-AURORA ACADEMY, COURTYARD WALKWAY-
-7:52 AM, JANUARY 18, 2017-
Morning frost covered the stone paths of Aurora Academy.
Students walked in clusters, scarves wrapped tightly around their uniforms, breath fogging the cold air.
Rikuu entered through the side gate.
His steps were slower than usual.
Not from injury.
From exhaustion.
He hadn't slept much the past few nights.
Hospital chairs were not meant for rest.
He had stayed until three in the morning before going home.
Two hours of sleep.
Then school.
Normal life pretending to continue.
"Arakawa."
He turned slightly.
Ichika stood a few steps behind him.
Pink hair catching the pale winter sunlight.
She studied his face.
"You didn't sleep again."
"I did."
She raised an eyebrow.
"That wasn't a convincing lie."
He sighed quietly.
"She's stable."
"For now?"
"…Yeah."
They walked toward the main building together.
Students watched them again.
Not whispering as loudly anymore.
But still watching.
Ichika ignored it.
"So," she said gently, "my father wants to meet you."
Rikuu stopped walking.
"…What?"
"He asked politely."
"That's worse."
She smiled faintly.
"He's not angry."
"Still worse."
They resumed walking.
"He only wants to understand the person I chose," she explained.
Rikuu shoved his hands in his pockets.
"He already knows."
Ichika glanced at him.
"You think so?"
"He probably had someone check."
She didn't deny it.
"My father is careful."
"…Figures."
Silence lingered briefly.
"You don't have to say yes immediately," she added.
"I will."
She blinked slightly.
"You will?"
He looked ahead.
"If I'm dating you, hiding from your family would be cowardly."
The words were simple.
But firm.
Ichika's expression softened.
"Then dinner this weekend."
"…Dinner."
"With my parents."
"…Great."
She laughed quietly.
The first real laugh he had heard from her in days.
For a moment—
The hospital tension lifted slightly.
But it didn't last long.
-DOWNTOWN INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT ALLEY-
-6:38 PM-
The alley lights flickered weakly.
Snow piled against trash bins and cracked concrete walls.
Rikuu walked into the narrow space slowly.
He knew they would be here.
Masayoshi leaned against the wall nearby.
His expression wasn't playful tonight.
"You shouldn't have come," Masayoshi muttered.
"Too late."
Three men stood further inside the alley.
Not fighters.
Organizers.
Men who handled money.
Crowds.
Bets.
One stepped forward.
"Well, look who decided to show up."
Rikuu remained calm.
"You called."
"You owe us matches."
"I told you I'm done."
The man chuckled softly.
"That's not how reputation works."
"I don't care about reputation."
"You should."
Another man spoke.
"You brought crowds. When you stopped suddenly, people lost money."
"Not my problem."
The first man's smile thinned.
"It becomes your problem if people think they can just walk away."
Masayoshi shifted uncomfortably against the wall.
"Leave him alone," he muttered. "He's got family issues."
"That's not our concern."
Rikuu's voice remained steady.
"…Then listen carefully."
Snow fell between them.
"I'm not fighting anymore."
The alley grew quiet.
One of the men stepped closer.
"You think this is a request?"
"No."
The man studied him.
Then sighed.
"Fine."
Too easily.
Which made Masayoshi frown.
"We'll let you go."
Rikuu didn't move.
"There's just one last condition."
There it was.
"What."
"One final match."
Rikuu's jaw tightened.
"You win, you walk away clean."
"And if I refuse?"
The man's smile returned slowly.
"Then people might start asking questions about the wealthy girl you've been walking around with."
Masayoshi cursed under his breath.
Rikuu's eyes darkened.
"That's a mistake."
"Is it?"
Silence filled the alley.
Cold.
Sharp.
Finally—
Rikuu spoke.
"…One fight."
The organizer nodded.
"This Saturday night."
Masayoshi immediately pushed off the wall.
"Rikuu, don't—"
But Rikuu had already turned away.
Conversation over.
Deal made.
As they walked out of the alley—
Masayoshi grabbed his shoulder.
"You said you were done!"
"I am."
"That's not what this looks like!"
Rikuu pulled his arm free.
"It will be."
Masayoshi stared at him.
"…You're doing this for her, aren't you?"
Rikuu didn't answer.
He didn't have to.
Snow continued falling.
Covering the alley floor.
But the footprints remained underneath.
-HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, ROOM 314-
-9:21 PM-
Ichika sat beside the bed again.
Rikuu's grandmother slept peacefully tonight.
Breathing steadier.
Machines quiet.
Rikuu stood by the window.
Watching the snowstorm outside.
"You're quieter than usual," Ichika said softly.
"…Just tired."
She tilted her head slightly.
"You're hiding something."
He turned.
"I'm always hiding something."
She didn't smile.
"From the world maybe."
Her gaze sharpened gently.
"But not from me."
Silence lingered.
He looked away again.
"…It's nothing."
She didn't push.
Not tonight.
Instead—
She stood and walked beside him.
Snow blurred the city lights outside.
Beautiful.
Cold.
"You're coming to dinner this weekend," she said quietly.
"…Yeah."
"With my parents."
"…Still sounds terrifying."
She laughed softly again.
And for a moment—
The world felt normal.
But behind Rikuu's calm expression—
Saturday night was already waiting.
One fight.
One line to cross.
One chance to walk away forever.
Fire sometimes demands one last burn before it fades.
And Rikuu had just agreed to it.