As he sat in the chair next to me, he turned toward me and said, “Aren’t you the one I bumped into earlier? I’m really sorry about what happened this morning, I was in a hurry,” he said while glancing at me.

  “Yes, that was me. It’s okay, you also caught me when I fell, so it’s all fine,” I said to him with a small laugh.

  “U-um, Hisui-san… could you meet me on the school rooftop during lunch break? I’d like to talk to you.” “Alright then,” he replied. I feel like I’m going to get involved in something with this girl… but it’s strange—ever since this morning, she’s felt familiar. My heart is pounding. Just who is this girl?

  Throughout class, I kept glancing at her. I still couldn’t believe that I had met her again today. When the lunch bell rang, I quickly made my way to the rooftop and waited for her to arrive. I looked up at the sky—the sun was shining brightly. Even though it had rained heavily earlier, the rain had left behind a beautiful rainbow. Then, I heard the sound of the door opening behind me.

  “Thank you for coming, Akito. Do you still remember me?” I asked with a smile, turning to face him.

  “Y-you… Haruka?” Is she really Haruka? Is this a dream?

  “You’re right. It’s been a while, Akito. I’m Shirayuki Haruka.” A strong gust of wind blew, brushing through my long hair.

  “Your smile is still the same as back then,” I said to her, smiling back at the sweet expression on her face. I walked up to her and hugged her tightly. “I’m here again now, so don’t worry.”

  The spring breeze blew softly, carrying the scent of cherry blossoms starting to fall. We stayed in that embrace for quite a while, as if time had stopped just for the two of us. For the first time in years, I felt at peace.

  After our conversation, we walked down from the rooftop together, making our way through the hallway that had grown quiet as class was about to start. But my steps felt lighter than usual. There was someone beside me now.

  As we passed the school’s back garden, I saw our reflections in the window—two figures slowly reunited after time had pulled them apart.

  That day, for the first time in so many years… I didn’t feel alone.

  In the classroom, all the girls in my class immediately crowded around Akito.

  "Hey, Hisui-san, where did you transfer from?"

  Akito seemed surrounded by all the girls in class, his face a bit confused but still trying to be polite. I had just entered the classroom with him, but I chose to quietly slip away, knowing my presence would only make things awkward... or worse, make me the center of attention.

  I slowly walked to my seat and sat down, trying to distract myself by opening my notebook, but my eyes kept drifting toward the crowd.

  "Of course... he’s popular. Everyone wants to get to know him. Was I hoping for too much?"

  "What’s up with Haruka? She looked strange when we came into the classroom," Akito thought, glancing at me from between the girls. Then, his footsteps approached my desk, and he sat down in his seat, ignoring the crowd of girls who had just surrounded him. I quickly turned to him, a bit surprised. “E-eh? Why did you come here?” He leaned lightly against the desk. “Why? Am I not allowed to?” I replied in a small voice, “It’s fine, I guess…” I turned my face away, blushing. “I’m glad we could meet again. Even though... I might’ve made you feel awkward, huh?” I let out a small laugh. “A little. But I’m happy too. Really happy.”

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  And at that moment, for the first time in a long while... the classroom felt warm. During class, I felt a warmth in my heart. I felt safe, just knowing he was by my side, again.

  As I was walking toward the school gate after classes ended, one of the girls suddenly pushed me to the ground. Another kicked me, causing me to roll over, then spoke up:

  "Hey, Yuki-Onna… or should I call you a disgusting monster? What’s your relationship with Hisui-san? There's no way he'd be interested in someone like you. Or are you using your powers to control people’s minds now too?" Hearing her words, I fell silent for a moment, then replied, "What do you want… to say something like that from your mouth?"

  The temperature around me began to drop. Blue lines started creeping across my arms, and my blue eyes began to glow. Sharp shards of ice started forming around me, and I shouted at them:

  "STOP TAKING AWAY WHAT'S PRECIOUS TO ME!"

  The ice shot forward at them with great speed. They froze in fear, completely silent—until I heard the sound of someone running toward us.

  "Stop, Harukaaaaaa!" Akito shouted, leaping in the path of the oncoming ice. I managed to halt the attack in time, but a small cut still formed on his hand.

  "A-Akito, no… I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to—I-it’s not what it looks like!" I stammered, stepping back. Fear filled me… Would he hate me now?

  "Calm down, Haruka. I’m not going anywhere. I’ll stay with you… forever."

  "But… back then, you left me. You returned me to my bleak life… alone. Get out of the way, Akito. I have to protect what’s important to me. I don’t want to hurt you!"

  A small snowstorm began swirling around me, but I could hear the sound of footsteps getting closer. No… it couldn’t be.

  "Hey, Akito! Stop, you’ll get hurt—stay away!" But Akito kept walking toward me, pushing forward through the miniature blizzard.

  "I… won’t… leave you again… Haruka… I promise," he said, gathering all his strength. I tried to stop the storm, and as it faded… Akito slipped and fell—right into me.

  When I opened my eyes… we were kissing. Akito quickly pushed himself off and turned his face away—so did I.

  "S-sorry! I slipped and—"

  "P-promise?" I said, blushing, before he could finish.

  "Eh?"

  "Promise you won’t leave me again?" I held out my pinky.

  "Of course. I promise," he said, hooking his pinky around mine and gently squeezing it for a moment.

  The atmosphere in front of the school gate, once so ordinary, now felt tense. Traces of icy mist still hung in the air, and the ground was dusted with a light layer of snow. The students nearby stared wide-eyed. Some covered their mouths in shock; others stood frozen, unable to believe what they had just witnessed.

  "Was that… magic?" one student whispered in a trembling voice.

  "She really is the Yuki-Onna… the legendary one…" added another, their tone laced with both fear and awe.

  The girls who had attacked me earlier were now slumped on the ground, pale and shivering—not just from the cold, but from a deep fear that had taken root inside them. None of them could speak. They could only hang their heads or stare blankly into space.

  A supervising teacher, alerted by the commotion, came running over. His eyes widened at the sight of the ice-covered school grounds and Akito standing beside me, holding my hand.

  "Haruka… Hisui-san… what happened here?" he asked, clearly alarmed.

  The atmosphere in front of the school gate was still silent. A gentle breeze carried the lingering crystals of ice that hadn’t yet melted. All eyes were fixed on Haruka and Akito.

  “What have I done… in front of everyone…” I whispered in my heart.

  Akito, standing beside me, looked sharply at the teacher. He held my hand tightly, then spoke.

  “This isn’t Haruka’s fault. She was just… protecting herself.”

  Some students gasped at his words. Even the supervising teacher seemed hesitant.

  “I understand… but this is serious, Hisui-kun. Both of you need to come to the staff room. We need to discuss what happened.”

  I only nodded quietly. The students’ stares felt like needles piercing through me. But… some of them looked different—awed, fearful, or curious.

  One of the students whispered, “If she can do that… then the rumor must be true?"

  Inside the staff room, I sat on a long bench, my head lowered. Akito sat beside me. Several teachers were speaking in low voices.

  Suddenly, an elderly woman with long silver hair entered the room. She wore a modern-style kimono and carried a slender wooden staff, intricately carved.

  “So… the girl has awakened her power, has she?” the old woman spoke.

  “Ah, Headmistress Yamazaki. You know her?”

  “Of course. I’ve known many children like her. But this one… she’s more than just a legend.”

  She stepped closer and looked into my eyes. Her gaze was sharp—but warm.

  “Do you want to learn how to control your power… so you won’t hurt anyone again?”

  “…Yes, I do. I want to change. I want to become strong—not to fight… but to protect.”

  Outside the room, light snow began to fall—even though it wasn’t the season. The students were still murmuring about what happened. Some of them started seeing Haruka not just as a lonely girl… but as someone different. Perhaps dangerous. Perhaps extraordinary.

  And this... is where it all began. Not just my story as an ordinary student... but a story of truth, of power, and of love... frozen in the snow.