouldn't be here."
"Relax," Masayoshi said. "No crowd today. Just one guy."
Rikuu's jaw tightened.
"…How much?"
Masayoshi whistled. "Enough."
That was all Rikuu needed.
-ABANDONED WAREHOUSE LOT, DOWNTOWN SAPPORO-
-7:02 PM-
The man waiting was taller than Rikuu, shoulders broad beneath a worn jacket. His knuckles were already taped.
"So you're the kid," the man said, eyes scanning Rikuu lazily. "Doesn't look like much."
Rikuu said nothing.
Masayoshi raised a hand. "Rules are the same. Clean win. No weapons."
The man cracked his neck. "Hope you're ready to bleed."
Rikuu rolled his shoulders once.
The cold numbed everything.
The signal dropped.
The first punch came fast.
Rikuu barely dodged, the wind of it brushing his cheek. He stepped in, landed a clean hit to the ribs.
The man grunted—but smiled.
"Oh. I like this."
The next few minutes blurred into motion.
Fists. Breath. Impact.
Rikuu took a hit to the shoulder—another to his side. Pain flared sharp, then dull.
He didn't stop.
He never did.
One final strike—precise, brutal—sent the man collapsing to his knees.
Silence followed.
Then Masayoshi let out a breath. "You're unbelievable."
Someone tossed Rikuu a folded envelope.
He caught it.
"Count it," Masayoshi said.
Rikuu shook his head. "It's fine."
Masayoshi studied him. "You sure?"
Rikuu slid the envelope into his pocket. "…Yeah."
But his hand trembled slightly.
-PHARMACY, DOWNTOWN SAPPORO-
-7:46 PM-
Warm air greeted Rikuu as he stepped inside.
The pharmacist looked up, recognition flashing in her eyes.
"Arakawa-kun."
"…Evening."
"You look worse today," she said gently.
"I'm fine."
She sighed, already reaching for the usual items.
Pain relievers. Fever medicine. Compress patches.
"Still cold outside," she said as she rang him up. "Make sure your grandmother stays warm."
"…I will."
As he paid, his reflection caught in the glass counter.
Bruised. Tired.
And—
Why does she keep looking at me like that?
Rikuu turned away sharply and left.
-ARAKAWA APARTMENT, SAPPORO-
-8:21 PM-
The apartment was quiet.
Rikuu slipped inside, careful not to make noise.
"I'm home."
A soft cough answered him.
"In here," came a gentle voice.
He entered the bedroom.
Fumiko Arakawa sat propped up with blankets around her shoulders, eyes warm despite her frailty.
"You're late again, Riku."
"…Sorry."
She smiled. "School club?"
"…Yeah."
He set the medicine down and helped her take it, movements practiced and gentle.
"You're a good boy," she said softly. "Too good."
Rikuu didn't reply.
She reached up, brushing her fingers against his cheek. "You look tired."
"I'm okay."
She didn't argue.
After she fell asleep, Rikuu remained seated beside the bed.
Snow tapped faintly against the window.
His thoughts drifted—unwanted.
Komori.
The way she stood her ground.
The way she watched him—not as someone distant, but someone trying to understand.
"…Idiot," he muttered under his breath.
-KOMORI RESIDENCE, SAPPORO-
-9:03 PM-
Warm lights filled the Komori home.
Ichika sat by the window in her room, a cup of tea cooling in her hands. Outside, snow fell softly over the city.
Her reflection stared back at her.
Why did I say that?
She pressed a hand lightly to her chest.
It felt strange.
Warm.
She replayed his words—his expression—how he stepped away, but didn't look angry.
Just… conflicted.
"…Arakawa-kun," she whispered.
She didn't understand his world.
But she wanted to.
And that realization scared her more than the cold ever had.
-SAPPORO CITY-
-11:48 PM-
Two lives moved through the same night.
One through darkness and duty.
The other through warmth and questions.
Snow continued to fall—soft, indifferent.
Unaware that somewhere beneath it,
ice was beginning to crack.